485APOS 1 a11-28673_1485apos.htm 485APOS

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2011

 

Securities Act File No. 33-20827

Investment Company Act File No. 811-5518

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

x

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.    

o

Post-Effective Amendment No.   143                

x

 

 

and

 

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

x

 

 

Amendment No.  145

x

 


 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Bellevue Park Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number: (302) 791-1851

 

Copies to:

 

SALVATORE FAIA

 

MICHAEL P. MALLOY, ESQUIRE

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

103 Bellevue Parkway

 

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

o immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

o on [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)

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

x on December 31, 2011 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

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

o on December 31, 2011 pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

 

Title of Securities Being Registered.               Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 



 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Of The RBB Fund, Inc.

Ticker: PSIGX

 

I Shares Prospectus

 

December 31, 2011

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

3

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

3

 

 

EXPENSES AND FEES

3

 

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

3

 

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

4

 

 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

5

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

6

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

6

 

 

TAXES

6

 

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

6

 

 

FUND INFORMATION

7

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

7

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

7

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

8

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

8

 

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

10

 

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

10

 

 

PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

10

 

 

REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

12

 

 

MARKET TIMING

14

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

14

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

14

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

17

 

 

PERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

18

 



 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The investment objective of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

 

EXPENSES AND FEES

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold I Shares of the Fund.

 

 

 

I Shares

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

 

None

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends

 

None

 

Redemption Fee (charged on redemptions within 7 days of purchase)

 

2.00

%

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

0.90

%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

 

None

 

Other Expenses

 

[        ]

%

 

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

[        ]

%

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(1)

 

[        ]

%

 

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

 

[        ]

%

 


(1)  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than Acquired Fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to I Shares through December 31, 2012. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.10%, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

$

[           ]

 

$

[           ]

 

$

[           ]

 

$

[           ]

 

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was [     ], of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in small-cap equity securities. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund currently defines small-cap equity securities as those of companies with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund’s investments will generally consist of U.S. traded securities, which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), among other types of securities.

 

The Fund’s investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, strong balance sheets, and strong current and projected business fundamentals which are priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Because companies tend to shift in relative attractiveness, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs, additional capital gains tax liabilities and may adversely impact performance. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Adviser may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other

 

3



 

 risks, such as market risk. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the stated market capitalization range defined above.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

 

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

 

Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

The Fund is also subject to the risk that small-capitalization stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small-capitalization companies that the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

 

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs, it is subject to some of the same risks as direct investments in foreign companies. These include the risk that political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. For more information about the Fund’s investment strategy and risks associated with investing in the Fund, please read the “Fund Information” section.

 

4



 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

 

The bar chart and the performance table below illustrates the long-term performance of the Fund.  The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  On February 8, 2010, substantially all of the assets of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, a portfolio of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Predecessor Fund”), were transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization was assumed by the Fund and the Fund’s fiscal year end changed from July 31 to August 31. The performance information shown below for periods prior to February 8, 2010  is that of the I Shares of the Predecessor Fund, which commenced operations on December 31, 2007,. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns would have been lower had certain fees and expenses not been waived or reimbursed. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at www.perimetercap.com or 1-888-968-4964.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

GRAPHIC

 

Best and Worst Quarterly Performance (for the periods reflected in the chart above)

 

Best Quarter:

 

Worst Quarter:

[        ]

 

[        ]

(quarter ended [          ] )

 

(quarter ended [       ])

 

Year to Date Total Return as of September 30, 2011: [         ]

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

This table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund’s I Shares for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010 and since inception to those of the Russell 2000® Growth Index.  The returns shown below for periods prior to the Reorganization on February 8, 2010 are for the Predecessor Fund.

 

 

 

1 Year

 

Since Inception*

 

Fund Returns Before Taxes

 

[    ]

 

[    ]

 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions**

 

[     ]

 

[    ]

 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares**

 

[    ]

 

[     ]

 

Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)***

 

[    ]

 

[    ]

 

 


    *     I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.

 

  **    After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

***   The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000® Index. As of [          ], the market capitalization range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index was between [      ] and [       ]

 

5



 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Investment Adviser

 

Perimeter Capital Management

Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 3300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of the Fund since inception

Jim N. Behre, Director of Investment Research, Senior Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager of the Fund since inception

 

PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

 

Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000,000

 

Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from The RBB Fund, Inc. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion.

 

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption by Mail:

 

Regular Mail:

Overnight Delivery:

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9842

4400 Computer Drive

Providence, RI 02940-8042

Westborough, MA 01581

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

Call the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964

 

TAXES

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Additionally, you will recognize gain or loss when you redeem Shares. Distributions on, and redemptions of, Shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

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 may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund Shares and other 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.

 

6



 

FUND INFORMATION

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

 

The investments and strategies described in this Prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments and other cash equivalents that would not ordinarily be consistent with its investment objective. If the Fund invests in this manner, it may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund will only make temporary defensive investments if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

This Prospectus describes the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

 

The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders’ money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities.

 

The Fund has an investment objective and strategies for reaching that objective. The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its objective. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with similar investments. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

 

The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings.

 

Equity Risk — Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of such securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.

 

Foreign Security Risk — Investments in securities of foreign companies (including direct investments as well as ADRs) can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign companies. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the United States and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.

 

7



 

Derivatives Risks — Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include the following risks associated with hedging and leveraging activities:

 

·  The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates.

 

·  The Fund may experience losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives.

 

·  There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives.

 

·  There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives.

 

·  Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange.

 

·  Government regulations may restrict trading derivatives.

 

·  The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

 

Securities Lending Risks — The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities to institutions, such as certain broker-dealers. Portfolio security loans are secured continuously by collateral maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the securities loaned by the Fund will not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in the recovery of its securities if the borrowing institution breaches its agreement with the Fund.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

A description of the policies and procedures of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Investment Adviser

 

Perimeter Capital Management, a Delaware corporation formed in 2006, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser’s principal place of business is located at Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 3300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. As of September 30, 2011 the Adviser had approximately $1.5 billion in assets under management.

 

Management Fees

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. A discussion regarding the Board of Directors’ basis for approving the investment advisory agreement with respect to the Fund is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to I Shares through December 31, 2012.  If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses for I Shares for that year are less than 1.10%, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 the Fund paid [        ] (expressed as a percentage of average net assets) to the Adviser for its services. Had fee waivers not been in place, the Predecessor Fund and the Fund would have paid 0.90%.

 

8



 

Portfolio Management

 

The Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals headed by Mark D. Garfinkel, Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”). Although Mr. Garfinkel is primarily responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund, Jim N. Behre also plays an integral part in generating investment ideas and making recommendations for the Fund.

 

Mark D. Garfinkel is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of its management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer, he has over 24 years of investment management experience. Prior to the formation of the Adviser in June 2006, Mr. Garfinkel spent 8 years managing Trusco Capital Management, Inc.’s small cap growth discipline, which he and lead analyst, Jim Behre, co-designed in 1998. Mr. Garfinkel is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts, received his CFA designation in 1993, and earned his B.A. (1986) and M.B.A. (1987) from Vanderbilt University.

 

Jim N. Behre is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of the management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Senior Research Analyst and Director of Investment Research, he brings over 25 years of investment experience, specializing in small- to mid-cap companies. Prior to the formation of the Adviser, Mr. Behre worked with Mr. Garfinkel at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. as the lead analyst of the firm’s small-cap growth investment process. In addition, he has had experience as a Securities Principal and Compliance Officer. Mr. Behre is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts and earned his B.A. from Barry University (1984) and M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University (1991).

 

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

9



 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

 

I Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their NAV. The NAV per Share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

Value of Assets Attributable to I Shares

NAV =

Value of Liabilities Attributable to I Shares

 

 

Number of Outstanding Shares of I Shares

 

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund Shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in good order. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your order in good order.

 

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such service or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Fund’s administrator, in consultation with the Adviser, securities will be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and under the Board of Directors’ ultimate supervision. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

 

PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

 

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”). I Shares are designed for individual and institutional investors.

 

General. You may purchase Shares of each Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below.  The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open.  After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial investment minimum and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the

 

10



 

purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

 

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) based on the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

 

Initial Investment By Mail. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, an account may be opened by completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it to the Fund at the address noted below, together with a check payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Third party endorsed checks or foreign checks will not be accepted.

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9842

Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

or overnight to:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

 

Subject to acceptance by the Fund, payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per Share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, Shares may be purchased by wiring federal funds to The Bank of New York Mellon.  A completed Account Application must be forwarded to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at (888) 968-4964 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.)

 

Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the Fund and The Bank of New York Mellon are open for business.

 

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares at the NAV per share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) or by wiring monies to The Bank of New York Mellon as outlined above under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date.

 

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. A $15.00 retirement custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

 

11



 

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of Shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

 

a.        persons who already hold Shares of the Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

 

b.       existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the Fund;

 

c.        employees of the Adviser and their families, and

 

d.       directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, reserves the right to implement specific purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional Shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places. Certificates for Shares will not be issued except at the written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional Shares, however, will not be issued.

 

Shares may be purchased and subsequent investments may be made by principals and employees of the Adviser and their family members, either directly or through their IRAs, and by any pension and profit-sharing plan of the Adviser, without being subject to the minimum investment limitation. The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial investment requirement.

 

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

 

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order.  The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open.  You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9842, Providence, RI 02940-8042, or for overnight delivery to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581, and must include:

 

·  a letter of instruction, if required, or a stock assignment specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

12



 

·  any required Medallion signature guarantees, which are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s), (ii) the redemption request is for $10,000 or more; or (iii) a Share transfer request is made. A Medallion signature guarantee is a special signature guarantee that may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association which is a participant in a Medallion signature guarantee program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. A Medallion imprint or Medallion stamp indicates that the financial institution is a member of a Medallion signature guarantee program and is an acceptable signature guarantor. The three recognized Medallion signature guarantee programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

·  other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

 

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

 

Redemption Fee. In an effort to discourage short-term trading and defray costs incurred by shareholders as a result of same, the Fund charges a 2% redemption fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase. The fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and cannot be paid separately, and any proceeds of the fee are credited to the assets of the Fund. The fee does not apply to Shares purchased with reinvested dividends or distributions. The redemption fee is applicable to Shares of the Fund purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the Fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries’ methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from those of the Fund.

 

The redemption fee may not apply to certain categories of redemptions, such as those that the Fund reasonably believes may not raise frequent trading or market timing concerns. These categories include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) participants in certain group retirement plans whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (ii) redemptions resulting from certain transfers upon the death of a shareholder; (iii) redemptions by certain pension plans as required by law or by regulatory authorities; (iv) systematic redemptions; and (v) retirement loans and withdrawals. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.

 

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The Fund may assert the right to redeem your Shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for Shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Redemption Information: Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

 

13



 

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholders will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good Order: You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed.

 

MARKET TIMING

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Fund shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange.  An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise their right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, the Adviser may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in the Adviser’s judgment, will be uniform.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund Shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Company. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual U.S. citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

14



 

Distributions. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations.

 

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

 

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

 

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current backup withholding rate is 28%.

 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

 

15



 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund.

 

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

Sunset of Tax Provisions. Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions. Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15 % long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will change after 2012.

 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income or gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

More information about taxes is contained in the Fund’s SAI.

 

16



 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The table below sets forth certain financial information for the periods indicated, including per share information for a single Fund share.  I Shares of the Predecessor Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.  The returns shown below for periods prior to the Reorganization on February 8, 2010 are for the Predecessor Fund.  The term “Total Return” in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by [                    ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.  This information should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements, which together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request (see back cover for ordering instructions).

 

 

 

Year Ended
August 31,
2011

 

One Month
Period Ended
August 31,
2010*

 

Year Ended
July 31,
2010

 

Year Ended
July 31,
2009

 

Period
Ended
July 31,
2008**

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

 

 

$

9.58

 

$

8.48

 

$

10.42

 

$

11.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Loss(1)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(0.07

)

(0.05

)

(0.04

)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Loss) on Investments

 

 

 

(0.73

)

1.17

 

(1.89

)

(1.07

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total from Operations

 

 

 

(0.74

)

1,10

 

(1.94

)

(1.11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption Fees

 

 

 

(2)

(2)

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

 

 

$

8.84

 

$

9.58

 

$

8.48

 

$

10.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return†

 

 

%

(7.73

)%

12.97

%

(18.62

)%

(9.63

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

 

 

$

165,334

 

$

179,290

 

$

154,905

 

$

26,616

 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, excluding fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.10

%***

1.10

%

1.04

%

1.03

%***

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.10

%***

1.10

%

1.03

%

1.00

%***

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers, and fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.22

%***

1.16

%

1.36

%

1.37

%***

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

 

 

%

(0.72

)%***

(0.74

)%

(0.64

)%

(0.58

)%***

Portfolio Turnover Rate‡

 

 

%

7

%

97

%

126

%

147

%‡‡

 


                  Total return has not been annualized for periods less than one year. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

                   Portfolio turnover rate has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

 

‡‡             Portfolio turnover rate is for the Fund for the period ended July 31, 2008.

 

*                  The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

 

**           Commenced Operations on December 31, 2007.

 

***    Annualized

 

(1)           Per share data calculated using average shares method.

 

(2)           Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

17



 

PERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

 

The information set forth below represents the performance of another mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel with an investment strategy substantially similar to that of the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and should not be considered as a representation of the future results of the Fund. The table compares the average annual total returns of the other mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel to the Russell 2000 Growth Index, an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for stocks of small U.S. companies.

 

The performance information shown below from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005 is the performance of the STI Classic Funds’ Small Cap Growth Stock Fund (the “STI Fund”), a registered mutual fund managed principally by Mr. Garfinkel while at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. The STI Fund had substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Fund.

 

The bar chart and performance table that follow do not show the performance of the Predecessor Fund or the Fund. They show the performance of the STI Fund, a similar mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel. Mr. Garfinkel’s past performance in managing this similar mutual fund is no guarantee of the future performance of the Fund.

 

This table compares the STI Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2005 to that of the Russell 2000 Growth Index.*

 

 

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

Since Inception

 

STI Fund Returns

 

7.92

%

7.51

%

15.48

%

Russell 2000 Growth Index

 

4.15

%

2.28

%

6.10

%

 

The performance information of the STI Fund reflects the operating expenses of the STI Fund’s I Shares since their inception on October 8, 1998. Russell 2000 Growth Index returns are since September 30, 1998 (Russell 2000 Growth Index returns available only on a month end basis).

 

This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the STI Fund’s I Shares from calendar year to calendar year during the periods that it was managed by Mr. Garfinkel.

 

GRAPHIC

 

The STI Fund’s total return from January 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006 was 5.05%.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

18



 

Perimeter Capital Management LLC

Six Concourse Parkway

Suite 3300

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi-annual Reports These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes Fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com.

 

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) An SAI, dated December 31, 2011, has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual reports, may be obtained free of charge by calling 1-888-968-4964. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus. The SAI is available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com.

 

Shareholder Inquiries Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: (888) 968-4964.

 

Purchases And Redemptions Call your registered representative or 1-888-968-4964.

 

Written Correspondence

 

P.O. Box Address:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

PO Box 9842, Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

 

 

Street Address:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581

 

Securities and Exchange Commission You may view and copy information about the Company and the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by sending your request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05518

 



 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

Of The RBB Fund, Inc.

Ticker: PSCGX

 

Investor Class Shares Prospectus

 

December 31, 2011

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

3

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

3

 

 

EXPENSES AND FEES

3

 

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

3

 

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

4

 

 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

4

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

5

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

5

 

 

TAXES

6

 

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

6

 

 

FUND INFORMATION

7

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

7

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

7

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

8

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

8

 

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

10

 

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

10

 

 

PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

10

 

 

REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

12

 

 

MARKET TIMING

14

 

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

14

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

14

 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

15

 

 

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

16

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

17

 

 

PERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

18

 



 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The investment objective of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

 

EXPENSES AND FEES

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Class shares of the Fund.

 

 

 

Investor Class

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

 

None

 

Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends

 

None

 

Redemption Fee (charged on redemptions within 7 days of purchase)

 

2.00

%

Exchange Fee (Chanred on exchanges within 7 days of purchase)

 

2.00

%

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

0.90

%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

 

0.25

%

Other Expenses

 

[        ]

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

[        ]

%

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(1)

 

[(      )]

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

 

1.35

%

 


(1)  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than Acquired Fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class Shares through December 31, 2012. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Investor Class Shares Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.35%, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns might be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

$

[            ]

 

$

[            ]

 

$

[            ]

 

$

[            ]

 

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance During the most recent fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was [     ], of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in small-cap equity securities. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund currently defines small-cap equity securities as those of companies with market capitalizations between $50 million and $3 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund’s investments will generally consist of U.S. traded securities, which may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), among other types of securities.

 

The Fund’s investment philosophy is based on the premise that a portfolio of small cap stocks with positive earnings trends, reasonable valuation, and strong fundamentals will provide superior returns over time. The Adviser selects companies with strong current earnings growth, improving profitability, strong balance sheets, and strong current and projected business fundamentals which are priced at reasonable valuations. The Adviser believes in executing a very disciplined and objective investment process and in controlling risk through a broadly diversified portfolio. Because companies tend to shift in relative attractiveness, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs, additional capital

 

3



 

gains tax liabilities and may adversely impact performance. In addition, in order to implement its investment strategy, the Adviser may buy or sell, to a limited extent, derivative instruments (such as futures, options, and swaps) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as market risk. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the stated market capitalization range defined above.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

 

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

 

Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

The Fund is also subject to the risk that small-capitalization stocks may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. The small-capitalization companies that the Fund invests in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these small-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

 

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs, it is subject to some of the same risks as direct investments in foreign companies. These include the risk that political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. For more information about the Fund’s investment strategy and risks associated with investing in the Fund, please read the “Fund Information” section.

 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

 

The bar chart and the performance table below illustrates the long-term performance of the Fund. The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. On February 8, 2010, substantially all of the assets of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, a portfolio of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Predecessor Fund”), were transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund prior to the date of the Reorganization was assumed by the Fund and the Fund’s fiscal year end changed from July 31 to August 31. The performance information shown below for periods prior to February 8, 2010  is that of the Investor Class Shares of the Predecessor Fund, which commenced operations on September 29, 2006. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns would have been lower had certain fees and expenses not been waived or reimbursed. Past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at www.perimetercap.com or 1-888-968-4964.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

GRAPHIC

 

4



 

Best and Worst Quarterly Performance (for the periods reflected in the chart above)

 

Best Quarter:

 

Worst Quarter:

[        ]

 

[        ]

(quarter ended [     ])

 

(quarter ended [     ])

 

Year to Date Total Return as of September 30, 2011: [        % ]

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

This table compares the average annual total returns of the Predecessor Fund’s and Fund’s Investor Class Shares for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010 and since inception to those of the Russell 2000® Growth Index.  The returns shown below for periods prior to the Reorganization on February 8, 2010 are for the Predecessor Fund.

 

 

 

1 Year

 

Since Inception*

 

Fund Returns Before Taxes

 

[    ]

 

[    ]

 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions**

 

[    ]

 

[    ]

 

Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares**

 

[     ]

 

[     ]

 

Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)***

 

[    ]

 

[     ]

 

 


*                 The Fund’s inception date was September 29, 2006. Index comparisons begin September 30, 2006.

 

**          After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

***   The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000® Index. As of [          ], the market capitalization range of the companies in the Russell 2000 Growth Index was between [    ] and [      ].

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Investment Adviser

 

Perimeter Capital Management LLC,

Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 3300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of the Fund since inception

Jim N. Behre, Director of Investment Research, Senior Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager of the Fund since inception

 

PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION

 

Minimum Initial Investment: $100,000*

 

Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from The RBB Fund, Inc. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion.

 

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption by Mail:

 

Regular Mail:

 

Overnight Delivery:

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9842

 

4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581

Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

 

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

Call the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964

 

5



 

TAXES

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Additionally, you will recognize gain or loss when you redeem Shares. Distributions on, and redemptions of, Shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

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 may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund Shares and other 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.

 

6



 

FUND INFORMATION

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS

 

The investments and strategies described in this Prospectus are those that the Fund uses under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments and other cash equivalents that would not ordinarily be consistent with its investment objective. If the Fund invests in this manner, it may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund will only make temporary defensive investments if the Adviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

This Prospectus describes the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK

 

The Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders’ money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities.

 

The Fund has an investment objective and strategies for reaching that objective. The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets in a way that it believes will help the Fund achieve its objective. Still, investing in the Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with similar investments. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

 

The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings.

 

Equity Risk — Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock and convertible securities, as well as instruments that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Investments in equity securities and equity derivatives in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of such securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a mutual fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.

 

Foreign Security Risk — Investments in securities of foreign companies (including direct investments as well as ADRs) can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign companies. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the United States and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.

 

7



 

Derivatives Risks — Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. The Fund may use derivatives (such as futures, options, and swaps) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time maintaining liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging or non-hedging purposes. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include the following risks associated with hedging and leveraging activities:

 

·  The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates.

 

·  The Fund may experience losses over certain ranges in the market that exceed losses experienced by a fund that does not use derivatives.

 

·  There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of derivatives.

 

·  There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives.

 

·  Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange.

 

·  Government regulations may restrict trading derivatives.

 

·  The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by having an organization with very good credit act as intermediary. Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

 

Securities Lending Risks — The Fund may seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities to institutions, such as certain broker-dealers. Portfolio security loans are secured continuously by collateral maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the securities loaned by the Fund will not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in the recovery of its securities if the borrowing institution breaches its agreement with the Fund.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

A description of the policies and procedures of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Investment Adviser

 

Perimeter Capital Management, a Delaware corporation formed in 2006, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser’s principal place of business is located at Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 3300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. As of September 30, 2011, the Adviser had approximately $1.5 billion in assets under management.

 

Management Fees

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. A discussion regarding the Board of Directors’ basis for approving the investment advisory agreement with respect to the Fund is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year August 31, 2011.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class Shares through December 31, 2012. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses for Investor Class Shares for that year are less than 1.35%, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 the Fund paid [    ] (expressed as a percentage of average net assets) to the Adviser for its services. Had fee waivers not been in place,  the Fund would have paid 0.90%.

 

8



 

Portfolio Management

 

The Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals headed by Mark D. Garfinkel, Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”). Although Mr. Garfinkel is primarily responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund, Jim N. Behre also plays an integral part in generating investment ideas and making recommendations for the Fund.

 

Mark D. Garfinkel is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of its management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer, he has over 24 years of investment management experience. Prior to the formation of the Adviser in June 2006, Mr. Garfinkel spent 8 years managing Trusco Capital Management, Inc.’s small cap growth discipline, which he and lead analyst, Jim Behre, co-designed in 1998. Mr. Garfinkel is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts, received his CFA designation in 1993, and earned his B.A. (1986) and M.B.A. (1987) from Vanderbilt University.

 

Jim N. Behre is a founding partner of the Adviser and a member of the management committee. As the Adviser’s small-cap growth Senior Research Analyst and Director of Investment Research, he brings over 25 years of investment experience, specializing in small- to mid-cap companies. Prior to the formation of the Adviser, Mr. Behre worked with Mr. Garfinkel at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. as the lead analyst of the firm’s small-cap growth investment process. In addition, he has had experience as a Securities Principal and Compliance Officer. Mr. Behre is a member of the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts and earned his B.A. from Barry University (1984) and M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University (1991).

 

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

9



 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

 

Investor Class shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their NAV. The NAV per Share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

Value of Assets Attributable to the Investor Class

NAV =

Value of Liabilities Attributable to the Investor Class

 

 

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Investor Class

 

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund Shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in good order. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your order in good order.

 

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such service or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Fund’s administrator, in consultation with the Adviser, securities will be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and under the Board of Directors’ ultimate supervision. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

 

PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

 

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”). Investor Class Shares are designed for individual and retail investors.

 

General. You may purchase Shares of each Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below.  The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open.  After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $100,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial investment minimum and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the

 

10



 

purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

 

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) based on the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

 

Initial Investment By Mail. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, an account may be opened by completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it to the Fund at the address noted below, together with a check payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Third party endorsed checks or foreign checks will not be accepted.

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9842

Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

or overnight to:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

 

Subject to acceptance by the Fund, payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per Share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. Subject to acceptance by the Fund, Shares may be purchased by wiring federal funds to The Bank of New York Mellon. A completed Account Application must be forwarded to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at (888) 968-4964 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.)

 

Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the Fund and The Bank of New York Mellon are open for business.

 

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares at the NAV per share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) or by wiring monies to The Bank of New York Mellon as outlined above under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date.

 

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. A $15.00 retirement custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

 

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of Shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

 

a.        persons who already hold Shares of the Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

 

11



 

b.       existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the Fund;

 

c.        employees of the Adviser and their families, and

 

d.       directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, reserves the right to implement specific purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional Shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places. Certificates for Shares will not be issued except at the written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional Shares, however, will not be issued.

 

Shares may be purchased and subsequent investments may be made by principals and employees of the Adviser and their family members, either directly or through their IRAs, and by any pension and profit-sharing plan of the Adviser, without being subject to the minimum investment limitation. The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial investment requirement.

 

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

 

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order.  The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open.  You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9842, Providence, RI 02940-8042, or for overnight delivery to Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581, and must include:

 

·          a letter of instruction, if required, or a stock assignment specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

·  any required Medallion signature guarantees, which are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s), (ii) the redemption request is for $10,000 or more; or (iii) a Share transfer request is made. A Medallion signature guarantee is a special signature guarantee that may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association which is a participant in a Medallion signature guarantee program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. A Medallion imprint or Medallion stamp indicates that the financial institution is a member of a Medallion signature guarantee program and is an acceptable signature guarantor. The three recognized Medallion signature guarantee programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

·  other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

 

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a

 

12



 

redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

 

Redemption Fee. In an effort to discourage short-term trading and defray costs incurred by shareholders as a result of same, the Fund charges a 2% redemption fee on redemptions of Fund Shares sold within 7 days of their purchase. The fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and cannot be paid separately, and any proceeds of the fee are credited to the assets of the Fund. The fee does not apply to Shares purchased with reinvested dividends or distributions. The redemption fee is applicable to Shares of the Fund purchased either directly or through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer. Transactions through financial intermediaries typically are placed with the Fund on an omnibus basis and include both purchase and sale transactions placed on behalf of multiple investors. For this reason, the Fund has undertaken to notify financial intermediaries of their obligation to assess the redemption fee on customer accounts and to collect and remit the proceeds to the Fund. However, due to operational requirements, the intermediaries’ methods for tracking and calculating the fee may be inadequate or differ in some respects from those of the Fund.

 

The redemption fee may not apply to certain categories of redemptions, such as those that the Fund reasonably believes may not raise frequent trading or market timing concerns. These categories include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) participants in certain group retirement plans whose processing systems are incapable of properly applying the redemption fee to underlying shareholders; (ii) redemptions resulting from certain transfers upon the death of a shareholder; (iii) redemptions by certain pension plans as required by law or by regulatory authorities; (iv) systematic redemptions; (v) retirement loans and withdrawals; and (vi) transactions involving shares exchanged from one class to another class in the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time

 

Involuntary Redemption: The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account falls below $500 as a result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The Fund may assert the right to redeem your Shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for Shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Redemption Information: Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

 

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholders will bear the market risk of the securities received until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securites. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good Order: You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed.

 

13



 

MARKET TIMING

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Fund shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange.  An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise their right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, the Adviser may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in the Adviser’s judgment, will be uniform.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund Shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Company. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

 

The Fund also offers I Shares, which are offered directly to individual and institutional investors without distribution fees in a separate prospectus. Upon request, beneficial shareholders of Investor Class Shares are eligible to exchange their shares for I Shares if the accumulated value of their Shares exceeds the minimum initial investment amount for I Shares ($1,000,000). The Fund will determine the eligibility of an investor to exercise the exchange privilege based on the current NAV of Investor Class Shares.

 

Such an exchange will be effected at the NAV of the Investor Class Shares next calculated after the exchange request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. Shares of each class of the Fund represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue dividends and calculate NAV and performance quotations in the same manner. The performance of each class is quoted separately due to different actual expenses. The total return on I Shares can be expected to differ from the total return on Investor Class Shares. The Fund reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend the privilege during unusual market conditions when, in the judgment of management, such change or discontinuance is in the best interests of the Fund. Shareholders who exercise the exchange privilege will generally not recognize a taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on an exchange of Investor Class Shares for I Shares.

 

You may make an exchange request by sending a written request to the Transfer Agent or, if authorized, by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-888-968-4964.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects

 

14



 

otherwise. The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually.

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAXES

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual U.S. citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

Distributions. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations.

 

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

 

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

 

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current backup withholding rate is 28%

 

15



 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund.

 

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

Sunset of Tax Provisions. Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions. Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will change after 2012.

 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income or gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

More information about taxes is contained in the Fund’s SAI.

 

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Plan of Distribution for the Investor Class Shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Plan, the Fund’s Distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Company’s Board of Directors and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan. Ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders may include updating and mailing prospectuses and shareholder reports, responding to inquiries regarding shareholder accounts and acting as agent or intermediary between shareholders and the Fund or its service providers. The Distributor may delegate some or all of these functions to Service Organizations. See “Purchases Through Intermediaries” above.

 

The Plan obligates the Fund, during the period it is in effect, to accrue and pay to the Distributor on behalf of the Shares the fee agreed to under the Distribution Agreement. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to expenses actually incurred by the Distributor, and the payments may exceed distribution expenses actually incurred.

 

16



 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The table below sets forth certain financial information for the periods indicated, including per share information for a single Fund share.  The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on September 29, 2006.  The returns shown below for periods prior to the Reorganization on February 8, 2010 are for the Predecessor Fund.  The term “Total Return” in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).  This information has been derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by [                    ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.  This information should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements, which together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request (see back cover for ordering instructions).

 

 

 

Year Ended
August 31,

2011

 

One Month
Period Ended
August 31,

2010*

 

Year Ended
July 31,

2010

 

Year Ended
July 31,

2009

 

Year Ended
July 31,
2008

 

Period Ended
July 31,
2007**

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

 

 

$

9.53

 

$

8.45

 

$

10.40

 

$

11.49

 

$

10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) from Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Loss(1)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(0.09

)

(0.05

)

(0.08

)

(0.08

)(2)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Loss) on Investments

 

 

 

(0.73

)

1.17

 

(1.90

)

(0.88

)

1.57

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total from Operations

 

 

 

(0.74

)

1.08

 

(1.95

)

(0.96

)

1.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption Fees

 

 

 

(3)

(3)

(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

 

 

$

8.79

 

$

9.53

 

$

8.45

 

$

10.40

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return†

 

 

%

(7.77

)%

12.78

%

(18.75

)%

(8.47

)%

14.90

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

 

 

$

160,496

 

$

174,434

 

$

138,929

 

$

122,353

 

$

53,100

 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers, excluding fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.35

%***

1.29

%

1.11

%

1.20

%

1.38

%***

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waiver, and fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.35

%***

1.29

%

1.09

%

1.16

%

1.29

%***

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers and fees paid indirectly)

 

 

%

1.47

%***

1.34

%

1.41

%

1.51

%

2.11

%***

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

 

 

%

(0.97

)%***

(0.93

)%

(0.66

)%

(0.74

)%

(0.79

)%***

Portfolio Turnover Rate‡

 

 

%

7

%

97

%

126

%

147

%

88

%

 


Total return has not been annualized for periods less than one year. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

Portfolio turnover rate has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

*

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

**

Commenced Operations on September 29, 2006.

***

Annualized

(1)

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

(2)

This amount is inconsistent with the Fund’s aggregate net income, gains and losses because of the timing of sales and redemption of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the investment portfolio.

(3)

Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

17



 

PERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ACCOUNT

 

The information set forth below represents the performance of another mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel with an investment strategy substantially similar to that of the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and should not be considered as a representation of the future results of the Fund. The table compares the average annual total returns of the other mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel to the Russell 2000 Growth Index, an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for stocks of small U.S. companies.

 

The performance information shown below from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005 is the performance of the STI Classic Funds’ Small Cap Growth Stock Fund (the “STI Fund”), a registered mutual fund managed principally by Mr. Garfinkel while at Trusco Capital Management, Inc. The STI Fund had substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Fund.

 

The bar chart and performance table that follow do not show the performance of the Fund. They show the performance of the STI Fund, a similar mutual fund managed by Mr. Garfinkel. Mr. Garfinkel’s past performance in managing this similar mutual fund is no guarantee of the future performance of the Fund.

 

This table compares the STI Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2005 to that of the Russell 2000 Growth Index.*

 

 

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

Since Inception

 

STI Fund Returns

 

7.92

%

7.51

%

15.48

%

Russell 2000 Growth Index

 

4.15

%

2.28

%

6.10

%

 

The performance information of the STI Fund reflects the operating expenses of the STI Fund’s I Shares since their inception on October 8, 1998. Russell 2000 Growth Index returns are since September 30, 1998 (Russell 2000 Growth Index returns available only on a month end basis).

 

This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the STI Fund’s I Shares from calendar year to calendar year during the periods that it was managed by Mr. Garfinkel.

 

GRAPHIC

 

The STI Fund’s total return from January 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006 was 5.05%.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

18



 

Perimeter Capital Management LLC

Six Concourse Parkway

Suite 3300

Atlanta, Georgia 30328

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi-annual Reports These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes Fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com.

 

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) An SAI, dated December 31, 2011, has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, and the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual reports, may be obtained free of charge by calling 1-888-968-4964. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus. The SAI is available on the Adviser’s website at www.perimetercap.com.

 

Shareholder Inquiries Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: 1-888-968-4964.

 

Purchases And Redemptions Call your registered representative or 1-888-968-4964.

 

Written Correspondence

 

P.O. Box Address:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

PO Box 9842, Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

 

 

Street Address:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA  01581

 

Securities and Exchange Commission You may view and copy information about the Company and the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by sending your request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05518

 

19



 

S1 Fund

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Ticker Symbol:  SONEX

 

I Shares

 

Prospectus

 

December 31, 2011

 

Investment Adviser:

Simple Alternatives, LLC

 

THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”). THE SEC, HOWEVER, HAS NOT JUDGED THESE SECURITIES FOR THEIR INVESTMENT MERIT AND HAS NOT DETERMINED THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

2

 

 

S1 Fund

2

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

7

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

12

 

 

Investment Adviser

12

 

 

Sub-Advisers

12

 

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

15

 

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

15

 

 

Market Timing

15

 

 

Purchase of Fund Shares

16

 

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

18

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

19

 

 

More Information About Taxes

19

 

 

Multi-Class Structure

21

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

22

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Back Cover

 


 


 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

Investment Objective

 

The S1 Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns and low correlation to traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500® Index.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold I Shares of the Fund.

 

 

 

I Shares

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

 

None

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends

 

None

 

Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)

 

None

 

Exchange Fee

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

2.75

%

Distribution (12b-1) fees

 

None

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

Dividend expense on short sales(1)

 

 

%

Interest expense on borrowings

 

 

%

Other operating expenses

 

 

%

Total other expenses

 

 

%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2)

 

 

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

 

%

Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (3)

 

(          

)%

Net Expenses (includes dividend and interest expenses on short sales)

 

 

%

 


(1)          Short-sale dividends generally reduce the market value of the securities by the amount of the dividend declared; thus increasing the Fund’s unrealized gain or reducing the Fund’s unrealized loss on the securities sold short.  Short-sale dividends are treated as an expense, and increase the Fund’s total expense ratio, although no cash is received or paid by the Fund.

 

(2)          “Acquired Fund” means any investment company in which the Fund expects to invest during the current fiscal year. Net Operating Expenses will not correlate to the Fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The Fund calculates the Acquired Fund’s expenses using the net expense ratios reported in the Acquired Fund’s most recent shareholder reports.

 

(3)          The Fund’s investment adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 2.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s I Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2012 and may not be terminated without Board approval. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fees forgone and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed the applicable expense limitation. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 2.95%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

Example

 

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

 

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

 

2



 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

I Shares

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was       % of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Summary of Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund utilizes a “multi-manager” approach whereby the Fund’s assets are allocated to one or more sub-advisers (“Sub-Advisers”) in percentages determined at the discretion of the Fund’s investment adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser also manages a portion of the Fund’s assets and monitors Sub-Adviser trading with the dual objectives of maximizing each Sub-Adviser’s investment flexibility and assuring that the Fund as a whole complies with investment restrictions. Otherwise, each Sub-Adviser acts independently from the others and utilizes its own distinct investment style in selecting securities. However, each Sub-Adviser must operate within the constraints of the Fund’s investment objective and strategies and the particular investment restrictions applicable to that Sub-Adviser.

 

The strategies utilized by the Fund are hedge fund-type strategies and include absolute return strategies as well as strategies aimed at enhanced risk-adjusted returns. The strategies and investment techniques employed by the Sub-Advisers aim to produce absolute returns over a full market cycle while managing risk exposure. These strategies and techniques may attempt to exploit disparities or inefficiencies in particular markets or geographical regions; take advantage of security mispricings or anticipated price movements; and/or benefit from cyclical themes and relationships or special situations and events (such as spin-offs or reorganizations). Such strategies may have low correlation to traditional markets because they seek asymmetric investment opportunities that may present risks unrelated to traditional markets.

 

The Sub-Advisers may invest and trade in a wide range of instruments, markets and asset classes in U.S. and non-U.S., developed and emerging markets. Investments include equities and equity-related instruments, fixed-income and other debt-related instruments, currencies, financial futures, options and swaps, commodity-linked instruments and private placements. Equities and equity-related instruments include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, depositary receipts, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Rule 144A securities, warrants, rights, and equity derivatives. Debt-related instruments include corporate bonds, defaulted debt securities, distressed debt securities, mezzanine investments, bank loans, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, unrated securities and securities of companies in bankruptcy. Commodity-linked instruments include commodity-linked structured notes, commodity index-linked securities and other derivative instruments that provide exposure to the investment returns of the commodities markets. The Sub-Advisers may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as motor vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Asset-backed securities acquired by the Fund may also include collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). CDOs include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities.  The Sub-Advisers may invest in equity and debt securities of companies of all sizes and without limit on the credit quality or maturity of debt securities. These securities can be rated investment grade, rated below investment grade, or high yield securities (also known as “junk bonds”), which are below Baa3 by Moody’s, BBB- by S&P or BBB- by Fitch or unrated. The Sub-Advisers may make margin purchases of securities and, in connection with the purchases, borrow money from banks and other financial institutions for investment purposes. The Sub-Advisers may also sell securities short, which is a form of leverage.

 

The Adviser has primary responsibility for allocating Fund assets in a manner that attempts to diversify the Fund’s portfolio across multiple strategies and investment styles that the Adviser believes are complementary and, when combined, will produce enhanced risk-adjusted returns. The Adviser reviews a range of qualitative and quantitative factors when determining the allocations and reallocations to Sub-Advisers, including, but not limited to, the Sub-Adviser’s style, historical performance and the characteristics of each Sub-Adviser’s allocated assets (including investment process and statistical analysis). The Adviser will allocate Fund assets among strategies of the Sub-Advisers that it believes offer the potential for attractive long-term investment returns individually and are expected to blend within the Fund’s portfolio so that it will have low correlation and low volatility relative to the broader stock and bond markets. The Adviser may direct a Sub-Adviser to reduce or limit its investment in certain assets or asset classes in order to achieve the desired composition

 

3



 

of the Fund’s overall portfolio. The Adviser retains the discretion to invest the Fund’s assets in securities and other instruments directly and may do so in certain circumstances including pending allocation to a Sub-Adviser, to hedge against overall Fund exposure created by the Sub-Advisers, or to increase or reduce the Fund’s exposure to a particular issuer, sector, industry or general market risk, including interest rate risk.

 

Summary of Principal Risks

 

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The Fund is only a suitable investment for investors who can bear leverage and derivatives securities risks. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

 

·                  Multi-Manager Dependence.  The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends both on the Adviser’s ability to select Sub-Advisers and to allocate assets to those Sub-Advisers and on each Sub-Adviser’s ability to execute the relevant strategy and select investments for the Fund.  The Sub-Advisers’ investment styles may not always be complementary, which could affect the performance of the Fund.

 

·                  Absolute Return Focus.  The Fund’s returns may deviate from overall market returns to a greater degree than other funds that do not employ an absolute return focus.  In addition, if the Fund or a Sub-Adviser takes a defensive posture by hedging its portfolio and stock prices subsequently advance, the Fund’s returns may be lower than expected and lower than if the Fund’s portfolio had not been hedged.

 

·                  Equity Securities.  The Fund is designed for investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with significant holdings of equity securities. Equity securities tend to be more volatile than other investment choices, such as debt and money market instruments. The value of your investment may decrease in response to overall stock market movements or the value of individual securities held by the Fund.

 

·                  Mid-Cap Company Investments.  Securities of companies with mid-cap capitalizations tend to be riskier than securities of companies with large-capitalizations. This is because mid cap companies typically have smaller product lines and less access to liquidity than large cap companies, and are therefore more sensitive to economic downturns. In addition, growth prospects of mid cap companies tend to be less certain than large cap companies, and the dividends paid by mid cap stocks are frequently negligible. Moreover, mid cap stocks have, on occasion, fluctuated in the opposite direction of large cap stocks or the general stock market. Consequently, securities of mid cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large cap companies.

 

·                  Small-Cap Company Investments.  Securities of companies with small capitalizations tend to be riskier than securities of companies with mid-cap and large capitalizations. Smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources. The prices of small capitalization stocks tend to be more volatile than those of other stocks. Small capitalization stocks are not priced as efficiently as stocks of larger companies. In addition, it may be harder to sell these stocks, especially during a down market or upon the occurrence of adverse company-specific events, which can reduce their selling prices.

 

·                  Fixed-Income Securities.  Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to certain risks, including: interest rate risk, prepayment risk and credit/default risk. Interest rate risk involves the risk that prices of fixed income securities will rise and fall in response to interest rate changes. Prepayment risk involves the risk that in declining interest rate environments prepayments of principal could increase and require the Fund to reinvest proceeds of the prepayments at lower interest rates. Credit risk involves the risk that the credit rating of a security may be lowered.

 

·                  Asset-Backed Securities.  The risks of investing in asset-backed securities include interest rate risk, prepayment risk and the risk that the Fund could lose money if there are defaults on the loans underlying these securities.

 

·                  Mortgaged-Backed Securities. The risks of investing in mortgaged-backed securities include interest rate risk, prepayment risk and the risk that the Fund could lose money if there are defaults on the mortgage loans underlying these securities.

 

·                  High Yield Debt Obligations.  The Fund may invest in high yield debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations. An issuer of debt obligations may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal. Also, changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the credit rating of a security may affect its value. Such high yield debt obligations are referred to as “junk bonds” and are not considered to be investment grade.

 

·                  Foreign Investments.  International investing is subject to special risks, including currency exchange rate volatility, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices.

 

·                  Emerging Markets.  Investment in emerging market securities involves greater risk than that associated with investment in foreign securities of developed foreign countries. These risks include volatile currency exchange rates, periods of high inflation, increased risk of default, greater social, economic and political uncertainty and

 

4



 

instability, less governmental supervision and regulation of securities markets, weaker auditing and financial reporting standards, lack of liquidity in the markets, and the significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market issuers.

 

·                  Leverage.  The Fund may make margin purchases of securities and, in connection with the purchases, borrow money from banks and other financial institutions for investment purposes. The Fund may also engage in selling securities short, which is a form of leverage. Although the use of leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased return, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. There is no assurance that the use of leverage as an investment strategy will be successful.

 

·                  Derivatives.  The Fund’s investments in derivative instruments such as options, forward currency exchange contracts, swaps and futures, which may be leveraged, may result in losses. Investments in derivative instruments may result in losses exceeding the amounts invested.

 

·                  Commodity Sector Risk.  Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

·                  Convertible Securities.  Securities that can be converted into common stock, such as certain securities and preferred stock, are subject to the usual risks associated with fixed income investments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, because they react to changes in the value of the equity securities into which they will convert, convertible securities are also subject to the risks associated with equity securities.

 

·              Valuation.  Portfolio securities that have been valued using techniques other than market quotations may have valuations that are different from those produced using market quotations, and the security may be sold at a discount to the value established by the Fund.

 

·                  Redemptions. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests by shareholders if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

·                  Portfolio Turnover.  If the Fund frequently trades its portfolio securities, the Fund will incur higher brokerage commissions and transaction costs, which could lower the Fund’s performance. In addition to lower performance, high portfolio turnover could result in taxable capital gains.

 

·                  Exchange Traded Funds.  ETF are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities that they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in its being more volatile.  The Fund may incur brokerage fees in connection with its purchase of ETF shares.

 

Fund Performance

 

No performance information is presented because the Fund has not been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated performance is available at 1-866-882-1226.

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Advisers and Sub-Advisers

 

Simple Alternatives, LLC, 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, serves as investment adviser to the Fund.   Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC, Courage Capital Management, LLC, Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC, Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC, Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC, and Trellus Management Co., LLC each serves as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

 

 

Title

 

Portfolio Manager
of Fund since:

Simple Alternatives, LLC

 

 

 

 

James Dilworth

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Inception

Bruce MacDonald

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Roaring Blue Lion Capital

 

 

 

 

 

5



 

Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Griege, Jr.

 

Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Courage Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Richard C. Patton

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn

 

 

 

 

Jay B. Abramson

 

President, Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Lauren C. Templeton

 

Founder, Managing Member, Chief Compliance Officer

 

Inception

Scott Phillips

 

Portfolio Manager, Head of Research

 

Inception

Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC

 

 

 

 

Matthew C. Gilman

 

Chief Executive Officer, Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

Trellus Management Co., LLC

 

 

 

 

Adam Usdan

 

President, Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

John Alderman

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000,000

 

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

 

S1 Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9869

Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

Call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226

 

Taxes

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income.

 

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 may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and other 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.

 

6



 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

 

This section provides some additional information about the Fund’s investments and certain portfolio management techniques that the Fund may use. More information about the Fund’s investments and portfolio management techniques, and related risks, is included in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

Additional Information About the Fund’s Principal Investments and Risks

 

Sub-Adviser Investment Strategies.  The Sub-Advisers will use a combination of the following investment strategies:

 

Relative Value

This strategy is designed to take advantage of perceived discrepancies in the market prices of certain convertible bond, common stock, fixed income and derivative securities.  Such discrepancies are often created by imbalances in supply and demand of different types of issues (for example, agency securities relative to U.S. Treasury securities).

 

Event Driven

This strategy is designed to invest in securities whose prices are or will be impacted by a corporate event.  Such events include corporate events, such as restructurings, spin-offs and significant litigation (e.g., tobacco litigation).  Opportunities in this area are created by the reluctance of traditional investors to assume the risk associated with certain corporate events.

 

Long/Short Equity

This strategy employs long and short trading in common stock, and preferred stock of U.S. and foreign issuers.  This strategy attempts to neutralize exposure to general market risk by primarily investing in stocks that are undervalued and short selling those stocks that are considered to be undervalued.

 

Market Neutral Equity

This strategy is designed to exploit equity market inefficiencies, which involves being simultaneously invested in long and short matched equity portfolios generally of the same size, usually in the same market.  These strategies are typically constructed to attempt to be beta neutral and attempt to control the industry, sector, market capitalization and other potential market bias exposures.

 

Global Macro

This strategy seeks to generate income and/or capital appreciation through a portfolio of investments focused on macro-economic opportunities across numerous markets and instruments. These strategies may include positions in the cash, currency, futures and forward markets.  Trading positions are generally held both long and/or short in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets.  With a broader global scope, returns to the Global Macro strategy generally exhibit little to no correlation with the broader domestic equity and bond markets.

 

Convertible Arbitrage

This strategy seeks to take advantage of pricing inefficiencies of the embedded option in a convertible bond.  The strategy typically involves the purchase of a convertible debt or preferred equity instrument (an instrument that is effectively a bond or has a fixed obligation of repayment with an embedded equity option, non-detachable warrants or an equity-linked or equity-indexed note) concurrent with the short sale of, or a short over-the-counter derivative position in, the common stock of the issuer of such debt instrument.

 

Credit Biased

These strategies invest primarily in the following sectors:  secured leveraged loans, high yield bonds, distressed debt, structured credit, and global debt (typically less efficient areas of the global fixed income markets than traditional fixed income strategies).  Generally these sectors may include wide credit rating ranges (including leveraged buyouts), may include distressed debt strategies and may include restricted securities and securities that may not be registered for which a market may not be readily available.

 

Mortgage Backed Securities

This strategy is designed to exploit perceived mispricings in mortgage back securities.  Such mispricings can result from periods of market illiquidity and distress or from analytical anomalies.  The strategy will invest in both conventional and complex mortgage backed securities.

 

7



 

Opportunistic Equities

This strategy is designed to capitalize on underpriced equity securities or on positive market trends and may focus in certain securities markets, industries, company sizes, or geographical areas. Strategies are primarily managed for absolute return and Sub-Advisers assess risk and opportunity on an absolute, not an index-relative basis, by focusing on relatively few investments that the manager believes are undervalued and either offer a margin-of-safety, or offer high growth opportunities. Selective hedging through the use of short sales or options may be utilized to manage risk exposure. Strategies may also focus on special situations or events, including distressed equities.

 

Other Investment Strategies

The Fund also has the ability to employ strategies including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions to purchase securities and investing in warrants, options and futures, reverse repurchase agreements, initial public offerings, restricted securities, and other investment companies.

 

Derivative Contracts. The Fund may, but need not, use derivative contracts for any of the following purposes:

 

·      To seek to hedge against the possible adverse impact of changes in stock market prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates in the market value of its securities or securities to be purchased;

 

·      As a substitute for buying or selling currencies or securities; or

 

·      To seek to enhance the Fund’s return in non-hedging situations (which is considered a speculative activity).

 

Examples of derivative contracts include: futures and options on securities, securities indices or currencies; options on these futures; forward foreign currency contracts; and interest rate or currency swaps. The Fund may use derivative contracts involving foreign currencies. A derivative contract will obligate or entitle the Fund to deliver or receive an asset or cash payment that is based on the change in value of one or more securities, currencies or indices. Even a small investment in derivative contracts can have a big impact on the Fund’s stock market, currency and interest rate exposure. Therefore, using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of default risk as issuers of fixed income securities in that the counterparty may default on its payment obligations or become insolvent. Derivatives can also make the Fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

 

Short Sales. The Fund engages in short sales — including those that are not “against the box,” which means that the Fund may make short sales where the Fund does not currently own or have the right to acquire, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short — in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In a typical short sale, the Fund borrows from a broker a security in order to sell the security to a third party. The Fund is then obligated to return a security of the same issuer and quantity at some future date. The Fund realizes a loss to the extent the security increases in value or a profit to the extent the security declines in value (after taking into account any associated costs). Short sales “against the box” may protect the Fund against the risk of losses in the value of a portfolio security because any decline in value of the security should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. Any potential gains in the security, however, would be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position. Short sales that are not “against the box” involve a form of investment leverage, and the amount of the Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited.

 

Equity and Equity-Related Securities. The Fund invests in all types of equity securities. Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights, convertible securities, depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and equity participations. The number of issuers in the Fund’s portfolio will vary over time.

 

Fixed Income Investments. The Fund invests a portion of its assets in fixed income securities. Fixed income investments include bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, Eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, preferred stocks and money market instruments. Fixed income securities may be issued by corporate and governmental issuers and may have all types of interest rate payment and reset terms, including (without limitation) fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. The principal debt investments of the Fund will be fixed and floating rate securities with no reset terms.

 

The credit quality of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio is determined at the time of investment. If a security is rated differently by multiple ratings organizations, the Fund treats the security as being rated in the higher rating category.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by private companies or by agencies of the U.S. government. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participation in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property.

 

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Certain debt instruments may only pay principal at maturity or may only represent the right to receive payments of principal or payments of interest on underlying pools of mortgage or government securities, but not both. The value of these types of instruments may change more drastically than debt securities that pay both principal and interest during periods of changing interest rates. Principal only mortgage-backed securities are particularly subject to prepayment risk. The Fund may obtain a below market yield or incur a loss on such instruments during periods of declining interest rates. Interest only instruments are particularly subject to extension risk, i.e. the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay later than expected. This may occur when there is a rise in interest rates. Mortgage derivatives and structured securities often employ features that have the effect of leverage. As a result, small changes in interest or prepayment rates may cause large and sudden price movements, especially compared to an investment in a security that is not leveraged. Mortgage derivatives can also become illiquid and hard to value in declining markets.

 

Mortgage-backed securities that are collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-related securities depend on the payments of principal and interest made by or through the underlying assets, which may not be sufficient to meet the payment obligations of the mortgage-backed securities. Prepayments of principal, which occur more frequently in falling interest rate conditions, may shorten the term and reduce the value of these securities. The quality and value of the underlying collateral may decline, or default, which has become a significant risk for collateral related to sub-prime mortgage loans, especially in a declining residential real estate market. Further, these securities generally are privately sold and may not be readily marketable, particularly after a rapid decrease in value. Investments in mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to valuation risk.

 

The Fund may also use mortgage dollar rolls to finance the purchase of additional investments. Dollar rolls expose the Fund to the risk that it will lose money if the additional investments do not produce enough income to cover the Fund’s dollar roll obligations. In addition, if the Adviser’s or Sub-Advisers’ prepayment assumptions are incorrect, the Fund may have performed better had the Fund not entered into the mortgage dollar roll. Unless covered, investing in dollar rolls creates leverage and dollar rolls are subject to the general risks involved in leveraging.

 

Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that are traded or denominated in U.S. dollars (including equity securities of foreign issuers trading in U.S. markets) through American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or International Depositary Receipts (“IDRs”). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities traded or denominated in foreign currencies and in multinational currencies such as the Euro. The Fund will value its securities and other assets in U.S. dollars. Investments in securities of foreign entities and securities denominated or traded in foreign currencies involve special risks. These include possible political and economic instability and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other restrictions on investments. Changes in foreign currency rates relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Emerging market investments offer the potential for significant gains but also involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. Political or economic instability, lack of market liquidity and government actions such as currency controls or seizure of private business or property may be more likely in emerging markets.

 

Valuation. Portfolio securities may be valued using techniques other than market quotations. The value established for a portfolio security may be different than what would be produced through the use of another methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio securities that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell a portfolio security for the value established for it at any time and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold at a discount to its established value.

 

Interest Rate Risk. During periods of rising interest rates, the market value of the Fund’s fixed-income securities will tend to be lower than prevailing market interest rates. In periods of falling interest rates, the market value of the Fund’s fixed-income securities generally will tend to be higher than prevailing market interest rates. Prices of longer-term fixed income securities are typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates than prices of shorter-term fixed-income securities.

 

Credit/Default Risk. The credit rating of an issuer or guarantor of a security in which the Fund invests may be lowered or an issuer or guarantor of a security or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a repurchase agreement may default on its payment obligations.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be unable to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Liquid securities may also become illiquid because of market events or uncertainties. Illiquidity can be caused by a drop in overall market trading volume, an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress.

 

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Leveraging Risks. The use of leverage by the Adviser and Sub-Advisers may increase the volatility of the Fund. These leveraged instruments may result in losses to the Fund or may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value or total return, because instruments that contain leverage are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The Fund may also use borrowed funds to create leverage. Although the use of leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased return, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on the securities and instruments purchased with leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income and gains from the securities and instruments purchased with such proceeds does not cover the cost of leverage, the Fund’s return will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in value of the Fund’s assets, the Fund may not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay off its borrowing. Short sales of securities also involve the use of leverage. Using this investment technique may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value or total return.

 

To limit leverage risk, the Fund will segregate assets determined by the Adviser to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, or, when permissible, enter into offsetting transactions, to cover its obligations resulting from its use of derivative instruments. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the futures contract, option or other derivative is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, it is possible that segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

 

Interest Rate Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Credit Default Swaps, Options on Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars.

 

·      Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments.

 

·      Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index, or an index component.

 

·      Credit default swaps are contracts whereby one party makes periodic payments to a counterparty in exchange for the right to receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation in the event of a default by the issuer of the debt obligation.

 

·      Options on swaps (“swaptions”) are options to enter into a swap agreement. The Fund may also purchase and write (sell) swaptions. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms.

 

·      Interest rate caps entitle the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.

 

·      Interest rate floors entitle the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor.

 

·      Interest rate collars combine a cap and a floor that are designed to preserve a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

 

The Fund may enter into the transactions described above for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The use of swaps, swaptions, and interest rate caps, floors and collars is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values and interest rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.

 

Counterparties. To the extent the Fund invests in loans or securities traded over-the-counter, swaps, “synthetic” or derivative instruments, repurchase agreements, certain types of options or other customized financial instruments, the Fund takes the risk of non-performance by the other party to the contract. This risk may include credit risk of the counterparty and the risk of settlement default. This risk may differ materially from those entailed in exchange-traded transactions that generally are supported by guarantees of clearing organizations, daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions entered directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from such protections and expose the parties to the risk of counterparty default.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities have characteristics of both equity and fixed-income securities. The value of a convertible security tends to move with the market value of the underlying stock, but may also be affected by interest rates, credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. In particular, when interest rates rise, fixed-income securities will decline in value. Convertible securities frequently have speculative characteristics and may be acquired

 

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without regard to minimum quality ratings. Lower quality convertible securities, also known as “junk bonds,” involve greater risk of default or price changes due to the issuer’s creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than those of higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest rates. Securities in the lowest quality category may present the risk of default, or may be in default.

 

Tax Risk. The Fund may seek to gain exposure to the commodity markets through investments in commodity-linked notes. The Fund has not requested or received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding their treatment for purposes of the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).  Additionally, the tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and other commodity-linked derivatives may be adversely affected by future legislation, U.S. Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in ETFs. ETFs are registered investment companies whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. In general, ETFs seek to track a specified securities index or a basket of securities that an “index provider,” such as Standard & Poor’s, selects as representative of a market, market segment or industry sector. An ETF portfolio generally holds the same stocks or bonds as the index it tracks or it may hold a representative sample of such securities. Thus, an ETF is designed so that its performance will correspond closely with that of the index it tracks. As a shareholder in an ETF, the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of an ETF’s expenses, including advisory fees, in addition to its own expenses.

 

Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies, but may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company or acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Among other things, the Fund may invest in money market mutual funds for cash management purposes by “sweeping” excess cash balances into such funds until the cash is invested or otherwise utilized. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund.

 

Redemptions. The Fund may need to sell its holdings in order to meet shareholder redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at its desired time or price. Illiquidity can be caused by a drop in overall market trading volume, an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading, resulting in high portfolio turnover. This may lead to the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, increasing their tax liability. Frequent trading may also increase transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance.

 

Temporary Investments. The Fund may depart from its principal investment strategy in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions by taking temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in all types of money market and short-term debt securities. If the Fund were to take a temporary defensive position, it may be unable for a time to achieve its investment objective.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of The RBB Fund, Inc.’s (the “Company”) policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The SAI is incorporated herein.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

 

Investment Adviser

 

Simple Alternatives, LLC, a registered investment adviser located at 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, provides investment advisory services to the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Adviser was founded in October 2009 by James Dilworth.

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 2.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 2.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s I Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2012 and may not be terminated without Board approval. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fees forgone and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed the applicable expense limitation. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 2.95%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. A discussion regarding the basis for the Company’s Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is available in the Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Sub-Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Sub-Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.   James Dilworth and Bruce MacDonald are the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.  Prior to founding Simple Alternatives, LLC, Mr. Dilworth worked with Common Sense Investment Management, LLC. Common Sense Investment Management is an institutional hedge fund of funds. Mr. Dilworth founded Dilworth Securities, Inc. and Dilworth Capital Management, LLC in 2003. Prior to establishing Dilworth Capital, Mr. Dilworth served as the CEO and Managing Director of London-based Middlebury Capital Partners International, a holding company partially owned by and managing investments for the Charles R. Schwab family. In 1998, Mr. Dilworth joined Clark Winter in developing Winter Capital International, a fund of funds based in New York City, which was sold to Citigroup Private Bank in late 2000. Mr. Dilworth received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business. Mr. MacDonald currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser. From 2005 to 2009 he was Director of Asset Allocation and Risk Management for the University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO). Before joining UVIMCO Mr. MacDonald was the Senior Investment Strategist for Putnam Investments’ Global Asset Allocation team. Mr. MacDonald holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BA in religion from Wesleyan University.

 

Sub-Advisers

 

The Fund has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser to engage or terminate a Sub-Adviser, and to enter into and materially amend an existing sub-advisory agreement, upon the approval of the Board of Directors, without obtaining shareholder approval. The Sub-Advisers provide investment advisory services to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to them by the Adviser. The Adviser compensates each Sub-Adviser at a rate negotiated by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser selects Sub-Advisers based upon the Sub-Adviser’s skills in managing assets pursuant to particular investment styles and strategies. The Adviser monitors existing Sub-Advisers based on their investment styles, strategies, and results in managing assets for specific asset classes. Each Sub-Adviser will have discretion to select portfolio securities for its portion of the Fund, but must select those securities according to the Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions.  The Fund is not required to invest with any minimum number of Sub-Advisers, and does not have minimum or maximum limitations with respect to allocations of assets to any Sub-Adviser. The Adviser may change the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the available Sub-Advisers, and may add or remove Sub-Advisers, at any time.

 

Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC (“Blue Lion”), a registered investment adviser located at 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 510, Dallas, Texas 75225, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Charles W. Griege, Jr. is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Blue Lion. Mr. Griege has been Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Blue Lion since 2005.  Prior to starting Blue Lion, Mr. Griege joined Atlas Capital Management, a long/short equity fund, as a partner in May 2001. Prior to Atlas, Mr. Griege spent six years in investment banking, most recently as a Managing Director at SoundView Technology Group. Prior to joining SoundView, Mr. Griege was a Vice President in the research sales division of Sanford Bernstein. Mr. Griege received an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School in 1990 and a BA degree from

 

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Vanderbilt University in 1985. Blue Lion employs a long/short equity strategy with a value-oriented bias in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Courage Capital Management, LLC (“Courage Capital”), a registered investment adviser located at 4400 Harding Road Ste. 503, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Courage Capital was founded in 1998 by Richard C. Patton, who is also the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Courage Capital.  Mr. Patton is also Chief Investment Adviser of Courage Capital.  Prior to founding Courage Capital, Mr. Patton co-founded and operated Woodmont Capital, LLC. Mr. Patton serves on the American Red Cross Board of Governors. Mr. Patton earned a B.S. in Economics from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Courage Capital employs an event driven investment strategy, including investments in special situations companies and distressed securities, in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn (“CRM”), a registered investment adviser located at 520 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  CRM was founded in 1973.  Wilmington Trust Investments, Inc. has a controlling interest in CRM. Jay B. Abramson, the President and Chief Investment Officer of CRM, has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by CRM. Mr. Abramson has been with CRM since 1985. As Chief Investment Officer, he maintains overall responsibility for the firm’s investment team. Prior to CRM, Mr. Abramson earned his CPA. He received a BSE from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. CRM employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC (“LT”), a registered investment adviser located at 1208 Pointe Centre Drive, Suite 210, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  LT was founded in 2001 by Lauren C. Templeton. Ms. Templeton and Scott Phillips have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by LT.  Ms. Templeton is managing member and Chief Compliance Officer of LT. Ms. Templeton is also founder and director of the Southeastern Hedge Fund Association. In addition to these responsibilities Ms. Templeton also serves the following organizations; The Atlanta Hedge Fund Roundtable (President), the Board of Trustees at the Baylor School, the Pre-Business Advisory Council at the University of the South, Sewanee (Board Member), and the Finance Advisory Board of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.  Ms. Templeton is a published book author having written “Investing the Templeton Way” released by McGraw Hill in 2008.  Investing the Templeton Way is a value investor’s guide to the successful methods employed by her mentor, Sir John Templeton. Ms. Templeton received a B.A. in Economics from the University of the South. Mr. Phillips joined LT in 2007 and serves as Portfolio Manager and Head of Research.  Prior to joining LT, Mr. Phillips founded Cumberland Capital Corp, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2004, where he provided equity research services to Green Cay Asset Management, a hedge fund management company located in Nassau, Bahamas. Mr. Phillips received his B.A. in English from the University of the South.  Mr. Phillips co-authored “Investing the Templeton Way.”  LT uses a global value investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC (“SRES”), a registered investment adviser located at 591 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  SRES was launched in 2004. SRES is jointly owned by Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and Advisor, and Matthew C. Gilman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager. Over the past 19 years, Mr. Sternlicht has structured more than 400 investment transactions with an asset value of more than $40 billion.  From 1995 through 2005, Mr. Sternlicht was Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., a company he founded in 1995.  Mr. Gilman is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by SRES. Mr. Gilman joined Starwood Real Estate Securities LLC at its founding in 2004. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Gilman was Senior Portfolio Manager at ABP Investments US, Inc., the US subsidiary of the Dutch Civil Service Pension Fund, regarded as one of the largest in the world. Mr. Gilman covered real estate securities at JP Morgan Investment Management from 1995 to 1999 and for one year at Genesis Realty Advisors from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Gilman began his career at Wellsford Residential Properties in 1992, a multi-family real estate investment trust. Mr. Gilman is a graduate of Dartmouth College and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. SRES employs a long/short equity investment strategy, with a focus on public real estate securities, in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

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Trellus Management Co., LLC (“Trellus”), a registered investment adviser located at 350 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017 has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Trellus was founded in 1994 by Adam Usdan, the sole owner of Trellus. Mr. Usdan and John Alderman are the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Trellus. Mr. Usdan is the President, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of Trellus. Mr. Usdan earned an MBA in Finance, Accounting & Marketing from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a BA in English, from Wesleyan University. John Alderman, Portfolio Manager, has been with Trellus since 2001. Mr. Alderman earned an MBA in Finance from New York University and a BA in Economics from Connecticut College. Trellus employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Marketing Arrangement

 

The Adviser or its affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of profits derived from the Adviser’s management fee and not as an additional charge to the Fund, to certain financial institutions (which may include banks, securities dealers and other industry professionals) for the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund shares (“revenue sharing”). These payments are in addition to any record keeping or sub-transfer agency fees payable by the Fund, or other fees described in the fee table or elsewhere in the Prospectus or SAI. Examples of “revenue sharing” payments include, but are not limited to, payment to financial institutions for “shelf space” or access to a third party platform or fund offering list or other marketing programs, including, but not limited to, inclusion of the Fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund “supermarket” platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Adviser access to the financial institution’s sales force; granting the Adviser access to the financial institution’s conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial institution’s personnel; and obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial institutions may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the Fund attributable to the financial institution, or other factors as agreed to by the Adviser and the financial institution or any combination thereof. The amount of these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Adviser from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial institutions depending upon the services provided by the financial institution. Such payments may provide an incentive for the financial institution to make shares of the Fund available to its customers and may allow the Fund greater access to the financial institution’s customers.

 

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

 

I Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

 

Value of Assets Attributable to I Shares

NAV = –

Value of Liabilities Attributable to I Shares

 

 

Number of Outstanding Shares of I Shares

 

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in good order. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Fund’s Transfer Agent of your order in good order.

 

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such services or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities. Foreign securities, currencies and other securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar provided by a pricing service. All assets denominated in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. If the Fund holds foreign equity securities, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV will not occur at the same time as the determination of the value of the foreign equities securities in the Fund’s portfolio, since these securities are traded on foreign exchanges.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Fund’s administrator, in consultation with the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and under the Board of Directors’ ultimate supervision. In addition, the prices of foreign securities may be affected by events that occur after the close of a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares. In such instances, a foreign security may be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

 

Market Timing

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Fund shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange. An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary.  The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise its right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part

 

15



 

of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, it may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in its judgment, will be uniform.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Fund. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

Purchase of Fund Shares

 

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. (the “Distributor”).

 

General. You may purchase Shares of the Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000,000.  There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Fund may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after they are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

 

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) of the average annual net asset value of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organization or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

 

Initial Investment By Mail. An account may be opened by completing and signing the application included with this Prospectus and mailing it to the Transfer Agent at the address noted below, together with a check ($1,000,000 minimum) payable to the Fund. Third party checks will not be accepted.

 

16



 

Regular Mail:

Overnight Mail:

 

 

S1 Fund

S1 Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9869

4400 Computer Drive

Providence, RI 02940

Westborough, MA 01581

 

The name of the Fund should be designated on the application and should appear on the check. Payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. Shares of the Fund may be purchased by wiring federal funds to The Bank of New York Mellon.  A completed application must be forwarded to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. For the Fund, notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.) Request account information and routing instructions by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226.

 

Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the NYSE and The Bank of New York Mellon are open for business.

 

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares of the Fund at the NAV per Share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to S1 Fund) or by wiring monies to The Bank of New York Mellon as outlined under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Additional investments in Shares of the Fund may be made automatically by authorizing the Transfer Agent to withdraw funds from your bank account through an Automatic Investment Plan ($250 minimum). Investors desiring to participate in an Automatic Investment Plan should call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226.

 

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. Shares may be purchased in conjunction with individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) and rollover IRAs where BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company acts as custodian. A $15.00 custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

 

Other Purchase Information.  The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interest of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

 

a.               Persons who already hold Shares of the closed Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Company,

 

b.              Existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the closed Fund,

 

c.               Employees of the Adviser and their spouses, parents and children, and

 

d.              Directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the closed Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to the Board of Directors’ discretion, reserves the right to implement other purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places.

 

The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements.

 

17


 


 

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s Shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

 

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9869, Providence, RI 02940; for overnight delivery, requests should be addressed to S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA.01581 and must include:

 

a.               Name of the Fund;

 

b.              Account number;

 

c.               Your Share certificates, if any, properly endorsed or with proper powers of attorney;

 

d.              A letter of instruction specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

e.               Medallion signature guarantees are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s) or (ii) the redemption request is for $50,000 or more. A signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association who are participants in a Medallion Program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The three recognized Medallion Programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

f.                 Other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

 

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

 

Involuntary Redemption. The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account in the Fund falls below $5,000 as the result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders

 

18



 

will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $5,000 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The transaction fee applicable to the Fund will not be charged when Shares are involuntarily redeemed.

 

The Fund may assert the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Redemption Information. Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option.

 

Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

 

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholder will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Please see “Redemption of Fund Shares” for instructions. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise.

 

The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually. The estimated amount of any annual distribution will be posted to the Adviser’s password-protected website at www.S1Fund.com or a free copy may be obtained by calling 1-866-882-1226.

 

The Fund may pay additional distributions and dividends at other times if necessary for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal tax. The Fund’s distributions and dividends, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund Shares, are subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

More Information About Taxes

 

The following is a summary of certain United States tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual United States citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

Federal Taxes. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%, and is scheduled to rise to 20% for years beginning after December 31, 2010. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days

 

19



 

during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

 

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares, including an exchange for shares of another Simple Alternatives Fund, based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

 

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current withholding rate is 28%, but the withholding rate is scheduled to increase to 31% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares in the Fund.

 

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income and gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

Future Tax Treatment.  Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions.  Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will change after 2012.

 

20



 

More information about taxes is contained in the SAI.

 

Multi-Class Structure

 

The Fund also offers R Shares, which are offered directly to individual investors in a separate prospectus. Shares of each class of the Fund represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue dividends and calculate NAV and performance quotations in the same manner. The performance of each class is quoted separately due to different actual expenses. The total return on I Shares of the Fund can be expected to differ from the total return on R Shares of the Fund. Information concerning other classes of the Fund can be requested by calling the Fund at 1-866-882-1226.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

21



 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The table below sets forth certain financial information for the periods indicated, including per share information results for a single I Share of the Fund. The term “Total investment return” indicates how much your investment would have increased or decreased during this period of time and assumes that you have reinvested all dividends and distributions. This information has been derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by [                                          ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. This information should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements which, together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request (see back cover for ordering instructions).

 

 

 

I Shares
For the
period
September
30, 2010 to
August 31,
2011 (1)

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment loss*

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements (including dividend and interest expense

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets (excluding dividend and interest expense)

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers or reimbursements (including dividend and interest expense)

 

 

 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

 


(1)  The Fund commenced operation on September 30, 2010.

(2)   Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)  The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses presented on the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.

(4)  Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

(5)  Annualized.

(6)  Not Annualized

 

22



 

S1 Fund

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

(1-866-882-1226)

 

www.S1Fund.com

 

For More Information:

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the S1 Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi–Annual Reports

 

These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings, and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during their last fiscal year.

 

When available, the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders may be obtained by visiting www.S1Fund.com

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

An SAI, dated December 31, 2011 has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the annual and semi—annual reports, by calling 1-866-882-1226. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus (and is legally part of the prospectus).The SAI is available on the Adviser’s password-protected website at www.S1Fund.com.

 

Shareholder Inquiries

 

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday–Friday. Call: 1-866-882-1226 or visit the website of the Adviser at www.S1Fund.com.

 

Purchases and Redemptions

 

Call 1-866-882-1226.

 

Written Correspondence

 

Street Address:

 

S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA.01581

 

P.O. Box Address:

 

S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9869, Providence, RI 02940

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

 

You may also view and copy information about the Company and the Funds, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by sending your written request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO.811–05518

 


 


 

S1 Fund

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Ticker Symbol:  SONRX

 

R Shares

 

Prospectus

 

December 31, 2011

 

Investment Adviser:

Simple Alternatives, LLC

 

THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”). THE SEC, HOWEVER, HAS NOT JUDGED THESE SECURITIES FOR THEIR INVESTMENT MERIT AND HAS NOT DETERMINED THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY SECTION

2

 

 

S1 Fund

2

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

7

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

12

 

 

Investment Adviser

12

 

 

Sub-Advisers

12

 

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

15

 

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

15

 

 

Market Timing

15

 

 

Purchase of Fund Shares

16

 

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

18

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

19

 

 

More Information About Taxes

19

 

 

Multi-Class Structure

21

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Back Cover

 


 


 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

Investment Objective

 

The S1 Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns and low correlation to traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500® Index.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold R Shares of the Fund.

 

 

 

R Shares

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

 

None

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends

 

None

 

Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)

 

None

 

Exchange Fee

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

2.75

%

Distribution (12b-1) fees

 

0.25

%

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

Dividend expense on short sales(1)

 

 

%

Interest expense on borrowings

 

 

%

Other operating expenses

 

 

%

Total other expenses

 

 

%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2)

 

 

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

 

%

Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (3)

 

(          

)%

Net Expenses (includes dividend and interest expenses on short sales)

 

 

%

 


(1)          Short-sale dividends generally reduce the market value of the securities by the amount of the dividend declared; thus increasing the Fund’s unrealized gain or reducing the Fund’s unrealized loss on the securities sold short.  Short-sale dividends are treated as an expense, and increase the Fund’s total expense ratio, although no cash is received or paid by the Fund.

 

(2)          “Acquired Fund” means any investment company in which the Fund expects to invest during the current fiscal year. Net Operating Expenses will not correlate to the Fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The Fund calculates the Acquired Fund’s expenses using the net expense ratios reported in the Acquired Fund’s most recent shareholder reports.

 

(3)          The Fund’s investment adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 3.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s R Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2012 and may not be terminated without Board approval. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fees forgone and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed the applicable expense limitation. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 3.20%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

Example

 

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

 

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

 

2



 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

R Shares

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was     % of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Summary of Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund utilizes a “multi-manager” approach whereby the Fund’s assets are allocated to one or more sub-advisers (“Sub-Advisers”) in percentages determined at the discretion of the Fund’s investment adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser also manages a portion of the Fund’s assets and monitors Sub-Adviser trading with the dual objectives of maximizing each Sub-Adviser’s investment flexibility and assuring that the Fund as a whole complies with investment restrictions. Otherwise, each Sub-Adviser acts independently from the others and utilizes its own distinct investment style in selecting securities. However, each Sub-Adviser must operate within the constraints of the Fund’s investment objective and strategies and the particular investment restrictions applicable to that Sub-Adviser.

 

The strategies utilized by the Fund are hedge fund-type strategies and include absolute return strategies as well as strategies aimed at enhanced risk-adjusted returns. The strategies and investment techniques employed by the Sub-Advisers aim to produce absolute returns over a full market cycle while managing risk exposure. These strategies and techniques may attempt to exploit disparities or inefficiencies in particular markets or geographical regions; take advantage of security mispricings or anticipated price movements; and/or benefit from cyclical themes and relationships or special situations and events (such as spin-offs or reorganizations). Such strategies may have low correlation to traditional markets because they seek asymmetric investment opportunities that may present risks unrelated to traditional markets.

 

The Sub-Advisers may invest and trade in a wide range of instruments, markets and asset classes in U.S. and non-U.S., developed and emerging markets. Investments include equities and equity-related instruments, fixed-income and other debt-related instruments, currencies, financial futures, options and swaps, commodity-linked instruments and private placements. Equities and equity-related instruments include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, depositary receipts, exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), Rule 144A securities, warrants, rights, and equity derivatives. Debt-related instruments include corporate bonds, defaulted debt securities, distressed debt securities, mezzanine investments, bank loans, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, unrated securities and securities of companies in bankruptcy. Commodity-linked instruments include commodity-linked structured notes, commodity index-linked securities and other derivative instruments that provide exposure to the investment returns of the commodities markets. The Sub-Advisers may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as motor vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Asset-backed securities acquired by the Fund may also include collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). CDOs include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities.  The Sub-Advisers may invest in equity and debt securities of companies of all sizes and without limit on the credit quality or maturity of debt securities. These securities can be rated investment grade, rated below investment grade, or high yield securities (also known as “junk bonds”), which are below Baa3 by Moody’s, BBB- by S&P or BBB- by Fitch or unrated. The Sub-Advisers may make margin purchases of securities and, in connection with the purchases, borrow money from banks and other financial institutions for investment purposes. The Sub-Advisers may also sell securities short, which is a form of leverage.

 

The Adviser has primary responsibility for allocating Fund assets in a manner that attempts to diversify the Fund’s portfolio across multiple strategies and investment styles that the Adviser believes are complementary and, when combined, will produce enhanced risk-adjusted returns. The Adviser reviews a range of qualitative and quantitative factors when determining the allocations and reallocations to Sub-Advisers, including, but not limited to, the Sub-Adviser’s style, historical performance and the characteristics of each Sub-Adviser’s allocated assets (including investment process and statistical analysis). The Adviser will allocate Fund assets among strategies of the Sub-Advisers that it believes offer the potential for attractive long-term investment returns individually and are expected to blend within the Fund’s portfolio so that it will have low correlation and low volatility relative to the broader stock and bond markets. The Adviser may direct a Sub-Adviser to reduce or limit its investment in certain assets or asset classes in order to achieve the desired composition

 

3



 

of the Fund’s overall portfolio. The Adviser retains the discretion to invest the Fund’s assets in securities and other instruments directly and may do so in certain circumstances including pending allocation to a Sub-Adviser, to hedge against overall Fund exposure created by the Sub-Advisers, or to increase or reduce the Fund’s exposure to a particular issuer, sector, industry or general market risk, including interest rate risk.

 

Summary of Principal Risks

 

As with all mutual funds, a shareholder is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The Fund is only a suitable investment for investors who can bear leverage and derivatives securities risks. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.

 

·                  Multi-Manager Dependence.  The success of the Fund’s investment strategy depends both on the Adviser’s ability to select Sub-Advisers and to allocate assets to those Sub-Advisers and on each Sub-Adviser’s ability to execute the relevant strategy and select investments for the Fund.  The Sub-Advisers’ investment styles may not always be complementary, which could affect the performance of the Fund.

 

·                  Absolute Return Focus.  The Fund’s returns may deviate from overall market returns to a greater degree than other funds that do not employ an absolute return focus.  In addition, if the Fund or a Sub-Adviser takes a defensive posture by hedging its portfolio and stock prices subsequently advance, the Fund’s returns may be lower than expected and lower than if the Fund’s portfolio had not been hedged.

 

·                  Equity Securities.  The Fund is designed for investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with significant holdings of equity securities. Equity securities tend to be more volatile than other investment choices, such as debt and money market instruments. The value of your investment may decrease in response to overall stock market movements or the value of individual securities held by the Fund.

 

·                  Mid-Cap Company Investments.  Securities of companies with mid-cap capitalizations tend to be riskier than securities of companies with large-capitalizations. This is because mid cap companies typically have smaller product lines and less access to liquidity than large cap companies, and are therefore more sensitive to economic downturns. In addition, growth prospects of mid cap companies tend to be less certain than large cap companies, and the dividends paid by mid cap stocks are frequently negligible. Moreover, mid cap stocks have, on occasion, fluctuated in the opposite direction of large cap stocks or the general stock market. Consequently, securities of mid cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large cap companies.

 

·                  Small-Cap Company Investments.  Securities of companies with small capitalizations tend to be riskier than securities of companies with mid-cap and large capitalizations. Smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources. The prices of small capitalization stocks tend to be more volatile than those of other stocks. Small capitalization stocks are not priced as efficiently as stocks of larger companies. In addition, it may be harder to sell these stocks, especially during a down market or upon the occurrence of adverse company-specific events, which can reduce their selling prices.

 

·                  Fixed-Income Securities.  Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to certain risks, including: interest rate risk, prepayment risk and credit/default risk. Interest rate risk involves the risk that prices of fixed income securities will rise and fall in response to interest rate changes. Prepayment risk involves the risk that in declining interest rate environments prepayments of principal could increase and require the Fund to reinvest proceeds of the prepayments at lower interest rates. Credit risk involves the risk that the credit rating of a security may be lowered.

 

·                  Asset-Backed Securities.  The risks of investing in asset-backed securities include interest rate risk, prepayment risk and the risk that the Fund could lose money if there are defaults on the loans underlying these securities.

 

·                  Mortgaged-Backed Securities. The risks of investing in mortgaged-backed securities include interest rate risk, prepayment risk and the risk that the Fund could lose money if there are defaults on the mortgage loans underlying these securities.

 

·                  High Yield Debt Obligations.  The Fund may invest in high yield debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations. An issuer of debt obligations may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal. Also, changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the credit rating of a security may affect its value. Such high yield debt obligations are referred to as “junk bonds” and are not considered to be investment grade.

 

·                  Foreign Investments.  International investing is subject to special risks, including currency exchange rate volatility, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices.

 

·                  Emerging Markets.  Investment in emerging market securities involves greater risk than that associated with investment in foreign securities of developed foreign countries. These risks include volatile currency exchange rates, periods of high inflation, increased risk of default, greater social, economic and political uncertainty and

 

4



 

instability, less governmental supervision and regulation of securities markets, weaker auditing and financial reporting standards, lack of liquidity in the markets, and the significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market issuers.

 

·                  Leverage.  The Fund may make margin purchases of securities and, in connection with the purchases, borrow money from banks and other financial institutions for investment purposes. The Fund may also engage in selling securities short, which is a form of leverage. Although the use of leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased return, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. There is no assurance that the use of leverage as an investment strategy will be successful.

 

·                  Derivatives.  The Fund’s investments in derivative instruments such as options, forward currency exchange contracts, swaps and futures, which may be leveraged, may result in losses. Investments in derivative instruments may result in losses exceeding the amounts invested.

 

·                  Commodity Sector Risk. Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

·                  Convertible Securities.  Securities that can be converted into common stock, such as certain securities and preferred stock, are subject to the usual risks associated with fixed income investments, such as interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, because they react to changes in the value of the equity securities into which they will convert, convertible securities are also subject to the risks associated with equity securities.

 

·                  Valuation.  Portfolio securities that have been valued using techniques other than market quotations may have valuations that are different from those produced using market quotations, and the security may be sold at a discount to the value established by the Fund.

 

·                  Redemptions. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests by shareholders if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

·                  Portfolio Turnover.  If the Fund frequently trades its portfolio securities, the Fund will incur higher brokerage commissions and transaction costs, which could lower the Fund’s performance. In addition to lower performance, high portfolio turnover could result in taxable capital gains.

 

·                  Exchange Traded Funds.  ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities that they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in its being more volatile.  The Fund may incur brokerage fees in connection with its purchase of ETF shares.

 

Fund Performance

 

No performance information is presented because the Fund has not been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated performance information is available at 1-866-882-1226. R Shares of the Fund have not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Advisers and Sub-Advisers

 

Simple Alternatives, LLC, 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC, Courage Capital Management, LLC, Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC, Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC, Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC, and Trellus Management Co., LLC each serve as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

 

 

Title

 

Portfolio Manager
of Fund since:

Simple Alternatives, LLC

 

 

 

 

James Dilworth

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Inception

Bruce MacDonald

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

 

5



 

Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Charles W. Griege, Jr.

 

Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Courage Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Richard C. Patton

 

Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn

 

 

 

 

Jay B. Abramson

 

President, Chief Investment Officer

 

Inception

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

 

Lauren C. Templeton

 

Founder, Managing Member, Chief Compliance Officer

 

Inception

Scott Phillips

 

Portfolio Manager, Head of Research

 

Inception

Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC

 

 

 

 

Matthew C. Gilman

 

Chief Executive Officer, Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

Trellus Management Co., LLC

 

 

 

 

Adam Usdan

 

President, Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

John Alderman

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Inception

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Minimum Initial Investment: $250,000

 

You can only purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund on days the New York Stock Exchange is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

 

S1 Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9869

Providence, RI 02940-8042

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

Call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226

 

Taxes

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income.

 

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 may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and other 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.

 

6



 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

 

This section provides some additional information about the Fund’s investments and certain portfolio management techniques that the Fund may use. More information about the Fund’s investments and portfolio management techniques, and related risks, is included in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

Additional Information About the Fund’s Principal Investments and Risks

 

Sub-Adviser Investment Strategies.  The Sub-Advisers will use a combination of the following investment strategies:

 

Relative Value

This strategy is designed to take advantage of perceived discrepancies in the market prices of certain convertible bond, common stock, fixed income and derivative securities.  Such discrepancies are often created by imbalances in supply and demand of different types of issues (for example, agency securities relative to U.S. Treasury securities).

 

Event Driven

This strategy is designed to invest in securities whose prices are or will be impacted by a corporate event.  Such events include corporate events, such as restructurings, spin-offs and significant litigation (e.g., tobacco litigation).  Opportunities in this area are created by the reluctance of traditional investors to assume the risk associated with certain corporate events.

 

Long/Short Equity

This strategy employs long and short trading in common stock, and preferred stock of U.S. and foreign issuers.  This strategy attempts to neutralize exposure to general market risk by primarily investing in stocks that are undervalued and short selling those stocks that are considered to be undervalued.

 

Market Neutral Equity

This strategy is designed to exploit equity market inefficiencies, which involves being simultaneously invested in long and short matched equity portfolios generally of the same size, usually in the same market.  These strategies are typically constructed to attempt to be beta neutral and attempt to control the industry, sector, market capitalization and other potential market bias exposures.

 

Global Macro

This strategy seeks to generate income and/or capital appreciation through a portfolio of investments focused on macro-economic opportunities across numerous markets and instruments. These strategies may include positions in the cash, currency, futures and forward markets.  Trading positions are generally held both long and/or short in both U.S. and non-U.S. markets.  With a broader global scope, returns to the Global Macro strategy generally exhibit little to no correlation with the broader domestic equity and bond markets.

 

Convertible Arbitrage

This strategy seeks to take advantage of pricing inefficiencies of the embedded option in a convertible bond.  The strategy typically involves the purchase of a convertible debt or preferred equity instrument (an instrument that is effectively a bond or has a fixed obligation of repayment with an embedded equity option, non-detachable warrants or an equity-linked or equity-indexed note) concurrent with the short sale of, or a short over-the-counter derivative position in, the common stock of the issuer of such debt instrument.

 

Credit Biased

These strategies invest primarily in the following sectors:  secured leveraged loans, high yield bonds, distressed debt, structured credit, and global debt (typically less efficient areas of the global fixed income markets than traditional fixed income strategies).  Generally these sectors may include wide credit rating ranges (including leveraged buyouts), may include distressed debt strategies and may include restricted securities and securities that may not be registered for which a market may not be readily available.

 

Mortgage Backed Securities

This strategy is designed to exploit perceived mispricings in mortgage back securities.  Such mispricings can result from periods of market illiquidity and distress or from analytical anomalies.  The strategy will invest in both conventional and complex mortgage backed securities.

 

7



 

Opportunistic Equities

This strategy is designed to capitalize on underpriced equity securities or on positive market trends and may focus in certain securities markets, industries, company sizes, or geographical areas. Strategies are primarily managed for absolute return and Sub-Advisers assess risk and opportunity on an absolute, not an index-relative basis, by focusing on relatively few investments that the manager believes are undervalued and either offer a margin-of-safety, or offer high growth opportunities. Selective hedging through the use of short sales or options may be utilized to manage risk exposure. Strategies may also focus on special situations or events, including distressed equities.

 

Other Investment Strategies

The Fund also has the ability to employ strategies including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions to purchase securities and investing in warrants, options and futures, reverse repurchase agreements, initial public offerings, restricted securities, and other investment companies.

 

Derivative Contracts. The Fund may, but need not, use derivative contracts for any of the following purposes:

 

·      To seek to hedge against the possible adverse impact of changes in stock market prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates in the market value of its securities or securities to be purchased;

 

·      As a substitute for buying or selling currencies or securities; or

 

·      To seek to enhance the Fund’s return in non-hedging situations (which is considered a speculative activity).

 

Examples of derivative contracts include: futures and options on securities, securities indices or currencies; options on these futures; forward foreign currency contracts; and interest rate or currency swaps. The Fund may use derivative contracts involving foreign currencies. A derivative contract will obligate or entitle the Fund to deliver or receive an asset or cash payment that is based on the change in value of one or more securities, currencies or indices. Even a small investment in derivative contracts can have a big impact on the Fund’s stock market, currency and interest rate exposure. Therefore, using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gains when stock prices, currency rates or interest rates are changing. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on derivatives if changes in their value do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund’s holdings. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of default risk as issuers of fixed income securities in that the counterparty may default on its payment obligations or become insolvent. Derivatives can also make the Fund less liquid and harder to value, especially in declining markets.

 

Short Sales. The Fund engages in short sales — including those that are not “against the box,” which means that the Fund may make short sales where the Fund does not currently own or have the right to acquire, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short — in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In a typical short sale, the Fund borrows from a broker a security in order to sell the security to a third party. The Fund is then obligated to return a security of the same issuer and quantity at some future date. The Fund realizes a loss to the extent the security increases in value or a profit to the extent the security declines in value (after taking into account any associated costs). Short sales “against the box” may protect the Fund against the risk of losses in the value of a portfolio security because any decline in value of the security should be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding gain in the short position. Any potential gains in the security, however, would be wholly or partially offset by a corresponding loss in the short position. Short sales that are not “against the box” involve a form of investment leverage, and the amount of the Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited.

 

Equity and Equity-Related Securities. The Fund invests in all types of equity securities. Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights, convertible securities, depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and equity participations. The number of issuers in the Fund’s portfolio will vary over time.

 

Fixed Income Investments. The Fund invests a portion of its assets in fixed income securities. Fixed income investments include bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, Eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, preferred stocks and money market instruments. Fixed income securities may be issued by corporate and governmental issuers and may have all types of interest rate payment and reset terms, including (without limitation) fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. The principal debt investments of the Fund will be fixed and floating rate securities with no reset terms.

 

The credit quality of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio is determined at the time of investment. If a security is rated differently by multiple ratings organizations, the Fund treats the security as being rated in the higher rating category.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by private companies or by agencies of the U.S. government. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participation in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property.

 

8


 


 

Certain debt instruments may only pay principal at maturity or may only represent the right to receive payments of principal or payments of interest on underlying pools of mortgage or government securities, but not both. The value of these types of instruments may change more drastically than debt securities that pay both principal and interest during periods of changing interest rates. Principal only mortgage-backed securities are particularly subject to prepayment risk. The Fund may obtain a below market yield or incur a loss on such instruments during periods of declining interest rates. Interest only instruments are particularly subject to extension risk, i.e. the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay later than expected. This may occur when there is a rise in interest rates. Mortgage derivatives and structured securities often employ features that have the effect of leverage. As a result, small changes in interest or prepayment rates may cause large and sudden price movements, especially compared to an investment in a security that is not leveraged. Mortgage derivatives can also become illiquid and hard to value in declining markets.

 

Mortgage-backed securities that are collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-related securities depend on the payments of principal and interest made by or through the underlying assets, which may not be sufficient to meet the payment obligations of the mortgage-backed securities. Prepayments of principal, which occur more frequently in falling interest rate conditions, may shorten the term and reduce the value of these securities. The quality and value of the underlying collateral may decline, or default, which has become a significant risk for collateral related to sub-prime mortgage loans, especially in a declining residential real estate market. Further, these securities generally are privately sold and may not be readily marketable, particularly after a rapid decrease in value. Investments in mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to valuation risk.

 

The Fund may also use mortgage dollar rolls to finance the purchase of additional investments. Dollar rolls expose the Fund to the risk that it will lose money if the additional investments do not produce enough income to cover the Fund’s dollar roll obligations. In addition, if the Adviser’s or Sub-Advisers’ prepayment assumptions are incorrect, the Fund may have performed better had the Fund not entered into the mortgage dollar roll. Unless covered, investing in dollar rolls creates leverage and dollar rolls are subject to the general risks involved in leveraging.

 

Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that are traded or denominated in U.S. dollars (including equity securities of foreign issuers trading in U.S. markets) through American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or International Depositary Receipts (“IDRs”). In addition, the Fund may invest in securities traded or denominated in foreign currencies and in multinational currencies such as the Euro. The Fund will value its securities and other assets in U.S. dollars. Investments in securities of foreign entities and securities denominated or traded in foreign currencies involve special risks. These include possible political and economic instability and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other restrictions on investments. Changes in foreign currency rates relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Emerging market investments offer the potential for significant gains but also involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. Political or economic instability, lack of market liquidity and government actions such as currency controls or seizure of private business or property may be more likely in emerging markets.

 

Valuation. Portfolio securities may be valued using techniques other than market quotations. The value established for a portfolio security may be different than what would be produced through the use of another methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio securities that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations were used. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell a portfolio security for the value established for it at any time and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold at a discount to its established value.

 

Interest Rate Risk. During periods of rising interest rates, the market value of the Fund’s fixed-income securities will tend to be lower than prevailing market interest rates. In periods of falling interest rates, the market value of the Fund’s fixed-income securities generally will tend to be higher than prevailing market interest rates. Prices of longer-term fixed income securities are typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates than prices of shorter-term fixed-income securities.

 

Credit/Default Risk. The credit rating of an issuer or guarantor of a security in which the Fund invests may be lowered or an issuer or guarantor of a security or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a repurchase agreement may default on its payment obligations.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be unable to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Liquid securities may also become illiquid because of market events or uncertainties. Illiquidity can be caused by a drop in overall market trading volume, an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress.

 

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Leveraging Risks. The use of leverage by the Adviser and Sub-Advisers may increase the volatility of the Fund. These leveraged instruments may result in losses to the Fund or may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value or total return, because instruments that contain leverage are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The Fund may also use borrowed funds to create leverage. Although the use of leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for increased return, it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on the securities and instruments purchased with leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income and gains from the securities and instruments purchased with such proceeds does not cover the cost of leverage, the Fund’s return will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in value of the Fund’s assets, the Fund may not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay off its borrowing. Short sales of securities also involve the use of leverage. Using this investment technique may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value or total return.

 

To limit leverage risk, the Fund will segregate assets determined by the Adviser to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors, or, when permissible, enter into offsetting transactions, to cover its obligations resulting from its use of derivative instruments. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the futures contract, option or other derivative is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, it is possible that segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

 

Interest Rate Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Credit Default Swaps, Options on Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars.

 

·      Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments.

 

·      Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index, or an index component.

 

·      Credit default swaps are contracts whereby one party makes periodic payments to a counterparty in exchange for the right to receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation in the event of a default by the issuer of the debt obligation.

 

·      Options on swaps (“swaptions”) are options to enter into a swap agreement. The Fund may also purchase and write (sell) swaptions. Like other types of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms.

 

·      Interest rate caps entitle the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.

 

·      Interest rate floors entitle the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor.

 

·      Interest rate collars combine a cap and a floor that are designed to preserve a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

 

The Fund may enter into the transactions described above for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The use of swaps, swaptions, and interest rate caps, floors and collars is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values and interest rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.

 

Counterparties. To the extent the Fund invests in loans or securities traded over-the-counter, swaps, “synthetic” or derivative instruments, repurchase agreements, certain types of options or other customized financial instruments, the Fund takes the risk of non-performance by the other party to the contract. This risk may include credit risk of the counterparty and the risk of settlement default. This risk may differ materially from those entailed in exchange-traded transactions that generally are supported by guarantees of clearing organizations, daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions entered directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from such protections and expose the parties to the risk of counterparty default.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities have characteristics of both equity and fixed-income securities. The value of a convertible security tends to move with the market value of the underlying stock, but may also be affected by interest rates, credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. In particular, when interest rates rise, fixed-income securities will decline in value. Convertible securities frequently have speculative characteristics and may be acquired

 

10



 

without regard to minimum quality ratings. Lower quality convertible securities, also known as “junk bonds,” involve greater risk of default or price changes due to the issuer’s creditworthiness. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than those of higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest rates. Securities in the lowest quality category may present the risk of default, or may be in default.

 

Tax Risk. The Fund may seek to gain exposure to the commodity markets through investments in commodity-linked notes. The Fund has not requested or received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding their treatment for purposes of the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).  Additionally, the tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and other commodity-linked derivatives may be adversely affected by future legislation, U.S. Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in ETFs. ETFs are registered investment companies whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. In general, ETFs seek to track a specified securities index or a basket of securities that an “index provider,” such as Standard & Poor’s, selects as representative of a market, market segment or industry sector. An ETF portfolio generally holds the same stocks or bonds as the index it tracks or it may hold a representative sample of such securities. Thus, an ETF is designed so that its performance will correspond closely with that of the index it tracks. As a shareholder in an ETF, the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of an ETF’s expenses, including advisory fees, in addition to its own expenses.

 

Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies, but may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company or acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Among other things, the Fund may invest in money market mutual funds for cash management purposes by “sweeping” excess cash balances into such funds until the cash is invested or otherwise utilized. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund.

 

Redemptions. The Fund may need to sell its holdings in order to meet shareholder redemption requests. The Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at its desired time or price. Illiquidity can be caused by a drop in overall market trading volume, an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading, resulting in high portfolio turnover. This may lead to the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, increasing their tax liability. Frequent trading may also increase transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance.

 

Temporary Investments. The Fund may depart from its principal investment strategy in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions by taking temporary defensive positions (up to 100% of its assets) in all types of money market and short-term debt securities. If the Fund were to take a temporary defensive position, it may be unable for a time to achieve its investment objective.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of The RBB Fund, Inc.’s (the “Company”) policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The SAI is incorporated herein.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

 

Investment Adviser

 

Simple Alternatives, LLC, a registered investment adviser located at 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, provides investment advisory services to the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Adviser was founded in October 2009 by James Dilworth.

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 2.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 3.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s R Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2012 and may not be terminated without Board approval. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fees forgone and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed the applicable expense limitation. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 3.20%, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. A discussion regarding the basis for the Company’s Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is available in the Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Sub-Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Sub-Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.   James Dilworth and Bruce MacDonald are the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.  Prior to founding Simple Alternatives, LLC, Mr. Dilworth worked with Common Sense Investment Management, LLC. Common Sense Investment Management is an institutional hedge fund of funds. Mr. Dilworth founded Dilworth Securities, Inc. and Dilworth Capital Management, LLC in 2003. Prior to establishing Dilworth Capital, Mr. Dilworth served as the CEO and Managing Director of London-based Middlebury Capital Partners International, a holding company partially owned by and managing investments for the Charles R. Schwab family. In 1998, Mr. Dilworth joined Clark Winter in developing Winter Capital International, a fund of funds based in New York City, which was sold to Citigroup Private Bank in late 2000. Mr. Dilworth received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business. Mr. MacDonald currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser. From 2005 to 2009 he was Director of Asset Allocation and Risk Management for the University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO). Before joining UVIMCO Mr. MacDonald was the Senior Investment Strategist for Putnam Investments’ Global Asset Allocation team. Mr. MacDonald holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BA in religion from Wesleyan University.

 

Sub-Advisers

 

The Fund has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser to engage or terminate a Sub-Adviser, and to enter into and materially amend an existing sub-advisory agreement, upon the approval of the Board of Directors, without obtaining shareholder approval. The Sub-Advisers provide investment advisory services to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to them by the Adviser. The Adviser compensates each Sub-Adviser at a rate negotiated by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser selects Sub-Advisers based upon the Sub-Adviser’s skills in managing assets pursuant to particular investment styles and strategies. The Adviser monitors existing Sub-Advisers based on their investment styles, strategies, and results in managing assets for specific asset classes. Each Sub-Adviser will have discretion to select portfolio securities for its portion of the Fund, but must select those securities according to the Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions.  The Fund is not required to invest with any minimum number of Sub-Advisers, and does not have minimum or maximum limitations with respect to allocations of assets to any Sub-Adviser. The Adviser may change the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the available Sub-Advisers, and may add or remove Sub-Advisers, at any time.

 

Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC (“Blue Lion”), a registered investment adviser located at 5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 510, Dallas, Texas 75225, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Charles W. Griege, Jr. is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Blue Lion. Mr. Griege has been Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Blue Lion since 2005.  Prior to starting Blue Lion, Mr. Griege joined Atlas Capital Management, a long/short equity fund, as a partner in May 2001. Prior to Atlas, Mr. Griege spent six years in investment banking, most recently as a Managing Director at SoundView Technology Group. Prior to joining SoundView, Mr. Griege was a Vice President in the research sales division of Sanford Bernstein. Mr. Griege received an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School in 1990 and a BA degree from

 

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Vanderbilt University in 1985. Blue Lion employs a long/short equity strategy with a value-oriented bias in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Courage Capital Management, LLC (“Courage Capital”), a registered investment adviser located at 4400 Harding Road Ste. 503, Nashville, Tennessee 37205, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Courage Capital was founded in 1998 by Richard C. Patton, who is also the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Courage Capital.  Mr. Patton is also Chief Investment Adviser of Courage Capital.  Prior to founding Courage Capital, Mr. Patton co-founded and operated Woodmont Capital, LLC. Mr. Patton serves on the American Red Cross Board of Governors. Mr. Patton earned a B.S. in Economics from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Courage Capital employs an event driven investment strategy, including investments in special situations companies and distressed securities, in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn (“CRM”), a registered investment adviser located at 520 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  CRM was founded in 1973.  Wilmington Trust Investments, Inc. has a controlling interest in CRM. Jay B. Abramson, the President and Chief Investment Officer of CRM, has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by CRM. Mr. Abramson has been with CRM since 1985. As Chief Investment Officer, he maintains overall responsibility for the firm’s investment team. Prior to CRM, Mr. Abramson earned his CPA. He received a BSE from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. CRM employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC (“LT”), a registered investment adviser located at 1208 Pointe Centre Drive, Suite 210, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  LT was founded in 2001 by Lauren C. Templeton. Ms. Templeton and Scott Phillips have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by LT.  Ms. Templeton is managing member and Chief Compliance Officer of LT. Ms. Templeton is also founder and director of the Southeastern Hedge Fund Association. In addition to these responsibilities Ms. Templeton also serves the following organizations; The Atlanta Hedge Fund Roundtable (President), the Board of Trustees at the Baylor School, the Pre-Business Advisory Council at the University of the South, Sewanee (Board Member), and the Finance Advisory Board of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.  Ms. Templeton is a published book author having written “Investing the Templeton Way” released by McGraw Hill in 2008.  Investing the Templeton Way is a value investor’s guide to the successful methods employed by her mentor, Sir John Templeton. Ms. Templeton received a B.A. in Economics from the University of the South. Mr. Phillips joined LT in 2007 and serves as Portfolio Manager and Head of Research.  Prior to joining LT, Mr. Phillips founded Cumberland Capital Corp, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2004, where he provided equity research services to Green Cay Asset Management, a hedge fund management company located in Nassau, Bahamas. Mr. Phillips received his B.A. in English from the University of the South.  Mr. Phillips co-authored “Investing the Templeton Way.”  LT uses a global value investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

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Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC (“SRES”), a registered investment adviser located at 591 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception.  SRES was launched in 2004. SRES is jointly owned by Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and Advisor, and Matthew C. Gilman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager. Over the past 19 years, Mr. Sternlicht has structured more than 400 investment transactions with an asset value of more than $40 billion.  From 1995 through 2005, Mr. Sternlicht was Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., a company he founded in 1995.  Mr. Gilman is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by SRES. Mr. Gilman joined Starwood Real Estate Securities LLC at its founding in 2004. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Gilman was Senior Portfolio Manager at ABP Investments US, Inc., the US subsidiary of the Dutch Civil Service Pension Fund, regarded as one of the largest in the world. Mr. Gilman covered real estate securities at JP Morgan Investment Management from 1995 to 1999 and for one year at Genesis Realty Advisors from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Gilman began his career at Wellsford Residential Properties in 1992, a multi-family real estate investment trust. Mr. Gilman is a graduate of Dartmouth College and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. SRES employs a long/short equity investment strategy, with a focus on public real estate securities, in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

Trellus Management Co., LLC (“Trellus”), a registered investment adviser located at 350 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017 has served as a Sub-Adviser to the Fund since its inception. Trellus was founded in 1994 by Adam Usdan, the sole owner of Trellus. Mr. Usdan and John Alderman are the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portion of the Fund sub-advised by Trellus. Mr. Usdan is the President, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of Trellus. Mr. Usdan earned an MBA in Finance, Accounting & Marketing from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a BA in English, from Wesleyan University. John Alderman, Portfolio Manager, has been with Trellus since 2001. Mr. Alderman earned an MBA in Finance from New York University and a BA in Economics from Connecticut College. Trellus employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund. The Fund is the only mutual fund for which the Sub-Adviser provides advisory services.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Marketing Arrangement

 

The Adviser or its affiliates may pay additional compensation, out of profits derived from the Adviser’s management fee and not as an additional charge to the Fund, to certain financial institutions (which may include banks, securities dealers and other industry professionals) for the sale and/or distribution of Fund shares or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund shares (“revenue sharing”). These payments are in addition to any distribution or servicing fees payable under a 12b-1 distribution and/or service plan of the Fund, any record keeping or sub-transfer agency fees payable by the Fund, or other fees described in the fee table or elsewhere in the Prospectus or SAI. Examples of “revenue sharing” payments include, but are not limited to, payment to financial institutions for “shelf space” or access to a third party platform or fund offering list or other marketing programs, including, but not limited to, inclusion of the Fund on preferred or recommended sales lists, mutual fund “supermarket” platforms and other formal sales programs; granting the Adviser access to the financial institution’s sales force; granting the Adviser access to the financial institution’s conferences and meetings; assistance in training and educating the financial institution’s personnel; and obtaining other forms of marketing support. The level of revenue sharing payments made to financial institutions may be a fixed fee or based upon one or more of the following factors: gross sales, current assets and/or number of accounts of the Fund attributable to the financial institution, or other factors as agreed to by the Adviser and the financial institution or any combination thereof. The amount of these revenue sharing payments is determined at the discretion of the Adviser from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial institutions depending upon the services provided by the financial institution. Such payments may provide an incentive for the financial institution to make shares of the Fund available to its customers and may allow the Fund greater access to the financial institution’s customers.

 

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

 

R Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are priced at their net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated as follows:

 

 

Value of Assets Attributable to R Shares

NAV = –

Value of Liabilities Attributable to R Shares

 

 

Number of Outstanding Shares of R Shares

 

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The Fund will effect purchases of Fund shares at the NAV next determined after receipt of your order or request in good order. The Fund will effect redemptions of Fund shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Fund’s Transfer Agent of your order in good order.

 

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. When prices are not available from such services or are deemed to be unreliable, securities may be valued by dealers who make markets in such securities. Foreign securities, currencies and other securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar provided by a pricing service. All assets denominated in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. If the Fund holds foreign equity securities, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV will not occur at the same time as the determination of the value of the foreign equities securities in the Fund’s portfolio, since these securities are traded on foreign exchanges.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Fund’s administrator, in consultation with the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and under the Board of Directors’ ultimate supervision. In addition, the prices of foreign securities may be affected by events that occur after the close of a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares. In such instances, a foreign security may be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

 

Market Timing

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Fund shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange. An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary.  The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise its right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company or the Adviser, has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Directors, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part

 

15



 

of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, it may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in its judgment, will be uniform.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Fund. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

Purchase of Fund Shares

 

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. (the “Distributor”). R Shares of the Fund have not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

 

General. You may purchase Shares of the Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $250,000.  There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can only purchase Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Fund may also be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”) will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after they are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

The Company relies upon the integrity of Service Organizations to ensure that orders are timely and properly submitted. The Fund cannot assure you that a Service Organization properly submitted to it all purchase and redemption orders received from the Service Organization’s customers before the time for determination of the Fund’s NAV in order to obtain that day’s price.

 

For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) of the average annual net asset value of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organization or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

 

Initial Investment By Mail. An account may be opened by completing and signing the application included with this Prospectus and mailing it to the Transfer Agent at the address noted below, together with a check ($250,000 minimum) payable to the Fund. Third party checks will not be accepted.

 

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Regular Mail:

Overnight Mail:

 

 

S1 Fund

S1 Fund

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

P.O. Box 9869

4400 Computer Drive

Providence, RI 02940

Westborough, MA 01581

 

The name of the Fund should be designated on the application and should appear on the check. Payment for the purchase of Shares received by mail will be credited to a shareholder’s account at the NAV per share of the Fund next determined after receipt of payment in good order.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. Shares of the Fund may be purchased by wiring federal funds to The Bank of New York Mellon.  A completed application must be forwarded to the Transfer Agent at the address noted above under “Initial Investment by Mail” in advance of the wire. For the Fund, notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. (Prior notification must also be received from investors with existing accounts.) Request account information and routing instructions by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226.

 

Federal funds wire purchases will be accepted only on days when the NYSE and The Bank of New York Mellon are open for business.

 

Additional Investments. Additional investments may be made at any time by purchasing Shares of the Fund at the NAV per Share of the Fund by mailing a check to the Transfer Agent at the address noted under “Initial Investment by Mail” (payable to S1 Fund) or by wiring monies to The Bank of New York Mellon as outlined under “Initial Investment by Wire.” Notification must be given to the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the wire date. Initial and additional purchases made by check cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Additional investments in Shares of the Fund may be made automatically by authorizing the Transfer Agent to withdraw funds from your bank account through an Automatic Investment Plan ($250 minimum). Investors desiring to participate in an Automatic Investment Plan should call the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226.

 

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. Shares may be purchased in conjunction with individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) and rollover IRAs where  BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company acts as custodian. A $15.00 custodial maintenance fee is charged per IRA account per year. For further information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are available and/or appropriate, you should consult with a tax advisor.

 

Other Purchase Information.  The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interest of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

 

a.               Persons who already hold Shares of the closed Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Company,

 

b.              Existing and future clients of financial advisers and planners whose clients already hold Shares of the closed Fund,

 

c.               Employees of the Adviser and their spouses, parents and children, and

 

d.              Directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the closed Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to the Board of Directors’ discretion, reserves the right to implement other purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of the Fund’s Shares will be made in full and fractional shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places.

 

The Company’s officers are authorized to waive the minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements.

 

17



 

Good Order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your purchase request. Please see “Purchase of Fund Shares” for instructions. Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Company to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information for each investor who opens or reopens an account with the Company. Applications without the required information, or without any indication that a social security or taxpayer identification number has been applied for, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s Shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

 

You may redeem Fund Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. You can only redeem Shares of the Fund on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9869, Providence, RI 02940; for overnight delivery, requests should be addressed to, S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA. 01581 and must include:

 

a.               Name of the Fund;

 

b.              Account number;

 

c.               Your Share certificates, if any, properly endorsed or with proper powers of attorney;

 

d.              A letter of instruction specifying the number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the Shares in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

e.               Medallion signature guarantees are required when (i) the redemption proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s) or (ii) the redemption request is for $50,000 or more. A signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association who are participants in a Medallion Program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The three recognized Medallion Programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program (MSP). Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable; and

 

f.                 Other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

 

Redemption By Telephone. In order to utilize the telephone redemption option, you must indicate that option on your Account Application. Please note that the telephone redemption option is not available for retirement accounts. You may then initiate a redemption of Shares by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-866-882-1226 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the primary registration address or wired per the authorized instructions. A wire charge of $7.50 is assessed and charged to the shareholder. If the telephone redemption option is authorized, the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent’s records of such instructions are binding and shareholders, not the Fund or its Transfer Agent, bear the risk of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably believed by the Fund or its Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent in connection with transactions initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone instructions and requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.

 

Involuntary Redemption. The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder’s account in the Fund at any time the value of the account in the Fund falls below $5,000 as the result of a redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account in the Fund is less than $5,000 and will be allowed 30 days to

 

18



 

make additional investments before the redemption is processed. The transaction fee applicable to the Fund will not be charged when Shares are involuntarily redeemed.

 

The Fund may assert the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Redemption Information. Redemption proceeds for Shares of the Fund recently purchased by check may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option.

 

Other than as described above, payment of the redemption proceeds will be made within seven days after receipt of an order for a redemption. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC.

 

If the Board of Directors determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholder will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its Shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good order. You must include complete and accurate required information on your redemption request. Please see “Redemption of Fund Shares” for instructions. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed.

 

Distribution Fees

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) that allows the Fund to pay fees from its R Shares assets for selling and distributing R Shares.  Pursuant to the Plan, R Shares of the Fund can pay distribution fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s R Shares assets.  Because distribution fees are paid on an ongoing basis, over time they increase the cost of your investment and may cost more than paying other sales charges.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise.

 

The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually. The estimated amount of any annual distribution will be posted to the Adviser’s password-protected website at www.S1Fund.com or a free copy may be obtained by calling 1-866-882-1226.

 

The Fund may pay additional distributions and dividends at other times if necessary for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal tax. The Fund’s distributions and dividends, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund Shares, are subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

More Information About Taxes

 

The following is a summary of certain United States tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual United States citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

Federal Taxes. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 15%, and is scheduled to rise to 20% for years beginning after December 31, 2010. You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

19



 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations.

 

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations.

 

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales and Exchanges. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale, exchange or redemption of your shares, including an exchange for shares of another Simple Alternatives Fund, based on the difference between your tax basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you should retain your account statements for the periods during which you held shares.)

 

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales, exchanges and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable.

 

Backup Withholding.  The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the Internal Revenue Service a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current withholding rate is 28%, but the withholding rate is scheduled to increase to 31% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. For nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors, Fund distributions attributable to net long-term capital gains of the Fund will generally be exempt from U.S. tax, but all other Fund distributions will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax. The withholding tax may, however, be reduced (and, in some cases, eliminated) under an applicable tax treaty between the United States and a shareholder’s country of residence or incorporation, provided that the shareholder furnishes the Fund with a properly completed Form W-8BEN to establish entitlement for these treaty benefits.

 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on sale, exchange or redemption of shares in the Fund.

 

Different U.S. tax rules may apply to a foreign shareholder, however, if the investment in the Fund is connected to a trade or business of the shareholder in the United States or the investor is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

20



 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income and gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

Future Tax Treatment.  Some of the tax provisions described above are subject to sunset provisions.  Specifically, a sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate will change after 2012.

 

More information about taxes is contained in the SAI.

 

Multi-Class Structure

 

The Fund also offers I Shares, which are offered directly to institutional investors without distribution fees in a separate prospectus. Shares of each class of the Fund represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue dividends and calculate NAV and performance quotations in the same manner. The performance of each class is quoted separately due to different actual expenses. The total return on R Shares of the Fund can be expected to differ from the total return on I Shares of the Fund. Information concerning other classes of the Fund can be requested by calling the Fund at 1-866-882-1226.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

21



 

S1 Fund

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

(1-866-882-1226)

 

www.S1Fund.com

 

For More Information:

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the S1 Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi—Annual Reports

 

These reports contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings, and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report includes fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during their last fiscal year.

 

When available, the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders may be obtained by visiting www.S1Fund.com.

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

An SAI, dated December 31, 2011 has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the annual and semi–annual reports, by calling 1-866-882-1226. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus (and is legally part of the prospectus). The SAI is available on the Adviser’s password-protected website at www.S1Fund.com.

 

Shareholder Inquiries

 

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday–Friday. Call: 1-866-882-1226 or visit the website of the Adviser at www.S1Fund.com.

 

Purchases and Redemptions

 

Call 1-866-882-1226.

 

Written Correspondence

 

Street Address:

 

S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA. 01581

 

P.O. Box Address:

 

S1 Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9869, Providence, RI 02940

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

 

You may also view and copy information about the Company and the Funds, including the SAI, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by sending your written request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO.811–05518

 


 


 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

PERIMETER SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

 

a series of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

Investor Class Shares Ticker Symbol: PSCGX

 

I Class Shares Ticker Symbol: PSIGX

 

December 31, 2011

 

Investment Adviser:

 

PERIMETER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. This SAI is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and the Investor Class Shares and I Class Shares (collectively, the “Shares”) of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”). This SAI is incorporated by reference into and should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses dated December 31, 2011 (“Prospectuses”). A copy of the Prospectuses and Annual Report may be obtained free of charge by calling toll-free 1-888-968-4964.  Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Prospectuses.

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

1

 

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

1

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

11

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

13

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

14

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

20

 

 

 

PROXY VOTING

 

20

 

 

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

20

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

22

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

22

 

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

24

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

25

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

26

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

26

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

26

 

 

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

28

 

 

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

29

 

 

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

30

 

 

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

30

 

 

 

VALUATION OF SHARES

 

31

 

 

 

TAXES

 

31

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

33

 

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

33

 

 

 

APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

A-1

 

 

 

APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING

 

B-1

 

ii



 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently operating [sixteen] separate portfolios. The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988. This SAI pertains to the Investor Class Shares and I Shares of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Perimeter Capital Management (“Perimeter” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

The Fund previously commenced operations on September 29, 2006 as the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II. On February 8, 2010, substantially all of the assets of the Predecessor Fund, which is advised by the Adviser, were transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund was assumed by the Fund. Financial and performance information prior to February 8, 2010 included herein is that of the Predecessor Fund.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectuses. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see “Description of Permitted Investments” in this SAI.

 

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. This investment objective is a non-fundamental investment policy that may be changed by the Fund without shareholder approval. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. The Fund is classified as a “diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

As its principal investment strategy, the Fund invests primarily in securities of small companies as described in the Prospectuses. Consistent with Rule 35d-1 of the 1940 Act regarding the use of certain mutual fund names, the Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, under normal circumstances, in securities of small companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate. Portfolio turnover rate is defined under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules as the greater of the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts in which the Fund may invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one-year. The Fund may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments, such as repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover.

 

PRINICPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices and the associated risk factors. The Fund will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted by the Fund’s stated investment policies.

 

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs as well as other “hybrid” forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer’s home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in

 

1



 

their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

 

Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject the Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally speaking, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than are those in the United States.

 

Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Fund invests will cause the net asset value of the Fund to fluctuate. The Fund purchases equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:

 

·                          Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

 

·                          Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

 

·                          Warrants. Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

 

·                          Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

 

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference

 

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between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks.

 

Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

 

·                          Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.

 

Futures And Options On Futures. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The Fund may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent futures and/or options on futures are employed by the Fund, such use will be in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Company, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.

 

An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

 

When the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to “cover” its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks. To cover its position, the Fund may segregate (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding portfolio securities. Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Fund arising from such investment activities.

 

The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. The Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract

 

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by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.

 

The Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. The Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

 

There are significant risks associated with the Fund’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce the Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

 

Options. The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on indices and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

 

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies (traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter markets) to manage its exposure to exchange rates. Call options on foreign currency written by the Fund will be “covered,” which means that the Fund will own an equal amount of the underlying foreign currency.

 

Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.

 

All options written on indices or securities must be covered. When the Fund writes an option on a security, an index or a foreign currency, it will establish a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain the account while the option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.

 

The Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices and currencies, as the Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund’s investment objective, and except as restricted by the Fund’s investment limitations. See “Investment Limitations.”

 

The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, the Fund may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract

 

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on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.

 

The Fund may purchase put and call options on securities to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. The Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund.

 

The Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When the Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

 

The Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options (“OTC options”) differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.

 

The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

 

Risks associated with options transactions include: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while the Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

 

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity index or interest rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap,” interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor,” and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

 

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal

 

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only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund’s illiquid investment limitation. The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.

 

The Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

 

Swap agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Fund and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

 

The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

Special Note Regarding Market Events. Events in the financial sector over the past few years have resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected. These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.

 

The instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of the financial markets. Federal, state and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are

 

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unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s holdings.

 

NON-PRICIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

Money Market Securities. Money market securities include: short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”), such as Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described below. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI, “Description of Securities Ratings”.

 

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac).

 

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.

 

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be placed in conservatorship under the FHFA.  The long-term effect that this conservatorship will have on Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s debt and equity and on securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is unclear.

 

·                          U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) and Treasury Receipts (“TRs”).

 

·                          Receipts. Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.

 

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·                          U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

 

·                          U.S. Government Agencies. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.

 

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks. The Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by the Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Bank obligations include the following:

 

·                          Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers’ acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less.

 

·                          Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.

 

·                          Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a fund acquires a fixed income security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a commercial bank, broker, or dealer, and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day). Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The acquisition of a repurchase agreement may be deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities as long as the obligation of the seller to repurchase the securities is collateralized fully. The Fund follows certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored

 

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by the Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement and consist only of securities permissible under Section 101(47)(A)(i) of the Bankruptcy Code (the Adviser monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Fund, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund’s total assets. The investments of the Fund in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

 

Investment Company Shares. The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. Unless an exception is available, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act prohibits a fund from (i) acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one investment company, (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in all investment companies combined, including its ETF investments.

 

For hedging or other purposes, the Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as exchange-traded funds, are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things.

 

Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC to certain exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “ETFs”) and procedures approved by the Board, the Fund may invest in the ETFs in excess of the 3% limit described above, provided that the Fund has described the ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. Neither the ETFs nor their investment advisers make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

 

Securities Lending. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). The Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Adviser or its affiliates unless permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules and promulgations thereunder. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund.

 

The Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated or, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder, affiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent.

 

By lending its securities, the Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions

 

9



 

whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. The Board has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.

 

Illiquid Securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, the Fund’s illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security’s fair value price may differ from the actual price which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the Fund. Under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Adviser may consider various factors, including: (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations; (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). The Fund will not hold more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

 

Restricted Securities. Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) or an exemption from registration. As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may invest in Section 4(2) commercial paper. Section 4(2) commercial paper is issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act and is generally sold to institutional investors who purchase for investment. Any resale of such commercial paper must be in an exempt transaction, usually to an institutional investor through the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in such commercial paper. The Company believes that Section 4(2) commercial paper is liquid to the extent it meets the criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company intends to treat such commercial paper as liquid and not subject to the investment limitations applicable to illiquid securities or restricted securities.

 

Short Sales. As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may engage in short sales that are either “uncovered” or “against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale against the box is a taxable transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short.

 

Uncovered short sales are transactions under which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

 

10



 

Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short; or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental Policies

 

The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Fund that cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The phrase “majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, whichever is less.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1.                        Purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

2.                        Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

3.                        Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

4.                        Make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

5.                        Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

6.                        Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

The following descriptions of certain provisions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions:

 

Diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agents or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities would be held by the fund.

 

Concentration. The SEC has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company’s total assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions.

 

Borrowing. The 1940 Act allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets).

 

Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements,

 

11



 

firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.

 

Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. The Fund’s current investment policy on lending is as follows: the Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) engage in securities lending as described in its Statement of Additional Information.

 

Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.

 

Commodities and Real Estate. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company’s ability to invest in commodities or real estate, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that would permit direct investment in commodities or real estate. However, the Fund’s current investment policy is as follows: the Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, physical commodities, or commodities contracts, except that the Fund may purchase: (i) marketable securities issued by companies which own or invest in real estate (including REITs), commodities, or commodities contracts; and (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.

 

Non-Fundamental Policies

 

In addition to the Fund’s investment objective, the following investment limitations of the Fund are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Company’s Board of Directors without shareholder approval. These non-fundamental policies are based upon the regulations currently set forth in the 1940 Act.

 

1.                        The Fund may not purchase securities of any issuer (except securities of other investment companies, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such securities) if as a result more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of such issuer; or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. This restriction applies to 75% of the Fund’s total net assets.

 

2.                        The Fund may not purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the total net assets of the Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements involving such securities. For purposes of this limitation, (i) utility companies will be classified according to their services, for example, gas distribution, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; and (ii) 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.

 

3.                        The Fund may not borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total net assets, provided that, for purposes of this limitation, investment strategies that either obligate the Fund to purchase securities or require the Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing. Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowing, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of its total net assets.

 

4.                        The Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total net assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its securities.

 

5.                        The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnership interests, physical commodities or commodities contracts except that the Fund may purchase (i) marketable securities issued by companies

 

12



 

which own or invest in real estate (including real estate investment trusts), commodities or commodities contracts; and (ii) commodities contracts relating to financial instruments, such as financial futures contracts and options on such contracts.

 

6.                        The Fund may not hold illiquid securities in an amount exceeding, in the aggregate, 15% of the Fund’s net assets.

 

In addition, the Fund shall:

 

7.                        The Fund shall invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, under normal circumstances, in securities of small companies. This non-fundamental investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

 

Except with respect to Fund policies concerning borrowing and illiquid securities, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from changes in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, a policy relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The policies relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Fund’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Fund. It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

 

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities. As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

 

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include The Bank of New York Mellon, the custodian; BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; Merrill Corporation, the financial printer; and Glass, Lewis & Company, the Fund’s proxy voting service. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Fund. Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g. attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions).

 

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to (i) certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information, and (ii) financial consultants to assist them in determining the suitability of the Fund as an investment for their clients, in each case in accordance with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Company’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders. The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board of Directors of the

 

13



 

Company or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions. Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of the Fund.

 

Any violations of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violations must be reported by the Adviser, director, officer or third party service provider to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board of Directors of the Company or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company’s Leadership Structure

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the oversight of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and the Company’s Charter.  The Directors are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and overseeing the actions of the Company’s service providers.

 

Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), are referred to as “Independent Directors.”  Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company are referred to as “Interested Directors.”  The Board is currently composed of five Independent Directors and three Interested Directors.  The Board has selected Arnold M. Reichman, an Independent Director, to act as Chairman.  Mr. Reichman’s duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and interfacing with management to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings.  In the performance of his duties, Mr. Reichman will consult with the other Independent Directors and the Company’s officers and legal counsel, as appropriate.  The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.

 

The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities.  Currently, the Board conducts regular, in-person meetings at least four times a year, and holds special in-person or telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.  The Board also relies on professionals, such as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms and legal counsel, to assist the Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has established four standing committees — Audit, Executive, Nominating and Governance, and Regulatory Oversight Committees.  The Board may establish other committees, or nominate one or more Directors to examine particular issues related to the Board’s oversight responsibilities, from time to time.  Each Committee meets periodically to perform its delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board.  For more information on the Committees, see the section “Standing Board Committees,” below.

 

The Board has determined that the Company’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

14



 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

 

Term of Office
and
Length of Time
Served(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*

 

Other Directorships
Held by Director

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 03/43

 

Director

 

2006 to present

 

Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.

 

16

 

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company) WT Mutual Fund; (registered investment company) Independence Blue Cross; IntriCon Corporation (body worn device company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francis J. McKay

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/35

 

Director

 

1988 to present

 

Retired; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Fox Chase Cancer Center (biomedical research and medical care) (1981-2004).

 

16

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

 

 

Director, Gabelli Group Capital Partners, L.P. (an investment partnership) from 2000 to 2006.

 

16

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvin E. Sternberg

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/34

 

Director

 

1991 to present

 

Since 1974, Chairman, Director and President, MTI Holding Group, Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.) (manufacturer of dental products and precision coated and industrial abrasives).

 

16

 

MTI Holding Group Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

 

Director

 

2006 to present

 

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City. Founding Partner, Straniere Law Firm (1980 to present); Partner, Gotham Strategies (consulting firm) (2005 to 2008); Partner, The Gotham Global Group (consulting firm) (2005 to 2008); President, The New York City Hot Dog Company (2005 to present); Partner, Kanter-Davidoff (law firm) (2006 to 2007).

 

16

 

Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTORS(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

 

Director

 

1988 to present

 

Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.

 

16

 

Comcast Corporation (until 2011); AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

 

15



 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

 

Term of Office
and
Length of Time
Served(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*

 

Other Directorships
Held by Director

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

 

Director

 

1991 to present

 

Since July 2002, Senior Director and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

 

16

 

Kensington Funds (registered investment company)(until 2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Richard Carnall
103Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

 

Director

 

2002 to present

 

Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.

 

16

 

Cornerstone Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvatore Faia, JD CPA, CFE
Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
DOB: 12/62

 

President and Chief Compliance Officer

 

President June 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present

 

President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of EIP Growth and Income Fund

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

 

Treasurer

 

June 2009 to present

 

Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.) (financial services company)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

 

Secretary

 

2007 to present

 

Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

2005 to present

 

Since 1995, Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

18th and Cherry Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 07/59

 

Assistant Secretary

 

1999 to present

 

Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 


*Each Director oversees sixteen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

(1)                   Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until the last day of year 2011, whichever is later, or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

16



 

(2)                  Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall and Sablowsky are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Brodsky is an “Interested Director” of the Company because a family foundation and certain family trusts own shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The investment adviser to the Company’s Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio, Bear Stearns Asset Management, Inc., is an indirect subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase. Mr. Carnall may be an “Interested Director” of the Company because of certain relationships with The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”).  PNC is a shareholder of BlackRock, Inc., the parent company of BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, the investment adviser to the Company’s Money Market Portfolio. Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as an officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

Director Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills

 

The information above includes each Director’s principal occupations during the last five years.  Each Director possesses extensive additional experience, skills and attributes relevant to his qualifications to serve as a Director.  The cumulative background of each Director led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director of the Company.  Mr. Giordano has years of experience as a consultant to financial services organizations and also serves on the boards of other registered investment companies.  Mr. Reichman brings decades of investment management experience to the Board, in addition to senior executive-level management experience.  Mr. Sternberg has over 35 years of senior executive level management experience in the manufacturing sector.  Mr. Straniere has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years and has served on the board of an asset management company and another registered investment company.  Mr. Brodsky has over 40 years of senior executive level management experience in the cable television and communications industry.  Mr. Sablowsky has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive level positions in the financial services industry.  Mr. Carnall has decades of senior executive-level management experience in the banking and financial services industry and also serves on the boards of various corporations and a bank.

 

Standing Board Committees

 

The responsibilities of each Committee of the Board and its members are described below.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of one Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano, McKay and Sternberg. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors. The Audit Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Executive Committee. The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of one Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Giordano, Reichman, Sablowsky and Sternberg. The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board of Directors is not in session. The Executive Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised only of Independent Directors. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Giordano, McKay and Reichman. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened twice during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Regulatory Oversight Committee. The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee compromised of two Interested Directors and two Independent Directors. The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Reichman, Sablowsky and Straniere. The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened five times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

17



 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors performs its risk oversight function for the Company through a combination of (1) direct oversight by the Board as a whole and Board committees and (2) indirect oversight through the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, Company officers and the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer.  The Company is subject to a number of risks, including but not limited to investment risk, compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk.  Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Company is the responsibility of the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) that carry out the Company’s investment management and business affairs.  Each of the investment advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models and may differ from the Company’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.

 

The Board provides risk oversight by receiving and reviewing on a regular basis reports from the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers, receiving and approving compliance policies and procedures, periodic meetings with the Company’s portfolio managers to review investment policies, strategies and risks, and meeting regularly with the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance reports, findings and issues.  The Board also relies on the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, with respect to the day-to-day activities of the Company, to create and maintain procedures and controls to minimize risk and the likelihood of adverse effects on the Company’s business and reputation.

 

Board oversight of risk management is also provided by various Board Committees.  For example, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms to ensure that the Company’s respective audit scopes include risk-based considerations as to the Company’s financial position and operations.

 

The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.  The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Company’s investments or activities.

 

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and in all of the portfolios (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him), as of December 31, 2010.

 

Name of Director

 

Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment Companies
Overseen by Director within the
Family of Investment Companies

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Nicholas A. Giordano

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

Francis McKay

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

Arnold M. Reichman

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

Marvin E. Sternberg

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

Robert A. Straniere

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

INTERESTED DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

J. Richard Carnall

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

Robert Sablowsky

 

[        ]

 

[        ]

 

18



 

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

 

Effective February 1, 2010, the Company pays each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each committee meeting or special meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person and $1,000 for each committee meeting or special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically. From July 1, 2009 to February 1, 2010 , the Company pays each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,000 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended in person, $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting one hour or longer and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors or Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting for less than one hour. From October 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended in person and $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically. From March 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participated, whether or not it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting. From May 23, 2007 to March 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 per meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participates, whether or not it is held in conjunction with a Board meeting. Prior to November 15, 2007, no Director was paid for a committee meeting if it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $12,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee receives an additional fee of $4,000 per year for his services. From July 1, 2009 to February 1, 2010, the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $9,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee received an additional fee of $3,000 per year for his services. Prior to July 1, 2009, the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $12,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee received an additional fee of $4,000 per year for his services.

 

Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. The Company also compensates its President and Chief Compliance Officer for his services to the Company. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, each of the following members of the Board of Directors and the President, Treasurer and Chief Compliance Officer received compensation from the Company in the following amounts:

 

Name of Director/Officer

 

Aggregate
Compensation
from Fund

 

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses

 

Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement

 

Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to

Directors
or Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Francis J. McKay, Director

 

$

[        ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Arnold M. Reichman, Director and Chairman

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Marvin E. Sternberg, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Robert A. Straniere, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

 

19



 

Name of Director/Officer

 

Aggregate
Compensation
from Fund

 

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses

 

Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement

 

Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to

Directors
or Officers

 

Interested Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

J. Richard Carnall, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Robert Sablowsky, Director

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvatore Faia, Esquire, CPA Chief Compliance Officer and President

 

$

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[      ]

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.

 

On October 24, 1990, the Company adopted, as a participating employer, the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement, a retirement plan for employees, pursuant to which the Company will contribute on a quarterly basis amounts equal to 10% of the quarterly compensation of each eligible employee. Edward J. Roach, who served as President and Treasurer until June 1, 2009, has been the only employee who has participated in the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement. No officer, Director or employee of the Adviser or the distributor currently receives any compensation from the Company.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company, the Adviser and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (“BNY Mellon Distributors”) have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Directors has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Fund to the Fund’s Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. In exercising its voting obligations, the Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Fund. The Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

 

The Adviser has adopted proxy voting procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund.  The Adviser employs a third party service provider to assist in the voting of proxies.  The Adviser’s procedures have been provided to the service provider, who analyzes the proxies and votes such proxies in the manner outlined in the procedures.  The Adviser’s proxy policies and procedures are included in Appendix B to this SAI.

 

The Company is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th is available upon request by calling 1-888-968-4964 or by writing to the Fund at Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, P.O. Box 9842, Providence, RI 02940-8042. The Fund’s Form N-PX is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As of [                ], 2011, to the Company’s knowledge, the following named persons at the addresses shown below were owners of record of approximately 5% or more of the total outstanding shares of the Fund as indicated

 

20



 

below. See “Additional Information Concerning Company Shares” below. Any shareholder that owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a portfolio or class may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the portfolio or class. Shareholders controlling a portfolio or class could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the portfolio or class on any matter requiring approval of the shareholders of the portfolio or class.

 

Name of Fund 

 

Shareholder Name and Address

 

Number and Percentage of
Shares Owned as of

[        ], 2011
*(Percentage of shares
owned rounded to the
nearest whole percentage)

 

 

 

 

 

[      ]

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[    ]

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[      ]

%

 

21



 

Name of Fund 

 

Shareholder Name and Address

 

Number and Percentage of
Shares Owned as of

[        ], 2011
*(Percentage of shares
owned rounded to the
nearest whole percentage)

 

 

 

 

 

[    ]

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[    ]

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (I Class)

 

 

 

[    ]

%

 

[As of [              ], 2011, the Directors and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each other portfolio or class within the Company. ]

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Perimeter Capital Management (the “Adviser”) is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Adviser was established in 2006 and offers investment management services for institutions.

 

Advisory Agreement with the Company. The Adviser renders advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) dated as of [                ], 2011. The Adviser is controlled by Perimeter Capital Management, LLC, which is organized as an employee-owned limited liability company.Subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Fund including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales made for the Fund. The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectus and in this SAI. The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.35% and 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares average daily net assets, respectively through

 

22



 

December 31, 2012. If at any time during the first three years the Advisory Agreement is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 1.35% and 1.10% of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares, respectively, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement. The Fund bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser. General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to the following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Fund’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy material that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.

 

Disclosure relating to the material factors and the conclusions with respect to those factors that formed the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, which may be obtained by calling 1-888-968-4964 or visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the period August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010, the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 and the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 the Fund and the Predecessor Fund paid the Adviser the following fees;

 

For the Period

 

Contractual Fees
Payable

 

Fees Waived

 

Total Fees Paid
(after waivers)

 

August 31, 2011

 

$

[        ]

 

$

[        ]

 

$

[        ]

 

August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010

 

$

261,081

 

$

34,287

 

$

226,794

 

July 31, 2010

 

$

3,030,443

 

$

196,222

 

$

2,834,221

 

July 31, 2009

 

$

1,486,673

 

$

515,810

 

$

970,863

 

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use.

 

23



 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about the Fund’s portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

 

Compensation. The Adviser compensates the Fund’s portfolio managers for their management of the Fund. Each of the portfolio manager’s compensation consists of a cash base salary and a discretionary performance bonus paid in cash that is based on overall profitability of the Adviser and performance of the Fund, and therefore in part based on the value of the Fund’s net assets and other client accounts they are managing.

 

Fund Shares Owned by Portfolio Managers. The Fund is required to show the dollar amount range of the portfolio managers’ “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Fund as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC. “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The Fund was not in operation prior to the date of this SAI. Consequently, the Portfolio Managers owned no securities issued by the Fund. As of August 31, 2011, the portfolio managers held the following amounts of Fund Shares:

 

Name

 

Dollar Range of Fund Shares

Mark D. Garfinkel

 

$10,001-$50,000

Jim N. Behre

 

$10,001-$50,000

 

Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund and the Predecessor Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below. The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or
Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee
is Based on
Performance
($mm)

 

1. Mark D. Garfinkel

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

3

 

$

241.7

 

0

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

35

 

$

979.7

 

3

 

$

25.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. James N. Behre

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

3

 

$

241.7

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A]

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

29

 

$

949.2

 

3

 

$

25.5

 

 

Conflicts of Interests. The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

24



 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

BNY Mellon serves as administrator to the Fund pursuant to administration and accounting services agreements with respect to the Fund (the “Administration Agreements”). BNY Mellon has agreed to furnish to the Fund statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Fund. In addition, BNY Mellon has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Fund. The Administration Agreement provides that BNY Mellon shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services thereunder. BNY Mellon shall be responsible for failure to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement arising out of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard. For its services to the Fund, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a fee calculated at an annual rate of:

 

·                          .08% of each Fund’s first $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

·                          .065% of each Fund’s next $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

·                          .055% of each Fund’s next $250 million of average daily net assets;

 

·                          .040% of each Fund’s next $750 million of average daily net assets; and

 

·                          .03% of each Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion.

 

The minimum monthly fee will be $5,833 per month, exclusive of Rule 38a-1 base compliance support services fees, costs of obtaining independent security market quotes, data repository and analytics suite access fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The Administration Agreement provides that BNY Mellon shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company or the Fund in connection with the performance of the agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

On June 1, 2003, the Company entered into a regulatory administration services agreement with BNY Mellon. Under this agreement, BNY Mellon has agreed to provide regulatory administration services to the Company. These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Fund’s registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s regulatory administration. BNY Mellon receives an annual fee based on the average daily net assets of the portfolios of the Company.

 

For the periods from August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010 and from February 8, 2010 through July 31, 2010 and the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011,the Fund paid the Administrator the following fees;

 

For the Period

 

Administration and
Accounting Fees and
Expenses (after waivers
and
reimbursements)

 

Waivers

 

Total Fees Paid
(after waivers)

 

Fiscal year ended August 31, 2011

 

$

[      ]

 

$

[      ]

 

$

[      ]

 

August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010

 

$

27,548

 

$

0

 

$

27,548

 

February 8, 2010 through July 31, 2010

 

$

153,765

 

$

0

 

$

153,765

 

 

The administrator for the Predecessor Fund was SEI Investments Global Fund Services. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund paid the Administrator the following fees:

 

25



 

For the Fiscal Year Ended

 

Administration and
Accounting Fees and
Expenses (after waivers
and
reimbursements)

 

Waivers

 

Reimbursements

 

August 1, 2009 through February 8, 2010

 

$

157,879

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

2009

 

$

164,888

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY”), One Wall Street,  New York, New York 10286, is custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian Agreement dated August 16, 1988, as amended. Under the Custodian Agreement, BNY: (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund; (b) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Fund; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Fund’s portfolio securities; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the Fund’s operations. BNY is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that BNY remains responsible for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian. For its services to the Fund under the Custodian Agreement, BNY receives a fee of 0.004% of average daily gross assets of the Fund calculated daily and payable monthly, exclusive of transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses, which are also charged to the Fund.

 

The Custodian for the Predecessor Fund was Union Bank of California, National Association.

 

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

BNY Mellon, 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, an affiliate of BNY Mellon Distributors, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement dated November 5, 1991, as supplemented (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which BNY Mellon: (a) issues and redeems shares of the Fund; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the operations of the Fund. For its services to the Fund under the Transfer Agency Agreement, BNY Mellon receives a fee at the annual rate of $20.00 per direct account, $8.00 per network level 3 account and $0.30 per inactive account in the Fund, with a minimum monthly fee of $4,166 per class payable monthly on a pro rata basis, exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses, and also receives reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses.

 

BNY Mellon also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. The Company pays an annual fee, ranging from $3,000 - $50,000, based on the number of open accounts in each portfolio of the Company. In addition, BNY Mellon provides services relating to the implementation of the Fund’s Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification. The Fund will pay BNY Mellon $2.25 per customer verification and $0.02 per month per record result maintained.

 

The Transfer Agent for the Predecessor Fund was DST Systems, Inc.

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

BNY Mellon Distributors, whose principal business address is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, serves as the underwriter to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, dated as of July 1, 2010, as supplemented (the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and the related Plan of Distribution for the Investor Class (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Company in the manner prescribed by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, BNY Mellon Distributors will use appropriate efforts to solicit

 

26



 

orders for the sale of the Fund’s shares. Payments to BNY Mellon Distributors under the Plan are to compensate it for distribution assistance and expenses assumed and activities intended to result in the sale of shares of the Investor Class including advertising, printing and mailing of prospectuses to others than current shareholders, compensation to underwriters, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, and interest, carrying or other financing changes. BNY Mellon Distributors engages in a continuous offering of shares of the Fund. As compensation for its distribution services, BNY Mellon Distributors receives, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, a distribution fee under the Plan, to be calculated daily and paid monthly by the Investor Class of the Fund, at the annual rate set forth in the Investor Class Prospectus.

 

The Distributor for the Predecessor Fund was SEI Investments Distribution Co. The Predecessor Fund adopted a shareholder servicing plan (the “Service Plan”) under which a shareholder servicing fee of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class Shares of the Predecessor Fund was paid to other service providers. The Predecessor Fund did not adopt a 12b-1 Plan.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Investor Class Shares of the Fund paid BNY Mellon Distributors fees as follows:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund —
Investor Class Shares

 

Distribution Fees Paid
(after waivers and
reimbursements)

 

Waivers

 

Reimbursements

 

August 31, 2011

 

$     

 

$    

 

$   

 

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 the Fund paid fees to broker-dealers and BNY Distributors retained fees as follows:

 

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund — Investor
Class Shares

 

Fees Paid to
Broker
Dealers

 

Fees Retained
by the
Distributor

 

August 31, 2011

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

27



 

Among other things, the Plan provides that: (1) BNY Mellon Distributors shall be required to submit quarterly reports to the Directors of the Company regarding all amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made, including commissions, advertising, printing, interest, carrying charges and any allocated overhead expenses; (2) the Plan will continue in effect only so long as it is approved at least annually, and any material amendment thereto is approved, by the Company’s Directors, including a majority of those Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to the Plan, acting in person at a meeting called for said purpose; (3) the aggregate amount to be spent by the Fund on the distribution of the Fund’s shares of a Class under the Plan shall not be materially increased without shareholder approval; and (4) while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Company’s Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) shall be committed to the discretion of such Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund’s Plan expenses were spent for the following purposes:

 

Investor Class Shares

 

Perimeter Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Compensation to broker/dealers

 

$

 

 

Compensation to sales personnel

 

$

 

 

Advertising

 

$

 

 

Printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders

 

$

 

 

Compensation to underwriters

 

$

 

 

Interest, financing charges

 

$

 

 

Other

 

$

 

 

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates, at their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Fund, its service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Fund and/or in recognition of their distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.

 

These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Fund, the Distributor or shareholders of the Fund through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets. Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Fund in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Fund; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational

 

28



 

support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates may also make payments from their own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law. Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Fund by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors and applicable rules, the Adviser is responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Fund. In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions.

 

The Fund does not have any obligation to deal with any broker or group of brokers in the execution of portfolio transactions. The Adviser may, consistent with the interests of the Fund and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Fund and other clients of the Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Adviser under its respective contracts. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the Adviser to the Fund and its other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term.

 

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 the Predecessor Fund paid $1,104,935 in aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions.

 

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, for the period from August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010 and for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund paid $1,453,801, $100,944, and $[   ] respectively, in aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions.

 

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, for the period from August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010 and for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund and the Predecessor Fund paid the following commissions on brokerage transactions directed to brokers pursuant to an agreement or understanding whereby the broker provides research or other brokerage services to the Adviser:

 

For the Period Ended

 

Total Dollar Amount of
Brokerage Commissions for Research
Services

 

Total Dollar Amount of Transactions
Involving Brokerage
Commissions for Research Services

 

Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2011

 

$

[                  ]

 

$

[                    ]

 

August 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010

 

$

73,434.35

 

$

47,319,413.93

 

Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2010

 

$

1,084.992.09

 

$

625,533,308.15

 

 

Investment decisions for the Fund and for other investment accounts managed by the Adviser are made independently of each other in the light of differing conditions. However, the same investment decision may be made for two or more of such accounts. In such cases, simultaneous transactions are inevitable. Purchases or sales

 

29



 

are then averaged as to price and allocated as to amount according to a formula deemed equitable to each such account. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value of the security as far as the Fund is concerned, in other cases it is believed to be beneficial to the Fund.

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm and you may also purchase shares directly by mail or wire. The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of a Fund’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV. If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash. A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund. A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit. (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

 

Shares of the Company are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse a Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectuses from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, desirable in order to prevent the Company or any Fund from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Purchase Information

 

If shares of the Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five

 

30



 

(5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers (other than BNY Mellon Distributors), financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required. Telephone transactions will not be permitted in connection with IRA or other retirement plan accounts or by an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney.

 

VALUATION OF SHARES

 

Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments. This may result in the securities being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used. All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on the Fund’s books at their face value. Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Valuation Committee under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

TAXES

 

General

 

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectus and this SAI are based on the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the statements included herein, and such changes may be retroactive.

 

The Fund qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As such, the Fund generally will be exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it must meet three important tests each year.

 

First, the Fund must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Third, the Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

31



 

The Fund intends to comply with these requirements. If the Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year the Fund were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In that event, shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

State and Local Taxes

 

Although the Fund expects to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

 

Taxation of Certain Investments

 

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by the Fund, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Fund to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which the Fund invests, the Fund may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Fund fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. Currently, 79.773 billion shares have been classified into 137 classes, however, the Company only has 24 active share classes that have begun investment operations. Under the Company’s charter, the Board of Directors has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

 

Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to such Fund with each other share that represents an interest in such Fund, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in that Fund. Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of Common Stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

Holders of shares of each class of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio except as otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular portfolio or class of shares. Rule 18f-2 under the

 

32



 

1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio. Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

 

Shareholder Approvals. As used in this SAI and in the Prospectuses, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund or a particular class of shares of the Fund means, with respect to the approval of the advisory agreement. Distribution Plan or a change in the Fund’s investment objective or a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund or share class represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Counsel

 

The law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Ste. 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Disinterested Directors.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[            ] served as the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The audited financial statements and notes thereto in the Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011  (the “Annual Report”) are incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other parts of the Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements included in the Annual Report have been audited by [                  ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon also appears in the Annual Report and is incorporated by reference into this SAI. Such financial statements have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. Copies of the Annual Report may be obtained at no charge by telephoning BNY Mellon at the telephone number appearing on the front page of this SAI.

 

33



 

APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.  The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

 

“A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that 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” — The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.  Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.

 

“A-3” — Obligor has 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” — An obligation is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics.  The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Ratings of “B1”, “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the “B” category.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“C” — Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

A-1



 

“R” — An obligor rated “R” is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition.  During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.

 

“SD” and “D” — an obligor rated “SD” (selective default) or “D” has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due.  A “D” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due.  An “SD” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding those that qualify as regulatory capital but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.

 

“NR” — An issuer designated “NR” is not rated.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings scale 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.  The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

A-2



 

“F1” — Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

“F2” — Securities possess good short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” — Securities possess fair short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” — Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” — Securities possess 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 specific short-term obligation.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing exceptionally high ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category are unlikely to be affected by future events.

 

“R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing very high ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits by relatively modest degree.  Entities rated in this category are unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial.  Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“R-2 (high)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be

 

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vulnerable to future events.  A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” — Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality.  There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due.  May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” — Short-term debt rated “R-4” is speculative credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” — Short-term debt rated “R-5” is highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity of the entity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” — A security rated “D” implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not be met in the near future, or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to “D” may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods, other procedural considerations, or extenuating circumstance may exist.

 

Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” — An obligor rated “AAA” has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments.  “AAA” is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s.

 

“AA” — An obligor rated “AA” has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments.  It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.

 

“A” — An obligor rated “A” has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

 

“BBB” — An obligor rated “BBB” has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

“BB” — An obligor rated “BB” is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

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“CCC” — An obligor rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

 

“CC” — An obligor rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable.

 

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

 

“R” —  An obligor rated “R” is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition.  During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.

 

“SD” and “D” — An obligor rated “SD” (selective default) or “D” has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due.  A “D” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due.  An “SD” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding those that qualify as regulatory capital, but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.  A selective default includes the completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby one or more financial obligation is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

“NR” — An issuer designated “NR” is not rated.

 

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

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A-5



 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” — Securities considered to be of the 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” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be speculative.  “BB” ratings indicate that there is 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” — Securities considered to be 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,” “CC” and “C” — A “CCC” rating indicates substantial credit risk, with default a real possibility.  A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.  Default of some kind appears probable.  “C” ratings signal exceptionally high levels of credit risk.  Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

 

“RD” — indicates an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “B”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” -  Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” — Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high.  Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” — Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.”  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” — Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” Long-term debt rated “BB” is defined to be speculative, non-investment grade credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain.  Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” — Long-term debt rated “B” is highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” —Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly speculative credit quality and is in danger of defaulting on financial obligations.  There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to

 

A-7



 

default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.  Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D”A security rated “D” implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not be met in the near future or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to “D” may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods or extenuating circumstances may exist.

 

(“high”, “low”) — Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”.  The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the “middle” of the category.  The “AAA” and “D” categories do not utilize “high”, “middle”, and “low” as differential grades.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.  Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.  In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poor’s analysis will review the following considerations:

 

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

 

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

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest.  An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

“SP-2” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade.  These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and are divided into three levels — “MIG-1” through “MIG-3”.  In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated “SG”, or speculative grade.  MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.  The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

 

“MIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality.  Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

“MIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality.  Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

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“MIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality.  Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“VMIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality.  Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“VMIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality.  Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“VMIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality.  Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

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

 

Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs).  It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated.  The opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

A-9



 

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations.  Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested.  Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

 

DBRS credit ratings are opinions based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of information sourced and received by DBRS, which information is not audited or verified by DBRS.  Ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations and they do not address the market price of a security.  Ratings may be upgraded, downgraded, placed under review, confirmed and discontinued.

 

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APPENDIX B

Proxy Voting

 

Issue

 

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires every investment adviser who exercises voting authority with respect to client securities to adopt and implement written policies and procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interest of its Clients. The procedures must address material conflicts that may arise in connection with proxy voting. The rule further requires the adviser to provide a concise summary of the adviser’s proxy voting process and offer to provide copies of the complete proxy voting policy and procedures to Clients upon request. Lastly, the rule requires that the adviser disclose to Clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

 

Perimeter votes proxies for the majority of its Clients, and therefore has adopted and implemented this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.

 

Risks

 

In developing this policy and procedures, Perimeter considered numerous risks associated with its voting of client proxies. This analysis includes risks such as:

 

·                          Proxies are not voted in Clients’ best interests.

 

·                          Proxies are not identified and voted in a timely manner.

 

·                          The third-party proxy voting services utilized by Perimeter is not independent.

 

·                          Proxy voting records and client requests to review proxy votes are not maintained.

 

Perimeter has established the following guidelines as an attempt to mitigate these risks.

 

Policy

 

It is the policy of Perimeter to vote proxies in the interest of maximizing value for Perimeter’s Clients. Proxies are an asset of a Client, which should be treated by Perimeter with the same care, diligence, and loyalty as any asset belonging to a Client. To that end, Perimeter will vote in a way that it believes, consistent with its fiduciary duty, will cause the value of the issue to increase the most or decline the least. Consideration will be given to both the short- and long-term implications of the proposal to be voted on when considering the optimal vote.

 

Any general or specific proxy voting guidelines provided by a Client or its designated agent in writing will supersede this policy. A Client may have its proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the Client’s cost.

 

Procedures for Voting Proxies

 

Perimeter has retained Glass, Lewis & Co. (“Glass, Lewis”) to assist in the coordination and voting of Client proxies. The CCO is responsible for managing the relationship with Glass, Lewis. The CCO shall ensure that all proxies are being properly voted and that Glass, Lewis is retaining all of the appropriate proxy voting records.

 

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Perimeter assumes voting responsibility for all Client accounts unless explicitly noted otherwise in the Client’s advisory agreement. Perimeter will generally cast votes for all shares for which the Company has voting authority, with the possible exception of share blocking markets. In some non-U.S. markets where share blocking occurs, shares must be “frozen” for trading purposes at the custodian or sub-custodian level in order to vote. During the time that shares are blocked, any pending trades will not settle. Depending on the market, this period can last from one day to three weeks. Any sales that must be executed will settle late and potentially be subject to interest charges or other punitive fees. For this reason, in blocking markets, Perimeter retains the right to vote or not, based on the determination of Perimeter’s investment personnel. Glass, Lewis sends a weekly report of upcoming meetings in blocking markets detailing each client account entitled to vote, the number of shares held, type of meeting and blocking period. The CCO will monitor these upcoming meetings, consult with Perimeter’s investment team members responsible for each industry or market and arrive at a decision on whether or not to vote. If the decision is made to vote, Perimeter will process votes through Glass, Lewis.

 

The following general guidelines are to be followed when possible:

 

·                          Glass, Lewis will monitor and keep track of all voting proxies.

 

·                          Glass, Lewis will analyze each vote and provide Perimeter with its recommendation, which recommendation shall be pursuant to the guidelines previously agreed to by Perimeter and Glass, Lewis.

 

·                          The member of the investment team who covers the security shall be responsible for reviewing the proxy and Glass, Lewis’ recommendation and make a determination on how the Company should vote such proxy. If the vote of Perimeter investment team member is contrary to Glass, Lewis’ recommendation, then the investment team member shall provide a brief explanation of such vote.

 

·                          The investment team shall have its recommendation voted through Glass, Lewis.

 

In certain limited circumstances, a proxy may be received from sources other than Glass, Lewis. In such circumstances, the CCO shall use the above guidelines and be responsible for maintaining the history and record customarily retained by Glass, Lewis.

 

Resolving Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

We recognize that conflicts of interest may arise due to a variety of reasons and the CCO will reasonably try to assess any material conflicts between Perimeter’s interests and those of its clients with respect to proxy voting. If the CCO detects a conflict of interest, Glass, Lewis will evaluate the ballot issue and, using our pre-determined guidelines and their research, make an objective voting decision based upon criteria such as the financial implication of the proposal and impact on shareholder rights. In exceptional circumstances, for instance in the case of a merger or acquisition which may have significant economic implications for our client’s portfolios, we may solicit input from the applicable Perimeter investment team and possibly override the voting recommendation of Glass, Lewis.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Perimeter realizes that due to the difficulty of predicting and identifying all material conflicts, it must rely on its Employees to notify the CCO of any material conflict that may impair Perimeter’s ability to vote proxies in an objective manner.

 

In addition, any attempts by others within Perimeter to influence the voting of client proxies in a manner that is inconsistent with the proxy voting policy shall be reported to the CCO. Further, any attempts by persons or entitles outside Perimeter to influence the voting of client proxies shall be reported to the CCO. The CCO may then elect to report the attempt to legal counsel.

 

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Procedures for Perimeter’s Receipt of Class Actions

 

Perimeter recognizes that as a fiduciary it has a duty to act with the highest obligation of good faith, loyalty, fair dealing and due care. When a recovery is achieved in a class action, investors who owned shares in the company subject to the action have the option to either: (1) opt out of the class action and pursue their own remedy; or (2) participate in the recovery achieved via the class action. Collecting the recovery involves the completion of a Proof of Claim form which is submitted to the Claims Administrator. After the Claims Administrator receives all Proof of Claims, it dispenses the money from the settlement fund to those persons and entities with valid claims.

 

If “Class Action” documents are received by Perimeter for a Client account, Perimeter will gather any requisite information it has and forward to the Client, to enable the Client to file the “Class Action” at the Client’s discretion. The decision of whether to participate in the recovery or opt-out may be a legal one that Perimeter is not qualified to make for its Client. Therefore Perimeter will not file “Class Actions” on behalf of any Client.

 

Recordkeeping

 

Perimeter will maintain the documentation described in the following section for a period of not less than five (5) years, the first two (2) years at its principal place of business. The Director of Third-Party Distribution & Client Relations will be responsible for the following procedures and for ensuring that the required documentation is retained.

 

Client request to review proxy votes

 

·                          Any request, whether written (including e-mail) or oral, received by any Employee of Perimeter, must be promptly reported to the CCO. All written requests must be retained in the permanent file.

 

·                          The CCO will record the identity of the client, the date of the request, and the action taken as a result of the request, in a suitable place.

 

·                          In order to facilitate the management of proxy voting record keeping process, and to facilitate dissemination of such proxy voting records to Clients, the CCO may distribute to any client requesting proxy voting information the complete proxy voting record of Perimeter for the period requested.

 

·                          Furnish the information requested, free of charge, to the client within a reasonable time period (within 10 business days). Maintain a copy of the written record provided in response to client’s written (including e-mail) or oral request. A copy of the written response should be attached and maintained with the client’s written request, if applicable and maintained in the permanent file.

 

·                          Clients are permitted to request the proxy voting record for the five-year period prior to their request.

 

Proxy statements received regarding client securities

 

·                          Upon receipt of a proxy, copy or print a sample of the proxy statement or card and maintain the copy in a central file along with a sample of the proxy solicitation instructions.

 

Note: Perimeter is permitted to rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies.

 

Proxy voting records

 

·                          A record of how Perimeter voted Client proxies.

 

·                          Documents prepared or created by Perimeter that were material to making a decision on how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision.

 

·                          Documentation or notes or any communications received from third parties, other industry analysts, third party service providers, company’s management discussions, etc. that were material in the basis for the decision.

 

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Disclosure

 

Perimeter will ensure that Part II of Form ADV is updated as necessary to reflect: (i) all material changes to the Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures; and (ii) information about how Clients may obtain information on how Perimeter voted their securities.

 

Proxy Solicitation

 

As a matter of practice, it is Perimeter’s policy to not reveal or disclose to any client how Perimeter may have voted (or intends to vote) on a particular proxy until after such proxies have been counted at a shareholder’s meeting. Perimeter will never disclose such information to unrelated third parties.

 

The CCO is to be promptly informed of the receipt of any solicitation from any person to vote proxies on behalf of Clients. At no time may any Employee accept any remuneration in the solicitation of proxies. The CCO shall handle all responses to such solicitations.

 

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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

S1 FUND

 

a series of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

I Shares Ticker Symbol: SONEX

R Shares Ticker Symbol: SONRX

 

December 31, 2011

 

Investment Adviser:

 

SIMPLE ALTERNATIVES, LLC

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides supplementary information pertaining to shares of two classes, I Shares and R Shares (collectively, the “Shares”), representing interests in the S1 Fund (the “Fund”) of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”). This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read only in conjunction with the Fund’s I Shares and R Shares Prospectuses dated December 31, 2011 (the “Prospectuses”). Copies of the Prospectuses and Annual Report may be obtained free of charge by calling toll-free (877) 264-5346. The financial statements and notes contained in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other part of the Annual Report is incorporated by reference herein.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

S-1

 

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

S-1

 

 

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

S-27

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

S-28

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

S-29

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

S-36

 

 

 

PROXY VOTING

 

S-36

 

 

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

S-37

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

S-37

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

S-37

 

 

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS

 

S-39

 

 

 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

S-40

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

S-46

 

 

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

S-47

 

 

 

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

S-47

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

S-48

 

 

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

S-50

 

 

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

S-52

 

 

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

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VALUATION OF SHARES

 

S-53

 

 

 

TAXES

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

S-54

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

S-55

 

 

 

APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

A-1

 

 

 

APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF ADVISER

 

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APPENDIX C - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF ROARING BLUE LION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

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APPENDIX D - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF COURAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

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APPENDIX E - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF CRAMER ROSENTHAL MCGLYNN, LLC

 

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APPENDIX F - PROXY VOTING POLICY OF LAUREN TEMPLETON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

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APPENDIX G- PROXY VOTING POLICY OF STARWOOD REAL ESTATE SECURITIES, LLC

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently operating 16 separate portfolios.  The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988.  This SAI pertains to the I Shares and R Shares of the S1 Fund. Simple Alternatives, LLC (“SA” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectuses concerning the investment objective and policies of the Fund.

 

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns and low correlation to traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500® Index.  The Fund may not necessarily invest in all of the instruments or use all of the investment techniques permitted by the Fund’s Prospectuses and this SAI, or invest in such instruments or engage in such techniques to the full extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and limitations.

 

Principal Investment Policies and Risks.

 

Multi-Manager Structure.  The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more asset managers who are unaffiliated with the Adviser (each a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”). Subject to review by the Fund’s Board of Directors, the Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund’s investment strategies and for allocating and reallocating assets among the Sub-Advisers consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. The Adviser is also responsible for recommending to the Board whether an agreement with a Sub-Adviser should be approved, renewed, modified or terminated and for monitoring and evaluating the Sub-Advisers. The Adviser is also responsible for implementing procedures to ensure that each Sub-Adviser complies with the Fund’s investment objective, strategies and restrictions.

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate.  Portfolio turnover rate is defined under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules as the greater of the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year.  Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts in which the Fund may invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one-year.  The Fund may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments, such as repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover.

 

Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as motor vehicle installment sale contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Asset-backed securities may also be collateralized by a portfolio of U.S. government securities but are not direct obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Such asset pools are securitized through the use of privately-formed trusts or special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest on asset-backed securities may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present, although privately issued obligations collateralized by a portfolio of privately issued asset-backed securities do not involve any government-related guarantee or insurance. In addition to the risks that are presented by mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. See “Mortgage-Backed Securities” below for additional information.

 

Asset-backed securities acquired by the Fund may also include collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). CDOs include

 

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collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities.

 

A CBO is a trust or other special purpose entity (“SPE”) that is typically backed by a diversified pool of fixed-income securities (which may include high risk, below investment grade securities). A CLO is a trust or other SPE that is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Although certain CDOs may receive credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, over-collateralization or bond insurance, such enhancement may not always be present and may fail to protect a Fund against the risk of loss on default of the collateral. Certain CDOs may use derivatives contracts to create “synthetic” exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses, which are in addition to those of the Fund.

 

For both CBOs and CLOs, the cashflows from the SPE are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche, which bears the first loss from defaults from the bonds or loans in the SPE and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default (though such protection is not complete). Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CBO or CLO typically has higher ratings and lower yields than its underlying securities, and may be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO or CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as investor aversion to CBO or CLO securities as a class. Interest on certain tranches of a CDO may be paid in kind (paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments.

 

The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities. However, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs, allowing a CDO to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed-income securities and asset-backed securities generally discussed elsewhere in this SAI, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) a Fund may invest in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; and (v) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly or default.

 

Commodity-Linked Investments. The Fund may attempt to provide exposure to the returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets without direct investment in physical commodities. Real assets include oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties. Commodity-linked derivative instruments include commodity index-linked securities and other derivative instruments that provide exposure to the investment returns of the commodities markets. Commodity-linked investments may be more volatile and less liquid than the underlying instruments and their value may be affected by the performance of commodities as well as weather, tax, and other regulatory or political developments, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism.

 

The Fund may invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments such as commodity-linked structured notes. The Fund may invest in commodity-linked notes that pay a return linked to the performance of a commodities index or basket of futures contracts with respect to all of the commodities in an index. In some cases, the return will be based on some multiple of the performance of the index, and this embedded leverage will magnify the positive and negative return the Fund earns from these notes as compared to the index. The principal and/or interest payments of commodity-linked derivatives are tied to the value of a real asset or commodity index. Structured notes may be structured by the issuer and the purchaser of the note. The notes are derivative debt instruments with principal payments generally linked to the value of commodities, commodity futures contracts or the performance of commodity indices and interest and coupon payments pegged to a market-based interest rate, such as LIBOR or a bank’s prime rate. The value of these notes will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index or investment. These notes expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices.

 

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Corporate Obligations. The Fund may invest in debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations without limit on credit quality or maturity of debt securities.  See Appendix “A” to this SAI for a description of corporate debt ratings. An issuer of debt obligations may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal. Also, changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the credit rating of a security may affect its value.

 

Equity Securities.  Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock.  Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Fund invests will cause the net asset value of the Fund to fluctuate. The Fund purchases equity securities traded in the U.S. on registered exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:

 

·                  Common Stock.  Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer.  In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.

 

·                  Preferred Stock.  Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends.  In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.

 

·                  Warrants.  Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time.  Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security.  The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company.  A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.  These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

 

·                  Convertible Securities.  Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio.  A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue.  If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

 

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion.  The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities.  However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder.  When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase.  At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.  Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

 

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·                  Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers.  Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies.  This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management.  The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange.  Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.

 

Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that are denominated or traded in foreign currencies. The Fund may also invest in securities of foreign issuers that are traded or denominated in U.S. dollars (including equity securities of foreign issuers trading in U.S. markets) through American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or International Depositary Receipts (“IDRs”). ADRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution (a “depository”), that evidence ownership interests in a security or pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depository. ADRs may be listed on a national securities exchange or may trade in the over-the-counter market. ADR prices are denominated in U.S. dollars; the underlying security may be denominated in a foreign currency. GDRs, EDRs and IDRs are securities that represent ownership interests in a security or pool of securities issued by a non-U.S. or U.S. corporation. Depositary receipts may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and the depository, whereas an unsponsored facility is established by the depository without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all of the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depository of an unsponsored facility is frequently under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. The depository of unsponsored depositary receipts may provide less information to receipt holders. Investments in depositary receipts do not eliminate the risks in investing in foreign issuers. The underlying security may be subject to foreign government taxes, which would reduce the yield on such securities.

 

Investments in foreign securities involve higher costs than investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. In addition, foreign investments may include additional risks associated with currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity and political stability. Volume and liquidity in most foreign bond markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility or price can be greater than in the United States. Future political and economic information, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions, might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on foreign obligations. Inability to dispose of Fund securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the securities, or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth or gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

 

Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although the Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on their portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed companies than in the United States.

 

Settlement mechanics (e.g., mail service between the United States and foreign countries) may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.

 

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Although the Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund values its securities and other assets in U.S. dollars. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may fluctuate with U.S. dollar exchange rates as well as the price changes of the Fund’s securities in the various local markets and currencies. Thus, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to the currencies in which the Fund makes its investments could reduce the effect of increases and magnify the effect of decreases in the price of the Fund’s securities in their local markets. Conversely, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar may have the opposite effect of magnifying the effect of increases and reducing the effect of decreases in the prices of the Fund’s securities in its foreign markets. In addition to favorable and unfavorable currency exchange rate developments, the Fund is subject to the possible imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on convertibility of currency. The Fund may invest in obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks (Eurodollars) and U.S. branches of foreign banks (Yankee dollars) as well as foreign branches of foreign banks. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities of U.S. banks, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, different tax provisions, seizure of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest. The Fund may also invest in Yankee bonds, which are issued by foreign governments and their agencies and foreign corporations but pay interest in U.S. dollars and are typically issued in the United States.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies.

 

The Fund is permitted to enter into forward contracts under two circumstances. First, when the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security quoted or denominated in a foreign currency, it may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed number of U.S. dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund will be able to insulate itself from a possible loss resulting from a change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received.

 

Second, when the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may cause the Fund to enter a forward contract to sell, for a fixed U.S. dollar amount, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.

 

Although the Fund has no current intention to do so, it may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value in securities denominated or quoted in a different currency if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other U.S. foreign currency, if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the proxy currency and the U.S. dollar.

 

The Fund will not enter into forward contracts to sell currency or maintain a net exposure to such contracts if the consummation of such contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund’s respective portfolio securities or other assets quoted or denominated in that currency. At the consummation

 

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of the forward contract, the Fund may either make delivery of the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation by purchasing an offsetting contract obligating it to purchase at the same maturity date, the same amount of such foreign currency. If the Fund chooses to make delivery of foreign currency, it may be required to obtain such delivery through the sale of portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such currency or through conversion of other assets of the Fund into such currency. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund will realize a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been a change in forward contract prices. Closing purchase transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.

 

The Fund’s transactions in forward contracts will be limited to those described above. Of course, the Fund is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign currency quoted or denominated securities, and the Fund will not do so unless deemed appropriate by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable.

 

When entering into a forward contract, the Fund will segregate either cash or liquid securities quoted or denominated in any currency in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward currency exchange contracts which require the Fund to purchase a foreign currency. If the value of the segregated securities declines, additional cash or securities will be segregated by the Fund on a daily basis so that the value of the segregated securities will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts.

 

This method of protecting the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which can be achieved at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the Fund’s foreign assets. It also reduces any potential gain which may have otherwise occurred had the currency value increased above the settlement price of the contract.

 

While the Fund may enter into forward contracts to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between the Fund’s portfolio holdings or securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the Fund to sustain losses, which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge, or expose the Fund to the risk of foreign exchange loss.

 

Forward contracts are subject to the risks that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing house, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.

 

The Fund’s foreign currency transactions (including related options, futures and forward contracts) may be limited by the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for qualification as a regulated investment company.

 

Futures And Options On Futures.  Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  The Fund may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent futures and/or options on futures are employed by the Fund, such use will be in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”).  The Company, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator

 

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under the CEA. The CFTC has proposed rulemaking which, if enacted, could limit or eliminate exclusions relied on by the Fund.

 

An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

 

When the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, the Fund is required to “cover” its position in order to limit leveraging and related risks.  To cover its position, the Fund may segregate (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) cash or liquid securities that, when added to any amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The segregated account functions as a practical limit on the amount of leverage which the Fund may undertake and on the potential increase in the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding portfolio securities.  Additionally, such segregated accounts will generally assure the availability of adequate funds to meet the obligations of the Fund arising from such investment activities.

 

The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high or higher than the price of the futures contract.  In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract.  The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.  The Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.

 

The Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option.  In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract.  The Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option.  The Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract.  The Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

 

There are significant risks associated with the Fund’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce the Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

 

Credit Default Swaps, Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Options on Swaps and Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars. The Fund may enter into credit default, interest rate and total return swaps. The Fund may also enter into interest rate caps, floors and collars. In addition, the Fund may enter into mortgage swaps and currency swaps.

 

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The Fund may enter into swap transactions for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. As examples, the Fund may enter into swap transactions for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in an economical way.

 

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or security, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. As examples, credit default swaps involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security. Credit default swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive from or make a payment to the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties’ respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies. Total return swaps are contracts that obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for payment by the other party of the total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index, or an index component.

 

The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.

 

A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, generally the Fund will enter into credit default, interest rate, total return and mortgage swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Credit default, interest rate, total return and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to credit default, interest rate, total return and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a credit default, interest rate, total return or mortgage swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. In contrast, currency swaps may involve the delivery of the entire principal amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

 

A credit default swap may have as reference obligations one or more securities that may, or may not, be currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default swap is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If a credit event occurs, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the Fund as seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it

 

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pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund.

 

To the extent that the Fund’s exposure in a transaction involving a swap or an interest rate floor, cap or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets, or is covered by other means in accordance with SEC guidance, the Fund and the Adviser believe that the transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

 

The Fund will not enter into any credit default, interest rate, total return or mortgage swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated investment grade by S&P’s or Moody’s, or, if unrated by such rating organization, determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

 

The use of credit default, interest rate, mortgage, total return and currency swaps, as well as interest rate caps, floors and collars, is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. If the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment instruments were not used.

 

Investing in Emerging Countries, including Asia and Eastern Europe. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.

 

Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect the Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.

 

With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders in U.S. corporations.

 

Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable

 

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enforcement of the law.

 

Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of the Fund. The Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.

 

Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Fund may invest and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s assets. The Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

 

The Fund may seek investment opportunities within former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

 

The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports. The Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates. See “Taxes.”

 

Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

 

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Investment Company Shares.  The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions. These investment companies typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. Unless an exception is available, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act prohibits a fund from (i) acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one investment company, (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in all investment companies combined, including its ETF investments.

 

For hedging or other purposes, the Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as exchange-traded funds, are traded on a securities exchange. The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things.

 

Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC to each of certain exchange-traded funds (collectively, the “ETFs”) and procedures approved by the Board, the Fund may invest in the ETFs in excess of the limits described above, provided that the Fund has described the ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. Neither the ETFs nor their investment advisers make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple-class pass-through securities, such as real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMIC”), pass-through certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”).

 

Guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans and are issued by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but not limited to the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie Mae certificates are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government for timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac certificates are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Fannie Mae certificates are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, a federally chartered and privately owned corporation, for full and timely payment of principal and interest on the certificates. Fannie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations. Freddie Mac certificates are guaranteed by Freddie Mac, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government, for timely payment of interest and the ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans.

 

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be placed in conservatorship under the FHFA. The effect that this conservatorship will have on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s debt and equity and on securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is unclear.

 

There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. A Fund may purchase U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by a Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

 

CMOs and REMIC pass-through or participation certificates may be issued by, among others, U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities as well as private lenders. CMOs and REMIC certificates are issued in multiple classes and the

 

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principal of and interest on the mortgage assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates in various ways. Each class of CMOs or REMIC certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates on a monthly basis.

 

Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates but also may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from payments of principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any reinvestment income thereon.

 

A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Code and invests in certain mortgages primarily secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments. Investors may purchase “regular” and “residual” interest shares of beneficial interest in REMIC trusts, although the Fund does not intend to invest in residual interests.

 

The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued by trusts or other entities formed or sponsored by private originators of and institutional investors in mortgage loans and other non-governmental entities (or representing custodial arrangements administered by such institutions). These private originators and institutions include savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

 

Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are generally backed by pools of conventional (i.e., non-government guaranteed or insured) mortgage loans. Since such mortgage-backed securities normally are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit standing of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, in order to receive a high quality rating from the rating organizations (e.g., S&P’s or Moody’s), they often are structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” Such credit enhancement falls into two categories: (1) liquidity protection and (2) protection against losses resulting after default by a borrower and liquidation of the collateral (e.g., sale of a house after foreclosure). Liquidity protection refers to the payment of cash advances to holders of mortgage-backed securities when a borrower on an underlying mortgage fails to make its monthly payment on time. Protection against losses resulting after default and liquidation is designed to cover losses resulting when, for example, the proceeds of a foreclosure sale are insufficient to cover the outstanding amount on the mortgage. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit, through various means of structuring the securities or through a combination of such approaches.

 

Examples of credit enhancement arising out of the structure of the transaction include “senior-subordinated securities” (multiple class securities with one or more classes entitled to receive payment before other classes, with the result that defaults on the underlying mortgages are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class), creation of “spread accounts” or “reserve funds” (where cash or investments are held in reserve against future losses) and “over-collateralization” (where the scheduled payments on the underlying mortgages in a pool exceed the amount required to be paid on the mortgage-backed securities). The degree of credit enhancement for a particular issue of mortgage-backed securities is based on the level of credit risk associated with the particular mortgages in the related pool. Losses on a pool in excess of anticipated levels could nevertheless result in losses to security holders since credit enhancement rarely covers every dollar owed on a pool.

 

Investing in mortgage-backed securities (such as those described above) involves certain risks, including the failure of a counter-party to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. Further, the yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed income securities. The major differences typically include more frequent interest and principal payments (usually monthly), the adjustability of interest rates, and the possibility that prepayments of principal may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.

 

Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate mortgage loans may be 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. Under certain interest rate and prepayment rate scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in mortgage-backed securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental or agency guarantee. When the Fund reinvests amounts representing payments and unscheduled

 

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prepayments of principal, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities. Thus, mortgage-backed securities, and adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less effective than other types of U.S. government securities as a means of “locking in” interest rates.

 

Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, a declining prepayment rate will extend the average life of many mortgage-backed securities. This possibility is often referred to as extension risk. Extending the average life of a mortgage-backed security increases the risk of depreciation due to future increases in market interest rates. The market for certain types of mortgage-backed securities (i.e., certain CMOs) may not be liquid under all interest rate scenarios, which may prevent the Fund from selling such securities held in its portfolio at times or prices that it desires.

 

Different types of derivative debt securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension and/or interest rate risk. Conventional mortgage pass-through securities and sequential pay CMOs are subject to all of these risks, but are typically not leveraged. Thus, the magnitude of exposure may be less than for more leveraged mortgage-backed securities.

 

Planned amortization class (“PAC”) and target amortization class (“TAC”) CMO bonds involve less exposure to prepayment, extension and interest rate risk than other mortgage-backed securities, provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment ranges or “collars.” To the extent that prepayment rates remain within these prepayment ranges, the residual or support tranches of PAC and TAC CMOs assume the extra prepayment extension and interest rate risk associated with the underlying mortgage assets.

 

The Fund may invest in floating rate securities based on the Cost of Funds Index (“COFI floaters”), other “lagging rate” floating rate securities, floating rate securities that are subject to a maximum interest rate (“capped floaters”), and mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount. The primary risks associated with these derivative debt securities are the potential extension of average life and/or depreciation due to rising interest rates.

 

Recently, rating agencies have placed on credit watch or downgraded the ratings previously assigned to a large number of mortgage-related securities (which may include certain of the mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may have invested or may in the future be invested), and may continue to do so in the future. In the event that any mortgage-related security held by the Fund is placed on credit watch or downgraded, the value of such mortgage-related security may decline and the Fund may consequently experience losses in respect of such mortgage-related security.

 

Options.  The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on indices and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period.  The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

 

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies (traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter markets) to manage its exposure to exchange rates. Call options on foreign currency written by the Fund will be “covered,” which means that the Fund will own an equal amount of the underlying foreign currency.

 

Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.

 

All options written on indices or securities must be covered. When the Fund writes an option on a security, an index or a foreign currency, it will establish a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain the account while the option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.

 

The Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices and currencies, as the Adviser or applicable Sub-

 

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Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund’s investment objective, and except as restricted by the Fund’s investment limitations.  See “Investment Limitations.”

 

The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, the Fund may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.

 

The Fund may purchase put and call options on securities to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. The Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund.

 

The Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When the Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which the Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

 

The Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options (“OTC options”) differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.

 

The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

 

Risks associated with options transactions include: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while the Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

 

Restricted and Illiquid Securities.  The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Illiquid securities include: repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days; interest rate; currency and mortgage swaps; interest rate caps; floors and collars; municipal leases; certain restricted securities, such as those purchased in a private placement of securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid; and certain over-the-counter options. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are not considered illiquid for purposes of this limitation.

 

Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the

 

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marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

The Fund may purchase securities which are not registered under the Securities Act but which may be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Restricted Securities”). These securities will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser that an adequate trading market exists for the securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in an underlying investment company during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing restricted securities.

 

The Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser will monitor the liquidity of Restricted Securities held by the portion of the assets of the Fund it manages. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the unregistered nature of the security; (2) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (3) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (5) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer).

 

The purchase price and subsequent valuation of Restricted Securities normally reflect a discount from the price at which such securities trade when they are not restricted, since the restriction makes them less liquid. The amount of the discount from the prevailing market price is expected to vary depending upon the type of security, the character of the issuer, the party who will bear the expenses of registering the Restricted Securities and prevailing supply and demand conditions.

 

As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may also invest in Section 4(2) commercial paper. Section 4(2) commercial paper is issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act and is generally sold to institutional investors who purchase for investment. Any resale of such commercial paper must be in an exempt transaction, usually to an institutional investor through the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in such commercial paper. The Company believes that Section 4(2) commercial paper is liquid to the extent it meets the criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company intends to treat such commercial paper as liquid and not subject to the investment limitations applicable to illiquid securities or restricted securities.

 

Rights Offerings and Purchase Warrants. Rights offerings and purchase warrants are privileges issued by a corporation which enable the owner to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time. Subscription rights normally have a short lifespan to expiration. The purchase of rights or warrants involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not executed prior to the right’s or warrant’s expiration. Also, the purchase of rights and/or warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.

 

Risk Considerations of Medium Grade Securities. Obligations in the lowest investment grade (i.e., BBB or Baa), referred to as “medium grade” obligations, have speculative characteristics, and changes in economic conditions and other factors are more likely to lead to weakened capacity to make interest payments and repay principal on these obligations than is the case for higher rated securities. In the event that a security purchased by the Fund is subsequently downgraded below investment grade, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers will consider such event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to hold the security.

 

Risk Considerations of Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities that are not investment grade but are rated as low as B by Moody’s or B by S&P® (or their equivalents or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser to be of comparable credit quality). In the case of a security that is rated differently by two or more rating services, the higher rating is used in connection with the foregoing limitation. In the event that the rating on a

 

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security held in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating service, such action will be considered by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser in its evaluation of the overall investment merits of that security, but will not necessarily result in the sale of the security. The widespread expansion of government, consumer and corporate debt within the U.S. economy has made the corporate sector, especially cyclically sensitive industries, more vulnerable to economic downturns or increased interest rates. An economic downturn could severely disrupt the market for high yield fixed income securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding fixed income securities and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest.

 

The Fund may invest in high yield debt obligations, such as bonds and debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations. The Fund will invest in high yield debt instruments when the Fund believes that such instruments offer a better risk/reward profile than comparable equity opportunities. High yield fixed income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are considered speculative investments while generally providing greater income than investments in higher rated securities, involve greater risk of loss of principal and income (including the possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuers of such securities) and may involve greater volatility of price (especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change) than securities in the higher rating categories. Since yields vary over time, no specific level of income can ever be assured.

 

The prices of high yield fixed income securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. Also, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress, which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a fixed income security owned by the Fund defaulted, the Fund could incur additional expenses in attempting to obtain a recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high yield fixed income securities and the Fund’s NAV to the extent it holds such securities.

 

High yield fixed income securities also present risks based on payment expectations. For example, high yield fixed income securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a declining interest rate market, the Fund may, to the extent it holds such fixed income securities, have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security, which may result in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high yield fixed income security’s value will decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the value of the Fund’s assets, to the extent it holds such fixed income securities.  In addition, to the extent that there is no established retail secondary market, there may be thin trading of high yield fixed income securities, and this may have an impact on the Adviser’s and Sub-Advisers’ ability to accurately value such securities and the Fund’s assets and on the Fund’s ability to dispose of such securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield fixed income securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

 

New laws proposed or adopted from time to time may have an impact on the market for high yield securities.

 

Finally, there are risks involved in applying credit or dividend ratings as a method for evaluating high yield securities. For example, ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest or dividend payments, not market value risk of high yield securities. Also, since rating agencies may fail to timely change the credit ratings to reflect subsequent events, the Fund will continuously monitor the issuers of high yield securities in its portfolio, if any, to determine if the issuers will have sufficient cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments, and to assure the security’s liquidity so the Fund can meet redemption requests.

 

Short Sales.  As consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may engage in short sales that are either “uncovered” or “against the box.”  A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short.  A short sale against the box is a taxable transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short.

 

Uncovered short sales are transactions under which the Fund sells a security it does not own.  To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer.  The Fund then is obligated to replace the

 

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security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement.  The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund.  Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan.  To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold.  The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.

 

Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will: (a) maintain a segregated account containing cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the market value of the security at the time the security was sold short; or (b) otherwise cover the Fund’s short position.

 

Special Note Regarding Market Events. Events in the financial sector in recent years have resulted in reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected. These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the underlying investment companies’ investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.

 

The instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of the financial markets. Federal, state and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude an underlying investment company’s, and thus a Fund’s, ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the underlying investment companies’ holdings.

 

Structured Securities. The Fund may invest in structured securities to the extent consistent with its investment objective. The value of the principal of and/or interest on structured securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, commodities, securities, indices or other financial indictors (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Examples of structured securities include, but are not limited to, notes where the principal repayment at maturity is determined by the value of the relative change in two or more specified securities or securities indices.

 

The terms of some structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, the Fund could suffer a total loss of its investment. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of securities. Structured securities may also be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities due to their derivative nature.

 

Swap Agreements.  The Fund may enter into equity index or interest rate swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks, or to hedge a position.  Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year.  In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the

 

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return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap,” interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor,” and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

 

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund’s illiquid investment limitation.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.

 

The Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable.  The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

 

Swap agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make.  If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian.  Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Fund and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.

 

The Adviser and Sub-Advisers, under the supervision of the Board, are responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

U.S. Government Securities.  The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.  Certain U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the

 

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Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac).

 

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest semi-annually and repay the principal at maturity.

 

See “Mortgage-Backed Securities” above for additional information about the September 7, 2008 federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

 

·                  U.S. Treasury Obligations.  U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) and Treasury Receipts (“TRs”).

 

·                  Receipts.  Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank.  The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts.  The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury.  Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.

 

·                  U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities.  STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons.  Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal.  The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes.  Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically.  Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

 

·                  U.S. Government Agencies.  Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.  Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Non-Principal Investment Policies and Risks.

 

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities.  Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.

 

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Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund sells fixed income securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund would forgo principal and interest paid on such securities. However, the Fund would be compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase, as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The return on dollar rolls may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in interest rates. The Fund does not presently intend to engage in dollar roll transactions involving more than 5% of its net assets. For additional information on dollar roll transactions, see the section entitled “Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions” in this SAI.

 

Forward Commitment and When-Issued Transactions. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis (subject to its investment policies and restrictions). These transactions involve a commitment by a fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date (ordinarily one or two months later). The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitments are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. The Fund will not enter into such transactions for the purpose of leverage.

 

When-issued purchases and forward commitments enable the Fund to lock in what is believed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the Fund might sell securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might sell securities it owns and purchase the same or a similar security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. When-issued securities or forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date.

 

The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value are reflected in the computation of the Fund’s NAV starting on the date of the agreement to purchase the securities, and the Fund is subject to the rights and risks of ownership of the securities on that date. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date. When the Fund makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement are included in the Fund’s assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities are not reflected in the Fund’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect. Settlement of when-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions generally takes place within two months after the date of the transaction, but the Fund may agree to a longer settlement period.

 

The Fund will make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued basis or to purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into. The Fund also may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. The Fund may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions, and its distributions from any net realized capital gains will be taxable to shareholders. When the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Fund or the Custodian will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of the Fund’s purchase commitments. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Fund will maintain sufficient assets at all times to cover its obligations under when-issued purchases and forward commitments.

 

Illiquid Securities.  Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued.  Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, the Fund’s illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security’s fair value price may differ from the actual price which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to the Fund.  Under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers determine the liquidity of the Fund’s investments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers may consider various

 

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factors, including: (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations; (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). The Fund will not hold more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

 

Inflation-Protected Securities. The Fund may invest in inflation-protected securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, known as “TIPs” or “Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities,” which are debt securities whose principal and interest payments are adjusted for inflation and interest is paid on the adjusted amount. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index (“CPI”). A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of your investment. Inflation-protected securities normally will decline in price when real interest rates rise. (A real interest rate is calculated by subtracting the inflation rate from a nominal interest rate. For example, if a 10-year Treasury note is yielding 5% and inflation is 2%, the real interest rate is 3%.) If inflation is negative, the principal and income of an inflation-protected security will decline and could result in losses for the Fund.

 

Any increase in principal for an inflation-protected security resulting from inflation adjustments is considered by IRS regulations to be taxable income in the year it occurs. For direct holders of an inflation-protected security, this means that taxes must be paid on principal adjustments even though these amounts are not received until the bond matures. By contrast, the Fund holding these securities distributes both interest income and the income attributable to principal adjustments in the form of cash or reinvested shares, which are taxable to shareholders.

 

Initial Public Offerings. To the extent consistent with its investment policies and limitations, the Fund may purchase stock in an initial public offering (“IPO”). An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. Risks associated with IPOs may include considerable fluctuation in the market value of IPO shares due to certain factors, such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, a limited number of shares available for trading, lack of information about the issuer and limited operating history. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the underlying investment company. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, the Fund cannot guarantee continued access to IPOs.

 

Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions. The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity), but not identical securities, on a specified future date.

 

During the roll period, the Fund would forgo principal and interest paid on such securities. The Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the interest on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. The Fund will hold and maintain in a segregated account until the settlement date cash or liquid, high-grade debt securities in an amount equal to the forward purchase price. Any benefits derived from the use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon mortgage prepayment assumptions, which will be affected by changes in interest rates. There is no assurance that mortgage dollar rolls can be successfully employed. For additional information on dollar rolls, please refer to the section entitled “Dollar Rolls” in this SAI.

 

Municipal Obligations. The Fund may invest in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities to

 

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obtain funds for various public purposes. The interest on most of these obligations is generally exempt from regular federal income tax in the hands of most individual investors, although it may be subject to the individual and corporate alternative minimum tax. The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are “notes” and “bonds.”

 

Municipal notes are generally used to provide for short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are sold to finance working capital needs of municipalities. They are generally payable from specific tax revenues expected to be received at a future date. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue such as federal revenues available under the Federal Revenue Sharing Program. Tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes are generally issued in anticipation of various seasonal revenues such as income, sales, use, and business taxes. Bond anticipation notes are sold to provide interim financing.

 

These notes are generally issued in anticipation of long-term financing in the market. In most cases, these monies provide for the repayment of the notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. After the projects are successfully completed and accepted, many projects receive permanent financing through the Federal Housing Administration under Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae. There are, of course, a number of other types of notes issued for different purposes and secured differently from those described above.

 

Municipal bonds, which meet longer term capital needs and generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two principal classifications, “general obligation” bonds and “revenue” bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate or amount or special assessments.

 

The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Revenue obligations are not backed by the credit and taxing authority of the issuer but are payable solely from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. In addition, revenue obligations may be backed by a letter of credit, guarantee or insurance. Revenue obligations include private activity bonds, resource recovery bonds, certificates of participation and certain municipal notes. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose monies may also be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security including partially or fully insured, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. In addition to a debt service reserve fund, some authorities provide further security in the form of a state’s ability (without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. Lease rental revenue bonds issued by a state or local authority for capital projects are secured by annual lease rental payments from the state or locality to the authority sufficient to cover debt service on the authority’s obligations.

 

Industrial development bonds (now a subset of a class of bonds known as “private activity bonds”), although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality but are secured by the revenues of the authority derived from payments by the industrial user.

 

There is, in addition, a variety of hybrid and special types of municipal obligations as well as numerous differences in the security of municipal obligations both within and between the two principal classifications above. An entire issue of municipal obligations may be purchased by one or a small number of institutional investors such as the Fund. Thus, the issue may not be said to be publicly offered. Unlike securities which must be registered under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the “Securities Act”), prior to offer and sale unless an exemption from such registration is available, municipal obligations which are not publicly offered may nevertheless be readily marketable. A secondary market exists for municipal obligations that were not publicly offered initially.

 

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The Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines whether a municipal obligation is readily marketable based on whether it may be sold in a reasonable time consistent with the customs of the municipal markets (usually seven days) at a price (or interest rate), which accurately reflects its value. In addition, stand-by commitments and demand obligations also enhance marketability.

 

For the purpose of the Fund’s investment restrictions, the identification of the “issuer” of municipal obligations that are not general obligation bonds is made by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, on the basis of the characteristics of the obligation as described above, the most significant of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal of and interest on such obligations.

 

Yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including money market conditions, municipal bond market conditions, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the quality of the issue. High grade municipal obligations tend to have a lower yield than lower rated obligations. Municipal obligations are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code and laws, if any, that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions the power or ability of any one or more issuers to pay when due principal of and interest on its or their municipal obligations may be materially affected.

 

Economic, business or political developments might affect all municipal obligations of a similar type. The Fund believes that the most important consideration affecting risk is the quality of particular issues of municipal obligations rather than factors affecting all, or broad classes of, municipal obligations.

 

The Fund may invest in variable, floating rate and other municipal securities on which the interest may fluctuate based on changes in market rates. The interest rates payable on variable rate securities are adjusted at designated intervals (e.g., daily, monthly, semi-annually), and the interest rates payable on, floating rate securities are adjusted whenever there is a change in the market rate of interest on which the interest payable is based. The interest rate on variable and floating rate securities is ordinarily determined by reference to or is a percentage of a bank’s prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate, the rate of return on commercial paper or bank certificates of deposit, an index of short-term interest rates, or some other objective measure. The value of floating and variable rate securities generally is more stable than that of fixed rate securities in response to changes in interest rate levels. The Fund may consider the maturity of a variable or floating rate municipal security to be shorter than its ultimate maturity if the Fund has the right to demand prepayment of its principal at specified intervals prior to the security’s ultimate maturity.

 

The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in municipal leases. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Certificates of participation represent undivided interests in municipal leases, installment purchase agreements or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a trust or other entity, which has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. The primary risk associated with municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation is that the governmental lessee will fail to appropriate funds to enable it to meet its payment obligations under the lease. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly and may result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to fully recover, the Fund’s original investment. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser will monitor on an ongoing basis the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases. Certain municipal lease obligations and certificates of participation may be deemed illiquid for the purposes of the limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

 

The Fund may invest in pre-refunded municipal securities. The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet

 

S-23



 

subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. Except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer. Pre-refunded municipal securities are usually purchased at a price, which represents a premium over their face value.

 

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks.  The Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks.  Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks.  These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by the Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.  Bank obligations include the following:

 

·                  Bankers’ Acceptances.  Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank.  Corporations use bankers’ acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange.  Maturities are generally six months or less.

 

·                  Certificates of DepositCertificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity.  They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.  Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.

 

·                  Time Deposits.  Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds.  Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market.  Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

 

Pay-in-Kind Securities, Zero Coupon and Capital Appreciation Bonds. To the extent consistent with its investment objective, the Fund may invest in pay-in-kind (“PIK”) securities. PIK securities may be debt obligations or preferred shares that provide the issuer with the option of paying interest or dividends on such obligations in cash or in the form of additional securities rather than cash. Similarly, zero coupon and capital appreciation bonds are debt securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value and do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a specified date. The amount of the discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. These securities also may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the coupons themselves or receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped debt obligations or coupons. A portion of the discount with respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or their coupons may be taxable. Such securities are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. PIK securities that are debt securities can either be senior or subordinated debt and generally trade flat (i.e., without accrued interest). The trading price of PIK debt securities generally reflects the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last interest payment.

 

PIK securities, zero coupon bonds and capital appreciation bonds do not pay interest periodically to maturity, and, therefore, they involve the additional risk that the Fund will not realize any cash until a specified future payment date unless a portion of such securities is sold, and, if the issuer of such securities defaults, the Fund may not obtain any return at all on its investment. In addition, even though such securities may not provide for the payment of current interest in cash, the Fund is nonetheless required to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year and generally is required to distribute such accrued amounts (net of deductible expenses, if any) to avoid being subject to tax. Because cash generally is not received at the time of the accrual, the Fund may be required to liquidate other portfolio securities to

 

S-24



 

obtain sufficient cash to satisfy federal tax distribution requirements applicable to the Fund. Additionally, the market prices of PIK securities, zero coupon bonds and capital appreciation bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than interest bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality.

 

Real Estate Investment Trust Securities. The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs generally invest directly in real estate, in mortgages or in some combination of the two. Individual REITs may own a limited number of properties and may concentrate in a particular region or property type. A REIT is a corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation, which meets the definitional requirements of the Code. The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its income from rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion of its otherwise taxable income.

 

Generally, REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage REITs. The values of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.

 

REITs may be affected by economic forces and other factors related to the real estate industry. REITs are sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use and rents, and management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws. REITS whose underlying assets include long-term health care properties, such as nursing, retirement and assisted living homes, may be affected by federal regulations concerning the health care industry. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests in addition to the expenses of the Fund. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the REITs in which it invests will fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code and/or fail to qualify for an exemption from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. A REIT’s return may be adversely affected when interest rates are high or rising.

 

Investing in REITs may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks included in the S&P 500®.

 

Repurchase Agreements.  The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which the Fund acquires a fixed income security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a commercial bank, broker, or dealer, and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day).  Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The acquisition of a repurchase agreement may be deemed to be an acquisition of the underlying securities as long as the obligation of the seller to repurchase the securities is collateralized fully.  The Fund follows certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement and consist only of securities permissible under Section 101(47)(A)(i) of the Bankruptcy Code (the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, monitors compliance with this requirement). Under all

 

S-25



 

repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of the Fund, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund’s total assets. The investments of the Fund in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Adviser or applicable Sub-Advisers, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities for temporary purposes (such as to obtain cash to meet redemption requests) when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed disadvantageous or inconvenient by the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund subject to the Fund’s agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and rate of interest. Such agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act and will be limited, together with other borrowings, to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less all liabilities other than borrowings. While reverse repurchase transactions are outstanding, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian or a qualified sub-custodian, cash or liquid securities of an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities, plus accrued interest, subject to the agreement and will monitor the account to ensure that such value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase and the interest received on the cash exchanged for the securities.

 

Securities Lending.  The Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). The Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser or their affiliates unless permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules and promulgations thereunder. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund.

 

The Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated or, to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder, affiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent.

 

By lending its securities, the Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. The Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. The Board has adopted procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.

 

The Fund does not have the right to vote loaned securities. The Fund will attempt to call all loaned securities back to permit the exercise of voting rights on material matters, if time and jurisdictional restrictions permit. There is no guarantee

 

S-26



 

that all loans can be recalled.

 

Securities of Unseasoned Issuers. The Fund may invest in securities of unseasoned issuers, including equity securities of unseasoned issuers which are not readily marketable.  The term “unseasoned” refers to issuers which, together with their predecessors, have been in operation for less than three years.

 

Special Situation Companies. The Fund may invest in “Special Situations.” The term “Special Situation” shall be deemed to refer to a security of a company in which an unusual and possibly non-repetitive development is taking place which, in the opinion of the Adviser, may cause the security to attain a higher market value independently, to a degree, of the trend in the securities market in general. The particular development (actual or prospective), which may qualify a security as a Special Situation, may be one of many different types.

 

Such developments may include, among others, a technological improvement or important discovery or acquisition which, if the expectation for it materialized, would effect a substantial change in the company’s business; a reorganization; a recapitalization or other development involving a security exchange or conversion; a merger, liquidation or distribution of cash, securities or other assets; a breakup or workout of a holding company; litigation which, if resolved favorably, would improve the value of the company’s stock; a new or changed management; or material changes in management policies. A Special Situation may often involve a comparatively small company, which is not well known, and which has not been closely watched by investors generally, but it may also involve a large company. The fact, if it exists, that an increase in the company’s earnings, dividends or business is expected, or that a given security is considered to be undervalued, would not in itself be sufficient to qualify as a Special Situation. The Fund may invest in securities (even if not Special Situations) which, in the opinion of the Adviser, are appropriate investments for the Fund, including securities which the Adviser believes are undervalued by the market.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations which may not be changed with respect to the Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares (as defined in Section 2(a) (42) of the 1940 Act). As used in this SAI and in the Prospectuses, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund means, with respect to the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund’s investment goals and strategies described in the Prospectuses may be changed by the Company’s Board of Directors without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1.                            Borrow money except that (a) the Fund may borrow from banks or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 331/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed); and (b) the Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings.  For purposes of this limitation, investment strategies which either obligate the Fund to purchase securities or require the Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowings.  Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowings, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% of its total assets;

 

2.                            Issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act, except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC;

 

3.                            Act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the Securities Act, except insofar as it might be deemed to be an underwriter upon disposition of certain portfolio securities acquired within the limitation on purchases of restricted securities;

 

4.                            Purchase or sell real estate (including real estate limited partnership interests), provided that the Fund may invest: (a) in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein; or (b) in real estate investment trusts;

 

S-27



 

5.                            Purchase or sell commodities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction from time to time;

 

6.                            Make loans, except through loans of portfolio securities and repurchase agreements, provided that for purposes of this restriction the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other debt instruments or interests therein and investment in government obligations, loan participations and assignments, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;

 

7.                            Invest 25% or more of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; or

 

8.                            Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, if immediately after and as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund, except that up to 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested without regard to such limitations.

 

In addition to the fundamental investment limitations specified above, the Fund is subject to the following non-fundamental limitations. These non-fundamental restrictions may be changed without shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory policy. The Fund may not:

 

1.                             Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management, but investments by the Fund in wholly-owned investment entities created under the laws of certain countries will not be deemed the making of investments for the purpose of exercising control or management;

 

2.                           Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may use margin to the extent necessary to engage in short sales and may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, transactions in currencies or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin; or

 

3.                         Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.

 

Securities held by the Fund generally may not be purchased from, sold or loaned to the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser or their affiliates or any of their directors, officers or employees, acting as principal, unless pursuant to a rule or exemptive order under the 1940 Act.

 

If a percentage restriction under one of the Fund’s investment policies or limitations or the use of assets is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentages resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation (except with respect to any restrictions that may apply to borrowings or senior securities issued by the Fund).

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, a policy relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.  The policies relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Fund’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Fund.  It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release

 

S-28



 

of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

 

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities.  As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

 

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include The Bank of New York Mellon, the custodian; BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY”), the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; [                          ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; Merrill Corporation, the financial printer; and Glass Lewis & Co. and RiskMetrics Group, proxy voting services. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Fund.  Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g. attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions).

 

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information.  Disclosures to financial consultants are also subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions as well as a 15-day time lag.  The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings.  The Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions. Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of the Fund.

 

Any violations of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violations must be reported by the Adviser, director, officer or third party service provider to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board of Directors of the Company or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company’s Leadership Structure

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the oversight of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and the Company’s Charter.  The Directors are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and overseeing the actions of the Company’s service providers.  The officers of the Company conduct and supervise the Company’s daily business operations.

 

Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), are referred to as “Independent Directors.”  Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company are referred to as “Interested Directors.”  The Board is currently composed of four Independent Directors and three Interested Directors.  The Board has selected Arnold M. Reichman, an Independent Director, to act as Chairman.  Mr. Reichman’s duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and interfacing with management to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings.  In

 

S-29



 

the performance of his duties, Mr. Reichman will consult with the other Independent Directors and the Company’s officers and legal counsel, as appropriate.  The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.

 

The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities.  Currently, the Board conducts regular, in-person meetings at least four times a year, and holds special in-person or telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.  The Board also relies on professionals, such as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms and legal counsel, to assist the Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has established four standing committees — Audit, Executive, Nominating and Governance, and Regulatory Oversight Committees.  The Board may establish other committees, or nominate one or more Directors to examine particular issues related to the Board’s oversight responsibilities, from time to time.  Each Committee meets periodically to perform its delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board.  For more information on the Committees, see the section “Standing Board Committees,” below.

 

The Board has determined that the Company’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director**

 

Other Directorships
Held by Director

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB:  03/43

 

Director

 

2006 to present

 

Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.

 

16

 

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company) WT Mutual Fund; (registered investment company) Independence Blue Cross; IntriCon Corporation (body worn device company) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francis J. McKay

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/35

 

Director

 

1988 to present

 

Retired; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Fox Chase Cancer Center (biomedical research and medical care) (1981-2004).

 

16

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

 

Director

 

2005 to present

 

1991 to present

 

Director, Gabelli Group Capital Partners, L.P. (an investment partnership) from 2000 to 2006.

 

16

 

None

 

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Name, Address, and
Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director**

 

Other Directorships
Held by Director

Marvin E. Sternberg

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/34

 

Director

 

1991 to present

 

Since 1974, Chairman, Director and President, MTI Holding Group, Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.) (manufacturer of dental products and precision coated and industrial abrasives). 

 

16

 

MTI Holding Group, Inc. (formerly known as Moyco Technologies, Inc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB:  3/41

 

Director

 

2006 to present

 

Founding Partner, Straniere Law Firm (1980 to date); Partner, Gotham Strategies (consulting firm) (2005 to 2008); Partner, The Gotham Global Group (consulting firm) (2005 to 2008); President, The New York City Hot Dog Company (2005 to present); Partner, Kanter-Davidoff (law firm) (2006 to 2007). Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City.

 

16

 

Reich and Tang Group (asset management);  The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company)(until 2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTORS(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB:  7/33

 

 

Director

 

1988 to present

 

Since 1969, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).

 

16

 

Comcast Corporation; AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

 

 

Director

 

1991 to present

 

Since July 2002, Senior Director and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., formerly Fahnestock & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer). 

 

16

 

Kensington Funds (registered investment company), 6 Portfolios (2004-2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

 

Director

 

2002 to present

 

Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.

 

16

 

Cornerstone Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvatore Faia, JD CPA, CFE
Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 DOB: 12/62

 

President and Chief Compliance Officer

 

President June 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present

 

President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of EIP Growth and Income Fund

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

S-31



 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

 

Number
of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director**

 

Other Directorships
Held by Director

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

 

 

Treasurer

 

June 2009 to present

 

Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) since 1993

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

 

Secretary

 

2007 to present

 

Since 2005, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.); Associate, Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLC (law firm) from 1999 to 2005.

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

 

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

2005 to present

 

Since 1995, Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

DOB: 07/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

 

1999 to present

 

Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm) since 1993

 

N/A

 

N/A

 


**Each Director oversees sixteen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

(1)          Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until the last day of year 2011, whichever is later, or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal.  The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director.  Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

(2)          Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall and Sablowsky are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.”  Mr. Brodsky is an “Interested Director” of the Company because a family foundation and certain family trusts own shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co.  The investment adviser to the Company’s Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio, Bear Stearns Asset Management, Inc., is an indirect subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase.  Mr. Carnall may be an “Interested Director” of the Company because of certain relationships with The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”).  PNC is a shareholder of BlackRock, Inc., the parent company of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Company’s Money Market Portfolio.  Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as an officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

Director Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills

 

The information above includes each Director’s principal occupations during the last five years.  Each Director possesses extensive additional experience, skills and attributes relevant to his qualifications to serve as a Director.  The

 

S-32



 

cumulative background of each Director led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director of the Company.  Mr. Giordano has years of experience as a consultant to financial services organizations and also serves on the boards of other registered investment companies.  Mr. Reichman brings decades of investment management experience to the Board, in addition to senior executive-level management experience.  Mr. Sternberg has over 35 years of senior executive level management experience in the manufacturing sector.  Mr. Straniere has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years and also serves on the boards of an asset management company and another registered investment company.  Mr. Brodsky has over 40 years of senior executive level management experience in the cable television and communications industry.  Mr. Sablowsky has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive level positions in the financial services industry.  Mr. Carnall has decades of senior executive-level management experience in the banking and financial services industry and also serves on the boards of various corporations and a bank.

 

Standing Committees

 

The responsibilities of each Committee of the Board and its members are described below.

 

Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of one Interested Director two Independent Directors.  The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano, McKay and Sternberg.  The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors.  The Audit Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Executive Committee.  The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of one Interested Director and three Independent Directors.  The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Giordano, Reichman, Sablowsky and Sternberg.  The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board of Directors is not in session. The Executive Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee.  The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised only of Independent Directors.  The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Giordano, and Reichman.  The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company.  The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders.  Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened twice times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Regulatory Oversight Committee.  The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee compromised of two Interested Directors and two Independent Directors.  The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Messrs. Carnall, Reichman, Sablowsky and Straniere.  The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened five time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors performs its risk oversight function for the Company through a combination of (1) direct oversight by the Board as a whole and Board committees and (2) indirect oversight through the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, Company officers and the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer.  The Company is subject to a number of risks, including but not limited to investment risk, compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk.  Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Company is the responsibility of the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) that carry out the Company’s investment management and business affairs.  Each of the investment advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models and may differ from the Company’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.

 

The Board provides risk oversight by receiving and reviewing on a regular basis reports from the Company’s

 

S-33



 

investment advisers or other service providers, receiving and approving compliance policies and procedures, periodic meetings with the Company’s portfolio managers to review investment policies, strategies and risks, and meeting regularly with the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance reports, findings and issues.  The Board also relies on the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, with respect to the day-to-day activities of the Company, to create and maintain procedures and controls to minimize risk and the likelihood of adverse effects on the Company’s business and reputation.

 

Board oversight of risk management is also provided by various Board Committees.  For example, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms to ensure that the Company’s respective audit scopes include risk-based considerations as to the Company’s financial position and operations.

 

The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight.  The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Company’s investments or activities.

 

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and in all of the portfolios (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him), as of December 31, 2010.

 

Name of Director

 

Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment Companies
Overseen by Director within the
Family of Investment Companies

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

Francis J. McKay*

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

Marvin E. Sternberg

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Straniere

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

J. Richard Carnall

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Sablowsky

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

S-34



 

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

 

Effective February 1, 2010, the Company pays each Director a retainer of at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended in person and $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically.  From July 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,000 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, $1,000 for each Committee meeting attended in person, $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting one hour or longer and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors or Committee meeting attended telephonically lasting for less than one hour.  From October 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended in person and $1,000 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting attended telephonically.  From March 1, 2008 to October 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 for each regular meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors and Committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participated, whether or not it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting.  From May 23, 2007 to March 1, 2008 the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $17,500 annually, $3,500 per meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each committee meeting lasting up to one hour or $1,500 for each committee meeting lasting over one hour attended by a Director or in which he participates, whether or not it is held in conjunction with a Board meeting.  Prior to November 15, 2007, no Director was paid for a committee meeting if it was held in conjunction with a Board meeting.  The Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $12,000 per year for his services in this capacity, and each Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee receives an additional fee of $4,000 per year for his services.

 

Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof.  The Company also compensates its President and Chief Compliance Officer for his services to the Company.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, each of the following members of the Board of Directors and the President, Treasurer and Chief Compliance Officer received compensation from the Company in the following amounts:

 

Name of Director/Officer

 

Aggregate
Compensation
from Fund

 

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses

 

Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement

 

Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to Directors
or Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[              ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francis J. McKay, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[                ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman, Director and Chairman

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[                  ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvin E. Sternberg, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[                ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert A. Straniere, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[                ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interested Directors:

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[                ]

 

 

S-35



 

Name of Director/Officer

 

Aggregate
Compensation
from Fund

 

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses

 

Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement

 

Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to Directors
or Officers

 

J. Richard Carnall, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[            ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Sablowsky, Director

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[            ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvatore Faia, Esquire, CPA Chief Compliance Officer and President

 

[      ]

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

[            ]

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.

 

On October 24, 1990, the Company adopted, as a participating employer, the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement, a retirement plan for employees, pursuant to which the Company will contribute on a quarterly basis amounts equal to 10% of the quarterly compensation of each eligible employee.  Edward J. Roach, who served as President and Treasurer until June 1, 2009, has been the only employee who has participated in the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement.  No officer, Director or employee of the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser or the distributor currently receives any compensation from the Company.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company, the Adviser, certain Sub-Advisers and BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. (“BNY Distributors”) have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company.  Roarng Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC and Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that does not permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Directors has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Fund to the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Advisers, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.  In exercising its voting obligations, the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Fund.  The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

 

The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser other than Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC (“LT”) will vote proxies in connection with securities in which the portion of the Fund’s assets allocated to the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser are invested, respectively, in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which, except for Trellus Management Co., LLC (“Trellus”), are included in Appendix B-H to this SAI.   To assist Trellus and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC (“CRM”)  in their responsibility for voting proxies and the overall proxy voting process, Trellus and CRM have retained Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”)  and Risk Metrics Group Inc. (“Risk Metrics”), respectively, as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. The services provided by Risk Metrics and Glass Lewis include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations as well as vote execution, reporting and record keeping. The Adviser will also vote proxies in connection with securities in which the portion of the Fund’s assets allocated to LT are invested

 

S-36



 

in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures.  The proxy policies of the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser differ.  If the Adviser and/or one or more Sub-Advisers each has responsibility for voting a particular proxy, it is possible that the Adviser and/or the Sub-Advisers will disagree on how to vote the proxy.

 

The Company is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX.  The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th is available upon request by calling 1-866-882-1226. The Fund’s Form N-PX is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As of [                  ], 2011 to the Company’s knowledge, the following named persons at the addresses shown below were owners of record of approximately 5% or more of the total outstanding shares of the Fund as indicated below. See “Additional Information Concerning Company Shares” below. Any shareholder that owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a portfolio or class may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the portfolio or class. Shareholders controlling a portfolio or class could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the portfolio or class on any matter requiring approval of the shareholders of the portfolio or class.

 

Name of Fund

 

Shareholder Name and Address

 

Number and Percentage of
Shares Owned as of

November [    ], 2011
*(Percentage of shares owned
rounded to the nearest whole
percentage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[As of November [    ], 2011, the Directors and officers as a group owned       % of the Fund and less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each other portfolio or class within the Company.]

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Simple Alternatives, LLC (“SA” or the “Adviser”) is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  The Adviser was established in October 2009. James Dilworth owns 100% of the voting securities of the Adviser.

 

Advisory Agreement with the Company.  The Adviser renders advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) dated as of September 30, 2010.

 

Subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Fund including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales made for the Fund.  The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectuses and in this SAI.  The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

S-37



 

For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly advisory fee at an annual rate of 2.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.  The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 2.95% and 3.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s I Shares and R Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2012 and may not be terminated without Board approval. Because dividend expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest and taxes are excluded from the expense limitation, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after fees forgone and expense reimbursements) are expected to exceed the applicable expense limitation. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for that year are less than 2.95% or 3.20%, as applicable, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations.

 

The Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement.  The Fund bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.  General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to the following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Fund’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy material that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers.  Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.

 

For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011, the Fund paid Simple Alternatives advisory fees and Simple Alternatives waived advisory fees as follows:

 

For the Fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August
31, 2011

 

Advisory Fees Paid
(after waivers and
reimbursements)

 

Waivers

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S1 Fund*

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


*                                         Commencement of operations — September 30, 2010.

 

S-38



 

Disclosure relating to the material factors and the conclusions with respect to those factors that formed the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated August 31, 2011, which may be obtained by calling 1-866-882-1226 or visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use.

 

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS

 

Each Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Adviser, manage the investment and reinvestment of such portion of the assets of the Fund, as the Adviser may from time to time allocate to such Sub-Adviser for management. The Adviser pays the Sub-Advisers out of its advisory fees.

 

The Fund has received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser to engage or terminate a Sub-Adviser, and to enter into and materially amend an existing Sub-Advisory Agreement, upon the approval of the Board of Directors, without obtaining shareholder approval.  Shareholders will be notified of any changes in Sub-Advisers. The Adviser selects Sub-Advisers based upon the Sub-Adviser’s skills in managing assets pursuant to particular investment styles and strategies. The Adviser monitors existing Sub-Advisers based on their investment styles, strategies, and results in managing assets for specific asset classes. Each Sub-Adviser has discretion to select portfolio securities for its portion of the Fund, but must select those securities according to the Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions.

 

The Adviser does not determine what investments will be purchased or sold for the Fund with respect to the portions of the Fund managed by the Sub-Advisers.  Because each Sub-Adviser manages its portion of the Fund independently from the others, the same security may be held in two or more different portions of the Fund or may be acquired for one portion at a time when a Sub-Adviser of another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion. Similarly, under some market conditions, one or more of the Sub-Advisers may believe that temporary, defensive investments in short-term instruments or cash are appropriate when another Sub-Adviser or Sub-Advisers believe continued exposure to the broader securities market is appropriate. Because each Sub-Adviser directs the trading for its portion of the Fund and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other Sub-Advisers, the Fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single adviser or Sub-Adviser were managing the Fund.

 

S-39



 

The current Sub-Advisers to the Fund are set forth below.

 

Sub-Advisers

 

 

 

 

 

Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC (“Blue Lion”)

5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 510

Dallas, Texas 75225

 

Charles W. Griege, Jr. is the Managing Partner of Blue Lion.  Blue Lion employs a long/short strategy with a value oriented bias in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

 

 

Courage Capital Management, LLC (“Courage Capital”)

4400 Harding Road Ste. 503

Nashville, Tennessee 37205

 

Courage Capital is controlled by its founder, Richard C. Patton.  Courage Capital employs an event driven investment strategy, including investments in special situations companies and distressed securities, in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

 

 

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC (“CRM”)

520 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

Wilmington Trust Investments, Inc. has a controlling interest in CRM.  The remaining interests are held by Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Inc. and CRM Group LLC, an employee owned entity which holds shares of CRM.  Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Inc. is the controlling member of CRM retaining voting and veto rights.  CRM employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

 

 

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC (“LT”)

1208 Pointe Centre Drive, Suite 210 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421

 

Lauren C. Templeton is managing member of LT.  LT uses a global value investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

 

 

Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC (“SRES”)

591 West Putnam Avenue

Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

 

SRES is jointly owned by Matthew C. Gilman and Barry Sternlich.  SRES employs a long/short equity investment strategy, with a focus on public real estate securities, in managing its portion of the Fund. 

 

 

 

Trellus Management Co., LLC (“Trellus”)

350 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

Adam Usdan is the sole owner of Trellus.  Trellus employs a long/short equity investment strategy in managing its portion of the Fund.

 

Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Adviser.  Each of the Sub-Advisory Agreements provides that the Sub-Adviser will manage the investment and reinvestment of such portion of the assets of the Fund as the Adviser may from time to time allocate to the Sub-Adviser in accordance with the Fund’s objective, policies and restrictions and any investment guidelines established by the Adviser. Each Sub-Adviser will, subject to the supervision and control of the Adviser, determine in its discretion which issuers and securities will be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Fund, and will place orders with and give instruction to brokers and dealers to cause the execution of such transactions. The Sub-Advisers are required to furnish at their own expense all investment facilities necessary to perform its obligations under the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

 

Generally, each Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty by vote of the Company’s Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon 60 days’ written notice, or by the Adviser immediately upon notice to the Sub-Adviser, and each such agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Each Sub-Advisory Agreement also may be terminated by a Sub-Adviser upon 30 days’ written notice and automatically terminates upon termination of the Advisory Agreement.

 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about the Fund’s portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain

 

S-40



 

other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. James Dilworth

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Bruce MacDonald

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

[      ]

 

 

Compensation.  The Adviser compensates the Fund’s portfolio managers for their management of the Fund.  Each of the portfolio manager’s compensation consists of a cash base salary and a discretionary performance bonus paid in cash that is based on overall profitability of the Adviser and performance of the Fund, and therefore in part based on the value of the Fund’s net assets and other client accounts they are managing.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund.  However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated, and they will generally be allocated pro rata in proportion to the size of the orders or redemptions placed.

 

Blue Lion

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee
Based on
Performance

 

1. Charles W. Griege, Jr.

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

2

 

$

65M

 

2

 

$

65M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


* Total assets under management for Blue Lion were approximately [      ] as of               , 2011.

 

Compensation.  Blue Lion compensates the Fund’s portfolio manager for his management of the Fund.  The portfolio manager’s compensation consists of a cash base salary and a bonus paid in cash that is based on overall profitability of Blue Lion and the performance of the Fund, and therefore in part based on the value of the Fund’s net assets and other client accounts they are managing.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio manager’s management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size,

 

S-41



 

timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund.  However, Blue Lion has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

Courage Capital

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. Richard C. Patton

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

5

 

$

446M

 

6

 

$

345M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

2

 

$

21M

 

0

 

$

0

 

 


* Total assets under management for Courage Capital were approximately [$          ] as of               , 2011

 

Compensation.  Courage Capital compensates the Fund’s portfolio manager for his management of the Fund.  Courage Capital pays the portfolio manager out of its total revenues and other resources including the advisory fee earned with respect to the Fund.  The portfolio manager’s compensation includes a fixed base salary and incentive components.  It is expected that the portfolio manager will receive an incentive payment based on the revenues earned by Courage Capital from the Fund and from any other client accounts.  It is expected that the incentive compensation component with respect to all portfolios managed by the portfolio manager can, and typically will, represent a significant portion of the portfolio manager’s overall compensation and can vary significantly from year to year.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio manager manages multiple portfolios for multiple clients.  These accounts presently include private pooled investment vehicles and other separately managed accounts.  The portfolio manager may have responsibility for managing multiple accounts with a common investment strategy or several investment strategies.  Accordingly, client portfolios may have investment objectives, strategies, time horizons, tax considerations, and risk profiles that differ from those of the Fund.  The portfolio manager makes investment decisions for the Fund based on its investment objective, policies, practices, cash flows, and other relevant investment considerations.  Consequently, the portfolio manager may purchase or sell securities for one client portfolio and not another client portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios.  The portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other clients that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, which has the potential to adversely impact the Fund, depending on market conditions.  In addition, some of these other client account structures may have fee structures, such as performance based fees, that differ (and may be higher than) the Fund.  Accordingly conflicts of interest may arise when Courage Capital has a particular financial incentive, such as a performance-based fee relating an account. In recognition of the fact that conflicts of interest are inherent in the investment management business, Courage Capital has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to identify and manage the effects of actual or potential conflicts of interest in the areas of employee personal trading, managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, and allocation of investment opportunities.  All employees of Courage Capital are subject to these policies.

 

CRM

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011, except as noted.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. Jay Abramson

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

7

 

$

4.8B

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

S-42



 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

4

 

$

488.2M

 

2

 

$

71.8M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

170

 

$

5.7B

 

1

 

$

20.7M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.Kevin Chin

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

2

 

$

753.17M

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

33

 

$

1.17B

 

2

 

$

45.0M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Chip Rewey

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

5

 

$

4.78B

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

170

 

$

5.7B

 

1

 

$

20.7M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Mike Caputo

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

2

 

$

753.17M

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

33

 

$

1.17B

 

2

 

$

45.0M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Brian Harvey

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

1

 

$

713.44M

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

N/A

 

0

 

N/A

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

22

 

$

560.27M

 

2

 

$

45.0M

 

 


* Total assets under management for CRM were approximately [            ] as of                     , 2011.

 

Compensation.  CRM compensates its employees with competitive salaries and yearly bonuses based on personal and firm performance. All employees are offered a standard 401(k) plan and receive annual discretionary contribution from the firm. All investments are voluntary; however, every employee has the option to invest in some of the CRM mutual funds through the plan.

 

The investment professionals at CRM are compensated with a bonus based on an internal scorecard. This scorecard evaluates the individuals’ investment performance versus their industry peers: a combination of specific stock selection, sector team performance, portfolio performance, firm performance and good corporate citizenry. An analyst’s scorecard is heavily weighted towards their specific securities in the various strategies, as well as the performance of the sector team(s) they contribute to. By compensating our analysts for the performance of the overall sector team(s), this aligns the interest of the entire team in selecting and managing the stock positions as a team. The portfolio manager’s scorecard is more heavily weighted towards their overall strategy’s performance versus both the benchmark and peers. Another significant weighting for a portfolio manager is the performance of the sector teams they lead.

 

Investment professionals at CRM also participate in a profit sharing plan with the firm. This allows the individuals to participate in the net profits of the firm, with benefits being paid on a two year deferred program. In addition, there are currently 19 active employees with ownership at CRM. The majority of these individuals are investment research professionals.

 

In regards to compensation, CRM’s management regularly reviews our structure with the assistance of McLagan in Stamford, Connecticut. We will continue to monitor industry best practices and while we do not anticipate any imminent changes, it is something that is reviewed consistently.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  CRM recognizes that conflicts of interest are an inherent part of the investment advisory business and has implemented policies and procedures in order to manage such conflicts and ensure that all clients of the firm (as well as all investors of the firm’s products) are treated in a fair and equitable fashion.  CRM has adopted the following specific policies to address these conflicts of interest.  CRM also advises its employees that they also must be alert for conflicts of interest that are not covered by these policies and handle them according to the fundamental notion of putting CRM’s clients’ interests ahead of its own in all matters.

 

Code of Ethics:  Among other things, this code governs employees personal investing activity and is designed to help employees comply with legal restrictions on personal investments while honoring their duties to CRM clients.

 

S-43



 

Trade Allocation Policy:  This policy governs how securities trades and investment opportunities are allocated among different client accounts.  It is designed to assure that all clients are treated fairly.

 

Policy Statement on Insider Trading:  This policy aids employees in the handling of any material, non-public information of which they may become aware.

 

Soft Dollar Policy:  This policy addresses CRM’s policies in this area and is intended so that CRM’s use of soft dollars is done in compliance with applicable law and in the best interests of our clients and for the benefit of our clients.

 

LT

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. Lauren C. Templeton

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

2

 

52.57M

 

2

 

52.57M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

14

 

69.99M

 

1

 

55.57M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Scott Phillips

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

2

 

52.57M

 

2

 

52.57M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

14

 

69.99M

 

1

 

55.57M

 

 


* Total assets under management for LT were approximately [$            .]

 

Compensation.  LT compensates the Fund’s portfolio managers for their management of the Fund.  As members of the firm, each portfolio manager shares in the profits of the business and is not compensated with any fixed compensation, such as a salary.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund.  However, LT has established policies and procedures designed to address such conflicts, including, among others, policies and procedures relating to allocation of investment opportunities, soft dollars and aggregation of trades.

 

SRES

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. Matthew C. Gilman

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

$

0

 

0

 

$

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

7

 

$

391.7M

 

7

 

$

391.7M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

$

0

 

0

 

$

0

 

 


* Total assets under management for SRES were approximately[ $            .] as of               , 2011

 

S-44



 

Compensation.  SRES compensates the Fund’s portfolio manager for its management of the Fund.  The portfolio manager’s compensation consists of a cash base salary, a discretionary performance bonus paid in cash that is based on overall profitability of SRES and performance of the Fund, an allocation as a general partner in the firm and profit participation in the firm.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio manager’s management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund.  However, SRES has established policies and procedures designed to address such conflicts, including, among others, policies and procedures relating to allocation of investment opportunities, soft dollars and aggregation of trades.

 

Trellus

 

Other Accounts.  In addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers are responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as listed below.  The information below is provided as of August 31, 2011.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team
Member

 

Type of Accounts

 

Total
# of
Accounts
Managed

 

Total Assets*

 

# of Accounts
Managed that
Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance

 

Total Assets that
Advisory Fee is
Based on
Performance

 

1. Adam Usdan

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

6

 

$

339M

 

6

 

$

339M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Tony Miller

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

6

 

$

339M

 

6

 

$

339M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 John Alderman

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

6

 

$

339M

 

6

 

$

339M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 John O’Hagan

 

Other Registered Investment Companies:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:

 

6

 

$

339M

 

6

 

$

339M

 

 

 

Other Accounts:

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 


* Total assets under management for Trellus were approximately [$          ] as of               , 2011

 

Compensation.  Trellus compensates the Fund’s portfolio managers for their management of the Fund.  As partners, each portfolio manager shares in the profits of the business and is not compensated with any fixed compensation, such as a salary.

 

Conflicts of Interests.  The portfolio managers’ management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other.  The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund.  Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby a portfolio manager could favor one account over another.  Another potential conflict could include the portfolio managers’ knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund.  However, Trellus has established policies and procedures designed to address such conflicts, including, among others, policies and procedures relating to allocation of investment opportunities, soft dollars and aggregation of trades.

 

Fund Shares Owned by Portfolio Managers. The Fund is required to show the dollar amount range of the portfolio managers’ “beneficial ownership” of shares of the Fund as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC.  “Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).  As of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the portfolio managers owned the following amounts of Fund shares:

 

S-45



 

Name

 

Dollar Range of Fund Shares

Simple Alternatives, LLC

 

 

James Dilworth

 

$100,001-$500,000

Bruce MacDonald

 

$50,001-$100,000

Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC

 

 

Charles W. Griege, Jr.

 

$[          ]

Courage Capital Management, LLC

 

 

Richard C. Patton

 

$0

Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn

 

 

Jay B. Abramson

 

$0

Kevin Chin

 

$0

Chip Rewey

 

$0

Mike Caputo

 

$0

Brian Harvey

 

$0

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

 

 

Lauren C. Templeton

 

$0

Scott Phillips

 

$0

Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC

 

 

Matthew C. Gilman

 

$0

Trellus Management Co., LLC

 

 

Adam Usdan

 

$0

John Alderman

 

$0

Tony Miller

 

$0

John O’hagan

 

$0

 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

BNY serves as administrator to the Fund pursuant to administration and accounting services agreements dated September 30, 2010 with respect to the Fund (the “Administration Agreements”).  BNY has agreed to furnish to the Fund statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Fund.  In addition, BNY has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Fund.  The Administration Agreement provides that BNY shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services thereunder. BNY shall be responsible for failure to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement arising out of its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard. For its services to the Fund, BNY is entitled to receive a fee calculated at an annual rate of 0.08% of the Fund’s first $250 million of average net assets; 0.065% of the Fund’s next $250 million of average net assets; 0.055 of the Fund’s next $250 million of average net assets; 0.040% of the Fund’s next $750 million of average net assets; and 0.03% of the Fund’s average net assets in excess of $1.5 billion.

 

The minimum monthly fee will be $5,833 per month, exclusive of financial typesetting fees, costs of obtaining independent security market quotes, data repository and analytics suite access fees, sub-advisor fees, bank loan processing fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

 

For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011, the S1 Fund paid BNY administration and accounting fees and related out of pocket expenses as follows:

 

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For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through
August 31, 2011 

 

Administration
and
Accounting Fees

Paid
(after waivers and
reimbursements)

 

Waivers

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S1 Fund*

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


*                                         Commencement of operations — September 30, 2010.

 

The Administration Agreement provides that BNY shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company or the Fund in connection with the performance of the agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

On June 1, 2003, the Company entered into a regulatory administration services agreement with BNY.  Under this agreement, BNY has agreed to provide regulatory administration services to the Company.  These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Fund’s registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s regulatory administration.  BNY receives an annual fee based on the average daily net assets of the portfolios of the Company.

 

For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011 the Fund paid BNY regulatory administration fees as follows:

 

Fund Name

 

Regulatory
Administration Fees

 

Waivers

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S1 Fund*

 

$                   

 

$          

 

$

 

 


*Commencement of operations — September 30, 2010.

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, is custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian Agreement dated October 10, 2011.  Under the Custodian Agreement, BNY Mellon:  (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund; (b) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Fund; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Fund’s portfolio securities; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the Fund’s operations.  BNY Mellon is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that BNY Mellon remains responsible for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian.  For its services to the Fund under the Custodian Agreement, BNY Mellon receives a fee, calculated daily and payable monthly, of 0.01% of the Fund’s first $250 million of average gross assets; 0.0075% of the Fund’s next $250 million of average gross assets; and 0.005% of the Fund’s average gross assets in excess of $500 million, exclusive of transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses, which are also charged to the Fund.

 

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

BNY, 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, an affiliate of BNY Distributors, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement dated November 5, 1991, as supplemented (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which BNY:  (a) issues and redeems shares of the Fund; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if

 

S-47



 

requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Company’s Board of Directors concerning the operations of the Fund.  BNY may, on 30 days’ notice to the Company, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any affiliate. For its services to the Fund under the Transfer Agency Agreement, BNY receives a fee at the annual rate of $20.00 per direct account, $8.00 per network level 3 account and $3.60 per inactive account in the Fund, with a minimum monthly fee of $4,166 per class payable monthly on a pro rata basis, exclusive of out-of-pocket expenses, and also receives reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses.

 

BNY also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program.  The Company pays an annual fee, ranging from $3,000 - $50,000, based on the number of open accounts in each portfolio of the Company.  In addition, BNY provides services relating to the implementation of the Fund’s Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification.  The Fund will pay BNY $2.25 per customer verification and $0.02 per month per record result maintained.

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

BNY Distributors, whose principal business address is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406, serves as the underwriter to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, dated as of July 1, 2010, as supplemented (the “Distribution Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and the related Plan of Distribution for R Shares (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Company in the manner prescribed by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, BNY Distributors will use appropriate efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Fund’s shares.  Payments to BNY Distributors under the Plan are to compensate it for distribution assistance and expenses assumed and activities intended to result in the sale of R Shares including advertising, printing and mailing of prospectuses to others than current shareholders, compensation to underwriters, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, and interest, carrying or other financing changes.  BNY Distributors engages in a continuous offering of shares of the Fund.  As compensation for its distribution services, BNY Distributors receives, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, a distribution fee under the Plan, to be calculated daily and paid monthly by the R Shares of the Fund, at the annual rate set forth in the R Shares Prospectus.  The Adviser pays an annual fee to BNY Distributors as compensation for underwriting services rendered to the Fund pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

For the fiscal period September 30, 2010 through August 31, 2011 the Fund paid fees to broker-dealers and BNY Distributors retained fees as follows:

 

 

 

Fees Paid to Broker
Dealers

 

Fees Retained by the
Distributor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

S-48



 

Among other things, the Plan provides that: (1) BNY Mellon Distributors shall be required to submit quarterly reports to the Directors of the Company regarding all amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made, including commissions, advertising, printing, interest, carrying charges and any allocated overhead expenses; (2) the Plan will continue in effect only so long as it is approved at least annually, and any material amendment thereto is approved, by the Company’s Directors, including a majority of those Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to the Plan, acting in person at a meeting called for said purpose; (3) the aggregate amount to be spent by the Fund on the distribution of the Fund’s shares of a Class under the Plan shall not be materially increased without shareholder approval; and (4) while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Company’s Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) shall be committed to the discretion of such Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company. The Fund did not have Plan expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 because Class R shares were not yet operational.

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates, at their discretion, may make payments from their own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Fund, its service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Fund and/or in recognition of their distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.

 

These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Fund, the Distributor or shareholders of the Fund through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets.  Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Fund in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Fund; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.

 

The Adviser and/or its affiliates may also make payments from their own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events.  The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law.

 

Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Fund by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or its affiliates.  A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.

 

S-49



 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors and applicable rules, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers are responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Fund.  In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers seek to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved.  While the Adviser and Sub-Advisers generally seek reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions.

 

Brokerage Transactions

 

Generally, equity securities, both listed and over-the-counter, are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer’s mark-up or reflect a dealer’s mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, the Fund will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer’s mark up or reflect a dealer’s mark down. When the Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

In addition, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers may place a combined order for two or more accounts they manage, including the Fund, engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will result in best price and execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account or fund. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or the Fund may obtain, it is the opinion of the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers and the Company’s Board of Directors that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of separate transactions. Nonetheless, the Adviser and Sub-Advisers believe that the ability of the Fund to participate in higher volume transactions will generally be beneficial to the Fund.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, the Fund paid the following commissions to brokers on account of research services:

 

Fund 

 

2011

 

S1 Fund

 

[      ]

 

 

The following chart shows the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by S1 Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31:

 

Fund

 

2011

 

S1 Fund

 

[          ]

 

 

The Funds are required to identify any securities of the Company’s regular broker-dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) or their parents held by the Fund as of the end of the most recent fiscal year. As of August 31, 2011, Fund held the following securities:

 

S-50



 

Fund 

 

Broker Dealer

 

Value

 

S1 Fund

 

[        ]

 

[          ]

 

 

Brokerage Selection

 

The Company does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Advisers may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser or applicable Sub-Adviser. The Adviser and Sub-Advisers may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits an investment adviser or sub-adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause a fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, certain Sub-Advisers may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the applicable Sub-Advisers believe that access to independent investment research is beneficial to their investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.

 

To the extent research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the applicable Sub-Advisers might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Sub-Advisers may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Sub-Advisers will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Sub-Adviser under its Sub-Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Sub-Advisers are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

In some cases a Sub-Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the applicable Sub-Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the applicable Sub-Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Sub-Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but each applicable Sub-Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser and Sub-Advisers with research services. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

S-51



 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm and you may also purchase shares directly by mail or wire.  The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of a Fund’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV.  If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash.  A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities.  The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund. A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit.  (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

 

Shares of the Company are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse a Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectuses from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, desirable in order to prevent the Company or any Fund from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Purchase Information

 

If shares of the Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent.  Since the Fund will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account.  The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

 

S-52



 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers (other than BNY Distributors), financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required. Telephone transactions will not be permitted in connection with IRA or other retirement plan accounts or by an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney.

 

VALUATION OF SHARES

 

Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments.  This may result in the securities being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used.  All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on the Fund’s books at their face value.  Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Valuation Committee under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

TAXES

 

General

 

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectuses are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectuses and this SAI are based on the Code and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI.  Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the statements included herein, and such changes may be retroactive.

 

The Fund qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As such, the Fund generally will be exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it must meet three important tests each year.

 

First, the Fund must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and

 

S-53



 

securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Third, the Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

The Fund intends to comply with these requirements. If the Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year the Fund were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In that event, shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

The Fund may invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments, such as commodity-linked structured notes, commodity-linked securities and other derivative instruments that provide exposure to commodity markets.  The Fund has not obtained a ruling from the IRS that these investments will be treated as securities for purposes of the income and diversification tests described above.  The Fund intends to limit its investment in these instruments so that they give rise to less than 10% of its income each year and comprise less than 50% of its assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable year.  If the Fund were to fail to limit these investments, and if the investments were determined not to be securities for purposes of the income and diversification tests, the Fund could fail to qualify as a regulated investment company.

 

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each calendar year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

State and Local Taxes

 

Although the Fund expects to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

 

Taxation of Certain Investments

 

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by the Fund, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Fund to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax.  Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which the Fund invests, the Fund may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Fund fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share.  Currently,

 

S-54



 

79.773 billion shares have been classified into 137 classes, however, the Company only has 24 active share classes that have begun investment operations.  Under the Company’s charter, the Board of Directors has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

 

Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to such Fund with each other share that represents an interest in such Fund, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in that Fund.  Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights.  When issued for payment as described in the Prospectuses, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.  The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of Common Stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

Holders of shares of each class of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio except as otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular portfolio or class of shares. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio.  Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held.  Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

 

Shareholder Approvals.  As used in this SAI and in the Prospectuses, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund or a particular class of shares of the Fund means, with respect to the approval of the Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreements, Plan or a change in the Fund’s investment objective or a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund or share class represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or share class.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Counsel

 

The law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Ste. 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Disinterested Directors.

 

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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[                        ],  serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Financial Statements

 

The audited financial statements, financial highlights, and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 in the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders (the “Annual Report”) have been audited by                         , whose report thereon also appears in the Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI. No other parts of the Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. Copies of the Annual Report may obtained at no charge by telephoning BNY Mellon at the phone number appearing on the front page of this SAI.

 

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APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.  The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:

 

“A-1” — Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that 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” — The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.  Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.

 

“A-3” — Obligor has 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” — An obligation is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics.  The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Ratings of “B1”, “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the “B” category.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“C” — Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

A-1



 

“R” — An obligor rated “R” is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition.  During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.

 

“SD” and “D” — an obligor rated “SD” (selective default) or “D” has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due.  A “D” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due.  An “SD” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding those that qualify as regulatory capital but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.

 

“NR” — An issuer designated “NR” is not rated.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings scale 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

 

A-2



 

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.  The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

“F1” — Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

“F2” — Securities possess good short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” — Securities possess fair short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” — Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality.  This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” — Securities possess 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 specific short-term obligation.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing exceptionally high ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category are unlikely to be affected by future events.

 

“R-1 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing very high ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits by relatively modest degree.  Entities rated in this category are unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial.  Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories.  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

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“R-2 (high)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” — Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.  A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” — Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality.  There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due.  May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” — Short-term debt rated “R-4” is speculative credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” — Short-term debt rated “R-5” is highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity of the entity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” — A security rated “D” implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not be met in the near future, or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to “D” may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods, other procedural considerations, or extenuating circumstance may exist.

 

Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” — An obligor rated “AAA” has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments.  “AAA” is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s.

 

“AA” — An obligor rated “AA” has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments.  It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.

 

“A” — An obligor rated “A” has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

 

A-4



 

“BBB” — An obligor rated “BBB” has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

“BB” — An obligor rated “BB” is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

“CCC” — An obligor rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

 

“CC” — An obligor rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable.

 

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

 

“R” —  An obligor rated “R” is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition.  During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others.

 

“SD” and “D” — An obligor rated “SD” (selective default) or “D” has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due.  A “D” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due.  An “SD” rating is assigned when Standard & Poor’s believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding those that qualify as regulatory capital, but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.  A selective default includes the completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby one or more financial obligation is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

“NR” — An issuer designated “NR” is not rated.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks - Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue.  Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis.  An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower

 

A-5



 

capacity to repay external versus domestic debt.  These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues.  Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” — Securities considered to be of the 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.

 

A-6



 

“AA” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be of 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” — Securities considered to be speculative.  “BB” ratings indicate that there is 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” — Securities considered to be 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,” “CC” and “C” — A “CCC” rating indicates substantial credit risk, with default a real possibility.  A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.  Default of some kind appears probable.  “C” ratings signal exceptionally high levels of credit risk.  Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

 

“RD” — indicates an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business.

 

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

 

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

 

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable.  This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default.  Another

 

A-7



 

alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a coercive debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

 

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

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” long-term rating category or to categories below “B”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” -  Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” — Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high.  Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree.  Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” — Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.”  May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” — Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable.  May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” Long-term debt rated “BB” is defined to be speculative, non-investment grade credit quality.  The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain.  Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” — Long-term debt rated “B” is highly speculative credit quality.  There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” —Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly speculative credit quality and is in danger of defaulting on financial obligations.  There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.  Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D”A security rated “D” implies a financial obligation has not been met or it is clear that a financial obligation will not be met in the near future or a debt instrument has been subject to a distressed exchange.  A downgrade to “D” may not immediately follow an insolvency or restructuring filing as grace periods or extenuating circumstances may exist.

 

A-8



 

(“high”, “low”) — Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”.  The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the “middle” of the category.  The “AAA” and “D” categories do not utilize “high”, “middle”, and “low” as differential grades.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poor’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.  Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.  In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poor’s analysis will review the following considerations:

 

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

 

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

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest.  An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

“SP-2” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” — The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade.  These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and are divided into three levels — “MIG-1” through “MIG-3”.  In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated “SG”, or speculative grade.  MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.  The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:

 

“MIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality.  Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

“MIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality.  Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

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“MIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality.  Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“VMIG-1” — This designation denotes superior credit quality.  Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“VMIG-2” — This designation denotes strong credit quality.  Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

“VMIG-3” — This designation denotes acceptable credit quality.  Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

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

 

Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs).  It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated.  The

 

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opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

 

Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations.  Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested.  Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.

 

DBRS credit ratings are opinions based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of information sourced and received by DBRS, which information is not audited or verified by DBRS.  Ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations and they do not address the market price of a security.  Ratings may be upgraded, downgraded, placed under review, confirmed and discontinued.

 

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Appendix B

 

SIMPLE ALTERNATIVES, LLC (the “Adviser”)

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. (The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser, and, accordingly, are subject to change. For purposes of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures described below, “we” “our” and “us” refers to the Adviser). The Adviser will delegate the voting of proxies to the underlying sub- advisers, who will vote in accordance with this policy.

 

Introduction

 

As an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), we have a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of our clients. As part of this duty, we recognize that we must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of our clients.

 

These policies and procedures for voting proxies for our investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

 

Proxy Policies

 

We vote proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of our clients. We review on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by our clients. Although we generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on our clients’ portfolio securities, we may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so.

 

Our proxy voting decisions are made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of our clients’ investments. To ensure that our vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, we require that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process disclose to our Chief Compliance Officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

 

Proxy Voting Records

 

You may obtain information about how we voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, Simple Alternatives, LLC, 25 Burtis Avenue, Suite 200, New Canaan, CT 06840.

 

 

Adopted: September, 2010

 

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Appendix C

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY OF BLUE LION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

Proxy Voting

 

Law and Policy

 

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This statement sets forth the current policies and procedures of the Firm with regard to the voting of proxies over which the Firm has investment responsibility. These policies and procedures are available to the Firm’s Clients upon request.

 

The Firm acts in a fiduciary capacity with respect to each of its Clients (including private funds) and, therefore, the Firm must act to maximize the value of the accounts it manages. Each proxy proposal is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a member of the Firm’s portfolio management team. It is Firm policy generally to vote against any management proposals that the Firm believes could prevent companies from realizing their maximum market value, or would insulate companies and/or management, from accountability to shareholders or prudent regulatory compliance. For example, the Firm will generally vote against any proposal that attempts to limit shareholder democracy, such as increased indemnification protections for directors or officers, or unequal voting rights, in a way that could restrict the ability of the shareholders to realize the value of their investment. The Firm will generally support proposals aimed at effectuating standard and necessary aspects of business operations, which will not typically have a significant effect on the value of the investment, such as name changes, elections of directors and employee stock purchase or ownership plans.

 

A record of all proxy decisions and the rationale for voting will be retained and available for inspection by Clients at any time in accordance with the procedures listed below.

 

Conflicts of Interest. The Firm must act as a fiduciary when voting proxies on behalf of its Clients. In that regard, the Firm will seek to avoid possible conflict of interest in connection with proxy voting as follows:

 

Where the Firm identifies a potential conflict of interest (such as if the Firm or an Employee is affiliated or associated with the issuer or the Firm holds the issuer’s securities on a proprietary basis), the Firm will initially determine whether such potential conflict is material. Where the Firm determines there is a potential for a material conflict of interest regarding a proxy, the Firm will take one or some of the following steps: (i) inform the Client of the material conflict and the Firm’s voting decision; (ii) discuss the proxy vote with the Client; (iii) fully disclose the material facts regarding the conflict and seek the Client’s consent to vote the proxy as intended; and/or (iv) seek the recommendations of an independent third party. The Firm will document the steps it took to evidence that the proxy vote or abstention was in the best interest of the Client and not the product of any material conflict. Such documentation will be maintained in accordance with required recordkeeping procedures. See Recordkeeping above.

 

Disclosure of Policies and Procedures. The Firm will provide a summary of these policies and procedures in its Form ADV, Part II (or in a separate disclosure) to be furnished to Clients. The Firm will further provide a copy of these policies and procedures to any Client upon request. In addition, the Firm will inform its Clients how they can obtain further proxy voting information about their own proxies.

 

Disclosure of Voting Record.                         Upon a request from a Client, the Firm will furnish to such Client its proxy voting record with respect to such Client’s securities.

 

ERISA Considerations.                  ERISA prohibits fiduciaries from acting on behalf of a plan in situations in which the fiduciary is subject to a conflict of interest. Thus, if the Firm determines

 

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that it has a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies, the Firm must either seek the Client’s informed direction or retain an independent person to direct the Firm how to vote the proxy in the best interests of the ERISA account.

 

Procedures

 

Receipt of Proxy Materials. The Firm receives proxy materials from issuers, custodians or broker-dealers through the mail in hard copy form with respect to any securities held in Client accounts.

 

Voting Decisions.                         The portfolio manager(s) has (have) responsibility for reviewing proxy materials and deciding how to vote on each issue or initiative for the securities he or she trades.

 

Recusal from Voting. Any Employee who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any issue presented for voting, or any relationship with the issuer, must so inform the Chief Compliance Officer and recuse him or herself from decisions on how proxies with respect to that issuer are voted.

 

Record of Votes Cast. Each year a member of each responsible portfolio management team creates a spreadsheet showing each security with respect to which votes were cast, the number of shares voted and how they were voted on each issue. The spreadsheet is maintained and updated to show such information for each proxy received throughout the year.

 

Client Requests for Votes. If a Client requests that their proxies be voted in a specific way on a specific issue, the portfolio manager or a member of the portfolio management team will advise the Client that it cannot accommodate the request

 

Client Requests for Voting Record. Clients may request information concerning how their proxies were voted. The portfolio manager or a member of the portfolio management team will notify the Chief Compliance Officer if he or she receives such request and will respond to such requests showing how Client shares were voted on particular issues.  The Chief Compliance Officer will maintain a copy of all such requests and responses.

 

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APPENDIX D

 

COURAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

I.                                        Statement of Policy

 

Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. When the Adviser has discretion to vote the proxies of its clients, it will vote those proxies in the best interest of its clients and in accordance with these policies and procedures.

 

II.                                     Proxy Voting Procedures

 

All proxies received by the Adviser will be sent to the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer will:

 

·                  Keep a record of each proxy received;

 

·                  Forward the proxy to the Chief Manager;

 

·                  Determine which accounts managed by the Adviser hold the security to which the proxy relates;

 

·                  Provide the Chief Manager with a list of accounts that hold the security, together with the number of votes each account controls (reconciling any duplications), and the date by which the Adviser must vote the proxy in order to allow enough time for the completed proxy to be returned to the issuer prior to the vote taking place.

 

·                  Absent material conflicts (see Section IV below), the Chief Manager will determine how the Adviser should vote the proxy. The Chief Manager will send its decision on how the Adviser will vote a proxy to the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer is responsible for completing the proxy and mailing the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.

 

·                  The Adviser may retain a third party to assist it in coordinating and voting proxies with respect to client securities. If so, the Compliance Officer will monitor the third party to assure that all proxies are being properly voted and appropriate records are being retained.

 

III.                                 Voting Guidelines

 

In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, the Adviser will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client, which may result in different voting results for proxies for the same issuer. The Adviser believes that voting proxies in accordance with the following guidelines is in the best interests of its clients.

 

·                  Generally, the Adviser will vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals, including election of directors (where no corporate governance issues are implicated), selection of auditors, and increases in or reclassification of common stock.

 

·                  Generally, the Adviser will vote against proposals that make it more difficult to

 

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replace members of the issuer’s board of directors, including proposals to stagger the board, cause management to be overrepresented on the board, introduce cumulative voting, introduce unequal voting rights, and create supermajority voting.

 

For other proposals, the Adviser shall determine whether a proposal is in the best interests of its clients and may take into account the following factors, among others:

 

·                  whether the proposal was recommended by management and the Adviser’s opinion of management;

 

·                  whether the proposal acts to entrench existing management; and

 

·                  whether, in the Adviser’s opinion, the proposal fairly or overly compensates management for past and future performance.

 

IV.                                 Conflicts of Interest

 

1.                                       The Chief Manager shall disclose all known conflicts to the Compliance Officer.

 

2.                                       The Compliance Officer will identify any additional conflicts that exist between the interests of the Adviser and its clients. This examination will include a review of the relationship of the Adviser and its affiliates with the issuer of each security and any of the issuer’s affiliates to determine if the issuer is a client of the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser or has some other relationship with the Adviser or a client of the Adviser.

 

If a material conflict exists, the Adviser will determine whether voting in accordance with the voting guidelines and factors described above is in the best interests of the client. The Adviser will also determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients and, except in the case of clients that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), give the clients the opportunity to vote their proxies themselves. In the case of ERISA clients, if the Investment Management Agreement reserves to the ERISA client the authority to vote proxies when the Adviser determines it has a material conflict that affects its best judgment as an ERISA fiduciary, the Adviser will give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies themselves. Absent the client reserving voting rights, the Adviser will vote the proxies solely in accordance with the policies outlined in Section III. “Voting Guidelines” above.

 

V.                                     Disclosure

 

1.                                       The Adviser will disclose in its Form ADV Part II that clients may contact the Compliance Officer, via e-mail or telephone, in order to obtain information on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies, and to request a copy of these policies and procedures. If a client requests this information, the Compliance Officer will prepare a written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy about which the client has inquired, (a) the name of the issuer; (b) the proposal voted upon, and (c) how the Adviser voted the client’s proxy.

 

2.                                       A concise summary of this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures will be included in the Adviser’s Form ADV Part II, and will be updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated. The Compliance Officer will arrange for a copy of this summary to be sent to all existing clients (who will already have been sent Adviser’s Form ADV Part II, which is required to be offered to clients annually) either as a separate mailing or along with a periodic account statement or other correspondence sent to clients.

 

VI.                                 Recordkeeping

 

The Compliance Officer will maintain files relating to the Adviser’s proxy voting procedures in an easily

 

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accessible place. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Adviser. Records of the following will be included in the files:

 

·                  Copies of this proxy voting policy and procedures, and any amendments thereto.

 

·                  A copy of each proxy statement that the Adviser receives.

 

·                  A record of each vote that the Adviser casts.

 

·                  A copy of each written client request for information on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response to any (written or oral) client request for information on how the Adviser voted its proxies.

 

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Appendix E

CRAMER ROSENTHAL MCGLYNN LLC
Proxy Voting Policy

 

In most cases, CRM clients have delegated to the Firm the authority to vote proxies relating to equity securities on their behalf. In exercising its voting obligations, CRM is guided by general fiduciary principles. It must act prudently, solely in the interest of clients, and for the purpose of providing benefits to such clients. The CRM Compliance Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) has determined that these Policies and Procedures for Proxy Voting (these “Policies”) are reasonably designed to assure that CRM votes client proxies in the best interest of clients and to provide clients with information about how their proxies are voted. In addition, these Policies are designed to satisfy CRM’s obligations under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act.

 

Proxy Voting Process

 

CRM’s policy seeks to monitor corporate actions, analyze proxy solicitation materials, and vote client proxies for stocks which are held in client accounts in a timely and appropriate manner. CRM will consider the factors that could affect the value of a Fund’s investment in its determination on a vote. CRM has identified certain significant contributors to shareholder value with respect to a number of common or routine matters that are often the subject of proxy solicitations for shareholder meetings. CRM’s proxy voting procedures address these considerations and establish a framework for its consideration of a vote that would be appropriate for a Fund. In particular, the proxy voting procedures outline principles and factors to be considered in the exercise of voting authority for proposals addressing many common or routine matters.

 

The Voting Process

 

Review of Proxy Solicitation Materials/Independent Recommendations

 

CRM receives proxy materials through an independent third party, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”). ISS provides analyses and voting recommendations based on empirical research measuring the impact of proxy issues on shareholder value. ISS’s voting recommendations cover three categories: (i) voting recommendations for social and environmental shareholder proposals; (ii) voting recommendations for “Taft-Hartley” accounts that are in the best long-term economic interest of plan participants and beneficiaries conforming to AFL-CIO voting guidelines;(1) and (iii) voting recommendations intended to generally maximize shareholder value.

 


(1) CRM receives an analysis intended to protect plan assets as required by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Employees Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

 

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In determining how to vote on a proxy issue, CRM will consider ISS analysis and recommendations, as well as the portfolio manager’s own knowledge of the company (including its management, operations, industry and the particular proxy issue) in rendering a decision, with the exception of separately-managed Taft-Hartley or accounts where the client specifically directs CRM to vote in a “socially responsible” manner; in these cases CRM would generally follow the particular IS S recommendations for that category.

 

ISS Standard Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary

 

The following is a summary of the 1SS Standard Proxy Voting Guidelines (the “Guidelines), which form the substantive basis of CRM’s Policy on Proxy Voting. (2) As described above, CRM may diverge from the Guidelines and a related ISS recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with any individual investment decision.

 

Auditors

 

Vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:

 

·                       An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent.

·                       Fees for non-audit services are excessive, or

·                       There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

 

Board of Directors

 

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

 

Votes on director nominees should be made on a case-by-case basis, examining: independence of the board and key board committees, attendance at board meetings, corporate governance provisions and takeover activity, long-term company performance, responsiveness to shareholder proposals, any egregious board actions, and any excessive non-audit fees or other potential auditor conflicts.

 

Classification/Declassification of the Board

 

Vote against proposals to classify the board. Vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

Independent Chairman (Separate Chairman/CEO)

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals requiring that the positions of chairman and CEO be held separately. Because some companies have governance structures in place that counterbalance a combined position, certain factors should be considered in determining whether

 


(2) The full ISS recommendations are outlined in the ISS Proxy Guidelines, which are available to CRM clients upon request.

 

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the proposal warrants support. These factors include the presence of a lead director, board and committee independence, governance guidelines, company performance, and annual review by outside directors of CRO pay.

 

Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Committees

 

Vote for shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’s definition of independence.

 

Vote for shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors if they currently do not meet that standard.

 

Shareholder Rights

 

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

Vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

 

Vote for proposals to allow or make shareholder action by written consent.

 

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meeting

 

Vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

 

Vote for proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholder to act independently of management.

 

Supermajority Vote Requirements

 

Vote against proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

 

Vote for proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

 

Cumulative Voting

 

Vote against proposals to eliminate cumulating voting.

 

Vote proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a case-by-case basis relative to the company’s other governance provisions.

 

Confidential Voting

 

Vote for shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspector of election, as long as the proposal includes a provision for proxy contents as follows: IN the case of a contested election,

 

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management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents will not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

Vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

 

Proxy Contests

 

Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

 

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the factors that include the long-term financial performance, management’s track record, qualification of director nominees (both slates), and an evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders.

 

Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

 

Vote case-by-case. Where ISS recommends in favor of the dissidents, ISS also recommends voting for reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses.

 

Poison Pills

 

Vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification. Review on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill and management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

 

Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

 

Vote case-by-case on mergers and corporate restructurings based on such features as the fairness opinion, pricing, strategic rationale, and the negotiating process.

 

Reincorporation Proposals

 

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote for reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

 

Capital Structure

 

Common Stock Authorization

 

Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are determined on a case-by-case basis using a model developed by ISS. Vote against proposals at companies with dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares of the

 

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class of stock that has superior voting rights. Vote for proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Vote against proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock). Vote for proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).

 

Management Compensation

 

Director Compensation

 

Votes on compensation plans for directors are determined on a case-by-case basis, using a proprietary, quantitative model developed by 1SS.

 

Employee, Stock Purchase Plans

 

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

Shareholder Proposals regarding Executive and Director Pay

 

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information, provided the information requested is relevant to shareholders’ needs, and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry, and is not unduly burdensome to the company. Vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook.

 

Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

 

Votes on management proposals seeking to reprice options are evaluated on a case-by-case basis giving consideration to: historic trading patterns rationale for repricing, value-for-value exchange, options vesting, term of the options, exercise price, and participation.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

Votes on employee stock purchase plans should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long-term corporate outlook.

 

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Social and Environmental Issues

 

These issues cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and public safety, environment and energy, general corporate issues, labor standards and human rights, military business and workplace diversity. In general, vote case-by-case. While a wide variety of factors are considered, the primary focus is on how the proposal will enhance the economic value of the company.

 

Securities on Loan

 

Securities over which CRM has voting authority in certain accounts are subject to being lent to other parties, including securities in private investment partnerships, registered mutual funds and certain other accounts. CRM has no role in the lending process; securities lending decisions are made by the custodian with the consent of and on behalf of the client. As a general matter, when a security is on “loan” as of the record date, CRM has no authority to vote, and shall not vote, a proxy for the security.

 

Clients Who Vote Their Own Proxies

 

CRM clients may retain the authority to vote their own proxies in their discretion.

 

Conflicts and Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

CRM’s proxy voting procedures establish a protocol for voting of proxies in cases in which it may have a potential conflict of interest arising from, among other things, a direct business relationship or financial interest in a company soliciting proxies. When a conflict or potential conflict has been identified, CRM will generally vote the proxy as recommended by ISS, subject to a review by the CRM Compliance Committee indicating the nature of the potential conflict of interest and how the determination of such vote was achieved.

 

Disclosure

 

CRM, in its written brochure required under Rule 204-3 (the “Form ADV”) shall describe: (i) these Policies; (ii) how a client can obtain information from CRM on how it voted the client’s proxies; and (iii) how a client can obtain a copy of these Policies and/or the ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines.

 

Recordkeeping

 

CRM shall retain the following books and records in, as appropriate, electronic or hard copy form: (i) a copy of each proxy statement received regarding client securities (which may be kept by relying on obtaining copies through the EDGAR system maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission), (ii) a record of each vote cast on behalf of clients, (iii) internal documents created that were material to the decision on how to vote any proxies or that memorialize the basis for such a decision, including any documentation relating to decisions to

 

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vote proxies other than in accordance with ISS recommendations, (iv) copies of written client requests for proxy voting records and of the Firm’s written responses to either a written or oral request for information on how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client, and (v) with respect to votes cast for securities held in any registered investment company, records of CUSIP numbers.

 

Records for the CRM Mutual Fund Trust shall be recorded and maintained by the Trust.

 

The above records shall be retained in an easily accessible place for a period of at least five (5) years from the end for the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of CRM

 

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Appendix F

 

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

A.            Introduction

 

Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC (“LTCM”) generally does not vote proxies on behalf of clients unless directed by the client to do so. In the event that a client directs LTCM to vote its proxies, LTCM has adopted and implemented policies and procedures for voting proxies in the best interest of clients. While decisions about how to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis, LTCM’s general policies and procedures for voting proxies are set forth below.

 

B. Specific Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

If LTCM is requested by a client to vote its proxies, LTCM will vote such proxies in the manner that serves the best interests of their clients in accordance with this policy.  The following details LTCM’s philosophy and practice regarding the voting of proxies.

 

1.              General

 

Proxy proposals should be individually reviewed to determine whether the proposal is in the best interests of its clients. As a result, similar proposals for different companies may receive different votes because of different corporate circumstances.

 

2. Procedures

 

To implement LTCM’s proxy voting policies, LTCM has developed the following procedures for voting proxies.

 

a. Upon receipt of a corporate proxy by LTCM, the special or annual report and the proxy are submitted to LTCM’s proxy voting manager or designee (the “Proxy Manager”). LTCM may enlist the assistance of a third party, with final votes approved by the Portfolio Manager, to assist with voting and recordkeeping according to these guidelines and procedures.

 

b. The Proxy Manager will then vote the proxies yes, no, abstention or determine not to vote based on this policy.

 

c. The Proxy Manager will maintain records related to its proxy votes which may include copies of each annual report, proposal, proposal summary, actual vote, and any other information required to be maintained for a proxy vote under Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act (see discussion in Section E below). With respect to proxy votes on topics deemed, in the opinion of the Proxy Manager, to be controversial or particularly sensitive, the Proxy Manager may provide a written explanation for the proxy vote which will be maintained with the record of the actual vote in LTCM’s files.

 



 

C. Voting Guidelines

 

While LTCM’s policy is to review each proxy proposal on its individual merits, LTCM has adopted guidelines for certain types of matters to assist the Proxy Manager in the review and voting of proxies. These guidelines are set forth below:

 

1.              Corporate Governance

 

a. Election of Directors and Similar Matters

 

In an uncontested election, LTCM will generally vote in favor of management’s proposed directors. In a contested election, LTCM will evaluate proposed directors on a case-by-case basis. With respect to proposals regarding the structure of a company’s Board of Directors, LTCM will review any contested proposal on its merits.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to support proposals to:

 

·                  Limit directors’ liability and broaden directors’ indemnification rights;

 

And expects to generally vote against proposals to:

 

·                  Adopt or continue the use of a classified Board structure; and

·                  Add special interest directors to the board of directors (e.g., efforts to expand the board of directors to control the outcome of a particular

 

b. Audit Committee Approvals

 

LTCM generally supports proposals that help ensure that a company’s auditors are independent and capable of delivering a fair and accurate opinion of a company’s finances. LTCM will generally vote to ratify management’s recommendation and selection of auditors.

 

c. Shareholder Rights

 

LTCM may consider all proposals that will have a material effect on shareholder rights on a case-by-case basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to generally support proposals to:

 

·                  Adopt confidential voting and independent tabulation of voting results; and

·                  Require shareholder approval of poison pills;

·

 

And expects to generally vote against proposals to:

 

·                  Adopt super-majority voting requirements; and

·                  Restrict the rights of shareholders to call special meetings, amend the bylaws or act by written consent.

 



 

2.              Anti-Takeover Measures, Corporate Restructurings and Similar Matters

 

LTCM may review any proposal to adopt an anti-takeover measure, to undergo a corporate restructuring (e.g., change of entity form or state of incorporation, mergers or acquisitions) or to take similar action by reviewing the potential short and long-term effects of the proposal on the company. These effects may include, without limitation, the economic and financial impact the proposal may have on the company, and the market impact that the proposal may have on the company’s stock.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to generally support proposals to:

 

·                  Prohibit the payment of greenmail (i.e., the purchase by the company of its own

·                  shares to prevent a hostile takeover);

·                  Adopt fair price requirements (i.e., requirements that all shareholders be paid the

·                  same price in a tender offer or takeover context), unless the Proxy Manager

·                  deems them sufficiently limited in scope; and

·                  Require shareholder approval of “poison pills.”

·

 

And expects to generally vote against proposals to:

 

·                  Adopt classified boards of directors;

·                  Reincorporate a company where the primary purpose appears to the Proxy Manager to be the creation of takeover defenses; and

·                  Require a company to consider the non-financial effects of mergers or acquisitions.

 

3.              Capital Structure Proposals

 

LTCM will seek to evaluate capital structure proposals on their own merits on a case-bycase basis.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to generally support proposals to:

 

·                  Eliminate preemptive rights.

 

4.              Compensation

 

a.               General

 

LTCM generally supports proposals that encourage the disclosure of a company’s compensation policies. In addition, LTCM generally supports proposals that fairly compensate executives, particularly those proposals that link executive compensation to performance. LTCM may consider any contested proposal related to a company’s compensation policies on a case-by-case basis.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to generally support proposals to:

 

·                  Require shareholders approval of golden parachutes; and

·                  Adopt golden parachutes that do not exceed 1 to 3 times the base

·                  compensation of the applicable executives.

 



 

And expects to generally vote against proposals to:

 

·                  Adopt measures that appear to the Proxy Manager to arbitrarily limit executive or employee benefits.

 

5.              Stock Option Plans and Share Issuances

 

LTCM evaluates proposed stock option plans and share issuances on a case-by-case basis. In reviewing proposals regarding stock option plans and issuances, LTCM may consider, without limitation, the potential dilutive effect on shareholders and the potential short and long-term economic effects on the company. We believe that stock option plans do not necessarily align the interest of executives and outside directors with those of shareholders. We believe that well thought out cash compensation plans can achieve these objectives without diluting shareholders ownership. Therefore, we generally will vote against stock option plans. However, we will review these proposals on a case-bycase basis to determine that shareholders interests are being represented. We certainly are in favor of management, directors and employees owning stock, but prefer that the shares are purchased in the open market.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, LTCM expects to generally vote against proposals to:

 

·                  Establish or continue stock option plans and share issuances that are not in the best interest of the shareholders.

 

6.              Corporate Responsibility and Social Issues

 

LTCM generally believes that ordinary business matters (including, without limitation, positions on corporate responsibility and social issues) are primarily the responsibility of a company’s management that should be addressed solely by the company’s management. These types of proposals, often initiated by shareholders, may request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices.

 

LTCM will generally vote against proposals involving corporate responsibility and social issues, although LTCM may vote for corporate responsibility and social issue proposals that LTCM believes will have substantial positive economic or other effects on a company or the company’s stock.

 

7.              Foreign Securities

 

LTCM will generally not vote foreign proxies due to the limited amount of information provided and because shares may of these securities may be blocked and trading may be restricted until completion of the meeting.

 



 

D. Conflicts

 

In cases where LTCM is aware of a conflict between the interests of a client(s) and the interests of LTCM or an affiliated person of LTCM (e.g., a portfolio holding is a client or an affiliate of a client of LTCM), the LTCM will take the following steps:

 

(a) vote matters that are specifically covered by this Proxy Voting Policy (e.g., matters where the LTCM’s vote is strictly in accordance with this Policy and not in its discretion) in accordance with this Policy; and

 

(b) for other matters, contact the client for instructions with respect to how to vote the proxy.

 

E. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policy

 

Upon receiving a written request from a client, LTCM will provide a copy of this policy within a reasonable amount of time. If approved by the client, this policy and any requested records may be provided electronically.

 

F. Recordkeeping

 

LTCM shall keep the following records for a period of at least five years, the first two in an easily accessible place:

 

(i) A copy of this Policy;

(ii) Proxy Statements received regarding client securities;

(iii) Records of votes cast on behalf of clients;

(iv) Any documents prepared by LTCM that were material to making a decision how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision; and

(v) Records of client requests for proxy voting information.

 

LTCM may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies, and may rely on proxy statements and records of proxy votes cast by LTCM that are maintained with a third party such as a proxy voting service, provided that LTCM has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the documents promptly upon request.

 

G. Class Action Suits/Litigation

 

LTCM follows certain steps and procedures to ensure that LTCM has acted responsibly and made its decision to include or exclude portfolios from class action suits and litigation based on the best information available. When LTCM is an investment manager or trustee for all or a portion of the assets of an ERISA plan, it will follow ERISA fiduciary duty rules in determining whether to include or exclude the particular portfolio from the class action suit or litigation.

 



 

When LTCM management becomes aware of a class action lawsuit potentially applicable to a Fund, LTCM management will review information about the litigation and its details, and the eligibility requirements to join the class action. LTCM may then determine whether it is advisable for the Fund to participate in the class action. In making its determination, LTCM may consider, among other things, whether the potential recovery from the class action would be material for the Fund and whether investigating eligibility would be prohibitively time-consuming or expensive.

 

Where LTCM determines that participation in the class action is advisable and recommended, LTCM may contact applicable custodian banks or other applicable persons on the Fund’s behalf to instruct them to include or exclude eligible portfolios in the action.

 



 

Appendix G

 

STARWOOD REAL ESTATE SECURITIES, LLC

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

In voting proxies, Starwood is guided by general fiduciary principles. Starwood’s goal is to act prudently and solely in the best interest of the Fund. Starwood attempts to consider all aspects of its vote that could affect the value of the investment and where it votes proxies, will do so in the manner that it believes will be consistent with efforts to maximize the value of Investor’s positions.

 

Proxy material is promptly reviewed to evaluate the issues presented. Regularly recurring matters are usually voted as recommended by the issuer’s board of directors or “management,” but there are many circumstances that might cause Starwood to vote against such proposals. These would include, among others, excessive compensation, unusual management stock options, preferential voting, poison pills, etc. Starwood decides these issues on a case-by-case basis.

 

Starwood may, on occasion, determine to abstain from voting a proxy or a specific proxy item when it concludes that the potential benefit of voting is outweighed by the cost, when it is not in the Fund’s best interest to vote.

 

In furtherance of Starwood’s goal to vote proxies in the best interests of the Fund, Starwood follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between Starwood’s interests and those of the Fund before voting proxies on behalf of the Fund. Starwood monitors the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of Starwood with respect to voting proxies on behalf of the Fund both as a result of personal relationships, significant client relationships (those accounting for greater than 5% of annual revenues) or special circumstances that may arise during the conduct of Starwood’s business.

 

Starwood maintains an up to date list of issuers with respect to which Starwood has a conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of the Fund. Starwood will not vote proxies relating to issuers on such list on behalf of the Fund until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving such conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented.

 

G-1



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

PEA 143

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28.

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

Articles of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 27, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 



 

 

(11)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 31, 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

(17)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 11, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

(18)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(19)

 

Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(20)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(21)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(22)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(24)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(25)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(26)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 29, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(27)

 

Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

(28)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 



 

 

(29)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

(30)

 

Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

(31)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

(32)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Boston Partners Bond Fund - Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund - Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(33)

 

Articles Supplementary to Charter of the Registrant (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund - Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(34)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Schneider Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(35)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Institutional Liquidity Fund for Credit Unions and Liquidity Fund for Credit Union Members) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

(36)

 

Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

(37)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund — Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund — Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 4, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(38)

 

Certificate of Correction of Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(39)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund — Institutional Class, Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund — Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(40)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Senbanc Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(41)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Retirement Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 19, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(42)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund — Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(43)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.

 



 

 

(44)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(45)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(46)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(47)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(48)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(49)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed-Income Fund) incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(50)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund — Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 13, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(51)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 17, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(52)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund — Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.116 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 4, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(53)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Multifactor 130/30 US Core Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 17, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(54)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(55)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 23, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(56)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(57)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (S1 Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 19, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(58)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(59)

 

Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 



 

 

(60)

 

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

(b)

 

 

By-Laws.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

By-Laws, as amended, are filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

See Articles VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI of Registrant’s Articles of 1 Incorporation dated February 17, 1988 which are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

See Articles II, III, VI, XIII, and XIV of Registrant’s By-Laws as amended through August 25, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

(d)

 

 

Investment Advisory Contracts.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 8, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 8, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2006. 

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 



 

 

(10)

 

Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (Money Market Portfolio) between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC. is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(12) 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 27, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

Form of Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund and Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(17)

 

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(18)

 

Assumption Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Boston Partners Asset Management and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(19)

 

Assumption Agreement (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund, and Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund) between Weiss, Peck, & Greer Investments and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(20)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(21)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(22)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and Simple Alternatives, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and Simple Alternatives, LLC is filed herewith.

 



 

 

(24)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(25)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Courage Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(26)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(27)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(28)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(29)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Trellus Management Co., LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(30)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(31)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(32)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(33)

 

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(34)

 

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(35)

 

Form of Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

(e)

 

 

Underwriting Contracts.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) dated as of January 2, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.

 



 

 

(2)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplements (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.)  is incorporated herein by reference to Post Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Distribution Agreement Supplement (S1 Fund and Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 



 

 

(14)

 

Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

(f)

 

 

Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing and Trust Agreement, dated as of October 24, 1990, as amended is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Fund Office Retirement Profit Sharing Plan and Trust Reflecting EGTRRA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

(g)

 

 

Custodian Agreements.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Custody Agreement dated July 18, 2011 between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Foreign Custody Manager Agreement dated July 18, 2011 between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Form of Amended and Restated Schedule II to the Custody Agreement  (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

Other Material Contracts.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement (Sansom Street) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Sansom Street Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Sansom Street Government Obligations Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Shareholder Services Plan (Sansom Street Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement (Bedford Money Market) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation, dated as of August 16, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement and Supplements (Bradford, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and Theta) between Registrant and Provident Financial Processing Corporation dated as of November 5, 1991 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 



 

 

(7)

 

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated February 1, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 6, 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Supplement to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant, State Street Bank and Trust Company, Inc. and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated April 10, 1995 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 6, 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 15, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 25, 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Transfer Agreement and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 30, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Institutional Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) dated, May 30, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.)  is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Institutional Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(17)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(18)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund)) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 



 

 

(19)

 

Administrative and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Institutional and Investor Classes) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(20)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Institutional and Investor Classes) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(21)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(22)

 

Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(24)

 

Non 12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth - Investor Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(25)

 

Agreement between E*TRADE Group, Inc., Registrant and Registrant’s principal underwriter is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(26)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 1, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(27)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Supplement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(28)

 

Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(29)

 

Transfer Agency Supplement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(30)

 

Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(31)

 

Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 



 

 

(32)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Customer Identification Program) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

(33)

 

Regulatory Administration Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

(34)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund, and Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(35)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(36)

 

Non-12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Related Form of Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund — Institutional Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(37)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.)  is incorporated  herein by reference to  Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the  Registrant’s  Registration  Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(38)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.)   is incorporated  herein by reference to  Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the  Registrant’s  Registration  Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(39)

 

Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.)  is incorporated  herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the  Registrant’s  Registration  Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(40)

 

Form of Money Market Fund Services Agreement to Delegation Agreement (Money Market Portfolio) between Registrant, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.), and BlackRock Institutional Management Corp. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(41)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(42)

 

Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(43)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(44)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 



 

 

(45)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market International Equity Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(46)

 

Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(47)

 

Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed-Income Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 24, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(48)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Red Flags Amendment) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

(49)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(50)

 

Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(51)

 

Amended Schedule A to the Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.)  is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010..

 

 

 

 

 

(52)

 

Form of Administrative and Accounting Services Agreement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(53)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(54)

 

Form of Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(55)

 

Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(56)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 



 

 

(57)

 

Form of Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(58)

 

Form of Money Market Fund Services Agreement to Delegation Agreement (Money Market Portfolio) between Registrant, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (f/k/a BlackRock Institutional Management Corp.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(59)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Robeco Boston Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(60)

 

Form of Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Robeco Boston Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(61)

 

Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Robeco Boston Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. to be filed by amendment.

 

 

 

 

(i)

(1)

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel to be filed by amendment. 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Consent of Counsel to be filed by amendment.

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

 

None.

 

 

 

 

(k)

 

 

None.

 

 

 

 

(l)

 

 

Initial Capital Agreements.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Subscription Agreement, relating to Classes A through N, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Classes O and P is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Class Q is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Counsellors Securities Inc. relating to Classes R, S, and Alpha 1 through Theta 4 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes TT and UU (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company relating to Class YY (Schneider Small Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 



 

 

(7)

 

Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes DDD and EEE (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management relating to Classes III and JJJ (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L. P. relating to Classes KKK and LLL (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Purchase Agreement (Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Purchase Agreement (Schneider Value Fund) between Registrant and Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Purchase Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

Purchase Agreement (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) between Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

Purchase Agreement (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(17)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(18)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(19)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(20)

 

Purchase Agreement (S1 Fund) between Registrant and Simple Alternatives, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2010.

 



 

 

(21)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(22)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc.is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrants Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrants Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

(m)

 

 

Rule 12b-1 Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Plan of Distribution (Bedford Money Market) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 1989, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Amendment to Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 12, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long Short Equity) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Agreement between Registrant, Bear Stearns Securities Corp. and BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.) dated as of November 17, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 29, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1(Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund — Investor Class) between Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1(Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (S1 Fund — R Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1(Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 



 

 

(13)

 

Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1(Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund — Investor Class is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

 

 

 

(n)

 

 

Rule 18f-3 Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan to be filed by amendment.

 

 

 

 

(p)

 

 

Code of Ethics.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Code of Ethics of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Code of Ethics of Robeco Investment Management is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

Code of Ethics of Schneider Capital Management Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Code of Ethics of Bogle Investment Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

Code of Ethics of J.P Morgan Chase & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

Code of Ethics of Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

Code of Ethics of Matson Money, Inc. is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

Code of Ethics of Perimeter Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

(9)

 

Code of Ethics of Simple Alternatives, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

Code of Ethics of Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

Code of Ethics of Courage Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

Code of Ethics of Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

Code of Ethics of Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

Code of Ethics of Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

Code of Ethics of Trellus Management Co., LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 1, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

Code of Ethics of BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc. is filed herewith.

 

Item 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

 

None.

 



 

Item 30. INDEMNIFICATION

 

Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Article VIII of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(3), provide as follows:

 

Section 1. To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Corporation shall have any liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Corporation whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

 

Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Board of Directors may by law, resolution or agreement make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation law.

 

Section 3. No provision of this Article shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders 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.

 

Section 4. References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in this Article are to the law as from time to time amended. No further amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall decrease, but may expand, any right of any person under this Article based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to such amendment. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BALLC”), dated June 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(10), provides for the indemnification of BALLC against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) (f/k/a Boston Partners Asset Management, LLC (“Boston Partners”) and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments (“WPG”)), incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(6), (d)(8) ,(d)(30), (d)(33) and (d)(34), provides for the indemnification of Robeco against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (“Bogle”), dated September 15, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(5) provides for the indemnification of Bogle against certain losses.

 

Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. (f/k/a PFPC Distributors, Inc.), dated January 2, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(1) provides for the indemnification of BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Schneider Capital Management (“Schneider”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(1) and (d)(7) provides for the indemnification of Schneider against certain losses.

 



 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc., (“Bear Stearns”), on behalf of the Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio, dated August 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(9) provides for the indemnification of Bear Stearns against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., (“Marvin & Palmer Associates”) dated March 5, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(11) provides for the indemnification of Marvin & Palmer Associates against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), (“Matson Money”) dated December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(12) provides for the indemnification of Matson Money against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Perimeter Capital Management (“Perimeter”) dated September 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(20) provides for the indemnification of Perimeter against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Simple Alternatives, LLC (“SA”) dated September 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference as exhibit (d)(22) provides for the indemnification of SA against certain losses.

 

Item 31.

 

 

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC:

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BA”) principal business address is 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809. BA is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and serves as an investment adviser for registered investment companies. Information as to the directors and officers of BA for the past two fiscal years is as follows:

 

Name and Position with
BlackRock

 

Other Company

 

Position with Other Company

Ann Marie Petach, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer, Managing Director, and Director

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Cayco Limited,
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Cayman Company,
Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Cayman Finco Limited,
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Finco, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - London Branch,
London, England

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - Sydney Branch,
Sydney, Australia

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock UK 1 LP,London, England

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

 

Robert P. Connolly, General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Execution Services,
San Francisco, CA

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Fund Distribution Company,
San Francisco, CA

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary

Laurence D. Fink, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,
Singapore

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

BlackRock Asset Management International, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Execution Services,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Distribution Company,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

BlackRock HPB Management, LLC,
New York, NY

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chairman - Board of Managers

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Private Limited,
Mumbai, India

 

Director

 

 

iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,Boston, MA

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Robert S. Kapito, President and Director

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,
Singapore

 

President

 

 

BlackRock Asset Management International, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Execution Services,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Distribution Company,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

President

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director - Board of Managers

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

President

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC, Wilmington, DE

 

President and Director

 

 

Carbon Capital III, Inc.
New York, NY

 

Director

 

 

iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor, LLC,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

President and Director

 

 

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

President and Director

Paul Audet, Senior Managing Director

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock UK 1 LP,London, England

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

Charles Hallac, Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock India Private Ltd.,
Mumbai, India

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - London Branch,
London, England

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - Sydney Branch,
Sydney, Australia

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

Barbara Novick, Senior Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

Peter Fisher, Senior Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Limited,
Singapore

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

Susan Wagner, Vice Chairman

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association,
San Francisco, CA

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - London Branch,
London, England

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - Sydney Branch,
Sydeny, Australia

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Vice Chairman

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Mortgage Ventures, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Private Limited,
Mumbai, India

 

Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Vice Chairman

Robert Doll, Senior Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

Director

 



 

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

Robert Fairbairn, Senior Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock UK 1 LP,
London, England

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

Bennett Golub, Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer

Richard Kushel, Senior Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG,
Munich, Germany

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 5, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, 

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd
Tokyo, Japan

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Senior Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,
Singapore

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Asset Management UK Limited,
London, England

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Group Limited,
London, England

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock (Hong Kong) Limited,
Hong Kong, SAR, China

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Limited,
Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management International Limited,London, England

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management (Korea) Limited,
Seoul, Korea

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management (Singapore) Limited,
Singapore

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited,
London, England

 

Chairman and Director

 

 

BlackRock (Taiwan) Limited,
Taipei, Taiwan

 

Director

 

 

DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Private Limited,
Mumbai, India

 

Director

 



 

 

 

PSN Pty Ltd.,
Melbourne, Australia

 

Director

Amy Engel, Treasurer and Managing Director

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BAA Holdings, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.
Cayman Islands

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.
Boston, MA

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Treasurer and Managing Director

Blake Grossman, Vice Chairman

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association,
San Francisco, CA

 

Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - London Branch,
London, England

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. - Sydney Branch,
Sydney, Australia

 

Director

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings,

Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

Kendrick Wilson, Vice Chairman

 

BlackRock, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Corporation US, Inc.,
San Fancisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Delaware Holdings, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.,New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Fund Advisors,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,
Cayman Islands

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Growth Partners, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.,
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,
New York, NY

 

Vice Chairman

 



 

 

 

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,
Plainsboro, NJ

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

SSRM Holdings, Inc.
Boston, MA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

State Street Research & Management Company,
Boston, MA

 

Vice Chairman

 

 

 

2.

Bogle Investment Management, LP:

The sole business activity of Bogle Investment Management, LP (“Bogle”), 2310 Washington Street, Suite 310, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462, is to serve as an investment adviser. Bogle is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The directors and officers have not held any positions with other companies during the last two fiscal years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Schneider Capital Management Company:

The sole business activity of Schneider Capital Management Company (“Schneider”), 460 E. Swedesford Road, Suite 2000, Wayne, PA 19087, is to serve as an investment adviser.  Schneider is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Information as to the directors and officers of Schneider is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Position with
Schneider

 

Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arnold C. Schneider, III

President and Chief Investment Officer

 

Turnbridge Management Partners Corp.

 

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven J. Fellin

Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating & Financial Officer Chief Compliance Officer

 

Turnbridge Management Partners Corp.

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Robeco Investment Management , Inc.

The sole business activity of Robeco Investment Management, Inc.  (“RIM”), 909 Third Avenue, New York 10022, is to serve as an investment adviser.  RIM provides investment advisory services to the Robeco Boston Partners Funds and the Robeco Weiss, Peck, & Greer Funds.

RIM is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as an investment adviser to domestic and foreign institutional investors, investment companies, commingled trust funds, private investment partnerships and collective investment vehicles.  Information as to the directors and officers of Robeco Investment Management, Inc.  is as follows:

 



 

 

Name and Position with RIM

 

Other Company

 

Position With Other
Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Donovan

Senior Managing Director,

Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

Robeco Institutional Asset

Management US Inc.

 

Robeco Trust Company

 

Saint Sebastian High School

 

Director

 

 

Co-CEO, Director & Chairman of the Board

 

Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph F. Feeney, Jr.

Senior Managing Director,

Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

Robeco US Holding, Inc.

 

Robeco Trust Company

 

Director

 

President, Co-CEO, Chief Investment Officer, Director & Vice Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William George Butterly, III

Senior Managing Director,  Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

 

Robeco Institutional Assets

Management US Inc.

 

Robeco Securities, L.L.C.

 

Robeco Trust Company

 

Sustainable Asset Management USA, Inc.

 

Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

Chief Operating Officer, Secretary & Director

 

Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew J. Davis

Senior Managing Director, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer

 

Robeco Institutional Asset Management US Inc.

 

Robeco Securities, L.L.C.

 

Robeco Trust Company

 

President, Treasurer & Director

 

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul F. Healey

Senior Managing Director & Director of Sales, Marketing & Client Service 

 

Robeco Securities, L.L.C.

 

Robeco Trust Company

 

 

Mellon Capital Management

 

Investment Committee of the New England Province of Jesuits

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Director of Sales & Relationship Management, & Director

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

Member, Former Chairman

 

 



 

 

Roderick Munsters

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leni M. Boeren

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hester Borrie

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc.

Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc. (“BSAM”) serves as the investment adviser to the Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio. BSAM is located at 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167. BSAM is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. BSAM’s Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website.

 

Information as to the directors and officers of BSAM is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Position with
BSAM

 

Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence Unrein

Director, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roger Baumann

Director

 

Artisan Advisors LLC

 

CEO/Founder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory Quental

Director

 

Domus

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig M. Sullivan

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

6.

Matson Money, Inc. (formerly known as Abundance Technologies, Inc.):

The sole business activity of Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money”), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, is to serve as an investment adviser.  Matson Money is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Matson Money indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Position with
Matson Money, Inc.

 

Name of Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E Matson

President/CEO

 

 

Abundance Horizons LLC

 

Keep It Tight Fitness, LLC

 

50% owner

 

50% owner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Matson

Vice President/ Secretary

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan List

Chief Compliance Officer

 

None

 

None

 



 

 

 

7.

Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc.:

The sole business activity of Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., 1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2300, Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1165, is to serve as an investment adviser.  Marvin & Palmer Associates is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Marvin & Palmer Associates indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Position with
Marvin & Palmer
Associates

 

Name of Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David F. Marvin

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Director

 

Cash Management Policy Board

Office of the State Treasurer

820 Silver Lake Boulevard

Suite 100

Dover, Delaware  19901

 

Wilmington University

Board of Trustees

320 DuPont Highway

New Castle, Delaware  19720

 

Board Member







Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stanley Palmer

Vice Chairman

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Todd D. Marvin

President

Director

 

Serviam Girls Academy

P. O. Box 7907

Wilmington, Delaware 19803

 

Board Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David L. Schaen

President

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen T. Buckley

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Director

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rt. Hon. Lord Moore, P.C.

Director

 

None

 

 

None

 



 

 

Madelyn B. Smith

Director

 

University of Puget Sound

Endowment Committee

1500 North Warner Street

Tacoma, Washington  98416

 

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Retirement Board

2300 S. Washington

Tacoma, Washington 98405-1399

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Member

 

 

 

 

Trustee of Retirement Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Perimeter Capital Management, LLC (“Perimeter”)

 

The principal business address of Perimeter is Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 3300, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

Perimeter serves as the investment adviser for the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund. Perimeter is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information as to the directors and officers of Perimeter is as follows:

 

 

Name and Position with
Perimeter

 

Name of Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

G. Bradley Ball

Managing Partner and CEO Perimeter Capital Management

 

Perimeter Concourse Capital LLC

 

Member, Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark D. Garfinkel, CFA Managing Partner and CIO Perimeter Capital Management

 

Perimeter Concourse Capital LLC

 

Member, Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher J. Paolella

Managing Partner, Director of Marketing & Consultant Relations

Perimeter Capital Management

 

Perimeter Concourse Capital LLC

 

Director of Marketing & Consultant Relations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam C. Stewart, CFA  Partner, Director of Trading  and Chief Compliance Officer Perimeter Capital Management

 

Perimeter Concourse Capital LLC

 

Director of Trading & CCO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa N. Benson

Partner, Director of Third-Party Distribution & Consultant Relations  Perimeter Capital Management

 

Perimeter Concourse Capital LLC

 

Director of Third-Party Distribution & Client Relations

 



 

 

 

9.

Simple Alternatives, LLC (“SA”)

The principal business address of SA is 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, CT 06877.

 

SA serves as the investment adviser for the S1 Fund. SA is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information as to the directors and officers of SA is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Position with 
SA

 

Name of Other Company

 

Position With Other Company

 

James K. Dilworth

Partner, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Dilworth Capital Management, LLC

 

Dilworth Securities, Inc.

 

President, Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce MacDonald

Partner, Chief Investment Officer

 

 

University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO)

 

Chairman of the Investment Committee and Director of Asset Allocation & Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh Kernan

Partner, Chief Marketing Officer

 

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc

 

Director of Alternative Investments & Managed Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PJ Rossi

Chief Operating Officer & CFO

 

TH Lee Putnum Ventures, LP

 

Director of Finance & Business Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lelia Long

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Pemberwick Investment Advisors, LLC

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vigilant Compliance Services

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Ireland Fund, Inc.

 

Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited

 

Director & Senior Vice President — Client Services

 

Item 32Principal Underwriter

 

(a)     BNY Mellon Distributors Inc. (“the Distributor”) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the FINRA.  As of April 26, 2011, the Distributor acted as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:

 

Aston Funds

E.I.I. Realty Securities Trust

FundVantage Trust

GuideStone Funds

Highland Floating Rate Fund

Highland Floating Rate Advantage Fund

Highland Funds I

Highland Funds II

The Industry Leaders Fund

 



 

Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust

Matthews International Funds, dba Matthews Asia Funds

Metropolitan West Funds

The Motley Fool Funds Trust

New Alternatives Funds, Inc.

Old Westbury Funds

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Stratton Multi-Cap Fund, Inc.

Stratton Real Estate Fund, Inc.

The Stratton Funds, Inc.

The Torray Fund

 

(b)   The Distributor is a Massachusetts corporation located at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406.  The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon Distributors Holdings Inc. Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, a publicly traded company.

 

The following is a list of the directors and executive officers of the Distributor:

 

Board of Directors

 

Name

 

Position

 

Effective Date

John F. Fulgoney

 

Director

 

January 11, 2011

Michael DeNofrio

 

Director

 

April 26, 2007

Steven Turowski

 

Director

 

August 30, 2007

Dennis J. Westley

 

Director

 

March 4, 2008

Scott P. LaVasseur

 

Director

 

February 16, 2011

 

Officers

 

Name

 

Position

 

Effective Date

John F. Fulgoney

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

January 18, 2011

Bruno DiStefano

 

Vice President

 

April 11, 2007

Susan K. Moscaritolo

 

Vice President, Secretary and Clerk

 

VP - April 11, 2007

Secretary and Clerk — May 29, 2007

Matthew O. Tierney

 

Treasurer and Financial Operations Principal, Chief Financial Officer

 

August 19, 2008

Felicia Antonio

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

August 27, 2010

Jodi Jamison

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

April 11, 2007

Ellen C. Krause

 

Chief Risk Officer

 

March 26, 2009

Maria C. Schaffer

 

Controller and Assistant Treasurer

 

April 11, 2007

John J. Munera

 

Anti-Money Laundering Officer

 

April 11, 2007

Ronald Berge

 

Vice President

 

February 16, 2011

Dianna A. Stone

 

Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk

 

November 27, 2007

Kevin D. Peterson

 

Assistant Treasurer — Tax

 

July 1, 2010

Gary E. Abbs

 

Assistant Treasurer — Tax

 

July 1, 2010

Joanne S. Huber

 

Assistant Treasurer — Tax

 

July 1, 2010

Barbara J. Parrish

 

Assistant Secretary

 

July 1, 2010

 



 

Mary Lou Olinski

 

Assistant Secretary

 

July 1, 2010

Cristina Rice

 

Assistant Secretary

 

July 1, 2010

 

(c)       Not Applicable.

 

Item 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

(1)   The Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (records relating to its functions as sub-adviser and custodian).

 

(2)   BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc., 760 Moore Road, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19406. (records relating to its functions as principal underwriter).

 

(3)   BlackRock Advisors, LLC, Bellevue Corporate Center, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser, sub-adviser and administrator).

 

(4)   BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., Bellevue Corporate Center, 103 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

 

(5)   BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its function as administrator and accounting agent and Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Minute books).

 

(6)   Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (formerly Boston Partners Asset Management, L.L.C.), 909 Third Avenue, 32nd floor, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(7)   Schneider Capital Management Co., 460 East Swedesford Road, Suite 1080, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(8)   Bogle Investment Management, L.P., 2310 Washington Street, Suite 310, Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts 02462 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(9)   Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (formerly Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments), 909 Third Avenue, 32nd floor, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(10) Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(11) Marvin & Palmer Associates, Inc., 1201 N. Market Street, Suite 2300, Wilmington, Delaware 19801-1165 (records   relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(12) Matson Money, Inc. (formerly Abundance Technologies, Inc.), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, OH 45040 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(13) Perimeter Capital Management, LLC, Five Concourse Parkway Suite 2725 Atlanta, GA 30328 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(14) Simple Alternatives, LLC, 90 Grove Street, Suite 205, Ridgefield, CT 06877 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

Item 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

None.

 



 

Item 35. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(a)   Registrant hereby undertakes to hold a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of considering the removal of directors in the event the requisite number of shareholders so request.

 

(b)   Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of Registrant’s latest annual report to shareholders upon request and without charge.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this Post-Effective  Amendment No. 143 to its  Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington, and State of Delaware on the 28th day of October, 2011.

 

 

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

 

 

By: /s/ Salvatore Faia

 

Salvatore Faia

 

President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to Registrant’s Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

 

TITLE

 

DATE

 

/s/ Salvatore Faia

 

President (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Compliance Officer

 

October 28, 2011

 

Salvatore Faia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joel L. Weiss

 

Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)

 

October 28, 2011

 

Joel L. Weiss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*J. Richard Carnall

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

J. Richard Carnall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Francis J. McKay

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Francis J. McKay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Marvin E. Sternberg

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Marvin E. Sternberg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Julian A. Brodsky

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Julian A. Brodsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Arnold M. Reichman

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Arnold M. Reichman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Robert Sablowsky

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Robert Sablowsky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Robert Straniere

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Robert Straniere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Nicholas A. Giordano

 

Director

 

October 28, 2011

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*By: /s/ Salvatore Faia

 

 

 

October 28, 2011

 

Salvatore Faia

 

 

 

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Julian A. Brodsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Julian A. Brodsky

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, J. Richard Carnall, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ J. Richard Carnall

 

 

J. Richard Carnall

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Nicholas A. Giordano, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Nicholas A. Giordano

 

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Francis J. McKay, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Francis J. McKay

 

 

Francis J. McKay

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Arnold M. Reichman, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Arnold M. Reichman

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Sablowsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert Sablowsky

 

 

Robert Sablowsky

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Marvin E. Sternberg, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Marvin E. Sternberg

 

 

Marvin E. Sternberg

 

 



 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(the “Company”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Straniere, hereby constitutes and appoints Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw and Joel L. Weiss, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director or officer, or both, of the Company, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

 

DATED:

May 7, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert Straniere

 

 

Robert Straniere

 

 



 

PEA 143

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

(b)(1)

 

By-Laws, as amended

 

 

 

(d)(10)

 

Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (Money Market Portfolio)

 

 

 

(d)(20)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund)

 

 

 

(d)(23)

 

Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (S1 Fund)

 

 

 

(d)(24)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

(d)(25)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Courage Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

(d)(26)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC

 

 

 

(d)(27)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

(d)(28)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC

 

 

 

(d)(29)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (S1 Fund) between Simple Alternatives, LLC and Trellus Management Co., LLC

 

 

 

(e)(14)

 

Form of Distribution Agreement Supplement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund)

 

 

 

(g)(1)

 

Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon

 

 

 

(g)(2)

 

Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon

 

 

 

(g)(3)

 

Form of Amended and Restated Schedule II to the Custody Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund)

 

 

 

(h)(59)

 

Form of Transfer Agency Agreement Supplement (Robeco Boston Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund)

 

 

 

(h)(60)

 

Form of Amended Schedule A to Regulatory Administration Services Agreement (Robeco Boston Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund)

 

 

 

(p)(2)

 

Code of Ethics of Robeco Investment Management

 

 

 

(p)(7)

 

Code of Ethics of Matson Money, Inc.

 

 

 

(p)(10)

 

Code of Ethics of Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management LLC

 

 

 

(p)(12)

 

Code of Ethics of Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC.

 

 

 

(p)(13)

 

Code of Ethics of Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC

 

 

 

(p)(16)

 

Code of Ethics of BNY Mellon Distributors, Inc.