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Form 485BPOS BRAGG CAPITAL TRUST

September 28, 2020 5:26 PM EDT

 

Securities Act Registration No. 333-85850

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-21073

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [  ]
   
Pre-Effective Amendment No.__ [  ]
   
Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 [X]
   
and/or
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [  ]
   
Amendment No. 35 [X]

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

Bragg Capital Trust

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (740)-714-7711

 

Steve Scruggs

1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

 

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

[X]Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[   ]On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
[   ]60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[   ]On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[   ]75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[   ]On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

 

 

 

 

September 28, 2020

1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

(800) 595-3088

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The Funds are open end, diversified funds having the primary investment objective of seeking long-term capital growth. The Queens Road Value Fund primarily invests in the equity securities of US companies. The Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund primarily invests in the equity securities of small capitalization US Companies. These Funds are not bank deposits, not FDIC insured and may lose value.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, www.queensroadfunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds’ electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Funds documents that have been mailed to you. You may also elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge.

 

 

Table of contents Page
FUND SUMMARY QUEENS ROAD VALUE FUND 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 1
Shareholder Fees 1
Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1
Principal Investment Strategies 2
Principal Investment Risks 2
Performance 3
Investment Advisor 5
Portfolio Manager 5
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 5
Tax Information 5
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 5
FUND SUMMARY: QUEENS ROAD SMALL CAP VALUE FUND 6
Investment Objective 6
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 6
Shareholder Fees 6
Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6
Principal Investment Strategies 7
Principal Investment Risks 7
Performance 8
Investment Advisor 10
Portfolio Manager 10
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 10
Tax Information 10
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 10
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 10
Investment Objective 10
Principal Investment Strategies 10
Principal Investment Risks 11
Temporary Investments 13
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 13
MANAGEMENT 14
Investment Advisor 14
Portfolio Manager 14
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 14
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 20
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 20
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 22
PRIVACY NOTICE 24

i

 

FUND SUMMARY QUEENS ROAD VALUE FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

 

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

 

Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed On Purchases None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

Management Fees 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.95%

 

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 upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$97 $303 $525 $1,166

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 1% of the average value of its portfolio.

1

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the equity securities (common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities) of U.S. companies. Investments will be made based on their potential for capital growth without limitation on issuer capitalization.

 

The Fund’s investment advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., invests the Fund’s assets by pursuing a value-oriented strategy. The advisor’s strategy begins with a screening process that seeks to identify companies whose stocks sell at discounted price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) multiples. The advisor favors companies that maintain strong balance sheets and have experienced management. Generally, the investment advisor attempts to identify situations where stock prices are undervalued by the market. The advisor sells securities when it believes they are trading for more than their intrinsic value, to generate tax losses to off taxable gains, or if additional cash is needed to fund redemptions.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

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

 

Equity risk

 

The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole.

 

Issuer-specific changes

 

The value of an individual security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than the value of the market as a whole.

 

Market and geopolitical risk

 

The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. There is a risk that you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

Portfolio strategy

 

The investment advisor’s skill in choosing appropriate investments for the Fund will determine, in part, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Small and medium cap securities

 

The prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile, less liquid, and more likely to be adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions than securities of larger companies. Small and medium size companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and they may be dependent upon a limited management group.

2

 

Stock market volatility

 

Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments.

 

Value investing

 

The value approach to investing involves the risk that those stocks may remain undervalued. Value stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market for a long period of time.

 

Who May Want to Invest in the Fund?

 

Queens Road Value Fund is designed for investors who:

 

seek a stock fund with the long-term goal of growth of capital
seek a fund to complement a portfolio of other investments
are willing to accept significant changes (up or down) in the value of an investment

 

The Fund is NOT appropriate for investors who:

 

want to avoid high volatility or possible losses
want an investment that pursues market trends or focuses on particular sectors or industries
are pursuing a short-term goal or investing emergency reserve money
are seeking a high level of regular income or preservation of capital

 

Performance

 

The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Fund’s returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s shares for each full calendar year from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s shares over time to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

3

 

Performance Bar Chart

Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

Best Quarter: Ended March 31, 2013 12.72%
Worst Quarter: Ended December 31, 2018 -9.89%

 

The total return for Fund shares from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 was -10.42%.

 

Performance Table

Average Annual Total Returns

(For periods ended December 31, 2019)

 


Queens Road Value Fund
1 Year Ended
12/31/19
5 Years Ended
12/31/19
10 Years Ended
12/31/19
Return Before Taxes 23.91% 9.24% 10.67%
Return After Taxes on Distributions 22.94% 8.10% 9.89%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 14.85% 7.12% 8.70%
Benchmark: S&P/Citigroup Value Index 31.95% 9.52% 12.16%

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rate and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares in tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRA”).

 

Investment Advisor

 

Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc.

4

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Steve Scruggs, CFA, Director of Research and Senior Portfolio Manager of the advisor, has served the Fund as portfolio manager since 2004.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The minimum initial investment in shares is $2,500 for regular accounts and $1,000 for retirement plans, and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000 for regular accounts and $50 for retirement plans. You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone, or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by check or wire transfer.

 

Tax Information

 

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

5

 

FUND SUMMARY: QUEENS ROAD SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

 

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

 

Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed On Purchases None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

Management Fees 1.18%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.18%

 

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 upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$120 $375 $649 $1,432

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.

6

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the equity securities (common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities) of small capitalization U.S. companies. The Fund defines a small capitalization (small cap) company as one whose market capitalization, at the time of purchase, is $5 billion or less. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (for the purpose of this requirement, net assets include net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies with small market capitalization.

 

The Fund’s investment advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., invests the Fund’s assets by pursuing a value-oriented strategy. The advisor’s strategy begins with a screening process that seeks to identify small cap companies whose stocks sell at discounted price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) multiples. The advisor favors companies that maintain strong balance sheets and have experienced management. Generally, the investment advisor attempts to identify situations where stock prices are undervalued by the market. The advisor sells securities when it believes they are trading for more than their intrinsic value, to generate tax losses to offset taxable gains, or if additional cash is needed to fund redemptions.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

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

 

Equity risk

 

The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole.

 

Issuer-specific changes

 

The value of an individual security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than the value of the market as a whole.

 

Market and geopolitical risk

 

The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. There is a risk that you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

Portfolio strategy

 

The investment advisor’s skill in choosing appropriate investments for the Fund will determine, in part, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Small cap securities

 

The prices of securities of small capitalization companies generally are more volatile, less liquid, and more likely to be adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions than securities of larger companies. Small companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and they may be dependent upon a limited management group.

7

 

Stock market volatility

 

Stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments.

 

Value investing

 

The value approach to investing involves the risk that those stocks may remain undervalued. Value stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market for a long period of time.

 

Who May Want to Invest in the Fund?

 

The Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund is designed for investors who:

 

seek an aggressive stock fund with the long-term goal of growth of capital
seek a fund to complement a portfolio of more conservative investments
are willing to accept significant changes (up or down) in the value of an investment

 

The Fund is NOT appropriate for investors who:

 

want to avoid high volatility or possible losses
want an investment that pursues market trends or focuses on particular sectors or industries
are pursuing a short term goal or investing emergency reserve money
are seeking regular income or preservation of capital

 

Performance

 

The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Fund’s returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s shares for each full calendar year from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s shares over time to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

8

 

Performance Bar Chart

Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

Best Quarter: Ended December 31, 2010 11.43%
Worst Quarter: Ended September 30, 2011 -12.63%

 

The total return for Fund shares from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019 was -11.20%.

 

Performance Table

Average Annual Total Returns

(For periods ended December 31, 2019)

 


Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund
1 Year Ended
12/31/19
5 Years Ended
12/31/19
10 Years Ended
12/31/19
Return Before Taxes 20.00% 6.71% 8.85%
Return After Taxes on Distributions 19.01% 5.64% 7.92%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 12.56% 5.12% 7.09%
Benchmark: Russell 2000 Value Index 22.39% 6.99% 10.56%

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rate and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your Fund shares in tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRA”).

9

 

Investment Advisor

 

Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Steve Scruggs, CFA, Director of Research and Senior Portfolio Manager of the advisor, has served the Fund as a portfolio manager since it commenced operations in 2002.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

The minimum initial investment in shares is $2,500 for regular accounts and $1,000 for retirement plans, and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000 for regular accounts and $50 for retirement plans. You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone, or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by check or wire transfer.

 

Tax Information

 

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective

 

Each Fund’s objective is long-term capital growth. Each Fund’s investment objective is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund’s investment policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small cap companies is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days written notice to shareholders.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Queens Road Value Fund

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the equity securities (common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities) of U.S. companies. Investments will be made based on their potential for capital growth without limitation on issuer capitalization.

10

 

The Fund’s investment advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., invests the Fund’s assets by pursuing a value-oriented strategy. The advisor’s strategy begins with a screening process that seeks to identify companies whose stocks sell at discounted price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) multiples. The advisor favors companies that maintain strong balance sheets and have experienced management. Generally, the investment advisor attempts to identify situations where stock prices are undervalued by the market. The advisor sells securities when it believes they are trading for more than their intrinsic value, to generate tax losses to offset taxable gains, or if additional cash is needed to fund redemptions.

 

Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the equity securities (common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities) of small capitalization U.S. companies. The Fund defines a small capitalization (small cap) company as one whose market capitalization, at the time of purchase, is $5 billion or less. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (for the purpose of this requirement, net assets include net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies with small market capitalization.

 

The Fund’s investment advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., invests the Fund’s assets by pursuing a value-oriented strategy. The advisor’s strategy begins with a screening process that seeks to identify small cap companies whose stocks sell at discounted price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) multiples. The advisor favors companies that maintain strong balance sheets and have experienced management. Generally, the investment advisor attempts to identify situations where stock prices are undervalued by the market. The advisor sells securities when it believes they are trading for more than their intrinsic value, to generate tax losses to offset taxable gains, or if additional cash is needed to fund redemptions.

 

Non-Principal Investment Strategies

 

Each Fund reserves the right to invest in other securities, as further detailed in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

The risk descriptions below provide a more detailed explanation of the Funds’ common principal investment risks (except as noted) that correspond to the risks described in each Fund’s Fund Summary section of this Prospectus.

 

Equity risk

 

The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. 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. In addition, the equity market tends to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

 

Issuer-specific changes

 

The value of an individual security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than the value of the market as a whole.

11

 

Market and geopolitical risk

 

The prices of securities held by the Funds’ may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Funds; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The value-oriented equity securities purchased by the Funds may not rise to the value anticipated by the portfolio manager and may even decline in value. Investors in the Funds should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. 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 markets generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies or governments. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. There is a risk that you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

Portfolio strategy

 

The investment advisor’s skill in choosing appropriate investments for the Funds will determine in part each Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The advisor’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular security in which a Fund invests may prove to be inaccurate and may not produce the desired results. Additionally, if the advisor overestimates the value or return potential of one or more securities, the Funds may underperform the equity market in general. The market may not agree with the advisor’s determination that a stock is undervalued, and the stock’s price may not increase to what the advisor believes is its full value. It may even decrease in value. During these periods, relative performance may suffer.

 

Small and medium cap securities

 

Investing in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies involves special risks. Among other things, the prices of securities of these companies generally are more volatile than those of larger companies; the securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are less liquid; and smaller companies generally are more likely to be adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions. In addition, it is anticipated that some of the Funds’ portfolio securities may not be widely traded, and that a Fund’s position in such securities may be substantial in relation to the market for such securities. Accordingly, it may be difficult for a Fund to dispose of such securities quickly at prevailing market prices. Investments in securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations are generally considered to offer greater opportunity for appreciation but also may involve greater risks than customarily are associated with more established companies. The securities of smaller and medium capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt fluctuations in market price than larger, more established companies. Small and medium capitalization companies have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. In addition to exhibiting greater volatility, small cap stocks may, to a degree, fluctuate independently of larger cap stocks, i.e., small cap stocks may decline in price as the prices of large cap stocks rise or vice versa.

12

 

Stock market volatility

 

While stocks have historically outperformed other asset classes over the long term, stock markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Different parts of the market can react differently to these developments.

 

Value investing

 

The value approach to investing involves the risk that those stocks may remain undervalued. Value stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market for a long period of time, while the market concentrates on “growth” stocks. In addition, a Fund may forgo investments that show growth potential if they are inconsistent with its value investment strategy. Value funds often concentrate much of their investments in certain industries, and thus will be more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers within that industry than would a more diversified portfolio of securities.

 

Temporary Investments

 

To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While a Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that a Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. Each Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information and on the Funds’ website at www.queensroadfunds.com.

 

Cybersecurity

 

The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Funds and their service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Funds and their service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. Each Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.

 

Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact each Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with each Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value per share (“NAV”); impediments to trading; the inability of each Fund, the advisor, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

13

 

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Funds invest; counterparties with which the Funds engage in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for a Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Advisor

 

Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. (“BFA”), a registered investment advisor located at 1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203, is the Funds’ investment advisor. Each Fund has retained BFA to provide management and investment advisory services. BFA provides investment management and supervision to individuals and institutions. As of June 30, 2020, the firm manages over $1.8 billion on a discretionary basis. As compensation for the management and advisory services furnished to the Funds, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, BFA received an advisory fee of 0.95% of average daily net assets of Queens Road Value Fund and 1.18% of average daily net assets of Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund. BFA has contractually agreed to pay all operating expenses of each Fund except for brokerage, taxes, interest, litigation expenses, and other extraordinary expenses. A summary of the Board of Trustees’ deliberations in renewing the advisory agreement with BFA can be found in the Funds’ semi-annual shareholder report dated November 30, 2019.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Steve Scruggs, CFA has been employed by BFA since January 2000. Mr. Scruggs is Director of Research and Senior Portfolio Manager of BFA and a Trustee of the Funds. Mr. Scruggs holds a Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. He is a CFA charter holder and member of the CFA Institute.

 

The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information contains additional information regarding Mr. Scruggs’ compensation, other accounts managed by Mr. Scruggs, and Mr. Scruggs’ ownership of securities in the Funds.

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Buying and Redeeming Shares

 

You pay no sales charge to purchase or sell (redeem) shares of a Fund. The date on which your purchase, redemption or exchange of shares is processed is the trade date, and the price used for the transaction is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is processed. The NAV for each Fund is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time) and is determined every day that the Exchange is open. Securities in each Fund’s portfolio that primarily trade on a foreign exchange may change in value on a day that the Exchange is closed and the Fund’s shareholders are not able to redeem shares in the Fund. If a Fund, its transfer agent or any other authorized agent receives your trade order by the close of regular trading on the NYSE, your order will receive that day’s NAV. If your order is received after the close of regular trading, it will receive the next business day’s NAV. If you place your order through a financial intermediary rather than with the Fund or its transfer agent directly, the financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting your order to the Fund’s transfer agent in a timely manner.

14

 

You will receive a confirmation of each transaction and quarterly statements showing your balance and account activity. You should verify the accuracy of all transactions and statements as soon as you receive them.

 

Computing NAV

 

The net assets of each Fund are determined by calculating the total value of all portfolio securities, cash, other assets held by the Fund, and interest and dividends accrued and subtracting from that amount all liabilities, including accrued expenses. The net assets of each Fund are divided by the total number of shares outstanding to determine each Fund’s respective NAV. The NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on each business day the exchange is open. If the exchange closes early, the Funds will calculate NAV at that time.

 

For purposes of computing NAV, each Fund uses the last reported sales price or quotation for portfolio securities, or if market quotations are not readily available, fair value will be determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. If BFA believes, in good faith, that the market quotations provided do not accurately represent the value of a security, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith according to the Fund’s Pricing Policy approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

Transactions Through Third Parties

 

The Funds have authorized one or more brokers to receive purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Funds’ behalf. The Funds will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker, its authorized designee, receives the order. Customer orders will be priced at the applicable Fund’s NAV next computed after they are received by an authorized broker or its authorized designee.

 

If you invest through a broker or other financial institution, the policies and fees charged by that institution may be different than those of the Funds. Brokers, advisors, retirement plans or others may charge transactions fees or set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Consult your financial representative if you have any questions about any such fees or imitations prior to buying or selling shares.

 

How to Purchase Shares

 

A minimum initial investment of $2,500 is required to open an account ($1,000 for Traditional and Roth IRAs) with subsequent minimum investments of $1,000 ($50 for Traditional and Roth IRAs). Minimum initial investments may be waived if, in the investment advisor’s opinion, doing so would be in the interest of all shareholders. For instance, if a group or class of investors would agree to invest amounts on a regular basis, such as in a 401k plan, or if the investment advisor has reason to believe that waiving the minimum would allow the Funds to attract more assets which would reduce the Funds operating expenses for all shareholders once certain asset levels are reached.

 

All orders are subject to acceptance, and we may reject purchases to protect other shareholders.

15

 


Shareholders’ Accounts

 

When you invest in a Fund, the Transfer Agent will establish an account to which all full and fractional shares (to three decimal places) will be credited. Your purchase will receive the NAV next calculated after the Transfer Agent has received your order. The Fund will not issue share certificates evidencing shares of the Fund. Instead, your account will be credited with the number of shares purchased, relieving you of responsibility for safekeeping of certificates and the need to deliver them upon redemption.

 

Initial Purchase

 

The initial purchase may be made by check or by wire in the following manner:

 

By Check

 

You should complete and sign the account application which accompanies this Prospectus, and send it along with a check for the initial investment payable to the Queens Road Value Fund or Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund to:

 

 

Regular Mail

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 2175

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201

 

Overnight Delivery

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212-3948

 

Please include on your check the name of the Fund you are investing in:

 

Queens Road Value Fund

 

-or-

 

Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

 

By Wire

 

In order to expedite the investment of funds, you may advise your bank or broker to transmit funds via Federal Reserve Wire System to:

 

UMB Bank, n.a.

1010 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, MO 64106

ABA #: 101000695

For credit to: Queens Road Funds

For further credit to:

Account #: 9871996352

Investor Account Number

Name or Account Registration

16

 

SSN or TIN

Name of Fund to be purchased

 

Your name and account number (if available) should also be provided. Your bank may charge a fee for the wire transfer of funds, which is your responsibility.

 

In addition, all shareholder inquiries regarding either Fund, including any requests for copies of the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), should be directed to:

 

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212-3948

 

Through Brokers

 

Each Fund may be made available through a network of brokers. Please check with your broker on the availability of the Funds.

 

Subsequent Purchases

 

You may make additional purchases in the following manner:

 

By Check

 

You should mail a check made payable to the Fund to the Transfer Agent. Include your account number on the check.

 

By Wire

 

Funds may be wired by following the previously stated instructions for an initial purchase.

 

An order confirmation will be mailed to you.

 

Automatic Investment Plan

 

The Automatic Investment Plan permits you to purchase shares of a Fund at monthly intervals, provided that your bank allows automatic withdrawals. At your option, the bank account that you designate will be debited by an amount that you specify, and such funds will be used to purchase shares of a Fund on a monthly basis. To participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, call the Transfer Agent at (800) 595-3088 to obtain the appropriate forms. The Automatic Investment Plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. You may terminate your participation with the Automatic Investment Plan at any time by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing.

 

Other Information Concerning Purchase of Shares

 

Each Fund reserves the right to reject any order, to cancel any order due to non-payment and to waive or lower the investment minimums with respect to any person or class of persons. If an order is canceled because of non-payment or because your check does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss that the Fund incurs. If you are already a shareholder, the Fund can redeem shares from your account to reimburse it for any loss. For purchases of $50,000 or more, the Fund may, in its discretion, require payment by wire or cashier’s or certified check. Cash, money orders and travelers checks are not accepted as payment for shares.

17

 

How to Redeem Shares

 

All shares of a Fund offered for redemption will be redeemed at the NAV of the Fund next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request that is in compliance with the requirements described in this section. Because each Fund’s NAV will fluctuate as a result of changes in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the amount you receive upon redemption may be more or less than the amount you paid for such Fund shares being redeemed. Redemption proceeds will be mailed to your registered address of record or, if the redemption proceeds are $5,000 or more, may be transmitted by wire, upon your written request to the Transfer Agent, to your pre-designated account at a domestic bank. You will be charged for the cost of such wire transfer. Fund redemption proceeds will be mailed generally within 7 days of receipt of the redemption request. The Fund typically expects to pay redemptions from cash, cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of fund shares, and then from the sale of portfolio securities. These redemption payment methods will be used in regular and stressed market conditions. Redemptions for Fund shares will only be made after the check for the purchase of those Fund shares has cleared payment. The Funds will not make redemption proceeds payable to any person other than the shareholder(s) of record.

 

Redemption by Mail

 

Shares may be redeemed by mail by writing directly to the Transfer Agent. The redemption request must be signed exactly as your name appears on the account application and must include your account number. If Fund shares are owned by more than one person, the redemption request must be signed by all owners exactly as the names appear on the registration form.

 

A request for redemption will not be processed until all the necessary documents have been received in proper form by the Transfer Agent. If you are in doubt as to what documents are required, you should contact the Transfer Agent at (800) 595-3088.

 

A Medallion signature guarantee must be included if any of the following situations apply:

 

You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares
When redemption proceeds are sent to any person, address or bank account not on record
If a change of address was received by the Transfer Agent within 15 days

 

Redemption by Telephone

 

To redeem shares by telephone, call the Funds at (800) 595-3088 and specify the amount of money you wish to redeem. You may have a check sent to the address of record, or, if previously established on your account, you may have proceeds sent by wire or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network directly to your bank account. Wire transfers are subject to a $20 fee paid by the shareholder and your bank may charge a fee to receive wired funds. Checks sent via overnight delivery are subject to a $15 charge. You do not incur any charge when proceeds are sent via the ACH network; however, credit may not be available for two to three business days.

 

If you are authorized to perform telephone transactions (either through your account application form or by subsequent arrangement in writing with the Fund), you may redeem shares worth up to $50,000, by instructing the Funds by phone at (800) 595-3088. Unless noted on the initial account application, a Medallion signature guarantee is required of all shareholders in order to qualify for or to change telephone redemption privileges.

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Note: A Fund and all of its service providers will not be liable for any loss or expense in acting upon instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine. To confirm that all telephone instructions are genuine, the caller must verify all of the following:

 

The Fund account number;
The name in which his or her account is registered;
The social security or tax identification number under which the account is registered; and
The address of the account holder, as stated in the account application form.

 

Medallion Signature Guarantee

 

In addition to the situations described above, the Funds reserve the right to require a Medallion signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation. Shareholders redeeming more than $50,000 worth of their shares by mail should submit written instructions with a Medallion signature guarantee from an eligible institution acceptable to the Transfer Agent, such as a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association, or from any participant in a Medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The three recognized Medallion programs are Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program. Signature guarantees that are not part of these programs will not be accepted. Participants in Medallion programs are subject to dollar limitations which must be considered when requesting their guarantee. The Transfer Agent may reject any signature guarantee if it believes the transaction would otherwise be improper. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

 

Other Information Concerning Redemption

 

If you purchase shares using a check and request a redemption before the check has cleared, the Fund may postpone payment of your redemption proceeds up to 15 calendar days while the Fund waits for the check to clear. Each Fund reserves the right to take up to seven days to make payment if, in the judgment of the advisor, the Fund could be adversely affected by immediate payment. In addition, the right of redemption for a Fund may be suspended or the date of payment postponed for any period (a) during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission; (b) any period during which an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a result of which (i) disposal by a Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (c) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of a Fund. In determining whether any of the conditions for suspension of redemption are in effect, each Fund will be guided by the rules, regulations and pronouncements of the SEC.

 

Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts, each Fund has the right to redeem, upon not less than 30 days’ written notice, all of your shares of the Fund if, through prior redemptions, your account has a net asset value of less than $1,000. You will be given at least 30 days’ written notice prior to any involuntary redemption and during such period will be allowed to purchase additional shares to bring your account up to the applicable minimum balance before the redemption is processed.

 

The Funds have elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 pursuant to which each Fund is obligated during any 90 day period to redeem shares for any one shareholder of record solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of the period. Should a redemption exceed such limitation, the Fund may deliver, in lieu of cash, readily marketable securities from its portfolio. The securities delivered will be selected at the sole discretion of the Fund, will not necessarily be representative of the entire portfolio and may be securities which the Fund would otherwise sell. The redeeming shareholder will usually incur brokerage costs in converting the securities to cash. The method of valuing securities used to make the redemptions in kind will be the same as the method of valuing portfolio securities and such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.

19

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

The Funds do not permit market-timing. The Funds are intended for long-term investors. Frequent trading of Fund shares, also known as “market-timing,” is not permitted. Excessive trading into or out of a Fund may harm the Fund’s performance by disrupting portfolio management strategies and by increasing expenses. Accordingly, if you engage in this type of activity a Fund may suspend or terminate your trading privileges. A Fund may consider a shareholder’s history in any Fund, including trading history in other accounts under common ownership or control, in determining whether to suspend or terminate your trading privileges. All purchases are subject to acceptance by the Funds. The Funds reserve the right to reject any purchases it suspects to be market-timing.

 

In an attempt to deter market timing, the Funds will use methods including:

 

Selective monitoring of trade activity
Broad authority to take discretionary action against market timers and against specific trades
Reliance on others (transfer agents, financial intermediaries, etc.) market timing detection practices

 

Each of the methods involves subjective judgments that are consistent with shareholder interests. Furthermore, each of these methods involves some selectivity in their application. While the Funds will seek to take actions that will detect and prohibit market timing, the Funds do not represent that market timing can be completely eliminated in any fund. For instance, a Fund may not be able to identify or reasonably detect or deter market timing transactions that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify through the use of omnibus accounts by those intermediaries that transmit orders to the Fund on behalf of their customers who are beneficial owners. To the extent that the Funds have omnibus accounts the Funds will ensure that brokers maintaining such accounts enter into an agreement with the Funds to provide shareholder transaction information, to the extent known to the broker, to the Funds upon request. Although the Funds will take reasonable efforts to eliminate market timing transactions there can be no assurance that the systems and procedures of the Funds, the Funds’ transfer agent, and financial intermediaries which submit orders to the Funds, will be able to monitor all trading activity.

 

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

In general, selling shares of the Fund and receiving distributions (whether reinvested or taken in cash) are taxable events. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price, you may have a gain or a loss on any shares sold. Any tax liabilities generated by your transactions or by receiving distributions are your responsibility. The Fund anticipates that distributions will be primarily taxed as ordinary income. You may want to avoid making a substantial investment when the Fund is about to make a taxable distribution because you would be responsible for any taxes on the distribution regardless of how long you have owned your shares. The Fund may produce capital gains even if they do not have income to distribute and performance has been poor.

20

 

Early each year, the Fund will mail to you a statement setting forth the federal income tax information for all distributions made during the previous year. If you do not provide your taxpayer identification number, your account will be subject to backup withholding. The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred accounts or other non-taxable entities. Because each investor’s tax circumstances are unique, please consult with your tax adviser about your investment.

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, we mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Funds at (800) 595-3088 on days the Funds are open for business or contact your financial institution. We will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

21

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Financial Highlights Information

 

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the last five years and reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned each year on an investment in the Fund (assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions). The information has been audited by the Funds’ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Cohen & Company, Ltd., whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ Annual Report, which is available upon request.

 

Queens Road Value Fund

 

For the Years Ended   5/31/2020     5/31/2019     5/31/2018     5/31/2017     5/31/2016  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 22.67     $ 22.79     $ 21.69     $ 19.83     $ 20.10  
                                         
Income from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income1     0.43       0.35       0.33       0.30       0.31  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments     0.20       0.94       1.70       2.66       0.00 2
Total from Investment Operations     0.63       1.29       2.03       2.96       0.31  
                                         
Less Distributions:                                        
Net Investment Income     (0.37 )     (0.34 )     (0.29 )     (0.33 )     (0.22 )
Net Realized Gains     (0.48 )     (1.07 )     (0.64 )     (0.77 )     (0.36 )
Total Distributions     (0.85 )     (1.41 )     (0.93 )     (1.10 )     (0.58 )
                                         
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 22.45     $ 22.67     $ 22.79     $ 21.69     $ 19.83  
                                         
Total Return     2.41 %     6.36 %     9.25 %     15.31 %     1.74 %
                                         
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                                        
Net Assets, End of Year (in thousands)   $ 34,580     $ 39,423     $ 42,780     $ 42,820     $ 39,249  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets     1.84 %     1.52 %     1.43 %     1.44 %     1.61 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate     1 %     1 %     %     8 %     14 %

 

1Computed using average shares method
2Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

22

 

Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

 

For the Years Ended   5/31/2020     5/31/2019     5/31/2018     5/31/2017     5/31/2016  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 23.61     $ 27.32     $ 25.93     $ 25.26     $ 24.52  
                                         
Income from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income (Loss)1     0.03       0.05       0.02       (0.00 )2     (0.02 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     0.55       (1.28 )     1.94       2.01       0.84  
Total from Investment Operations     0.58       (1.23 )     1.96       2.01       0.82  
                                         
Less Distributions:                                        
Net Investment Income     (0.01 )     (0.03 )                  
Net Realized Gains     (0.96 )     (2.45 )     (0.57 )     (1.34 )     (0.08 )
Total Distributions     (0.97 )     (2.48 )     (0.57 )     (1.34 )     (0.08 )
                                         
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 23.22     $ 23.61     $ 27.32     $ 25.93     $ 25.26  
                                         
Total Return     1.89 %     (4.26 )%     7.55 %     7.87 %     3.37 %
                                         
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                                        
Net Assets, End of Year (in thousands)   $ 127,037     $ 118,454     $ 133,630     $ 140,683     $ 143,376  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets     1.18 %     1.18 %     1.22 %     1.24 %     1.24 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average  Net Assets     0.10 %     0.20 %     0.08 %     (0.02 )%     (0.07 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate     24 %     27 %     6 %     27 %     23 %

 

1Computed using average shares method
2Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

23

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Bragg Capital Trust

 

Rev. Sept. 2011

 

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

What?

 

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

 

●   Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

 

●   account transactions and transaction history

 

●   investment experience and purchase history

 

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

How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Bragg Capital Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
Reasons we can share your personal information: Does Bragg Capital Trust
share information?
Can you limit this
sharing

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus.

YES NO

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you.

NO We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes -
information about your transactions and records.
NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes -
information about your credit worthiness.
NO We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you. NO We don’t share
For our non-affiliates to market to you. NO We don’t share
Questions? Call 1-800-595-3088.

 24

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Bragg Capital Trust

 

What we do:
How does Bragg Capital Trust protect my personal information?

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

 

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

How does Bragg Capital Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

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

 

●    open an account or deposit money

 

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

 

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

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

 

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

 

●    Affiliates from using your information to market to you.

 

   Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

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

   
Definitions  
Affiliates

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

 

   Bragg Capital Trust does not share with our affiliates.

Non-affiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. Thy can be financial and non-financial companies.

 

   Bragg Capital Trust does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.

Joint Marketing

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

 

   Bragg Capital Trust doesn’t jointly market.

 25

 

Additional Disclosure

 

We do not provide personal information to mailing list vendors or solicitors for any purpose.

 

We maintain a secure office and computer environment to ensure that your personal information is not placed at unreasonable risk.

 

Employees are regularly trained on privacy and information security and on their obligation to protect customer information.

  

If you have any questions regarding the safekeeping of your personal information please contact us at (800) 595-3088. Thank you for investing with the Queens Road Mutual Funds.

 26

 

 

 

QUEENS ROAD VALUE FUND

 

QUEENS ROAD SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

For More Information

 

Additional information about the Funds has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in a Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) dated the same date as this Prospectus. The Statement of Additional Information provides more detailed information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

 

Contacting the Funds

 

If you would like to obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, Semi Annual or Annual Report or have any inquiries about the Funds, please contact the Funds’ transfer agent, at (800) 595-3088. The information is also available on the Funds’ website www.queensroadfunds.com. Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual report to shareholders. In the Funds’ Annual Report, you will also find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year.

 

You can receive copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by emailing: [email protected]

 

Free access to reports and other information about the Funds is available from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-21073

 

 

 
 

Statement of Additional Information

 

For

 

Queens Road Value Fund

Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

 

Each a series of Bragg Capital Trust

 

September 28, 2020

 

1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

(800) 595-3088

 

This Statement of Additional Information relating to the Funds is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ prospectus dated September 28, 2020. A copy of the Funds’ prospectus and the Annual Report for the period ended May 31, 2020 can be obtained from the Funds at (800) 595-3088 or on the Funds’ website at www.queensroadfunds.com. The prospectus to which this Statement of Additional Information relates is hereby incorporated by reference.

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
Fund History 1
Description of The Funds and Their Investment Risks 1
Investment Restrictions 9
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings 11
Management of the Funds 11
Standing Committees 13
Compensation 15
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities 16
Investment Advisory and Other Services 16
Portfolio Manager 18
Other Expenses 19
Other Service Providers 19
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices 21
Capital Stock and Other Securities 22
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares 23
Taxation of the Funds 23
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule 26
Proxy Voting Guidelines 26

i

 

Definitions

 

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

"Distributor" means UMB Distribution Services, LLC, 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

 

"BFA" means Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. (the "Advisor"), 1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203.

 

"Vote of the majority of outstanding voting securities" means the vote, at the annual or special meeting of shareholders duly called, (i) of 67% or more of the voting securities present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) or more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less.

 

Fund History

 

Queens Road Value Fund ("Queens Road Value") and Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund ("Queens Road Small Cap") (collectively, the "Funds") are each a series of Bragg Capital Trust ("Trust"). The Trust is an open-end management investment company, as defined in the 1940 Act, organized as a business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware by Certificate of Trust, dated as of January 1, 2002 and by the Declaration of Trust, dated as of May 10, 2002 (the "Declaration of Trust"). A "Series" is a separate pool of assets of the Trust which is separately managed and may have a different investment objective and different investment policies of another Series. The Funds are currently the only two Series of the Trust.

 

Description of The Funds and Their Investment Risks

 

Each Fund's investment objective is fundamental and may only be changed by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

 

Principal Investments

 

Each Fund will primarily invest in common and preferred stock (as more fully described in the Funds’ prospectus).

 

Non-Principal Investments

 

Each Fund may also invest, trade, or engage in the securities or investment activities described below.

 

MONEY-MARKET INVESTMENTS. A Fund may invest in no-load money-market mutual funds, high-quality short-term debt securities and money-market instruments (such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and certificates of deposit) (collectively, "money-market investments"), when and to the extent deemed advisable by the Advisor. A mutual fund investment by a Fund, the portfolio of which consists of money-market investments, typically involves some duplication of advisory fees and other expenses. Money market funds typically invest in short-term debt instruments and attempt to maintain a stable net asset value. Although, the risk is low, these funds may lose value.

 

SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS. Each Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers including sponsored or unsponsored American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") and investments in developing markets. (For purposes of this restriction, securities issued by a foreign domiciled company that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under Section 12 (b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are not treated as securities of foreign issuers.) Foreign investments involve certain risks which typically are not present in securities of domestic issuers. There may be less information available about a foreign company than a domestic company; foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies; and foreign markets, brokers and issuers are generally subject to less extensive government regulation than their domestic counterparts. Markets for foreign securities may be less liquid and may be subject to greater price volatility than those for domestic securities. Foreign brokerage commissions and custodial fees are generally higher than those in the United States. 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, thereby making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays or problems with settlements might affect the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio. Foreign investments may also be subject to local economic and political risks, political, economic and social instability, military action or unrest or adverse diplomatic developments, and possible nationalization of issuers or expropriation of their assets, which might adversely affect a Fund’s ability to realize on its investment in such securities. The Advisor may not be able to anticipate these potential events or counter their effects. Furthermore, some foreign securities are subject to brokerage taxes levied by foreign governments, which have the effect of increasing the cost of such investment and reducing the realized gain or increasing the realized loss on such securities at the time of sale.

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Although changes in foreign currency rates may adversely affect the Funds’ foreign investments, the Funds do not expect to purchase or sell foreign currencies for the Funds to hedge against declines in the U.S. dollar or to lock in the value of any foreign securities they purchase. Consequently, the risks associated with such investments may be greater than if the Funds were to engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes.

 

Exchange control regulations in such foreign markets may also adversely affect the Funds’ foreign investments and the Funds’ ability to make certain distributions necessary to maintain their eligibility as regulated investment companies and avoid the imposition of income and excise taxes may, to that extent, be limited.

 

The considerations noted above are generally intensified for investments in developing countries. Developing countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities.

 

The Funds may purchase the securities of foreign companies in the form of ADRs. ADRs are certificates held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution evidencing ownership of securities of a foreign-based issuer. Designed for use in U.S. securities markets, ADRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies.

 

Depositories may establish either unsponsored or sponsored ADR facilities. While ADRs issued under these two types of facilities are in some respects similar, there are distinctions between them relating to the rights and obligations of ADR holders and the practices of market participants. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited securities, although typically the depository requests a letter of non- objection from such issuer prior to the establishment of the facility. Holders of unsponsored ADRs generally bear all the costs of such facilities. The depository usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars, the disposition of non-cash distributions and the performance of other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass through voting rights to ADR holders in respect of the deposited securities. Depositories create sponsored ADR facilities in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that the issuer of the deposited securities enters into a deposit agreement with the depository. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the issuer, the depository and the ADR holders. With sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear some of the costs relating to the facility (such as deposit and withdrawal fees). Under the terms of most sponsored arrangements, depositories agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings and voting instructions and to provide shareholder communications and other information to the ADR holders at the request of the issuer of the deposited securities.

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CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities which is generally a debt obligation or preferred stock that may be converted within a specified period of time into a certain amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer. A convertible security provides a fixed-income stream and the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation resulting from a market price advance in its underlying common stock. As with a straight fixed- income security, a convertible security tends to increase in market value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Like a common stock, the value of a convertible security also tends to increase as the market value of the underlying stock rises, and it tends to decrease as the market value of the underlying stock declines. Because its value can be influenced by both interest rates and market movements, a convertible security is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar fixed-income security, nor is it as sensitive to changes in share price as its underlying stock.

 

A convertible security is usually issued either by an operating company or by an investment bank. When issued by an operating company, a convertible security tends to be senior to common stock, but subordinate to other types of fixed- income securities issued by that company. When a convertible security issued by an operating company is “converted,” the operating company often issues new stock to the holder of the convertible security but, if the parity price of the convertible security is less than the call price, the operating company may pay out cash instead of common stock. If the convertible security is issued by an investment bank, the security is an obligation of and is convertible through the issuing investment bank.

 

The issuer of a convertible security may be important in determining the security’s true value. This is because the holder of a convertible security will have recourse only to the issuer. In addition, a convertible security may be subject to redemption by the issuer, but only after a specified date and under circumstances established at the time the security is issued.

 

While the Funds use the same criteria to rate a convertible debt security that they use to rate a more conventional debt security, a convertible preferred stock is treated like a preferred stock for the Fund’s financial reporting, credit rating, and investment limitation purposes. A preferred stock is subordinated to all debt obligations in the event of insolvency, and an issuer’s failure to make a dividend payment is generally not an event of default entitling the preferred shareholder to take action. A preferred stock generally has no maturity date, so that its market value is dependent on the issuer’s business prospects for an indefinite period of time. In addition, distributions from preferred stock are dividends, rather than interest payments, and are usually treated as such for corporate tax purposes.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES. Each Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in shares of any one investment company, but may not acquire more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company. In the aggregate, the Funds may invest up to 10% of their total assets in securities issued by investment companies. In addition, all funds managed by the investment advisor may not, in the aggregate, acquire more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one registered closed-end investment company. If the Funds invest in another investment company, they would pay an investment advisory fee in addition to the fee paid to the investment advisor.

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EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS. Each Fund may invest in investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System. Many exchange traded securities represent ownership in a trust that has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of securities that is intended to track the performance of a securities market index. Certain indices tracked by exchange traded funds are highly concentrated in one or a few industries or individual securities, and thus, may have higher price volatility than many broad-based stock indices. With many exchange-traded funds, there is a risk that the overall liquidity of the secondary market for shares of those funds may fluctuate and shares become illiquid. An investment in Exchange Traded Funds by a Fund will involve some duplication of advisory fees and other expenses.

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (“REITs”). REITs are sometimes described as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. An equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings and derives its income primarily from rental income. An equity REIT may also realize capital gains (or losses) by selling real estate properties in its portfolio that have appreciated (or depreciated) in value. A mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans. A mortgage REIT generally derives its income primarily from interest payments on the credit it has extended. A hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate.

 

Equity REITs may be further characterized as operating companies or financing companies. To the extent that an equity REIT provides operational and management expertise to the properties held in its portfolio, the REIT generally exercises some degree of control over the number and identity of tenants, the terms of their tenancies, the acquisition, construction, repair and maintenance of properties and other operational issues. A mortgage REIT or an equity REIT that provides financing rather than operational and management expertise to the properties in its portfolio will generally not have control over the operations that are conducted on the real estate in which the REIT has an interest.

 

An investment in REITs by a Fund may involve some duplication of advisory fees and other expenses.

 

DEBT SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in debt securities of corporate and governmental issuers. There are no credit quality or maturity limitations on a Fund’s investments in debt securities. The risks inherent in short-, intermediate- and long-term debt securities depend on a variety of factors, including the term of the obligations, the size of a particular offering and the credit quality and rating of the issuer, in addition to general market conditions. In general, the longer the maturity of a debt obligation, the higher its yield and the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield but the greater the price stability. A decline in the prevailing levels of interest rates will generally increase the value of the securities held by a Fund, and an increase in rates will generally have the opposite effect.

 

Yields on debt securities depend on a variety of factors, including the financial condition of the issuer or other obligor thereon or the revenue source from which debt service is payable, the general economic and monetary environment, conditions in the relevant market, the size of a particular issue, maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue.

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Debt obligations rated high and some debt obligations rated medium quality are commonly referred to as “investment-grade” debt obligations. Investment-grade debt obligations are generally believed to have relatively low degrees of credit risk. However, medium-quality debt obligations, while considered investment grade, may have some speculative characteristics, since their issuers’ capacity for repayment may be more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances than that of higher-rated issuers. The principal value of lower-rated securities generally will fluctuate more widely than higher-quality securities. Lower-quality securities entail a higher degree of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal. Such securities are also subject to special risks, discussed below. To compensate investors for taking on such increased risk, issuers deemed to be less creditworthy generally must offer their investors higher interest rates than do issuers with better credit ratings.

 

In conducting its credit research and analysis, the Funds will consider both qualitative and quantitative factors to evaluate the creditworthiness of individual issuers and will rely to a great extent on credit ratings compiled by a number of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”).

 

“HIGH-YIELD” RISK (Junk Bonds). The Funds are permitted to invest in non-investment grade debt obligations, sometimes referred to as “junk bonds” (hereinafter referred to as “lower-quality securities”). Lower-quality securities are those securities that are rated lower than investment grade and unrated securities believed by to be of comparable quality. Although these securities generally offer higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, lower-quality securities involve greater risks, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. In general, they are regarded to be more speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Other potential risks associated with investing in lower-quality securities include:

 

Effect of Interest Rates and Economic Changes. The market for lower-quality and comparable unrated securities is relatively new and its growth has paralleled a long economic expansion. As a result, it is not clear how this market would withstand a prolonged recession or economic downturn. Such conditions could severely disrupt the market for, and adversely affect the value of, such securities.

 

All interest-bearing securities typically experience price appreciation when interest rates decline and price depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of lower-quality and comparable unrated securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Lower-quality and comparable unrated securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risk than securities in the higher-rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of lower-quality and comparable unrated securities may experience financial stress and may not have sufficient revenues to meet their payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations may also be adversely affected by specific corporate developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by an issuer of the securities is significantly greater than issues of higher-rated securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to their creditors. Further, if the issuer of a lower-quality or comparable unrated security defaulted, a Fund might incur additional expense to seek recovery. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of these securities and thus in a Fund’s net asset value.

 

As previously noted, the value of a lower-quality or comparable unrated security generally will decrease in a rising interest rate market, and a Fund’s net asset value will decline correspondingly. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions in such a market, it may be forced to liquidate a portion of its portfolio securities without regard to their investment merits. Due to the limited liquidity of lower-quality and comparable unrated securities (discussed below), a Fund may be forced to liquidate these securities at a substantial discount. Any such liquidation could force a Fund to sell the more liquid portion of its portfolio.

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Credit Risk. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities, and therefore may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings, including, for example, those published by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. Investments in lower-quality and comparable unrated obligations will be more dependent on the Advisors’ credit analysis than would be the case with investments in investment-grade debt obligations.

 

Legal Risk. Securities in which a Fund may invest are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress, state legislatures or other governmental agencies extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations within constitutional limitations. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to make principal and interest payments on their debt securities may be materially impaired. From time to time, legislation designed to limit the use of certain lower-quality and comparable unrated securities by certain issuers may be adopted. It is anticipated that if legislation is enacted or proposed, it could have a material effect on the value of these securities and the existence of a secondary trading market for such securities.

 

Liquidity Risk. Each Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain lower quality and comparable unrated securities because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. Because not all dealers maintain markets in all lower-quality and comparable unrated securities, there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities. The Funds anticipate that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it generally is not as liquid as the secondary market for higher-rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the market price of the security and disposition of the security may involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expense. As a result, a Fund’s net asset value and ability to dispose of particular securities when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs, or in response to a specific economic event, may be affected.

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Each Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities include a variety of Treasury securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Treasury Bills generally have maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes generally have maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have maturities of greater than ten years. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, such as Government National Mortgage Association pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; other obligations, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are secured by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; other obligations, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and other obligations, such as those issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality itself. Although the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law. On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the “FHFA”) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

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FLOATING AND VARIABLE RATE SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in securities which offer a variable or floating rate of interest. Floating rate securities generally provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever some specified interest rate index changes. Variable rate securities, on the other hand, provide for automatic establishment of a new interest rate at fixed intervals. Interest rates on floating and variable rate securities are based on a designated rate or a specified percentage thereof, such as a bank’s prime rate.

 

Floating or variable rate securities typically include a demand feature entitling the holder to demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par plus accrued interest. Some securities which do not have floating or variable interest rates may be accompanied by puts producing similar results and price characteristics. The issuer of these securities normally has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the note plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice to the noteholders. When considering the maturity of any instrument which may be sold or put to the issuer or a third party, the Funds may consider the instrument’s maturity to be shorter than its stated maturity.

 

OPTIONS. Each Fund may invest in put and call options for which a Fund pays a premium (cost of option), and a Fund may buy or sell from a long position such options, exercise such options, or permit such options to expire, in each case, when and to the extent deemed advisable by the Advisor there are two basic types of options: “puts” and “calls.” A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer the obligation to sell, the underlying asset at the exercise price during the option period. Alternatively, a put option on a security gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying asset at the exercise price during the option period. Purchased options have defined risk, that is, the premium paid for the option, regardless of how much the affording an opportunity for gain corresponding to the increase or decrease in the value of the optioned asset. In general, a purchased put increases in value as the price of the underlying security falls and a purchased call increases in value as the value of the underlying security rises. The Funds will not engage in the writing of call or put options.

 

In addition to options on individual securities, a Fund may buy or sell from a long position options on securities indices. In general, options on indices of securities are similar to option on individual securities except that delivery requirements are different. For example, a put option on an index of securities does not give the holder the right to make actual delivery of a basket of securities but instead gives the holder the right to receive an amount of cash upon exercise of the option if the value of the underlying index has fallen below the exercise price. The amount of cash received will be equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. As with option on equity securities or futures contracts, a Fund may offset its position in index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange or it may let the option expire unexercised.

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Each Fund may engage in both hedging and non-hedging strategies. Although effective hedging can generally capture the bulk of a desired risk adjustment, no hedge is completely effective. A Fund’s ability to hedge effectively through transactions in options depends on the degree to which price movements in its holdings correlate with price movements of the options.

 

SHORT SALES. Each Fund may engage in short sale transactions in securities listed on one or more worldwide securities exchanges, particularly the United States, when and to the extent deemed advisable by the Advisor. A Fund may only make short sales “against the box”, i.e., sales made when a Fund owns securities identical to those sold short. A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own by borrowing it from a broker, and consequently becomes obligated to replace that security. A short sale against the box is a short sale where a Fund owns the security sold short or has an immediate and unconditional right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration upon conversion, exercise or exchange of options with respect to securities held in its portfolio. The effect of selling a security short against the box is to insulate that security against any future gain or loss.

 

ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. The term “illiquid securities” for this purpose means securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which a Fund has valued the securities. The price quoted for illiquid securities shall be the fair market value determined by a method approved by the Trustees. Due to the nature of illiquid securities, the actual price received for the securities when sold may be substantially less than the quoted price when the decision to sell the securities was made.

 

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION. Each Fund may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash or high quality debt securities for temporary defensive purposes. A Fund will adopt a temporary defensive position when, in the opinion of the Advisor, such a position is more likely to provide protection against adverse market conditions than adherence to a Fund’s other investment policies. The types of high-quality instruments in which a Fund may invest for such purposes include money market mutual funds, money market securities (such as repurchase agreements) and securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, certificates of deposit, time deposits, and banker’ acceptances of certain qualified financial institutions and corporate commercial paper, which at the time of purchase are rated at least within the “A” major rating category by S&P or the “Prime” major rating category by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or, if not rated, issued by companies having an outstanding long-term unsecured debt issued rated at least “A” category by S&P or Moody’s.

 

SHORT TERM TRADING. Each Fund may engage in short term trading of securities and reserves full freedom with respect to portfolio turnover. In period where there are rapid changes in economic conditions and security price levels or when reinvestment strategy changes significantly, portfolio turnover may be higher than during times of economic and market price stability or when investment strategy remains relatively constant. A higher portfolio turnover rate may involve greater transaction costs, relative to other funds in general, and may have tax and other consequences.

 

LEVERAGE. Each Fund may borrow money from a bank not to exceed 33 1/3% of total assets (including the proceeds of any such borrowing). However, such borrowing is permitted only in extraordinary circumstances such as to raise cash to fund redemptions. Leverage involves the borrowing of money to purchase securities. The use of borrowed money will incur interest charges and may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s performance. Although a Fund will only use leverage for extraordinary or emergency purposes, the use of leverage may increase the overall riskiness of a Fund’s portfolio. Typically, use of leverage will cause a Fund’s assets to increase more when portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when portfolio assets decrease in value than if a Fund did not use leverage. Additionally, if securities values fall, a Fund may have to liquidate securities at a loss to pay off any borrowings.

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Investment Restrictions

 

Queens Road Value and Queens Road Small Cap have adopted certain investment restrictions. These restrictions are classified as either fundamental or non-fundamental. Fundamental restrictions may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the applicable fund. Non-Fundamental restrictions may be changed without a shareholder vote. However, with regard to the non-fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of assets in the equity securities of small cap companies, Queens Road Small Cap will not change this policy without providing shareholders at least 60 days prior written notice.

 

For more information, see “Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies” and “Risk Factors” in the Funds’ prospectus.

 

Fundamental Restrictions

 

The fundamental investment restrictions with respect to each Fund are set forth below. Under these restrictions, each Fund may not:

 

(1)       issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act, except as permitted by that Act and the rules, regulations or pronouncements thereunder or as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the creation of general liens or security interests under industry practices for transactions in portfolio assets are not deemed to involve the issuance of senior securities);

 

(2)       underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of other issuers, except (a) the Fund may, acting alone or in syndicates or groups, purchase or otherwise acquire securities of other issuers for investment, either from the issuers or from persons in a control relationship with the issuers or from underwriters of such securities; and (b) to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of the Fund’s securities, the Fund may be a selling shareholder in an offering or deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws;

 

(3)       make direct investments in real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, although the Fund may purchase and sell other interests in real estate including securities which are secured by real estate, or securities of companies which make real estate loans or own, or invest or deal in, real estate;

 

(4)       invest in physical commodities or physical commodity contracts, except that investments in essentially financial items or arrangements such as, but not limited to, swap arrangements, hybrids, currencies, currency and other forward contracts, delayed delivery and when-issued contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts on securities, securities indices, interest rates and currencies shall not be deemed investments in commodities or commodities contracts;

 

(5)       lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, but this restriction does not apply to purchases of debt securities or repurchase agreements.

 

(6)       invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry, as determined by standard industry classification codes. However, the Funds are not obligated to sell excess securities when securities of a given industry come to constitute 25% or more of the value of a Fund’s total assets by reason of changes in value of either the concentrated securities or other securities, and

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(7)       borrow money, including reverse repurchase agreements in so far as such agreements may be regarded as borrowings, except for borrowings from a bank and not in an amount in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the proceeds of any such borrowings). A Fund will not make investments in securities when the outstanding borrowing exceeds 5% of the Fund’s total assets.

 

Non-Fundamental Restrictions

 

The following investment restrictions are non-fundamental and may be changed with respect to each Fund without shareholder approval. Under these restrictions, each Fund may not:

 

(1)       purchase any security or enter into a repurchase agreement if as a result more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are illiquid (including repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within seven days);

 

(2)       engage in transactions in options except in connection with options on securities, securities indices, currencies and interest rates, and options on futures of securities, securities indices, currencies and interest rates;

 

(3)       purchase securities on margin or make short sales of securities or maintain a short position except for short sales “against the box” (for the purpose of this restriction, escrow or custodian receipts or letters, margin or safekeeping accounts, or similar arrangements used in the industry in connection with the trading of futures, options and forward commitments are not deemed to involve the use of margin); and

 

(4)       purchase a security issued by another investment company, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or any exemptive order from the SEC.

 

(5)       invest 10% or more of the value of its total assets in options. However, a Fund is not obligated to sell options when options come to constitute 10% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets by reason of changes in value of either options or other securities.

 

(6)       with regard to Fundamental Restriction 7 above - Such borrowing will only be made from a bank and for extraordinary or emergency purposes, such as permitting redemption requests to be honored.

 

Excluding the Funds’ restrictions regarding borrowing (Fundamental Restriction 7 above) and illiquid securities (Non-fundamental Restriction 1 above), any investment restriction or limitation which involves a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after an acquisition of securities and such excess results therefrom. If events subsequent to a transaction result in a Fund exceeding the percentage limitation on illiquid securities, the advisor will reduce the percentage of held in illiquid securities as soon as practical until the Fund is in compliance with that percentage limitation. If events subsequent to a transaction result in a Fund exceeding the percentage limitation on borrowings, the investment manager will reduce the percentage of borrowings within 3 days (not including Sundays or holidays or such longer period as the Commission may prescribe by rules and regulations) until the Fund is in compliance with that percentage limitation.

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Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

It is the policy of the Advisor to provide portfolio holdings in two ways:

 

Regulatory Filings – The Funds will file with the SEC Semi-Annual and Annual Reports which contain a schedule of portfolio investments. Additionally, each Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. These forms are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Additionally, you may request a Semi-Annual Report, Annual Report or Form N-PORT by calling the Funds at 1-800-595-3088.

 

Ratings and Ranking Organizations – The Advisor has authorized the Fund Accountant to distribute each month a schedule of portfolio investments of each Fund to certain reputable Ratings and Ranking Organizations. The schedules are transmitted electronically after the market close as of the last business day of the month.

 

The Funds’ Portfolio Disclosure Holdings Policy has been authorized by the Board of Trustees and may not be changed without the prior approval of the Board of Trustees. No compensation or other consideration is received by the Funds, the Advisor, any Service Provider or their Affiliates for the disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board believes the Funds’ disclosure policy is in shareholder best interests as it provides adequate disclosure of portfolio holdings while limiting any apparent conflicts of interest. If any potential conflicts of interest arise regarding the Funds’ disclosure policy, the executive officers of the Advisor will disclose such conflict at the next scheduled Trustee meeting.

 

Management of the Funds

 

Trustees and Officers

 

Under state law, the duties of the Trustees are generally characterized as a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires a Trustee to exercise his or her powers in the interest of the Trust and not the Trustee’s own interest or the interest of another person or organization. A Trustee satisfies his or her duty of care by acting in good faith with the care of an ordinarily prudent person and in a manner the Trustee reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the Trust and its beneficiaries, which include the shareholders of the Funds. The Trustees have authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series, $0.001 par value per share. The Trustees also have the authority, without the necessity of a shareholder vote, to create any number of new series or classes of shares or to commence the public offering of share of any previously established series or classes. Each share of a Fund has equal dividend, redemption and liquidation rights, and when issued, is fully paid and non assessable by the Fund.

 

The following table provides biographical information with respect to each current Trustee and officer of the Trust.

 11

 

Interested Trustees

 

Name, Address1 and
Age
Position(s) with
Fund
Term of Office
and Length of
time Served
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee During
Past Five Years
Steve Scruggs, 512 CCO, Trustee, President, Secretary Unlimited; Since Inception Bragg Financial Advisors, Portfolio Manager/CCO (2000-present) Two None
Benton Bragg, 522 Trustee, Chairman, Treasurer Unlimited; Since Inception Bragg Financial Advisors, President, CEO
(1996-present)
Two None

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name, Address1 and
Age
Position(s) with
Fund
Term of Office
and Length of
time Served
Principal Occupations During
Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee
Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee During
Past Five Years
Philip Blount, 66 Trustee Unlimited; Since Inception Icons, Inc., President
(2001-present)
Marketing Merchandise
Two None
Christopher Brady, 50 Trustee Unlimited; Since Inception Private Investor (2017 to present); Brady Distributing, Vice President (1995-2009, 2012-2017) Machinery Distribution; Resort Capital Partners, Vice President (2009-2012) Hospitality Financial Advisory Two None
Harold Smith, 55 Trustee Unlimited; Since Inception Raftelis Financial, Vice President (1996-present) Public Finance Consulting Two None
Timothy Ignasher, 59 Trustee Unlimited; Since Inception Park National Bank, President (2017-present); NewBridge Bank, Exec. Vice President And Head of Commercial Banking (2012-2017); Citizens South Bank, Exec. Vice President (2008-2012) Two None

 

1All Trustees may be reached by mail, care of the Funds, at:

Queens Road Mutual Funds
1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28203

 

2 Steve Scruggs and Benton Bragg are Interested Trustees of the Funds (as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) by reason of their affiliation with the Funds’ advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. Benton Bragg and Steve Scruggs are brothers-in-law.

 12

 

Standing Committees

 

The Audit Committee is a standing committee consisting of independent trustees who communicate directly with the Funds’ independent auditor discussing financial and control issues relating to the Funds. The Audit Committee consists of Philip Blount, Christopher Brady, Harold Smith and Timothy Ignasher, all of whom are unaffiliated Trustees. The Audit Committee does not have a designated financial expert.

 

During the fiscal year June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, the Audit Committee met three times.

 

The Nominating Committee is a standing committee consisting of independent directors whose role is to identify and nominate potential Trustees of the Funds. The Nominating Committee accepts nomination requests from shareholders. All shareholder nominations must be submitted in writing to the Nominating Committee at 1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203. During fiscal year June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 the Nominating Committee did not meet.

 

The Trustees play an active role in overseeing risk management for the Funds. The Trustees delegate the day-to-day risk management of the Funds to various groups, including portfolio review, investment management, risk management, compliance, legal, fund accounting, and fund financial services. These groups provide the Trustees with regular reports regarding investment, valuation, liquidity, and compliance, as well as the risks associated with each. Additionally, the Funds’ Audit Committee also oversees risk management for the funds through interactions with the Funds’ external auditors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee reports at least annually to the entire board.

 

Each Trustee brings a wealth of executive leadership experience derived from their service as executives in their various professional fields. In determining whether an individual is qualified to serve as a trustee of the Funds, the Board considers a wide variety of information about the trustee. Each Trustee is determined to have the experience, skills, ethics and attributes necessary to serve the Funds and their shareholders because each trustee demonstrates the ability to consider complex business and financial matters, evaluate the relative importance and priority of issues, make decisions, and contribute effectively to the deliberations of the board. The Board considers the individual experience of each Trustee and determines that the Trustee’s professional experience, education, and background. The business acumen, experience, and objective thinking of the Trustees are considered valuable assets of the Funds’ shareholders. Some of the specific experience of each Board member that factor into this determination are presented below.

 

Benton Bragg - President of Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. Benton has over 26 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He holds a B.A. and MBA from Wake Forest University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Financial Planner.

 

Davidson College Presbyterian Church - Member of Personnel Committee 2008-2012

CPCC - CPCC Board of Trustees 2012-present

Boy Scouts of America - Eagle Scout, Executive Board Member Mecklenburg Council, Vice President of Administration 2007, Vice President of Finance 2008-2009, Former Member of Executive Committee, and Member of Endowment Committee

Member of Charlotte Rotary

CFA Institute Member

Member of NC Society of Financial Analysts

 13

 

Wake Forest University MBA Family Business Center - Member and member of steering committee

 

Steve Scruggs- Portfolio Manager, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. Steve has over 20 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He holds a B.A. from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

 

CFA Institute Member

Member of the NC Society of Financial Analysts

Member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals

Wake Forest Graduate School of Business Applied Securities Analysis Board of Visitors

 

Philip Blount – Independent Trustee. Over 37 years of business experience in the area of strategic marketing. Founder and President of Icons, Inc. Former President of Fletcher-Barnhardt and White. Session Member, Trinity Presbyterian Church. BA. North Carolina State University.

 

Timothy Ignasher – Independent Trustee. Over 30 years of banking experience. Senior Vice President Citizens South Bank. Former Chief Operating Officer, Paragon Commercial Bank and Chief Credit Officer, The Scottish Bank. Board Member of Kinder-Mourn and Phillips Academy. B.A University of Houston.

 

Christopher Brady – Independent Trustee. Over 22 years of business experience. Former Vice President, Resort Capital Partners. Vice President, Brady Distributing. B.A. The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Phi Beta Kappa.

 

Harold Smith- Independent Trustee. Over 27 years of experience in Public Utilities Financial Consulting. Vice President Raftelis Financial. Licensed Professional Geologist. Member of the American Water Works Association and Chairman of the Competitive Practices Committee. Mr. Smith has managed numerous projects for public utilities including cost of service and rate studies; utility valuation studies; privatization feasibility analyses and procurements; impact fee studies; bond feasibility studies; regionalization studies; water and wastewater master planning studies; economic feasibility studies and long-term financial planning studies. Mr. Smith is widely regarded as an industry expert in privatization and procurement. B.S. The University of the South. M.B.A. Wake Forest University.

 14

 



Trustee

I – Interested
U – Unaffiliated
Ownership in
Queens Road
Value
Ownership in
Queens Road
Small Cap
Ownership
in Fund
Complex
Benton Bragg I D D D
Steven Scruggs I C D D
Philip Blount U D D D
Timothy Ignasher U B B B
Christopher Brady U D D D
Harold Smith U A D D

 

Ownership Code

 

A–$0 to $10,000
B–$10,001 to $50,000
C–$50,001 to $100,000
D–Greater than $100,000

 

Compensation

 

Currently, no officer or employee of the Advisor receives any compensation from the Trust (for serving as an officer, employee, or Trustee of the Trust), and it is not anticipated that any compensation will be given to such officers or Trustees in the future. Each Trustee who is not an officer, director or employee of the Advisor or any affiliate is entitled to receive from the Advisor a fee of $500 per Fund for each Board or Shareholders’ meeting attended.

 

Name of Person, Position (2)(a)
Aggregate
Compensation
from Queens
Road Value
(2)(b)
Aggregate
Compensation from
Queens Road
Small Cap
(3)
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of
Funds Expenses
(5)
Total Compensation
from Funds and
Fund Complex to
Trustees
Harold Smith, Trustee $2,000 $2,000 $0 $4,000
Christopher Brady, Trustee $2,000 $2,000 $0 $4,000
Philip Blount, Trustee $1,500 $1,500 $0 $3,000
Timothy Ignasher, Trustee $2,000 $2,000 $0 $4,000

 

The amounts shown above represent Trustee compensation earned for the fiscal year from June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020. The amount shown was paid by the Advisor on behalf of the Funds in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.

 

The Trust does not have any retirement or pension plan for its Trustees or officers.

 

No Independent Trustee of the Trust owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in the Advisor or Principal Underwriter.

 15

 

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

 

A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of a Fund’s shares may be deemed a “control person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. As of September 1, 2020, the shareholders indicated below own of record more than 25% of a Fund’s shares.

 

A shareholder who owns of record or is known by a Fund to own beneficially 5% or more of any Class of the Fund’s outstanding shares is considered to be a Principal Holder.

 

Principal Holders
(As of September 1, 2020)
Address Ownership % in
Queens Road Value
Ownership % in
Queens Road Small
Cap
Pershing, LLC* P.O. Box 2052,
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
 94.20%** 37.45%**
Charles Schwab and Co., Inc.* 101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
N/A  41.38%**
National Financial Services LLC* 200 Liberty Street,
One World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281
2.57% 15.55%

 

*For the benefit of its customers.

**May be deemed to control the Fund.

 

Management Ownership

 

As of September 1, 2020, the officers and Board of Trustees of the Funds collectively owned 2.29% of the outstanding shares of the Queens Road Value and 2.34% of the outstanding shares of the Queens Road Small Cap Funds.

 

Name of Owner Ownership % in
Queens Road Value
Ownership % in
Queens Road Small Cap
Tim Ignasher 0.07% 0.01%
Benton Bragg 1.46% 0.71%
Philip Blount 0.31% 0.12%
Christopher Brady 0.30% 0.16%
Steve Scruggs 0.16% 0.71%
Harold Smith 0.00% 0.13%

 

Investment Advisory and Other Services

 

Investment Advisor

 

The Funds’ advisor, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. The Advisor has not been sponsored, recommended or approved, nor have its abilities or qualifications been passed upon, by the SEC or any other governmental agency.

 16

 

The Advisor acts as investment advisor to the Funds pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2018 (the “Advisory Agreement”). This Advisory Agreement continues in effect for two years after its initial effectiveness and will continue from year to year as long as it is approved at least annually by both (i) a vote of the majority of the Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds (as defined by the 1940 Act), and (ii) a vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party provided the terminating party provides 60 days’ written notice. The Advisory Agreement cannot be assigned, and automatically terminates in the event of assignment. A transaction that does not result in a change of actual control or management of an advisor is not deemed an assignment, as provided by the 1940 Act.

 

Subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees, the Advisor manages each Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund. The Advisor makes investment decisions for the Funds and places the purchase and sale orders for portfolio transactions. In addition, the Advisor furnishes office facilities and clerical and administrative services and subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the overall management of the business affairs of the Funds, including the provision of personnel for record keeping, the preparation of governmental reports and responding to shareholder communications.

 

Each Fund, the Advisor, and the Distributor have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the Code of Ethics, personnel are allowed to engage in personal securities transactions only in accordance with certain conditions relating to such person’s position, the identity of the security, the timing of the transaction, and other similar factors. Transactions in securities held by the Funds are permitted, subject to compliance with the Code of Ethics.

 

Affiliates of the Advisor who are affiliates of the Funds.

 

Name Position with Fund Position with Advisor
Benton Bragg Chairman, Treasurer President, CEO
Steve Scruggs President, Secretary Portfolio Manager/CCO

 

Management Fee

 

As described in the Prospectus, each Fund pays the Advisor a management fee based on the net assets of the Fund. The following table illustrates the fee structure. The fees are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets.

 


Net Assets
Queens Road Value
Management Fee
Queens Road Small Cap
Management Fee
$0 -$250,000,000 0.95% 1.18%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000 0.85% 1.18%
Greater than $500,000,000 0.80% 1.15%

 

 17

 

Queens Road Value paid advisory fees of $421,253, $402,959, and $366,695 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The Queens Road Small Cap Fund paid advisory fees of $1,684,610, $1,525,508, and $1,456,348 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Compensation:

 

Base Salary. The Portfolio Manager is paid a base salary. In setting the base salary, the Advisor seeks to be competitive in light of the Portfolio Manager’s experience and responsibilities.

 

Performance Bonus. The Portfolio Manager is paid a discretionary performance bonus based on the performance of the firm. The amount, nature and timing of the performance bonus are made at the discretion of the owners of the Advisor. The owners of the Advisor include Benton Bragg and Steven Scruggs.

 

Additionally, the Portfolio Manager may receive distributions of the Advisor’s profits to the extent that the Portfolio Manager is a shareholder of the Advisor. Steven H. Scruggs is a Portfolio Manager and shareholder of the Advisor.

 

Other Accounts Managed

 

As described in the Prospectus, the Portfolio Manager listed below is responsible for the management of the Funds and, as of May 31, 2020, the other accounts set forth in the following table:

 


Name of
Portfolio
Manager



Type of Account

Number of
Accounts
Managed

Total
Assets
Managed
Number of Accounts
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
Value of Managed
Accounts for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
Steven Scruggs Registered investment companies - $ - None $ -
  Private pooled investment vehicles - - None -
  Other accounts* ** ** None -

 

*Other accounts include separate accounts and high net worth individual accounts.

 

**Mr. Scruggs, as Director of Research and Investment Committee Member, has oversight over all research activities; however, he assumes no day to day management of any accounts classified as “Other Accounts.”

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

The fact that the Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management responsibility for more than one client account may create actual, potential or only apparent conflicts of interest. For example, the Portfolio Manager may have an opportunity to purchase securities of limited availability. In this circumstance, the Portfolio Manager is expected to review each account’s investment guidelines, restrictions, tax considerations, cash balances, liquidity needs and other factors to determine the suitability of the investment for each account and to ensure that his or her managed accounts are treated equitably. The Portfolio Manager may also decide to purchase or sell the same security for multiple managed accounts at approximately the same time. The Portfolio Manager may allocate securities in a manner other than pro-rata if it determines that the allocation is fair and equitable under the circumstances and does not discriminate against any account.

 18

 

Finally, conflicts of interest may arise when the Portfolio Manager personally buys, holds or sells securities held or to be purchased or sold for a Fund or other client account or personally buys, holds or sells the shares of one or more of the Funds. To address this, the Funds have adopted a written Code of Ethics designed to prevent and detect personal trading activities that may interfere or conflict with client interests (including Fund shareholders’ interests). A copy of the Code of Ethics is available free of charge by calling toll free 1-800-595-3088.

 

The Funds have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address the above-described types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

Other Expenses

 

Each Fund pays its own (1) brokerage fees and commissions; (2) taxes and governmental fees; (3) interest; (4) fee and expenses of underlying funds; and (5) extraordinary and non-recurring expenses.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor, on behalf of each Fund, will pay the following: (1) fees of the Independent Trustees; (2) expenses of registration of the Trust and of the shares of the Fund with the SEC and various states; (3) charges of the custodian, dividend and transfer agent; (4) outside auditing and legal expenses; (5) liability insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and trustees) (6) maintenance of business trust existence; (7) costs of preparing, printing and mailing registration statements, prospectuses, periodic reports and other documents furnished to shareholders and regulatory authorities; (8) portfolio pricing services; and (9) Fund shareholder meetings.

 

Principal Underwriter

 

UMB Distribution Services, LLC (“UMBDS”) acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. UMBDS is located at 235 W. Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

 

Other Service Providers

 

Administrator and Fund Accountant

 

UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”), 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53212, has entered into an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust (the “Administration Agreement”). The Administration Agreement became effective on December 1, 2011, was in effect for an initial period of two years from its effective date, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees. The Agreement is terminable by the Board of Trustees or UMBFS on 90 days written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of UMBFS.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, UMBFS provides the Trust with certain administrative services on behalf of each Fund, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance of, the Funds’ independent contractors and agents; arranging for the computation of performance data, including net asset value and yield; arranging for the maintenance of books and records of each Fund; compile data for and prepare with respect to the Funds timely notices to the Securities and Exchange Commission required pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the 1940 Act and Semi-Annual Reports on Form N-CSR; and providing, at their own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to carry out their duties. In this capacity, UMBFS does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of either Fund, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of the shares of either Fund. The Administration Agreement provides that UMBFS shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by either the Trust or any Fund, except for losses resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence of UMBFS in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement.

 19

 

As compensation for its services, the Advisor pays UMBFS an administration fee payable monthly as a percentage of the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to certain minimums and out of pocket reimbursements.

 

Transfer Agent

 

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has also entered into a Transfer Agent Agreement (“Transfer Agent Agreement”) with UMBFS, pursuant to which UMBFS has agreed to act as the Funds’ transfer, redemption and dividend disbursing agent (the “Transfer Agent”). As such, the Transfer Agent maintains the Funds’ official records of shareholders and is responsible for crediting dividends to shareholders’ accounts. In consideration for such services, the Transfer Agent receives from the Advisor on behalf of each Fund an annual fee, paid monthly, computed as a base rate plus a per open account charge. The Trust reserves the right to change its transfer, redemption and dividend distributing agent at any time, subject to the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreement.

 

Custodian

 

The Funds’ custodian is US Bank, N.A. (“Custodian”), 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202. Each Fund has entered into a Custodian Agreement (“Custodian Agreement”) with the Custodian, pursuant to which the Custodian will hold all securities and cash of the Funds, deliver and receive payment for securities sold, receive and pay for securities purchased, collect income from investments and perform other duties, all as directed by officers of the Fund. The Custodian will not exercise any supervisory function over the purchase and sale of securities or the payment of distributions to shareholders. In consideration of such services, the Advisor on behalf of each Fund pays the Custodian an annual fee which is paid monthly and computed as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds. The Trust reserves the right to change its custodian at any time, subject to the terms of the Custodian Agreement.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Cohen & Company, Ltd., located at 342 North Water Street, Suite 830 Milwaukee, WI 53202 serves as the Funds’ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and audits the financial statements of the Funds. The Funds’ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm must be approved annually by the Board of Trustees.

 

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

 

Portfolio Transactions

 

Decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds are made by the Advisor. Portfolio security transactions for the Funds are effected by or under the supervision of the Advisor.

 20

 

Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, but the price of those securities includes an undisclosed commission or markup. The cost of securities purchased from underwriters includes an underwriting commission or concession, and the prices at which securities are purchased from and sold to dealers include a dealer’s markup or markdown.

 

In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers and dealers, it is each Fund’s policy to seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Advisor shall consider the factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In addition, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Advisor to pay a higher commission than is charged by other broker- dealers if the Advisor determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided to the Fund.

 

The Board of Trustees will periodically review the commissions paid by the Funds to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits inuring to the Funds. It is possible that certain of the services received will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised. Conversely, the Funds may be the primary beneficiary of services received as a result of portfolio transactions effected for other accounts. The Advisor’s fee under the Advisory Agreement is not reduced by reason of the Advisor’s receiving such brokerage and research services.

 

Although investment decisions for the Funds are made independently from those of the other accounts managed by the Advisor, investments of the kind made by the Funds may also be made by those other accounts. When a Fund and one or more accounts managed by the Advisor are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated in a manner believed by the Advisor to be equitable. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by a Fund.

 

When selecting brokers the Funds negotiate with their brokers to ensure that the Funds pay a rate of commission that is competitive with the current market environment as determined by the Advisor.

 

All trades were in accordance with the 17e-1 procedures of the 1940 Act. The expenses paid by the Funds to execute the portfolio transactions were:

 

  6/1/2017 –
5/31/2018
6/1/2018 –
5/31/2019
6/1/2019 –
5/31/2020
Queens Road Value $634 $1,080 $1,330
Queens Road Small Cap $10,110 $12,807 $21,361

 

No commissions were paid to any affiliated broker during the last three fiscal years.

 21

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

A greater rate of portfolio turnover may be experienced during periods of marketplace volatility which necessitates more active trading. A higher portfolio turnover rate involves greater transaction costs to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed.

 

  06/01/2019 to
05/31/2020
06/01/2018 to
05/31/2019
06/01/2017 to
05/31/2018
06/01/2016 to
05/31/2017
06/01/2015 to
05/31/2016
Queens Road Value 1% 1% -% 8% 14%*
Queens Road Small Cap 24% 27% 6% 27% 23%*

 

*Increased market volatility during the fiscal year resulted in higher portfolio turnover.

 

Capital Stock and Other Securities

 

The Declaration of Trust provides for an unlimited number of authorized shares, which may, without shareholder approval, be divided into an unlimited number of series of such shares. There are presently two series of shares, which are Queens Road Value and Queens Road Small Cap. Each Fund share represents an equal proportionate interest in the Fund with other Fund shares, and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of each Fund’s income as are declared at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of each Fund and all assets in which such consideration is invested will belong to that Fund and will be subject to the liabilities relating thereto.

 

Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share (and proportional voting for fractional shares, e.g. 2.5 shares cast 2.5 votes) on such matters as shareholders are entitled to vote. The laws of the State of Delaware, under which the Trust is organized, and the Trust’s bylaws provide that a Fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Funds will not hold annual shareholder meetings unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. Shareholders holding two-thirds of a Fund’s voting shares do have the right to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting to remove one or more Trustees. A Fund will render assistance to shareholders in connection with their efforts to arrange a shareholder meeting as required under Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.

 

Upon issuance and sale in accordance with the terms of the Funds’ prospectus, each share will be fully paid and non-assessable. Shares of the Funds have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights and are redeemable as set forth in the Funds’ prospectus in the section titled “How to Redeem Shares.” The Funds will not issue share certificates evidencing shares. Instead, your account will be credited with the number of shares purchased, relieving you of responsibility for safekeeping of certificates and the need to deliver them upon redemption.

 

The Declaration of Trust also provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of either Fund and that every agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by either Fund shall contain a provision to the effect that the shareholders are not personally liable thereunder.

 

Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares

 

See “How To Purchase Shares” and “How To Redeem Shares” in the Funds’ prospectus.

 22

 

Taxation of the Funds

 

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

 

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

 

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of a Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains only for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders. The net capital loss carryforwards as of May 31, 2020, which may be used to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by treasury regulations were as follows:

 

  Not Subject to Expiration
(Post-Enactment)
  Short-Term Long-Term
Value Fund $— $—
Small Cap Value Fund $2,802,504 $1,247,502

 

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

 

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

 23

 

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

 

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

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

To the extent such investments are permissible for a Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

 

To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of a Fund’s hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund’s book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

Investment by a Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether they receive any distribution from the company.

 24

 

Each Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for a Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

Each Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

 

Foreign Taxation

 

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the applicable Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the applicable Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.

 

Financial Statements

 

The financial statements and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s report required to be included in the Statement of Additional Information are hereby incorporated by reference to the Funds’ Annual Report to the shareholders for the period ended May 31, 2020. The Trust will provide the Annual Report without charge upon written request or request by telephone by calling 1-800-595-3088, or on its website at www.queensroadfunds.com.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule

 

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may request a copy in writing directly from the Funds by writing to: Queens Road Funds, 1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203.

 25

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

The Board of Trustees has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern the voting of proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities. The procedures and guidelines delegate to the Advisor the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and provide guidelines to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of the Funds’ shareholders. The Advisor will put the interests of the Funds’ shareholders above all others when voting proxies. If a conflict of interest should arise between the interests of the Advisor and the interests of the Funds’ shareholders, the Advisor will vote the proxies in the shareholders’ best interests. Any such conflict of interest will be reported to the Board of Trustees at the next meeting of the Trustees.

 

A copy of the proxy voting procedure guidelines for the Funds is available at no charge upon request by calling 1-800-595-3088 or at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website, www.sec.gov. Also, a report is available at no charge that details the proxy votes made by each Fund for the previous 12-month period ended June 30. These reports are available by calling 1-800-595-3088 and will also be made available on the Securities and Exchange Commission website, www.sec.gov.

 26

 

PART C

 

Other Information

 

Item 28. Exhibits.

 

a.      Certificate of Trust and Declaration of Trust of Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to registrant’s registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

b.       By-Laws of Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to registrant’s registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

c.       Reference is made in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to registrant’s registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

d. 1    Investment Advisory Agreement between Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. and Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to registrant’s registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

d. 2    Amended Investment Advisory Agreement between Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. and Bragg Capital Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 29 to registrant’s registration statement filed September 28, 2018, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-18-014224.

 

e.       Distribution Agreement between UMB Distribution Services, LLC and Bragg Capital Trust is filed herewith.

 

f.        None

 

g.      Custodian Agreement between U.S. Bank, N.A. and Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to registrant’s registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

h. 1.  Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement between UMB Fund Services, Inc. and Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 17 to registrant’s registration statement filed September 28, 2012, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-12-003122.

 

h. 2.   Transfer Agent Agreement between UMB Fund Services, Inc. and Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 17 to registrant’s registration statement filed September 28, 2012, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-12-003122.

 

h. 3.   Retirement Plan Agreement among UMB Bank, N.A., UMB Fund Services, Inc. and Bragg Capital Trust. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 17 to registrant’s registration statement filed September 28, 2012, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-12-003122.

 

 

i. (i)   Opinion and Consent of Counsel. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to registrant's registration statement filed September 28, 2012, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-12-003122.

 

i. (ii)  Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.

 

j.        Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.

 

k.       None

 

l.        None

 

m.      None

 

n.       18f-3 Plan adopted by Bragg Capital Trust is filed herewith.

 

p.       Code of Ethics of Bragg Capital Trust, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. and Queens Road Securities, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 1 to Registrant's registration statement filed June 25, 2002, Edgar Accession number 0001162044-02-000085.

 

p. 2.   Code of Ethics of Bragg Capital Trust, Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. and Queens Road Securities, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 31 to Registrant's registration statement filed September 30, 2019, Edgar Accession number 0001012709-19-000019.

 

p. 3    Code of Ethics of UMB Distribution Services, LLC is filed herewith.

 

q.       Powers of Attorney. Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each trustee and executive officer. Incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment 21 to Registrant's registration statement filed September 26, 2014, Edgar Accession number 0001398344-14-005015.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.

 

None

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

Article IX, Section 2 of the Declaration of Trust provides that the Registrant shall indemnify any present or former trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant ("Covered Person") to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding ("Action") in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in settlement thereof. Indemnification will not be provided to a person adjudged by a court or other body to be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by reason of "willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office" ("Disabling Conduct"), or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Registrant. In the event of a settlement, no indemnification may be provided unless there has been a determination that the officer or trustee did not engage in Disabling Conduct (i) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (ii) by at least a majority of those trustees who are neither interested persons, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), of the Registrant ("Independent Trustees"), nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts; or (iii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts.

 

 

Pursuant to Article IX, Section 3 of the Declaration of Trust, if any present or former shareholder of any series ("Series") of the Registrant shall be held personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the present or former shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Registrant, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.

 

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

 

Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement (Exhibit (d) to the Registration Statement) limits the liability of Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. to liabilities arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.

 

See the Prospectus, "Investment Management -- Portfolio Manager" and Statement of Additional Information, "Management of the Fund." Also see the Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc. Form ADV on the SEC website (www.sec.gov) for a detailed description of their other business activities.

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters.

 

(a) UMB Distribution Services, LLC, the Registrant’s principal underwriter, acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies: Aspirant Trust, FPA Funds Trust, FPA Capital Fund, Inc., FPA New Income, Inc., FPA Paramount Fund, Inc., FPA Perennial Fund, Inc., Green Century Funds, The Marsico Investment Fund, Scout Funds, Vericimetry Funds, and The Westport Funds. 

 

 

(b) To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of UMB Distribution Services, LLC are as follows:

 


NAME
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH UNDERWRITER
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH REGISTRANT
Maureen Quill President None
 Christine L. Mortensen Treasurer None
 Constance Shannon Secretary None
Karen L. Fay Luedtke Chief Compliance Officer None

 

(c)  None.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, at the Registrant's principal offices and with the Transfer Agent. The Registrant's address: 1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203. The Transfer Agent's address: 235 W. Galena St., Milwaukee, WI 53212.

 

Item 34. Management Services.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings.

 

None

 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and that it has duly caused this Post-effective Amendment number 33 to its registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte, and State of North Carolina, on September 28, 2020.

 

Bragg Capital Trust

 

By: /s/ Steve Scruggs   September 28, 2020
  Steve Scruggs   Date
  President/Principal Executive Officer    

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and or the duties indicated.

 

/s/ Steve Scruggs   September 28, 2020
Steve Scruggs, President   Date
CEO/Principal Executive Officer, Trustee    

 

/s/ Benton Bragg   September 28, 2020
Benton Bragg, Treasurer   Date

CFO/Principal Financial Officer/Principal Accounting Officer, Trustee

 

Name Title
Philip Blount* Independent Trustee
Christopher Brady* Independent Trustee
Harold Smith* Independent Trustee
Timothy Ignasher* Independent Trustee

 

By: /s/ Steve Scruggs   September 28, 2020
  Steve Scruggs    

 

*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed with Post-effective Amendment 21 to registrant's registration statement filed September 26, 2014.

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Exhibit No.
Distribution Agreement with UMB Distribution Services, LLC (e)
Consent of Counsel (i)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (j)
18f-3 Plan (n)
Code of Ethics of UMB Distribution Services, LLC (p.3)

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 13th day of August, 2020, by and between Bragg Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and UMB Distribution Services, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company ("Provider").

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act, as defined below, and is authorized to issue Shares;

 

WHEREAS, Provider is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member of FINRA; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and Provider desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which Provider shall be the distributor of the Shares.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Definitions

 

In addition to any terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth hereinafter whenever they appear in this Agreement:

 

1933 Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Boardshall mean the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

Commissionshall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

FINRAshall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Fundshall mean each separate series of Shares offered by the Trust representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets specified on Schedule A hereto as the same may be amended from time to time, for which the Trust has appointed Provider to provide the Services under this Agreement. Each investment portfolio shall be referred to as a “Fund” and such investment portfolios shall collectively be referred to as the “Funds.”

 

Offering Price shall mean the price per share that the Shares will be offered for sale to the public calculated in accordance with the Fund’s then current Prospectus.

 1

 

Prospectusshall mean the current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information with respect to a Fund (including any applicable amendments and supplements thereto) actually received by Provider from the Trust with respect to which the Trust has indicated a Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.

 

Registration Statementshall mean any registration statement on Form N-1A at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been or will be filed with the Commission.

 

Servicesshall mean the services described in Section 2 of this Agreement and such additional services as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time and set forth in an amendment to this Agreement.

 

Sharesshall mean such shares of beneficial interest, or class thereof, of each respective Fund of the Trust as may be issued from time to time.

 

Shareholdershall mean a record owner of Shares of each respective Fund of the Trust.

 

2.Appointment and Services

 

(a)       The Trust hereby appoints Provider as agent for the distribution of Shares during the term of this Agreement and on the terms set forth in this Agreement and Provider accepts such appointment. Subject to the direction and control of the Board and utilizing information provided by the Trust and its current and prior agents and service providers, Provider will render the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The duties of Provider shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Provider hereunder.

 

(b)       Provider will act as agent for the distribution of Shares in accordance with the instructions of the Board and the Registration Statement and Prospectuses then in effect with respect to the Funds under the1933 Act.

 

(c)       Provider may incur expenses for distribution activities which it deems reasonable and which are primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, advertising, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. At the direction of the Trust, Provider may in its sole discretion enter into servicing and/or selling agreements with qualified broker/dealers and other persons ore entities with respect to the offering of Shares to the public. Provider shall not be obligated to incur any specific expenses or sell any certain number of Shares of any Fund.

 

(d)       All Shares offered for sale by Provider shall be offered for sale at the Offering Price. Provider shall have no liability for the payment of the purchase price of the Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement or with respect to redemptions or repurchases of Shares. The price the Funds shall receive for any Shares purchased by investors shall be the net asset value used in determining the Offering Price applicable to the sale of such Shares, as calculated in the manner set forth in the Funds’ Registration Statement. Provider may reallocate any portion of any front-end sales charge that is imposed on such sales to selected broker/dealers as set forth in the Prospectus, subject to applicable FINRA rules. Any portion of the front-end sales charge that is not so reallocated, as well as any back-end or deferred sales charge or load, shall be retained by Provider as a commission for its services hereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Provider shall not be required to finance the payment to any broker/dealer or other organization of any sales charges or fees.

 2

 

(e)       If any Shares are redeemed or repurchased by the Funds, or by Provider as agent, or are tendered for redemption, within seven (7) business days after the date of confirmation of the original purchase of said Shares, Provider shall forfeit the amount above the net asset value received by Provider with respect to such Shares, provided that the portion, if any, of such amount re-allowed, by Provider to broker/dealers or other persons shall be repayable to the Funds only to the extent recovered by Provider from the broker/dealer or other person concerned. Provider shall include in the forms of agreement with such broker/dealers and other persons a corresponding provision for the forfeiture by them of their concession with respect to Shares sold by them or their principals and redeemed or repurchased by the Funds or by Provider as agent (or tendered for redemption) within seven (7) business days after the date of confirmation of such initial purchases.

 

(f)        Provider shall act as distributor of the Shares in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act, by the Commission and FINRA.

 

(g)       Provider shall not utilize any materials in connection with the sale or offering of Shares except the Prospectus and such other materials as the Trust shall provide or approve. Provider agrees to review all marketing materials prepared for use by or on behalf of the Trust for compliance with applicable rules and regulations in advance of the use of such materials. The Trust agrees to incorporate changes to such materials as Provider may request to the satisfaction of Provider. Provider will file such materials as may be required with FINRA, or the Commission. The Trust represents that it will not use or authorize the use of any marketing materials, including any such materials in use prior to the execution of this Agreement, unless and until such materials have been approved and authorized for use by Provider. All marketing materials related to the Trust shall be delivered to Provider for review prior to use with sufficient time to permit Provider to review the material and to file with FINRA if necessary. The Trust and Provider shall mutually agree upon a reasonable turnaround time for such review. Provider shall, with respect to any marketing materials required to be filed with FINRA, file such marketing materials within ten (10) business days of the date of first use. The Trust shall address any comments received from FINRA with respect to any marketing materials to the satisfaction of Provider, including updating or discontinuing use of such marketing material.

 

3.Duties and Representations of the Trust

 

(a)       The Trust represents that it is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and that it has and will continue to act in conformity with its Declaration of Trust, its Bylaws, its Registration Statement and resolutions and other instructions of its Board and has and will continue to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the laws of the states in which Shares are offered and sold, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 3

 

(b)       The Trust shall take or cause to be taken all necessary action to register and maintain the registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act for sale as herein contemplated and shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with the registration of Shares under the 1933 Act, and be responsible for all expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of Shares and for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished by the Trust hereunder.

 

(c)       The Trust shall execute any and all documents and furnish any and all information and otherwise take all actions which may be reasonably necessary in the discretion of the Trust’s officers in connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as Provider and the Trust may agree, shall maintain the registration of a sufficient number or amount of Shares thereunder, and shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with such qualification. The Trust shall notify Provider, or cause Provider to be notified, of the states in which Shares may be sold and shall notify Provider of any change thereto.

 

(d)       The Trust shall, at its expense, keep Provider fully informed with respect to its affairs as necessary for Provider to perform the Services and to fulfill any applicable regulatory or legal responsibilities. In addition, the Trust shall furnish Provider from time to time such information, documents and reports with respect to the Trust and the Shares as Provider may reasonably request, and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such information shall be true and correct and fairly represent what they purport to represent.

 

(e)       The Trust represents to Provider that all Registration Statements and Prospectuses of the Trust filed or to be filed with the Commission under the 1933 Act with respect to the Shares have been and will be prepared in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Trust represents and warrants to Provider that any Registration Statement and Prospectus, when such Registration Statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission; that all information contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus will be true and correct in all material respects when such Registration Statement becomes effective; and that neither the Registration Statement nor any Prospectus when such Registration Statement becomes effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Trust agrees to file from time to time such amendments, supplements, reports and other documents as may be necessary or required in order to: (1) comply with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act; (2) ensure that there is no untrue statement(s) of a material fact in a Registration Statement or Prospectus; or (3) ensure that all statements necessary or required in order that there may be no omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement or Prospectus which omission would make the statements therein misleading. The Trust shall promptly notify Provider of any advice given to it by counsel to the Trust regarding the necessity or advisability of amending or supplementing the Registration Statement.

 4

 

(f)       The Trust shall not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to any Prospectus without giving Provider reasonable notice thereof in advance and if Provider declines to assent to such amendment (after a reasonable time), the Trust may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to Provider without payment of any penalty. If the Trust shall not propose an amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements promptly after receipt by the Trust of a written request in good faith from Provider to do so, Provider may, at its option, immediately terminate this Agreement. In addition, if, at any time during the term of this Agreement, Provider requests that the Trust make any change in its governing instruments or in its methods of doing business which are necessary in order to comply with any requirement of applicable law or regulation, and the Trust fails (after a reasonable time) to make any such change as requested, Provider may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the Trust without payment of any penalty. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time any amendments to any Registration Statement and/or supplements to any Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, with advice of its counsel, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

 

(g)       Whenever in its judgment such action is warranted by market, economic or political conditions, or by circumstances of any kind, the Trust may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any Shares until such time as the Trust deems it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales and the Trust shall advise Provider promptly of such determination.

 

(h)       The Trust agrees to advise Provider promptly in writing of the following:

 

(i)       any correspondence or other communication by the Commission or its staff relating to the Funds including requests by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or Prospectuses;

 

(ii)       the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or Prospectuses then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;

 

(iii)       the happening of any event which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or Prospectuses or which requires the making of a change in such Registration Statement or Prospectuses in order to make the statements therein not misleading; or

 

(iv)       all actions taken by the Commission with respect to any amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the Commission.

 

4.Offering of Shares.

 

No Shares shall be offered by either Provider or the Trust under any of the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of such Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933 Act, or if and so long as the current Prospectus as required by Section 10 of the 1933 Act, as amended, is not on file with the Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph 4 shall in any way restrict or have an application to or bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to repurchase Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus or Declaration of Trust.

 5

 

5.Fees

 

(a)       As compensation for the services performed hereunder and the expenses incurred by Provider, the Trust shall pay Provider the fees and reimburse the expenses of Provider as provided in Schedule B hereto. Fees shall be adjusted in accordance with Schedule B or as otherwise agreed to by the parties from time to time. Fees shall be earned and paid monthly in arrears in an amount equal to at least 1/12th of the applicable annual fee. Basis point fees and minimum annual fees apply separately to each Fund, and average net assets are not aggregated in calculating the applicable basis point fee per Fund or the applicable minimum. The parties may amend this Agreement to include fees for any additional services requested by the Trust, enhancements to current Services, or to add Funds for which Provider has been retained. The Trust agrees to pay Provider’s then current rate for Services added to, or for any enhancements to existing Services set forth on, Schedule B after the execution of this Agreement.

 

(b)       For the purpose of determining fees payable to Provider, net asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Prospectus and resolutions of the Board. The fee for the period from the day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should the Trust or any Fund(s) be liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any accrued fees shall be immediately payable.

 

(c)       Provider will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance of its services under Section 2, except as otherwise provided herein. Provider shall not be required to pay or finance any costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Funds, including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and trustees; Commission fees and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing and accounting services agents and other service providers; security pricing services; insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization and maintenance of corporate existence; taxes and fees payable to federal, state and other governmental agencies; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses, notices, forms and applications and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current Shareholders; preparation, typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other costs of Shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the Commission and the states; research and statistical data services; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the Fund’s Shareholders and Trustees; fees and expenses associated with internet, e-mail and other related activities; and extraordinary expenses. Expenses incurred for distribution of shares, including the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of Prospectuses for persons who are not shareholders of the Trust, will be borne by the Funds’ investment adviser (“Investment Adviser”), except for such expenses permitted to be paid by the Trust under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (“Distribution Plan”).

 6

 

(d)       The Trust also agrees to promptly reimburse Provider for all out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements incurred by Provider in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Out-of-pocket expenses shall include, but not be limited to, those items specified on Schedule B hereto. If requested by Provider, out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance. Payment of postage expenses, if prepayment is requested, is due at least seven (7) days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the event Provider requests advance payment, Provider shall not be obligated to incur such expenses or perform the related Service(s) until payment is received.

 

(e)       The Trust agrees to pay all amounts due hereunder within thirty (30) days of receipt of each invoice (“Due Date”). Except as provided in Schedule B, Provider shall bill Service fees monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by the Provider). Provider may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit invoices directly to the Trust for payment of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

(f)       The Trust is aware that its failure to remit to Provider all amounts due on or before the Due Date will cause Provider to incur costs not contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that the Provider does not receive any amounts due hereunder by the Due Date, the Trust agrees to pay a late charge on the overdue amount equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Trust shall pay Provider’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs in the event that an attorney is engaged to assist in the collection of any amounts due Provider. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of the Trust’s late payment. Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver by Provider of the Trust’s default or prevent Provider from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it.

 

(g)       In the event that any charges are disputed, the Trust shall, on or before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify Provider in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on or before the fifth business day after the day on which Provider provides to the Trust documentation which an objective observer would agree reasonably supports any disputed charges (“Revised Due Date”). Late charges shall not begin to accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the first day after the Revised Due Date.

 

(h)       The Trust acknowledges that the fees charged by Provider under this Agreement reflect the allocation of risk between the parties, including the exclusion of remedies and limitations of liability in Section 7. Modifying the allocation of risk from what is stated herein would affect the fees that Provider charges. Accordingly, in consideration of those fees, the Trust agrees to the stated allocation of risk.

 7

 

6.Confidentiality

 

In case of any requests or demands for inspection of the records of the Funds, Provider will endeavor to notify the Trust promptly and to secure instructions from a representative of the Trust as to such inspection. Records and information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Provider or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information which was already in the possession of Provider prior to receipt thereof, shall not be subject to this paragraph. The obligations of the parties under this Section 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.Limitation of Liability

 

(a)       Provider shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, except a loss resulting from Provider’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Provider shall not be liable for: (1) any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with instructions received by Provider from an officer or representative of the Trust; or, (2) any action taken or omission by a Fund, the Trust, its investment adviser(s) or any past or current service provider.

 

(b)        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Provider will be excused from its obligation to perform any act, service or obligation required of it hereunder for the duration that such performance is prevented by events beyond its reasonable control and shall not be liable for any default, damage, loss of data or documents, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused thereby. Provider will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize the effect of any service interruption for any period that such interruption continues beyond its control.

 

(c)       In no event and under no circumstances shall Provider, its affiliates or any of its or their members, officers, directors, agents or employees be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, under any theory of tort, contract, strict liability or other legal or equitable theory for lost profits, exemplary, punitive, special, indirect or consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable and even if advised of the possibility thereof.

 

8.Indemnification.

 

(a)       The Trust authorizes Provider to use any Prospectus, in the form furnished to Provider from time to time, in connection with the sale of Shares. The Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold Provider, and each of its present or former directors, members, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled Provider within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (“Provider Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against: (1) any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, fines, penalties, costs or expenses and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) of any and every nature (“Losses”) which Provider and each of the Provider Indemnitees may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus, an annual or interim report to shareholders or sales literature, or any amendments or supplements thereto, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Trust’s obligation to indemnify Provider and any of the foregoing Provider Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to Provider and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by Provider in writing for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; (2) any and all Losses which Provider and each of the Provider Indemnitees may incur in connection with this Agreement or Provider’s performance hereunder, except to the extent the Losses result from Provider’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; or (3) any and all Losses which Provider and each Provider Indemnitee may incur when acting in accordance with instructions from the Trust or its representatives.

 8

 

(b)       Promptly after receipt by Provider of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, Provider shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is made under this section, notify the Trust in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by Provider or any Provider Indemnitee. The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such Loss, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and approved by Provider, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Provider of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of the Trust’s election. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case Provider does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by the Trust, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Trust and Provider or any Provider Indemnitee, the Trust will reimburse the indemnified person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by Provider and them. The Trust’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 8 and the Trust’s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Provider and each Provider Indemnitee, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to Provider’s benefit, to the benefit of each Provider Indemnitee and their estates and successors. The Trust agrees to promptly notify Provider of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.

 

(c)       The Trust acknowledges and agrees that in the event Provider, at the direction of the Trust, is required to give indemnification to any entity selling Shares or providing shareholder services to Shareholders or others and such entity shall make a claim for indemnification against Provider, Provider shall make a similar claim for indemnification against the Trust and shall be entitled to such indemnification.

 9

 

(d)       Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, and each of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, and any person who controls or previously controlled the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (“Trust Indemnitees”), free and harmless from and against any and all Losses which the Trust, and each of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, or any such controlling person, may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise: (1) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s Registration Statement or any Prospectus, as from time to time amended or supplemented, or the omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement not misleading, but only if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information relating to Provider and furnished in writing to the Trust or its counsel by Provider for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; or (2) to the extent any Losses arise out of or result from Provider’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Provider's agreement to indemnify the Trust and any of the Trust Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses to the extent they arise out of or result from the Trust’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under this Agreement.

 

(e)       Promptly after receipt by the Trust of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, the Trust shall, if a claim for indemnification in respect thereof is to made under this section, notify Provider in writing of the commencement thereof, although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee. Provider shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such loss, claim, demand, liability, damage or expense, but if Provider elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by Provider and approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event Provider elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel and notifies Provider of such election, the indemnified defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them subsequent to the receipt of Provider’s election. If Provider does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case the Trust does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, approve of counsel chosen by Provider, or in case there is a conflict of interest between the Provider and the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee, Provider will reimburse the indemnified person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Trust and them. Provider’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 8 and Provider’s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Trust or any Trust Indemnitee, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Trust's benefit, to the benefit of each Trust Indemnitee and their estates and successors. Provider agrees to promptly notify the Trust of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against Provider or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.

 10

 

9.Term

 

(a)       This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund as of the date hereof and, with respect to each Fund not in existence on that date, on the date an amendment to Schedule A to this Agreement relating to that Fund is executed. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for a two-year term. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (1) the Board; or (2) the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund; and provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

(b)       This Agreement may be terminated without penalty with respect to a particular Fund: (1) through a failure to renew this Agreement at the end of a term; (2) upon mutual consent of the parties; or (3) on no less than thirty (30) days' written notice, by the Board, by vote of a majority (as defined with respect to voting securities in the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder) of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by Provider (which notice may be waived by the party entitled to such notice). The terms of this Agreement shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by Provider and the Trust. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

(c)       In the event of termination of this Agreement, all reasonable expenses associated with movement of records and materials and conversion thereof shall be borne by the Funds. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of this Agreement as provided herein or the liquidation of a Fund or the Trust, Provider shall deliver the records of the Trust to the Trust or its designee in a form that is consistent with Provider’s applicable license agreements at the expense of the Trust, and thereafter the Trust or its designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

10.Miscellaneous.

 

(a)       Any notice required or to be permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when sent by either an overnight delivery service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the addresses listed below, or to such other location as either party may from time to time designate in writing:

 

If to Provider:UMB Distribution Services, LLC
  235 West Galena Street
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
  Attention: General Counsel

 11

 

If to the Trust:Bragg Capital Trust
  1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200
  Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
  Attention: Steve Scruggs

 

(b)       Except as provided to the contrary herein, this Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this Agreement.

 

(c)       This Agreement shall be governed by Wisconsin law, excluding the laws on conflicts of laws. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.

 

(d)       This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.

 

(e)       The services of Provider hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive. Provider may render such services and any other services to others, including other investment companies. The Trust recognizes that from time to time directors, officers, and employees of Provider may serve as directors, trustees, officers and employees of other entities (including other investment companies), that such other entities may include the name of Provider as part of their name and that Provider or its affiliates may enter into distribution, administration, fund accounting, transfer agent or other agreements with such other entities.

 

(f)       The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

(g)       This Agreement is executed by the Trust with respect to each of the Funds and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. All obligations of the Trust under this Agreement shall apply only on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and the assets of one Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of another Fund. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the State of Delaware.

 12

 

(h)       This Agreement and the Schedules incorporated hereto constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement between Provider and the Trust and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements.

 

(i)        The person signing below represents and warrants that he/she is duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Funds.

 

(j)       Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into between the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of the other party.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

BRAGG CAPITAL TRUST   UMB DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, LLC  
(the “Trust”)   (“Provider”)  
           
By: /s/ Steve Scruggs   By: /s/ Maureen A. Quill  
       Steve Scruggs          Maureen A. Quill  
       President          President  

 13

 

Schedule A

to the

Distribution Agreement

by and between

Bragg Capital Trust

and

UMB Distribution Services, LLC

 

NAMES OF FUNDS

 

Queens Road Value Fund

Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

 14

 

Schedule B

to the

Distribution Agreement

by and between

Bragg Capital Trust

and

UMB Distribution Services, LLC

 

FEES

 

15

 

(GRAPHIC) 

 

September 28, 2020

 

Bragg Capital Trust

1031 South Caldwell Street, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

 

Re: Bragg Capital Trust, File Nos. 333-85850 and 811-21073

 

Dear Sir/ Madam:

 

A legal opinion (the “Legal Opinion”) that we prepared was filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Bragg Capital Trust Registration Statement. We hereby give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement (the “Amendment”), and consent to all references to us in the Amendment.

 

  Very truly yours,  
     
  /s/ Thompson Hine LLP  
  Thompson Hine LLP  

  

AJD

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated July 30, 2020, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Bragg Capital Trust comprising Queens Road Value Fund and Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund for the year ended May 31, 2020, and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 25, 2020

 

 

BRAGG CAPITAL TRUST

 

Multiple Share Class Plan

Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act

 

I.Introduction

 

This Multiple Share Class Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") by Bragg Capital Trust (the “Trust”) for each series of the Trust that offers multiple classes of shares, as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, (each, a “Fund”).

 

Each class of shares of a Fund will have the same relative rights and privileges and be subject to the same sales charges, fees and expenses except as set forth below. In addition, extraordinary expenses attributable to one or more classes shall be borne by such classes. The Board of Trustees may determine in the future that other allocations of expenses or other services to be provided to a class of shares are appropriate and amend the Plan accordingly without the approval of shareholders of any class pursuant to Section VIII herein.

 

Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, a Fund may offer an unlimited number of different classes of shares with varying fees related to administrative, distribution or shareholders services.

 

II.Share Class Descriptions: Eligibility, Conversion and Exchange Features

 

The differences among the various classes of shares of relevant Funds will relate to: (i) administrative and or shareholder services and other charges and expenses as provided for in Section III of this Plan; (ii) the exclusive right of each class of shares to vote on matters submitted to shareholders that relate solely to that class or the separate voting right of each class on matters for which the interests of one class differ from the interests of another class, as provided for in Section V of this Plan; and (iii) such differences relating to (a) eligible investors, (b) the designation of each class of shares, (c) conversion features, and (d) exchange privileges each as may be set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information (“SAI”), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

III.Class Fees and Expenses

 

Fees and expenses incurred by the Funds are treated as class expenses to the extent described in a Fund’s prospectus and SAI, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and shall differ from each other class of shares of the Funds only as to the differences in the respective administrative or shareholder services expenses for such class of shares as set forth in the relevant Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

IV.Expense Allocation

 

Expenses that are treated as class expenses under the Plan will be borne by a Fund’s respective share classes. Fund expenses will be allocated daily to the respective share classes in accordance with Rule 18f-3(c) (as now or hereafter in effect) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.

 

V.Class Voting Rights

 

Each class of shares of a Fund shall have: (a) exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its distribution or shareholder servicing arrangements; (b) separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class; and (c) in all other respects the same rights and obligations as each other class.

 

VI.Conflicts of Interest

 

On an ongoing basis, the Board of Trustees, pursuant to their fiduciary responsibilities under the 1940 Act and otherwise, will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material conflicts between the interests of the various classes of shares. The Board, including a majority of the independent members of the Board, shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.

 

VII.Waiver or Reimbursement of Expenses

 

Expenses may be waived or reimbursed by the Fund’s Adviser, principal underwriter or other provider of services to a Fund without the prior approval of the Board.

 

VIII.Effectiveness of Plan and Amendments

 

Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Plan may be adopted, amended or repealed without the approval of shareholders of any class by votes of a majority of both (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

IX.Limitation of Liability

 

The Trustees of the Trust and the shareholders of each Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or any Fund under the Plan, and the administrator or any other person, in asserting any rights or claims under the Plan, shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or such Funds in settlement of such rights or claims, and not to any Trustee or shareholder.

 

Adopted:      August 13, 2020

 

Last Revised:

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Funds and Classes Authorized Under the Plan
FUNDS CLASSES
Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund

●        Investor Class Shares

●        Advisor Class Shares

●        Institutional Class Shares

 

APPENDIX A

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

UMB DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, LLC

 

Amended and Restated as of March 1, 2010

 

UMB Distribution Services, LLC

 - 1 -

 

INTRODUCTION

 

UMB Distribution Services, LLC (“UMBDS”) provides distribution-related services to its investment company clients who are in the business primarily of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding and/or trading in securities. As a result of these activities, the federal securities laws impose certain standards upon the activities of the Registered Representatives of UMBDS. In particular, all Registered Representatives of UMBDS are precluded from engaging in insider trading or tipping. In addition, UMBDS’ officers are subject to specific additional regulations that address potential conflicts of interest in their day-to-day activities as well as their personal investment activities. Notwithstanding the applicable securities laws, UMBDS Registered Representatives are expected to act with the highest level of professional and ethical standards and avoid not only prohibited situations but also those that may give the appearance of impropriety. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of UMBDS’ business and its relationship with its clients.

 

This Code of Ethics is intended to dictate a level of conduct for Registered Representatives of UMBDS in their day-to-day and personal trading activities and to provide a means to prevent and detect violations of applicable rules and regulations. Be advised that Registered Representatives are expected to follow not only the letter of this Code, but also its spirit as well. Accordingly, compliance shall be reviewed for both. Questions regarding any aspect of this Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy and Procedures should be directed to the President, Chief Compliance Officer or the Executive Vice President-General Counsel.

 

UMB Distribution Services, LLC

 - 2 -

 

I.STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 

A.No officer, director or Registered Representative of UMBDS shall engage in any of the following acts, practices or courses of business while employed with UMBDS in connection with the purchase or sale of Covered Securities:

1.Employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any investment company client;
2.Make to any investment company client any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to such investment company a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
3.Engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any investment company client;
4.Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any investment company client; and
5.Provide any advice or service to any investment company client in connection with the purchase or sale of Covered Securities other than one with which UMBDS has an agreement to provide service without the approval of the President.
B.In particular, a Registered Representative may not knowingly engage in any of the foregoing in connection with any purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security held or to be acquired by an investment company client. In addition, each Registered Representative shall follow the following general fiduciary principles in connection with his or her personal investment activities:

1.At all times, place the interests of UMBDS’ investment company clients before his or her personal interests;
2.Conduct all personal securities transactions in a manner consistent with this Code of Ethics, where applicable, so as to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest, or any abuse of position of trust and responsibility; and
3.Not take any inappropriate advantage of his or her position with or on behalf of any investment company client.

 

II.DEFINITIONS

 

A.“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
B.“Access Person” means any director, officer, or general partner of UMBDS who, in the ordinary course of business makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by UMBDS’ investment company clients for which UMBDS acts as distributor, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to UMBDS’ investment company clients regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.
C.A security “held or to be acquired” means any Covered Security which within the most recent 15 days is or has been held by the investment company client or is being considered by the investment company client or its investment adviser for purchase by the investment company and any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security.
D.“Beneficial ownership”1 shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, by virtue of having a pecuniary interest, except that the determination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership shall apply to all securities which an Access Person has or acquires.
E.“Chief Compliance Officer” means such person as the President shall name.
F.“Control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management and policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.
G.“Covered Security” means a security defined in Section 2(a) (36) of the 1940 Act, exclusive of the securities described in Sections III (F).
H.“Initial Public Offering” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

 

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I.“Investment company client” means any investment company with which UMBDS or UMB Fund Services, Inc. has an effective contract to provide services including administration, marketing and/or transfer agent services.

J.“Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 under the 1933 Act.
K.“Purchase or sale of a security” includes the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.
L.“President” means the President of UMB Distribution Services, LLC.
M.“UMBDS” means UMB Distribution Services, LLC.
 

 

1“Beneficial ownership” includes ownership of a security in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. A direct pecuniary interest is the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit, or to share the profit, from the transaction. An indirect pecuniary interest is any nondirect financial interest, but is specifically defined in the rules to include securities held by members of the Access Person’s immediate family sharing the same household; securities held by other relatives whose investments the Access Person directs or controls, whether the person lives with the Access Person or not, as well as accounts of another person (individual, partner, corporation, trust, custodian, or other entity) if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the Access Person obtains or may obtain therefrom a direct or indirect pecuniary interest; securities held by a partnership of which the Access Person is the general partner; securities held by a trust of which the Access Person is the settlor if the Access Person can revoke the trust, or a beneficiary if the Access Person has or shares investment control with the trustee; and equity securities which may be acquired upon exercise of an option or other right, or through conversion. A person does not derive a direct or indirect pecuniary interest by virtue of serving as a trustee or executor unless he or a member of his immediate family has a vested interest in the income or corpus of the trust or estate. Questions regarding beneficial ownership should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

III.EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS

 

The restrictions of Section IV and the reporting requirements of Section V of this Code shall not apply to the following; provided, however, all transactions adhere to the general fiduciary principles set forth in Section I:

A.Purchases or sales affected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control.

B.Purchases or sales of securities which are not eligible for purchase or sale by any investment company client under its investment objectives and policies set forth in the client’s registration statement.
C.Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of the Access Person, including mergers, recapitalizations or similar transactions.
D.Purchases which are part of an issuer’s automatic dividend reinvestment plan.
E.Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights are so acquired.
F.Securities issued by the Government of the United States (i.e., U.S. Treasury securities), short-term debt securities which are “government securities” within the meaning of section 2(a)(16) of the 1940 Act (which includes securities of the U.S. Government and its instrumentalities), bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and shares of registered open-end investment companies.
G.Securities issued by any company included in the Standard and Poor’s 500® Index.
H.Purchases or sales which receive the prior approval of the President or the Chief Compliance Officer because they are only remotely potentially harmful to UMBDS and its investment company clients because they would be very unlikely to affect a highly institutional market, or because they clearly are not related economically to the securities to be purchased, sold or held by any investment company client.

 

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IV.          RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL INVESTING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

 

A.Trading Restrictions. No Access Person shall, directly or indirectly, purchase or sell any security in which he or she has or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership and which to his or her actual knowledge at the time of such proposed purchase or sale:

1.is being considered for purchase or sale by or for an investment company client;
2.is the subject of a pending buy or sell order by an investment company client; or
3.was purchased or sold by or considered for purchase or sale for an investment company client on the same day as the proposed purchase or sale of such Access Person.

B.Limited Offerings. No Access Person may invest in a limited offering of securities unless the individual receives prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer before directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership in any securities in the initial public offering. The Chief Compliance Officer shall review the transaction to determine that the investment is not an undisclosed reward for directing business to UMBDS and that the Access Person is not misappropriating an opportunity that should have been offered to an investment company client. Any such investments by the Chief Compliance Officer must receive the prior approval of the President.
C.Initial Public Offerings. No Access Person of UMBDS may acquire any beneficial ownership in any securities in an initial public offering unless the individual receives prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer before directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership in any securities in the initial public offering. The Chief Compliance Officer shall review the transaction to determine that the investment is not an undisclosed reward for directing business to UMBDS and that the Access Person is not misappropriating an opportunity that should have been offered to an investment company client. Any such investments by the Chief Compliance Officer must receive the prior approval of the President.
D.Gifts. No Access Person may receive any gift or anything else of more than $100 value within any calendar year from any person, entity or person affiliated with an entity that does business with or on behalf of an investment company client.
E.Service as a Director. No Access Person may serve on a board of directors of a publicly traded company, absent prior written authorization by the President which authorization is based upon a determination that such service would be consistent with the interests of UMBDS and its investment company clients. Any authorization will be conditioned upon the notification of such position to each investment company client and upon such other conditions as the President may deem necessary to isolate the individual from those making investment decisions.
F.Other Restrictions. UMBDS recognizes that its Registered Representatives do not have any on-going, day-to-day involvement with the investment selection process of the investment companies for which it serves as distributor. In particular, its Registered Representatives do not provide information or advice relating to the investment decision making process nor are Registered Representatives typically consulted by the investment advisers regarding specific portfolio transactions prior to their execution. In addition, it has been the practice of UMBDS’ investment company clients and their investment advisers to not share information about securities purchased or sold or considered for purchase or sale for a portfolio until after such securities are purchased or sold. Accordingly, UMBDS believes the foregoing restrictions together with the reporting and compliance procedures described in Section V are sufficient and reasonable to detect and prevent violations of the Code. As discussed in Sections V (F) and VI, if circumstances warrant, the Member(s) of UMBDS may ban an Access Person from all personal securities transactions or require the pre-clearance of any such transactions, or impose such other restrictions as it deems necessary or appropriate. Appendix B sets forth additional restrictions and/or reporting procedures, if any.

 

V.REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

 

Every Access Person of UMBDS is required to report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee:

A.Initial Holdings Reports. No later than 10 days after the person becomes an Access Person, the following information:

1.The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when the person became an Access Person;

 

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2.The name of any broker, dealer or bank with the Access Person maintained and account in which any securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person; and
3.The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
B.Quarterly Securities Transaction Report. No later than 10 days after the end of the calendar quarter, the following information:
1.With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which the Access person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
a.The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;
b.The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
c.The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;
d.The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected;
e.The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.
2.With respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
a.The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;
b.The date the account was established; and
c.The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.
C.Annual Holdings Reports. Annually, the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 30 days before the report is actually submitted):
1.The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect ownership;
2.The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and
3.The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.
D.Confirmations. In addition to the reporting requirements of Section V (A), (B) and (C) all Access Persons shall direct their brokers or financial intermediaries to supply to the Chief Compliance Officer or her designee on a timely basis, duplicate copies of brokerage confirmations of all personal securities transactions for all securities accounts in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest (other than securities described in Section III (F)).
E.Disclaimer of Beneficial Ownership. No Quarterly Report shall be construed as an admission by the Access Person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.
F.Compliance Monitoring.
1.The Chief Compliance Officer shall establish Post-Trade Monitoring Procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code, pursuant to which all Initial Holding Reports and Certification, Quarterly Reports, Annual Holding Reports and Certification, confirmations and other materials regarding personal securities transactions by employees are reviewed to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code. All Quarterly Reports of the Chief Compliance Officer shall be reviewed by such person(s) as the President may from time to time designate. It shall be the responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer to report violations to the management of UMBDS. The Member(s) may impose such other reporting or compliance procedures as necessary or appropriate including bans on some or all personal investment activity or pre-clearance of securities activities. Appendix B sets forth additional restrictions and/or reporting procedures, if any.

2.The Chief Compliance Officer, or her designee, shall identify all Access Persons who are required to make reports pursuant to this Code and shall inform such Access Persons of their reporting obligation.

 

VI.REVIEW BY MEMBER(S); SANCTIONS

 

A.Annual Report to UMBDS Member(s).
1.No less frequently than annually, UMBDS shall provide to its Member(s) a written report that describes any issues arising under the Code or procedures since the last report to the Member(s), including but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations.

 

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2.The Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee also shall inquire into any apparent violation of the restrictions imposed by this Code and shall report any apparent violations of the restrictions provided herein to UMBDS.
B.Sanctions. Upon finding such a violation of this Code, UMBDS may impose any sanction or take such remedial actions as it deems appropriate including, without limitation, requiring the disgorgement of profits, imposing fines, barring any personal securities transactions or termination of registration with UMBDS.

 

VII.RECORD RETENTION

 

UMBDS shall maintain records in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which records may be maintained on microfilm under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2(f)(1) under the 1940 Act:

A.Retention of Copy of Code. A copy of this Code shall be preserved in an easily accessible place.

B.Record of Violations. A record of any violation of this Code and any action taken as a result, shall be preserved in any easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs.
C.Copy of Forms and Reports. A copy of each Initial Holding Report, Quarterly Report and Annual Holding Report prepared and filed by an Access Person pursuant to this Code shall be preserved by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year in which such report is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
D.Reporting Person List. A list of all Access Persons who are, or within the past five years have been, required to file Reports pursuant to this Code shall be maintained in an easily accessible place.
E.Approval Forms. A record of any decision and the reasons supporting the decision to approve the acquisition by Access Persons of securities in an Initial Public Offering or in a Limited Offering shall be maintained for at least five years of the fiscal year in which the decision is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

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