# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001576367
**File Stem:** 0001398344-26-001357
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 431467
**Document Hash:** 978c728f262551077d5c3ee0ace31c55
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001398344-26-001357.hdr.sgml**: 20260127

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001398344-26-001357

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 485BPOS

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 36

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260127

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260127

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260201

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FORUM FUNDS II
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001576367

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 485BPOS
- **SEC ACT:** 1940 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 811-22842
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26564376

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** THREE CANAL PLAZA, SUITE 600
- **CITY:** PORTLAND
- **STATE:** ME
- **ZIP:** 04101
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 207-347-2000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** THREE CANAL PLAZA, SUITE 600
- **CITY:** PORTLAND
- **STATE:** ME
- **ZIP:** 04101
**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FORUM FUNDS II
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001576367

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 485BPOS
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-188521
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26564375

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** THREE CANAL PLAZA, SUITE 600
- **CITY:** PORTLAND
- **STATE:** ME
- **ZIP:** 04101
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 207-347-2000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** THREE CANAL PLAZA, SUITE 600
- **CITY:** PORTLAND
- **STATE:** ME
- **ZIP:** 04101

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### Baywood ValuePlus Fund (Series ID: S000042905)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000132967 | Institutional Shares | BVPIX           |

### Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund (Series ID: S000051874)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000163318 | Institutional Shares | BVSIX           |

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2026

1933 Act File No. 333-188522 and 1940 Act File No. 811-22843

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No. 182

AND

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. 184

FORUM FUNDS II

190 Middle Street, Suite 101

Portland, Maine 04101

(207) 347-2000

Alison Fuller

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

2000 K Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20006-1871

Copies to:

Zachary Tackett

Apex Fund Services

190 Middle Street, Suite 101

Portland, Maine 04101

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)(1)

[X] on <u>February 1, 2026</u>, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)(1)

[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)

[ ] on <u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)

[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)

[ ] on <u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)

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

Title of series being registered: Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund and Baywood Value*Plus* Fund

![](fp0097282-1_01.jpg)

Prospectus

February 1, 2026

Value*Plus*

Institutional Shares (BVPIX)

Socially*Responsible*

Institutional Shares (BVSIX)

SKBA Capital Management, LLC; Advisor www.baywoodfunds.com

**The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the disclosure in this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Summary Section** | **1** |
| This important section summarizes each Fund's objectives, strategies, fees, risks, past performance, portfolio turnover, portfolio managers, your account and other information. |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baywood Value*Plus* Fund | 1 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund | 7 |
| **Details Regarding Principal Investment Strategies** | **13** |
| This section includes additional information about each Fund's investment strategies. |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baywood Value*Plus* Fund | 13 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund | 15 |
| **Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Risks** | **16** |
| This section includes additional information about each Fund's investment risks. |  |
| **Management** | **19** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Advisor | 19 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Portfolio Managers | 19 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Service Providers | 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fund Expenses | 20 |
| **Your Account** | **21** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;General Information | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How to Contact the Funds | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Buying Shares | 23 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selling Shares | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exchanging Shares | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Retirement Accounts | 29 |
| **Other Information** | **30** |
| **Financial Highlights** | **33** |

---

The Notice of Privacy Policy and Practices of the Funds is included with this Prospectus but is not considered to be part of the Prospectus.

**SUMMARY SECTION - BAYWOOD VALUE*PLUS* FUND** 

**Investment Objective**

The Baywood Value*Plus* Fund (the "Fund") seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in undervalued equity securities.

**Fees and Expenses**

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

---

| |
|:---|
| **Shareholder Fees <br>(fees paid directly from your investment)** |
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Distributions (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
| Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Annual Fund Operating Expenses<br> (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)** |  |
| Management Fees | 0.50% |
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |  |
| Other Expenses | 3.60% |
| **Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses** | 4.10% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement<sup>(1)</sup> | (3.40)% |
| **Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | 0.70% |

---

<sup>(1)</sup> SKBA Capital Management, LLC (the "Advisor") has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 0.70% through January 31, 2027 ("Expense Cap"). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Advisor may recoup from a Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Advisor pursuant to the Expense Cap if such recoupment is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class (after the recoupment has been taken into account) to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived/reimbursed.

***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 hold or 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, except that it reflects the Expense Cap through the time periods described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you do or do not redeem your shares at the end of each period described below, your costs would be:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**1 Year** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**3 Years** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**5 Years** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**10 Years** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;$72 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$934 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$1813 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$4080 |

---

***Portfolio Turnover.*** The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses

or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

Under normal conditions, the Advisor seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large market capitalization companies and instruments that provide exposure to such securities, including common, preferred and convertible stock and sponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). Although the Fund will invest primarily in issuers located in the U.S., the Fund may also invest in foreign corporations. The Advisor considers large market capitalization companies to be those with market capitalizations in the range of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index® at the time of purchase. In addition, the Fund may invest a significant portion of the Fund's total assets in cash or cash equivalents if the Advisor's Process (as explained above) does not identify other appropriate investments for the Fund.

The Advisor intends to invest primarily in securities that it deems to be undervalued and which exhibit the likelihood of exceeding market returns. The Fund will typically hold these securities until their market price reflects or exceeds their intrinsic value. The Advisor also expects to generate income by primarily investing in dividend-paying companies. In selecting dividend-paying companies, the Advisor does not seek a specific absolute yield; instead it compares the yield to a universe of dividend paying stocks along with its own history.

In determination of a company's valuation and fundamental attractiveness, the Advisor generally applies a rigorous thought process that includes, but is not limited to the following criteria:

Fundamental Analysis:

● Assess balance sheet risk: Cash generation cycle, debt payment schedule, coverage ratios

● Forecast earning power: Mid-cycle margins, normal return on capital, above/below trend

● Determine cash flow sources/uses: Discretionary cash flow, capital investment required, capital allocation priorities

● Identify dividend policy: Appraise dividend payout to earnings, dividend growth forecast, dividend cut forecast

Competitive Analysis:

● Analyze business strategy: Market share changes, product development cycles and sustainability of advantages

● Evaluate management strengths: Track record, incentive compensation goals, internal compliance system

In addition, the Advisor will at times seek to identify catalysts which may improve a company's valuation. These catalysts include but are not limited to: changes in management, improvements in a company's capitalization and forecasted changes of return on invested capital.

In selecting investments for the Fund, the Advisor typically seeks to invest in companies for a period of three to five years. In consideration of a company's fundamental outlook the Advisor considers a company's earnings power, including its long-term ability to generate profit for reinvestment or distributions to shareholders. The Advisor considers other factors such as balance sheet and income statement strength, competitive position and overall industry prospects as well as management's alignment with shareholders' interests. Stock selection is based on individual company merits and the Advisor's assessment of each company's fair value.

The Fund may sell a security when it reaches its target valuation or when the Advisor expects or observes a long-term deterioration of a company's fundamentals. The Advisor may also sell a security when it identifies more compelling investment ideas or a particular security exceeds 5% of portfolio's total assets.

The Fund is a diversified fund and seeks to construct a portfolio ranging from 40 to 60 securities.

**Principal Investment Risks**

Losing all or a portion of your investment is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. More information on the Fund's principal investment strategies and principal risks is contained in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI"). The following principal risks could affect the value of your investment:

***Investment Style Risk.*** A value style is primarily used to select investments for the Fund. This style may fall out of favor, may underperform other styles and may increase the volatility of a Fund's share price.

***Market Events Risk.*** Disruptive events with geopolitical consequences, including pandemics, may destabilize various countries' economies and markets, which may experience increased volatility and reduced liquidity. Policy changes by the Federal Reserve and/or other government actors could similarly cause increased volatility in financial markets. Trade barriers and other protectionist trade policies (including those in the U.S.) may also result in market turbulence. Market volatility and reductions in market liquidity may negatively affect issuers worldwide, including issuers in which the Fund invests. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty liquidating portfolio holdings, particularly at favorable prices. To the extent that the Fund experiences higher levels of redemptions, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings, which may negatively impact the Fund's NAV.

***Equity Risk.*** Equity securities, which include common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in the price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security or broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates.

***Management Risk.*** The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the Advisor to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting inflationary and deflationary periods.

***Value Investment Risk.*** The Fund may invest in securities the Advisor believes are undervalued. The value of the Fund's shares may decline, even if stock prices generally are rising because value stocks may fall out of favor with the market or react differently to market, political and economic developments.

***Large Capitalization Company Risk.*** The Fund's investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

***Sector Risk.*** The Fund's investments may be more weighted in one or more sectors or industries. Negative developments affecting those sectors or industries may result in greater market risk to the Fund than to a fund that is not weighted in those sectors. The industries that comprise a sector may react similarly to changes in market conditions. Therefore, the value of the Fund's portfolio investments may be more sensitive to developments affecting those sectors.

***ADR Risk.*** ADR risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currencies and foreign investment risks, such as political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. In addition, ADRs may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.

***Foreign Investments Risk.*** Foreign investments may be subject to the same risks as domestic investments and to additional risks which include international trade, currency, political, regulatory and diplomatic risks, which may affect their value. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that their market price may not reflect the issuer's condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

***Cash and Cash Equivalents Risk.*** When investing in cash and cash equivalents, the Fund risks achieving lower returns and potential lost opportunities to participate in market appreciation, which could negatively impact the Fund's performance and ability to achieve its investment objective. This is particularly true when the market for other investments in which the Fund may invest is rapidly rising.

***Convertible Securities Risk.*** Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities or any changes in the issuer's credit rating. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the value of the convertible securities.

***Preferred Stock Risk.*** Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer's ability to make payments on the preferred stock.

**Performance Information**

The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance and an additional benchmark with characteristics relevant to the Fund. Updated performance information is available at www.baywoodfunds.com or by calling (855) 409-2297 (toll free).

A collective investment trust managed by the Fund's Advisor and portfolio management team ("Predecessor Fund") was reorganized into the Fund on the date the Fund commenced operations (*i.e*., on December 1, 2013). The collective investment trust had an investment objective and strategies that were, in all material respects, identical to those of the Fund, and was managed in a manner that, in all material respects, complied with the investment guidelines and restrictions of the Fund. The collective investment trust, however, was not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act"), and the collective investment trust was not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, liquidity requirements, and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which, if applicable, may have adversely affected its performance.

The Fund's performance for periods prior to the commencement of operations is that of the Institutional Shares of the collective investment trust, which commenced operations on May 2, 2011. The performance of the collective investment trust has not been restated to reflect the fees, estimated expenses and fee waivers and/or expense limitations applicable to the Fund. If the performance of the collective investment trust had been restated to reflect the applicable fees and expenses of the Fund, the performance may have been higher or lower than the performance shown in the bar chart and Average Annual Total Returns table below.

*Performance information (before and after taxes) represents only past performance and does not necessarily indicate future results.*

Annual Returns as of December 31

![](fp0097282-1_02.jpg)

During the period shown, the highest return for a quarter was 18.39% for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, and the lowest return was -30.14% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

**Average Annual Total Returns**

(For the periods ended December 31, 2025)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **1 Year** | **5 Year** | **10 Year**<sup>(1)</sup> | **Since Inception<br> 06/27/08**<sup>(1)</sup> |
| Return Before Taxes | 12.17% | 12.38% | 10.56% | 9.70% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions | 10.19% | 10.62% | 9.13% | 8.53% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 8.61% | 9.61% | 8.36% | 7.93% |
| Morningstar US Market TR Index<br> (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 17.35% | 13.29% | 14.40% | 11.99% |
| Morningstar US Large Value TR Index<br> (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 18.18% | 13.05% | 11.50% | 9.21% |

---

<sup>(1)</sup> Institutional Shares commenced operations on May 2, 2011. Performance for the period is a blended average annual return which includes the returns of Investor Shares (inception date June 27, 2008) prior to the commencement of operations of Institutional Shares. Effective August 16, 2019, Investor shares were converted, without any fee, load, or charge to shareholders, to shares of the Fund's Institutional Class.

**Morningstar US Market TR Index** is a diversified, broad-market index that targets 97% market capitalization coverage of the U.S. stock market.

**Morningstar US Large Value TR Index** measures the performance of stocks issued by large-capitalization companies that have exhibited above-average "value" characteristics as determined by Morningstar, Inc.'s proprietary index methodology.

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

The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

**Management**

***Investment Advisor.*** SKBA Capital Management, LLC is the Fund's investment advisor.

***Portfolio Managers***. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund with Messrs. Rothé, Segura , and Hiester being principally responsible for the Fund's investment decisions and Ms. Mann being principally responsible for all of the Fund's trading activities:

● Joshua J. Rothé is CEO, CFO and Director of Research of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2013.

● Shelley H. Mann is Senior Vice President, Director of Trading and CCO of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2013.

● Thomas Hiester, CFA, is a securities analyst to the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2025.

● Matthew Segura, CFA, is the President, CIO and Director of Institutional Portfolio Management, a securities analyst of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2017.

**Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares**

You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for business. You may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund by calling (855) 409-2297 (toll free) or writing to the Fund at Baywood Funds, P.O. Box 588, Portland, Maine 04112. You also may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary. The Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum Initial<br> Investment** | **Minimum Additional<br> Investment** |
| Standard Accounts | $5000 |  |
| Retirement Accounts | $5000 |  |

---

**Tax Information**

Shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund, which may be taxed to shareholders other than tax-advantaged investors (such as tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts) as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may still be subject to taxation at ordinary income tax rates upon withdrawals from that account.

**Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries**

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

**SUMMARY SECTION - BAYWOOD SOCIALLY*RESPONSIBLE* FUND** 

**Investment Objective**

The Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund (the "Fund") seeks to provide long-term capital growth.

**Fees and Expenses**

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

---

| |
|:---|
| **Shareholder Fees <br>(fees paid directly from your investment)** |
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and Distributions (as a percentage of the offering price) |
| Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |
| Exchange Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable) |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Annual Fund Operating Expenses<br> (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)** |  |
| Management Fees | 0.70% |
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |  |
| Other Expenses | 1.21% |
| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.01% |
| **Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses** | 1.92% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement<sup>(1)</sup> | (1.02)% |
| **Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement<sup>(2)</sup>** | 0.90% |

---

<sup>(1)</sup> SKBA Capital Management, LLC (the "Advisor") has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 0.89% through January 31, 2027 ("Expense Cap"). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Advisor may recoup from a Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Advisor pursuant to the Expense Cap if such recoupment is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class (after the recoupment has been taken into account) to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived/reimbursed.

<sup>(2)</sup> Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the financial highlights because they do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses ("AFFE").

***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 hold or 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, except that it reflects the Expense Cap through the time periods described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you do or do not redeem your shares at the end of each period described below, your costs would be:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**1 Year** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**3 Years** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**5 Years** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**10 Years** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;$92 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$504 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$942 | &nbsp;&nbsp;$2160 |

---

***Portfolio Turnover.*** The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) consist of common stocks of issuers that meet certain socially responsible criteria. This investment strategy may be changed at any time, with 60 days' prior notice to shareholders. The Fund may also invest in the preferred stock of such issuers, as well as securities convertible into common stock. Although the Fund will invest primarily in issuers located in the U.S., the Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar denominated American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") of foreign corporations. Up to 50% of the Fund's net assets may consist of securities of mid-capitalization companies. For this purpose, SKBA Capital Management, LLC ("SKBA" or the "Advisor"), the Fund's investment advisor, considers a mid-capitalization company to be a company with a market capitalization between $1 billion and $5 billion at the time of investment. In addition, the Fund may invest a significant portion of the Fund's total assets in cash or cash equivalents if the Advisor's Process (as explained below) does not identify other appropriate investments for the Fund.

In selecting investments, the Advisor considers social criteria such as an issuer's community relations, corporate governance, employee diversity, employee relations, environmental impact and sustainability, human rights record, and product safety. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the Advisor also evaluates an issuer's involvement in specific revenue generating activities to determine whether the issuer's involvement was meaningful or simply incidental with respect to that activity.

The Advisor applies valuation screens that identify issuers for further in-depth fundamental analysis for potential inclusion in the Fund. The investment strategy typically emphasizes securities that the Advisor believes have one or more of the following characteristics: a price significantly below the intrinsic value of the issuer; below average price to sales and price to cash flow ratios; and sound overall financial condition of the issuer. The Advisor may determine to sell a security when its target value is realized, its earnings deteriorate, changing circumstances affect the original reasons for the security's purchase, or more attractive investment alternatives are identified.

The Fund seeks to avoid investing in any issuer that derives more than 5% of its total revenue from tobacco, alcohol, gambling, abortion or weaponry (whether sold to consumers or the military), or that is involved in nuclear power. Because information on an issuer's involvement in those activities may not be publicly available, it is possible that the Fund's holdings may include an issuer that does not meet its criteria for socially responsible investing. When the Advisor discovers that a holding does not meet its criteria for socially responsible investing, it will divest that holding as soon as reasonably practicable.

**Principal Investment Risks**

Losing all or a portion of your investment is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. More information on the Fund's principal investment strategies and principal risks is contained in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI"). The following principal risks could affect the value of your investment:

***Investment Style Risk.*** A value style is primarily used to select investments for the Fund. This style may fall out of favor, may underperform other styles and may increase the volatility of a Fund's share price.

***Market Events Risk.*** Disruptive events with geopolitical consequences, including pandemics, may destabilize various countries' economies and markets, which may experience increased volatility and reduced liquidity. Policy changes by the Federal Reserve and/or other government actors could similarly cause increased volatility in financial markets.

Trade barriers and other protectionist trade policies (including those in the U.S.) may also result in market turbulence. Market volatility and reductions in market liquidity may negatively affect issuers worldwide, including issuers in which the Fund invests. Under such circumstances, the Fund may have difficulty liquidating portfolio holdings, particularly at favorable prices. To the extent that the Fund experiences higher levels of redemptions, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings, which may negatively impact the Fund's NAV.

***Equity Risk.*** Equity securities, which include common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in the price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security or broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates.

***Management Risk.*** The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the Advisor to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting inflationary and deflationary periods.

***Value Investment Risk.*** The Fund may invest in securities the Advisor believes are undervalued. The value of the Fund's shares may decline, even if stock prices generally are rising because value stocks may fall out of favor with the market or react differently to market, political and economic developments.

***Socially Responsible Investments Risk.*** Socially responsible investment criteria may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Fund, and as a result, at times the Fund's investment returns may be lower than those funds that are not subject to such investment considerations.

***Large Capitalization Company Risk.*** The Fund's investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

***Mid Capitalization Company Risk.*** Investments in mid capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities' prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Fund's ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

***Sector Risk.*** The Fund's investments may be more weighted in one or more sectors or industries. Negative developments affecting those sectors or industries may result in greater market risk to the Fund than to a fund that is not weighted in those sectors. The industries that comprise a sector may react similarly to changes in market conditions. Therefore, the value of the Fund's portfolio investments may be more sensitive to developments affecting those sectors.

***ADR Risk.*** ADR risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currencies and foreign investment risks, such as political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. In addition, ADRs may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.

***Foreign Investments Risk.*** Foreign investments may be subject to the same risks as domestic investments and to additional risks which include international trade, currency, political, regulatory and diplomatic risks, which may affect their value. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that their market price may not reflect the issuer's condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

***Cash and Cash Equivalents Risk.*** When investing in cash and cash equivalents, the Fund risks achieving lower returns and potential lost opportunities to participate in market appreciation, which could negatively impact the Fund's performance and ability to achieve its investment objective. This is particularly true when the market for other investments in which the Fund may invest is rapidly rising.

***Convertible Securities Risk.*** Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities or any changes in the issuer's credit rating. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the value of the convertible securities.

***Preferred Stock Risk.*** Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer's ability to make payments on the preferred stock.

**Performance Information**

The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance and an additional benchmark with characteristics relevant to the Fund. Updated performance information is available at www.baywoodfunds.com or by calling (855) 409-2297 (toll free).

The returns presented for the Fund prior to January 8, 2016 reflect the performance of the City National Rochdale Socially *Responsible* Equity Fund, a series of the City National Rochdale Funds (the "Predecessor Fund"). The Fund has adopted the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund as the result of a reorganization in which the Fund acquired all the assets, subject to liabilities, of the Predecessor Fund, effective as of the close of business on January 8, 2016.

The Predecessor Fund was sub-advised by the Fund's advisor, SKBA Capital Management, LLC, with the same portfolio managers as the Fund. The Fund is managed in a manner that is in all material respects equivalent to the management of the Predecessor Fund, including the investment objective, strategies, guidelines, and restrictions. The Predecessor Fund was created for purposes entirely unrelated to the establishment of a performance record. The Predecessor Fund qualified since its inception, and the Fund intends to continue to qualify each year, for treatment as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.

*Performance information (before and after taxes) represents only past performance and does not necessarily indicate future results.*

Annual Returns as of December 31

![](fp0097282-1_03.jpg)

During the period shown, the highest return for a quarter was 20.44% for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, and the lowest return was -30.47% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

**Average Annual Total Returns**

(For the periods ended December 31, 2025)

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **1 Year** | **5 Year** | **10 Year**<sup>(1)</sup> | **Since Inception<br> 01/03/05**<sup>(1)</sup> |
| Return Before Taxes | 9.31% | 12.20% | 10.56% | 7.03% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions | 8.39% | 11.15% | 9.58% | 5.86% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 6.17% | 9.58% | 8.46% | 5.38% |
| Morningstar US Market TR Index<br> (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 17.35% | 13.29% | 14.40% | 10.76% |
| Morningstar US Large Value TR Index<br> (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 18.18% | 13.05% | 11.50% | 8.23% |

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<sup>(1)</sup> Effective August 16, 2019, Investor shares were converted, without any fee, load, or charge to shareholders, to shares of the Fund's Institutional Class.

**Morningstar US Market TR Index** is a diversified, broad-market index that targets 97% market capitalization coverage of the U.S. stock market.

**Morningstar US Large Value TR Index** measures the performance of stocks issued by large-capitalization companies that have exhibited above-average "value" characteristics as determined by Morningstar, Inc.'s proprietary index methodology.

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

The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

**Management**

***Investment Advisor.*** SKBA Capital Management, LLC is the Fund's investment advisor.

***Portfolio Managers***. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund with Messrs. Rothé, Segura, and Hiester being principally responsible for the Fund's investment decisions and Ms. Mann being principally responsible for all of the Fund's trading activities:

● Joshua J. Rothé is CEO, CFO and Director of Research of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2016.

● Shelley H. Mann is Senior Vice President, Director of Trading and CCO of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2016.

● Thomas Hiester, CFA, is a securities analyst of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2025.

● Matthew Segura, CFA, is the President, CIO and Director of Institutional Portfolio Management, a securities analyst of the Advisor and has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2017.

**Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares**

You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for business. You may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund by calling (855) 409-2297 (toll free) or writing to the Fund at Baywood Funds, P.O. Box 588, Portland, Maine 04112. You also may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary. The Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum Initial<br> Investment** | **Minimum Additional<br> Investment** |
| Standard Accounts | $5000 |  |
| Retirement Accounts | $5000 |  |

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**Tax Information**

Shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund, which may be taxed to shareholders other than tax-advantaged investors (such as tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts) as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may still be subject to taxation at ordinary income tax rates upon withdrawals from that account.

**Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries**

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

**DETAILS REGARDING PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES** 

**Baywood Value*Plus* Fund**

The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in undervalued equity securities. The Advisor also expects to generate income by primarily investing in dividend-paying stocks. The Fund's investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders. The Fund, however, will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the investment objective.

**Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies**

Under normal conditions, the Advisor seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of large market capitalization companies and instruments that provide exposure to such securities, including common, preferred and convertible stock and sponsored ADRs. The Fund will provide 60 days' notice to shareholders prior to implementing a change in this policy for the Fund. Although the Fund will invest primarily in issuers located in the U.S., the Fund may also invest in foreign corporations. The Advisor considers large market capitalization companies to be those with market capitalizations in the range of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index at the time of purchase. Because the Fund's definition of large capitalization companies is dynamic, it will change with the markets. The Advisor intends to invest primarily in securities that it deems to be undervalued and exhibit the likelihood of exceeding market returns. The Advisor seeks securities selling at discounts to their underlying values and typically holds these securities until their market price reflects or exceeds their intrinsic value. The Advisor anticipates that the Fund's portfolio will consist of 40 to 60 positions. The Advisor also expects to generate income by primarily investing in dividend-paying stocks.

***The Advisor's Process.*** In selecting investments for the Fund the Advisor may consider a company's earnings power including its long-term ability to generate profit for reinvestment or distribution to shareholders. The Advisor considers factors such as balance sheet and income statement strength, competitive position and overall industry prospects, as well as management's alignment with shareholders' interests. The Advisor also uses traditional valuation measures such as price to earnings ratios, return on assets, price-to-book ratios and other quantitative measures. The Advisor believes that insight into the value of a company is gained by looking at these fundamentals in relation to the company's balance sheet and its entire capital structure. Stock selection is based on individual company merits and the Advisor's assessment of each company's fair value.

In selecting dividend-paying stocks, the Advisor does not seek absolute yield. Instead, the Advisor evaluates the initial attraction of a stock based on the Advisor's own calculation of a stock's Relative Dividend Yield ("RDY"). RDY is a ratio that compares the dividend yield of a company to the dividend yield of a proprietary index consisting of 500 of the largest dividend-paying companies. The Advisor finds value in the analysis of the highs and lows of a company's RDY ratio over time. The Advisor utilizes its initial RDY valuation framework to identify when low and/or depressed investment expectations may already be discounted in a stock's current valuation. In addition, the Fund may invest a significant portion of the Fund's total assets in cash or cash equivalents if the Advisor's Process does not identify other appropriate investments for the Fund.

The Advisor uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to select the securities in which the Fund will invest. The Advisor begins with a universe of large market capitalization companies with attractive RDYs in order to narrow the universe to a subset of companies that are out of favor in the marketplace. The Advisor then uses qualitative and fundamental analysis to further reduce the universe of companies in which the Fund may actually invest. For a company to be purchased in the Fund, it has to exhibit merit on three different levels. The company being researched has to exhibit (1) company-specific merit, (2) relative merit within its peers or industry and (3) portfolio diversification merit. If the three merits are not met, the Fund will typically not make an investment. The Fund is actively managed and has historically maintained attractive portfolio turnover characteristics.

The Advisor continually monitors the investments in the Fund's portfolio to determine if there have been any fundamental changes in the companies or issuers. The Advisor may sell a security if:

● The security subsequently fails to meet the Advisor's initial investment hypothesis;

● A more attractively priced security is found or if funds are needed for other purposes;

● The Advisor believes that the security has reached its appreciation potential; or

● The security exceeds 5% of the portfolio's total assets

***Temporary Defensive Position.*** In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and may invest, without limitation, in cash or high-quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on the Fund's performance. The Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive position.

**BAYWOOD SOCIALLY*RESPONSIBLE* FUND**

The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth. The Fund's investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders. The Fund, however, will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to making any changes to the investment objective.

**Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies**

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) consist of common stocks of issuers that meet certain socially responsible criteria. This investment strategy may be changed at any time, with 60 days' prior notice to shareholders. The Fund may also invest in the preferred stock of such issuers, as well as securities convertible into common stock. Although the Fund will invest primarily in issuers located in the U.S., the Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar denominated American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") of foreign corporations. Up to 50% of the Fund's net assets may consist of securities of mid-capitalization companies. For this purpose, the Advisor considers a mid-capitalization company to be a company with a market capitalization between $1 billion and $5 billion at the time of investment. In addition, the Fund may invest a significant portion of the Fund's total assets in cash or cash equivalents if the Advisor's Process (as explained below) does not identify other appropriate investments for the Fund.

In selecting investments, the Advisor considers social criteria such as an issuer's community relations, corporate governance, employee diversity, employee relations, environmental impact and sustainability, human rights record, and product safety. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the Advisor also evaluates an issuer's involvement in specific revenue generating activities to determine whether the issuer's involvement was meaningful or simply incidental with respect to that activity.

The Advisor applies valuation screens that identify issuers for further in-depth fundamental analysis for potential inclusion in the Fund. The investment strategy typically emphasizes securities that the Advisor believes have one or more of the following characteristics: a price significantly below the intrinsic value of the issuer; below average price to sales and price to cash flow ratios; and sound overall financial condition of the issuer. The Advisor may determine to sell a security when its target value is realized, its earnings deteriorate, changing circumstances affect the original reasons for the security's purchase, or more attractive investment alternatives are identified.

The Fund seeks to avoid investing in any issuer that derives more than 5% of its total revenue from tobacco, alcohol, gambling, abortion or weaponry (whether sold to consumers or the military), or that is involved in nuclear power. Because information on an issuer's involvement in those activities may not be publicly available, it is possible that the Fund's holdings may include an issuer that does not meet its criteria for socially responsible investing. When the Advisor discovers that a holding does not meet its criteria for socially responsible investing, it will divest that holding as soon as reasonably practicable.

***Temporary Defensive Position.*** In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and may invest, without limitation, in cash or high-quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on the Fund's performance. The Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive position.

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS**

The principal risks that may adversely affect each Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per share or total return have previously been summarized under each Fund's "Summary Section." These risks are discussed in more detail below.

Each Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not a complete investment program. You may lose money by investing in the Funds.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Investment Risks** | **Baywood<br> Value*Plus*<br> Fund** | **Baywood<br> Socially*Responsible*<br> Fund** |
| ADR Risk | X | X |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents Risk | X | X |
| Convertible Securities Risk | X | X |
| Equity Risk | X | X |
| Foreign Investments Risk | X | X |
| Investment Style Risk | X | X |
| Large Capitalization Company Risk | X | X |
| Management Risk | X | X |
| Market Events Risk | X | X |
| Mid Capitalization Company Risk |  | X |
| Preferred Stock Risk | X | X |
| Sector Risk | X | X |
| Socially Responsible Investments Risk |  | X |
| Value Investment Risk | X | X |

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*References to the "Fund" below are to the respective Fund(s) as noted in the preceding table.*

***ADR Risk.*** ADR risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currencies and foreign investment risks, such as political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. In addition, ADRs may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading.

***Cash and Cash Equivalents Risk.*** When investing in cash and cash equivalents, the Fund risks achieving lower returns and potential lost opportunities to participate in market appreciation, which could negatively impact the Fund's performance and ability to achieve its investment objective. This is particularly true when the market for other investments in which the Fund may invest is rapidly rising.

***Convertible Securities Risk.*** Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities or changes in the issuer's credit rating. Convertible securities often display a degree of market price volatility that is comparable to common stocks and are also subject to additional risks, including risk of default on interest or principal payments, which could result in a loss of income from or a decline in value of the securities. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities' investment value.

***Equity Risk.*** Equity securities, common stocks may decline in value because of changes in price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. These fluctuations could be a drastic movement or a sustained trend. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods or services, or broader economic or market events, including changes in interest rates. Common stocks in general are subject to the risk of an issuer liquidating or declaring bankruptcy, in which case the claims of owners of the issuer's debt securities and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of common stockholders. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest

rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuation in the market value of the underlying securities.

***Foreign Investments Risk.*** The value of foreign investments may be affected by the imposition of new or amended government regulations, changes in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and another country, political and economic instability, the imposition or tightening of exchange controls or other limitations on repatriation of foreign capital or nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of investors' assets. Changes in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and a foreign currency may reduce the value of an investment made in a security denominated in that foreign currency. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that an issuer's securities may not reflect the issuer's condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. This risk may be greater for investments in issuers in emerging or developing markets. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

***Investment Style Risk.*** A value style is primarily used to select investments for the Fund. This style may fall out of favor, may underperform other styles and may increase the volatility of a Fund's share price.

***Large Capitalization Company Risk.*** Investments in large capitalization companies may go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions and may underperform other market segments. Some large capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges or to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. As such, returns on investments in stocks of large capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of small and mid-sized capitalization companies.

***Management Risk.*** The Fund is actively managed, and its performance will reflect the Advisor's ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the Fund's investment objective. Investments selected by the Advisor for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund's underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives. Further, the Fund's performance may deviate from overall market returns to a greater degree than funds that do not employ a similar strategy.

***Market Events Risk.*** The Fund is designed for long-term investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with significant common stock holdings. Common stocks tend to be more volatile than other investment choices such as bonds and money market instruments. The value of the Fund's shares will go up and down as a result of the movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund, and you could lose money. The "COVID-19" strain of coronavirus has resulted in instances of market closures and dislocations, extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain its spread have resulted in travel restrictions, disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, lower consumer demand, and defaults, among other significant economic impacts that have disrupted global economic activity across many industries. Such economic impacts may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks locally or globally. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 are unpredictable and may result in significant and prolonged effects on the Fund's performance.

***Mid Capitalization Company Risk.*** Investments in mid capitalization companies may entail greater risks, and their securities' prices may fluctuate more and have a higher degree of volatility than those of larger, more established companies. Securities of mid capitalization companies may be traded in lower volume and be less liquid. The general market may not favor mid capitalization companies in which the Fund invests and as a result the Fund could underperform the general market. Mid capitalization companies may have more limited product lines, markets and financial resources that make them more susceptible to economic and market setbacks. Additionally, information about these companies may not be readily available. These factors could adversely affect the Fund's ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

***Preferred Stock Risk.*** If interest rates rise, the dividend on preferred stock may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stock to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions for call or redemption prior to maturity, which can have a negative effect on prices when interest rates decline. Preferred stocks are equity securities because they do not constitute a liability of the issuer and therefore do not offer the same degree

of protection of capital or continuation of income as debt securities. Unlike debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable at the discretion of the issuer's board of directors. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to actual or perceived changes in the issuer's financial condition or prospects than are the prices of debt securities. Preferred stock also may be less liquid than common stock. The rights of preferred stock on distribution of an issuer's assets in the event of its liquidation are generally subordinated to the rights associated with an issuer's debt securities. Preferred stock may also be subject to the risk that the issuer is unable or unwilling, or is perceived (whether by market participants, ratings agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

***Sector Risk.*** The Fund's investments may be more weighted in one or more sectors or industries. Negative developments affecting those sectors or industries may result in greater market risk to the Fund than to a fund that is not weighted in those sectors. The industries that comprise a sector may react similarly to changes in market conditions. Therefore, the value of the Fund's portfolio investments may be more sensitive to developments affecting those sectors.

***Socially Responsible Investments Risk.*** Socially responsible investment criteria may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Fund, and as a result, at times the Fund's investment returns may be lower than those funds that are not subject to such investment considerations.

***Value Investment Risk.*** The determination that a stock is undervalued is subjective, the market may not agree and the stock's price may not rise to what the Advisor believes is its full value. The value of the Fund's shares may decline, even if stock prices generally are rising because value stocks may fall out of favor with the market or react differently to market, political and economic developments.

**MANAGEMENT**

The Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund (each a "Fund"; collectively the "Funds") are each a series of Forum Funds II (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment company (mutual fund). The Board of Trustees (the "Board") oversees the management of the Funds and meets periodically to review each Fund's performance, monitor investment activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Funds. Additional information regarding the Board and the Trust's executive officers may be found in the Funds' SAI, which is available from Funds' website at www.baywoodfunds.com.

**The Advisor**

The Funds' investment advisor is SKBA Capital Management, LLC (the "Advisor"), 601 California Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94108. The Advisor is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and provides investment advisory services to the Funds. The Advisor was founded in 1989 and manages assets for institutional and private clients. As of December 31, 2025, the Advisor had approximately $732 million of assets under management.

Subject to the general oversight of the Board, the Advisor makes investment decisions for the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Advisor and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the "Advisory Agreement"). The Advisor receives an advisory fee from the Funds at an annual rate equal to 0.50% of the average annual daily net assets of the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and 0.70% of the average annual daily net assets of the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund under the terms of the Advisory Agreement. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, the Advisor waived its entire advisory fee for the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and for the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 0.70% for the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and 0.89% for the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund through January 31, 2027 ("Expense Cap"). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Advisor may recoup from the Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Advisor pursuant to the Expense Cap if such recoupment is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of the Fund (after the recoupment has been taken into account) to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived or reimbursed. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses will increase if exclusions from the Expense Cap apply.

A discussion summarizing the basis on which the Board last approved the Advisory Agreement is included in the Funds' reports on Form N-CSR.

**Portfolio Managers**

Joshua J. Rothé, Matthew R. Segura, Thomas Hiester, and Shelley H. Mann are jointly and primarily responsible for the Funds' management. Messrs. Segura, Hiester, and Rothé are jointly and primarily responsible for securities selection in the Funds and Ms. Mann is principally responsible for all of the Funds' trading activities.

**Joshua J. Rothé.** Mr. Rothé is CEO, CFO and Director of Research of the Advisor. He has been in the industry since 1991 and joined the Advisor in 1994. Mr. Rothé is a member of the Investment Strategy Team. Previously, Mr. Rothé worked at Lehman Brothers and Kemper Securities. Mr. Rothé received his BS in International Business and his MBA with an emphasis in Finance from the University of San Francisco. He is a member the CFA Society of San Francisco and the CFA Institute.

**Shelley H. Mann.** Ms. Mann is Senior Vice President, Director of Trading and CCO of the Advisor. She has been in the industry since 1976 and joined the Advisor when the firm was founded in 1989. Ms. Mann is responsible for managing the firm's trading activities, is a member of the Fixed Income Strategy Team, oversees the firm's client operations and as CCO is responsible for administering the Advisor's Compliance Program. Previously, Ms. Mann worked at The Bank of California. She attended Utah State University.

**Thomas Hiester, CFA.** Mr. Hiester is a portfolio manager on the Investment Strategy Team and is also a securities analyst. He is responsible for security analysis, industry specific research and investment idea generation. Prior to joining SKBA in 2016, Mr. Hiester spent five years as a financial analyst at a private investment firm. Mr. Hiester received a Bachelor of Arts in business management economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Mr. Hiester is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco and the CFA Institute.

**Matthew R. Segura, CFA.** Mr. Segura is the President, CIO and Director of Institutional Portfolio Management. He is a member of the Investment Strategy Team and is also a securities analyst. He is responsible for security analysis, industry research and investment idea origination. Mr. Segura is a member of the Investment Strategy Team. Previously Mr. Segura worked at Charles Schwab & Co performing several roles: a Cash Management team member in the Treasury, and a Manager in Financial Planning and Analysis for Schwab's largest retail divisions. Mr. Segura also served five years Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Segura received a BS in business administration from Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco and the CFA Institute.

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

**Other Service Providers**

Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex US Holdings LLC (d/b/a Apex Fund Services) ("Apex"), provides fund accounting, fund administration and compliance services to each Fund and the Trust and supplies certain officers of the Trust, including a Principal Executive Officer, a Principal Financial Officer, a Chief Compliance Officer, an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and additional compliance support personnel. Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex, provides transfer agency services to the Fund and the Trust.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the "Distributor"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (d/b/a ACA Group), acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of Fund shares. The Distributor may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Advisor or with Apex or their affiliates.

**Fund Expenses**

Expenses that are directly attributable to a specific class of shares, such as distribution fees and shareholder servicing fees, are charged directly to that class. The Advisor or other service providers may waive all or any portion of their fees and may reimburse certain expenses of a Fund. To the extent that a service provider is waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses pursuant to a contractual arrangement, such waivers and/or reimbursements may be reflected in the Fund's Fees and Expenses table. Any agreement to waive fees or to reimburse expenses increases the investment performance of the Fund and its share classes for the period during which the waiver or reimbursement is in effect. Current Advisor fee waiver and/or expense reimbursements are reflected in the section titled "Fees and Expenses."

**YOUR ACCOUNT**

**How to Contact the Funds** 

***Website Address:***

www.baywoodfunds.com

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***E-mail the Funds at:***

baywoodfunds.ta@apexgroup.com

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***Write the Funds:***

Baywood Funds

P.O. Box 588

Portland, Maine 04112

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***Overnight Address:***

Baywood Funds

c/o Apex Fund Services

190 Middle Street, Suite 101

Portland, Maine 04101

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***Telephone the Funds at:***

(855) 409-2297 (toll free)

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***Wire investments (or ACH payments):***

Please contact the transfer agent at (855) 409-2297 (toll free) to obtain the ABA routing number and account number for the Funds.

**General Information**

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You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of each Fund on any day that the NYSE is open for business. Notwithstanding this fact, a Fund may, only in the case of an emergency, calculate its NAV and accept and process shareholder orders when the NYSE is closed.

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You may purchase or sell shares of a Fund at the next NAV calculated (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) after the transfer agent or your approved broker-dealer or other financial intermediary receives your request in good order. "Good order" means that you have provided sufficient information necessary to process your request as outlined in this Prospectus, including any required signatures, documents, payment and Medallion Signature Guarantees. All requests to purchase or sell Fund shares received in good order prior to a Fund's close will receive that day's NAV. Requests received in good order after a Fund's close or on a day when a Fund does not value its shares will be processed on the next business day and will be priced at the next NAV. The Funds cannot accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions.

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Shares of the Funds will only be issued against full payment, as described more fully in this Prospectus and the SAI. The Funds do not issue share certificates.

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If you purchase shares directly from a Fund, you will receive a confirmation of each transaction and quarterly statements detailing Fund balances and all transactions completed during the prior quarter. Automatic reinvestments of distributions and systematic investments and withdrawals may be confirmed only by quarterly statement. You should verify the accuracy of all transactions in your account as soon as you receive your confirmations and quarterly statements.

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Each Fund may temporarily suspend or discontinue any service or privilege, including systematic investments and withdrawals, wire redemption privileges and telephone or internet redemption privileges, if applicable. Each Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase request, including, but not limited to, requests that could adversely affect that Fund or its operations. If a Fund were to refuse any purchase request, it would notify the purchaser within two business days of receiving a purchase request in good order.

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If your account is deemed abandoned or unclaimed by applicable state law, a Fund may be required to "escheat" or transfer the property to the appropriate state's unclaimed property administration. Certain states have laws that allow shareholders to name a representative to receive notice of abandoned property ("escheatment") by submitting a designation form, which generally can be found on the official state website. In such states, if a shareholder designates a representative to receive escheatment notices, any notice generally will be delivered as required by the state's laws. A completed designation form should be mailed to a Fund (if shares are held directly with a Fund) or to the shareholder's financial intermediary. Shareholders should check their state's official website to get more information on escheatment law(s).

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***NAV Determination.*** The NAV of each Fund is determined by taking the value of the assets of each Fund, subtracting the value of the liabilities of each Fund and then dividing the result (net assets) by the number of outstanding shares of each Fund. Each Fund calculates its NAV as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). The NYSE is open every weekday other than NYSE holidays and early closings, which are published at www.nyse.com and subject to change without notice.

Each Fund values securities at current market value, where market quotations are readily available, using the last reported sales price. In the absence of a readily available market price, or if the Advisor, in its capacity as the Fund's Valuation Designee, reasonably believes that a market price is unreliable, the Advisor, as the Fund's Valuation Designee, will seek to value such securities at fair value, as determined in good faith using procedures approved by the Board. Insofar as the Fund invests in securities that trade on foreign markets, which may be open for trading when the NYSE is closed, the prices of investments held by the Fund may fluctuate on days when the Fund does not sell or redeem shares. Quotations of foreign securities or other assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. Dollar equivalents using the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time the NAV is calculated.

The Board has designated the Advisor as the Valuation Designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and delegated to the Advisor the responsibility for making fair value determinations with respect to the Funds' portfolio securities. The Advisor, as the Valuation Designee, is responsible for periodically assessing any material risks associated with the determination of the fair value of the Funds' investments; establishing and applying fair value methodologies; testing the appropriateness of fair value methodologies; and overseeing and evaluating third-party pricing services. Fair valuation may be based on subjective factors. As a result, the fair value price of a security may not be the price at which the security may be sold. Fair valuation could result in a different NAV than a NAV determined by using market quotations.

Although a Fund generally prices its foreign securities using their readily available market prices from the foreign markets where they trade (typically prior to the Fund's calculation of its NAV), these prices may be affected by events that occur after the close of the foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares. As a result, each Fund's investments in foreign securities are more likely to require a fair value determination than investments in domestic securities. In determining fair value prices of foreign securities, a Fund may consider the performance of securities on their primary exchanges, foreign currency appreciation or depreciation, securities market movements in the U.S. and other relevant information as related to the securities.

***Transactions Through Financial Intermediaries.*** The Funds have authorized certain financial services companies, broker-dealers, banks and other agents, including the designees of such entities (collectively, "financial intermediaries"), to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds' behalf. If you invest through a financial intermediary, the policies and fees of the financial intermediary may be different from the policies and fees you would be subject to if you had invested directly in the Funds. Among other things, financial intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investment restrictions or limitations on buying or selling Fund shares. You should consult a representative of your financial intermediary for more information.

Each Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a financial intermediary that is an agent of the Funds for the purpose of accepting orders receives the order. All orders to purchase or sell shares are processed as of the next NAV calculated after the order has been received in good order by a financial intermediary. Orders are accepted until the close of trading on the NYSE every business day (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) and are processed, including by financial intermediaries, at that day's NAV.

***Payments to Financial Intermediaries.*** A Fund, at its own expense, may pay additional compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services, including administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. In addition, pursuant to any applicable Rule 12b-1 plan, a Fund may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for distribution-related services. For example, compensation may be paid to make Fund shares available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or a similar program sponsor or for services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs. To the extent that a Fund pays all or a portion of such compensation, the payment is designed to compensate the financial intermediary for distribution activities or for providing services that would otherwise be provided by a Fund's transfer agent and/or administrator.

The Advisor or another Fund affiliate, out of its own resources and not as an expense of a Fund, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries. Such compensation is sometimes referred to as "revenue sharing." Compensation received by a financial intermediary from the Advisor or another Fund affiliate may include payments for shareholder servicing, marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses

incurred by the financial intermediary in educating its salespersons with respect to Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding a Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with their efforts to sell Fund shares, including costs incurred in compensating registered sales representatives and preparing, printing and distributing sales literature.

The amount of compensation paid to different financial intermediaries may vary. The compensation paid to a financial intermediary may be based on a variety of factors, including average assets under management in accounts distributed and/or serviced by the financial intermediary, gross sales by the financial intermediary and/or the number of accounts serviced by the financial intermediary that invest in a Fund.

Any compensation received by a financial intermediary, whether from the Funds, the Advisor or another affiliate, and the prospect of receiving such compensation, may provide the financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend the shares of a Fund, or a certain class of shares of a Fund, over other potential investments. Similarly, the compensation may cause financial intermediaries to elevate the prominence of a Fund within its organization by, for example, placing it on a list of preferred funds.

***Anti-Money Laundering Program.*** Customer identification and verification are part of each Fund's overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Trust's Anti-Money Laundering Program is designed to prevent a Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, a Fund reserves the right, to the extent permitted by law, (1) to refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase order or (2) to freeze any account and/or suspend account services. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Trust management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of a Fund or in cases when a Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authorities or applicable law. If your account is closed at the request of governmental or law enforcement authorities, you may not receive proceeds of the redemption if the Fund is required to withhold such proceeds.

***Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings.*** A description of the Funds' policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio securities is available in the Funds' SAI.

**Buying Shares**

***How to Make Payments.*** Unless purchased through a financial intermediary, all investments must be made by check, Automated Clearing House ("ACH") or wire. All checks must be payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions. In the absence of the granting of an exception consistent with the Trust's Anti-Money Laundering Program, the Funds do not accept purchases made by credit card check, starter check, checks with more than one endorsement (unless the check is payable to all endorsees), cash or cash equivalents (for instance, you may not pay by money order, cashier's check, bank draft or traveler's check). Each Fund and the Advisor also reserve the right to accept in kind contributions of securities in exchange for shares of that Fund.

***Checks.*** Checks must be made payable to "Baywood Funds." For individual, sole proprietorship, joint, Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ("UGMA") and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ("UTMA") accounts, checks may be made payable to one or more owners of the account and endorsed to "Baywood Funds." A $20 charge may be imposed on any returned checks.

***ACH.*** The Automated Clearing House system maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank allows banks to process checks, transfer funds and perform other tasks. Your U.S. financial institution may charge you a fee for this service.

***Wires.*** You may instruct the U.S. financial institution with which you have an account to make a federal funds wire payment to a Fund. Your U.S. financial institution may charge you a fee for this service.

***Minimum Investments.*** Each Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum Initial<br> Investment** | **Minimum Additional<br> Investment** |
| Standard Accounts | $5000 |  |
| Retirement Accounts | $5000 |  |

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Each Fund reserves the right to waive minimum investment amounts, if deemed appropriate by an officer of the Trust.

Registered investment advisors and financial planners may be permitted to aggregate the value of accounts in order to meet minimum investment amounts.

There is no initial or subsequent investment minimum for directors, officers and employees of the Advisor or the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor, or direct descendent (collectively, "relatives") of any such person, any trust or individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit of any such person or relative, or the estate of any such person or relative.

***Account Requirements.*** The following table describes the requirements to establish certain types of accounts in the Funds.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Type of Account** | **Requirement** |
| ***Individual, Sole Proprietorship and Joint Accounts***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Individual accounts and sole proprietorship accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts have two or more owners (tenants). | ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instructions must be signed by all persons named as account owners exactly as their names appear on the account. |
| ***Gifts or Transfers to a Minor (UGMA, UTMA)***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These custodial accounts are owned by a minor child but controlled by an adult custodian. | ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Depending on state laws, you may set up a custodial account under the UGMA or the UTMA.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The custodian must sign instructions in a manner indicating custodial capacity. |
| ***Corporations/Other Entities***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These accounts are owned by the entity, but control is exercised by its officers, partners or other management. | ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The entity should submit a certified copy of its articles of incorporation (or a government-issued business license or other document that reflects the existence of the entity) and a corporate resolution or a secretary's certificate. |
| ***Trusts***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These accounts are controlled by a trustee as a way to convey and control assets for the benefit of a third-party owner. | ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The trust must be established before an account may be opened.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The trust should provide the first and signature pages from the trust document identifying the trustees. |

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***Account Application and Customer Identity Verification.*** To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.

When you open an account, the Fund will ask for your first and last name, U.S. taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), physical street address, date of birth and other information or documents that will allow the Fund to identify you. If you do not supply the required information, the Fund will attempt to contact you or, if applicable, your financial adviser. If the Fund cannot obtain the required information within a timeframe established in its sole discretion, your application will be rejected.

When your application is in good order and includes all required information, your order will normally be processed at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your application and investment amount. The Fund will attempt to verify your identity using the information that you have supplied and other information about you that is available from third

parties, including information available in public and private databases, such as consumer reports from credit reporting agencies.

The Fund will try to verify your identity within a timeframe established in its sole discretion. If the Fund cannot do so, the Fund reserves the right to redeem your investment at the next NAV calculated after the Fund decides to close your account. If your account is closed, you may realize a gain or loss on the Fund shares in the account. You will be responsible for any related taxes and will not be able to recoup any redemption fees assessed, if applicable.

***Policy on Prohibition of Foreign Shareholders.*** Each Fund requires that all shareholders be U.S. persons or U.S. resident aliens with a valid TIN (or show proof of having applied for a TIN and commitment to provide a valid TIN within 60 days) in order to open an account with the Fund.

***Investment Procedures.*** The following table describes the procedures for investing in the Funds.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **How to Open an Account** | **How to Add to Your Account** |
| ***Through a Financial Intermediary*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact your financial intermediary using the method that is most convenient for you.  | ***Through a Financial Intermediary*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact your financial intermediary using the method that is most convenient for you.  |
| ***By Check*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call, write, or e-mail the Fund for an account application. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Complete the application (and other required documents, if applicable). <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the Fund your original application (and other required documents, if applicable) and a check.  | ***By Check*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fill out an investment slip from a confirmation or write the Fund a letter. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Write your account number on your check. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the Fund the investment slip or your letter and the check.  |
| ***By Wire*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call, write, or e-mail the Fund for an account application. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Complete the application (and other required documents, if applicable). <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call the Fund to notify the transfer agent that you are faxing your completed application (and other required documents, if applicable). The transfer agent will assign you an account number. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the Fund your original application (and other required documents, if applicable). <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instruct your U.S. financial institution to wire money to the Fund.  | ***By Wire*** <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instruct your U.S. financial institution to wire money to the Fund. |
| ***By ACH Payment*** | ***By ACH Payment*** |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **How to Open an Account** | **How to Add to Your Account** |
| ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call, write, or e-mail the Fund for an account application. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Complete the application (and other required documents, if applicable). <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call the Fund to notify the transfer agent that you are faxing your completed application (and other required documents, if applicable). The transfer agent will assign you an account number. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the Fund your original application (and other required documents, if applicable). <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The transfer agent will electronically debit your purchase proceeds from the U.S. financial institution identified on your account application. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ACH purchases are limited to $25,000 per day.  | ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call the Fund to request a purchase by ACH payment. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The transfer agent will electronically debit your purchase proceeds from the U.S. financial institution account identified on your account application. <br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ACH purchases are limited to $25,000 per day. |

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***Systematic Investments.*** You may establish a systematic investment plan to automatically invest a specific amount of money (up to $25,000 per day) into your account on a specified day and frequency not to exceed two investments per month. Payments for systematic investments are automatically debited from your designated savings or checking account via ACH. Systematic investments must be for at least $100 per occurrence. If you wish to enroll in a systematic investment plan, complete the appropriate section on the account application. Your signed account application must be received at least three business days prior to the initial transaction. A Fund may terminate or modify this privilege at any time. You may terminate your participation in a systematic investment plan by notifying the Fund at least two days in advance of the next withdrawal.

A systematic investment plan is a method of using dollar cost averaging as an investment strategy that involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular time intervals. However, a program of regular investment cannot ensure a profit or protect against a loss as a result of declining markets. By continually investing the same amount, you will be purchasing more shares when the price is lower and fewer shares when the price is higher. Please call (855) 409-2297 (toll free) for additional information regarding systematic investment plans.

***Frequent Trading.*** Frequent trading by a Fund shareholder may pose risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (1) the dilution of the Fund's NAV, (2) an increase in the Fund's expenses, and (3) interference with the portfolio manager's ability to execute efficient investment strategies. Because the Fund invests primarily in large capitalization equity securities of domestic companies with long-term growth characteristics, its portfolio generally has not been attractive to frequent traders or susceptible to market timing. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted a policy to monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares.

***Canceled or Failed Payments.*** Each Fund accepts checks and ACH payments at full value subject to collection. If the Fund does not receive your payment for shares or you pay with a check or ACH payment that does not clear, your purchase will be canceled within two business days of notification from your bank that your funds did not clear. You will be responsible for any actual losses and expenses incurred by the Fund or the transfer agent. Each Fund and its agents have the right to reject or cancel any purchase request due to non-payment.

**Selling Shares**

Redemption orders received in good order will be processed at the next calculated NAV. The Fund typically expects to pay shareholder redemption requests, including during stressed market conditions, within one business day of receipt of the request in good order and may seek to meet such redemption requests through one or more of the following methods: sales of portfolio assets, use of cash or cash equivalents held in the Fund's portfolio, and/or redemptions in kind, as permitted by applicable rules and regulations. The right of redemption may not be suspended for more than seven days after the tender of Fund shares, except for any period during which (1) the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") determines that trading thereon

is restricted, (2) an emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) the SEC has entered a suspension order for the protection of the shareholders of a Fund.

A Fund will not issue shares until payment is received. If redemption is sought for shares for which payment has not been received, a Fund will delay sending redemption proceeds until payment is received, which may be up to 15 calendar days.

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| |
|:---|
| **How to Sell Shares from Your Account** |
| ***Through a Financial Intermediary***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you purchased shares through your financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed through the same financial intermediary. |
| ***By Mail***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prepare a written request including:<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your name(s) and signature(s);<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your account number;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the Fund name and class;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the dollar amount or number of shares you want to sell;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; how and where to send the redemption proceeds;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a Medallion Signature Guarantee (if required); and<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; other documentation (if required).<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the Fund your request and documentation. |
| ***By Telephone***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Call the Fund with your request, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide the following information:<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your account number;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the exact name(s) in which the account is registered; and<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; an additional form of identification.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check or electronically credited to your account at the U.S. financial institution identified on your account application. |
| ***By Systematic Withdrawal***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Complete the systematic withdrawal section of the application.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Attach a voided check to your application.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mail the completed application to the Fund.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check or electronically credited to your account at the U.S. financial institution identified on your account application. |

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***Wire Redemption Privileges.*** You may redeem your shares with proceeds payable by wire unless you declined wire redemption privileges on your account application. The minimum amount that may be redeemed by wire is $5,000.

***Telephone Redemption Privileges.*** You may redeem your shares by telephone, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application. You may be responsible for an unauthorized telephone redemption order as long as the transfer agent takes reasonable measures to verify that the order is genuine. Telephone redemption orders may be difficult to complete during periods of significant economic or market activity. If you are not able to reach the Funds by telephone, you may mail us your redemption order.

***Systematic Withdrawals.*** You may establish a systematic withdrawal plan to automatically redeem a specific amount of money or shares from your account on a specified day and frequency not to exceed one withdrawal per month. Payments for systematic withdrawals are sent by check to your address of record, or if you so designate, to your bank account by ACH payment. To establish a systematic withdrawal plan, complete the systematic withdrawal section of the account application. The plan may be terminated or modified by a shareholder or a Fund at any time without charge or penalty. You may terminate your participation in a systematic withdrawal plan at any time by contacting a Fund sufficiently in advance of the next withdrawal.

A withdrawal under a systematic withdrawal plan involves a redemption of Fund shares and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. Please call (855) 409-2297 (toll free) for additional information regarding systematic withdrawal plans.

***Signature Guarantee Requirements.*** To protect you and the Funds against fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature. You may obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee from most banking institutions or securities brokers but not from a notary public. Written instructions signed by all registered shareholders with a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each shareholder are required for any of the following:

● written requests to redeem $100,000 or more;

● changes to a shareholder's record name or account registration;

● paying redemption proceeds from an account for which the address has changed within the last 30 days;

● sending redemption and distribution proceeds to any person, address or financial institution account not on record;

● sending redemption and distribution proceeds to an account with a different registration (name or ownership) from your account; and

● adding or changing ACH or wire instructions, the telephone redemption or exchange option or any other election in connection with your account.

Each Fund reserves the right to require Medallion Signature Guarantees on all redemptions.

***Small Account Balances.*** If the value of your account falls below the minimum account balances in the following table, the Fund may ask you to increase your balance. If the account value is still below the minimum balance after 60 days, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds. The Fund will not close your account if it falls below these amounts solely as a result of Fund performance.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum Account Balance** |
| Standard Accounts | $250 |
| Retirement Accounts | $250 |

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***Redemptions in Kind.*** Redemption proceeds normally are paid in cash. Consistent with an election filed with the SEC, under certain circumstances, a Fund may pay redemption proceeds in portfolio securities rather than in cash pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. However, if a Fund redeems shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of, among other things, a subsequent change in the market value of those securities and the costs of liquidating the securities (such as brokerage costs and taxable gains). In kind redemptions may be satisfied using illiquid securities held in a Fund's portfolio, in which case the shareholder will assume the risks associated with such illiquid securities, including the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities. In kind redemptions may take the form of a pro rata portion of a Fund's portfolio, individual securities or a representative basket of securities. Please see the SAI for more details on redemptions in kind.

***Lost Accounts.*** The transfer agent will consider your account lost if correspondence to your address of record is returned as undeliverable on two consecutive occasions, unless the transfer agent determines your new address. When an account is lost, all distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding check (unpaid for six months or more) and checks that have been returned to the transfer agent may be reinvested at the current NAV, and the checks will be canceled. However, checks will not be reinvested into accounts with a zero balance but will be held in a different account. Any of your unclaimed property may be transferred to the state of your last known address if no activity occurs in your account within the time period specified by that state's law.

***Shareholder Service Fees.*** The Funds may pay service fees to financial intermediaries for administration, recordkeeping and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

**Exchanging Shares**

You may exchange Fund shares for shares of other Baywood Funds. For a list of funds available for exchange, call the transfer agent. Be sure to confirm with the transfer agent that the Fund into which you exchange is available for sale in your jurisdiction. Funds available for exchange may not be available for purchase in your jurisdiction. Because exchanges are a sale and purchase of shares, they may have tax consequences.

***Requirements.*** You may make exchanges only between identically registered accounts (name(s), address, and taxpayer ID number). There is no limit on exchanges, but the Funds reserve the right to limit exchanges. You may exchange your shares by mail or telephone, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application. You may be responsible for any unauthorized telephone exchange order as long as the transfer agent takes reasonable measures to verify that the order is genuine.

---

| |
|:---|
| **How to Exchange** |
| ***Through a Financial Intermediary***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Contact your financial intermediary by the method that is most convenient for you. |
| ***By Mail***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Prepare a written request including:<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your name(s) and signature(s);<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your account number;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the name of each Fund you are exchanging;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the dollar amount or number of shares you want to sell (and exchange);<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a Medallion Signature Guarantee (if required); and<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; other documentation (if required).<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Complete a new account application if you are requesting different shareholder privileges in the Fund into which you are exchanging.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mail the Fund your request and documentation. |
| ***By Telephone***<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Call the Fund with your request, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application.<br> ●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Provide the following information:<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; your account number;<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; exact name(s) in which the account is registered; and<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; additional form of identification. |

---

**Retirement Accounts**

You may invest in shares of each Fund through an IRA, including traditional and Roth IRAs, also known as a "qualified retirement account." The Funds may also be appropriate for other retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans. Before investing in an IRA or other retirement account, you should consult your tax advisor. Whenever making an investment in an IRA or certain retirement plans, be sure to indicate the year to which the contribution is attributed.

**OTHER INFORMATION**

***Distributions and Dividend Reinvestments.*** Each Fund declares dividends from net investment income and pays them at least annually. Any net capital gains realized by a Fund are distributed at least annually. Each Fund may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee a Fund will pay either an income dividend or a capital gains distribution.

Most investors typically have their income dividends and capital gain distributions (each a "distribution") reinvested in additional shares of the distributing class of the Fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your distributions will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your distributions of $10 or more sent directly to your bank account or paid to you by check. However, if a distribution is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your distribution checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent distributions may be reinvested. For federal income tax purposes, distributions to non-qualified retirement accounts are treated the same whether they are received in cash or reinvested.

***Annual Statements.*** Each year, the Funds will send you an annual statement (Form 1099) of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Distributions declared in December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December. Prior to issuing your statement, a Fund makes every effort to reduce the number of corrected forms mailed to you. However, if a Fund finds it necessary to reclassify its distributions or adjust the cost basis of any Covered Shares (defined below) sold or exchanged after you receive your tax statement, the Fund will send you a corrected Form 1099.

***Taxes*.** Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify, each year as a regulated investment company and, as such, generally is not subject to entity level tax on the income and gain it distributes to shareholders. Each Fund intends to operate in a manner such that it will not be liable for federal income or excise taxes.

A Fund's distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to you as ordinary income, except as noted below. A Fund's distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Distributions also may be subject to state and local income taxes. Some Fund distributions also may include a nontaxable return of capital. Return of capital distributions reduce your tax basis in your Fund shares and are treated as gain from the sale of the shares to the extent they exceed your basis.

Each Fund expects, based on its investment objective and strategies, that its distributions, if any, will be taxable as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash.

Each Fund's dividends attributable to its "qualified dividend income" (*i.e.*, dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions) generally will be subject to federal income tax for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rates for net capital gain - a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder's level of taxable income and the shareholder's filing status. A portion of a Fund's dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (thus excluding real estate investment trusts) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations - subject to similar restrictions.

At the time you purchase your Fund shares, a Fund's NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation in the value of portfolio securities held by the Fund. For taxable investors, a subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. A distribution reduces the NAV of Fund shares by the amount of the distribution.

The sale (redemption) of Fund shares is generally taxable for federal income tax purposes. You will recognize a gain or loss on the transaction equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of your net redemption proceeds and your tax

basis in the redeemed Fund shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if you held your Fund shares as capital assets. Any capital gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the redemption and any such gain may be taxed to individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals are taxed at the 15% or 20% maximum federal income tax rates mentioned above or 25% depending on the nature of the capital gain. Any capital loss arising from the redemption of Fund shares held for six months or less, however, will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of net capital gain distributions with respect to those shares.

Each Fund is required to withhold federal income tax at the rate of 24% on all distributions and redemption proceeds (regardless of the extent to which you realize gain or loss) otherwise payable to you (if you are an individual or certain other non-corporate shareholder) if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct TIN or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that you are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld may be credited against your federal income tax liability once you provide the required information or certification.

Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your Fund shares generally are subject to state and local taxes.

Each Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B not only the gross proceeds of Fund shares you sell or redeem but also the cost basis of Fund shares you sell or redeem where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund ("Covered Shares"). Cost basis will be calculated using the Fund's default method, which is first-in first-out, unless you instruct the Fund in writing to use a different acceptable method for basis determination (*e.g.*, average basis or specific identification method). The basis determination method a Fund shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption of Covered Shares after the settlement date of the redemption. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted basis determination method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the basis reporting law applies to them.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return and is in addition to any other taxes due on the income described in this paragraph. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, this provision may have on their investment in Fund shares.

Fund shares are generally not sold outside the United States. Non-U.S. investors should be aware that U.S. withholding at a 30% or lower treaty tax rate, special tax certification requirements to avoid U.S. backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits, and U.S. estate taxes, may apply to any investment in a Fund.

For further information about the tax effects of investing in the Funds, please see the SAI.

**This discussion of distributions and taxes is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone's tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local, or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Fund.**

***Organization.*** The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and each Fund is a series thereof. The Funds do not expect to hold shareholders' meetings unless required by federal or Delaware law. Shareholders of each series of the Trust are entitled to vote at shareholders' meetings unless a matter relates only to a specific series (such as the approval of an advisory agreement for the Funds). From time to time, large shareholders may control a Fund or the Trust.

***Additional Information.*** The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, a Fund's investment advisor, sub-advisor(s) (if applicable), custodian, principal underwriter and transfer agent who provide services to each Fund. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements or intended beneficiaries of

those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.

This Prospectus provides information concerning each Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund shares. Neither this Prospectus, the SAI nor any other communication to shareholders is intended, or should be read, to be or give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust, its trustees or any series of the Trust, including the Fund, and any investor, or to give rise to any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived.

**FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS**

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund's financial performance for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

The information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2025 has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, are included in the annual report dated September 30, 2025, which is available upon request. Fiscal years 2023 and prior were audited by the Funds' prior independent registered public accounting firm.

**Baywood Value*Plus* Fund**

These financial highlights reflect selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year.

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** |
|  | **2025** | **2024** | **2023** | **2022** | **2021** |
| **INSTITUTIONAL SHARES** |  |  |  |  |  |
| **NET ASSET VALUE, Beginning of Year** | $23.05 | $19.11 | $17.31 | $20.03 | $14.96 |
| **INVESTMENT OPERATIONS** |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income (a) | 0.59 | 0.60 | 0.60 | 0.55 | 0.45 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 1.38 | 4.49 | 2.17 | (1.26) | 5.04 |
| Total from Investment Operations | 1.97 | 5.09 | 2.77 | (0.71) | 5.49 |
| **DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM** |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income | (0.53) | (0.56) | (0.59) | (0.49) | (0.42) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net realized gain | (0.62) | (0.59) | (0.38) | (1.52) | – |
| Total Distributions to Shareholders | (1.15) | (1.15) | (0.97) | (2.01) | (0.42) |
| **NET ASSET VALUE, End of Year** | $23.87 | $23.05 | $19.11 | $17.31 | $20.03 |
| **TOTAL RETURN** | 8.92% | 27.46% | 16.00% | (4.16)% | 36.80% |
| **RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTARY DATA** |  |  |  |  |  |
| Net Assets at End of Year (000s omitted) | $5489 | $5034 | $3920 | $3234 | $3389 |
| Ratios to Average Net Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income | 2.60% | 2.84% | 3.08% | 2.77% | 2.39% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net expenses | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gross expenses (b) | 4.10% | 4.57% | 4.75% | 5.19% | 5.66% |
| **PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE** | 30% | 22% | 28% | 48% | 35% |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during each year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Reflects the expense
 ratio excluding any waivers and/or reimbursements. Expense waivers and/or reimbursements
 would decrease the total return had such reductions not occurred.

**Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund**

These financial highlights reflect selected data for a share outstanding throughout each year.

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** | **For the Years Ended September 30,** |
|  | **2025** | **2024** | **2023** | **2022** | **2021** |
| **INSTITUTIONAL SHARES** |  |  |  |  |  |
| **NET ASSET VALUE, Beginning of Year** | $17.68 | $14.39 | $12.80 | $14.32 | $10.18 |
| **INVESTMENT OPERATIONS** |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income (a) | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.27 | 0.25 | 0.18 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.84 | 3.60 | 1.91 | (1.14) | 4.19 |
| Total from Investment Operations | 1.13 | 3.89 | 2.18 | (0.89) | 4.37 |
| **DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM** |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income | (0.22) | (0.26) | (0.27) | (0.21) | (0.14) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net realized gain | (0.45) | (0.34) | (0.32) | (0.42) | (0.09) |
| Total Distributions to Shareholders | (0.67) | (0.60) | (0.59) | (0.63) | (0.23) |
| **NET ASSET VALUE, End of Year** | $18.14 | $17.68 | $14.39 | $12.80 | $14.32 |
| **TOTAL RETURN** | 6.59% | 27.72% | 17.10% | (6.58)% | 43.10% |
| **RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTARY DATA** |  |  |  |  |  |
| Net Assets at End of Year (000s omitted) | $26042 | $9048 | $6981 | $6536 | $6766 |
| Ratios to Average Net Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net investment income | 1.71% | 1.81% | 1.88% | 1.73% | 1.31% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Net expenses | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.89% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gross expenses (b) | 1.91% | 3.03% | 3.12% | 3.17% | 3.76% |
| **PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE** | 15% | 23% | 25% | 22% | 15% |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during each year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Reflects the expense
 ratio excluding any waivers and/or reimbursements. Expense waivers and/or reimbursements
 would decrease the total return had such reductions not occurred.

BAYWOOD VALUE*PLUS* FUND

Institutional Shares (BVPIX)

BAYWOOD SOCIALLY*RESPONSIBLE* FUND

Institutional Shares (BVSIX)

**Annual and Semi-Annual Reports**

Additional information about each Fund's investments is available in the Funds' annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in Form N-CSR. In the Funds' annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds' performance during their last fiscal year. In Form N-CSR, you will find the Funds' annual and semi-annual financial statements.

**Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")**

The SAI provides additional information about the Funds and is incorporated by reference into, and is legally part of, this Prospectus.

**Contacting the Funds**

You may obtain free copies of the annual and semi-annual reports and the SAI, request other information and discuss your questions about the Funds by contacting the Funds at:

Baywood Funds

P.O. Box 588

Portland, Maine 04112

(855) 409-2297(toll free)

baywoodfunds.ta@apexgroup.com

www.baywoodfunds.com

The Funds' Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports, other information such as Fund financial statements, and proxy voting information are available, without charge, on the Funds' website at: www.baywoodfunds.com.

**Securities and Exchange Commission Information**

Fund information, including copies of the annual and semi-annual reports and the SAI, is available on the SEC's EDGAR database website at www.sec.gov.

You may also obtain copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by sending an email request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

217-PRU-0226

Distributor

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (d/b/a ACA Group)

www.acaglobal.com

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22842

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

February 1, 2026

Baywood Value*Plus* Fund

Institutional Shares (BVPIX)

Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund

Institutional Shares (BVSIX)

**Investment Advisor:**

SKBA Capital Management, LLC

601 California Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, CA 94108

**Account Information and Shareholder Services:**

Baywood Funds

P.O. Box 588

Portland, Maine 04112

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(855) 409-2297 (toll free)

baywoodfunds.ta@apexgroup.com

www.baywoodfunds.com

This Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") supplements the prospectus dated February 1, 2026, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Prospectus"), offering Institutional Shares of the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund (each a "Fund"; collectively the "Funds"), each a separate series of Forum Funds II (the "Trust"). This SAI is not a prospectus and should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. You may obtain the Prospectus without charge by contacting Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Apex Fund Services) ("Apex Fund Services", "Apex" or "Administrator"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex US Holdings LLC, at the address, telephone number or e-mail address listed above. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds' Prospectus. In other words, it is legally a part of the Prospectus.

Financial statements for the Funds for the year ended September 30, 2025 are included in the Funds' Form N-CSR and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Funds' Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report may be obtained without charge and upon request, by contacting Apex Fund Services at the address, telephone number or e-mail address listed above.

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| KEY DEFINED TERMS | KEY DEFINED TERMS | 1 |
| INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS | INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS | 2 |
| INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS | INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS | 14 |
| BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS | BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS | 17 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. | Board of Trustees | 17 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. | Principal Officers of the Trust | 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. | Ownership of Securities of the Advisor and Related Companies | 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. | Information Concerning Trust Committees | 20 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. | Compensation of Trustees and Officers | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. | Investment Advisor | 21 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. | Distributor | 24 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. | Other Fund Service Providers | 24 |
| PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS | PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. | How Securities are Purchased and Sold | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. | Commissions Paid | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. | Advisor Responsibility for Purchases and Sales and Choosing Broker-Dealers | 26 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. | Counterparty Risk | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. | Transactions through Affiliates | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. | Other Accounts of the Advisor | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. | Portfolio Turnover | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. | Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers | 27 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I. | Portfolio Holdings | 27 |
| PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION | PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. | General Information | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. | Additional Purchase Information | 29 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. | Additional Redemption Information | 29 |
| TAXATION | TAXATION | 31 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. | Qualification for Treatment as a Regulated Investment Company | 31 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. | Fund Distributions | 33 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. | Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions | 35 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. | Federal Excise Tax | 36 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. | Redemption of Shares | 37 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. | State and Local Taxes | 37 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. | Backup Withholding | 37 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. | Foreign Income Tax | 38 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I. | Non-U.S. Investors | 38 |
| OTHER MATTERS | OTHER MATTERS | 39 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. | The Trust and its Shareholders | 39 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. | Fund Ownership | 40 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. | Limitations on Shareholders' and Trustees' Liability | 40 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. | Proxy Voting Procedures | 41 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. | Code of Ethics | 41 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. | Registration Statement | 41 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. | Financial Statements | 41 |
| APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS | APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS | A-1 |
| APPENDIX B – MISCELLANEOUS TABLES | APPENDIX B – MISCELLANEOUS TABLES | B-1 |
| APPENDIX C – TRUST PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES | APPENDIX C – TRUST PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES | C-1 |
| APPENDIX D – ADVISOR PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES | APPENDIX D – ADVISOR PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES | D-1 |

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**KEY DEFINED TERMS**

As used in this SAI, the following terms have the meanings listed.

"1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including rules, regulations, SEC interpretations, and any exemptive orders or interpretive relief promulgated thereunder.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including rules, regulations, SEC interpretations, and any exemptive orders or interpretive relief promulgated thereunder.

"Advisor" or "SKBA" means SKBA Capital Management, LLC, the Funds' investment advisor.

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

"Independent Trustees" means trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

"IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

"NAV" means net asset value per share.

"RIC" means a domestic corporation qualified as a "regulated investment company" (as defined in Subchapter M of Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the IRC).

"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

**INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS**

Each Fund is a diversified open-ended series of the Trust. This section supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus. Please see the Prospectus for a discussion of each Fund's investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks of investing in each Fund. That said, the following paragraphs provide more detail regarding each Fund's investment policies and the associated risks. Other than investing in equity securities (specifically, common and preferred stocks, convertible securities and sponsored American depositary receipts), the following strategies and instruments are non-principal strategies of each Fund.

**Security Ratings Information**

Each Fund's investments in fixed-income, preferred stock and convertible securities are subject to the credit risk relating to the financial condition of the issuers of the securities. Each Fund may invest in investment grade debt securities and up to 5% its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities. Investment grade means rated in the top four long-term rating categories or unrated and determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.

The lowest ratings that are investment grade for corporate bonds, including convertible securities, are "Baa" in the case of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and "BBB" in the cases of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") and Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"); for preferred stock the lowest ratings are "Baa" in the case of Moody's and "BBB" in the cases of S&P and Fitch. Non-investment grade fixed-income securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") have significant speculative characteristics and generally involve greater volatility of price than investment grade securities. Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities. Each Fund may retain securities whose ratings have declined below the lowest permissible rating category (or that are unrated and determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality to securities whose ratings have declined below the lowest permissible rating category) if the Advisor determines that retaining such security is in the best interests of each Fund.

Moody's, S&P, Fitch and other organizations provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations, including convertible securities. A description of the range of ratings assigned to various types of bonds and other securities is included in Appendix A to this SAI. The Advisor may use these ratings to determine whether to purchase, sell or hold a security. Ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. An issuer's current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.

**Equity Securities**

*Common and Preferred Stock.* Each Fund may invest in common and preferred stock. Common stock represents an ownership interest in a company and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's common stock price. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends or the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights. Preferred stock is subject to the risks associated with other types of equity securities, as well as additional risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, potentially greater volatility and risks related to deferral, non-cumulative dividends, subordination, liquidity, limited voting rights, and special redemption rights.

 

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measure of a company's worth. If you invest in each Fund, you should be willing to accept the risks of the stock market and should consider an investment in each Fund only as a part of your overall investment portfolio.

*Convertible Securities.* Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities include fixed-income securities, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a given amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer during a specified period and at a specified price in the future. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest on debt or the dividend on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged.

Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a company's capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable non-convertible securities. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics in that they generally: (1) have higher yields than the underlying common stock, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities; (2) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock since they have fixed-income characteristics; and (3) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument. If a convertible security is called for redemption, each Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

Investment in convertible securities generally entails less risk than an investment in the issuer's common stock. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalization companies whose stock price may be volatile. Therefore, the price of a convertible security may reflect variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does not. The extent to which such risk is reduced, however, depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed-income security.

*Warrants.* Each Fund may invest in warrants. Warrants are securities, typically issued with preferred stock or bonds that give the holder the right to purchase a given number of shares of common stock at a specified price and time. The price usually represents a premium over the applicable market value of the common stock at the time of the warrant's issuance. Warrants have no voting rights with respect to the common stock, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

 

Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for the resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations due to adverse market conditions or other factors and failure of the price of the common stock to rise. If the warrant is not exercised within the specified time period, it becomes worthless.

**Fixed-Income Securities**

Each Fund may invest in debt securities including corporate debt obligations, U.S. Government Securities, mortgage-related securities and variable and floating rate securities.

*Corporate Debt Obligations.* Corporate debt obligations include corporate bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper and other similar corporate debt instruments. Companies use these instruments to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. Commercial paper (short-term unsecured promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their current obligations and normally has a maturity of less than nine months. In addition, each Fund may invest in corporate debt securities registered and sold in the United States by foreign issuers (Yankee bonds) and those sold outside the United States by foreign or U.S. issuers (Eurobonds). Each Fund intends to restrict its purchases of these securities to issues denominated and payable in U.S. dollars. Each Fund may only invest in commercial paper that is rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories by an organization providing ratings or, if unrated, is judged by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.

 

*Financial Institution Obligations.* Obligations of financial institutions include, among other things, negotiable certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances. Each Fund may invest in negotiable certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances issued by commercial banks doing business in the United States that have, at the time of investment, total assets in excess of one billion dollars and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Certificates of deposit represent an institution's obligation to repay funds deposited with it that earn a specified interest rate over a given period. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable obligations of a bank to pay a draft, which has been drawn by a customer, and are usually backed by goods in international trade. Certificates of deposit, which are payable at the stated maturity date and bear a fixed rate of interest, generally may be withdrawn on demand by each Fund but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which could reduce its performance.

*U.S. Government Securities.* Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations (which differ only in their interest rates and maturities), (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (such as securities issued by the Federal Housing Administration ("FHA"), Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import Bank, the General Services Administration and the Maritime Administration and certain securities issued by the FHA and the Small Business Administration) and (3) securities that are guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government but are not backed by the full faith and credit

of the U.S. Government (such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") or the Federal Home Loan Banks). These U.S. Government-sponsored entities, which although chartered and sponsored by Congress, are not guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. Government. They are supported by the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality or corporation. The range of maturities of U.S. Government Securities is usually three months to thirty years. In general, the U.S. Government Securities tend to carry more interest rate risk than corporate bonds with similar maturities.

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency ("FHFA") announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed in conservatorship. Since that time, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have received significant capital support through U.S. Treasury preferred stock purchases, as well as Treasury and Federal Reserve purchases of their mortgage-backed securities ("MBS"). The FHFA and the U.S. Treasury (through its agreement to purchase Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae preferred stock) have imposed strict limits on the size of their mortgage portfolios. The MBS purchase programs ended in 2010 and no assurance can be given that any Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, or FHFA initiatives will ensure that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will remain successful in meeting their obligations with respect to the debt and MBS they issue.

In addition, the problems faced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, resulting in their being placed into federal conservatorship and receiving significant U.S. Government support, have sparked serious debate among federal policy makers regarding the continued role of the U.S. Government in providing liquidity for mortgage loans. The Obama Administration produced a report to Congress on February 11, 2011, outlining a proposal to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by increasing their guarantee fees, reducing their conforming loan limits (the maximum amount of each loan they are authorized to purchase), and continuing progressive limits on the size of their investment portfolio. Serious discussions among policymakers continue, however, as to whether Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae should be nationalized, privatized, restructured, or eliminated altogether. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also are the subject of several continuing legal actions and investigations over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may continue to have an adverse effect on the guaranteeing entities. Importantly, the future of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is in serious question as the U.S. Government considers multiple options.

Each Fund may also invest in separated or divided U.S. Government Securities. These instruments represent a single interest, or principal, payment on a U.S. Government Security that has been separated from all the other interest payments as well as the security itself. When each Fund purchases such an instrument, it purchases the right to receive a single payment of a set sum at a known date in the future. The interest rate on such an instrument is determined by the price each Fund pays for the instrument when it purchases the instrument at a discount under what the instrument entitles each Fund to receive when the instrument matures. The amount of the discount each Fund will receive will depend upon the length of time to maturity of the separated U.S. Government Security and prevailing market interest rates when the separated U.S. Government Security is purchased. Separated U.S. Government Securities can be considered zero coupon investments because no payment is made to each Fund until maturity. The market values of these securities are much more susceptible to change in market interest rates than income-producing securities. These securities are purchased with original issue discount and such discount is includable as gross income to a Fund shareholder over the life of the security.

Each Fund may also purchase certificates not issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which evidence ownership of future interest, principal or interest and principal payments on obligations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The actual U.S. Treasury securities will be held by a custodian on behalf of the certificate holder. These certificates are purchased with original issue discount and are subject to greater fluctuations in market value, based upon changes in market interest rates, than income-producing securities.

 

Pools of mortgages consist of whole mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans. The majority of these loans are made to purchasers of one to four family homes. The terms and characteristics of the mortgage instruments are generally uniform within a pool but may vary among pools. For example, in addition to fixed-rate, fixed-term mortgages, each Fund may purchase pools of adjustable-rate mortgages, growing equity mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and other types. Mortgage poolers apply qualification standards to lending institutions which originate mortgages for the pools as well

as credit standards and underwriting criteria for individual mortgages included in the pools. In addition, many mortgages included in pools are insured through private mortgage insurance companies.

Mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Most mortgage-related securities, however, are pass-through securities, which means that investors receive payments consisting of a pro-rata share of both principal and interest (less servicing and other fees), as well as unscheduled prepayments, as loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Additional prepayments to holders of these securities are caused by prepayments resulting from the sale or foreclosure of the underlying property or refinancing of the underlying loans. As prepayment rates of individual pools of mortgage loans vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular mortgage-related security. Although mortgage-related securities are issued with stated maturities of up to forty years, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the mortgages may shorten considerably the securities' effective maturities.

*Mortgage-Backed Securities.* Each Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage pass-through securities. These securities represent interests in pools of mortgage loans. The payments of principal and interest on the underlying loans pass through to investors. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for specified periods of time, such as fifteen to thirty years, the borrowers can, and typically do, repay them sooner. Thus, the security holders may receive prepayments of principal, in addition to the principal, which is part of the regular monthly payments.

 

There are three types of interest rate related risks associated with mortgage-backed securities. The first is interest rate risk. The values of mortgage-backed securities will generally fluctuate inversely with interest rates. The second is prepayment risk. This is the risk that borrowers will repay their mortgages earlier than anticipated. A borrower is more likely to prepay a mortgage that bears a relatively high rate of interest. Thus, in times of declining interest rates, some higher yielding mortgages might be repaid resulting in larger cash payments to each Fund, and each Fund will be forced to accept lower interest rates when that cash is used to purchase additional securities. The third is extension risk. When interest rates rise, prepayments often drop, which should extend the average maturity of the mortgage-backed security. This makes mortgage-backed securities more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to credit risk. Payment of principal and interest on most mortgage passthrough securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies whose obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA) or may be guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government whose obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac). See "U.S. Government Securities."

Mortgage pass-through securities may also be issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers). Some of these mortgage pass-through securities may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees.

*Privately Issued Mortgage-Related Securities.* Each Fund may invest in privately issued mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage- related securities offered by private issuers include pass-through securities comprised of pools of conventional residential mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds, which are considered to be debt obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and are collateralized by mortgage loans; and bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations that are collateralized by mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC or by pools of conventional mortgages of multi-family or of commercial mortgage loans.

 

Privately-issued mortgage-related securities generally offer a higher rate of interest (but greater credit and interest rate risk) than securities issued by U.S. Government issuers because there are no direct or indirect governmental guarantees of payment. Many nongovernmental issuers or servicers of mortgage-related securities guarantee or provide insurance for timely payment of interest and principal on the securities. The market for privately-issued mortgage-related securities is smaller and less liquid than the market for mortgage-related securities issued by U.S. government issuers.

 

*Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities.* Adjustable rate mortgage securities ("ARMs") are pass-through securities representing interests in pools of mortgage loans with adjustable interest rates that are reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference

to some interest rate index or market interest rate, and that may be subject to certain limits. Although the rate adjustment feature may reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities can change in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. Changes in the interest rates on ARMs may lag behind changes in prevailing market interest rates. This may result in a slightly lower net value until the interest rate resets to market rates. Thus, each Fund could suffer some principal loss if it sold the securities before the interest rates on the underlying mortgages were adjusted to reflect current market rates. Some adjustable rate securities (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors, that limit the maximum change in interest rates during a specified period or over the life of the security.

*Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.* Collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") are multiple-class debt obligations that are fully collateralized by mortgage-related pass-through securities or by pools of mortgages ("Mortgage Assets"). Payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Assets are passed through to the holders of the CMOs as they are received, although certain classes (often referred to as "tranches") of CMOs have priority over other classes with respect to the receipt of mortgage prepayments.

 

Multi-class mortgage pass-through securities are interests in trusts that hold Mortgage Assets and have multiple classes similar to those of CMOs. Payments of principal and interest on the underlying Mortgage Assets (and in the case of CMOs, any reinvestment income thereon) provide funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or to make scheduled distributions on the multi-class mortgage pass- through securities. Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as with other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. Planned amortization class mortgage-related securities ("PAC Bonds") are a form of parallel pay CMO. PAC Bonds are designed to provide relatively predictable payments of principal provided that, among other things, the actual prepayment experience on the underlying mortgage loans falls within a contemplated range. CMOs may have complicated structures and generally involve more risks than simpler forms of mortgage-related securities.

*Variable and Floating Rate Securities.* Debt securities have variable or floating rates of interest and, under certain limited circumstances, may have varying principal amounts. These securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula, usually with reference to one or more interest rate indices or market interest rates (the "underlying index"). The interest paid on these securities is a function primarily of the underlying index upon which the interest rate adjustments are based. These adjustments minimize changes in the market value of the obligation. Similar to fixed rate debt instruments, variable and floating rate instruments are subject to changes in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. The rate of interest on securities may be tied to U.S. Government Securities or indices on those securities as well as any other rate of interest or index. Certain variable rate securities pay interest at a rate that varies inversely to prevailing short-term interest rates (sometimes referred to as "inverse floaters"). Certain inverse floaters may have an interest rate reset mechanism that multiplies the effects of changes in the underlying index. This mechanism may increase the volatility of the security's market value while increasing the security's yield.

 

Variable and floating rate demand notes of corporations are redeemable upon a specified period of notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying interest rates under direct arrangements with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. Certain securities may have an initial principal amount that varies over time based on an interest rate index, and, accordingly, each Fund might be entitled to less than the initial principal amount of the security upon the security's maturity. Each Fund intends to purchase these securities only when the Advisor believes the interest income from the instrument justifies any principal risks associated with the instrument. The Advisor may attempt to limit any potential loss of principal by purchasing similar instruments that are intended to provide an offsetting increase in principal. There can be no assurance that the Advisor will be able to limit the effects of principal fluctuations and, accordingly, each Fund may incur losses on those securities even if held to maturity without issuer default.

There may not be an active secondary market for any particular floating or variable rate instruments, which could make it difficult for each Fund to dispose of the instrument during periods that each Fund is not entitled to exercise any demand rights it may have. Each Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss with respect to those instruments. The Advisor monitors the liquidity of each Fund's investment in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.

*Non-Investment Grade Securities.* Each Fund may invest in securities rated below the fourth highest rating category by an organization providing ratings or which are unrated and judged by the Advisor to be comparable quality. Such high

risk securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds") are not considered to be investment grade and have speculative or predominantly speculative characteristics. Non-investment grade, high risk securities provide poor protection for payment of principal and interest but may have greater potential for capital appreciation than do higher quality securities. These lower rated securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuers' creditworthiness than do higher quality securities. The market for these securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may affect the price at which the lower rated securities can be sold. In addition, the market prices of lower rated securities may fluctuate more than the market prices of higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty or rising interest rates.

*General Risk*. The market value of the interest-bearing fixed-income securities held by each Fund will be affected by changes in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the more sensitive the security is to changes in interest rates. All fixed-income securities, including U.S. Government Securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets' perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of that issuer's debt securities. As a result, an investment in each Fund is subject to risk even if all fixed-income securities in each Fund's investment portfolio are paid in full at maturity. In addition, certain fixed-income securities may be subject to extension risk, which refers to the change in total return on a security resulting from an extension or abbreviation of the security's maturity.

 

Yields on fixed-income securities, including municipal securities, are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the fixed-income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Fixed-income securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields and are generally subject to greater price movements than obligations with shorter maturities.

The issuers of fixed-income securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors that may restrict the ability of the issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities. The possibility exists therefore, that, as a result of bankruptcy, litigation or other conditions, the ability of an issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.

*Credit Risk.* Each Fund's investments in fixed-income securities are subject to credit risk relating to the financial condition of the issuers of the securities that a Fund holds. To limit credit risk, each Fund will generally buy debt securities that are rated by an organization providing ratings in the top four long-term rating categories or in the top two short-term rating categories, but each Fund may also invest up to 5% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities. Moody's, S&P's and other organization providing ratings are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations, including convertible securities. A description of the range of ratings assigned to various types of securities is included in Appendix A. The Advisor may use these ratings to determine whether to purchase, sell or hold a security. Ratings are not, however, absolute standards of quality. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Consequently, similar securities with the same rating may have different market prices. In addition, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings and the issuer's current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.

 

Each Fund may retain a security that ceases to be rated or whose rating has been lowered below each Fund's lowest permissible rating category if the Advisor determines that retaining the security is in the best interests of each Fund. Because a downgrade often results in a reduction in the market price of the security, sale of a downgraded security may result in a loss.

Each Fund may purchase unrated securities if the Advisor determines that the security is of comparable quality to a rated security that each Fund may purchase. Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities.

*Mortgage-Related Securities Risk.* The value of mortgage-related securities may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, the markets' perception of issuers, the structure of the securities and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The ability of each Fund to successfully utilize mortgage-related securities depends in part upon the ability of the Advisor to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. Some mortgage-related securities have structures that make their reaction to interest rate changes and other factors difficult to predict.

 

Prepayments of principal of mortgage-related securities by mortgagors or mortgage foreclosures affect the average life of the mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgages and other social and demographic conditions. In periods of rising interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to decrease, lengthening the average life of a pool

of mortgage-related securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the prepayment rate tends to increase, shortening the average life of a pool. The volume of prepayments of principal on the mortgages underlying a particular mortgage-related security will influence the yield of that security, affecting each Fund's yield. Because prepayments of principal generally occur when interest rates are declining, it is likely that each Fund to the extent they retain the same percentage of debt securities, may have to reinvest the proceeds of prepayments at lower interest rates then those of their previous investments. If this occurs, each Fund's yield will correspondingly decline. Thus, mortgage-related securities may have less potential for capital appreciation in periods of falling interest rates (when prepayment of principal is more likely) than other fixed-income securities of comparable duration, although they may have a comparable risk of decline in market value in periods of rising interest rates. A decrease in the rate of prepayments may extend the effective maturities of mortgage- related securities, reducing their sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. To the extent that each Fund purchases mortgage-related securities at a premium, unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, result in a loss equal to any unamortized premium.

To lessen the effect of the failures by obligors on Mortgage Assets to make payments, CMOs and other mortgage-related securities may contain elements of credit enhancement, consisting of either: (1) liquidity protection; or (2) protection against losses resulting after default by an obligor on the underlying assets and allocation of all amounts recoverable directly from the obligor and through liquidation of the collateral. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of these. Each Fund will not pay any additional fees for credit enhancements for mortgage-related securities, although the credit enhancement may increase the costs of the mortgage-related securities.

**Options**

Each Fund may seek to hedge against either a decline in the value of securities it owns or an increase in the price of securities which it plans to purchase by purchasing and writing (selling) covered options on securities in which it invests and on any securities index based in whole or in part on securities in which each Fund may invest. Each Fund may only invest in options traded on an exchange or in an over-the-counter market.

*Options on Securities.* A call option is a contract under which the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, has the right to buy the security (or index) underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium, has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. A put option gives its purchaser, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying security at a specified price during the term of the option. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy, upon exercise of the option, the underlying security (or a cash amount equal to the value of the index) at the exercise price. The amount of a premium received or paid for an option is based upon certain factors, including the market price of the underlying security, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying security, the option period and interest rates.

 

*Options on Indices.* An index assigns relative values to the securities in the index, and the index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities included in the index. Index options operate in the same way as the more traditional options on securities except that index options are settled exclusively in cash and do not involve delivery of securities. Thus, upon exercise of index options, the purchaser will realize and the writer will pay an amount based on the differences between the exercise price and the closing price of the index.

 

*Limitations on Options and Futures Transactions.* Each Fund will not hedge more than 30% of its total assets by buying put options and writing call options. In addition, each Fund will not buy or write put options whose underlying value exceeds 10% of each Fund's total assets. Each Fund will also not purchase call options if the underlying value of all such options would exceed 5% of its total assets.

 

*Risks of Options Transactions.* There are certain investment risks associated with options transactions. These risks include: (1) dependence on the Advisor's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities and fluctuations in the general securities markets; (2) imperfect correlations between movements in the prices of options and movements in the price of the securities (or indices) hedged or used for cover which may cause a given hedge not to achieve its objective; (3) the fact that the skills and techniques needed to trade these instruments are different from those needed to select the securities in which each Fund invests; and (4) lack of assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular instrument at any particular time, which, among other things, may hinder each Fund's ability to limit exposures by closing its positions.

Other risks include the inability of each Fund, as the writer of covered call options, to benefit from any appreciation of the underlying securities above the exercise price, and the possible loss of the entire premium paid for options purchased by each Fund. There is no assurance that a counterparty in an over-the-counter option transaction will be able to perform its obligations. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market in those contracts will develop or continue to exist. Each Fund's activities in the options markets may result in higher portfolio turnover rates and additional brokerage costs, which could reduce each Fund's yield.

*CFTC Regulation.* Historically, an Advisor of a fund trading commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards, swaps and cash-settled foreign currency contracts) has been excluded from regulation as a commodity pool operator ("CPO") pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") Regulation 4.5. In 2012, the CFTC amended Regulation 4.5 to dramatically narrow this exclusion.

 

Under the amended Regulation 4.5 exclusion, a fund's commodity interests – other than those used for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC) – must be limited such that the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options are "in-the-money" at the time of purchase) do not exceed 5% of a fund's NAV, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of the positions, determined at the time that the most recent position was established, does not exceed 100% of a fund's NAV (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). Further, to qualify for the exclusion in amended Regulation 4.5, a fund must satisfy a marketing test, which requires, among other things, that a fund not hold itself out as a vehicle for trading commodity interests.

Each Fund does not trade any commodity interests, such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards, swaps and cash-settled foreign currency contracts. Therefore, the Advisor does not need to, and does not, rely on the exclusion in CFTC Regulation 4.5 to avoid regulation as a CPO.

**Illiquid and Restricted Securities**

*General.* Each Fund may not acquire securities or invest in repurchase agreements if, as a result, more than 15% of each Fund's net assets (taken at current value) would be invested in illiquid securities. If, after the time of acquisition, due to subsequent fluctuations in value or any other reasons, the value of each Fund's illiquid securities exceeds 15%, the Advisor will consider what actions are appropriate to help maintain adequate liquidity, such as an orderly disposition of the illiquid securities, to the extent possible. Further, the Advisor continuously monitors each Fund's holdings in illiquid securities.

 

The term "illiquid securities" means securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid securities include: (1) repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal within seven days (2) purchased over-the- counter options; (3) securities which are not readily marketable; and (4) except as otherwise determined by the Advisor, securities that are illiquid by virtue of restrictions on the sale of such securities to the public without registration under the 1933 Act ("Restricted Securities").

Each Fund will not invest more than 10% of its net assets (taken at current value) in Restricted Securities.

A liquid market exists for certain Restricted Securities and the Advisor, pursuant to policies approved by the Board, may determine that certain Restricted Securities are not illiquid. These securities are not subject to each Fund's investment limitations on illiquid and Restricted Securities.

An institutional market has developed for certain restricted securities. Accordingly, contractual or legal restrictions on the resale of a security may not be indicative of the liquidity of the security. If such securities are eligible for purchase by institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or other exemptions, the Advisor may determine that the securities are liquid.

*Risks.* Any security, including securities determined by the Advisor to be liquid, may become illiquid. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of a security. Each Fund might also have to register a restricted security in order to dispose of it, resulting in expense and delay. Each Fund might not be able to dispose of restricted or illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience a loss or have difficulty satisfying redemptions. There can be no assurance that a market will exist for any illiquid security at any particular time.

 

*Determination of Liquidity.* The Board has the ultimate responsibility for determining whether specific securities are liquid and has delegated this responsibility to the Advisor, pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board. The Advisor determines

and monitors the liquidity of the portfolio securities and reports periodically on its decisions to the Board. The Advisor takes into account a number of factors in reaching liquidity decisions, including but not limited to: (1) existence of an active market for the asset, including whether the asset is listed on an exchange, as well as the number, diversity and quality of market participants; (2) frequency of trades or quotes for the asset and average daily trading volume of the asset (regardless of whether the asset is a security traded on an exchange); (3) volatility of trading prices for the asset; (4) bid-ask spreads for the asset; (5) whether the asset has a relatively standardized and simple structure; (6) for fixed income securities, maturity and date of issue; (7) restrictions on trading of the asset and limitations on transfer of the asset; (8) the size of the fund's position in the asset relative to the asset's average daily trading volume and, as applicable, the number of units of the asset outstanding; and (9) relationship of the asset to another portfolio asset.

**Leverage Transactions**

*General.* Each Fund may use leverage to increase potential returns subject to its non-fundamental investment limitation on borrowing. That limitation provides that each Fund may not purchase securities for investment while any borrowing equaling 10% or more of each Fund's total assets is outstanding. Leverage involves special risks and may involve speculative investment techniques. Leverage exists when cash made available to each Fund through an investment technique is used to make additional Fund investments. Lending portfolio securities and purchasing securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis may create leverage. Each Fund uses these investment techniques only when the Advisor believes that the leveraging and the returns available to each Fund from investing the cash will provide investors a potentially higher return.

 

*Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements.* Each Fund may lend portfolio securities or participate in repurchase agreements in an amount up to 10% of its total assets to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which each Fund purchases a security and simultaneously agrees to resell that security to the seller at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon future date, normally, one to seven days later. If each Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it will retain possession of the purchased securities and any underlying collateral. Securities loans and repurchase agreements must be continuously collateralized and the collateral must have market value at least equal to the value of each Fund's loaned securities, plus accrued interest or, in the case of repurchase agreements, equal to the repurchase price of the securities, plus accrued interest. In a portfolio securities lending transaction, each Fund receives from the borrower an amount equal to the interest paid or the dividends declared on the loaned securities during the term of the loan as well as the interest on the collateral securities, less any fees (such as finders or administrative fees) each Fund pays in arranging the loan.

 

Each Fund may share the interest it receives on the collateral securities with the borrower. The terms of each Fund's loans permit each Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five business days' notice or in time to vote on any important matter. Loans are subject to termination at the option of each Fund or the borrower at any time, and the borrowed securities must be returned when the loan is terminated.

*When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments.* Each Fund may purchase securities offered on a "when-issued" basis and may purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis. When these transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within two months after the transaction, but delayed settlements beyond two months may be negotiated. During the period between a commitment and settlement, no payment is made for the securities purchased by the purchaser and, thus, no interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. At the time each Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, each Fund will record the transaction as a purchase and thereafter reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its NAV. A purchase of securities on a "when-issued" or "forward commitment basis" will not be made if, as a result, more than 15% of a Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.

 

*Senior Securities.* Pursuant to Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act, each Fund may not issue any class of senior security or sell any senior security of which it is the issuer, except that each Fund shall be permitted to borrow from any bank so long as immediately after such borrowings, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% and that in the event such asset coverage falls below this percentage, each Fund shall reduce the amount of its borrowings, within 3 days, excluding Sundays and holidays, to an extent that the asset coverage shall be at least 300%.

 

*Borrowing.* Each Fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (including to meet redemption requests), provided that such borrowings do not exceed 10% of the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund's total assets and 33⅓% of the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund's total assets (computed immediately after the borrowing). The Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund may not purchase securities for investment while any borrowing equaling 10% or more of the

Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund's total assets is outstanding or borrow for purposes other than meeting redemptions in an amount exceeding 10% of the value of the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund's total assets. If each Fund were required to pledge assets to secure permitted borrowings, it could pledge no more than 33⅓% of its assets.

*Risks*. Leverage creates the risk of magnified capital losses. Losses incurred by each Fund may be magnified by borrowings and other liabilities that exceed the equity base of each Fund. Leverage may involve the creation of a liability that requires each Fund to pay interest (for instance, reverse repurchase agreements) or the creation of a liability that does not entail any interest costs (for instance, forward commitment costs).

 

The risks of leverage include a higher volatility of the net asset value of each Fund's securities and the relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the securities caused by favorable or adverse market movements or changes in the cost of cash obtained by leveraging and the yield from invested cash. So long as each Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that is higher than interest expense incurred, if any, leverage will result in higher current net investment income for each Fund than if it were not leveraged. Changes in interest rates and related economic factors could cause the relationship between the cost of leveraging and the yield to change so that rates involved in the leveraging arrangement may substantially increase relative to the yield on the obligations in which the proceeds of the leveraging have been invested. To the extent that the interest expense involved in leveraging approaches the net return on each Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leveraging will be reduced, and, if the interest expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to investors, each Fund's use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return than if each Fund were not leveraged. In an extreme case, if each Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense of leveraging, it could be necessary for each Fund to liquidate certain of its investments at a disadvantageous time.

**Foreign Securities**

Each Fund may invest in U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers traded on U.S. exchanges, including regular shares and ADRs. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may involve risks in addition to those normally associated with investments in the securities of U.S. issuers. All foreign investments are subject to risks of: (1) foreign political and economic instability; (2) adverse movements in foreign exchange rates; (3) the imposition or tightening of exchange controls or other limitations on repatriation of foreign capital; and (4) changes in foreign governmental attitudes towards private investment, including potential nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of your assets.

Dividends and interest payable on foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thereby reducing the income available for distribution to you. Commission rates payable on foreign transactions are generally higher than in the United States. Foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards differ from those in the United States, and therefore, less information may be available about foreign companies than is available about issuers of comparable U.S. companies. Foreign securities also may trade less frequently and with lower volume and may exhibit greater price volatility than United States securities.

Income from foreign securities may be received and realized in foreign currencies, and Each Fund is required to compute and distribute income in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, a decline in the value of a particular foreign currency against the U.S. dollar after each Fund's income has been earned and computed in U.S. dollars may require each Fund to liquidate portfolio securities to acquire sufficient U.S. dollars to make a distribution. Similarly, if the exchange rate declines between the time each Fund incurs expenses in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses are paid, each Fund may be required to liquidate additional foreign securities to purchase the U.S. dollars required to meet such expenses.

**Securities of Investment Companies**

*Open-End and Closed-End Investment Companies.* Each Fund may invest in shares of other open-end and closed-end investment companies in accordance with the investment restrictions in the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, each Fund's investments in such securities is generally limited to 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any other investment company, 5% of each Fund's total assets in any other investment company, and 10% of each Fund's total assets in all other investment companies combined. Shares of an exchange-traded fund ("ETF") that has received exemptive relief from the SEC to permit other funds to invest in the shares without these limitations are excluded from such restrictions.

 

*Risks.* Each Fund, as a shareholder of another investment company, will bear its pro-rata portion of the other investment company's advisory fee and other expenses, in addition to its own expenses and will be exposed to the investment risks associated with the other investment company. To the extent that each Fund invests in open-end or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in the securities of companies located outside the United States, see the risks related to foreign securities set forth above.

*Exchange-Traded Funds.* Each Fund may invest in ETFs, which are registered investment companies, partnerships or trusts that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. Each Fund may also invest in exchange traded notes ("ETNs"), which are typically structured debt securities. Whereas ETFs' liabilities are secured by their portfolio securities, ETNs' liabilities are unsecured general obligations of the issuer. Most ETFs and ETNs are designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs and ETNs have expenses associated with their operation, typically including, with respect to ETFs, advisory fees. When each Fund invests in an ETF or ETN, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's or ETN's expenses.

 

*Risks.* The risks of owning an ETF or ETN generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF or ETN is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF or ETN could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF or ETN expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own an ETF or ETN. The value of an ETN security should also be expected to fluctuate with the credit rating of the issuer.

 

**Cyber-Security**

Each Fund, and its service providers, may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting each Fund or its third-party service providers may adversely impact each Fund. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact each Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject each Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. Each Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. While each Fund's service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, each Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect a Fund or its shareholders. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issues or securities in which each Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause each Fund's investment in such companies to lose value.

**Temporary Defensive Position and Cash Investments**

In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and invest, without limitation, in cash or high quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on each Fund's performance. Each Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive measure.

Each Fund may temporarily invest a portion of its assets in cash or cash items pending other investments or to maintain liquid assets required in connection with some of each Fund's investments. These cash items may consist of money market instruments (such as securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and certificates of deposit) or other cash instruments of any quality.

Money market instruments usually have maturities of one year or less and fixed rates of return. The money market instruments in which each Fund may invest include short-term U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, time deposits, bankers' acceptances and certificates of deposit issued by domestic banks, corporate notes and short-term bonds and money market mutual funds. Each Fund may only invest in money market mutual funds to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

The money market instruments in which each Fund may invest may have variable or floating rates of interest. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

**Market Turbulence**

The greatest risk of investing in a mutual fund is that its returns will fluctuate, and you could lose money. Turbulence in the financial sector may result in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have experienced significant volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets particularly affected. It is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions could occur.

Reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the Fund.

The financial markets in which the Funds invest are subject to price volatility that could cause losses in a Fund. Market volatility may result from varied predictable and unpredictable factors. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, first detected in December 2019, has resulted in disruptions to the economies of many nations, individual companies and the markets in general, the impact of which cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The impact of the novel coronavirus, and other such future infectious diseases in certain regions or countries may perform better or worse due to the nature or level of their public health response or due to other factors. Health crises caused by the coronavirus outbreak or future infectious diseases may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries. The impact of the outbreak may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. This pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could result in continued volatility in the financial markets and lead to increased levels of Fund redemptions, which could have a negative impact on the Funds and could adversely affect a Fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment.

**INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS**

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has adopted the following investment policies which are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. "The vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund," as defined by the 1940 Act, means the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the security holders of a Fund duly called, (A) of 67 per centum or more of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (B) of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, whichever is the less.

Each Fund's investment objective is a non-fundamental policy. Non-fundamental policies may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

For purposes of the Funds' investment limitations, all percentage limitations apply immediately after an investment. Except with respect to the borrowing money policy set forth in section (1) below, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restrictions. Each Fund continuously monitors its holdings in illiquid securities. If the value of a Fund's holdings of illiquid securities at any time exceeds the percentage limitation applicable at the time of acquisition (15% of net assets) due to subsequent fluctuations in value or other reasons, the Advisor will consider what actions are appropriate to maintain adequate liquidity, such as an orderly disposition of the illiquid securities, to the extent possible.

**Fundamental Limitations.** The Funds have adopted the following investment limitations that cannot be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

The Baywood Value*Plus* Fund may not:

1. The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

2. The Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

3. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except: (a) by loaning portfolio securities; (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements; or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term "loans" shall not included the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

4. The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies, or to the extent otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

5. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

6. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies, which are engaged in commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

7. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits a Fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund's total assets, at the time of borrowing, from banks for any purpose (the Fund's total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires a Fund to maintain at all times an "asset coverage" of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings (not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls below this percentage, a Fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. Asset coverage means the ratio

that the value of the Fund's total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings.

The Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund may not:

1. Issue senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act or borrow money, except that a Fund may borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for investment) in an amount up to 10% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing was made. While any such borrowings exist for a Fund, it will not purchase securities. (However, a Fund which is authorized to do so by its investment policies may lend securities, enter into repurchase agreements without limit and reverse repurchase agreements in an amount not exceeding 10% of its total assets, purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and enter into forward foreign currency contracts.)

2. Purchase a security, other than government securities, if as a result of such purchase more than 5% of the value of a Fund's assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or a Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities, or of any class of securities, of any one issuer, except that all of the investable assets of a Fund may be invested in another registered investment company having the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies as a Fund. For purposes of this restriction, all outstanding indebtedness of an issuer is deemed to be a single class.

3. Purchase a security, other than government securities, if as a result of such purchase 25% or more of the value of a Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries, except that all of the investable assets of a Fund may be invested in another registered investment company having the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies as a Fund.

4. Purchase the securities (other than government securities) of an issuer having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three years' continuous operations, if as a result of such purchase more than 5% of the value of a Fund's total assets would be invested in such securities, except that this shall not prohibit a Fund from investing all of its investable assets in another registered investment company having the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies as a Fund.

5. Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans as are necessary for the clearance of purchases of securities.

6. Engage in the underwriting of securities except insofar as a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in disposing of a security and except that all of the investable assets of a Fund may be invested in another registered investment company having the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies as a Fund.

7. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, or purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty contracts or development programs, except that a Fund may invest in the securities of issuers engaged in the foregoing activities and may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein.

8. Make loans of money or securities, except through the purchase of permitted investments (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements) and through the loan of securities (in an amount not exceeding one-third of total assets) by any Fund.

9. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options on such contracts and may enter into forward foreign currency contracts and engage in the purchase and sale of foreign currency options and futures.

10. Invest more than 5% of the value of a Fund's total assets in warrants, including not more than 2% of such assets in warrants not listed on a U.S. stock exchange. (Rights and warrants attached to, received in exchange for, or as a distribution on, other securities are not subject to this restriction.)

11. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except as necessary to secure permitted borrowings. (Collateral arrangements and initial margin with respect to permitted options on securities, financial futures contracts and related options, and arrangements incident to other permitted practices, are not deemed to be subject to this restriction.)

With respect to the fundamental policies relating to issuing senior securities set forth above, "senior securities" are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over a Fund's shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a Fund from issuing any class of senior securities or selling any senior securities of

which it is the issuer, except that the Fund is permitted to borrow from a bank if consistent with the fundamental policy set forth above.

With respect to the fundamental policies relating to making loans set forth above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit registered investment companies from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations.

With respect to the fundamental policies relating to investing in real estate set forth above, a Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, invest in securities or other instruments directly or indirectly secured by real estate and invest in securities or other instruments issued by issuers that invest in real estate. Investments in securities of issuers that are exposed to or invested in the real estate business will not be deemed to be a purchase or sale of real estate.

**BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS**

**A. Board of Trustees**

The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees"). The Board oversees the management and operations of the Trust and the Funds, in accordance with federal law, Delaware law and the stated policies of the Funds. The Board oversees the Trust's officers and service providers, including the Advisor, which is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of each Fund based on policies and agreements reviewed and approved by the Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Board regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers and the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO"). The Board also is assisted by the Trust's independent auditor (which reports directly to the Trust's Audit Committee), independent counsel and other experts as appropriate. The Trustees serve until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

The fund complex includes the funds advised by SKBA Capital Management, LLC, which are the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund ("Fund Complex"). The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for purposes of investment and investor services, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.

**Board Structure and Related Matters.** Independent Trustees constitute at least a majority of the Board members. David Tucker, an Independent Trustee, serves as Independent Chair of the Board. The Independent Chair's responsibilities include: setting an agenda for each meeting of the Board; presiding at all meetings of the Board and Independent Trustees; and serving as a liaison with other trustees, the Trust's officers, other management personnel and counsel to the Funds. The Independent Chair also performs such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.

The Trustees discharge their responsibilities collectively as a Board, as well as through Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter or procedures approved by the Board that delineates the specific responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee. The members and responsibilities of each Board committee are summarized below.

The Board periodically evaluates its structure and composition as well as various aspects of its operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including its Independent Chair position and its committees, is appropriate for the Trust in light of, among other factors, the asset size and nature of each Fund, the number of funds overseen by the Board, the arrangements for the conduct of each Fund's operations, the number of trustees and the Board's responsibilities. On an annual basis, the Board conducts a self-evaluation that considers, among other matters, whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively and whether, given the size and composition of the Board and each of its committees, the Trustees are able to oversee effectively the number of funds.

The Board holds four regularly scheduled in-person meetings each year. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. At least once per quarter during a regularly scheduled in-person meeting of the Board, the Independent Trustees meet without the presence of interested Trustees.

The Trustees are identified in the table below, which provides information as to their principal business occupations held during the last five years and certain other information. Each Trustee serves until his or her death, resignation or removal and replacement. The address for all Trustees is c/o Apex Fund Services, 190 Middle Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04101.

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Year of Birth** | **Position with <br> the Trust** | **Length of <br> Time <br> Served** | **Principal**<br> **Occupation(s) During<br> Past Five Years** | **Number of <br> Series in Fund <br> Complex <br> Overseen <br> By Trustee** | **Other <br> Directorships <br> Held By <br> Trustee <br> During Past <br> Five Years** |
| **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** |
| David Tucker<br> Born: 1958 | Chair of the Board; Trustee; Chair, Nominating Committee and Qualified Legal Compliance Committee | Since 2013 | Director, Blue Sky Experience (a charitable endeavor), since 2008; Senior Vice President & General Counsel, American Century Companies (an investment management firm), 1998-2008. | 2 | Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds. |
| Mark D. Moyer<br> Born: 1959 | Trustee; Chair Audit Committee | Since 2013 | Independent consultant providing interim CFO services, principally to non-profit organizations, 2011-2017, and since 2023; Chief Financial Officer, Freedom House (a NGO advocating political freedom and democracy) 2017-2021. | 2 | Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds. |
| Jennifer Brown-Strabley<br> Born: 1964 | Trustee | Since 2013 | Principal, Portland Global Advisors (a registered investment adviser), 1996-2010. | 2 | Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds. |
| **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Interested Trustees<sup>(1)</sup>** |
| Karen Shaw<br> Born: 1972 | Trustee | Since 2023 | Senior Vice President, Apex Fund Services since 2019; Senior Vice President, Atlantic Fund Services 2008-2019. | 2 | Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds. |

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<sup>(1)</sup> Karen Shaw is currently treated as an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to her affiliation with Apex Fund Services. Apex Fund Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex US Holdings LLC. Karen Shaw is also currently an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to her role as Treasurer of the Trust.

In addition to the information set forth in the table above, each Trustee possesses certain relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills. The following provides additional information about these qualifications and experience.

David Tucker: Mr. Tucker has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including experience in senior management, legal and compliance roles at two large mutual fund complexes; service on various committees of the Investment Company Institute ("ICI"); and director of ICI Mutual (a mutual insurance company sponsored by the investment company industry), including service as chairman of the underwriting, risk and fraud committees of ICI Mutual's board of directors. Mr. Tucker actively serves charitable organizations in the metropolitan Kansas City area.

Mark D. Moyer: Mr. Moyer has extensive experience with finance. He has served as chief financial officer for several nongovernmental organizations and a publicly-listed integrated media company. Mr. Moyer also served as an adjunct professor of accounting at Fairfield University.

Jennifer Brown-Strabley: Ms. Brown-Strabley has extensive experience in the financial services and investment management industry, including institutional sales experience in global fixed-income and related quantitative research. Ms. Brown-Strabley also has experience in business start-up and operations and as a former principal of a registered investment adviser, for which she continues to provide consulting advice from time to time.

Karen Shaw: Ms. Shaw has extensive experience in the fund services industry, including senior management roles overseeing the mutual fund administration, fund accounting and financial reporting operations for a fund service provider specializing in third-party mutual fund administration. Ms. Shaw serves as principal financial officer for certain investment companies.

**Risk Oversight.** Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Funds, the Board oversees the management of risks relating to the administration and operation of the Trust and the Funds. The Advisor, as part of its responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the Funds, is responsible for day-to-day risk management. The Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, also separately considers potential risks that may impact the Funds. The Board performs this risk management oversight directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees (described below) and through the Independent Trustees. The following provides an overview of the principal, but not all, aspects of the Board's oversight of risk management for the Trust and the Funds.

In general, the Funds' risks include, among others, investment risk, valuation risk, compliance risk and operational risk. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these and other risks to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, under the general oversight of the Board, the Advisor and other service providers have themselves adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, the Advisor oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations and compliance of each Fund's investments.

The Board also oversees risk management for the Trust and the Funds through review of regular reports, presentations and other information from officers of the Trust and other persons. Senior officers of the Trust, senior officers of the Advisor and the CCO regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. In this regard, the Board periodically receives reports regarding other service providers to the Trust, either directly or through the CCO. On at least a quarterly basis, the Independent Trustees meet with the CCO to discuss matters relating to the Funds' compliance program. Further, at least annually, the Board receives a report from the CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Funds' compliance program.

The Board has designated the Advisor as the valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, and delegated to the Advisor the responsibility for making fair value determinations with respect to the Fund's portfolio securities. The Advisor, as the valuation designee, is responsible for periodically assessing any material risks associated with the determination of the fair value of the Fund's investments; establishing and applying fair value methodologies; testing the appropriateness of fair value methodologies; and overseeing and evaluating third-party pricing services. The Advisor, as valuation designee, carries out its fair valuation responsibilities pursuant to and procedures approved by the Board. The Advisor, as valuation designee, reports to the Board on the pricing of the Fund's shares and the valuation of the Fund's portfolio securities; recommends independent pricing services to provide a value for Fund assets; makes and monitors fair value determinations pursuant to the valuation policies and procedures; and carries out any other functions designated to the Advisor relating to the valuation of Fund assets.

The Board also regularly receives reports from the Advisor with respect to the investments and securities trading of the Funds. For example, typically, the Board receives reports, presentations and other information from the Advisor on at least an annual basis in connection with the Board's consideration of the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between the Advisor and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the "Advisory Agreement"). Also, if applicable, the Board receives reports from the Advisor and other service providers in connection with the Board's consideration of the renewal of any distribution plan of the Funds under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Senior officers of the Trust and senior officers of the Advisor also report regularly to the Audit Committee on valuation matters, internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit Committee receives regular reports from the Trust's independent auditors on internal control and financial reporting matters.

**Trustee Ownership in the Funds and the Fund Complex.** The following table sets forth each Trustee's ownership of the Funds and the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2025.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Trustees** | **Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership in <br> the Funds as of December 31, 2025** | **Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership in <br> the Funds as of December 31, 2025** | **Aggregate Dollar Range of <br> Ownership as of December 31, <br> 2025 in all Registered Investment <br> Companies Overseen by Trustee in <br> the Fund Complex** |
| **Trustees** | **Baywood Value*Plus* <br> Fund** | **Baywood**<br> **Socially*Responsible*<br> Fund** | **Aggregate Dollar Range of <br> Ownership as of December 31, <br> 2025 in all Registered Investment <br> Companies Overseen by Trustee in <br> the Fund Complex** |
| **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** |
| David Tucker |  |  |  |
| Mark D. Moyer |  |  |  |
| Jennifer Brown-Strabley |  |  |  |
| **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** |
| Karen Shaw |  |  |  |

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**B. Principal Officers of the Trust**

The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. As of the date of this SAI, the officers of the Trust, their years of birth and their principal occupations during the past five calendar years are set forth below. Each officer serves until his or her death, resignation or removal and replacement. The business address of each officer is c/o Apex Fund Services, 190 Middle Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04101.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Year of Birth** | **Position <br> with the Trust** | **Length of Time <br> Served** | **Principal Occupation(s)**<br> **During Past 5 Years** |
| Zachary Tackett <br> Born: 1988 | President; Principal Executive Officer; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer; Identity Theft Prevention Officer | President, Principal Executive Officer since 2023; Secretary, Vice President 2014-2023; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, Identity Theft Prevention Officer since 2014 | Senior Counsel, Apex Fund Services since 2019; Counsel, Atlantic Fund Services 2014-2019. |
| Karen Shaw <br> Born: 1972 | Treasurer; Principal <br> Financial Officer | Since 2013 | Senior Vice President, Apex Fund Services since 2019; Senior Vice President, Atlantic Fund Services 2008-2019. |
| Carlyn Edgar <br> Born: 1963 | Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2013 | Senior Vice President, Apex Fund Services since 2019; Senior Vice President, Atlantic Fund Services 2008-2019. |
| Lindsey Dorval <br> Born: 1981 | Vice President; Secretary | Since 2023 | Counsel, Apex Fund Services since 2020. |

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**C. Ownership of Securities of the Advisor and Related Companies**

As of December 31, 2025, no Independent Trustee (or any of his or her immediate family members) owned beneficially or of record, securities of any Trust investment advisor, the Trust's principal underwriter, or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any Trust investment advisor or principal underwriter.

**D. Information Concerning Trust Committees**

**Audit Committee.** The Trust's Audit Committee, which typically meets quarterly, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker and Moyer. Pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Trust. It is directly responsible for the appointment, termination, compensation and oversight of work of the independent auditors to the Trust. In so doing, the Audit Committee reviews the methods, scope and results of the audits and audit fees

charged and reviews the Trust's internal accounting procedures and controls. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, the Audit Committee met four times.

**Nominating Committee.** The Trust's Nominating Committee, which meets when necessary, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker and Moyer. Pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board, the Nominating Committee is charged with the duty of nominating all Trustees and committee members and presenting these nominations to the Board. The Nominating Committee will not consider any nominees for Trustee recommended by security holders. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, the Nominating Committee did not meet.

**Qualified Legal Compliance Committee.** The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (the "QLCC"), which meets when necessary, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker and Moyer. The QLCC evaluates and recommends resolutions to reports from attorneys servicing the Trust regarding evidence of material violations of applicable federal and state law or the breach of fiduciary duties under applicable federal and state law by the Trust or an employee or agent of the Trust. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, the QLCC did not meet.

**E. Compensation of Trustees and Officers**

Independent Trustees of the Trust each receive an annual fee of $25,000 for service to the Trust. The Chair of the Board is paid an additional annual fee of $7,500. The Chair of the Audit Committee is paid an additional annual fee of $2,000. The Trustees and Chair may receive additional fees for special Board meetings. Each Trustee is also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his or her duties as a Trustee, including travel and related expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.

The following table sets forth the fees paid to each Trustee by the Funds and the Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Trustee** | <br> **Aggregate Compensation from the Funds** | <br> **Aggregate Compensation from the Funds** | **Pension or <br> Retirement Benefits <br> Accrued as part of <br> Fund Expenses** | **Total Compensation<br> from Fund Complex** |
| **Trustee** | **Baywood <br> Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood**<br> **Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Pension or <br> Retirement Benefits <br> Accrued as part of <br> Fund Expenses** | **Total Compensation<br> from Fund Complex** |
| **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** | **Independent Trustees** |
| David Tucker | $2892 | $3338 | N/A | $6230 |
| Mark D. Moyer | $2359 | $2727 | N/A | $5086 |
| Jennifer Brown-Strabley | $1747 | $2243 | N/A | $3990 |
| **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** | **Interested Trustees** |
| Karen Shaw | $0 | $0 | N/A | $0 |

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**F. Investment Advisor**

**Services of Advisor.** The Advisor serves as investment advisor to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor furnishes, at its own expense, all services, facilities, and personnel necessary in connection with managing each Fund's investments and effecting portfolio transactions for each Fund. The Advisor may compensate brokers or other service providers ("Financial Intermediaries") out of its own assets, and not as additional charges to the Funds, in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds and/or servicing of these shares.

**Ownership of Advisor.** SKBA is 100% owned by employees and original founders. The investment advisory firm is dedicated to providing actively managed equity, fixed income, and balanced investment solutions to a diverse array of clients including foundations, endowments, corporations, pension funds, Taft-Hartley plans, charitable organizations, faith-based institutions and private institutions. SKBA also is the advisor to two mutual funds.

SKBA registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 1989 as an independent firm. Currently, six of the firm's employees, including five investment professionals, along with a retired founder, have ownership interest in SKBA. No single shareholder owns more than 25% of the firm.

SKBA is an SEC registered investment adviser located at 601 California Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94108. As of December 31, 2025, SKBA had approximately $732 million in assets under management.

**Information Concerning Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers.** The following table provides information regarding other accounts managed by the portfolio managers as of September 30, 2025:

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| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of <br> Portfolio <br> Manager** | **Number of Other Accounts Managed <br> and Assets by Account Type<sup>1</sup>** | **Number of Other Accounts Managed <br> and Assets by Account Type<sup>1</sup>** | **Number of Other Accounts Managed <br> and Assets by Account Type<sup>1</sup>** | **Number of Accounts and Assets for Which <br> Advisory Fee is Performance-Based** | **Number of Accounts and Assets for Which <br> Advisory Fee is Performance-Based** | **Number of Accounts and Assets for Which <br> Advisory Fee is Performance-Based** |
| **Name of <br> Portfolio <br> Manager** | **Registered <br> Investment <br> Companies** | **Other <br> Pooled <br> Investment <br> Vehicles** | **Other <br> Accounts** | **Registered <br> Investment <br> Companies** | **Other <br> Pooled <br> Investment <br> Vehicles** | **Other <br> Accounts** |
| Joshua J. Rothé |  |  | 26 accounts $722.6 million |  |  |  |
| Shelley H. Mann |  |  | 26 accounts $722.6 million |  |  |  |
| Thomas Hiester |  |  | 26 accounts $722.6 million |  |  |  |
| Matthew R. Segura |  |  | 26 accounts $722.6 million |  |  |  |

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<sup>1</sup> All of the accounts listed above are managed by Messrs. Rothé, Hiester, and Segura and Ms. Mann together.

**Conflicts of Interest.** Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with the following conflicts:

● The management of multiple client accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Fund. The Advisor may seek to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of the portfolio managers by having the portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline.

● If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, the Funds may be unable to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

● With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Advisor may place separate, non-simultaneous transactions for the Fund and another account which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other account.

● Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise if the Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one fund or account but not all funds and accounts with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

The Advisor has adopted certain compliance procedures, which are designed to address these types of conflicts. The Advisor has developed and implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure that all clients are treated equitably. In addition, compliance oversight and monitoring ensures adherence to policies designed to avoid conflicts. The Advisor's policies and procedures address trade aggregation and allocation. Additionally, given the nature of the Advisor's investment process and its Funds and/or other accounts, the Advisor's investment management team services are typically applied collectively to the management of all the Funds and/or other accounts following the same strategy.

To mitigate the potential for conflict to have a team member favor one Fund over another Fund and/or other account, the Advisor has established procedures, including policies to monitor trading and best execution for all funds and/or other accounts.

There is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

**Information Concerning Compensation of Portfolio Managers.** The total compensation for portfolio managers consists of a fixed base salary and benefits, bonus payouts, and 401k plan employer contributions, paid by the Advisor. The above mentioned investment professionals are equity owners in the firm, which entitles them to receive quarterly dividend distributions based on the firm's revenue and profit performance. For investment professionals, a portion of bonus compensation may be based on the relative performance of a composite of investment portfolios managed by the Advisor, including the Funds. Bonus compensation is based on the annual, gross performance of the composite relative to the performance of the composite's benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index.

**Portfolio Manager Ownership in the Funds.** The Advisor has provided the following information regarding each portfolio manager's ownership in the Funds as of September 30, 2025:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Portfolio Manager** | **Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership in the Funds as <br> of September 30, 2025** |
| **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | |
| Joshua J. Rothé | $10001 - $50000 |
| Shelley H. Mann | Over $1,000,000 |
| Thomas Hiester | $10001 - $50000 |
| Matthew R. Segura | $100001 - $500000 |
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** |
| Joshua J. Rothé | $500001 - $1000000 |
| Shelley H. Mann | $500001 - $1000000 |
| Thomas Hiester | $10001 - $50000 |
| Matthew R. Segura | $50001 - $100000 |

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**Fees.** The Advisor receives an advisory fee from the Funds at an annual rate equal to 0.50% of the average annual daily net assets of the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and 0.70% of the average annual daily net assets of the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund under the terms of the Advisory Agreement. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 0.70% for the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and 0.89% for the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund through January 31, 2027 ("Expense Cap"). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Advisor may recoup from the Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Advisor pursuant to the Expense Cap if such recoupment is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of the Fund (after the recoupment has been taken into account) to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived or reimbursed. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses will increase if exclusions from the Expense Cap apply.

The advisory fee, if not waived, is accrued daily and paid monthly by each Fund and is assessed based on the daily net assets of the Fund. In addition to receiving its advisory fee from the Funds, the Advisor may also act and be compensated as an investment manager for its clients with respect to assets that such clients have invested in a Fund. If you have a separately managed account with the Advisor with assets invested in a Fund, the Advisor will not assess or receive any management fee on the portion of the separately managed account invested in the Fund.

Table 1 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of advisory fees accrued by each Fund, the amount of advisory fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed by the Advisor, if any, and the actual advisory fees retained by the Advisor. The data provided is for the last three fiscal years.

**Advisory Agreement.** The Funds' Advisory Agreement remains in effect for an initial period of two years from the date of its effectiveness, and thereafter the Advisory Agreement must be approved at least annually by the Board or by majority vote of the shareholders, and in either case by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the Trust).

The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust with respect to the Funds on 60 days' written notice when authorized either by vote of the Funds' shareholders or by a majority vote of the Board, or by the Advisor on 60 days' written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement terminates immediately upon assignment.

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is not liable for any mistake of judgment, mistake of law, or act or omission, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

**G. Distributor**

**Distribution Services.** Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the "Distributor"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (d/b/a ACA Group), located at 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101, acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"). The Distributor is not affiliated with the Advisor or any other service provider for the Trust.

The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Funds on a commercially reasonable efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Funds. With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund "supermarket" platform arrangements, the Funds and/or the Advisor, rather than the Distributor, typically enters into such agreements. These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor. These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Funds.

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to investors by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary's procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The financial intermediary, and not the investors, will be the shareholder of record, although investors may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the intermediary. The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Funds for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 plan is effective, as applicable. The Advisor pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

**H. Other Fund Service Providers**

**Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, and Compliance Services.** Apex Fund Services and its subsidiaries provide administration, compliance, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Funds. Apex Fund Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex US Holdings LLC.

Pursuant to the Apex Fund Services Services Agreement (the "Services Agreement"), each Fund pays Apex Fund Services and its subsidiaries a bundled fee for administration, compliance, fund accounting and transfer agency services. Each Fund also pays Apex Fund Services and its subsidiaries certain surcharges and shareholder account fees. The fee is accrued daily by the Funds and is paid monthly based on the average net assets, transactions and positions for the prior month.

The Services Agreement continues in effect until terminated, so long as its continuance is specifically approved or ratified with such frequency and in such manner as required by applicable law. After an initial three-year term, the Services Agreement is terminable with or without cause and without penalty by the Trust or by the Administrator on 120 days' written notice to the other party. The Services Agreement is also terminable for cause by the non-breaching party on at least 60 days' written notice to the other party, provided that such party has not cured the breach within that notice period. Under the Services Agreement, Apex Fund Services is not liable to the Funds or the Funds' shareholders for any act or omission, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Services Agreement. The Services Agreement also provides that Apex Fund Services will not be liable to a shareholder for any loss incurred due to a NAV difference if such difference is less than or equal to $0.01 and in addition, limits the amount of any loss for which Apex Fund Services would be liable. Also, Apex Fund

Services is not liable for the errors and omissions of others, including the entities that supply security prices to Apex Fund Services and the Funds. Losses incurred by the Funds as a result of acts or omissions by Apex Fund Services or any other service provider for which Apex Fund Services or the service provider is not liable to the Funds would be borne by the Funds and through the Funds, by their Shareholders.

As Administrator, Apex Fund Services administers each Fund's operations except those that are the responsibility of any other service provider hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by the Board. The Administrator's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: (1) overseeing the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Funds by others, including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and other services performed for the Funds; (2) preparing for filing and filing certain regulatory filings (*i.e.*, registration statements and shareholder reports) subject to Trust counsel and/or independent auditor oversight; (3) overseeing the preparation and filing of each Fund's tax returns, the preparation of financial statements and related reports to each Fund's shareholders, the SEC and state and other securities administrators; (4) providing the Funds with adequate general office space and facilities and providing persons suitable to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust; (5) assisting the Advisor in monitoring Fund holdings for compliance with prospectus investment restrictions and assisting in preparation of periodic compliance reports; and (6) with the cooperation of the Advisor, the officers of the Trust and other relevant parties, preparing and disseminating materials for meetings of the Board.

Apex Fund Services provides a Principal Executive Officer, a Principal Financial Officer, a CCO, and an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer to the Funds, as well as certain additional compliance support functions.

Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, 190 Middle Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04101 (the "Transfer Agent"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex US Holdings LLC (d/b/a Apex Fund Services), serves as transfer agent and distribution paying agent for the Funds. The Transfer Agent is registered as a transfer agent with the SEC. The Transfer Agent maintains an account for each shareholder of record of each Fund and is responsible for processing purchase and redemption requests and paying distributions to shareholders of record.

As Fund accountant, Apex Fund Services provides fund accounting services to the Funds. These services include calculating the NAV of each Fund class.

Table 2 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of the fees accrued by each Fund for administration services, the amount of fees waived by Apex Fund Services, if any, and the actual fees retained by Apex Fund Services under the Services Agreement. The data provided is for the last three fiscal years.

**Custodian.** U.S. Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian") is the custodian for the Funds. The Custodian safeguards and controls the Funds' cash and securities, determines income and collects interest on Fund investments. The Custodian may employ subcustodians to provide custody of the Funds' domestic and foreign assets. The Custodian also maintains certain books and records of the Fund that are required by applicable federal regulations. The Custodian is located at 1155 N. Rivercenter Dr., MK-WI-S302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212.

**Legal Counsel.** Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 2000 K Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006-1871, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

**Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.** Cohen & Company, Ltd., 1835 Market Street, Suite 310 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. Cohen & Company, Ltd. audits the annual financial statements of the Funds, provides the Funds with an audit opinion and reviews certain regulatory filings of the Funds. Cohen & Co Advisory, LLC, an affiliate of Cohen & Company, Ltd., provides tax services as requested.

**PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS**

**A. How Securities are Purchased and Sold**

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are fixed-income securities (for instance, money market instruments and bonds, notes and bills) usually are principal transactions. In a principal transaction, the party from which a Fund purchases or to which a Fund sells is acting on its own behalf (and not as the agent of some other party such as its customers). These securities normally are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. There usually are no brokerage commissions paid for these securities.

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are equity securities (for instance, common stock and preferred stock) are generally effected if (1) the security is traded on an exchange, through brokers that charge commissions and (2) the security is traded in the over-the-counter markets, in a principal transaction directly from a market maker. In transactions on stock exchanges, commissions are negotiated.

When transactions are executed in an over-the-counter market, the Advisor will seek to deal with the primary market makers, but when necessary in order to obtain best execution, the Advisor will utilize the services of others.

The price of securities purchased from underwriters includes a disclosed fixed commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and prices of securities purchased from dealers serving as market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked price.

In the case of fixed-income and equity securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, there is generally no stated commission, but the price usually includes an undisclosed commission, markup or markdown.

**B. Commissions Paid**

Table 3 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by each Fund; the amount of commissions paid to an affiliate of each Fund, the Advisor or the Distributor; the percentage of brokerage commissions paid to an affiliate of each Fund, the Advisor or the Distributor; and the percentage of transactions executed by an affiliate of each Fund, the Advisor or the Distributor. The data provided is for the last three fiscal years. The increase in brokerage commissions for the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund from 2024 to 2025 was primarily a result of a proportional increase in transaction volume.

**C. Advisor Responsibility for Purchases and Sales and Choosing Broker-Dealers**

The Advisor places orders for the purchase and sale of securities with broker-dealers selected by and at the discretion of the Advisor. The Funds do not have any obligation to deal with a specific broker or dealer in the execution of portfolio transactions. Allocations of transactions to brokers and dealers and the frequency of transactions are determined by the Advisor in its best judgment and in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of each Fund rather than by any formula.

The Advisor seeks "best execution" for all portfolio transactions. This means that the Advisor seeks the most favorable price and execution available. The Funds may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available. Rather, in determining the amount of commissions (including certain dealer spreads) paid in connection with securities transactions, the Advisor takes into account factors such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the efficiency of the executing broker's facilities (including the research services described below) and any risk assumed by the executing broker-dealer. A Fund may pay a higher commission if, for example, the broker-dealer has specific expertise in a particular type of transaction (due to factors such as size or difficulty) or is highly efficient in trade execution.

The Advisor may also give consideration to brokerage and research services furnished to the Advisor by broker-dealers and may cause a Fund to pay these broker-dealers a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other broker-dealers. Research services may include reports that are common in the industry, such as research reports and periodicals, quotation systems, software for portfolio management and formal databases. Typically, the Advisor uses the research to manage all client accounts. Therefore, the commission dollars spent for research generally benefit all of the Advisor's clients and a Fund's investors, although a particular client may not benefit from research received on each occasion. The Advisor does not reduce its fees because the Advisor receives research.

Table 4 in Appendix B lists each Fund's directed brokerage in return for research services, the amount of transactions so directed, and the amount of commissions earned by the broker-dealer during the past fiscal year.

**D. Counterparty Risk**

The Advisor monitors the creditworthiness of counterparties to the Funds' transactions and intends to enter into a transaction only when it believes that the counterparty presents appropriate credit risks.

**E. Transactions through Affiliates**

The Advisor may effect brokerage transactions through affiliates of the Advisor (or affiliates of those persons) pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trust and in accordance with applicable law.

**F. Other Accounts of the Advisor**

Investment decisions are the product of many factors, including basic suitability for the particular client involved. Likewise, a particular security may be bought or sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. In some instances, with any required consent, one client may sell a particular security to another client. In addition, two or more clients may simultaneously purchase or sell the same security, in which event each day's transactions in such security are, insofar as is possible, averaged as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which, in the Advisor's opinion, is in the best interest of the affected accounts and is equitable to each and in accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of a portfolio security for one client could have an adverse effect on another client that has a position in that security. In addition, when purchases or sales of the same security for a Fund and other client accounts managed by the Advisor occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large denomination purchases or sales.

**G. Portfolio Turnover**

The frequency of portfolio transactions of each Fund (the portfolio turnover rate) will vary from year to year depending on many factors. From time to time, a Fund may engage in active short-term trading to take advantage of price movements affecting individual issues, groups of issues or markets. Higher portfolio turnover rates may result in increased brokerage costs to a Fund and a possible increase in short-term capital gains (taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them) or losses. An annual portfolio turnover rate of 100% would occur if all the securities in a Fund were replaced once in a period of one year.

Portfolio turnover rate is defined under the rules of the SEC as the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at time of acquisition were one year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one year, are excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover rate.

**H. Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers**

From time to time the Funds may acquire and hold securities issued by its "regular brokers and dealers" or the parents of those brokers and dealers. For this purpose, regular brokers and dealers are the ten brokers or dealers that: (1) received the greatest amount of brokerage commissions during a Fund's last fiscal year; (2) engaged in the largest amount of principal transactions for portfolio transactions of a Fund during the Fund's last fiscal year; or (3) sold the largest amount of a Fund's shares during the Fund's last fiscal year.

Table 5 in Appendix B lists the regular brokers and dealers of each Fund whose securities (or the securities of the parent company) were acquired during the past fiscal year and the aggregate value of each Fund's holdings of those securities as of the Fund's most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

**I. Portfolio Holdings**

Portfolio holdings as of the end of the Funds' annual and semi-annual fiscal periods are reported to the SEC on Form N-CSR within 10 days of the mailing of the annual or semi-annual report (typically no later than 70 days after the end of each period). Monthly portfolio disclosures will be filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT no later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. The monthly holdings reports on Form N-PORT for the first and second months of the fiscal quarter will remain nonpublic and the monthly holdings report for the third month of the fiscal quarter will become publicly available upon filing (with the exception of certain items). You may request a copy of the Funds' latest annual or semi-annual report to shareholders or a copy of the Funds' latest Form N-PORT, when it is available, which contains each Funds' portfolio

holdings, by contacting the Transfer Agent at the address or phone number listed on the cover of this SAI. You may also obtain a copy of the Funds' latest Form N-CSR and Form N-PORT by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

In addition, the Advisor may make publicly available, on a quarterly basis, information regarding each Fund's holdings. This holdings information may also be made available through the Funds' website and may be released no earlier than 7 days of the quarter end.

Each Fund's nonpublic portfolio holdings information is received by certain service providers in advance of public release in the course of performing or enabling them to perform the contractual or fiduciary duties necessary for the Fund's operations that the Fund has retained them to perform so long as the disclosure is subject to duties of confidentiality imposed by law and/or contract as determined by each Fund's officers and, if applicable, the Board. Each Fund's portfolio holdings are available in real-time on a daily basis to the Advisor, the Administrator and the Custodian. In addition, the Distributor, the independent auditors, proxy voting services, mailing services, financial printers and ratings or ranking organizations may have access, but not on a daily real-time basis, to each Fund's nonpublic portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis. The Trustees, Trust's officers, legal counsel to the Trust and to the Independent Trustees and the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm may receive similar information on an as needed basis.

From time to time, nonpublic information regarding a Fund's portfolio holdings may also be disclosed to certain mutual fund consultants, analysts or other entities or persons ("Recipients") that have a legitimate business purpose in receiving such information. Any disclosure of information more current than the latest publicly available portfolio holdings information will be made only if a Trust officer (*i.e.*, the President or the Treasurer) determines that: (1) the more current information is necessary for a Recipient to complete a specified task; (2) the Fund has legitimate business purposes for disclosing the information; and (3) the disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Any Recipient receiving such information will be required to agree in writing to: (a) keep the information confidential; (b) use it only for agreed-upon purposes; and (c) not trade or advise others to trade securities, including shares of the Fund, on the basis of the information. Confidentiality agreements entered into for the receipt of nonpublic information typically will also provide, among other things, that the Recipient: (i) will limit access to the information to its employees and agents who are obligated to keep and treat such information as confidential; (ii) will assume responsibility for any breach of the terms of the confidentiality agreement by its employees; and (iii) upon request from the Trust, will return or promptly destroy the information. Any Recipient that is a ratings or ranking organization receiving such information must have in place control mechanisms to reasonably ensure or otherwise agree that: (x) the holdings information will be kept confidential; (y) no employee will use the information to effect trading or for their personal benefit; and (z) the nature and type of information that any employee, in turn, may disclose to third-parties is limited. The Trust officer will report to the Board at its next regularly scheduled Board meeting the entering into of an agreement with a Recipient for the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information and will include in the report the Trust officer's reasons for determining to permit such disclosure.

The Advisor may provide investment management for accounts of clients other than the Funds, which may result in some of those accounts having a composition substantially similar to that of the Funds. The Advisor and its affiliates may provide regular information to clients and others regarding the holdings in accounts that each manages, but no information is provided to clients or others that identifies the actual composition of a Fund's holdings, specifies the amount of a Fund's assets invested in a security or specifies the extent of any such similarities among accounts managed by the Advisor.

No compensation is received by the Funds, or, to the Funds' knowledge, paid to the Advisor or any other party in connection with the disclosure of the Funds' portfolio holdings. The codes of ethics of the Trust and the Advisor are intended to address, among other things, potential conflicts of interest arising from the misuse of information concerning a Fund's portfolio holdings. In addition, the Funds' service providers may be subject to confidentiality provisions contained within their service agreements, codes of ethics, professional codes and other similar policies that address conflicts of interest arising from the misuse of this information.

The Advisor, the Administrator and the Distributor must inform a Trust officer if they identify any conflict between the interests of shareholders and those of another party resulting from the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information. These conflicts will be reported to the Board for appropriate action at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

There is no assurance that the Funds' portfolio holdings disclosure policy will protect the Funds against potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

**PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION**

**A. General Information**

You may effect purchases or redemptions or request any shareholder privilege by contacting the Transfer Agent.

Each Fund accepts orders for the purchase or redemption of shares of the Fund on any weekday except days when the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed. Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may accept orders when the NYSE is closed if deemed appropriate by the Trust's officers.

The shares of the Funds may not be available for sale in the state in which you reside. Please check with your investment professional to determine each Fund's availability.

**B. Additional Purchase Information**

Shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous basis by the Distributor.

Each Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase request.

Fund shares are normally issued for cash only. In its discretion, a Fund may accept portfolio securities that meet the investment objective and policies of the Fund as payment for Fund shares. A Fund may allow an in kind purchase provided that, among other things: (i) the purchase will not dilute the interests of its shareholders; (ii) the assets accepted by each Fund consist of securities that are appropriate, in type and amount, for investment by each Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and current holdings; (iii) market quotations are readily available for the securities; (iv) in determining the value of the assets contributed and the corresponding amount of shares issued, the Trust's Valuation Policy will be applied; (v) the transaction must comply with the Trust's Affiliated Persons and Transactions Policy if the person investing is an affiliated person; and (vi) the Advisor to each Fund discloses to the Board the existence of, and all material facts relating to, any conflicts of interest between the Advisor and each Fund in the proposed in-kind purchase.

**IRAs.** All contributions into an individual retirement account (an "IRA") through the automatic investing service are treated as IRA contributions made during the year that the contribution is received.

**UGMAs/UTMAs.** If the custodian's name is not in the account registration of a gift or transfer to minor ("UGMA/UTMA") account, the custodian must provide instructions in a manner indicating custodial capacity.

**C. Additional Redemption Information** 

You may redeem Fund shares at NAV.

Each Fund may redeem shares involuntarily, (1) to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder; or (2) to collect any charge relating to transactions effected for the benefit of a shareholder that is applicable to the Fund's shares as provided in the Prospectus.

**Suspension of Right of Redemption.** The right of redemption may not be suspended for more than seven days after the tender of Fund shares, except for any period during which: (1) the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or during which the SEC determines that trading thereon is restricted; (2) an emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (3) the SEC has entered a suspension order for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund.

**Redemption in Kind.** Redemption proceeds normally are paid in cash. The Trust has filed an election with the SEC, however, pursuant to which a Fund may effect a redemption in portfolio securities at the shareholder's request or if the shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's total net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period. To the extent a Fund satisfies a redemption request by distributing portfolio securities, it will do so pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. If a Fund pays redemption proceeds in kind, the redeeming shareholder may incur transaction costs to dispose of the securities and may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of redemption. In addition, if the Fund redeems shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the costs of liquidating the securities (such as brokerage costs) and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities. In-kind redemptions may take the form of a pro rata portion of the Fund's portfolio, individual securities, or a representative basket of securities.

**NAV Determination.** The offering price for Fund shares is at their current NAV. In determining the NAV of each Fund class, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value using the last reported sales price or the official closing price from the primary exchange where the security is listed, as provided by an independent pricing service or, if no sales price is reported, the mean of the last bid and ask prices. If market quotations are not readily available or the Fund reasonably believes that they are unreliable, then securities are valued at fair value, as determined by the Advisor, in its capacity as the valuation designee. For further information, see the "General Information" section in the Prospectus.

**Distributions.** Distributions of net investment income will be reinvested at the NAV of the applicable class (unless you elect to receive distributions in cash) as of the last day of the period with respect to which the distribution is paid. Distributions of net realized capital gains will be reinvested at the NAV of the applicable class (unless you elect to receive distributions in cash) on the payment date for the distribution. Cash payments may be made more than seven days following the date on which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.

**TAXATION**

The tax information set forth in the Prospectus and in this section relates solely to federal tax law and assumes that a Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC under that law (as discussed below). This information is only a summary of certain key federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and its shareholders and is in addition to the information provided in the Prospectus. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment of the Funds or the tax implications to shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning.

This "Taxation" section is based on the IRC, the regulations thereunder, and IRS interpretations and similar authority on which a Fund may rely, all as in effect on the date hereof, as well as on court decisions through that date. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to a Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.

***This is for general information only and not tax advice. Each investor should consult their own tax advisor as to the federal, state, local, and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.***

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**A. Qualification for Treatment as a Regulated Investment Company**

Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify, or, if newly organized, intends to elect and qualify for each taxable year as a RIC under the IRC. This qualification does not involve governmental supervision of management or investment practices or policies of the Funds.

The taxable year-end of the Funds is September 30, which is the same as the Funds' fiscal year-end.

**Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company.** As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (generally, interest, dividends, the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, net gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions and other ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify to be taxed as a RIC for a taxable year, a Fund must satisfy the following requirements, among others:

● The Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for the taxable year ("Distribution Requirement"). Certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year are considered distributions attributable to that taxable year for purposes of satisfying this requirement.

● The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for the taxable year from (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options) derived from its business of investing in securities or those currencies and (2) net income from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership ("QPTP") ("Gross Income Requirement"). A QPTP is defined as a "publicly traded partnership" (generally, a partnership the interests in which are "traded on an established securities market" or are "readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)") that derives less than 90% of its gross income from income described in clause (1).

● The Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification requirements ("Diversification Requirements") at the close of each quarter of the taxable year: (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and securities of other issuers, with these other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding voting securities (equity securities of a QPTP being considered voting securities for these purposes); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in (a) the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs), (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs.

In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by a Fund for purposes of the Gross Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Diversification Requirements is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type

of investment may adversely affect a Fund's ability to satisfy these requirements. See, "Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions" below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, a Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Gross Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Diversification Requirements, which may have a negative impact on a Fund's income and performance.

**Failure to Qualify.** If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify for treatment as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits (except that, for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders, the part thereof that is "qualified dividend income" (as described below) would be subject to federal income tax at the rates for net capital gain - a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder's level of taxable income and the shareholder's filing status - and those dividends would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to corporations under certain circumstances). Furthermore, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying for RIC treatment. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a RIC if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

Failure to qualify for treatment as a RIC would thus have a negative impact on a Fund's after-tax performance. It is possible that a Fund will not qualify as a RIC in any given taxable year.

If a Fund fails to satisfy the Gross Income Requirement for any taxable year, it nevertheless will be considered to have satisfied that requirement for that year if, among other things, the failure "is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect" and the Fund pays a tax in an amount equal to the excess of its gross income that is not qualifying income for purposes of that requirement over one-ninth of its gross income that is such qualifying income.

If a Fund fails to satisfy either of the Diversification Requirements at the close of any quarter of its taxable year by reason of a discrepancy existing immediately after its acquisition of any security that is wholly or partly the result of that acquisition during that quarter, it will not lose its status for that quarter as a RIC if the discrepancy is eliminated within 30 days after the quarter's close. If a Fund fails to satisfy either of the Diversification Requirements (other than a "de minimis" failure, as defined in the IRC) for a quarter and the preceding sentence does not apply, it nevertheless will be considered to have satisfied those requirements for that quarter if, among other things, the failure "is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect" and the Fund disposes of the assets that caused the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure in the manner to be prescribed by the IRS; in that case, the Fund will also be liable for a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the amount determined by multiplying the net income generated by those assets for the period from the date the failure occurs to the date of disposition thereof by the rate of tax applicable to corporations.

**Portfolio Turnover.** For investors that hold their Fund shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a fund with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable fund with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce a Fund's after-tax performance.

**Deferral of Late Year Losses.** Each Fund may elect to treat part or all of any "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund's taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A "qualified late year loss" includes:

● any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year ("post-October capital losses"), and

● the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year.

The terms "specified losses" and "specified gains" mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") for which a

mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms "ordinary losses" and "ordinary income" mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence.

**Undistributed Capital Gains.** Each Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

**B. Fund Distributions**

Each distribution by a Fund will be treated in the manner described below regardless of whether the distribution is paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another fund). If the shareholder receives a distribution in the form of a reinvestment in additional shares, the shareholder will be treated as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.

**Distributions of Net Investment Income.** Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Each Fund receives income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. Each Fund may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of each Fund, constitutes the Fund's net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If a shareholder is a taxable investor, these distributions generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of a Fund's earnings and profits.

**Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals.** A portion of a Fund's distributions may be treated as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders at maximum federal tax rates of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder's level of taxable income and the shareholder's filing status. A distribution is treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder to the extent that (1) a Fund receives dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that holding period and certain other requirements are met, and (2) the shareholder meets those requirements with respect to Fund shares on which the distribution is paid. To the extent that a Fund's distributions are attributable to other sources, such as interest or capital gains, the distributions will not be treated as qualified dividend income. A Fund's distributions of dividends that it receives from U.S. real estate investment trusts, derivatives, fixed income securities, and PFICs generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

**Dividends-Received Deduction for Corporations.** For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by a Fund may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by a Fund that so qualifies will be reported by a Fund to shareholders each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by a Fund from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both a Fund and the investor. Specifically, the amount that a Fund may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by a Fund were debt-financed or held by a Fund for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Fund shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Fund dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by a Fund from investments in derivatives, fixed income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.

**Distributions of Capital Gains.** Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its net capital gain (after reduction for any capital loss carryovers, *i.e.*, unutilized capital losses from prior taxable years) for each taxable year. These distributions generally will be made only once a year, usually in December, but a Fund may make additional distributions of net capital gain at any time during the year. Each Fund may derive capital gain and loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions paid from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in a Fund. These distributions will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction or as qualified dividend income for non-corporate shareholders.

**Return of Capital.** A distribution by a Fund that does not constitute an ordinary income dividend or capital gain dividend will be treated as a return of capital. A return of capital distribution will reduce the shareholder's tax basis of shares and will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares to the extent the basis would be reduced below zero. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons, including, among others, a Fund over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments.

**Capital Loss Carryovers.** The capital losses of a Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, a Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If a Fund has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of a Fund's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of a Fund's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of a Fund's next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of a Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by a Fund in succeeding taxable years. All capital loss carryovers are listed in a Fund's financial statements.

The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% "change in ownership" of a Fund. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of a Fund increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing a Fund's ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to a Fund's shareholders could result from an ownership change. A Fund undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and redemptions or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another fund. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond a Fund's control, there can be no assurance that a Fund will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change. Additionally, if a Fund engages in a tax-free reorganization with another fund, the effect of these and other rules not discussed herein may be to disallow or postpone the use by a Fund of its capital loss carryovers (including any current year losses and built-in losses when realized) to offset its own gains or those of the other fund, or vice versa, thereby reducing the tax benefits Fund shareholders would otherwise have enjoyed from use of such capital loss carryovers.

**Impact of Realized but Undistributed Income and Gains, and Net Unrealized Appreciation of Portfolio Securities.** When a shareholder purchases shares, the NAV of their shares may reflect undistributed net investment income, undistributed capital gains or net unrealized appreciation in the value of the assets of a Fund. A distribution of that income or gain (including net gain, if any, from realizing all or part of that appreciation) will be taxable to a shareholder in the manner described above, although the distribution economically constitutes a partial return of capital to the shareholder unless the shareholder is investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. A Fund may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.

**Dividends Declared in December and Paid in January.** Ordinarily, a shareholder is required to take distributions by a Fund into income in the year in which they are made. A distribution declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months, however, is deemed to be paid by a Fund and received by them on December 31 of that year if the distribution is paid in January of the following year.

**Annual Statements.** A Fund will send information annually to its shareholders regarding the federal income tax status of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.

**Medicare Tax.** An individual is required to pay a 3.8% federal tax on the lesser of (1) the individual's "net investment income," which generally includes dividends, interest and net gains from the disposition of investment property (including dividends and capital gain distributions a Fund pays and net gains realized on the redemption or other taxable disposition of Fund shares) reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income, or (2) the excess of the individual's "modified adjusted gross income" over a threshold amount ($250,000 for married persons filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers). This tax is in addition to any other taxes due on that income. A similar tax applies to estates and trusts. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, this provision may have on their investment in Fund shares.

**Pass Through of Foreign Tax Credits.** If more than 50% of a Fund's total assets at the end of a fiscal year is invested in foreign securities, a Fund may elect to pass through to you your pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by a Fund. If this election is made, a Fund may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against

your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). A Fund will provide you with the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit on your personal income tax return if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign income tax paid by a Fund due to certain limitations that may apply. A Fund reserves the right not to pass through to its shareholders the amount of foreign income taxes paid by a Fund. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made "in lieu of" dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.

**C. Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions**

Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to the Fund and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by a Fund to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under "Investment Policies and Risks" for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to a Fund.

**Investments in Foreign Currencies and Securities.** Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time that a Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a fixed-income security denominated in a foreign currency that are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the asset and the date of its disposition, also are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. These gains or losses increase or decrease the amount of a Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain and may cause some or all of the Fund's previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital.

**PFIC Investments.** If a Fund owns shares in a foreign corporation that constitutes a PFIC for federal income tax purposes and the Fund does not make either of the elections described in the next two paragraphs, it will be subject to federal income taxation on a portion of any "excess distribution" it receives from the PFIC or any gain it derives from the disposition of such shares, even if it distributes such income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. A Fund may also be subject to additional interest charges in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any tax paid by a Fund as a result of its ownership of shares in a PFIC will not give rise to any deduction or credit to the Fund or to any shareholder. A PFIC is any foreign corporation (with certain exceptions) that, for the taxable year, either (1) derives at least 75% of its gross income for the taxable year from "passive income" (including interest, dividends, royalties, rents and annuities) or (2) on average, at least 50% of the value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of the assets it holds produce, or are held for the production of, "passive income." A Fund's distributions of income from any PFICs will not be eligible for the 15% or 20% maximum federal income tax rate on individuals' "qualified dividend income" described above.

A Fund could elect to "mark-to-market" stock in a PFIC. Under such an election, the Fund would include in gross income (and treat as ordinary income) at the end of the Fund's fiscal and excise tax years an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock as of the close of such year over the Fund's adjusted basis in the PFIC stock. The Fund would be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of that adjusted basis over that fair market value, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included by the Fund for prior taxable years. The Fund's adjusted basis in the PFIC stock would be adjusted to reflect the amounts included in, or deducted from, income under this election. Amounts so included, as well as gain realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock, would be treated as ordinary income. The deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss, as well as loss realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the Fund, would be treated as ordinary loss. The Fund generally would not be subject to the deferred tax and interest charge provisions discussed above with respect to PFIC stock for which a mark-to-market election has been made. Foreign companies are not required to identify themselves as PFICs. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, a Fund can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Fund to make a mark-to-market election.

If a Fund purchases shares in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund," the Fund would be required to include in its income each year a portion of the ordinary income and net capital gains of the PFIC, even if the income and gains were not distributed to the Fund. Any such income would be subject to the Distribution Requirement and the calendar year Excise Tax distribution requirement described below. In most instances it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because some of the information required to make this election may not be easily obtainable.

Investors should be aware that a Fund may not be able, at the time it acquires a foreign corporation's shares, to ascertain whether the corporation is a PFIC and that a foreign corporation may become a PFIC after the Fund acquires shares therein. While a Fund generally will seek not to invest in PFIC shares to avoid the tax consequences detailed above, there are no guarantees that it will be able to do so and it reserves the right to make such investments as a matter of its investment policy.

**Investments in Convertible Debt Securities.** Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a "single property" consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (*i.e.*, for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder's exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (*e.g.*, an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles. A change in the conversion ratio or conversion price of a convertible security on account of a dividend paid to the issuer's other shareholders may result in a deemed distribution of stock to the holders of the convertible security equal to the value of their increased interest in the equity of the issuer. Thus, an increase in the conversion ratio of a convertible security can be treated as a taxable distribution of stock to a holder of the convertible security (without a corresponding receipt of cash by the holder) before the holder has converted the security.

**Investments in Securities of Uncertain Tax Character.** A Fund may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by a Fund, requiring a Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the IRC. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a fund-level tax.

**D. Federal Excise Tax**

A 4% non-deductible federal excise tax ("Excise Tax") is imposed on a RIC that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to at least the sum of (1) 98.0% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. A Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in the calendar year.

For purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, each Fund (1) reduces its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year and (2) excludes any "specified gain" or "specified loss" (see, "Deferral of Late Year Losses" above for the definition of "specified gain" and "specified loss") realized or sustained after October 31 of any year in determining the amount of ordinary income for the current calendar year. A Fund will include any "specified gain" or "specified loss" incurred after October 31 in determining ordinary income for the succeeding calendar year.

Generally, each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and Excise Tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Fund having to pay an Excise Tax. Shareholders should note, however, that each Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid Excise Tax liability.

**E. Redemption of Shares**

In general, you will recognize gain or loss on an exchange or redemption of Fund shares in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the redemption and your adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be disallowed if you purchase Fund shares (for example, by reinvesting dividends) within 30 days before or after an exchange or redemption (*i.e.*, a wash sale). If disallowed, the loss would be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis in the purchased shares. In general, any gain or loss arising from an exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered a capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Any capital loss arising from an exchange or redemption of shares held for six months or less, however, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of distributions of net capital gain, if any, received on such shares. In determining the holding period of shares for this purpose, any period during which your risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not counted. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

**Tax Basis Information.** A Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B the cost basis of shares purchased or acquired where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund (referred to as "covered shares"). However, cost basis reporting is not required for certain shareholders, including shareholders investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

When required to report cost basis, a Fund will calculate it using the Fund's default method, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different calculation method. For additional information regarding the Fund's available cost basis reporting methods, including its default method, please contact the Fund. If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.

The IRS permits the use of several methods to determine the cost basis of mutual fund shares. The method used will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing share prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund does not recommend any particular method of determining cost basis, and the use of other methods may result in more favorable tax consequences for some shareholders. It is important that you consult with your tax advisor to determine which method is best for you and then notify the Fund if you intend to utilize a method other than the Fund's default method for covered shares. If you do not notify the Fund of your elected cost basis method upon the initial purchase into your account, the default method will be applied to your covered shares.

A Fund will compute and report the cost basis of your Fund shares sold or exchanged by taking into account all of the applicable adjustments to cost basis and holding periods as required by the IRC and Treasury regulations for purposes of reporting these amounts to you and the IRS. However the Fund is not required to, and in many cases the Fund does not possess the information to, take all possible basis, holding period or other adjustments into account in reporting cost basis information to you. Therefore, shareholders should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Fund.

**Reportable Transactions.** Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

**F. State and Local Taxes**

The tax rules of the various states and their local jurisdictions with respect to an investment in a Fund can differ from the federal income tax rules described above. These state and local rules are not discussed herein. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the consequences of state and local tax rules with respect to an investment in a Fund.

**G. Backup Withholding**

By law, each Fund may be required to withhold a portion of your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:

● provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number,

● certify that this number is correct,

● certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and

● certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

Each Fund also must withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.

**H. Foreign Income Tax**

Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries and gains that it realizes on the disposition of foreign securities may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of a Fund. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle a Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when a Fund will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information therefore, a Fund may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause a Fund not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by a Fund on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to know the effective rate of foreign tax in advance, since the amount of a Fund's assets to be invested within various countries cannot be determined. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund to shareholders, although it reserves the right not to do so. If the Fund makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Fund in a prior year, the Fund may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Fund to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received.

**I. Non-U.S. Investors**

Fund shares generally are not sold outside the United States. However, non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the U.S., are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.

**In general.** Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% or lower treaty rate and U.S. estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Fund from net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Fund. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.

**Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA").** Under FATCA, a Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on income dividends made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or nonfinancial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

**OTHER MATTERS**

**A. The Trust and its Shareholders**

**General Information.** Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust. The Trust is an open-end investment management company organized under Delaware law as a statutory trust on July 30, 2012. The Trust's trust instrument (the "Trust Instrument") permits the Trust to offer separate series ("funds") of shares of beneficial interest ("shares"). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. The Trust and each fund will continue indefinitely until terminated. Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of each fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. The other funds of the Trust are described in one or more separate Statements of Additional Information.

**Shareholder Voting and Other Rights.** Each share of a fund and each class of shares represent equal proportionate interests in the assets of that Fund only and have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights, except that expenses related to the distribution of shares of each fund or class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency, shareholder service and administration expenses) are borne solely by such class. Fractional shares have those rights proportionately. Each fund or class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan that pertains to the fund or class and other matters for which separate fund or class voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted separately by each fund except if: (1) the 1940 Act requires shares to be voted in the aggregate and not by individual funds; or (2) the Board determines that the matter affects more than one fund and all affected funds must vote. The Board may also determine that a matter only affects certain funds or classes of the Trust and thus that only those funds or classes are entitled to vote on the matter. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by federal or state law. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust.

All shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable.

A shareholder in a fund is entitled to the shareholder's pro rata share of all distributions arising from that fund's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the fund's net assets represented by the redeemed shares.

Shareholders representing 10% or more of the Trust's (or a fund's) shares may, as set forth in the Trust Instrument, call meetings of the Trust (or fund) for any purpose related to the Trust (or fund), including, in the case of a meeting of the Trust, the purpose of voting on removal of one or more Trustees.

Pursuant to Delaware law, the Trust Instrument places certain limitations on the ability of shareholders to bring derivative actions on behalf of the Trust and certain direct claims. These limitations include, but are not limited to: (i) a pre-suit demand must be made on the Board; (ii) to the maximum extent permitted by law, the demand must be executed by at least three unaffiliated and unrelated shareholders who hold shares representing 10% or more of the all shares issued and outstanding or of the series or classes to which such an action relates, if it does not relate to all series and classes thereof; (iii) the Trustees will consider such a request within a time frame that the Trustees in their discretion consider reasonable and appropriate; (iv) the Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, will require an undertaking by the shareholder (or shareholders) making the request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring the action; (v) to the maximum extent permitted by law, any decision by the Trustees relating to the matter will be final and binding upon the shareholder, and judicially unreviewable; (vi) to the maximum extent permitted by law, a shareholder may bring a direct action or claim only if the shareholder (or group of shareholders) has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by shareholders of the Trust or the relevant series or a class thereof generally; and (vii) to the maximum extent permitted by law, a shareholder may bring a direct action or claim predicated upon an express or implied right of action under the Trust Instrument or the 1940 Act (excepting rights of action permitted under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act), only if the shareholder (or group of shareholders) has obtained authorization from the Trustees to bring the action or claim.

The Trust Instrument also places limitations on the forum in which claims against the Trust may be heard. Unless the Board consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any suit, action or proceeding brought by or in the right of any shareholder or any person claiming any interest in any shares seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of, related to or in connection with the Trust Instrument, including without limitation any claim of any nature against the Trust, any series or class, the Trustees or officers of the Trust, or a service provider will be brought exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery to the extent that court has subject matter jurisdiction over the action or claims asserted and otherwise in the courts of the State of Delaware to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in those courts for the

claims asserted. Accordingly, shareholders may have to bring suit in what they may consider to be an inconvenient and potentially less favorable forum. These limitations described above relating to derivative actions and choice of forum do not apply to claims asserted under the federal securities laws, to the extent that any such federal laws, rules or regulations do not permit such application.

**Termination or Reorganization of Trust or its Series.** The Board, may, without prior shareholder approval, change the form of organization of the Trust by merger, consolidation or incorporation, so long as the surviving entity is an open-end management investment company. Under the Trust Instrument, the Trustees may also, without shareholder vote, sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust to another trust, partnership, association or corporation, or cause the Trust to incorporate in the State of Delaware, so long as the surviving entity is an open-end management investment company that will succeed to or assume the Trust's registration statement.

Under the Trust Instrument, the Board may sell or convey the assets of a fund or reorganize such fund into another investment company registered under the 1940 Act without a shareholder vote.

**B. Fund Ownership**

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is a shareholder who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter affecting and voted on by shareholders of the Fund.

As of January 5, 2026, the Trustees and officers of the Trust in aggregate owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

As of January 5, 2026, certain shareholders listed in Table 6 in Appendix B owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the shares of a Fund.

From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the shares of a Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of January 5, 2026, the shareholders listed in Table 6 in Appendix B who own more than 25% of a Fund may be deemed to control the Fund. "Control" for this purpose is the ownership of 25% or more of a Fund's voting securities.

**C. Limitations on Shareholders' and Trustees' Liability**

Delaware law provides that Fund shareholders are entitled to the same limitations of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit. In addition, the Trust Instrument contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of the Trust. The Trust Instrument provides that if any shareholder or former shareholder of any fund is held personally liable, solely by reason of having been a shareholder (and not because of their acts or omissions or for some other reason), the shareholder or former shareholder shall be entitled out of assets belonging to the applicable fund to be held harmless from and indemnified against all losses and expenses arising from such liability. The Trust Instrument also provides that the Trust, on behalf of a fund, shall, upon request by a shareholder or former shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of that fund and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets belonging to the fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which Delaware law does not apply, no contractual limitation of liability is in effect, and a Fund is unable to meet its obligations.

No trustee or officer of the Trust is responsible or liable to the Trust, its shareholders or another trustee or other person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by the Trust's Trust Instrument for any act or omission, breach of contract, breach of duties or for neglect or wrongdoing of the Trustee or officer or any officer, agent, representative, employee, adviser, principal underwriter or independent contractor to the Trust. However, no trustee or officer is protected under the Trust Instrument against liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which such trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties. All persons contracting with or having a claim against the Trust or a particular fund may only look to the Trust assets (or assets belonging to a fund) for payment under such contract or claim. Neither the trustees nor any of the Trust's officers or employees (whether past, present or future) are personally liable for such claims.

**D. Proxy Voting Procedures**

The Trust's and the Advisor's proxy voting procedures are included in Appendices C and D, respectively.

Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by contacting the Transfer Agent at (855) 409-2297 (toll free); and (2) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

**E. Code of Ethics**

The Trust and the Advisor have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. The Distributor relies on the principal underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Advisor, and no officer, director or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Trust or the Advisor.

**F. Registration Statement**

This SAI and the Prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the Trust's registration statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. The registration statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains this SAI, any material incorporated by reference, and other information regarding the Funds.

**G. Financial Statements**

Each Fund's Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 are incorporated into this SAI by reference to the Funds' Form N-CSR to shareholders. Each Fund's Financial Statements and Financial Highlights have been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., an independent registered public accounting firm.

**APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS**

**Corporate and Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings**

<u>Standard & Poor's ("S&P") Corporate and Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of S&P's long-term corporate and municipal bond ratings have been published by S&P Global Ratings.

**AAA** - An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

**AA** - An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

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

**BBB** - An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

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

**BB** - An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**B** - An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated 'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

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

**CC** - An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

**C** - An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

**D** - An obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

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

**NR** - This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

<u>Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") Long-Term Corporate Bond Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Moody's long-term corporate bond ratings have been published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Moody's Analytics Inc.

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

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

**A** - Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additionally, a "(hyb)" indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

<u>Moody's U.S. Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Moody's long-term municipal bond ratings have been published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Moody's Analytics Inc.

**Aaa** - Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**Aa** - Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**A** - Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**Baa** - Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**Ba** - Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**B** - Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**Caa** - Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**Ca** - Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

**C** - Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

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

<u>Fitch Ratings Ltd. ("Fitch") Corporate Bond Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Fitch's long-term corporate bond ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

**AAA** - Highest credit quality. '**AAA**' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA** - Very high credit quality. '**AA**' ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A** - High credit quality. '**A**' ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB** - Good credit quality. '**BBB**' ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

**BB** - Speculative. '**BB**' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

**B** - Highly speculative. '**B**' ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

**CCC** - Substantial credit risk. '**CCC**' ratings indicate that substantial credit risk present.

**CC** - Very high levels of credit risk. '**CC**' ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

**C** - Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. '**C**' indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned 'RD' or 'D' ratings, but are instead rated in the 'CCC' to 'C' rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

**Plus (+) or Minus (-)** The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below 'CCC'.

The terms "investment grade" and "speculative grade" have established themselves over time as shorthand to describe the categories 'AAA' to 'BBB' (investment grade) and 'BB' to 'D' (speculative grade). The terms "investment grade" and "speculative grade" are market conventions, and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. "Investment grade" categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the "speculative" categories signal either a higher level of credit risk or that a default already occurred.

<u>Fitch's Municipal Bond Long-Term Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Fitch's long-term municipal bond ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

**AAA** - Highest credit quality. '**AAA**' ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA** - Very high credit quality. '**AA**' ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A** - High credit quality. '**A**' ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB** - Good credit quality. '**BBB**' ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

**BB** - Speculative. '**BB**' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

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

**CCC** - Substantial credit risk. '**CCC**' ratings indicate that there is a very low margin for safety, and that default is a real possibility.

**CC** - Very high levels of credit risk. '**CC**' ratings indicate default of some kind appears probable.

**C** - Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. '**C**' ratings indicate default appears imminent or inevitable.

**D** - Default. '**D**' ratings indicate a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

● failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

● the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor where payment default on an obligation is a virtual certainty; or

● distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

**Plus (+) or Minus (-)** - The modifiers "+" or "-"may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-Term Rating category, or to Long-Term Rating categories below 'CCC'.

**Municipal Short-Term Bond Ratings** 

<u>S&P's Municipal Short-Term Bond Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of S&P's short-term municipal ratings have been published by Standard & Poor's Financial Service LLC.

**SP-1** - Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

**SP-2** - Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

**SP-3** - Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

**D** - 'D' is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

<u>Moody's Municipal Short-Term Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Moody's short-term municipal ratings have been published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Moody's Analytics Inc.

**MIG 1** - This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

**MIG 2** - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

**MIG 3** - This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

**SG** - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

<u>Fitch's Municipal Short-Term Credit Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Fitch's municipal short-term credit ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

**F1 -** Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

**F2 -** Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

**F3 -** Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

**B -** Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

**C -** High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

**RD -** Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically, applicable to entity ratings only.

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

**Short-Term Credit Ratings**

<u>S&P's Short-Term Credit Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of S&P's short-term credit ratings have been published by Standard & Poor's Financial Service LLC.

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

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

**A-3** - A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

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

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

**D** - A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

**Dual Ratings** – Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, 'AAA/A-1+' or 'A-1+/A-1'). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, 'SP-1+/A-1+').

<u>Moody's Short-Term Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Moody's short-term credit ratings have been published by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Moody's Analytics Inc.

**P-1** – Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

**P-2** – Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

**P-3** – Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

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

<u>Fitch's Short-Term Ratings:</u> 

The following descriptions of Fitch's short-term credit ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

**F1** - Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

**F2** - Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

**F3** - Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

**B** - Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

**C** - High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

**RD** - Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically, applicable to entity ratings only.

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

**APPENDIX B – MISCELLANEOUS TABLES**

**Table 1 – Investment Advisory Fees**

The following tables show the dollar amount of fees accrued with respect to Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund, the amount of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed by the Advisor, if any, and the actual fees retained by the Advisor. The data are for the last three fiscal years.

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Period Ended** | **Advisory Fees <br> Accrued** | **Advisory Fees <br> Waived and/ <br> or Expenses <br> Reimbursed** | **Advisory Fees <br> Received** |
| **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $25731 | $153757 | $0 |
| September 30, 2024 | $22305 | $151867 | $0 |
| September 30, 2023 | $19478 | $136408 | $0 |
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $117518 | $149351 | $0 |
| September 30, 2024 | $56540 | $152754 | $0 |
| September 30, 2023 | $50212 | $138717 | $0 |

---

**Table 2 – Administration Fees**

The following tables show the dollar amount of fees accrued with respect to Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund, the amount of fees waived by Apex Fund Services, if any, and the actual fees retained by Apex Fund Services. The data are for the last three fiscal years.

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Period Ended** | ***Administration Fees <br> Accrued*** | ***Administration Fees <br> Waived*** | ***Administration Fees <br> Received*** |
| **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $56654 | $21000 | $35654 |
| September 30, 2024 | $58616 | $21000 | $37616 |
| September 30, 2023 | $58537 | $21000 | $37537 |
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $66376 | $21000 | $45376 |
| September 30, 2024 | $64384 | $21000 | $43384 |
| September 30, 2023 | $64463 | $21000 | $43463 |

---

**Table 3 – Commissions**

The following tables show the aggregate brokerage commissions of Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund. The data are for the last three fiscal years.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Period Ended** | **Aggregate Brokerage <br> Commissions ($) <br> Paid** | **Total Brokerage<br> Commissions ($)<br> Paid to Affiliate of<br> Fund, Advisor or**<br> **Distributor** | **% of Brokerage <br> Commissions <br> Paid to Affiliate of <br> Fund, Advisor or <br> Distributor** | **% of Transactions <br> Executed by Affiliate <br> of Fund, Advisor or <br> Distributor** |
| **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** | **Baywood Value*Plus* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $2786 | $0 | 0% | 0% |
| September 30, 2024 | $1872 | $0 | 0% | 0% |
| September 30, 2023 | $2140 | $0 | 0% | 0% |
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** |
| September 30, 2025 | $15222 | $0 | 0% | 0% |
| September 30, 2024 | $5260 | $0 | 0% | 0% |
| September 30, 2023 | $4001 | $0 | 0% | 0% |

---

**Table 4 – Directed Brokerage**

The following tables list each Fund's directed brokerage in return for research services, the amount of transactions so directed and the amount of commissions generated therefrom. The data are for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Fund** | **Amount Directed** | **Amount of Commissions Generated** |
| Baywood Value*Plus* Fund | None | None |
| Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund | None | None |

---

**Table 5 – Securities of Regular Brokers or Dealers**

The following tables list each Fund's regular brokers-dealers whose securities (or the securities of the parent company) were acquired during the past fiscal year and the aggregate value of the Fund's holdings of those securities as of September 30, 2025.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Baywood ValuePlus Fund** | |
| **Regular Broker or Dealer** | **Value of Securities Held** |
| None | N/A |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | |
| **Regular Broker or Dealer** | **Value of Securities Held** |
| None | N/A |

---

**Table 6 – 5% Shareholders**

The following tables list as of January 5, 2026: (1) the shareholders who owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the applicable class and thus may be deemed to be a control person of the Fund; and (2) the persons who owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the applicable class. The Funds believe that these shares were owned of record by such holders for their fiduciary, agency or custodial accounts.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Baywood ValuePlus Fund** | |
| **Name and Address** | **% of Fund Class** |
| NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC\*<br> ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT 4TH FLOOR<br> 499 WASHINGTON BLVD<br> JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310 | 51.96% |
| CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC\*<br> ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS<br> 211 MAIN STREET<br> SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 | 46.81% |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund** | |
| **Name and Address** | **% of Fund Class** |
| CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC\*<br> ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS<br> 211 MAIN STREET<br> SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105–1905 | 72.63% |
| NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC\*<br> ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT 4TH FLOOR<br> 499 WASHINGTON BLVD FL5<br> JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310–2010 | 25.38% |

---

\* Denotes record owner of Fund shares only.

**APPENDIX C – TRUST PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES**

**Forum Funds II**

**Shareholder Voting Policy**

**As of June 13, 2013**

**SECTION 1. BACKGROUND**

The Trust exercises its shareholder voting responsibilities as an investor in other issuers as a fiduciary, with the goal of maximizing the value of the Trust's and its shareholders' investments. This Policy details the Trust's policy with respect to shareholder voting.

**SECTION 2. ADVISER RESPONSIBILITIES**

(A) <u>Delegation by Board</u>. Each Fund has delegated to the Adviser the authority to vote as a shareholder of issuers whose securities are held in its portfolio. The Adviser shall maintain and the Board shall approve voting procedures related to the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund in accordance with its fiduciary duties and the best interests of Fund shareholders.

(B) <u>Delivery of Proxies</u>. The Adviser is responsible for coordinating the delivery of proxies to be voted by the Custodian to the Adviser or to an agent of the Adviser selected by the Adviser to vote proxies with respect to which the Adviser has such discretion (a "Proxy Voting Service"). Upon request, the Adviser shall provide periodic reports to the Board as to the implementation and operation of its shareholder voting policies and procedures as they relate to the Trust.

(C) <u>Conflicts of Interest</u>. The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances an Adviser or Proxy Voting Service may have a conflict of interest in voting on behalf of a Fund. A conflict of interest includes any circumstance when the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor, the Proxy Voting Service or one or more of their Affiliated Persons (including officers, directors and employees) knowingly does business with, receives compensation from, or sits on the board of, a particular issuer or closely affiliated entity, and, therefore, may appear to have a conflict of interest between its own interests and the interests of Fund shareholders in how shares of that issuer are voted.

Each Adviser is responsible for maintaining procedures to identify and address material conflicts of interest and, when applicable, determine the adequacy of a Proxy Voting Service's procedures to identify and address material conflicts of interest.

(D) <u>Voting Record</u>. The Adviser shall be responsible for ensuring a voting record is maintained that includes all instances where the Fund was entitled to vote and will coordinate the annual delivery of such record to the Administrator for purposes of preparing the Trust's annual Form N-PX filing. The voting record shall include the following information required to be reported in Form N-PX:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) The name of the issuer of the security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The exchange ticker symbol of the security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) The CUSIP for the security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) The shareholder meeting date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) A brief identification of the matter voted on;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) Whether the Trust cast its vote on the matter;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) How the Trust cast its vote (*e.g.*, for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) Whether the Trust cast its vote for or against management.

The Adviser shall also be responsible for ensuring information regarding how the Fund voted relating to portfolio securities during the twelve-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund's website or other location consistent with disclosure in the Fund's registration statement.

**SECTION 3: ABSTENTION**

The Trust and an Adviser may abstain from shareholder voting in certain circumstances. Abstaining from voting may be appropriate if voting would be unduly burdensome or expensive, or otherwise not in the best interest of a Fund's shareholders.

**SECTION 4: BOARD REPORTING AND REVIEW**

(A) The Adviser shall submit its voting procedures to the Board for review and approval initially and at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board following any material change.

(B) The Adviser shall report to the Board, at least quarterly, whether any conflicts of interest arose while voting as an investor in other issuers and how such conflicts were handled.

**APPENDIX D – ADVISOR PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES**

**SKBA PROXY POLICY**

If assigned proxy voting responsibility on behalf of our clients, SKBA Capital Management will vote proxies as indicated below:

**<u>Regular (R)</u>** - On Regular proxies, in which shareholders are asked to vote only on management's nominations for the Board of Directors and its selection of auditor, SKBA Capital Management will usually vote in favor of management's recommendations.

**<u>Specials (S)</u>** - On Special proxies, which require shareholder votes on issues other than the election of the Board of Directors and selection of auditor, SKBA Capital Management will vote to retain shareholder rights as indicated below:

The firm will <u>always vote against</u> the following management proposals that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. create more than one class of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. create staggered terms for Board members or non-annual election of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. eliminate cumulative voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. require a super majority approval of the acquisition of the company by another.

The firm will usually <u>vote against</u> the following management proposals that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. eliminate preemptive rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. require a "Fair Price" in the acquisition of the company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. make the acquisition of the company more difficult.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. change the state of incorporation (*e.g*. from California to Delaware), if it is the stated intention of this proposal to implement changes in voting requirements, in the classification of directors, and/or other provisions which, by stated policies, are not considered to be in the best long-range interest of shareholders and which typically have not been voted in favor of management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. obtain shareholder authorization for the repurchase of shares from one or more major shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. increase the number of authorized shares as it is the company's intention to utilize these shares to reduce the likelihood of a future takeover.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. create, or in effect create, a class of stock with superior voting power which over time may concentrate the voting power within a smaller group of shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12. amend the current employee stock option plan to increase the number of shares available to be awarded as the plan will award only one or two members of top management or will/could represent a potential increase in outstanding common shares of more than 3%. By policy, an increase in options available for grant of an amount greater than 3% of the outstanding common stock is deemed to be excessive unless the change includes the phase-out of a prior plan or is needed to incent a new management team.

The firm will <u>usually vote against</u> shareholder proposals that are non-business related as such items typically do not directly benefit shareholder and are usually best left to management's discretion.

The firm will <u>usually vote in favor</u> of the following shareholder or management proposals that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;13. reinstate cumulative voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;14. return to the annual election of directors or eliminate staggered terms of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;15. reinstate preemptive shareholder rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;16. repeal provisions requiring a super majority vote by shareholders to approve the election of directors and/or corporate resolutions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;17. repeal "poison pill" provisions or give shareholders the right to approve or repeal such provisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;18. adopt the use of indexed stock options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;19. require that the board of directors consist entirely of non-employee directors, with the exception of the CEO.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;20. support the separation of the jobs of Chairman and CEO, with the establishment of a non-executive Chairman of the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;21. require that the Audit Committee and/or Compensation Committee members consist entirely of non-employee directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;22. prohibit the company from establishing contracts with and paying fees for management consulting and/or other advisory services with the accounting firm conducting its audit and/or tax return functions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;23. require the company to expense stock options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;24. establish the guideline that a company's CEO directly own a meaningfully higher level of common stock in the company than his or her base salary (generally viewed as at least five times his or her base salary), excluding stock granted but unexercised under company stock option plans.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;25. disclose the process and formulas upon which short- and long-term incentive compensation is determined for corporate officers.

<u>Shares on Loan</u>

In the process of reviewing proxy statements for voting, SKBA will consider calling stock loans, if applicable, in anticipation of an important vote to be taken among holders of the securities or of the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. In determining whether to call the stock loans, the relevant portfolio manager(s) shall consider whether the benefit to the client in voting the matter outweighs the benefit to the client in keeping the stock on loan.

<u>Proxy Reports</u> 

We utilize Proxy Edge for all our client portfolios ensuring complete and accurate voting records.

In compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment advisers Act of 1940 with regard to potential conflicts of interests in proxy voting, we outline below a brief summary of our Proxy Voting Policy.

Our overriding concern in voting proxies is to protect and enhance our clients' financial well-being. The financial impact on our clients will supersede any relationship SKBA may have with any corporation soliciting a proxy. If it can be determined that a proposal negatively impacts the client's financial position, we will vote against it. We are concerned with shareholder rights and will vote against most attempts by boards of directors to entrench or expand their positions at the expense of shareholders. We will vote with shareholders on proposals to protect those rights including management proposals that would make the acquisition of the company more difficult or the creation of a new class of securities with superior voting powers.

SKBA Capital Management, LLC (SKBA) believes that we are unlikely to be in a situation that results in a material conflict of interest between our clients' interests and the interest of our firm. However, if a situation should arise where a material conflict of interest (or an appearance of a conflict of interest) is determined to exist, SKBA will make an effort to seek out the opinion of a qualified independent third party regarding this issue. If this situation should occur, it will be thoroughly documented.

Revised April 2023

PART C OTHER INFORMATION

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Item 28. | Item 28. | Exhibits |
| (a) | (i) | [Certificate of Trust (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (a)(i) on Form N1-A via EDGAR on May 10, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000219).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000219/d30456_ex99ai.htm) |
|  | (ii) | [Trust Instrument as amended and restated on September 19, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (a)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 via Edgar on November 25, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-001097).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000219/d30456_ex99aii.htm) |
| (b) |  | By-laws – None. |
| (c) |  | Shareholders' rights are contained in Articles II, V, VI, VII, X and XI of the Registrant's Trust Instrument. |
| (d) | (1) | [Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC dated November 29, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 via EDGAR on November 29, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000535).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000535/d30954_ex99-d2.htm) |
|  | (1)(A) | [Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(2)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 via Edgar on January 8, 2016, accession number 0001145443-16-001400).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000114544316001400/d299890_ex-d2a.htm) |
|  | (2) | [Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Acuitas Investments, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510914000436/d31475_ex99-d5.htm) |
|  | (2)(A) | [Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Acuitas Investments, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(5)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 via EDGAR on June 24, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-012763).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420012763/fp0054812_ex9928d5a.htm) |
|  | (3) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and ClariVest Asset Management, LLC dated April 1, 2019 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 via EDGAR on June 21, 2019, accession number 0001398344-19-010894).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834419010894/fp0042974_ex9928d8.htm) |
|  | (4) | [Investment Advisory Agreement between ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 via Edgar on July 28, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000653).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510915000653/d290098_ex-d15.htm) |
|  | (4)(A) | [Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(15)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 via Edgar on November 25, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-023483).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420023483/fp0059695_ex9928d15a.htm) |

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(5) [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and AltraVue Capital, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No.](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834418015272/fp0036548_ex9928d24.htm) [111 via EDGAR on October 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-015272).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834418015272/fp0036548_ex9928d24.htm)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | (6) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Meros Investment Management, L.P. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 via EDGAR on October 20, 2023, accession number 0001398344-23-019526).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834423019526/fp0085589-1_ex9928d6.htm) |
|  | (7) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Tieton Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(29) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 via Edgar on July 31, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-014747).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420014747/fp0055668_ex9928d29.htm) |
|  | (8) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Granahan Investment Management, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(30) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 via Edgar on July 31, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-014747).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420014747/fp0055668_ex9928d30.htm) |
|  | (9) | [Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and SafeGuard Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 via Edgar on December 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-024940).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422024940/fp0081266_ex9928d9.htm) |
|  | (9)(A) | [Investment Advisory Agreement between SafeGuard Asset Management, LLC and SG Core One CFC LTD. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(9)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 via Edgar on December 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-024940).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422024940/fp0081266_ex9928d9a.htm) |
|  | (10) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Bridge City Capital, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 via EDGAR on October 20, 2023, accession number 0001398344-23-019526).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834423019526/fp0085589-1_ex9928d10.htm) |
|  | (11) | [Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 via Edgar on October 23, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-019278).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424019278/fp0090597-1_ex9928d11.htm) |
| (e) | (1) | [Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC dated June 27, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (e) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000341/d30612_ex-e.htm) |
|  | (2) | [Novation to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC dated May 31, 2017 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 via Edgar on April 20, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000212).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510917000212/d323373_ex-e2.htm) |
|  | (3) | [Novation to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC dated September 30, 2021 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (e)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 via Edgar on October 22, 2021, accession number 0001398344-21-020216).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834421020216/fp0069148_ex9928e3.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| (3)(A) | [Amended Appendix dated November 30, 2023 to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (e)(3)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 176 via Edgar on January 25, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-001033).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424001033/fp0086754-1_ex9928e3a.htm) |

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(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – None.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| (g)(1) | [Custodian Agreement between Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (g) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000341/d30612_ex-g.htm) |
| (1)(A) | [Assignment dated June 11, 2021 to the Custodian Agreement between Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. dated July 31, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (g)(1) (A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 via Edgar on October 22, 2021, accession number 0001398344-21-020216).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834421020216/fp0069148_ex9928g1a.htm) |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | (1)(B) | [Amended Schedule dated December 15, 2023 to the Custodian Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (g)(1)(B) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 176 via Edgar on January 25, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-001033).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424001033/fp0086754-1_ex9928g1b.htm) |
| (h) | (1) | [Services Agreement dated July 26, 2013, as amended March 20, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 via EDGAR on April 16, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000260).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510914000260/d31291_ex99-h1.htm) |
|  | (1)(A) | [Amended Appendix dated March 15, 2024 to the Services Agreement dated July 26, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 via Edgar on October 23, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-019278).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424019278/fp0090597-1_ex9928h1a.htm) |
|  | (1)(B) | [Amended Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Apex Fund Services) (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(1)(B) in post-effective amendment No. 180 via EDGAR on October 22, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-019566).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425019566/fp0095876-1_ex9928h1b.htm) |
|  | (2) | [Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928h2.htm) |
|  | (3) | [Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Acuitas Investments (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 via Edgar on October 22, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-019566).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425019566/fp0095876-1_ex9928h3.htm) |
|  | (4) | [Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and ABR Dynamic Fund, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 via Edgar on November 26, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-021343).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425021343/fp0096339-1_ex9928h4.htm) |

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(5) [Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and SafeGuard Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 via Edgar on December 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-024940).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422024940/fp0081266_ex9928h7.htm)

(i) [(1)](fp0097282-1_ex9928i1.htm) [Opinion of Counsel for the Baywood ValuePlus Fund and the Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928i1.htm)

(2) [Opinion of Counsel for the Acuitas U.S. Microcap Fund (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 via Edgar on October 22, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-019566).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425019566/fp0095876-1_ex9928i2.htm)

(3) [Opinion of Counsel for the ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (i)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 via Edgar on November 26, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-021343).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425021343/fp0096339-1_ex9928i3.htm)

(4) [Opinion of Counsel for the SafeGuard Core One Fund (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (i)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 via Edgar on December 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-024940).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422024940/fp0081266_ex9928i7.htm)

(j) [Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd. is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928j.htm)

(k) None.

(l) [Initial Capital Agreement (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (l) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000341/d30612_ex-l.htm)

(m) [Registrant's Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan, as most recently amended March 26, 2018 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 via EDGAR on March 27, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004796).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834418004796/fp0032155_ex9928m.htm)

(1) [Amended Appendix to the restated Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (m)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 176 via Edgar on January 25, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-001033).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424001033/fp0086754-1_ex9928m1.htm)

(2) [Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Trust (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 via Edgar on April 20, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000212).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510917000212/d323373_ex-m2.htm)

(n) [Registrant's Rule 18f-3 Plan dated July 26, 2013, as most recently amended and restated June 24, 2020 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 via EDGAR on June 26, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-012876).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420012876/fp0054821_ex9928n.htm)

(p) (1) [Code of Ethics for Registrant (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 via EDGAR on December 30, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000578).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510913000578/d30985_ex-p1.htm)

(2) [Code of Ethics adopted by SKBA Capital Management, (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 179 via Edgar on January 27, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-001143).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425001143/fp0091882-1_ex9928p2.htm)

(3) [Code of Ethics adopted by Acuitas Investments, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 via Edgar on January 26, 2023, accession number 0001398344-23-001106).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834423001106/fp0081523-1_ex9928p3.htm)

(4) [Code of Ethics adopted by ClariVest Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 via Edgar on October 23, 2024, accession number 0001398344-24-019278).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834424019278/fp0090597-1_ex9928p4.htm)

(5) [Code of Ethics adopted by ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 181 via EDGAR on November 26, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-021343).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425021343/fp0096339-1_ex9928p5.htm)

(6) [Code of Ethics adopted by AltraVue Capital, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(24) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 via EDGAR on October 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-015272).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834418015272/fp0036548_ex9928p24.htm)

(7) [Code of Ethics adopted by Meros Investment Management, L.P. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 via Edgar on June 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-012355).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422012355/fp0077070_ex9928p8.htm)

(8) [Code of Ethics adopted by Tieton Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(29) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 via Edgar on July 31, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-014747).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420014747/fp0055668_ex9928p29.htm)

(9) [Code of Ethics adopted by Granahan Investment Management, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(30) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 via Edgar on July 31, 2020, accession number 0001398344-20-014747).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834420014747/fp0055668_ex9928p30.htm)

(10) [Code of Ethics adopted by SafeGuard Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 via Edgar on December 23, 2022, accession number 0001398344-22-024940).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834422024940/fp0081266_ex9928p10.htm)

(11) [Code of Ethics adopted by Bridge City Capital, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 via EDGAR on October 22, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-019566).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425019566/fp0095876-1_ex9928p11.htm)

(12) [Code of Ethics adopted by Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 via Edgar on October 22, 2025, accession number 0001398344-25-019566).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000139834425019566/fp0095876-1_ex9928p12.htm)

*Other Exhibits:*

(A) [Powers of Attorney for David Tucker, Jennifer Brown-Strabley, John Keffer and Mark Moyer, Trustees of Registrant (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Other Exhibits (A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 via EDGAR on March 27, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000237).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1576367/000143510915000237/d32266_ex99.htm)

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

*None.*

Item 30. Indemnification

*In accordance with Section 3803 of the Delaware Business Trust Act, Article X of the Registrant's Trust Instrument provides as follows:*

*"ARTICLE X*

*<u>LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION</u>*

*Section 1. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. All persons contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or Assets belonging to such Series, respectively, for payment under such contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor any of the Trust's officers or employees, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Every written instrument or obligation on behalf of the Trust or any Series may contain a statement to the foregoing effect, but the absence of such statement shall not operate to make any Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust liable thereunder. Except as required by Section 3806(e) of the Delaware Act, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be responsible or liable to the Trust, the Shareholders, another Trustee or other person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Trust Instrument for any act or omission, breach of contract, breach of duties or for neglect or wrongdoing of the Trustee or officer or any officer, agent, representative, employee, investment adviser, Principal Underwriter or independent contractor of the Trust; provided that, in compliance with Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, nothing contained in this Trust Instrument shall protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, or such other standard of care as set forth in Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.*

*Section 2. INDEMNIFICATION.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in subsection (b) below:*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who act at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise ("<u>Covered Person</u>") shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding 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 the settlement thereof.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(ii) as used herein, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal or administrative proceedings, regulatory investigations, or other proceedings, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include, without limitation, counsel fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.*

 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person if there has been a determination that such Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (i) by the court or other body approving a settlement or before which the action was adjudicated; (ii) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (iii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in subsection 0 of this Section 2 shall be paid by the Trust or applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 2; provided, however, that, with regard to an agent, in addition (a) such agent shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such agent will be found entitled to indemnification.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(e) Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE X by the Shareholders, or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Trust Instrument or the By-laws inconsistent with this ARTICLE X, shall be prospective only, to the extent that such repeal or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption.*

*Section 3. INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series is held personally liable solely by reason of his, her or its being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his, her or its acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his, her or its 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 Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against him, her or it for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the Assets belonging to the Series."*

***With respect to indemnification of an adviser to the Trust, the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Trust and each of SKBA Capital Management, LLC, Acuitas Investments, LLC, and ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC include language similar to the following:***

 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(a) The Trust shall expect of the Adviser, and the Adviser will give the Trust the benefit of, the Adviser's best judgment and efforts in rendering its services to the Trust. The Adviser shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission taken or in any event whatsoever with respect to the Trust, the Fund or any of the Fund's shareholders in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties or obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(b) Adviser shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers to the Trust, including the errors of pricing services, administrator, fund accountant, custodian or transfer agent to the Trust, unless such errors arise from the Adviser's providing false or misleading information to other service providers. The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust for any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon: (i) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with respect to the Fund made to the* 

*Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Trust; (ii) the advice of counsel to the Trust; and (iii) any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board or any agent of the Board.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(c) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each Fund and their respective employees, agents, trustees and officers against and from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) of every nature and character arising out of or in any way related to (i) any breach of the Adviser's obligations under this Agreement, (ii) any acts or failures to act of Adviser for which the Adviser would be liable under <u>Section 5(a)</u>, (iii) any material breach of a representation or warranty of the Adviser set forth in this Agreement and (iv) claims or demands by any employee, agent, trustee, member or manager of the Adviser in their capacity as such. The Trust is hereby authorized to deduct any amounts payable in respect of the Adviser's indemnification obligations hereunder from any fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to <u>Section 4(a)</u>.* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*(d) The Adviser shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties (other than those related to the Adviser's employees), fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.*

***With respect to indemnification of the underwriter of the Trust, Section 8 of the Distribution Agreement provides:***

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*A. Distributor acknowledges and agrees that certain large and significant broker-dealers, such as (without limitation) Merrill Lynch, UBS and Morgan Stanley (all such brokers referred to herein as the "Brokers"), require that Distributor enter into dealer agreements (the "Non-Standard Dealer Agreements") that contain certain representations, undertakings and indemnification that are not included in the Standard Dealer Agreement.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*B. To the extent that Distributor is requested or required by the Client to enter into any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement, the Client shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or relating to (a) The Distributor's actions or failures to act pursuant to any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement; (b) any representations made by The Distributor in any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that The Distributor is not required to make such representations in the Standard Dealer*

 

*Agreement; or (c) any indemnification provided by The Distributor under a Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that such indemnification is beyond the indemnification The Distributor provides to intermediaries in the Standard Dealer Agreement. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor Indemnitees against any liability to the Client or its shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributor's obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement or by reason of Distributor's reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement.*

*Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.*

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

***(a) SKBA Capital Management, LLC***

*With respect to SKBA Capital Management, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-56391). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.*

***(b) Acuitas Investments, LLC*** 

*With respect to Acuitas Investments, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-79447). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.*

***(c) ClariVest Asset Management, LLC***

*With respect to ClariVest Asset Management, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-66386). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.*

***(d) ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC***

*With respect to ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC*

 

*(File No. 801-80044). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.*

 

***(e) Meros Investment Management, L.P.***

*With respect to **Meros Investment Management, L.P.** the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-117225). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at <u>www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.</u>*

***(f) Tieton Capital Management, LLC***

*With respect to **Tieton Capital Management, LLC** the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file*

*with the SEC (File No. 801-66657). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at <u>www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.</u>*

***(g) Granahan Investment Management, INC.***

*With respect to **Granahan Investment Management, INC.** the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-23705). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at <u>www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.</u>*

***(h) Bridge City Capital, LLC***

*With respect to **Bridge City Capital, LLC** the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-96252). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at <u>www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.</u>*

***(i) Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc***

*With respect to **Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc** the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-32176). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at <u>www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.</u>*

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Item 32(a) | Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACA Group (the "Distributor"), serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: |

---

1. AB Active ETFs, Inc. 101. Manor Investment Funds

2. ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund 102. MoA Funds Corporation

3. ActivePassive Core Bond ETF, Series of Trust for
 Professional Managers 103. Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern
 Lights Fund Trust IV

4. ActivePassive Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF, Series
 of Trust for Professional Managers 104. Morgan Stanley ETF Trust

5. ActivePassive International Equity ETF, Series of
 Trust for Professional Managers 105. Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF, Series
 of Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds

6. ActivePassive U.S. Equity ETF, Series of Trust for
 Professional Managers 106. Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF,
 Series of Morgan Stanley Pathway Funds

7. AdvisorShares Trust 107. Morningstar Funds Trust

8. AFA Private Credit Fund 108. NEOS ETF Trust

9. AGF Investments Trust 109. Niagara Income Opportunities Fund

10. AIM ETF Products Trust 110. North Square Evanston Multi-Alpha Fund

11. Alexis Practical Tactical ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust 111. NXG Cushing® Midstream Energy Fund

12. AlphaCentric Prime Meridian Income
 Fund 112. NXG NextGen Infrastructure Income
 Fund

13. American Century ETF Trust 113. OTG Latin American Fund, Series of World Funds Trust

14. AMG ETF Trust 114. Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF, Series of Listed Funds
 Trust

15. Amplify ETF Trust 115. Overlay Shares Foreign Equity ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

16. Applied Finance Dividend Fund, Series of World Funds
 Trust 116. Overlay Shares Hedged Large Cap Equity ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust

17. Applied Finance Explorer Fund, Series of World Funds
 Trust 117. Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

18. Applied Finance Select Fund, Series of World Funds
 Trust 118. Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

19. Ardian Access LLC 119. Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

20. ARK ETF Trust 120. Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

21. ARK Venture Fund 121. Palmer Square Funds Trust

22. Bitwise Funds Trust 122. Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund

23. BondBloxx ETF Trust 123. Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC

24. Bramshill Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of
 Investment Managers Series Trust 124. Perkins Discovery Fund, Series of World Funds Trust

25. Bridgeway Funds, Inc. 125. Philotimo Focused Growth and Income Fund, Series
 of World Funds Trust

26. Brinker Capital Destinations Trust 126. Plan Investment Fund, Inc.

27. Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. 127. Point Bridge America First ETF, Series of ETF Series
 Solutions

28. Build Funds Trust 128. Precidian ETFs Trust

29. Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund 129. Rareview 2x Bull Cryptocurrency & Precious Metals
 ETF, Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust

30. Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund 130. Rareview Dynamic Fixed Income ETF, Series of Collaborative
 Investment Series Trust

31. Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund 131. Rareview Systematic Equity ETF, Series of Collaborative
 Investment Series Trust

32. Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund 132. Rareview Tax Advantaged Income ETF, Series of Collaborative
 Investment Series Trust

33. Calamos Global Total Return Fund 133. Rareview Total Return Bond ETF,
 Series of Collaborative Investment Series Trust

34. Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund 134. Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds

35. Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund 135. REX ETF Trust

36. Cascade Private Capital Fund 136. Reynolds Funds, Inc.

37. Catalyst/Perini Strategic Income Fund 137. RMB Investors Trust

38. CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund 138. Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment
 Managers Series Trust

39. Center Coast Brookfield MLP & Energy Infrastructure
 Fund 139. Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment
 Managers Series Trust

40. Clifford Capital Partners Fund, Series of World
 Funds Trust 140. Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, Series of Listed Funds
 Trust

41. Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund 141. Roundhill Cannabis ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust

42. Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund 142. Roundhill ETF Trust

43. Coatue Innovative Strategies Fund 143. Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

44. Cohen & Steers ETF Trust 144. Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust

45. Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF, Series of Trust
 for Professional Managers 145. Roundhill Video Games ETF, Series of Listed Funds
 Trust

46. CornerCap Small-Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed
 Portfolio Series 146. Rule One Fund, Series of World Funds Trust

47. CrossingBridge Pre-Merger SPAC ETF, Series of Trust
 for Professional Managers 147. Russell Investments Exchange Traded Funds

48. Curasset Capital Management Core Bond Fund, Series
 of World Funds Trust 148. Securian AM Real Asset Income Fund, Series of Investment
 Managers Series Trust

49. Curasset Capital Management Limited Term Income
 Fund, Series of World Funds Trust 149. Six Circles Trust

50. CYBER HORNET S&P 500® and Bitcoin 75/25
 Strategy ETF, Series of CYBER HORNET Trust 150. Sound Shore Fund, Inc.

51. Davis Fundamental ETF Trust 151. SP Funds Trust

52. Defiance BMNR Option Income ETF, Series of ETF Series
 Solutions 152. Sparrow Funds

53. Defiance Connective Technologies ETF, Series of
 ETF Series Solutions 153. Spear Alpha ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust

54. Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF, Series of
 ETF Series Solutions 154. STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF, Series of
 Listed Funds Trust

55. Defiance Quantum ETF, Series
 of ETF Series Solutions 155. STF Tactical Growth ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust

56. Denali Structured Return Strategy Fund 156. Strategic Trust

57. Dodge & Cox Funds 157. Strategy Shares

58. DoubleLine ETF Trust 158. Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust

59. DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund 159. Tekla World Healthcare Fund

60. DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund 160. Tema ETF Trust

61. DoubleLine Yield Opportunities Fund 161. The 2023 ETF Series Trust

62. DriveWealth ETF Trust 162. The Community Development Fund

63. EIP Investment Trust 163. The Cook & Bynum Fund, Series of World Funds
 Trust

64. Ellington Income Opportunities Fund 164. The Private Shares Fund

65. ETF Opportunities Trust 165. The SPAC and New Issue ETF, Series of Collaborative
 Investment Series Trust

66. Exchange Listed Funds Trust 166. Third Avenue Trust

67. Exchange Place Advisors Trust 167. Third Avenue Variable Series Trust

68. FIS Trust 168. Tidal Trust I

69. FlexShares Trust 169. Tidal Trust II

70. Fortuna Hedged Bitcoin Fund, Series of Listed Funds
 Trust 170. Tidal Trust III

71. Forum Funds 171. Tidal Trust IV

72. Forum Funds II 172. TIFF Investment Program

73. Forum Real Estate Income Fund 173. Timothy Plan High Dividend Stock ETF, Series of
 The Timothy Plan

74. Fundrise Growth Tech Fund, LLC 174. Timothy Plan International ETF, Series of The Timothy
 Plan

75. GMO ETF Trust 175. Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF, Series of The Timothy
 Plan

76. GoldenTree Opportunistic Credit Fund 176. Timothy Plan US Large/Mid Cap Core ETF, Series of
 The Timothy Plan

77. Gramercy Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Series of Investment
 Managers Series Trust 177. Timothy Plan US Small Cap Core ETF, Series of The
 Timothy Plan

78. Grayscale Funds Trust 178. Total Fund Solution

79. Guinness Atkinson Funds 179. Touchstone ETF Trust

80. Harbor ETF Trust 180. Trailmark Series Trust

81. Harris Oakmark ETF Trust 181. T-Rex 2X Inverse Bitcoin Daily Target ETF, Series
 of World Funds Trust

82. Hawaiian Tax-Free Trust 182. T-Rex 2x Inverse Ether Daily
 Target ETF, Series of World Funds Trust

83. Horizon Kinetics Blockchain Development ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust 183. T-Rex 2X Long Bitcoin Daily Target ETF, Series of
 World Funds Trust

84. Horizon Kinetics Energy and Remediation ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust 184. T-Rex 2x Long Ether Daily Target ETF

85. Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust 185. U.S. Global Investors Funds

86. Horizon Kinetics Japan Owner Operator ETF, Series
 of Listed Funds Trust 186. Union Street Partners Value Fund, Series of World
 Funds Trust

87. Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF, Series of Listed Funds
 Trust 187. Vest Bitcoin Strategy Managed Volatility Fund, Series
 of World Funds Trust

88. Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF, Series of Listed
 Funds Trust 188. Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target
 Income Fund, Series of World Funds Trust

89. Innovator ETFs Trust 189. Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series
 of World Funds Trust

90. Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC 190. Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies Fund, Series
 of World Funds Trust

91. Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC 191. Vest US Large Cap 20% Buffer Strategies VI Fund,
 Series of World Funds Trust

92. Jensen Quality Growth ETF, Series of Trust for Professional
 Managers 192. Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund

93. John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust 193. Volatility Shares Trust

94. Kurv ETF Trust 194. WEBs ETF Trust

95. Lazard Active ETF Trust 195. Wedbush Series Trust

96. LDR Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, Series of
 World Funds Trust 196. Wellington Global Multi-Strategy Fund

97. Mairs & Power Balanced Fund, Series of Trust
 for Professional Managers 197. Wilshire Mutual Funds, Inc.

98. Mairs & Power Growth Fund, Series of Trust for
 Professional Managers 198. Wilshire Variable Insurance Trust

99. Mairs & Power Minnesota Municipal Bond ETF,
 Series of Trust for Professional Managers 199. WisdomTree Trust

100. Mairs & Power Small Cap Fund, Series of Trust
 for Professional Managers 200. XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income
 Term Trust

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Item 32(b) | The following are the Officers and Manager of the Distributor, the Registrant's underwriter. The Distributor's main business address is 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101. |

---

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Name | Address | Position with Underwriter | Position with Registrant |
| Teresa Cowan | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | President/Manager |  |
| Chris Lanza | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, <br> Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President |  |
| Kate Macchia | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President |  |
| Alicia Strout | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |  |
| Gabriel Edelman | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | Secretary |  |
| Susan L. LaFond | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | Treasurer |  |
| Weston Sommers | 190 Middle Street, Suite 301,<br> Portland, ME 04101 | Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer |  |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Item 32(c) | Not applicable. |

---

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

*The majority of the accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of Apex Fund Services, 190 Middle Street, Suite 101, Portland, Maine 04101. The records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1(b)(1) with respect to journals of receipts and deliveries of securities and receipts and disbursements of cash are maintained at the offices of the Registrant's custodian, as listed under "Custodian" in Part B to this Registration Statement. The records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1(b)(5), (6) and (9) are maintained at the offices of the Registrant's adviser or subadviser, as listed in Item 31 hereof.*

Item 34. Management Services

*Not applicable.*

Item 35. Undertakings

*Not applicable.*

*SIGNATURES*

*Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has met all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and that it has duly caused this amendment to its registration statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Portland, and State of Maine on January 27, 2026.*

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| FORUM FUNDS II | FORUM FUNDS II |
| By: | /s/ Zachary Tackett |
|  | Zachary Tackett, President |

---

*Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 27, 2026.*

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| (a) | Principal Executive Officer |
|  | /s/ Zachary Tackett |
|  | Zachary Tackett |
|  | Principal Executive Officer |
| (b) | Principal Financial Officer |
|  | /s/ Karen Shaw |
|  | Karen Shaw |
|  | Principal Financial Officer<br> (Principal Accounting Officer) |
| (c) | A majority of the Trustees |
|  | /s/ Karen Shaw |
|  | Karen Shaw, Trustee |
|  | David Tucker, Trustee\* |
|  | Mark Moyer, Trustee\* |
|  | Jennifer Brown-Strabley, Trustee\* |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| By: | /s/ Zachary Tackett |
| Zachary Tackett | Zachary Tackett |
| As Attorney-in-fact | As Attorney-in-fact |

---

\* Pursuant to powers of attorney previously filed.

 

*INDEX TO EXHIBITS*

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Exhibit | Description |
| [(h)(2)](fp0097282-1_ex9928h2.htm) | [Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928h2.htm) |
| [(i)(1)](fp0097282-1_ex9928i1.htm) | [Opinion of Counsel for the Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928i1.htm) |
| [(j)](fp0097282-1_ex9928j.htm) | [Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd is filed herewith.](fp0097282-1_ex9928j.htm) |

---

## Exhibit 99.28

**EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT**

**Forum Funds II**

c/o Atlantic Fund Administration

190 Middle Street, Suite 101

Portland, ME 04101

December 18, 2025

SKBA Capital Management, LLC

44 Montgomery Street, Suite 3500

San Francisco, CA 94104

Dear Mr. Rothe:

Pursuant to this Expense Limitation Agreement (the "Agreement"), SKBA Capital Management, LLC (the "Adviser") agrees to limit its investment advisory fee and reimburse expenses as necessary to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) for the Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund and Baywood Value*Plus* Fund (each a "Fund" and together, the "Funds") do not exceed the levels listed below (the "Expense Limitation") through January 31, 2027 (the "Limitation Period").

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Baywood Socially*Responsible* Fund – Institutional Shares | 0.89% |
| Baywood Value*Plus* Fund – Institutional Shares | 0.70% |

---

This Agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the parties and supersedes any previous fee waiver agreement relating to the Funds.

With respect to each class of shares, as applicable, the Fund agrees to repay the Adviser for any advisory fees forgone and any operating expenses that the Adviser reimburses under the Expense Limitation applicable to the class, provided that (a) the repayments do not cause the class's total operating expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to exceed the lesser of (i) the Expense Limitation for the class, and (ii) the Expense Limitation in place at the time of the Adviser's waiver or reimbursement; and (b) the repayment of any advisory fees waived or expenses reimbursed are made within three years of the date on which they are incurred. The Adviser understands that it shall look only to the assets attributable to the relevant class for performance of this Agreement and for payment of any claim the Adviser may have hereunder, and neither any other series of the Trust, nor any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

This Agreement is made and to be performed principally in the states of California and Maine, and except insofar as the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware.

With respect to each Fund, this Agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds II and will automatically terminate concurrently with the termination of the advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust with respect to such Fund; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not terminate in the event of a termination of such advisory agreement as a result of an assignment thereof by the Adviser if a new advisory agreement is entered into by the Trust and the Adviser with respect to such Fund. Unless otherwise amended or terminated, this Agreement will terminate on January 31, 2027.

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart hereof and return the same to us.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Very truly yours, | Very truly yours, |
| FORUM FUNDS II, | FORUM FUNDS II, |
| By: | /s/ Zachary Tackett |
| Name: | Zachary Tackett |
| Title: | President |

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The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted as of December 18, 2025.

SKBA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| By: | /s/ Joshue J. Rothe |
| Name: | Joshua J. Rothe |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |

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*Signature page to the Expense Limitation Agreement*

## Exhibit 99.28

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![](fp0097282-1_04.jpg) | **Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP** <br> 2000 K Street, N.W. Suite 700 <br> Washington, DC 20006 <br> T: 202.822.9611<br> stradley.com |

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January 27, 2026

Forum Funds II

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600

Portland, Maine 04101

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Subject:** | **Forum Funds II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust") - Post-Effective Amendment No. 182, Amendment No. 184 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A, to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended (the "Post-Effective Amendment")** |

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is given in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Post-Effective Amendment relating to an unlimited amount of authorized shares of beneficial interest, no par value, of Baywood Value*Plus* Fund and Baywood Socially*Responsiblde* Fun, each a series of the Trust.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined: (i) a copy of the Trust's Certificate of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 30, 2012; (ii) the Trust Instrument, amended and restated on September 19, 2013; (iii) a Good Standing Certificate, dated January 27, 2026, from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and (v) various other pertinent proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") as well as other documents and items we deem material to this opinion.

The Trust Instrument is authorized by the Certificate of Trust to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, all without par value. The Certificate of Trust authorizes the Trust Instrument to designate any additional series and to allocate shares to separate series and to divide shares of any series into two or more classes and to issue classes of any series.

The Trust has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), which registration statement is deemed to register an indefinite number of shares of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 24(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

You have also informed us that the shares of the Trust have been, and will continue to be, sold in accordance with the Trust's usual method of distributing its registered shares, under which prospectuses are made available for delivery to offerees and purchasers of such shares in accordance with Section 5(b) of the Securities Act.

The following opinion is limited to the federal securities laws of the United States and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act governing the issuance of shares of the Trust only and does not extend to other securities or "Blue Sky" laws or to other laws.

![](fp0097282-1_05.jpg)

Forum Funds II

January 27, 2026

Based upon the foregoing information and examination, so long as the Trust remains a valid and subsisting statutory trust in good standing under the laws of its state of formation, and the registration of an indefinite number of shares of the Trust remains effective, the authorized shares of the series of the Trust have been duly authorized, and when issued for the consideration set by the Board pursuant to the Certificate of Trust and as described in this Post-Effective Amendment, and subject to compliance with Rule 24f-2, will be validly issued, fully-paid, and non-assessable shares, and the holders of such shares will have all of the rights provided for with respect to such holdings by the Certificate of Trust and the laws of the State of Delaware.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion, in lieu of any other, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of the Trust along with any amendments thereto, covering the registration of the shares of the Trust under the Securities Act and the applications, registration statements or notice filings, and amendments thereto, and we further consent to references in the registration statement of the Trust to the fact that this opinion concerning the legality of the issue has been rendered by us.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Very truly yours, | Very truly yours, |
| STRADLEY RONON STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP | STRADLEY RONON STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP |
| BY: | /s/Cillian Lynch |
|  | Cillian Lynch, a Partner |

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CC: Alison Fuller <br> Zachary Tackett

![](fp0097282-1_06.jpg)

## Exhibit 99.28

![](image_003.jpg)

**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 November 20, 2025, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Baywood ValuePlus Fund and Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund, each a series of Forum Funds II, which are included in Form N-CSR for the year ended September 30, 2025, and to the references to our firm under the headings "Financial Highlights" in the Prospectus and "Other Fund Service Providers" and "Financial Statements" in the Statement of Additional Information.

![](image_001.jpg)

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 26, 2026

![](image_002.jpg)