SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
207 EAST BUFFALO STREET, SUITE 400
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
53202
(414) 271-5885
July 29, 1996
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re:The Purisima Funds
Filing of Form N-1A
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of The Purisima Funds (the "Trust"), and pursuant to the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933, we hereby file the Trust's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A. The filing relates to the Purisima Total
Return Fund, the Trust's initial portfolio. The Trust will file all financial
statements and the remaining exhibits with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement.
A wire transfer in the amount of $1,500 in payment of the applicable filing fees
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933 has
already been sent to the appropriate lockbox.
If you have questions or comments, please call the undersigned or, in my
absence, Connie Shannon at (414) 271-5885.
Very truly yours,
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
By: /s/ Randy M. Pavlick
- -------------------------
Vice President - Legal and Compliance Services
RMP/fd
Encl.
cc:Connie Shannon, Esq.
Kenneth L. Fisher
Clayton P. Fisher
Harold C. Warner
Mitchell E. Nichter, Esq.
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 1996
Securities Act Registration No. 33-____
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ o
Post-Effective Amendment No. ____ o
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 x
Amendment No. ___ o
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
13100 SKYLINE BOULEVARD
WOODSIDE, CALIFORNIA 94062-4547
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (415) 851-7925
KENNETH L. FISHER
13100 Skyline Boulevard.
Woodside, California 94062-4547
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Mitchell E. Nichter, Esq.
Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe
333 Bush Street
San Francisco, California 94104-2878
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as possible after this
Registration Statement becomes effective. In accordance with Rule 24-f-2(a)(1)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby declares that an
indefinite number of shares or amount of its Common Stock is being registered by
this Registration Statement.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a),
may determine.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
(Pursuant to Rule 481 showing the location in the Prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information of the responses to the Items of Parts A and
B of Form N-1A).
Caption or Subheading in Prospectus or
Item No. on Form N-1A Statement of Additional Information
- --------------------- --------------------------------------
1. Cover Page Cover Page
2. Synopsis Expense Summary
3. Condensed Financial Information <F1>
4. General Description of Registrant The Purisima Funds; Investment
Objective; Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations; Investment
Limitations
5. Management of the Fund Management; Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent, Custodian and
Independent Accountants
5A. Management's Discussion of Fund <F1>
Performance
6. Capital Stock and Other Securities Capital Structure; Dividends and
Distributions; Taxes; Shareholder
Reports and Information
7. Purchase of Securities Being How to Purchase Shares; Pricing of
Offered Fund Shares; How to Exchange Shares;
Retirement Plans; Service and
Distribution Plan
8. Redemption or Repurchase How to Redeem Shares; Pricing of Fund
Shares; How to Exchange Shares
9. Legal Proceedings <F1>
PART B-INFORMATION REQUIRED IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Cover Page Cover Page
11. Table of Contents Table of Contents
12. General Information and History <F2>
13. Investment Objectives and Policies Additional Investment Information;
Investment Restrictions
14. Management of the Fund Additional Trust Information
15. Control Persons and Principal Additional Trust Information
Holders of Securities
16. Investment Advisory and Other Additional Trust Information
Services
17. Brokerage Allocation and Other Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
Policies
18. Capital Stock and Other Securities Description of Shares
19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing Included in the Prospectus under the
of Securities Being Offered heading "How to Purchase Shares,"
"Pricing of Fund Shares," "How to
Exchange Shares" and "How to Redeem
Shares" and in the Statement of
Additional Information under the
headings "Individual Retirement
Accounts"
20. Tax Status Included in the Prospectus under the
headings "Taxes" and "Dividends and
Distributions" and in the Statement
of Additional Information under the
heading "Taxes" and "Additional
Investment Information"
21. Underwriters <F1>
22. Calculation of Performance Data Included in the Prospectus under the
heading "Fund Performance" and in
the Statement of Additional
Information under the heading
"Performance Information"
23. Financial Statements Financial Statements
- ----------------------
<F1> Answer negative or inapplicable
<F2> Complete answer to Item is contained in the Prospectus
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PROSPECTUS SEPTEMBER ___, 1996
PURISIMA TOTAL RETURN FUND
The Purisima Total Return Fund (the "Fund"), constituting the initial series
of The Purisima Funds (the "Trust"), is a no-load, open-end management
investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The investment objective of
the Fund is to produce a high level of total return. The Fund may emphasize
investments in common stocks and other equity-type securities, or securities
acquired primarily to produce income, or a combination of both, depending on the
assessment of market conditions by the Fund's investment adviser. When
selecting securities, the Fund's investment adviser will be limited (except as
discussed herein) only by its best judgment as to what will help achieve the
Fund's investment objective.
Fisher Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser") serves as the investment adviser to
the Fund. Kenneth L. Fisher, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Fisher Investments, Inc., manages the investment program of the Fund and is
primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's investment
portfolio.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
should know before investing. You are advised to read this Prospectus carefully
and keep it for future reference.
A Statement of Additional Information, dated September __, 1996, which is
incorporated herein by reference, has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Statement of Additional Information, which may be
revised from time to time, contains further information about the Fund and is
available, without charge, by writing to the Fund at __________, or calling
1-800-_________.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Expense Summary.......................................
The Purisima Funds....................................
Investment Objective..................................
Investment Policies and Risk Considerations...........
Investment Limitations................................
Management............................................
Pricing of Fund Shares................................
How to Purchase Shares................................
How to Exchange Shares................................
How to Redeem Shares..................................
Dividends and Distributions...........................
Shareholder Reports and Information...................
Retirement Plans......................................
Service and Distribution Plan.........................
Taxes.................................................
Capital Structure.....................................
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Custodian
and Independent Accountants........................
Fund Performance......................................
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE FUND OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING
BY THE FUND IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
EXPENSE SUMMARY
The following table is designed to assist you in understanding the expenses you
will bear directly or indirectly as a shareholder of the Purisima Total Return
Fund. Shareholder Transaction Expenses are charges that you pay when buying or
selling shares of the Fund. Annual Operating Expenses are paid out of the
Fund's assets and include fees for portfolio management, maintenance of
shareholder accounts, general Fund administration, shareholder servicing,
custody, accounting and other services. The Annual Operating Expenses are the
expenses expected to be incurred by the Fund during the current fiscal year.
Actual total operating expenses may be higher or lower than those indicated. An
example based on the summary is also shown.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases None
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None
Deferred Sales Load Imposed on Redemptions None
Redemption Fees <F3> None
Exchange Fees None
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees 1.00%
12b-1 Fees <F4> 0.25%
Other Expenses (net of reimbursement) <F5> 0.25%
Total Operating Expenses (net of reimbursement) <F5> 1.50%
EXAMPLE
Based on the foregoing table, you would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming (i) a 5% annual return and (ii) redemption at the end of
each time period:
One Year $ 15
Three Years $ 50
<F3> A fee of $10.00 is charged for each wire redemption.
<F4> The maximum level of distribution expenses is 0.25% per annum of the Fund's
average net assets. See "Service and Distribution Plan" for further
details. The distribution expenses for long-term shareholders may total
more than the maximum sales charge that would have been permissible if
imposed entirely as an initial sales charge.
<F5> The Fund's investment adviser has voluntarily agreed to limit the Fund's
total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and
extraordinary expenses) to an annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund's average net
assets for the Fund's first fiscal year. After such date, the expense
limitation may be terminated or revised at any time. The Fund estimates
that absent the limitation, "Other Expenses" would initially be
approximately ___ %, and "Total Annual Operating Expenses" would initially
be approximately ___%.
The examples shown above should not be considered representations of past or
future expenses or rates of return. The Purisima Total Return Fund is newly-
formed and actual operating expenses and investment return may be more or less
than those shown. Information about the actual performance of the Fund will be
contained in the Fund's future annual reports to shareholders, which may be
obtained without charge when they become available by calling 1-800-_________.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
The Purisima Total Return Fund (the "Fund") is a no-load diversified mutual
fund. It constitutes the initial series of The Purisima Funds (the "Trust"),
a Delaware business trust organized on June 27, 1996 which is registered as an
open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act"). Prior to the sale of Fund shares hereunder, the Trust had
no operations other than matters relating to its organization and the creation
of the Fund.
Fisher Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"), serves as the Fund's investment
adviser. Kenneth L. Fisher, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Adviser, manages the investment program of the Fund and is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. See
"Management."
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to produce a high level of total return.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by following the policies discussed
below. Because of the risks inherent in all investments, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will meet its objective. The Fund is not intended by
itself to constitute a balanced investment program.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective of producing a high level of
total return by investing in common stocks and other equity-type securities,
corporate and government debt securities and short-term money market
instruments. Through active portfolio management, the Adviser will consider the
relative returns from asset allocation, equity style, as well as individual
security selection, in seeking to achieve the Fund's objective. Unless
specifically designated as a "fundamental" policy (which may be changed only
with the approval by a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, as defined in
the 1940 Act, all investment policies described below may be changed by the
Fund's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The relative percentages of assets invested in equity, fixed income and money
market securities are not fixed and will vary depending on the Adviser's
assessment of economic and market conditions. At times, when the investment
climate is viewed as favorable, common stocks and other equity-type securities
may be emphasized (up to 100% of the Fund's total assets). Conversely, when the
Adviser believes that, in light of economic and market conditions, a more
defensive position would be appropriate and that the Fund's objective may be
more readily attained by investing in fixed income securities and money market
investments, these investments will be emphasized (up to 100% of the Fund's
total assets).
In the same manner, and except as discussed below, the Fund may invest in
portfolio securities without regard to objective investment criteria such as
company size (market capitalization), earnings history, valuation or other
factors. At times, the Fund may emphasize securities of small, mid- or large
capitalization companies. In addition, at times the Fund may emphasize
securities of companies which it believes are undervalued relative to earnings,
book value or other factors or companies which it expects to have above-average
earnings growth prospects. When selecting securities, the Adviser will, except
as otherwise described below, be limited only by its best judgment as to what
will help achieve the Fund's investment objective.
EQUITY SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in equity securities, including common
stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants, rights and depository
receipts. To the extent that the Fund's portfolio is primarily invested in
common stocks and other equity-type securities, the Fund's net asset value may
be subject to greater fluctuation than a portfolio primarily invested in fixed
income securities.
The Fund will limit its investments in warrants and rights to no more than 5% of
its net assets, valued at the lower of cost or market. Warrants and rights
entitle the holder to buy equity securities during a specific period of time.
The Fund will make such investments only if the underlying equity securities are
deemed appropriate by the Adviser for inclusion in the Fund's portfolio.
Included in the 5% amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are warrants and
rights whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic or
foreign exchanges. Warrants and rights acquired by the Fund in units or
attached to securities are not subject to these restrictions.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities issued
by domestic or foreign corporations or other entities, or by U.S. or foreign
governments or their agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund is not limited as
to the maturity of its fixed income investments. Corporate and foreign
governmental debt securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability
to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations (credit risk), and
may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate
sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general
market liquidity (market risk). The market value of all debt obligations is
affected by changes in the prevailing interest rates. The market value of such
instruments generally reacts inversely to interest rate changes. If the
prevailing interest rates decline, the market value of debt obligations
generally increases. If the prevailing interest rates increase, the market
value of debt obligations generally decreases. In general, the longer the
maturity of a debt obligation, the greater its sensitivity to changes in
interest rates.
In order to reduce the risk of non-payment of principal or interest on these
securities, fixed income securities purchased by the Fund will be limited to
investment grade fixed income securities. Investment grade securities are those
securities which, at the time of purchase, are rated within the four highest
rating categories by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (Baa or
higher), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") (BBB or higher), or other
nationally recognized securities rating organizations, or securities which are
unrated but deemed by the Adviser to be comparable in quality to instruments
that are so rated. Obligations rated in the lowest of the top four ratings,
though considered investment grade, are considered to have speculative
characteristics, and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest
payments than is the case with higher rated securities. Subsequent to its
purchase by the Fund, a rated security may cease to be rated or its rating may
be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. The
Adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should
continue to hold the security, but such an event will not require the Fund to
dispose of the security. See the Statement of Additional Information for a
description of applicable debt ratings.
Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include obligations issued
by the U.S. government or by any agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise
thereof supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, the
authority of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or the discretionary
authority of the U.S. government to purchase the obligations of the agency,
instrumentality or enterprise; obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and
interest by an agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise of the U.S.
government; and obligations of U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises which are not guaranteed. The Fund may also invest in
zero coupon U.S. Treasury securities and in zero coupon securities issued by
financial institutions, which represent a proportionate interest in underlying
U.S. Treasury securities. The Fund will not invest in mortgage-and asset-backed
securities if after the purchase more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in these securities.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. During times when the Adviser believes that adverse
economic or market conditions justify such actions, the Fund may invest
temporarily up to 100% of its total assets in short-term, high-quality money
market instruments. The Fund may also invest in such instruments pending
investment in other types of securities, to meet anticipated redemption
requests, and/or to retain the flexibility to respond promptly to changes in
market and economic conditions. It is impossible to predict when or for how
long the Adviser may employ these strategies.
Money market instruments are short-term high-quality debt securities (rated in
the top two categories by S&P, Moody's or other nationally recognized securities
rating organizations) denominated in U.S. dollars or other freely convertible
currency, including short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, U.S. finance company obligations,
corporate commercial paper, obligations of banks and repurchase agreements. The
Fund's repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized. However, if the
seller of the securities fails to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the
delivery date, the Fund's risks may include the costs of disposing of the
collateral and losses that might result from any delays in foreclosing on the
collateral. There is no limit on the amount of the Fund's net assets that may
be subject to repurchase agreements maturing in seven days or less.
The Fund's investment in money market instruments may also include securities
issued by other investment companies that invest in high quality, short-term
debt securities (i.e., money market instruments). In addition to the advisory
fees and other expenses the Fund bears directly in connection with its own
operations, as a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear
its pro rata portion of the other investment company's advisory fees and other
expenses, and such fees and other expenses will be borne indirectly by the
Fund's shareholders.
SMALLER CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of
its assets in companies with modest capitalization, as well as start-up
companies. While the Adviser believes that small- and medium-sized companies as
well as start-up companies can provide greater growth potential than larger,
more mature companies, investing in the securities of such companies also
involves greater risk, potential price volatility and cost. These companies
often involve higher risks because they lack the management experience,
financial resources, product diversification, markets, distribution channels and
competitive strengths of larger companies. In addition, in many instances, the
frequency and volume of their trading is substantially less than is typical of
larger companies. Therefore, the securities of smaller companies as well as
start-up companies may be subject to wider price fluctuations. The spreads
between the bid and asked prices of the securities of these companies in the
U.S. over-the-counter market typically are larger than the spreads for more
actively traded securities. As a result, a Fund could incur a loss if it
determined to sell such a security shortly after its acquisition. When making
large sales, a Fund may have to sell portfolio holdings at discounts from quoted
prices or may have to make a series of small sales over an extended period of
time due to the trading volume of smaller company securities.
Investors should be aware that, based on the foregoing factors, to the extent
the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of
smaller companies, an investment in the Fund may be subject to greater price
fluctuations than if it invested primarily in larger, more established
companies. The Fund will limit its investments in securities of any issuer
which, together with any predecessor entity, has a record of less than three
years of continuous operation, to no more than 10% of the Fund's total assets at
the time of purchase.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of
foreign issuers through sponsored and unsponsored Depositary Receipts ("DRs"),
e.g., American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts
("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), Continental Depositary
Receipts ("CDRs"), or other forms of DRs, and may invest up to 5% of its net
assets at the time of purchase directly in the securities of foreign issuers.
DRs are receipts typically issued in connection with a United States or foreign
bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued
by a foreign corporation. Unsponsored DRs differ from sponsored DRs in that the
establishment of unsponsored DRs is not approved by the issuer of the underlying
securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuer may not be
as current or reliable as the information for sponsored DRs, and the price of
unsponsored DRs may be more volatile.
Investments in foreign securities involve special risks, costs and opportunities
which are in addition to those inherent in domestic investments. Political,
economic or social instability of the issuer or the country of issue, the
possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the
removal of assets or diplomatic developments, and the possibility of adverse
changes in investment or exchange control regulations are among the inherent
risks. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid, more volatile and
more difficult to value than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Foreign
companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S. companies and,
as such, there may be less publicly available information about such companies.
Moreover, foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to
U.S. companies. Currency fluctuations will affect the net asset value of the
Fund irrespective of the performance of the underlying investments in foreign
issuers. Dividends and interest payable on a Fund's foreign portfolio securities
may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. To the extent such taxes are not
offset by credits or deductions allowed to investors under U.S. federal income
tax law, such taxes may reduce the net return to shareholders. See "Taxes" in
the Statement of Additional Information. Because of these and other factors,
the value of securities of foreign companies acquired by the Fund may be subject
to greater fluctuation than the value of securities of domestic companies.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily
marketable, including restricted securities and repurchase obligations maturing
in more than seven days. Certain restricted securities that may be resold to
institutional investors under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 4(2) commercial paper may be determined to be liquid under guidelines
adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities
purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Although the payment and
interest terms of these securities are established at the time the purchaser
enters into the commitment, these securities may be delivered and paid for at a
future date. Purchasing when-issued securities allows the Fund to lock in a
fixed price or yield on a security it intends to purchase. However, when the
Fund purchases a when-issued security, it immediately assumes the risk of
ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation.
The greater the Fund's outstanding commitments for these securities, the
greater the exposure to potential fluctuations in the net asset value of the
Fund. Purchasing when-issued securities may involve the additional risk that
the yield available in the market when the delivery occurs may be higher or the
market price lower than that obtained at the time of commitment. Although the
Fund may be able to sell these securities prior to the delivery date, it will
purchase when-issued securities for the purpose of actually acquiring the
securities, unless, after entering into the commitment, a sale appears desirable
for investment reasons. When required by Securities and Exchange Commission
guidelines, the Fund will set aside permissible liquid assets in a segregated
account to secure its outstanding commitments for when-issued securities.
HEDGING STRATEGIES. The Fund may use various options transactions for the
purpose of hedging or earning additional income, which may be deemed
speculative. There can be no assurance that such efforts will succeed. The
Fund may write (i.e. sell) call and put options, and buy put or call options.
These options may relate to particular securities or stock or bond indexes, may
or may not be listed on a securities exchange, and may or may not be issued by
the Options Clearing Corporation. The Fund will not purchase put and call
options where the aggregate premiums on its outstanding options exceed 5% of its
net assets at the time of purchase, and will not write options on more than 25%
of the value of its net assets (measured at the time an option is written).
Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than
ordinary investment risks. In addition, unlisted options are not subject to the
protections afforded purchasers of listed options issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation, which performs the obligations of its members if they default. It
is contemplated the Fund's use of options will primarily be options on stock
indexes. These options are based on indexes of stock prices that change in
value according to the market value of the stocks they include. Some stock
index options are based on a broad market index, such as the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Index or the Standard & Poor's 500. Other index options are
based on a market segment or on stocks in a single industry. Stock index
options are traded primarily on securities exchanges. The value of an index
option depends primarily on movements in the value of the index rather than in
the price of a single security. The primary risks associated with the use of
options are: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value
of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the option; (b) the Fund
will likely be unable to control losses closing its position where a liquid
secondary market does not exist; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market
movements; and (d) the Adviser's ability to predict correctly the direction of
securities prices the stock market generally, and economic factors. For further
discussion of risks involved with the use of options, see "Additional
Investment Information-Hedging Strategies" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. In order to achieve the Fund's investment objective, the
Adviser will generally purchase and sell securities without regard to the length
of time the security has been held. The Adviser intends to purchase a given
security whenever it believes it will contribute to the stated objective of the
Fund, even if the same security has only recently been sold. In selling a given
security, the Adviser keeps in mind that profits from sales of securities held
less than three months must be limited in order to meet the requirements of
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Subject to the
foregoing, the Fund may sell a given security, regardless of how long it has
been held in the portfolio, and whether the sale is at a gain or loss, if the
Adviser believes that it is appropriate to do so. High portfolio turnover in any
year will result in the payment by the Fund of above-average transaction costs
and could result in the payment by shareholders of above-average amounts of
taxes on realized investment gains. The annual portfolio turnover for the Fund
is currently expected to be less than 150%; however, the Fund does not consider
the portfolio turnover rate as a limiting factor.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions that may be
changed only with the approval by a majority of its outstanding shares. The
following description summarizes several of the Fund's fundamental restrictions
which have been adopted to maintain portfolio diversification and reduce risk.
The Fund may not:
1. purchase the securities of any issuer if the purchase would cause more
than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets to be invested in
securities of any one issuer (except securities of the U.S. government
or any agency or instrumentality thereof), or purchase more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except that up to
25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to these
limitations;
2. invest 25% or more of its total assets at the time of purchase in
securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the
same industry; and
3. borrow money except for temporary purposes in amounts up to 33 1/3% of
the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing.
A list of the Fund's restrictions, both fundamental and nonfundamental, is
contained in the Statement of Additional Information. In order to provide a
degree of flexibility, the Fund's investment objective, as well as other
policies which are not deemed fundamental, may be modified by the trustees
without shareholder approval. Any change in the Fund's investment objective may
result in the Fund having investment objectives different from the objective
which the shareholder considered appropriate at the time of investment in the
Fund. However, the Fund will not change its investment objective without
written notice to shareholders sent at least 30 days in advance of any such
change.
MANAGEMENT
As a Delaware business trust, the business affairs of the Trust are managed by
its Board of trustees. The trustees establish the Fund's policies and supervise
and review its management. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has entered into
an investment management agreement with Fisher Investments, Inc. (the
"Investment Management Agreement"), pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes
continuous investment advisory services to the Fund. The day-to-day operations
of the Fund are administered by the officers of the Trust and by the Adviser
pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement.
INVESTMENT ADVISER. Fisher Investments, Inc., 13100 Skyline Blvd., Woodside,
California, 94062-4547, is the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"). The
Adviser supervises and manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, and subject
to such policies as the trustees may determine, directs the purchase or sale of
investment securities in the day-to-day management of the Fund's investment
portfolio. As of September 1996 the Adviser managed in excess of $__ billion for
large corporations, pension plans, endowments, foundations, governmental
agencies and individuals. Kenneth L. Fisher, the founder, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Adviser, controls the Adviser.
Mr. Fisher serves as the Fund's portfolio manager and as such is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. He has
served as portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in September 1996.
Mr. Fisher has over 20 years of investment management experience. Mr. Fisher
began Fisher Investments as a sole proprietorship in 1978 and incorporated the
company under the name Fisher Investments, Inc. in 1986.
Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and
without reimbursement from the Fund, furnishes office space and all necessary
office facilities, equipment and executive personnel for making the investment
decisions necessary for managing the Fund and maintaining its organization, and
pays the salaries and fees of all officers and trustees of the Trust (except the
fees paid to those trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or the
Adviser). For the foregoing, the Adviser receives a monthly fee of 1/12 of 1.00
% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may voluntarily
waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or absorb operating expenses that
the Fund is obligated to pay from time to time. See "Expense Summary." The
Investment Management Agreement permits the Adviser to seek reimbursement of any
reductions made to its management fee within the three-year period following
such reduction, subject to the Fund's ability to effect such reimbursement and
remain in compliance with applicable expense limitations. The rate of the
advisory fee is higher than that paid by most mutual funds. However, the
trustees believe the advisory fee is appropriate for the Fund in light of the
Fund's investment objective and policies. The factors the Adviser considers in
determining which brokers or dealers to use for the Fund's portfolio
transactions are described in the Statement of Additional Information. Provided
the Fund receives prompt execution at competitive prices, the Adviser may
consider the sale of the Fund's shares as a factor in selecting broker-dealers.
ADMINISTRATION. Pursuant to an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement
(the "Administration Agreement"), Sunstone Financial Group, Inc. (the
"Administrator"), 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202, acts as administrator for the Fund. The Administrator, at its own
expense and without reimbursement from the Fund, furnishes office space and all
necessary office facilities, equipment, supplies and clerical and executive
personnel for performing the services required to be performed by it under the
Administration Agreement. For its administrative services (which include
compliance, regulatory, fund accounting and other services), the Administrator
receives from the Fund a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, based on the
Fund's aggregate average net assets at the annual rate of 0.22 of 1.0% on the
first $50,000,000 of average net assets, 0.15 of 1.0% on the next $50,000,000 of
average net assets, and 0.07 of 1.0% on average net assets in excess of
$100,000,000, subject to an annual minimum of $75,000, plus reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Administrator received from the Fund
$_________ for organizational services provided by the Administrator. In
addition to the foregoing services and fees, the Administrator acts as the
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a Transfer
Agency Agreement by and between the Trust on behalf of the Fund, and the
Administrator. See "Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Custodian and
Independent Public Accountants."
DISTRIBUTION. Sunstone acts as distributor for the Fund pursuant to a
Distribution Agreement between Sunstone and the Trust. Shares also may be sold
by authorized dealers who have entered into dealer agreements with Sunstone or
the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Fund will (1) pay
Sunstone a fee, payable monthly, based the Fund's aggregate average net assets
at the annual rate of 0.20 of 1.0% on the Fund's first $50,000,000 of average
net assets, 0.10 of 1.0% on the next $50,000,000 of average net assets, and 0.05
of 1% on average net assets in excess of $100,000,000, subject to a minimum
aggregate annual fee of $50,000, and (2) reimburse Sunstone's out-of-pocket
expenses; provided, however, that if during any annual period, such compensation
and reimbursement payments and other payments under the Service and Distribution
Plan exceed 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets, Sunstone will rebate
such excess to the Fund. See "Service and Distribution Plan."
EXPENSES. In addition to the fees payable under the Investment Management
Agreement and the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays all of its own other
expenses, including without limitation, the cost of preparing and printing its
registration statement required under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940
Act and any amendments thereto, the expense of registering shares with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and in the various states, the printing and
distribution costs of prospectuses mailed to existing shareholders, reports to
shareholders, reports to government authorities and proxy statements, fees paid
to trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or Adviser, interest
charges, taxes, legal expenses, association membership dues, auditing services,
insurance premiums, brokerage commissions and expenses in connection with
portfolio transactions, fees and expenses of the custodian of the Fund's assets,
printing and mailing expenses and charges and expenses of dividend disbursing
agents, administration and accounting services agents, custodians, registrars
and stock transfer agents, and payments pursuant to the Fund's Service and
Distribution Plan. See "Service and Distribution Plan."
PRICING OF FUND SHARES
The price you pay when buying the Fund's shares, and the price you receive when
selling (redeeming) the Fund's shares, is the net asset value of the shares next
determined after receipt and acceptance of a purchase or redemption request in
proper form. No front end sales charge or commission of any kind is added by
the Fund upon a purchase and no charge is deducted upon a redemption. The Fund
currently charges a $10 fee for each redemption made by wire. See "How to
Redeem Shares."
The per share net asset value of the Fund is determined by dividing the total
value of its net assets (meaning its assets less its liabilities) by the total
number of its shares outstanding at that time. The net asset value is
determined as of the close of regular trading (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") on each day the Exchange is
open for trading. This determination is applicable to all transactions in
shares of the Fund prior to that time and after the previous time as of which
the Fund's net asset value was determined. Accordingly, investments accepted or
redemption requests received in proper form prior to the close of regular
trading on a day the Exchange is open for trading will be valued as of the close
of trading that day, and investments accepted or redemption requests received in
proper form after that time will be valued as of the close of the next trading
day.
Investments are considered received only when an investor's check, wired funds
or electronically transferred funds are received by the Fund or its agent or
subagent. Investments by telephone pursuant to an investor's prior
authorization to the Fund to draw on his or her bank account are considered
received when the proceeds from the bank account are received by the Fund, which
generally takes two to three banking days.
Securities which are traded on a recognized stock exchange are valued at the
last sale price on the securities exchange on which such securities are
primarily traded. Securities traded on only over-the-counter markets are valued
on the basis of closing over-the-counter trade prices. Securities for which
there were no transactions are valued at the closing bid prices. Debt
securities (other than short-term instruments) are valued at prices furnished by
a pricing service, subject to review and possible revision by the Adviser. Any
modification of the price of a debt security furnished by a pricing service is
made pursuant to procedures adopted by the trustees. Debt instruments maturing
within 60 days are valued by the amortized cost method. Any securities for
which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value
as determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to guidelines established by
the trustees.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
The Fund is a no-load fund, so you may purchase, redeem or exchange shares
directly at net asset value without paying a sales charge. Because the Fund's
net asset value changes daily, your purchase price will be the next net asset
value determined after the Fund, or its agent or subagent, receives and accepts
your purchase order. See "Pricing of Fund Shares."
INITIAL MINIMUM ADDITIONAL MINIMUM
TYPE OF ACCOUNT INVESTMENT INVESTMENT
- --------------- --------------- ------------------
Regular $25,000 $5,000
Automatic Investment Plan $25,000 $50
Gift to Minors $25,000 $5,000
The Fund reserves the right to reject any order for the purchase of its shares
or to limit or suspend, without prior notice, the offering of its shares. The
required minimum investments may be waived in the case of certain qualified
retirement plans.
HOW TO OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT BY MAIL. Please complete the Purchase Application
which accompanies this Prospectus. You may duplicate any application or you can
obtain additional copies of the Purchase Application and a copy of the IRA
Purchase Application from the Fund by calling 1-800-_______. (Please note that
you must use a different form for an IRA.)
Your completed Purchase Application should be mailed directly to:
The Purisima Funds
P.O. Box ________
Milwaukee, WI 53202
To purchase shares by overnight or express mail, please use the
following street address:
The Purisima Funds
207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
All applications must be accompanied by payment in the form of a check made
payable to "Purisima Funds." All purchases must be made in U.S. dollars and
checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. No cash, credit cards or third party checks
will be accepted. When a purchase is made by check and a redemption is made
within ___ days thereafter, the Fund will delay the mailing of a redemption
check until the purchase check has cleared your bank, which may take up to 10
calendar days from the purchase date. If you contemplate needing access to your
investment shortly after purchase, you should purchase the shares by wire as
discussed below.
HOW TO OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT BY WIRE. To avoid redemption delays, you may make
purchases by direct wire transfers. To ensure proper credit to your account,
please call the Fund at 1-800-______ for instructions prior to wiring funds.
Funds should be wired through the Federal Reserve System as follows:
________ Bank
A.B.A. Number ______________
For credit to The Purisima Fund
Account Number ______________________
For further credit to:
(investor account number)
(name or account registration)
(Social Security or tax identification number)
The Purisima Total Return Fund
You must promptly complete a Purchase Application and mail it to the Fund at the
following address: The Purisima Funds, P.O. Box _______, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed and taxes may be withheld until
the Fund receives a properly completed and executed Purchase Application. If
you wish to send it via overnight delivery, you may send it to: The Purisima
Funds, 207 East Buffalo Street, suite 315, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5712. The Fund
reserves the right to refuse a telephone transaction if it believes it advisable
to do so.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE FUND AT 1-800-_______.
HOW TO ADD TO YOUR ACCOUNT. You may make additional investments by mail or by
wire in the minimums listed above. When adding to an account by mail, you
should send the Fund your check, together with the additional investment form
from a recent statement. If this form is unavailable, you should send a signed
note giving the full name of the account and the account number. You may also
make additional investments by telephone if you have previously selected this
service. By selecting this service, you authorize the Fund to draw on your
preauthorized bank account as shown on the records of the Fund and receive the
proceeds by electronic funds transfer. Investments made by phone in any one
account must be in an amount of at least $_______. Investments made by
electronic funds transfer will be effective at the net asset value next computed
after receipt by the Fund of the proceeds from your bank account. See "Pricing
of Fund Shares." This service may be selected by completing the appropriate
section on the Purchase Application. In order to arrange for telephone
redemptions after your account has been opened or to change the bank account or
address designated to receive redemption proceeds, you must send a written
request to the Fund. The request must be signed by each registered holder of
the account with all signatures guaranteed by a commercial bank or trust company
in the United States, a member firm of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. or other eligible guarantor institution. A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOT
AN ACCEPTABLE GUARANTOR. Further documentation may be required for
corporations, executors, administrators, trustees and guardians. For additional
investments made by wire transfer, you should use the wiring instructions listed
above. Be sure to include your account number.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. You may make purchases of shares of the Fund
automatically on a regular, monthly basis ($50 minimum per transaction). You
must meet the Automatic Investment Plan's (the "Plan") minimum initial
investment of $25,000 before the Plan may be established. Under the Plan, your
designated bank or other financial institution debits a preauthorized amount on
your account each month and applies the amount to the purchase of Fund shares.
The Plan can be implemented with any financial institution that is a member of
the Automated Clearing House. No service fee is currently charged by the Fund
for participation in the Plan. You will receive a statement on a quarterly
basis showing the purchases made under the Plan. A $20 fee will be imposed by
the Fund if sufficient funds are not available in your account or your account
has been closed at the time of the automatic transaction. You may adopt the
Plan at the time an account is opened by completing the appropriate section of
the Purchase Application. To establish the Plan after an account is opened, an
application may be obtained from the Fund by calling 1-800-_______.
PURCHASING SHARES THROUGH OTHER INSTITUTIONS. If you purchase shares through a
program of services offered or administered by a broker-dealer, financial
institution, or other service provider, you should read the program materials,
including information relating to fees, in addition to the Fund's Prospectus.
Certain services of the Fund may not be available or may be modified in
connection with the program of services provided. The Fund may only accept
requests to purchase additional shares into a broker-dealer street name account
from the broker-dealer.
Certain broker-dealers, financial institutions, or other service providers that
have entered into an agreement with the Trust may enter purchase orders on
behalf of their customers by phone, with payment to follow within several days
as specified in the agreement. The Fund may effect such purchase orders at the
net asset value next determined after receipt of the telephone purchase order.
It is the responsibility of the broker-dealer, financial institution, or other
service provider to place the order with the Fund on a timely basis. If payment
is not received within the time specified in the agreement, the broker-dealer,
financial institution, or other service provider could be held liable for any
resulting fees or losses.
MISCELLANEOUS. The Fund will charge a $20 service fee against your account for
any check, wire or electronic funds transfer that is returned unpaid. You will
also be responsible for any losses suffered by the Fund as a result. In order
to relieve you of responsibility for the safekeeping and delivery of stock
certificates, the Fund does not issue certificates.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
Shareholders may exchange all or a portion of their shares in the Fund for
shares in the Northern Money Market Fund (the "Money Market Fund"). The Money
Market Fund is not affiliated with the Trust. You must obtain a copy of the
Money Market Fund prospectus from the Fund by calling 1-800-_______, and you are
advised to read it carefully, before authorizing any investment in shares of the
Money Market Fund.
The value to be exchanged and the price of the shares being purchased will be
the net asset value next determined by the Fund after receipt and acceptance of
proper instructions for the exchange by the Fund or its agent or subagent. If
you desire to use the exchange privilege, you should contact the Fund at 1-800-
_______ for further information about the procedures and effective times for
exchanges. Generally, exchange requests received in proper order and accepted
by the Fund by 3:00 p.m. (Central Time) on a day during which the Fund's net
asset value is determined will be effective that day for both the Fund being
purchased and the Fund being redeemed. Please note that when exchanging from
the Fund to the Money Market Fund, you will begin accruing income from the Money
Market Fund on the day following the exchange. When exchanging from the Money
Market Fund to the Fund your exchange proceeds will exclude accrued and unpaid
income from the Money Market Fund through the date of exchange. When exchanging
your entire balance from the Money Market Fund, accrued income will
automatically be exchanged into the Fund when the income is collected from the
Money Market Fund, typically after the end of each month. An exchange to and
from the Money Market Fund is treated the same as an ordinary sale and purchase
for federal income tax purposes and you generally will realize a capital gain or
loss when exchanging shares to the Money Market Fund.
If you purchase shares by check, you may not exchange those shares for up to 10
calendar days to ensure your check has cleared. This delay allows the Fund to
verify that the check used to purchase Fund shares will not be returned due to
insufficient funds and is intended to protect the remaining investors from loss.
If you intend to exchange shares soon after their purchase, you should purchase
the shares by wire or contact the Fund at 1-800-_______ for further information.
Because of the risks associated with common stock investments, the Fund is
intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and not designed to provide
investors with a means of speculating on short-term stock market movements. In
addition, because excessive trading can hurt the Fund's performance and Fund
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to temporarily or permanently
terminate, with or without advance notice, the exchange privilege of any
investor who makes excessive use of the exchange privilege (e.g. more than four
exchanges per calendar year). Your exchanges may be restricted or refused if the
Fund receives or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions
of the Fund's assets. In particular, a pattern of exchanges with a "market
timer" strategy may be disruptive to the Fund.
Additional documentation may be required for exchange requests if shares are
registered in the name of a corporation, partnership or fiduciary. Contact the
Fund for additional information concerning the exchange privilege.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN
You may make automatic monthly exchanges from the Money Market Fund to a Fund
account ($50 minimum per transaction). An exchange from one fund to another is
treated the same as an ordinary sale and purchase for federal income tax
purposes and generally, you will realize a capital gain or loss. You must meet
the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements before this plan is
established. You may adopt the plan at the time an account is opened by
completing the appropriate section of the Purchase Application. You may obtain
an application to establish the Automatic Exchange Plan after an account is open
by calling the Fund at 1-800-_______.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
You may redeem shares of the Fund at any time. The price at which the shares
will be redeemed is the net asset value per share next determined after proper
redemption instructions are received by the Fund or its agent or subagent. See
"Pricing of Fund Shares." There are no charges for the redemption of shares
except that a fee of $10 is charged by the Fund for each wire redemption.
Depending upon the redemption price you receive, you may realize a capital gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes.
HOW TO REDEEM BY MAIL. To redeem shares by mail, simply send an unconditional
written request to the Fund specifying the number of shares or dollar amount to
be redeemed, the name of the Fund, the name(s) on the account registration and
the account number. A request for redemption must be signed exactly as the
shares are registered. If the amount requested is greater than $_______, the
proceeds are to be sent to a person other than the recordholder or to a location
other than the address of record, each signature must be guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company in the United States, a member firm of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or other eligible guarantor
institution. A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE GUARANTOR. Guarantees must
be signed by an authorized signatory of the bank, trust company, or member firm
and "Signature Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. Additional
documentation may be required for the redemption of shares held in corporate,
partnership or fiduciary accounts. In case of any questions, contact the Fund
in advance.
The Fund will mail payment for redemptions within seven days after it receives
proper instructions for redemption. However, the Fund will delay payment for
ten calendar days on redemptions of recent purchases made by check. This allows
the Fund to verify that the check will not be returned due to insufficient funds
and is intended to protect the remaining investors from loss.
HOW TO REDEEM BY TELEPHONE. To redeem shares by telephone, you must select this
option on the Purchase Application. Once this feature has been requested,
shares may be redeemed by calling the Fund at 1-800-_______. Proceeds redeemed
by telephone will be mailed to your address, or wired or credited to your
preauthorized bank account as shown on the records of the Fund. Any written
requests received within __ days after an address change made by telephone must
be accompanied by a signature guarantee and no telephone redemptions will be
allowed within 15 days of such a change. Telephone redemptions must be in
amounts of $500 or more and may not be made for amounts greater than $_______.
In order to arrange for telephone redemptions after your account has been opened
or to change the bank account or address designated to receive redemption
proceeds, you must send a written request to the Fund. The request must be
signed by each registered holder of the account with the signatures guaranteed
by a commercial bank or trust company in the United States, a member firm of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or other eligible guarantor
institution. A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE GUARANTOR. Further
documentation may be requested from corporations, executors, administrators,
trustees and guardians.
Payment of the redemption proceeds for Fund shares redeemed by telephone where
you request wire payment will normally be made in federal funds on the next
business day. Electronically transferred funds will ordinarily arrive at your
bank within two to three banking days after transmission. Once funds are
transmitted, the time and receipt are not within the Fund's control. To change
the designated account, send a written request with the signatures guaranteed to
the Fund. A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE GUARANTOR. The Fund reserves
the right to delay payment for a period of up to seven days after receipt of the
redemption request. There is currently a $10 fee for each wire redemption. It
will be deducted from your account.
The Fund reserves the right to refuse a telephone redemption or exchange
transaction if it believes it is advisable to do so. Procedures for redeeming
or exchanging shares of the Fund by telephone may be modified or terminated by
the Fund at any time. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent
redemption or exchange requests by telephone, the Fund has implemented
procedures designed reasonably to assure that telephone instructions are
genuine. These procedures include: requesting verification of certain personal
information; recording telephone transactions; confirming transactions in
writing; and restricting transmittal of redemption proceeds to preauthorized
designations. Other procedures may be implemented from time to time. If
reasonable procedures are not implemented, the Fund and/or the Transfer Agent
may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. In
all other cases, you are liable for any loss for unauthorized transactions.
You should be aware that during periods of substantial economic or market
change, telephone or wire redemptions may be difficult to implement. If you are
unable to contact the Fund by telephone, you may also redeem shares by
delivering or mailing the redemption request to The Purisima Funds, P.O. Box
_______, 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend or postpone redemptions during any period
when: trading on the Exchange is restricted, as determined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), or the Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekend and holiday closing; the SEC has by order permitted such
suspension; or an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists, making disposal
of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably
practicable.
Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining small accounts, if your account
balance falls below the $25,000 minimum as a result of a redemption or exchange,
you will be given a 30-day notice to reestablish the minimum balance. If this
requirement is not met, your account may be closed and the proceeds sent to you.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. The Fund offers a Systematic Withdrawal Plan which
allows you to designate that a fixed amount (limited to those shareholders with
a balance of $100,000 or greater) be distributed to you at regular intervals.
The required redemption takes place on the 5th or 20th of each month, but if the
day you designate falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the distribution
will be made on the prior business day.
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated by you at any time without
charge or penalty, and the Fund reserves the right to terminate or modify the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan upon 60-days' written notice. Withdrawals involve
redemption of Fund shares and may result in a gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes. An application for participation in the Systematic Withdrawal
Plan may be obtained from the Fund by calling 1-800-_______.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to pay dividends from net investment income, if any, quarterly
and distribute substantially all net realized capital gains, if any, at least
annually. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to avoid
imposition of a 4% excise tax imposed on net income or other tax on
undistributed income and gains. You may elect to reinvest all income dividends
and capital gains distributions in shares of the Fund or in cash as designated
on the Purchase Application. You may change your election at any time by
sending written notification to the Fund. The election is effective for
distributions with a dividend record date on or after the date that the Fund
receives notice of the election. If you do not specify an election, all income
dividends and capital gains distributions will automatically be reinvested in
full and fractional shares of the Fund. Shares will be purchased at the net
asset value in effect on the business day after the dividend record date and
will be credited to your account on such date. Reinvested dividends and
distributions receive the same tax treatment as those paid in cash. Dividends
and capital gains distributions, if any, will reduce the net asset value of the
Fund by the amount of the dividend or capital gains distribution, so that a
purchase of Fund shares shortly before the record date for a distribution may
result in the receipt of taxable income that, in essence, represents a return of
capital.
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS AND INFORMATION
The Fund will provide the following statements and reports to keep you current
regarding the status of your investment account:
CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS Except for Automatic Investment Plan transactions,
after each transaction that affects the account balance
or account registration, you will receive a
confirmation statement. Participants in the Automatic
Investment Plan will receive quarterly confirmations of
all automatic transactions.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS All Shareholders will receive quarterly account
statements.
FINANCIAL REPORTS Financial reports are provided to shareholders at least
semiannually. Annual reports will include audited
financial statements. To reduce Fund expenses, one
copy of each report will be mailed to each taxpayer
identification number even though the investor may have
more than one account in the Fund.
If you need information on your account with the Fund or if you wish to submit
any applications, redemption requests, inquiries or notifications, you should
contact The Purisima Funds, P.O. Box _______, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 or call
1-800-_______. If you wish to send the information via overnight delivery, you
may send it to The Purisima Funds, 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Fund has a program under which you may establish an Individual Retirement
Account ("IRA") with the Fund and into which you may roll over funds from an
existing IRA. You may obtain additional information regarding establishing such
an account by calling the Fund at 1-800-_______.
The Fund may be used as investment vehicles for established defined contribution
plans, including simplified employee (including SAR-SEPs), 401(k), profit-
sharing and money purchase pension plans ("Retirement Plans"). For details
concerning Retirement Plans, please call 1-800-_______.
SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Service and Distribution Plan (the Plan) pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plan authorizes payments by the Fund in
connection with the distribution of its shares at an annual rate of 0.25% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
Payments may be made by the Fund under the Plan for the purpose of financing any
activity primarily intended to result in the sales of shares of the Fund as
determined by the trustees. Such activities include advertising, compensation
of the Fund's distributor, compensation for sales and sales marketing activities
of others, such as the Adviser, dealers, distributors or financial institutions,
shareholder account servicing, production and dissemination of prospectuses and
sales and marketing materials, and capital or other expenses of associated
equipment, rent, salaries, bonuses, interest and other overhead. To the extent
any activity is one which the Fund may finance without a Plan, the Fund may also
make payments to finance such activity outside of the Plan and not subject to
its limitations. The Adviser may also finance certain distribution activities
out of the Adviser's own resources. Payments under the Plan are not tied
exclusively to actual distribution and service expenses, and the payments may
exceed distribution and service expenses actually incurred.
TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code. In each taxable year that the Fund so
qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal
income tax on that part of its investment company taxable income and net capital
gain that is distributed to shareholders. If in any taxable year the Fund does
not qualify as regulated investment company, all its taxable income will be
taxable to the Fund at corporate rates and all its distributions will be taxable
to the shareholders as dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and
accumulated earnings and profits.
In years in which the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company,
dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable income (whether paid in
cash or reinvested in additional shares) are generally taxable to its
shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of the Fund's net capital gain,
when designated as such, are taxable to its shareholders as long-term capital
gain, regardless of how long they have held their Fund shares and whether such
distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares. The
Fund provides federal tax information to its shareholders annually, including
information about dividends and other distributions paid during the preceding
year.
The Fund will be required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of 31%
("backup withholding") from dividend payments and redemption and exchange
proceeds if you fail to complete the certification form included as part of the
Purchase Application at the back of this Prospectus.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal income tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. See "Taxes"
in the Statement of Additional Information for further discussion. There may be
other federal income tax considerations and state or local tax considerations
applicable to you as an investor. You therefore are urged to consult your tax
adviser regarding any tax-related issues.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The Trust is a business trust established under Delaware law. The Trust was
established under a Certificate of Trust dated as of June 25, 1996. The Trust's
shares of beneficial interest have no par value. Shares of the Trust may be
issued in two or more series or "funds" and each fund may have more than one
class of shares. The Fund is currently authorized to issue a single class of
shares, and the Fund is currently the Trust's only fund. The Fund's shares may
be issued in an unlimited number by the trustees of the Trust.
Shares issued by the Fund have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights.
Each whole share is entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is
entitled to vote and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate
fractional vote. Shareholders have equal and exclusive rights as to dividends
and distributions as declared by the Fund and to the net assets of the Fund upon
liquidation or dissolution. The Fund, as a separate series of the Trust, votes
separately on matters affecting only the Fund (e.g., approval of the Investment
Management Agreement). The Fund and all future series of the Trust will vote as
a single class on matters affecting all series of the Trust (e.g., election or
removal of trustees). Voting rights are not cumulative, so that the holders of
more than 50% of the shares voting in any election of trustees can, if they so
choose, elect all of the trustees of the Trust. While the Trust is not required
and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders, such meetings may
be called by trustees at their discretion, or upon demand by the holders of 10%
or more of the outstanding shares of the Trust for the purpose of electing or
removing trustees. Shareholders may receive assistance in communicating with
other shareholders in connection with the election or removal of trustees
pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser owned all of the outstanding
shares of the Fund. It is contemplated that the public offering of the shares
of the Fund will reduce the Adviser's holdings to less than 5% of the total
shares outstanding.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, CUSTODIAN AND
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202, has been retained to act as the Fund's Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent. Sunstone also serves as the Fund's Administrator. See
"Management - Administration." _______, which has its principal address
at _____________, has been retained to act as Custodian of the Fund's
investments. Neither the Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent nor the
Custodian has any part in deciding the Fund's investment policies or which
securities are to be purchased or sold for the Fund's portfolio.
______________, has been selected to serve as independent certified
public accountants of the Trust for the fiscal year ending August 30, 1997.
FUND PERFORMANCE
From time to time, the Fund may advertise its "average annual total return"
over various periods of time. An average annual total return refers to the rate
of return which, if applied to an initial investment at the beginning of a
stated period and compounded over the period, would result in the redeemable
value of the investment at the end of the stated period assuming reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions and reflecting the effect of all recurring fees.
An investor's principal in the Fund and the Fund's return are not guaranteed and
will fluctuate according to market conditions. When considering "average"
total return figures for periods longer than one year, you should note that the
Fund's annual total return for any one year in the period might have been
greater or less than the average for the entire period. The Fund also may use
"aggregate" total return figures for various periods, representing the
cumulative change in value of an investment in the Fund for a specific period
(again reflecting changes in the Fund's share price and assuming reinvestment of
dividends and distributions).
The Fund may quote the Fund's average annual total and/or aggregate total return
for various time periods in advertisements or communications to shareholders.
The Fund may also compare its performance to that of other mutual funds with
similar investment objectives and to stock and other relevant indices or to
rankings prepared by independent services or industry publications. For
example, the Fund's total return may be compared to data prepared by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Value Line Mutual Fund Survey and CDA
Investment Technologies, Inc. Total return data as reported in such national
financial publications as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times,
Investor's Business Daily, USA Today, Barron's, Money, and Forbes as well as in
publications of a local or regional nature, may be used in comparing the Fund's
performance.
The Fund's total return may also be compared to such indices as the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, NASDAQ
Composite OTC Index or NASDAQ Industrials Index, Consumer Price Index, Russell
2000 Index, Salomon Brothers High Grade Bond Index and the Morgan Stanley
Europe, Australia, Far East Index. Further information on performance
measurement may be found in the Statement of Additional Information.
Performance quotations of the Fund represent the Fund's past performance and
should not be considered as representative of future results. The investment
return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that
an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their
original cost. The methods used to compute the Fund's total return and yield
are described in more detail in the Statement of Additional Information.
PURISIMA TOTAL RETURN FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information dated September __, 1996, is meant
to be read in conjunction with the Purisima Total Return Fund Prospectus dated
September __, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") and is incorporated
by reference in its entirety into the Prospectus. Because this Statement of
Additional Information is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of
the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of
the Prospectus for the Fund may be obtained by writing _____________________.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meanings as in the
Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS..........................................
ADDITIONAL TRUST INFORMATION.....................................
Trustees and Officers.......................................
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities.........
Investment Adviser..........................................
Administrator...............................................
Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent.........
Legal Counsel ..............................................
Independent Accountants.....................................
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES...........................................
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE.............................
TAXES............................................................
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES............................................
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS...................................
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..........................................
OTHER INFORMATION................................................
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................
APPENDIX A (Description of Securities Ratings)...................
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR IN
THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE FUND IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING
MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
The investment objective of the Fund is to produce a high level of total
return. Because of the risks inherent in all investments, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will meet its objective. The Fund is not intended by
itself to constitute a balanced investment program.
The following information supplements the investment policies of the Fund
as set forth in the Prospectus. Unless specifically designated as a
"fundamental" policy (which may be changed only with the approval by a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940), all investment policies described below may be changed by the
Fund's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may invest in Treasury
securities which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury
Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally
have initial maturities of greater than ten years.
Obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Treasury (for example, Ginnie Mae Certificates); (b) the
right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury (such as obligations of the
Federal Home Loan Banks); (c) the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government
to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality (such as those
issued by Fannie Mae); and (d) only the credit of the agency or instrumentality
itself (such as those issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association). While
the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored
agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do
so because it is not so obligated.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Fund may invest in a variety of money market
instruments for temporary defensive purposes, pending investment in other types
of securities, to meet anticipated redemption requests and/or to retain the
flexibility to respond promptly to changes in market and economic conditions.
Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in
bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance
companies. Certificates of deposit are generally negotiable certificates issued
against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and
earning a specified return. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills
of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific
merchandise, which are "accepted" by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank
unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.
Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and
bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on
demand by the investor, but may also be subject to early withdrawal penalties
that vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the
obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a
beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is
no market for such deposits. Bank notes and bankers' acceptances rank junior to
deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured
obligations of the bank. Bank notes are classified as "other borrowings" on a
bank's balance sheet, while deposit notes and certificates of deposit are
classified as deposits. Bank notes are not insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other insurer. Deposit notes are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation only to the extent of $100,000 per
depositor per bank.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may agree to purchase portfolio securities
from financial institutions subject to the seller's agreement to repurchase them
at a mutually agreed upon date and price ("repurchase agreements"). Although
the securities subject to a repurchase agreement may bear maturities exceeding
one year, settlement for the repurchase agreement will never be more than one
year after the Fund's acquisition of the securities and normally will be within
a shorter period of time. Securities subject to repurchase agreements are held
either by the Fund's custodian or subcustodian (if any), or in the Federal
Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System. The seller under a repurchase agreement
will be required to maintain the value of the securities subject to the
agreement in an amount exceeding the repurchase price (including accrued
interest). Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller,
collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to
the ability of the seller to pay the agreed upon sum on the repurchase date; in
the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is
entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral
declines after the agreement is entered into, however, and if the seller
defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying
collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of
both principal and interest. The Adviser monitors the value of the collateral
at the time the agreement is entered into and at all times during the term of
the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that the value of the
collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid
to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy
proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed
or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase asset-backed securities,
which are securities backed by mortgages, installment contracts, credit card
receivables or other assets. Asset-backed securities represent interests in
"pools" of assets in which payments of both interest and principal on the
securities are made monthly, thus in effect "passing through" monthly payments
made by the individual borrowers on the assets that underlie the securities, net
of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities. The average life
of asset-backed securities varies with the maturities of the underlying
instruments, and the average life of a mortgage-backed instrument, in
particular, is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the
mortgage pools underlying the securities as a result of mortgage pre-payments.
For this and other reasons, an asset-backed security's stated maturity may be
shortened, and the security's total return may be difficult to predict
precisely. Asset-backed securities acquired by the Fund may include
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") issued by private companies.
The Fund may acquire several types of mortgage-backed securities, including
guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which provide the holder with a
pro rata interest in the underlying mortgages, and CMOs, which provide the
holder with a specified interest in the cash flow of a pool of underlying
mortgages. Issuers of CMOs ordinarily elect to be taxed as pass-through
entities known as real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs"). CMOs
are issued in multiple classes, each with a specified fixed or floating interest
rate and a final distribution date. The relative payment rights of the various
CMO classes may be structured in a variety of ways. The Fund will not purchase
"residual" CMO interests, which normally exhibit greater price volatility.
There are a number of important differences among the agencies and
instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue mortgage-related securities
and among the securities that they issue. Mortgage-related securities
guaranteed by the GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also
known as "Ginnie Maes"), which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of
principal and interest by GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA certificates also are
supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to
make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-backed securities issued by the
FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as
"Fannie Maes"), which are solely the obligations of the FNMA and are not
backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. FNMA is a
government-sponsored organization owned entirely by private stockholders.
Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by
FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by the FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage
Participation Certificates (also known as "Freddie Macs" or "PCs"). FHLMC is
a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of
Congress, which is owned entirely by Federal Home Loan Banks. Freddie Macs are
not guaranteed and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States
or any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely
payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either
ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the
underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of
principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of
ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying
mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
Non-mortgage asset-backed securities involve certain risks that are not
presented by mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities do not
have the benefit of the same security interest in the underlying collateral.
Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to
the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of
which have given debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit
cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Most issuers of automobile receivables
permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the
servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that
the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the
related automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of
vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state
laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have an
effective security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables.
Therefore, there is a possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may
not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these securities.
The yield characteristics of asset-backed securities differ from
traditional debt securities. A major difference is that the principal amount of
the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e.,
loans) generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if an asset-backed
security is purchased at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than
expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower
than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity.
Conversely, if an asset-backed security is purchased at a discount, faster than
expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will
decrease, yield to maturity. In calculating the average weighted maturity of
the Fund, the maturity of asset-backed securities will be based on estimates of
average life.
Prepayments on asset-backed securities generally increase with falling
interest rates and decrease with rising interest rates; furthermore, prepayment
rates are influenced by a variety of economic and social factors. In general,
the collateral supporting non-mortgage asset-backed securities is of shorter
maturity than mortgage loans and is less likely to experience substantial
prepayments. Like other fixed income securities, when interest rates rise the
value of an asset-backed security generally will decline; however, when interest
rates decline, the value of an asset-backed security with prepayment features
may not increase as much as that of other fixed income securities.
ZERO-COUPON, STEP-COUPON AND PAY-IN-KIND SECURITIES. The Fund may invest
in zero-coupon, step-coupon, and pay-in-kind securities. These securities are
debt securities that do not make regular interest payments. Zero-coupon and
step-coupon securities are sold at a deep discount to their face value. Pay-in-
kind securities pay interest through the issuance of additional securities.
Because such securities do not pay current income, the price of these securities
can be volatile when interest rates fluctuate. While these securities do not
pay current cash income, federal income tax law requires the holders of taxable
zero-coupon, step-coupon, and certain pay-in-kind securities to report as
interest each year the portion of the original issue discount (or deemed
discount) on such securities accruing that year. In order to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), the Fund may be required to distribute a portion of such
discount and may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities, which may
occur in periods of adverse market prices, in order to generate cash to meet
these distribution requirements.
YIELDS AND RATINGS. The yields on certain obligations, including the money
market instruments in which the Fund may invest, are dependent on a variety of
factors, including general economic conditions, conditions in the particular
market for the obligation, financial condition of the issuer, size of the
offering, maturity of the obligation and ratings of the issue. The ratings of
S&P, Moody's, and other rating agencies represent their respective opinions as
to the quality of the obligations they undertake to rate. Ratings, however, are
general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, obligations
with the same rating, maturity and interest rate may have different market
prices.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of within seven
days in the normal course of business at approximately the amount at which the
Fund has valued the securities). The Board of Trustees or its delegate has the
ultimate authority to determine which securities are liquid or illiquid for
purposes of this limitation. Certain securities exempt from registration or
issued in transactions exempt from registration ("restricted securities") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), that may be resold
pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act, may be
considered liquid. The Trustees have delegated to the Adviser the day-to-day
determination of the liquidity of a security, although it has retained oversight
and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Certain securities are
deemed illiquid by the Securities and Exchange Commission including repurchase
agreements maturing in greater than seven days and options not listed on a
securities exchange or not issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. These
securities will be treated as illiquid and subject to the Fund's limitation on
illiquid securities.
Restricted securities may be sold in privately negotiated or other exempt
transactions, qualified non-U.S. transactions, such as under Regulation S, or in
a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect
under the Securities Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be
obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable
time may elapse between the decision to sell and the sale date. If, during such
period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less
favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities
will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees.
If through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of
liquid securities, more than 15% of the value of the Fund's net assets are
invested in illiquid assets, including restricted securities which are not
readily marketable, the Fund will take such steps as it deems advisable, if any,
to reduce the percentage of such securities to 15% or less of the value of its
net assets.
WARRANTS. The Fund may purchase warrants and similar rights, which are
privileges issued by a corporation enabling the owners to subscribe to and
purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price
during a specific period of time. The purchase of warrants involves the risk
that the Fund could lose the purchase price of a warrant if the right to
subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrant's
expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants involves the risk that the effective
price paid for the warrant added to the subscription price of the related
security may exceed the value of the subscribed security's market price such as
when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security. The Fund
will not invest more than 5% of its net assets, taken at market value, in
warrants, or more than 2% of its net assets, taken at market value, in warrants
not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges or a major foreign
exchange. Warrants attached to other securities acquired by the Fund are not
subject to this restriction.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY
TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or
purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment (sometimes called delayed-
delivery) basis. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to
purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying
securities and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the
settlement date) are fixed when the transaction is negotiated. When-issued
purchases and forward commitment transactions are normally negotiated directly
with the other party. The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued basis
or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of
completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities.
If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may
dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after entering into it. The Fund also
may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are
delivered to the Fund on the settlement date.
When the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or
forward commitment basis, the Fund's custodian or subcustodian will maintain in
a segregated account cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade debt
obligations having a value (determined daily) at least equal to the amount of
the Fund's purchase commitments.
HEDGING STRATEGIES. The Fund may use various options transactions for the
purpose of hedging or earning additional income. There can be no assurance that
such efforts will succeed. The Fund may write (i.e. sell) call and put options,
and buy put or call options. These options may relate to particular securities
or stock or bond indexes and may or may not be listed on a securities exchange
and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. The Fund will
not purchase put and call options where the aggregate premiums on its
outstanding options exceed 5% of its net assets at the time of purchase, and
will not write options on more than 25% of the value of its net assets (measured
at the time an option is written).
Hedging instruments on securities generally are used to hedge against price
movements in one or more particular securities positions that the Fund owns or
intends to acquire. Hedging instruments on stock indices, in contrast,
generally are used to hedge against price movements in broad equity market
sectors in which the Fund has invested or expects to invest. The use of hedging
instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the several options exchanges upon which they are traded and various
state regulatory authorities. In addition, the Fund's ability to use hedging
instruments may be limited by tax considerations.
GENERAL. The Fund may purchase and write (i.e. sell) put and call options.
Such options may relate to particular securities or securities indices, and may
or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may
not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly
specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk.
Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on
a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater
fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option
the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying
security at the stated exercise price at any time (or, in some cases, on certain
specified dates) prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market
price of the security. A put option for a particular security gives the
purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any
time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price
of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for
undertaking the obligation under the option contract.
Securities index options are put options and call options on various
securities indexes. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on
common stocks or bonds. The primary difference between securities options and
index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of
securities options, the underlying security, is delivered. However, upon the
exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the
securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index
option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the securities index
upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less
than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of
cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the securities
index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a
specified multiple. A securities index fluctuates with changes in the market
value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index
options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or
the Value Line Composite Index, or a narrower market index, such as the Standard
& Poor's 100. Indexes may also be based on an industry or market segment, such
as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.
Options on securities indexes are currently traded on the following exchanges:
the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American
Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
The Fund's obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option
written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by
it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund's
execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on
an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument,
exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing
purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an
outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to
permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new
option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of
such a liquidation purchase plus transaction costs may be greater than the
premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have
incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer, unable
to effect a closing purchase transaction, will not be able to sell the
underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in the segregated account
until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise
with the result that the writer in such circumstances will be subject to the
risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.
If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a
loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale
transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the
premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium
paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by
the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a
closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a
closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is
sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale
will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will
realize a gain or loss.
CERTAIN RISKS REGARDING OPTIONS. There are a number of special risks
associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant
differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an
imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction to not
achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular
options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for
various reasons, including: there may be insufficient trading interest in
certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening
transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or
other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series
of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen
circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of
an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate
to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or
other reasons, decide or be compelled to discontinue the trading of options (or
a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be
exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to
the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of
the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting
changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund's ability
to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in
anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options
on stock indexes, depends on the degree to which price movements in the
underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by
the Fund. Because the Fund's securities will not duplicate the components of
an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund will bear
the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the
same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indexes. It is also
possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the
Fund's securities which would result in a loss on both such securities and the
options on securities indexes acquired by the Fund.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized
activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those
associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of
securities index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction
costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of
unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the securities
index on which the option is based.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange
will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some
options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund
is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before
the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned
securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such
securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with
respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to
exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction
costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
COVER FOR OPTIONS POSITIONS. Transactions using options (other than
options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another
party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either
(1) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (2)
cash, receivables and short-term debt securities with a value sufficient at all
times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (1) above.
The Fund will comply with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines
regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set
aside cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid, high-grade debt
securities in a segregated account with its Custodian in the prescribed amount.
Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover
transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.
Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while
the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with
similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's
assets to cover or in segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or
the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Fund intends to limit its investments in
securities issued by other investment companies so that, as determined
immediately after a purchase of such securities is made: (a) not more than 5%
of the value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of
any one investment company; (b) not more than 10% of the value of its total
assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies
as a group; and (c) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one
investment company will be owned by the Fund or by the Trust as a whole.
CALCULATION OF PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE. The portfolio turnover rate for
the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
investments for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the
portfolio investments owned during the reporting period. The calculation
excludes all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration dates
at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover may vary
greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be
affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which
enable the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. The Fund is not restricted
by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in its
investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as
well as market prices may dictate. It is anticipated the portfolio turnover
rate for the Fund will generally not exceed 150%. However, this should not be
considered as a limiting factor.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions consistent with its
investment objective. The following restrictions supplement those set forth in
the Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, whenever an investment restriction
states a maximum percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any
security or other asset, such percentage restriction will be determined
immediately after and as a result of the Fund's acquisition of such security or
other asset. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets, or other
circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment
complies with the Fund's investment limitations except with respect to the
Fund's restrictions on borrowings as set forth in fundamental restriction 7
below.
The Fund's fundamental restrictions cannot be changed without the approval
of the holders of the lesser of: (i) 67% of the Fund's shares present or
represented at a shareholders meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of
such shares are present or represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE FUND'S FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS.
The Fund may not:
1. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"); provided, however, the Fund may engage in
transactions involving options, futures and options on futures contracts.
2. Lend money or securities (except by purchasing debt securities or
entering into repurchase agreements or lending portfolio securities).
3. With respect to seventy-five percent (75%) of its total assets,
purchase (a) the securities of any issuer (except securities of the U.S.
government or any agency or instrumentality thereof), if such purchase would
cause more than five percent (5%) of the value of the Fund's total assets to be
invested in securities of any one issuer or (b) the securities of any issuer if
such purchase would cause the Fund to own more than ten percent (10%) of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.
4. Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, 25% or more of
the value of its total assets, determined at the time an investment is made,
exclusive of U.S. government securities, are in securities issued by companies
primarily engaged in the same industry.
5. Act as an underwriter or distributor of securities other than shares of
the Fund except to the extent that the Fund's participation as part of a group
in bidding or by bidding alone, for the purchase of permissible investments
directly from an issuer or selling shareholders for the Fund's own portfolio may
be deemed to be an underwriting, and except to the extent that the Fund may be
deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act by virtue of disposing of
portfolio securities.
6. Purchase or sell real estate (but this shall not prevent the Fund from
investing in securities that are backed by real estate or issued by companies
that invest or deal in real estate or in participation interests in pools of
real estate mortgage loans exclusive of investments in real estate limited
partnerships).
7. Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money from a bank for
temporary or emergency purposes (not for leveraging) in an amount not exceeding
33 1/3% of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
liabilities (other than borrowings). Any borrowings that exceed 33 1/3% of the
Fund's total assets by reason of a decline in net asset value will be reduced
within three days to the extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation.
Transactions involving options, futures and options on futures, will not be
deemed to be borrowings if properly covered by a segregated account where
appropriate.
8. Purchase or sell physical commodities or commodities contracts unless
acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this
shall not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving foreign
currencies, futures contracts, options on futures contracts or options, or from
investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS ARE NOT FUNDAMENTAL, AND MAY BE
CHANGED WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in excess of
5% of the Fund's net assets. Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of
net assets, are warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal
domestic or foreign exchanges. Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or
attached to securities are not subject to these restrictions.
2. Purchase securities of other investment companies except to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
3. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management of
any company except that the Fund or its agent may vote portfolio securities in
their discretion.
4. Invest in securities of issuers which have a record of less than three
(3) years continuous operation, including the operation of any predecessor
business of a company which came into existence as a result of a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of
such predecessor business, if such purchase would cause the value of the Fund's
investments in all such companies to exceed 10% of the value of its total
assets.
5. Acquire illiquid securities if, as a result of such investments, more
than fifteen percent (15%) of the Fund's net assets (taken at market value at
the time of each investment) would be invested in illiquid securities.
6. Purchase securities on margin (except to obtain such short-term credits
as are necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities) or
participate in a joint trading account; provided, however, the Fund may (i)
purchase or sell futures contracts and options thereon, (ii) make initial and
variation margin payments in connection with purchases or sales of futures
contracts or options on futures contracts, (iii) write or invest in put or call
options on securities and indexes, and (iv) engage in foreign currency
transactions. (The "bunching" of orders for the sale or purchase of marketable
portfolio securities with other accounts under the management of the Adviser to
save brokerage costs or average prices among them is not deemed to result in a
joint securities trading account.)
7. Borrow money except for temporary bank borrowings (not in excess of
five percent (5%) of the value of its total assets) for emergency or
extraordinary purposes, or engage in reverse repurchase agreements, or pledge
any of its assets except to secure borrowings and only to an extent not greater
than ten percent (10%) of the value of the Fund's net assets; provided, however,
the Fund may engage in transactions involving options. The Fund will not
purchase any security while borrowings representing more than 5% of its total
assets are outstanding.
8. Purchase any interest in any oil, gas or any other mineral exploration
or development program, including any oil, gas or mineral leases.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions listed
above so as to permit the sale of shares of the Fund in certain states. Should
the Fund determine that a commitment is no longer in the best interest of the
Fund and its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to revoke the commitment
by terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state involved.
In determining industry classification with respect to the Fund, the
Adviser intends to use the industry classification titles in the Standard
Industrial Classification Manual.
A guarantee of a security is not deemed to be a security issued by the
guarantor when the value of all securities issued and guaranteed by the
guarantor, and owned by the Fund, does not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's
total assets.
ADDITIONAL TRUST INFORMATION
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. Information regarding the Board of Trustees and
officers of the Trust, including their principal business occupations during at
least the last five years, is set forth below. Each Trustee who is an
"interested person" of the Trust or the Adviser as defined in the 1940 Act, is
indicated by an asterisk. Except where otherwise indicated, each of the
individuals below has served in his or her present capacity with the Trust since
July 1996. The address of each of the officers and Trustees is c/o The Purisima
Funds, 13100 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, CA 94062-4547.
*KENNETH L. FISHER, PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE
Mr. Fisher is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and majority
shareholder of the Adviser, and has served in such capacities since the
incorporation of the Adviser in 1986. Prior thereto, he was the founder of
Fisher Investments, a sole proprietorship which commenced operations in 1978.
The Trustees of the Trust who are officers of the Adviser receive no
remuneration from the Trust. Each of the other Trustees is paid a fee of $____
for each meeting attended and is reimbursed for the expenses of attending
meetings. The table below sets forth the estimated compensation of the Trustees
for the fiscal year ending August 30, 1997.
COMPENSATION TABLE
------------------
Pension or
Retirement Total
Benefits Estimated Compensation
Accrued As Annual from
Aggregate Part of Benefits Company
Compensation Company Upon Paid to
Name of Person from Company Expenses Retirement Directors
- -------------- ------------ -------- ---------- ---------
Kenneth L. Fisher $0 $0 $0 $0
CONTROL PERSON AND PRINCIPAL HOLDER OF SECURITIES. As of the date hereof,
_____________________ owned of record 100% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund and therefore controlled the Fund. Shareholders with a controlling interest
could effect the outcome of proxy voting or the direction of management of the
Trust. It is contemplated that the public offering of the shares of the Fund
will reduce __________'s holdings to less than 5% of the total shares
outstanding.
INVESTMENT ADVISER. The investment adviser to the Fund is Fisher
Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser"). Mr. Kenneth L. Fisher is the founder,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser and is a majority
shareholder of the Adviser. As such, he controls the Adviser.
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement entered into between the
Trust on behalf of the Fund and the Adviser (the "Investment Management
Agreement"), the Adviser determines the composition of the Fund's portfolio, the
nature and timing of the changes to the Fund's portfolio, and the manner of
implementing such changes. The Adviser also (a) provides the Fund with
investment advice, research and related services for the investment of its
assets, subject to such directions as it may receive from the Board of Trustees;
(b) pays all of the Trust's executive officers' salaries and executive expenses
(if any); (c) pays all expenses incurred in performing its investment advisory
duties under the Investment Management Agreement; and (d) furnishes the Fund
with office space and certain administrative services. The services of the
Adviser or any affiliate thereof are not deemed to be exclusive and the Adviser
or any affiliate thereof may provide similar services to other series of the
Trust, other investment companies and other clients, and may engage in other
activities. The Fund may reimburse the Adviser (on a cost recovery basis only)
for any services performed for the Fund by the Adviser outside its duties under
the Investment Management Agreement.
The Investment Management Agreement is dated as of September ___, 1996. The
Investment Management Agreement has an initial term of two years and thereafter
is required to be approved annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as defined in
the 1940 Act). Each annual renewal must also be approved by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Management
Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management
Agreement was approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to the Investment Management Agreement or interested persons of any such
party on September ___, 1996 and by the initial shareholder of the Fund on
September ___, 1996. The Investment Management Agreement is terminable without
penalty on 60-days' written notice by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities, or by the Adviser, and will terminate
automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
As compensation for its services, the Fund pays to the Adviser a monthly
advisory fee at the annual rate specified in the Prospectus. The organizational
expenses of the Fund were advanced by the Adviser and will be reimbursed by the
Fund over a period of not more than 60 months.
The Investment Management Agreement requires the Adviser to reimburse the
Fund in the event that the expenses and charges payable by the Fund in any
fiscal year, including the advisory fee but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage
commissions, and similar fees, exceed a percentage of the average net asset
value of the Fund for such year which is the most restrictive percentage
provided by the state laws of the various states in which the Fund's shares are
qualified for sale. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information,
the percentage applicable to the Fund is 2 1/2% on the first $30,000,000 of its
average net assets, 2% on the next $70,000,000 of its average net assets and 1
1/2% on net assets in excess of $100,000,000. Additionally, the Adviser
voluntarily agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent aggregate annual
operating expenses as described above exceeded 1.50% of the average daily net
assets of the Fund for its first fiscal year. The Adviser may voluntarily
continue to waive all or a portion of the advisory fees otherwise payable by the
Fund. Such a waiver may be terminated at any time in the Adviser's discretion.
Reimbursement of expenses in excess of the applicable limitation will be paid to
the Fund by reducing the Adviser's fee, subject to later adjustment. The Adviser
may from time to time voluntarily absorb expenses for the Fund in addition to
the reimbursement of expenses in excess of the foregoing.
The Investment Management Agreement permits the Adviser to seek
reimbursement of any reductions made to its management fee within the three-year
period following such reduction, subject to the Fund's ability to effect such
reimbursement and remain in compliance with applicable expense limitations. Any
such management fee reimbursement will be accounted for on the financial
statements of the Fund as a contingent liability of the Fund, and will appear as
a footnote to the Fund's financial statements until such time as it appears that
the Fund will be able to effect such reimbursement. At such time as it appears
probable that the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement, the amount of
reimbursement that the Fund is able to effect will be accrued as an expense of
the Fund for that current period.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be
liable to the Fund or its shareholders for any error of judgment or mistake of
law or for anything other than willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.
ADMINISTRATOR. Sunstone Financial Group, Inc. (the "Administrator" or
"Sunstone") provides various administrative and fund accounting services to
the Fund (which include compliance, regulatory, fund accounting and other
services) pursuant to an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement with the
Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement
will remain in effect for an initial one-year term ending September ___, 1997
and thereafter continue for successive annual periods unless earlier terminated.
The Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement may be terminated on not less
than 90-days' notice after the expiration of the initial term, without the
payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the
Administrator. Under the Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, the
Administrator is not liable for any loss suffered by the Fund or its
shareholders in connection with the performance of the Administration and Fund
Accounting Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator in the performance of
its duties. The Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement also provides that
the Administrator may provide similar services to others including other
investment companies.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT. _____________________
(the "Custodian") serves as the custodian and Sunstone serves as the transfer
and dividend paying agent for the Fund. Under the terms of the respective
agreements, the Custodian is responsible for the receipt and delivery of the
Fund's securities and cash, and Sunstone is responsible for processing purchase
and redemption requests for Fund shares as well as the recordkeeping of
ownership of the Fund's shares, payment of dividends as declared by the Trustees
and the issuance of confirmations of transactions and annual statements to
shareholders. The Custodian and Sunstone do not exercise any supervisory
functions over the management of the Trust or the Fund or the purchase and sale
of securities.
LEGAL COUNSEL. The validity of the shares offered by the Prospectus will be
passed on by Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, 333 Bush Street, San Francisco,
California 94104.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. ______________ are the independent accountants for
the Fund. They are responsible for performing an audit of the Fund's year-end
financial statements as well as providing accounting and tax advice to the
management of the Trust.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Sunstone serves as distributor of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution
Agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the "Distribution Agreement").
Shares may also be sold by authorized dealers who have entered into dealer
agreements with Sunstone or the Trust. The Distribution Agreement is dated as
of September ___, 1996. The Agreement has an initial term of one year and
thereafter is required to be approved annually by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act). Each annual renewal must also be approved by the vote
of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement
or interested persons of any such party, case in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement was approved by the vote
of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or interested
persons of any such party on September ___, 1996. The Agreement is terminable
without penalty on 60-days' written notice by the Trustees, by vote of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, or by Sunstone, and will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940
Act). For serving as distributor, and for providing certain distribution
services, Sunstone receives the fees described in the prospectus, plus
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The Distribution Agreement also
provides that Sunstone may provide similar services to others including other
investment companies.
As set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted a Service and
Distribution Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The
Plan authorizes payments by the Fund in connection with the distribution of its
shares at an annual rate, as determined from time to time by the Board of
Trustees, of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
On September ___, 1996, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a
majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the 12b-1 Plan
or in any agreement related to the 12b-1 Plan (the "Rule 12b-1 Trustees"),
adopted the 12b-1 Plan for the Fund. The initial shareholder of the Fund
approved the 12b-1 Plan as of __________ , 1996. The Plan was adopted in
anticipation that the Fund will benefit from the Plan through increased sales of
shares of the Fund, thereby reducing the Fund's expense ratio and providing an
asset size that allows the Adviser greater flexibility in management. The 12b-1
Plan provides that it shall continue in effect from year to year provided that a
majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Rule
12b-1 Trustees, vote annually to continue the 12b-1 Plan. The Plan may be
terminated at any time by a vote of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees of the Fund or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares. Any change in the Plan that would
materially increase the distribution expenses of the Fund provided for in the
Plan requires approval of the shareholders and the Board of Trustees, including
the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.
While the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who
are not interested persons of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of
the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust. The
Board of Trustees must review the amount and purposes of expenditures pursuant
to the Plan quarterly as reported to it by the officers of the Trust. All
distribution fees paid by the Fund under the 12b-1 Plan will be paid in
accordance with Article III, Section 26 of the Rules of Fair Practice of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., as such Section may change
from time to time.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is
primarily responsible for arranging the execution of the Fund's portfolio
transactions and the allocation of brokerage activities. In arranging such
transactions, the Adviser will seek to obtain best execution for the Fund,
taking into account such factors as price, size of order, difficulty of
execution, operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in
positioning a block of securities and research, market and statistical
information provided by such firm. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonable
competitive commission rates, the Fund will not necessarily always receive the
lowest commission available.
The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or group of brokers in
executing transactions in portfolio securities. Brokers who provide
supplemental research, market and statistical information to the Adviser may
receive orders for transactions by the Fund. The term "research, market and
statistical information" includes advice as to the value of securities, the
advisability of purchasing or selling securities, the availability of securities
or purchasers or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts. Information so received
will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed
by the Adviser under the Investment Management Agreement and the expenses of the
Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such
supplemental information. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in
providing services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information
may be used by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such
information provided to the Adviser by brokers and dealers through whom other
clients of the Adviser in the future may effect securities transactions may be
useful to the Adviser in providing services to the Fund. To the extent the
Adviser receives valuable research, market and statistical information from a
broker-dealer, the Adviser intends to direct orders for Fund transactions to
that broker-dealer, subject to the foregoing policies, regulatory constraints,
and the ability of that broker-dealer to provide competitive prices and
commission rates. In accordance with the rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., the Fund may also direct brokerage to broker-dealers
who facilitate sales of the Fund's shares, subject to also obtaining best
execution as described above from such broker-dealer.
A portion of the securities in which the Fund may invest are traded in the
over-the-counter markets, and the Fund intends to deal directly with the dealers
who make markets in the securities involved, except as limited by applicable law
and in certain circumstances where better prices and execution are available
elsewhere. Securities traded through market makers may include markups or
markdowns, which are generally not determinable. Under the 1940 Act, persons
affiliated with the Fund are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal
in the purchase and sale of securities except after application for and receipt
of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 1940 Act
restricts transactions involving the Fund and its "affiliates," including,
among others, the Trust's Trustees, officers, and employees and the Adviser, and
any affiliates of such affiliates. Affiliated persons of the Fund are permitted
to serve as its broker in over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency
basis only.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
accounts advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. However, the same security
may be held in the portfolios of more than one account. When two or more
accounts advised by the Adviser simultaneously engage in the purchase or sale of
the same security, the prices and amounts will be equitably allocated among each
account. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price or
quantity of the security available to a particular account. In other cases,
however, an account's ability to participate in large volume transactions may
produce better executions and prices.
TAXES
GENERAL
The Fund intends to qualify for treatment, and elect to be treated as a
regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Code. In order
to do so, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at
least 90% of its investment company taxable income (consisting generally of net
investment income, net short-term capital gain and net gains from certain
foreign currency transactions) and must meet several additional requirements:
(1) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from
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, futures or forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies; (2) the
Fund must derive less than 30% of its gross income each taxable year from the
sale or other disposition of securities, or any of the following, that were held
for less than three months - options, futures or forward contracts (other than
those on foreign currencies), or foreign currencies (or options, futures or
forward contracts thereon) that are not directly related to the Fund's principal
business of investing in securities (or options and futures with respect to
securities); (3) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at
least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash
items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other
RICs, and other securities, with these other securities limited, with respect to
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; and (4) at the close of each quarter of the
Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be
invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities
of other RICs) of any one issuer.
Dividends and other distributions declared by the Fund in, and payable to
shareholders of record as of a date in, October, November or December of any
year will be deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by the
shareholders on December 31 of that year if the distributions are paid by the
Fund during the following January. Accordingly, those distributions will be
taxed to shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers, forward contracts and
options. These investments involve complex rules to determine the character and
timing of recognition of income received in connection therewith by the Fund.
Any gain or loss realized by the Fund upon the expiration or sale of
options held by it generally will be capital gain or loss. Expiration of a call
option written by the Fund will result in short-term capital gain. Any
security, option, or other position entered into or held by the Fund that
substantially diminishes its risk of loss from any other position held by the
Fund may constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes. In general,
straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and
timing of the Fund's gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by
requiring, among other things, that the loss realized on disposition of one
position of a straddle be deferred until gain is realized on disposition of the
offsetting position; the Fund's holding period in certain straddle positions not
begin until the straddle is terminated (possibly resulting in the gain being
treated as short-term capital gain rather than long-term capital gain); and that
losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions, which would
otherwise constitute short-term capital losses, be treated as long-term capital
losses. Different elections are available to the Fund that may mitigate the
effects of the straddle rules.
Certain options (including options on a broad-based index, such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 index) and forward contracts that are subject to Section
1256 of the Code ("Section 1256 Contracts") and that are held by the Fund at
the end of its taxable year generally will be required to be "marked to
market" for federal income tax purposes, that is, deemed to have been sold at
market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these deemed
sales and 60% of any net gain or loss realized from any actual sales of Section
1256 Contracts will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the
balance will be treated as short-term gain or loss.
Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain
foreign currency transactions that may affect the amount, timing and character
of income, gain or loss recognized by the Fund. Under these rules, foreign
exchange gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency-denominated
payables and receivables and foreign currency options and futures contracts
(other than options and futures contracts that are governed by the mark-to-
market and 60/40 rules of Section 1256 of the Code and for which no election is
made) is treated as ordinary income or loss. Some part of the Fund's gain or
loss on the sale or other disposition of shares of a foreign corporation may,
because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, be treated as ordinary
income or loss under Section 988 of the Code, rather than capital gain or loss.
A portion of the dividends from the Fund's investment company taxable
income (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares) may be
eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations. The
eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends received by the Fund
from U.S. corporations. However, that portion of dividends received by a
corporate shareholder and deducted by it pursuant to the dividends-received
deduction is subject to the alternative minimum tax. In addition, availability
of the deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt-financing
limitations.
If shares of the Fund are sold at a loss after being held for six months or
less, the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss
to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares. All
or a portion of a loss realized upon the sale or redemption of shares of the
Fund may be disallowed to the extent shares of the Fund are purchased (including
shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after
such redemption. Investors also should be aware that if shares are purchased
shortly before the record date for any distribution, the shareholder will pay
full price for the shares and receive some portion of the price back as a
taxable dividend or capital gain distribution.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on net income to
the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially
all of its ordinary income for that year and capital gain net income for the
one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts.
FOREIGN TAXES
Dividends and interest received by the Fund may be subject to income,
withholding, or other taxes imposed by foreign countries that would reduce the
yield on the Fund's portfolio securities. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes,
however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains in
respect of investments by foreign investors. If more than 50% of the value of
the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities
of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to, and may, file an election
with the Internal Revenue Service that will enable its shareholders, in effect,
to receive the benefit of the foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign
income taxes paid by it. Pursuant to the election, the Fund will treat those
taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders and each shareholder will be
required to (1) include in gross income, and treat as paid by him or her, his or
her proportionate share of those taxes, (2) treat his or her share of those
taxes and of any dividend paid by the Fund that represents income from foreign
sources as his or her own income from those sources, and (3) either deduct the
taxes deemed paid by him or her in computing his taxable income or,
alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax
credit against his or her federal income tax. The Fund will report to its
shareholders shortly after each taxable year their respective shares of the
Fund's income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries if it
makes this election.
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES
If the Fund acquires stock in certain non-U.S. corporations that receive at
least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as sources
that produce interest, dividends, rental, royalty or capital gain income) or
hold at least 50% of their assets in such passive sources ("passive foreign
investment companies"), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and
additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from such
companies or gains from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income
or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders.
The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or
deduction for such tax. In some cases, elections may be available that would
ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections would require the
Fund to include certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution
requirements described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash and could
result in the conversion of capital gain to ordinary income. The Fund may limit
its investments in passive foreign investment companies or dispose of such
investments if potential adverse tax consequences are deemed material in
particular situations. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign
issuer as a passive foreign investment company in advance of making the
investment, the Fund may incur the tax in some instances.
NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS
Distributions of net investment income by the Fund to a shareholder who, as
to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, nonresident alien
fiduciary of a trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership
("foreign shareholder") will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%
(or lower treaty rate). Withholding will not apply if a dividend paid by the
Fund to a foreign shareholder is "effectively connected with the conduct of a
U.S. trade or business" and the foreign shareholder provides the Fund with the
certification required by the IRS to that effect, in which case the reporting
and withholding requirements applicable to domestic taxpayers will apply.
Distributions of net capital gain to a foreign shareholder generally are not
subject to withholding.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of certain U.S. federal
income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is based
on current provisions of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations, which are
subject to change (possibly on a retroactive basis). Investors are urged to
consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information and for information
regarding any foreign, state and local taxes applicable to distributions
received from the Fund.
The foregoing discussion and the related discussion in the Prospectus has
been prepared by the management of the Fund, and does not purport to be a
complete description of all tax implications of an investment in the Fund.
Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe, legal counsel to the Fund, has expressed no
opinion in respect thereof. Shareholders should consult their own advisers
concerning the application of federal, state and local tax to their particular
situations.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees to issue an unlimited
number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of one or more
separate series or classes representing interests in different investment
portfolios. The Trust may hereafter create series in addition to the Fund.
Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, each share of the Fund has a par value
of $0.01, represents a proportionate interest in the Fund with each other share
of its class and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the
income belonging to the Fund as are declared by the Trustees. Upon any
liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share in the net assets of
the Fund available for distribution. Shares do not have any preemptive or
conversion rights. The right of redemption is described in the Prospectus.
Pursuant to the terms of the 1940 Act, the right of a shareholder to redeem
shares and the date of payment by the Fund may be suspended for more than seven
days (a) for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed,
other than the customary weekends or holidays, or trading in the markets the
Fund normally utilizes is closed or is restricted as determined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) during any emergency, as determined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of instruments owned by it or
fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (c) for such other period as
the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of
the shareholders of the Fund. The Trust may also suspend or postpone the
recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the
foregoing conditions. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to adopt, by
action of the Trustees, a policy pursuant to which it may, without shareholder
approval, redeem all of a shareholder's shares (a) if such shares have an
aggregate value below a designated amount, (b) to the extent that such
shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding
Shares determined from time to time by the Trustees; (c) to the extent that such
shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage, determined from
time to time by the Trustees, of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or (d) if
the Trustees determine that it is not practical, efficient or advisable to
continue the operation of the Fund and that any applicable requirements of the
1940 Act have been met. Shares when issued as described in the Prospectus are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
In the event additional funds are created, the proceeds received by each
fund for each issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income,
realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of
creditors, will be specifically allocated to and constitute the underlying
assets of that fund. The underlying assets of each fund will be segregated on
the books of accounts, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect to
that fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses
with respect to the portfolios of the Trust will normally be allocated in
proportion to the net asset value of the respective portfolios except where
allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required by the
provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to be
submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment
company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted
upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each investment portfolio affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides
that an investment portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless
the interest of each investment portfolio in the matter are substantially
identical or the matter does not affect any interest of the investment
portfolio. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a
distribution plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or any change in a
fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to an
investment portfolio only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of
such investment portfolio. However, Rule 18f-2 also provides that the
ratification of the appointment of independent accountants, the approval of the
principal underwriting contracts and the election of Trustees may be effectively
acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting together in the aggregate without
regard to a particular investment portfolio.
The term "majority of the outstanding shares" of either the Trust or a
particular fund or investment portfolio means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67%
or more of the shares of the Trust or such fund or portfolio present at a
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust
or such fund or portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or such fund or portfolio.
As a general matter, the Trust does not hold annual or other meetings of
shareholders. This is because the Trust Agreement provides for shareholders
voting only for the election or removal of one or more Trustees, if a meeting is
called for that purpose, and for certain other designated matters. Each Trustee
serves until the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of
considering the election or reelection of such Trustee or of a successor to such
Trustee, and until the election and qualification of his successor, if any,
elected at such meeting, or until such Trustee sooner dies, resigns, retires or
is removed by the holders of two-thirds of the shares.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of the Trust are not generally personally
liable for obligations of the Trust. The Delaware Business Trust Act provides
that a shareholder of a Delaware business trust shall be entitled to the same
limitation of liability extended to shareholders of private for-profit
corporations. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting
business trust shareholder liability exists in many states. As a result, to the
extent that a Delaware business trust or a shareholder is subject to the
jurisdiction of courts in such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware
law and may thereby subject the Trust's shareholders to liability. To guard
against this risk, the Trust Agreement (i) contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and will require that
notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation and instrument
entered into or executed by the Trust or its Trustees and (ii) provides for
indemnification out of the property of the Trust of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a Trust
shareholder incurring financial loss beyond his or her investment because of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which all of the following
factors are present: (1) a court refused to apply Delaware law; (2) the
liability arose under tort law or, if not, no contractual limitation of
liability was in effect; and (3) the Trust itself would be unable to meet its
obligations.
The Trust Agreement provides that each Trustee of the Trust will be liable
for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustees
("disabling conduct"), and for nothing else, and will not be liable for errors
of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trust Agreement provides further
that the Trust will indemnify Trustees and officers of the Trust against
liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation and other
proceedings in which they may be involved (or with which they may be threatened)
by reason of their positions with the Trust, except that no Trustee or officer
will be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to
which he would otherwise be subject by reason of disabling conduct.
The Trust Agreement provides that each shareholder, by virtue of becoming
such, will be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of the
Trust Agreement and to have become a party thereto.
The Trust Agreement also contains procedures for the removal of Trustees by
its shareholders. At any meeting of shareholders, duly called and at which a
quorum is present, the shareholders may, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, remove any Trustee or
Trustees from office and may elect a successor or successors to fill any
resulting vacancies for unexpired terms of removed Trustees.
Upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to not less than
ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, the
Secretary of the Trust shall promptly call a special meeting of shareholders for
the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee. Whenever ten
or more shareholders of record who have been such for at least six months
preceding the date of application, and who hold in the aggregate either shares
having a net asset value of at least $25,000 or at least one percent (1%) of the
total outstanding shares, whichever is less, shall apply to the Trust's
Secretary in writing, stating that they wish to communicate with other
shareholders with a view to obtaining signatures to submit a request for a
meeting as described above and accompanied by a form of communication and
request which they wish to transmit, the Secretary shall within five business
days after such application either: (1) afford to such applicants access to a
list of the names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on the books of
the Trust; or (2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of
shareholders of record and the approximate cost of mailing to them the proposed
communication and form of request.
If the Secretary elects to follow the course specified in clause (2) of the
last sentence of the preceding paragraph, the Secretary, upon the written
request of such applicants, accompanied by a tender of the material to be mailed
and of the reasonable expenses of mailing, shall, with reasonable promptness,
mail such material to all shareholders of record at their addresses as recorded
on the books unless within five business days after such tender the Secretary
shall mail to such applicants and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written
statement signed by at least a majority of the Board of Trustees to the effect
that in their opinion either such material contains untrue statements of fact or
omits to state facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not
misleading, or would be in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis
of such opinion.
After opportunity for hearing upon the objections specified in the written
statement so filed, the Securities and Exchange Commission may, and if demanded
by the Board of Trustees or by such applicants shall, enter an order either
sustaining one or more of such objections or refusing to sustain any of them.
If the Securities and Exchange Commission shall enter an order refusing to
sustain any of such objections, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining
one or more of such objections, the Securities and Exchange Commission shall
find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained
have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Secretary shall mail
copies of such material of all shareholders with reasonable promptness after the
entry of such order and the renewal of such tender.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Individuals who receive compensation or earned income, even if they are
active participants in a qualified retirement plan (or certain similar
retirement plans), may establish their own tax-sheltered Individual Retirement
Account ("IRA"). The Fund offers a prototype IRA plan which may be adopted by
individuals for rollovers from existing IRAs or retirement plans. Because of
the applicable $25,000 minimum purchase amount to establish an account with the
Fund, the Fund's prototype IRA may only be used to rollover proceeds from an
existing IRA or retirement plan. There is currently no charge for establishing
an IRA account, although there is an annual maintenance fee. Earnings on amounts
held in an IRA are not taxed until withdrawal.
A description of applicable service fees and certain limitations on
contributions and withdrawals, as well as application forms, are available from
the transfer agent upon request at 1-800-_______. The IRA documents contain
a disclosure statement which the Internal Revenue Service requires to be
furnished to individuals who are considering adopting an IRA. Because a
retirement program involves commitments covering future years, it is important
that the investment objective of the Fund be consistent with the participant's
retirement objectives. Premature withdrawals from a retirement plan will result
in adverse tax consequences. Consultation with a competent financial and tax
adviser regarding the foregoing retirement plans is recommended.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund may from time to time advertise performance data such as "average
annual total return" and "total return." To facilitate the comparability of
historical performance data from one mutual fund to another, the SEC has
developed guidelines for the calculation of average annual total return.
The average annual total return for the Fund for a specific period is found
by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment ("initial investment") in the
Fund's shares on the first day of the period and computing the "redeemable
value" of that investment at the end of the period. The redeemable value is
then divided by the initial investment, and this quotient is taken to the Nth
root (N representing the number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from
the result, which is then expressed as a percentage. The calculation assumes
that all income and capital gains dividends paid by the Fund have been
reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. This
calculation can be expressed as follows:
P(1 + T)N = ERV
Where: T= average annual total return.
ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the period covered by the
computation of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning
of the period.
P = hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
N = period covered by the computation, expressed in terms of years.
Total return performance for a specific period is calculated by first
taking an investment ("initial investment") in the Fund's shares on the first
day of the period and computing the "ending value" of that investment at the end
of the period. The total return percentage is then determined by subtracting
the initial investment from the ending value and dividing the remainder by the
initial investment and expressing the result as a percentage. The calculation
assumes that all income and capital gains dividends paid by the Fund have been
reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.
Total return may also be shown as the increased dollar value of the investment
over the period or as a cumulative total return which represents the change in
value of an investment over a stated period and may be quoted as a percentage or
as a dollar amount.
The calculations of average annual total return and aggregate total return
assume the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions on the
reinvestment dates during the period. The ending redeemable value is determined
by assuming complete redemption of the hypothetical investment and the deduction
of all nonrecurring charges at the end of the period covered by the
computations.
The Fund's performance figures will be based upon historical results and
will not necessarily be indicative of future performance. The Fund's returns
and net asset value will fluctuate and the net asset value of shares when sold
may be more or less than their original cost. Any additional fees charged by a
dealer or other financial services firm would reduce the returns described in
this section.
From time to time, in marketing and other literature, the Fund's
performance may be compared to the performance of other mutual funds in general
or to the performance of particular types of mutual funds with similar
investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations. Among these
organizations, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), a widely used
independent research firm which ranks mutual funds by overall performance,
investment objective and assets, may be cited. Lipper performance figures are
based on changes in net asset value, with all income and capital gains dividends
reinvested. Such calculations do not include the effect of any sales charges
imposed by other funds. The Fund will be compared to Lipper's appropriate fund
category, that is, by fund objective and portfolio holdings.
The Fund's performance may also be compared to the performance of other
mutual funds by Morningstar, Inc., which ranks funds on the basis of historical
risk and total return. Morningstar's rankings range from five stars (highest)
to one star (lowest) and represent Morningstar's assessment of the historical
risk level and total return of a fund as a weighted average for 3, 5, and 10
year periods. Rankings are not absolute or necessarily predictive of future
performance.
Evaluations of Fund performance made by independent sources may also be
used in advertisements concerning the Fund, including reprints of or selections
from editorials or articles about the Fund. Sources for Fund performance and
articles about the Fund may include publications such as Money, Forbes,
Kiplinger's, Financial World, Business Week, U.S. News and World Report, the
Wall Street Journal, Barron's and a variety of investment newsletters.
The Fund may compare its performance to a wide variety of indices and
measures of inflation including the Standard & Poor's Index of 500 Stocks and
the NASDAQ Over-the-Counter Composite Index. There are differences and
similarities between the investments that the Fund may purchase for its
portfolios and the investments measured by these indices.
Occasionally statistics may be used to specify the Fund's volatility or
risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare the Fund's
net asset value or performance relative to a market index. One measure of
volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a fund relative to the total
market as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. A beta of more
than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market, and a beta of less than
1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility
or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure
variability of net asset value or total return around an average, over a
specified period of time. The premise is that greater volatility connotes
greater risk undertaken in achieving performance.
Marketing and other Trust literature may include a description of the
potential risks and rewards associated with an investment in the Fund. The
description may include a "risk/return spectrum" which compares the Fund to
other funds or broad categories of funds, such as money market, bond or equity
funds, in terms of potential risks and returns. Risk/return spectrums also may
depict funds that invest in both domestic and foreign securities or a
combination of bond and equity securities. Money market funds are designed to
maintain a constant $1.00 share price and have a fluctuating yield. Share
price, yield and total return of a bond fund will fluctuate. The share price
and return of an equity fund also will fluctuate. The description may also
compare a fund to bank products, such as certificates of deposit. Unlike mutual
funds, certificates of deposit are insured up to $100,000 by the U.S. government
and offer a fixed rate of return.
The Fund may include discussions or illustrations of the potential
investment goals of a prospective investor, investment management techniques,
policies or investment suitability of the Fund, economic conditions, the effects
of inflation and historical performance of various asset classes, including but
not limited to, stocks, bonds and Treasury bills. From time to time
advertisements or communications to investors may summarize the substance of
information contained in shareholder reports (including the investment
composition of the Fund), as well as the views of the Adviser as to current
market, economic, trade and interest rate investment strategies and related
matters believed to be of relevance to the Fund. In addition, advertisements or
shareholder communications may include a discussion of certain attributes or
benefits to be derived by an investment in the Fund. Such advertisements or
communications may include symbols, headlines or other material which highlight
or summarize the information discussed in more detail.
OTHER INFORMATION
As set forth in the Prospectus, the net asset value of the Fund will be
determined as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading. The New York Stock Exchange is open for trading Monday
through Friday except New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Additionally, if any of the aforementioned holidays falls on a Saturday, the New
York Stock Exchange will not be open for trading on the preceding Friday, and
when any such holiday falls on a Sunday, the New York Stock Exchange will not be
open for trading on the following Monday unless unusual business conditions
exist, such as the ending of a monthly or the yearly accounting period.
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of the Northern Money Market
Fund as provided in the Prospectus. Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., the Fund's
administrator, distributor and transfer agent, receives a service fee from the
Northern Money Market Fund at the annual rate of 0.25 of 1% of the average daily
net asset value of the shares of the Fund exchanged into the Northern Money
Market Fund.
The Automatic Investing Plan permits an investor to use "Dollar Cost
Averaging" in making investments. Instead of trying to time market
performance, a fixed dollar amount is invested in shares of the Fund at
predetermined intervals. This may help investors reduce their average cost per
share because the agreed upon fixed investment amount allows more shares to be
purchased during periods of lower share prices and fewer shares during periods
of higher share prices. In order to be effective, Dollar Cost Averaging should
usually be followed on a sustained, consistent basis. Investors should be
aware, however, that shares bought using Dollar Cost Averaging are purchased
without regard to their price on the day of investment or to market trends.
Dollar Cost Averaging does not assure a profit and does not protect against
losses in a declining market. In addition, while investors may find Dollar Cost
Averaging to be beneficial, it will not prevent a loss if an investor ultimately
redeems his shares at a price which is lower than their purchase price. An
investor may want to consider his or her financial ability to continue purchases
through periods of low price levels.
It is possible that conditions may exist in the future which would, in the
opinion of the Board of Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for
redemptions in cash. In such cases the Board may authorize payment to be made
in portfolio securities of the Fund. However, the Fund has obligated itself
under the 1940 Act to redeem for cash all shares presented for redemption by any
one shareholder up to $250,000 (or 1% of the Fund's net assets if that is less)
in any 90-day period. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions are valued
at the same value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share.
Shareholders receiving such securities generally will incur brokerage costs when
selling such securities.
Payment for shares of the Fund may, in the discretion of the Adviser, be
made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Fund as
described in the Prospectus. For further information about this form of
payment, contact the Transfer Agent. In connection with an in-kind securities
payment, the Fund will require, among other things, that the securities be
valued on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing methods used by the
Fund and that the Fund receive satisfactory assurances that it will have good
and marketable title to the securities received by it; that the securities be in
proper form for transfer to the Fund; and that adequate information be provided
concerning certain tax matters relating to the securities. Payment for shares
of the Fund in the form of securities will generally be treated as a taxable
sale of such securities by the shareholder. In addition, so long as shares in
the Fund are offered or sold in Texas, any securities that are accepted as
payment for the shares of the Fund will be limited to securities that are issued
in transactions that involve a bona fide reorganization or statutory merger, or
will be limited to other acquisitions of portfolio securities that: (a) meet
the investment objective and policies of the Fund; (b) are acquired for
investment and not for resale; (c) are liquid securities that are not restricted
as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market; and (d) have a value that
is readily ascertainable (and not established only by valuation procedures) as
evidenced by a listing on the American Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange
or NASDAQ or as evidenced by their status as U.S. Government Securities, bank
certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances, corporate and other debt
securities that are actively traded, money market securities and other like
securities with a readily ascertainable value.
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain
all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered by the Fund's Prospectus. Certain portions of the
Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectus and this Statement
of Additional Information, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Registration Statement including the
exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the Securities and
Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this Statement of Additional
Information as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to
are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy
of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information
form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statement has been audited and is attached hereto:
1. Report of Independent Accountants.
2. Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September __, 1996.
3. Notes to Financial Statement.
APPENDIX A
Commercial Paper Ratings
- -------------------------
A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard &
Poor's for commercial paper in which the Fund may invest:
"A-1" - Issue's degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong.
Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are
denoted "A-1+."
"A-2" - Issue's capacity for timely payment is satisfactory. However,
the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1."
Moody's commercial paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of 9 months. The following summarizes the rating categories used by
Moody's for commercial paper in which the Funds may invest:
"Prime-1" - Issuer or related supporting institutions are considered to
have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following
capacities: leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates
of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structures with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earning
coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-
established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity.
"Prime-2" - Issuer or related supporting institutions are considered to
have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This
will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate,
may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is
maintained.
The three rating categories of Duff & Phelps for investment grade
commercial paper are "Duff 1," "Duff 2" and "Duff 3." Duff & Phelps
employs three designations, "Duff 1+," "Duff 1" and "Duff 1-," within the
highest rating category. The following summarizes the rating categories used by
Duff & Phelps for commercial paper in which the Fund may invest:
"Duff 1+" - Debt possesses highest certainty of timely payment. Short-
term liquidity, including internal operating factors and/or access to
alternative sources of funds, is outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free
U.S. Treasury short-term obligations.
"Duff 1" - Debt possesses very high certainty of timely payment.
Liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection
factors. Risk factors are minor.
"Duff 1-" - Debt possesses high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity
factors are strong and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk
factors are very small.
"Duff 2" - Debt possesses good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity
factors and company fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding need may
enlarge total financing requirements, access to capital markets is good.
Fitch short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on
demand or have original maturities of up to three years. The highest rating
category of Fitch for short-term obligations is "F-1." Fitch employs two
designations, "F-1+" and "F-1," within the highest category. The following
summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations in
which the Funds may invest:
"F-1+" - Securities possess exceptionally strong credit quality. Issues
assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance
for timely payment.
"F-1" - Securities possess very strong credit quality. Issues assigned
this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree
than issues rated "F-1+."
Fitch may also use the symbol "LOC" with its short-term ratings to indicate
that the rating is based upon a letter of credit issued by a commercial bank.
Thomson BankWatch short-term ratings assess the likelihood of an untimely
or incomplete payment of principal or interest of unsubordinated instruments
having a maturity of one year or less which are issued by a bank holding company
or an entity within the holding company structure. The following summarizes the
ratings used by Thomson BankWatch in which the Fund may invest:
"TBW-1" - This designation represents Thomson BankWatch's highest rating
category and indicates a very high degree of likelihood that principal and
interest will be paid on a timely basis.
"TBW-2" - this designation indicates that while the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of principal and interest is strong, the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues rated "TBW-1."
IBCA assesses the investment quality of unsecured debt with an original
maturity of less than one year which is issued by bank holding companies and
their principal bank subsidiaries. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by IBCA for short-term debt ratings in which the Fund may
invest:
"A1" - Obligations are supported by the highest capacity for timely
repayment. Where issues possess a particularly strong credit feature, a rating
of A1+ is assigned.
"A2" - Obligations are supported by a good capacity for timely repayment.
Corporate Long-Term Investment Grade Debt Ratings
- -------------------------------------------------
STANDARD & POOR'S INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's corporate or municipal debt rating is a current
assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific
obligation. This assessment may take into consideration obligors such as
guarantors, insurers, or lessees. The debt rating is not a recommendation to
purchase, sell, or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market
price or suitability for a particular investor.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform
an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited
financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or for other
circumstances.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of default - capacity and willingness of the obligor
as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
with the terms of the obligation.
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation.
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation
in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws
of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
AAA - Debt rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA - Debt rated 'AA' has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
A - Debt rated 'A' has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated
categories.
BBB - Debt rated 'BBB' is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
MOODY'S LONG-TERM INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT RATINGS
Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be
present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. INVESTMENT GRADE BOND RATINGS
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determing the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of
a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength and credit quality.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by
insurance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily
identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small
differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security.
Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any
security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature of taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other
obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be
reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such
information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
AAA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very
strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated 'AAA.' Because bonds rated
in the 'AAA' and 'AA' categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short-term debt of the issuers is generally rated 'F-1+.'
A Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these
bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher
ratings.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength.
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily
identical credit quality since the rating categories cannot fully reflect the
differences in the degrees of credit risk. Moreover, the character of the risk
factor varies from industry to industry and between corporate, health care and
municipal obligations.
DUFF & PHELPS, INC. LONG-TERM INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT RATINGS
These ratings represent a summary opinion of the issuer's long-term
fundamental quality. Rating determination is based on qualitative and
quantitative factors which may vary according to the basic economic and
financial characteristics of each industry and each issuer. Important
considerations are vulnerability to economic cycles as well as risks related to
such factors as competition, government action, regulation, technological
obsolescence, demand shifts, cost structure, and management depth and expertise.
The projected viability of the obligor at the trough of the cycle is a critical
determination.
Each rating also takes into account the legal form of the security (e.g.,
first mortgage bonds, subordinated debt, preferred stock, etc.). The extent of
rating dispersion among the various classes of securities is determined by
several factors including relative weightings of the different security classes
in the capital structure, the overall credit strength of the issuer, and the
nature of covenant protection. Review of indenture restrictions is important to
the analysis of a company's operating and financial constraints.
The Credit Rating Committee formally reviews all ratings once per quarter
(more frequently, if necessary). Ratings of 'BBB-' and higher fall within the
definition of investment grade securities, as defined by bank and insurance
supervisory authorities.
RATING SCALE DEFINITION
- ------------ ----------
AAA Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being
only slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+ High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk
AA is modest, but may vary slightly from time to time because
AA- of economic conditions.
A+ Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk
A factors are more variable and greater in periods of economic
A- areas.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
A. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ALL INCLUDED IN PART B) <F6> :
Report of Independent Accountants.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September___, 1996.
Notes to Financial Statement.
B. EXHIBITS
1.1 Certificate of Trust
1.2 Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
2. Registrant's By-Laws.
3. None.
4. None.
5. Investment Management Agreement by and between Registrant on
behalf of the Fund and Fisher Investments, Inc.
6. Distribution Agreement by and between Registrant and Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc.
7. None.
<F6> 8. Custodian Agreement by and between Registrant and_______.
9.1 Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement by and between
Registrant and Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
9.2 Transfer Agency Agreement by and between Registrant and
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
10. Legal Opinion of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe
counsel for Registrant.
<F6> 11. Consent of Independent Accountants.
12. None.
<F6> 13.1 Subscription Agreement.
13.2 Organizational Expense Agreement.
<F6> 14. Form of Individual Retirement Custodial Account
Agreement and Disclosure Statement.
15. Registrant's Service and Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
16. Computation of Performance Figures
17. None
18. None.
- --------------------
<F6> To be filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1.
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
Registrant neither controls any person nor is under common control with any
other person.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
Number of Record
Title of Class Holders as of September ___, 1996
-------------- ---------------------------------
Purisima Total Return Fund
$0.01 Par Value _________________
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Registrant's Board of Trustees has adopted the following By-law provisions
which are in full force and effect and have not been modified or cancelled:
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
Section 1. AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND EXPENSES. For the purpose of this
Article, "agent" means any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee
or other agent of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as
a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or was a
Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic
corporation that was a predecessor of another enterprise at the request of such
predecessor entity; "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;
and "expenses" includes, without limitation, attorney's fees and any expenses
of establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.
Section 2. ACTIONS OTHER THAN BY TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of
the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Trust, against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with such proceeding, if it is determined that person acted in
good faith and reasonably believed: (a) in the case of conduct in his or her
official capacity as a Trustee of the Trust, that his or her conduct was in the
Trust's best interests, and (b) in all other cases, that his or her conduct was
at least not opposed to the Trust's best interests, and (c) in the case of a
criminal proceeding that he or she had no reasonable cause to believe the
conduct of that person was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did not act
in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in the
best interest of the Trust or that the person had reasonable cause to believe
that the person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 3. ACTIONS BY THE TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its
favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Trust,
against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection
with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted in good
faith, in a manner that person believed to be in the best interests of the Trust
and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent
person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
Section 4. EXCLUSION OF INDEMNIFICATION. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary contained herein, there shall be no right to indemnification for
any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
the agent's office with the Trust.
No indemnification shall be made under Sections 2 or 3 of this Article:
(a) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall have
been adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him or her, whether or not the benefit resulted from
an action taken in the person's official capacity; or
(b) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall have
been adjudged to be liable in the performance of that person's duty to the
Trust, unless and only to the extent that the court in which that action
was brought shall determine upon application that in view of all the
circumstances of the case, that person was not liable by reason of the
disabling conduct set forth in the preceding paragraph and is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court shall
determine; or
(c) Of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a threatened or
pending action, with or without court approval, or of expenses incurred in
defending a threatened or pending action that is settled or otherwise
disposed of without court approval, unless the required approval set forth
in Section 6 of this Article is obtained.
Section 5. SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE BY AGENT. To the extent that an agent of
the Trust has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding
referred to in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article or in defense of any claim, issue
or matter therein, before the court or other body before whom the proceeding was
brought, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by the agent in connection therewith, provided that the Board of
Trustees, including a majority who are disinterested, non-party Trustees, also
determines that, based upon a review of the facts, the agent was not liable by
reason of the disabling conduct referred to in Section 4 of this Article.
Section 6. REQUIRED APPROVAL. Except as provided in Section 5 of this
Article, any indemnification under this Article shall be made by the Trust only
if authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of
the agent is proper in the circumstances because the agent has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article and
is not prohibited from indemnification because of the disabling conduct set
forth in Section 4 of this Article, by:
(a) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who are not parties to
the proceeding and are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940); or
(b) a written opinion by an independent legal counsel.
Section 7. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding may be advanced by the Trust before the final disposition of the
proceeding upon a written undertaking by or on behalf of the agent, to repay the
amount of the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not
entitled to indemnification, together with at least one of the following as a
condition to the advance: (i) security for the undertaking; or (ii) the
existence of insurance protecting the Trust against losses arising by reason of
any lawful advances; or (iii) a determination by a majority of a quorum of
Trustees who are not parties to the proceeding and are not interested persons of
the Trust, or by an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, based on a
review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that the
agent ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. Determinations and
authorizations of payments under this Section must conform to the standards set
forth in Section 6 of this Article for determining that the indemnification is
permissible.
Section 8. OTHER CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Article
shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than Trustees
and officers of the Trust or any subsidiary hereof may be entitled by contract
or otherwise.
Section 9. LIMITATIONS. No indemnification or advance shall be made under
this Article, except as provided in Sections 5 or 6 in any circumstances where
it appears:
(a) that it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, a resolution of the shareholders of the Trust, or an
agreement in effect at the time of accrual of the alleged cause of action
asserted in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other
amounts were paid which prohibits or otherwise limits indemnification; or
(b) that it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by a
court in approving a settlement.
Section 10. INSURANCE. Upon and in the event of a determination by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust to purchase such insurance, the Trust shall
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the Trust against any
liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising
out of the agent's status as such, but only to the extent that the Trust would
have the power to indemnify the agent against that liability under the
provisions of this Article and the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
Section 11. FIDUCIARIES OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN. This Article VI does
not apply to any proceeding against any Trustee, investment manager or other
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even
though that person may also be an agent of the Trust as defined in Section 1 of
this Article VI. Nothing contained in this Article VI shall limit any right to
indemnification to which such a Trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary
may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the
extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article VI.
Insofar as indemnification for liability rising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of
Registrant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of 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,
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Section 11 of the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant
and the Adviser provides for indemnification of the Adviser in connection with
certain claims and liabilities to which the Adviser, in its capacity as the
Registrant's investment adviser, may be subject. A copy of the Investment
Management Agreement is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 5.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
Fisher Investments, Inc., Registrant's investment adviser, provides investment
advisory services for large corporations, pension plans, endowments,
foundations, governmental agencies and individuals. Set forth below is
additional biograhpical information and a description of any company with which
the officers and directors of Fisher Investments, Inc. have been engaged at any
time since June 1, 1994 in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner
or trustee:
Kenneth L. Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer of Fisher Investments, Inc. and
Chairman of its Investment Policy Committee. Mr. Fisher makes investment policy
and tactical investment decisions. Since July 1984, Mr. Fisher has written a
monthly column for Forbes magazine. Mr. Fisher has operated the Adviser
(including its predecessor) since 1979.
Jeffrey L. Silk is the Director of Operations, Senior Vice President and member
of the Investment Policy Committee of Fisher Investments, Inc. He is
responsible for overseeing the day to day activities of the trading and
operations group as well as development of statistical databases used for
screening equity and fixed income securities. He has been employed by the
Adviser since 1983.
Sherrilyn A. Fisher is Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the
Adviser. Her chief responsibilities are the overview of all activities
involving maintenance of the office and its facilities. Ms. Fisher has been
employed by the Adviser since 1984.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Sunstone Financial Group, Inc. currently serves as administrator and
distributor of the shares of The Northern Funds, The Haven Capital Management
Trust, First Omaha Funds, Inc. and Van Wagoner Funds, Inc.
(b) To the best of Registrant's knowledge, the trustees and executive
officers of Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., distributor for Registrant, are as
follows:
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH POSITIONS AND OFFICES
BUSINESS ADDRESS SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. WITH REGISTRANT
- ------------------ ------------------------------ ---------------------
Miriam M. Allison President and Director None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Daniel S. Allison Secretary and Director None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Mary M. Tenwinkel Senior Vice President None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Theresa A. Ladwig Vice President None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Randy M. Pavlick Vice President None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Anita M. Zagrodnik Vice President None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Fayez Akhras Vice President None
207 E. Buffalo Street
Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
All accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section
31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder
are in the possession of the Registrant, at Registrant's corporate offices,
except (1) records held and maintained by relating to its functions as custodian
and (2) records held and maintained by Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., 207 East
Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202, relating to its
functions as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent.
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
All management-related service contracts entered into by Registrant are
discussed in Parts A and B of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) Registrant undertakes to provide its Annual Report upon request
without charge to any recipient of a Prospectus.
(b) Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement within four to six months of the effective date of this
Registration Statement which will contain financial statements (which need not
be certified) as of and for the time period reasonably close or as soon as
practicable to the date of such amendment.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant hereby certifies that it has duly
caused this Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Woodside, State of
California, on the 25th day of July, 1996.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Kenneth L. Fisher
----------------------
Kenneth L. Fisher
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following
person in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Name Title Date
- ---- ----- ----
/s/ Kenneth L. Fisher President; Trustee July 25, 1996
- -------------------- (principal executive officer;
Kenneth L. Fisher principal financial and
accounting officer)
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Certificate of Trust
1.2 Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
2. Registrant's By-Laws.
3. None.
4. None.
5. Investment Management Agreement by and between Registrant on
behalf of the Fund and Fisher Investments, Inc.
6. Distribution Agreement by and between Registrant and Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc.
7. None.
<F7> 8. Custodian Agreement by and between Registrant and ________.
9.1 Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement by and between
Registrant and Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
9.2 Transfer Agency Agreement by and between Registrant and
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc.
10. Legal Opinion of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe
counsel for Registrant.
<F7> 11. Consent of Independent Accountants.
12. None.
<F7> 13.1 Subscription Agreement.
13.2 Organizational Expense Agreement.
<F7> 14. Form of Individual Retirement Custodial Account
Agreement and Disclosure Statement.
15. Registrant's Service and Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
16. Computation of Performance Figures
17. None
18. None.
- ----------------------
<F7> To be filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No.1.
EXHIBIT 1.1
CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
OF
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
This Certificate of Trust of THE PURISIMA FUNDS, a business trust
(hereafter called the "Business Trust"), executed by the undersigned trustee and
filed under and in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Business Trust
Act (12 Del. C. Section Section3801 et seq.), sets forth the following:
FIRST: The name of the Business Trust is THE PURISIMA FUNDS.
SECOND: The principal business office of the Business Trust is 13100
Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, California 94062. The registered office of the
Business Trust is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The
registered agent for service of process on the Business Trust required by 12
Del. C. Section3807(b) is THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, 1209 ORANGE STREET,
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19801.
The name and business address of the initial trustee of the Business
Trust is as follows:
Name of Initial Trustee Business Address
----------------------- ----------------
Kenneth L. Fisher 13100 Skyline Boulevard
Woodside, CA 94062
THIRD: The nature and business or purpose or purposes of the Business
Trust as set forth in its governing instrument is to conduct, operate and carry
on the business of a management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, through one or more series of shares
of beneficial interest, investing primarily in securities.
FOURTH: All persons who have extended credit which has been allocated
to a particular series or class of shares of beneficial interest in the Business
Trust, or who have a claim or contract which has been allocated to any
particular series or class, shall look, and shall be required by contract to
look exclusively, to the assets of that particular series or class for payment
of such credit, claim or contract. In the absence of an express contractual
agreement so limiting the claims of such creditors, claimants and contract
providers, each creditor, claimant and contract provider will be deemed
nevertheless to have impliedly agreed to such limitation unless an express
provision to the contrary has been incorporated in the written contract or other
document establishing the claimant relationship.
FIFTH: The trustees of the Business Trust, as set forth in its
governing instrument, reserve the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Certificate of Trust, in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by statute.
SIXTH: This Certificate of Trust shall become effective immediately
upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustee of The
Purisima Funds, has duly executed this Certificate of Trust as of this 25th day
of June 1996.
/s/ Kenneth L. Fisher
EXHIBIT 1.2
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
of
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
a Delaware Business Trust
Principal Place of Business:
13100 Skyline Boulevard
Woodside, California 94062
Formed:
June 27, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I Name and Definitions........................... 1
1. Name................................................ 1
2. Definitions......................................... 1
(a) Trust ......................................... 1
(b) Trust Property ................................ 1
(c) Trustees ...................................... 1
(d) Shares ........................................ 2
(e) Shareholder ................................... 2
(f) Person ........................................ 2
(g) Investment Company Act ........................ 2
(h) Commission and Principal Underwriter........... 2
(i) Declaration of Trust .......................... 2
(j) By-Laws ....................................... 2
(k) Interested Person ............................. 2
(l) Investment Adviser or Manager ................. 2
(m) Series ........................................ 2
(n) Class ......................................... 2
(o) Voting Interests .............................. 2
ARTICLE II Purpose of Trust............................... 3
ARTICLE III Shares......................................... 3
1. Division of Beneficial Interest. .................. 3
2. Ownership of Shares. .............................. 4
3. Investments in the Trust. ......................... 4
4. Status of Shares and Limitation of
Personal Liability................................ 4
5. Power of Board of Trustees to Change
Provisions Relating to Shares. .................. 5
6. Establishment and Designation of Series
and Classes. ..................................... 5
(a) Assets Held with Respect to a Particular
Series. ..................................... 5
(b) Liabilities Held With Respect to a
Particular Series or Class................... 6
(c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions
and Repurchases.............................. 6
(d) Voting......................................... 7
(e) Equality........................................ 7
(f) Fractions. .................................... 7
(g) Exchange Privilege. .......................... 8
(h) Combination of Series. ....................... 8
(i) Elimination of Series. ....................... 8
7. Indemnification of Shareholders. .................. 8
ARTICLE IV The Board of Trustees........................... 8
1. Number, Election and Tenure.......................... 8
2. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee...... 9
3. Powers. ........................................... 9
4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust.................... 12
5. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders................. 13
6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust.................... 13
7. Service Contracts................................... 13
ARTICLE V Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings............ 15
1. Voting Powers....................................... 15
2. Voting Power and Meetings........................... 15
3. Quorum and Required Vote............................ 16
4. Action by Written Consent........................... 16
5. Record Dates........................................ 16
6. Additional Provisions............................... 17
ARTICLE VI Net Asset Value, Distributions and
Redemptions.................................. 17
1. Determination of Net Asset Value, Net
Income and Distributions.......................... 17
2. Redemptions and Repurchases......................... 17
3. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust.............. 18
ARTICLE VII Compensation and Limitation of
Liability of Trustees........................ 18
1. Compensation........................................ 18
2. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability......... 18
3. Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice,
No Bond or Surety................................. 19
4. Insurance........................................... 19
ARTICLE VIII Miscellaneous.................................. 19
1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees.... 19
2. Termination of Trust, Series or Class............... 20
3. Merger and Consolidation............................ 20
4. Amendments.......................................... 21
5. Filing of Copies, References, Headings.............. 21
6. Applicable Law...................................... 21
7. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations...... 22
8. Business Trust Only................................. 22
9. Use of the Identifying Words Purisima
and The Purisima Funds............................ 22
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
WHEREAS, THIS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST is made and entered
into as of the date set forth below by the sole Trustee (the "Sole Trustee")
named hereunder for the purpose of forming a Delaware business trust in
accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Sole Trustee hereby directs that a Certificate of
Trust be filed with Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
and do hereby declares that the Trustees will hold IN TRUST all cash, securities
and other assets which the Trust now possesses or may hereafter acquire from
time to time in any manner and manage and dispose of the same upon the following
terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders of Shares in this
Trust.
ARTICLE I
Name and Definitions
SECTION 1. NAME. This Trust shall be known as THE PURISIMA FUNDS,
and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any
other name as they may from time to time determine.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise
required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The "Trust" refers to the Delaware business trust established
by this Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time;
(b) The "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the
Trust, including without limitation the rights referenced in Article VIII,
Section 9 hereof;
(c) "Trustees" refers to the person who have signed this Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, so long as he continues in office in accordance with
the terms hereof, and all other persons who may from time to time be duly
elected or appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer
to such person or persons in their capacity as Trustees hereunder;
(d) "Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes
fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares, and if the Shares of any Series
shall be divided into Classes, "Shares" means the Shares belonging to a
particular Class (as the context may require);
(e) "Shareholder" means a record owner of outstanding Shares;
(f) "Person" means and includes individuals, corporations,
partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures, estates and other entities,
whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political
subdivisions thereof, whether domestic or foreign;
(g) The "Investment Company Act" refers to the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from
time to time;
(h) The terms "Commission" and "Principal Underwriter" shall have
the meanings given them in the Investment Company Act;
(i) "Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Agreement and Declaration
of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time;
(j) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from
time to time and incorporated herein by reference;
(k) The term "Interested Person" has the meaning given it in Section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act;
(l) "Investment Adviser" or "Manager" means a party
furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to any contract described in Article
IV, Section 7(a) hereof;
(m) "Series" refers to each Series of Shares established and
designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article III;
(n) "Class" means a Class of Shares established and designated
under or in accordance with the provisions of Article III; and
(o) "Voting Interests" shall mean (i) the number of Shares outstanding
times net asset value per Share where two or more Series or Classes of Shares of
the Trust are voted in the aggregate or (ii) the number of Shares of each Series
or Class where Shareholders vote by separate Series or Classes.
ARTICLE II
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the
business of a management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act through one or more Series investing primarily in securities.
ARTICLE III
Shares
SECTION 1. DIVISION OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. The beneficial interest
in the Trust shall at all times be divided into an unlimited number of Shares,
with a par value of $ .01 per Share. The Trustees may authorize the division of
Shares into separate Series and the division of Series into separate Classes of
Shares. The different Series and Classes shall be established and designated,
and the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the
different Series and Classes shall be fixed and determined, by the Trustees.
If only one or no Series or Classes shall be established, the Shares shall
have the rights and preferences provided for herein and in Article III, Section
6 hereof to the extent relevant and not otherwise provided for herein, and all
references to Series (and Classes) shall be construed (as the context may
require) to refer to the Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Article III, each Share
shall have voting rights as provided in Article V hereof, and holders of the
Shares of any Series shall be entitled to receive dividends and distributions
when, if and as declared with respect thereto in the manner provided in Article
VI, Section 1 hereof. No Shares shall have any priority or preference over any
other Share of the same Series and Class with respect to dividends or
distributions upon termination of the Trust or of such Series or such Class made
pursuant to Article VIII, Section 2 hereof. All dividends and distributions
shall be made ratably among all Shareholders of a particular Class of a
particular Series and, if no Classes, of a particular Series from the assets
held with respect to such Series according to the number of Shares of such Class
of such Series or of such Series held of record by such Shareholders on the
record date for any dividend or distribution or on the date of termination, as
the case may be. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to
subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or
any Series, although the Trustees may provide for the automatic conversion of
one Class of Shares of a Series into another Class of Shares of the same Series
upon the occurrence of certain specific events. The Trustees may from time to
time divide or combine the Shares of any particular Series or Class into a
greater or lesser number of Shares of that Series or Class without thereby
materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the Shares of that
Series or Class in the assets held with respect to that Series or materially
affecting the rights of Shares of any other Series or Class.
SECTION 2. OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. The ownership of Shares shall be
recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust,
which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series or
Class of each Series. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall
be issued except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine from time to
time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the
transfer of Shares of each Series or Class of each Series and similar matters.
The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar
agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to the identity of the
Shareholders of each Series or Class of each Series and as to the number of
Shares of each Series or Class held from time to time by each.
SECTION 3. INVESTMENTS IN THE TRUST. Investments may be accepted by
the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such
consideration as the Trustees from time to time may authorize.
SECTION 4. STATUS OF SHARES AND LIMITATION OF PERSONAL
LIABILITY. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the
rights provided in this instrument. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having
become a Shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the
terms hereof and to have become a party hereto. The death of a Shareholder
during the existence of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust, nor
entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to
take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but
entitles such representative only to the rights of said deceased Shareholder
under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any
title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for
a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the
ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners. Neither the Trust
nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall have
any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor, except as specifically
provided herein, to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of
money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any
time personally agree to pay.
SECTION 5. POWER OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO CHANGE PROVISIONS
RELATING TO SHARES. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Declaration of Trust and without limiting the power of the Board of Trustees to
amend the Declaration of Trust as provided elsewhere herein, the Board of
Trustees shall have the power to amend this Declaration of Trust, at any time
and from time to time, in such manner as the Board of Trustees may determine in
their sole discretion, without the need for Shareholder action, so as to add to,
delete, replace or otherwise modify any provisions relating to the Shares
contained in this Declaration of Trust, provided that before adopting any such
amendment without Shareholder approval the Board of Trustees shall determine
that it is consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of all Shareholders
or that Shareholder approval is not otherwise required by the Investment Company
Act or other applicable law. If Shares have been issued, Shareholder approval
shall be required to adopt any amendments to this Declaration of Trust that
would adversely affect to a material degree the rights and preferences of the
Shares of any Series or Class of any Series or to increase or decrease the par
value of the Shares of any Series or Class of any Series.
Subject to the foregoing Paragraph, the Board of Trustees may amend
this Declaration of Trust to amend any of the provisions set forth in paragraphs
(a) through (i) of Section 6 of this Article III.
SECTION 6. ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF SERIES AND CLASSES.
The establishment and designation of any Series or Class of Shares shall be
effective upon the resolution by a majority of the then Trustees, adopting a
resolution that sets forth such establishment and designation and the relative
rights and preferences of such Series or Class. Each such resolution shall be
incorporated herein by reference upon adoption.
Shares of each Series or Class established pursuant to this Section 6,
unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series, shall have
the following relative rights and preferences:
(a) ASSETS HELD WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR SERIES. All consideration
received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series,
together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested,
all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source
derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale,
exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from
any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, subject only
to the rights of creditors respecting such Series, and shall be so recorded upon
the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income,
earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including,
without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation
of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such
proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as "assets
held with respect to" that Series. In the event that there are any assets,
income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not
readily identifiable as assets held with respect to any particular Series
(collectively "General Assets"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets
to, between or among any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such
basis as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable, and
any General Asset so allocated to a particular Series shall be held with respect
to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
binding upon the Shareholders and creditors of all Series for all purposes.
(b) LIABILITIES HELD WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR SERIES OR
CLASS. The assets of the Trust held with respect to each particular Series
shall be charged against the liabilities of the Trust held with respect to that
Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that
Series. Specific Classes within each Series shall be charged with the
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Class.
Any general liabilities of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as being
held with respect to any particular Series, or within a Series, to any
particular Class shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any
one or more of the Series or Classes in such manner and on such basis as the
Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The liabilities,
expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series or Class are
herein referred to as "liabilities held with respect to" that Series or Class.
Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the
Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders and creditors of
all Series and Classes for all purposes. All Persons who have extended credit
which has been allocated to a particular Series, or who have a claim or contract
which has been allocated to any particular Series, shall look, and shall be
required by contract to look exclusively, to the assets of that particular
Series for payment of such credit, claim, or contract. In the absence of an
express contractual agreement so limiting the claims of such creditors,
claimants and contract providers, each creditor, claimant and contract provider
will be deemed nevertheless to have impliedly agreed to such limitation unless
an express provision to the contrary has been incorporated in the written
contract or other document establishing the claimant relationship.
(c) DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, REDEMPTIONS AND
REPURCHASES. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration of
Trust, including, without limitation, Article VI, no dividend or distribution
including, without limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of the
Trust or of any Series or Class with respect to, nor any redemption or
repurchase of, the Shares of any Series or Class shall be effected by the Trust
other than from the assets held with respect to such Series, nor, except as
specifically provided in Section 7 of this Article III, shall any Shareholder of
any particular Series or Class within such Series otherwise have any right or
claim against the assets held with respect to any other Series except to the
extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a
Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have full discretion, to
the extent not inconsistent with the Investment Company Act, to determine which
items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such
determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Shareholders.
(d) VOTING. All Shares of the Trust entitled to vote on a matter
shall vote separately by Series (and, if applicable, by Class): that is, the
Shareholders of each Series or Class shall have the right to approve or
disapprove matters affecting the Trust and each respective Series or Class as
if the Series or Classes were separate companies. There are, however, two
exceptions to voting by separate Series or Classes. First, if the Investment
Company Act requires all Shares of the Trust to be voted in the aggregate
without differentiation between the separate Series or Classes, then all the
Trust's Shares shall be entitled to vote based on the dollar value of their
Shares as described below in Article V, Section 1. Second, if any matter affects
only the interests of some but not all Series or Classes, then only the
Shareholders of such affected Series or Classes shall be entitled to vote
on the matter.
(e) EQUALITY. All the Shares of each particular
Series shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the
assets held with respect to that Series (subject to the liabilities held with
respect to particular Classes within that Series and such rights and preferences
as may have been established and designated with respect to Classes of Shares
within such Series), and, except for rights and preference among Classes, each
Share of any particular Series shall be equal to each other Share of that
Series.
(f) FRACTIONS. Any fractional Share of a Series or Class shall
carry proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole share of that
Series, including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and
distributions, redemption of Shares and termination of the Trust.
(g) EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The Trustees shall have the authority
to provide that the holders of Shares of any Series and Class shall have the
right to exchange said Shares for Shares of one or more other Series of Shares
or Classes of the same Series in accordance with such requirements and
procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(h) COMBINATION OF SERIES. The Trustees shall have the authority,
without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series unless otherwise required
by applicable law, to combine the assets and liabilities held with respect to
any two or more Series or Classes into assets and liabilities held with respect
to a single Series or Class.
(i) ELIMINATION OF SERIES. At any time that there are no Shares
outstanding of any particular Series or Class previously established and
designated, the Trustees may by resolution of a majority of the then Trustees
abolish that Series or Class and rescind the establishment and designation
thereof.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. If any Shareholder or
former Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand
relating to his or her being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of
his or her acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or
her heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or in the
case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor)
shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified out of the assets of
the applicable Series of the Trust against all loss and expense arising from
such claim or demand.
ARTICLE IV
The Board of Trustees
SECTION 1. NUMBER, ELECTION AND TENURE. The number of Trustees
constituting the Board of Trustees shall be fixed from time to time by a written
instrument signed, or by resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting, by a
majority of the Board of Trustees, provided, however, that the number of
Trustees shall in no event be less than one (1) nor more than fifteen (15).
The Board of Trustees, by action of a majority of the then Trustees at a duly
constituted meeting, may fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees or remove
Trustees with or without cause. Each Trustee shall serve during the continued
lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or
incompetent by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, or is removed, or, if
sooner, until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of
electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her
successor. Any Trustee may resign at any time by written instrument signed by
him or her and delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the
Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified
to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly provided
in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee
removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his
or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such
removal. The Shareholders may fix the number of Trustees and elect Trustees at
any meeting of Shareholders called by the Trustees for that purpose. Any
Trustee may be removed at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of
two-thirds of the Voting Interests of the Trust as defined in Article I, Section
2(o). A meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing or removing one or
more Trustees may be called (i) by the Trustees upon their own vote, or (ii)
upon the demand of Shareholders owning 10% or more of the Voting Interests of
the Trust as defined in Article I, Section 2(o).
SECTION 2. EFFECT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, ETC. OF A TRUSTEE. The
death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of one or
more Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke
any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is
filled as provided in Article IV, Section l, the Trustees in office, regardless
of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration of Trust.
As conclusive evidence of such vacancy, a written instrument certifying the
existence of such vacancy may be executed by an officer of the Trust or by a
majority of the Board of Trustees. In the event of the death, declination,
resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of all the then Trustees within
a short period of time and without the opportunity for at least one Trustee
being able to appoint additional Trustees to fill vacancies, the Trust's
Investment Adviser(s) are empowered to appoint new Trustees subject to the
provisions of Section 16(a) of the Investment Company Act.
SECTION 3. POWERS. Subject to the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by
the Board of Trustees, and such Board shall have all powers necessary
or convenient to carry out that responsibility, including the power to engage in
securities transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. Without limiting
the foregoing, the Trustees may: adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this
Declaration of Trust providing for the regulation and management of the affairs
of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that such By-Laws do
not reserve that right to the Shareholders; fill vacancies in or remove from
their number, and may elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate
such agents as they consider appropriate; appoint from their own number and
establish and terminate one or more committees consisting of one or more
Trustees, which may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Trustees
to the extent that the Trustees determine; employ one or more custodians of the
assets of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians
and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the
central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank; retain an
administrator and a portfolio adviser for each Series of Shares; retain a
transfer agent or a shareholder servicing agent, or both; provide for the
issuance and distribution of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more
Principal Underwriters or otherwise; redeem, repurchase and transfer Shares
pursuant to applicable law; set record dates for the determination of
Shareholders with respect to various matters; declare and pay dividends and
distributions to Shareholders of each Series from the assets of such Series;
and, in general, delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any
officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any agent or
employee of the Trust or to any such custodian, transfer or shareholder
servicing agent, or Principal Underwriter. Any determination as to what is in
the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be
conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the
presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees. Unless
otherwise specified or required by law, any action by the Board of Trustees
shall be deemed effective if approved or taken by a majority of the Trustees
then in office.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust shall have power and
authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, to hold cash uninvested, and to
subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold,
pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options on, lend or
otherwise deal in or dispose of contracts for the future acquisition or delivery
of fixed income or other securities, and securities of every nature and kind,
including, without limitation, all types of bonds, debentures, stocks,
negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of
indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper,
repurchase agreements, bankers' acceptances, and other securities of any kind,
issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all Persons, including,
without limitation, states, territories, and possessions of the United States
and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality thereof, any foreign government or any political subdivision of
the U.S. Government or any foreign government, or any international
instrumentality, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation or
organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any state,
territory, or possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization
organized under any foreign law, or in "when issued" contracts for any such
securities, to change the investments of the assets of the Trust; and to
exercise any and all rights, powers, and privileges of ownership or interest in
respect of any and all such investments of every kind and description,
including, without limitation, the right to consent and otherwise act with
respect thereto, with power to designate one or more Persons, to exercise any of
said rights, powers, and privileges in respect of any of said instruments;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, or
write options with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating
to any or all of the assets of the Trust or any Series;
(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver
proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall
deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with
relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which
in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any
trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in its own
name or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or nominees or
otherwise;
(f) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale
of property by such corporation or issuer; and to pay calls or subscriptions
with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(g) To join with other security holders in acting through a
committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to
deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee,
depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with
relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the
Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the
expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the
Trustees shall deem proper;
(h) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of
or against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to
claims for taxes;
(i) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and
any other combinations or associations;
(j) To borrow funds or other property in the name of the Trust
exclusively for Trust purposes;
(k) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other
obligations of any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or
otherwise assume liability for payment thereof;
(l) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such
insurance as the Trustees may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of
the business, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the
assets of the Trust or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio
investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, principal underwriters, or
independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and
liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding Shares, holding, being
or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged
to have been taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee,
agent, investment adviser, principal underwriter, or independent contractor,
including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute
negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such
Person against liability; and
(m) To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share
bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and
benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance
and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other
benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Trust.
The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing
before the possible termination of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The
Trust shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or
custom in regard to investment by fiduciaries. The Trust shall not be required
to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other
action hereunder.
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES BY THE TRUST. The Trustees are
authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income
of the Trust, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income,
as they deem fair, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities
incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in connection
with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees'
compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the
Trust's officers, employees, investment adviser or manager, principal
underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder servicing
agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses
and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
SECTION 5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES BY SHAREHOLDERS. The Trustees shall
have the power, as frequently as they may determine, to cause each Shareholder,
or each Shareholder of any particular Series, to pay directly, in advance or
arrears, for charges of the Trust's custodian or transfer, Shareholder servicing
or similar agent, an amount fixed from time to time by the Trustees, by setting
off such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends
owed such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of shares in the account of
such Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which
represents the outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder.
SECTION 6. OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST. Title to all of the
assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust,
except that the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust
Property to be held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or
in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any other Person as nominee, on
such terms as the Trustees may determine. The right, title and interest of
the Trustees in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in each Person who
may hereafter become a Trustee. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a
Trustee, he or she shall automatically cease to have any right, title or
interest in any of the Trust Property, and the right, title and interest of such
Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining
Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or
not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered.
SECTION 7. SERVICE CONTRACTS.
(a) Subject to such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth
in the By-Laws, the Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, contract
for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory, management, administrative and/or any
other services for the Trust or for any Series with any corporation, trust,
association or other organization; and any such contract may contain such other
terms as the Trustees may determine, including without limitation, authority for
the Investment Adviser or administrator to determine from time to time without
prior consultation with the Trustees what investments shall be purchased, held,
sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Trust shall be
held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust's investments, or such other
activities as may specifically be delegated to such party.
(b) The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time,
contract with any corporation, trust, association or other organization,
appointing it exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or Principal Underwriter for
the Shares of one or more of the Series or Classes or other securities to be
issued by the Trust. Every such contract shall comply with such requirements
and restrictions as may be set forth in the By-Laws; and any such contract may
contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine.
(c) The Trustees are also empowered, at any time and from time to
time, to contract with any corporations, trusts, associations or other
organizations, appointing it or them the custodian, transfer agent and/or
shareholder servicing agent for the Trust or one or more of its Series. Every
such contract shall comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set
forth in the By-Laws or stipulated by resolution of the Trustees.
(d) The Trustees are further empowered, at any time and from time to
time, to contract with any entity to provide such other services to the Trust or
one or more of the Series, as the Trustees determine to be in the best interests
of the Trust and the applicable Series.
(e) The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees, or officers of the Trust
is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
investment adviser, manager, principal underwriter, distributor, or
affiliate or agent of or for any corporation, trust, association, or
other organization, or for any parent or affiliate of any organization
with which an advisory, management or administration contract, or
principal underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer,
shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may have been
or may hereafter be made, or that any such organization, or any parent
or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the
Trust, or
(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other organization
with which an advisory, management or administration contract or
principal underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer,
shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may have been
or may hereafter be made also has an advisory, management or
administration contract, or principal underwriter's or distributor's
contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other service contract
with one or more other corporations, trusts, associations, or other
organizations, or has other business or interests, shall not affect
the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder,
Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the
same, or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its
Shareholders, provided approval of each such contract is made pursuant
to the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
ARTICLE V
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
SECTION 1. VOTING POWERS. Subject to the provisions of Article III,
Section 6(d), the Shareholders shall have power to vote only (a) for the
election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 1, and
(b) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be
required by this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any registration of the
Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as the
Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. As appropriate, voting may be
by Series or Class. A Shareholder of each Series shall be entitled to one
vote for each dollar of net asset value (number of Shares owned times
net asset value per Share) per Share of such Series, on any matter on
which such Shareholder is entitled to vote and each fractional dollar
amount shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no
cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or
by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more
persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to
exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the
contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on
behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to
its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
The Trustees may allow the use of electronic, telegraph and facsimile proxies to
the fullest extent consistent with applicable law.
SECTION 2. VOTING POWER AND MEETINGS. Meetings of the Shareholders
may be called by the Trustees for the purpose of electing Trustees
as provided in Article IV, Section l and for such other purposes as
may be prescribed by law, by this Declaration of Trust or by the
By-Laws. Meetings of the Shareholders may also be called by the
Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any other
matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. A meeting of
Shareholders may be held at any place designated by the Trustees. Written
notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be given or caused to be given by
the Trustees by mailing such notice at least seven (7) days before such meeting,
postage prepaid, stating the time and place of the meeting, to each Shareholder
at the Shareholder's address as it appears on the records of the Trust.
Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given to a Shareholder under this
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, a written waiver thereof, executed before
or after the meeting by such Shareholder or his or her attorney thereunto
authorized and filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent
to such notice.
SECTION 3. QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE. Except when a larger quorum
is required by applicable law, by the By-Laws or by this Declaration
of Trust, one third of the Voting Interests, as defined in Article I,
Section 2(o), entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholders'
meeting. When any one or more Series or Classes is to vote as a single
Class separate from any other Shares, one third of the Shares of each
such Series or Class entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a
Shareholder's meeting of that Series. Any meeting of Shareholders
may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the Voting Interests, as
defined in Article I, Section 2(o), properly cast upon the question of
adjourning a meeting to another date and time, whether or not a quorum is
present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned within a reasonable time after
the date set for the original meeting without further notice. Subject to the
provisions of Article III, Section 6(d), when a quorum is present at any
meeting, a majority of the Voting Interests, as defined in Article I, Section
2(o), voted shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee,
except when a larger vote is required by any provision of this Declaration of
Trust or the By-Laws or by applicable law.
SECTION 4. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Any action taken by
shareholders may be taken without a meeting if Shareholders holding a
majority of the Voting Interests, as defined in Article I, Section 2(o),
entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall
be required by any express provision of this Declaration of Trust or by the
By-Laws or by applicable law) and holding a majority (or such larger
proportion as aforesaid) of the Shares of any Series or Class entitled
to vote separately on the matter consent to the action in writing
and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of
Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken
at a meeting of Shareholders.
SECTION 5. RECORD DATES. For the purpose of determining the
Shareholders of any Series or Class who are entitled to vote or act at
any meeting or any adjournment thereof, the Trustees may from time to
time fix a time, which shall be not more than ninety (90) days
before the date of any meeting of Shareholders, as the record date for
determining the Shareholders of such Series or Class having the right to notice
of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof, and in such case
only Shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right,
notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Trust after the
record date. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of any Series or
Class who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other
distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which shall be
before the date for the payment of such dividend or such other payment, as the
record date for determining the Shareholders of such Series or Class having the
right to receive such dividend or distribution. Without fixing a record date
the Trustees may for voting and/or distribution purposes close the register or
transfer books for one or more Series for all or any part of the period between
a record date and a meeting of Shareholders or the payment of a distribution.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from
setting different record dates for different Series or Classes.
SECTION 6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE VI
Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions
SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET INCOME AND
DISTRIBUTIONS. Subject to Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Trustees, in
their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set forth in the By-laws or
in a duly adopted vote of the Trustees such bases and time for determining the
per-Share net asset value of the Shares of any Series and Class or net income
attributable to the Shares of any Series and Class, or the declaration and
payment of dividends and distributions on the Shares of any Series and Class, as
they may deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 2. REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES. The Trust shall purchase
such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder for redemption, upon the
presentation of a proper instrument of transfer together with a request
directed to the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust that the
Trust purchase such Shares or in accordance with such other
procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time
authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof, in
accordance with the By-Laws and applicable law. Payment for said Shares shall
be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within such time period after the date
on which the request is made in proper form as may be required by applicable law
or regulation. The obligation set forth in this Section 2 is subject to the
provision that in the event that any time the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by
the Rules of the Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange is
restricted or during any emergency which makes it impracticable for the Trust to
dispose of the investments of the applicable Series or to determine fairly the
value of the net assets held with respect to such Series or during any other
period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection of investors,
such obligations may be suspended or postponed by the Trustees.
The redemption price may in any case or cases be paid wholly or partly
in kind if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest
of the remaining Shareholders of the Series for which the Shares are being
redeemed. Subject to the foregoing, the fair value, selection and quantity of
securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the
redemption price may be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no
case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person
in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment
in kind.
SECTION 3. REDEMPTIONS AT THE OPTION OF THE TRUST. The Trust shall
have the right, at its option and at any time, to redeem Shares of any
Shareholder at the net asset value thereof as described in Section 1 of this
Article VI: (a) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares of any Series
having an aggregate net asset value of less than an amount determined from
time to time by the Trustees prior to the acquisition of said Shares; or (b)
to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of a particular Series
equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares of
that Series determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (c) to the
extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage,
determined from time to time by the Trustees, of the outstanding Shares of the
Trust or of any Series.
ARTICLE VII
Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Trustees
SECTION 1. COMPENSATION. The Trustees as such shall be entitled
to reasonable compensation from the Trust, and they may fix the amount of such
compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any
Trustee for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or
other services and payment for the same by the Trust.
SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Trustees
shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing
of any officer, agent, employee, Investment Adviser or principal underwriter
of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of
any other Trustee, and the Trust out of its assets, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, shall indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee
from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or
related to each Trustee's performance of his or her duties as a Trustee of the
Trust; provided that nothing herein contained shall indemnify, hold harmless or
protect any Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any
Shareholder to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and
every other act or thing whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of
the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in or with
respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such
Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon.
SECTION 3. TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO
BOND OR SURETY. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretion
hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable
to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for his or her own wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of
counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this
Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in
accordance with such advice nor for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees
shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required.
SECTION 4. INSURANCE. The Trustees shall be entitled and empowered
to the fullest extent permitted by law to purchase with Trust assets insurance
for liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to
be paid by a Trustee or officer in connection with any claim, action, suit or
proceeding in which he or she becomes involved by virtue of his or her capacity
or former capacity with the Trust.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 1. LIABILITY OF THIRD PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEES. No
Person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning
the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to
the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or
upon its order.
SECTION 2. TERMINATION OF TRUST, SERIES OR CLASS.
Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without
limitation of time. The Trust may be terminated at any time by vote
of a majority of the Shares of each Series entitled to vote, voting
separately by Series, or by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders
without a vote of such Shareholders. Any Series or Class (in the case of
a proposed termination of a Class) may be terminated at any time by vote
of a majority of the Shares of that Series, or by the Trustees by written
notice to the Shareholders of that Series or Class without a vote of
such Shareholders.
Upon termination of the Trust (or any Series or Class, as the case may
be), after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and
liabilities held, severally, with respect to each Series and Class (or the
applicable Series or Class, as the case may be), whether due or accrued or
anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance
with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining
assets held, severally, with respect to each Series and Class (or the applicable
Series or Class, as the case may be), to distributable form in cash or shares or
other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds held
with respect to each Series and Class (or the applicable Series or Class, as the
case may be), to the Shareholders of that Series or Class, as a Series or Class,
ratably according to the number of Shares of that Series or Class held by the
several Shareholders on the date of termination.
SECTION 3. MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION. The Trustees may cause (a)
the Trust or one or more of its Series or Classes to the extent consistent
with applicable law to be merged into or consolidated with another trust
or company, (b) the Shares of the Trust or any Series to be converted into
beneficial interests in another business trust (or series thereof) created
pursuant to this Section 3 of Article VIII, or (c) the Shares to be exchanged
under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted
by law. Such merger or consolidation, Share conversion or Share
exchange must be authorized by vote of a majority of the Voting Interests
of the Trust, as defined in Article I, Section 2(o), as a whole, or any affected
Series, as may be applicable; provided that in all respects not governed by
statute or applicable law, the Trustees shall have the power to prescribe the
procedure necessary or appropriate to accomplish a sale of assets, merger or
consolidation including the power to create one or more separate business trusts
to which all or any part of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the
Trust may be transferred and to provide for the conversion of Shares of the
Trust or any Series into beneficial interests in such separate business trust or
trusts (or series thereof).
SECTION 4. AMENDMENTS. This Declaration of Trust may be
restated and/or amended at any time by an instrument in writing signed
by a majority of the then Trustees and, if required, by approval of such
amendment by Shareholders in accordance with Article V, Section 3 hereof.
Any such restatement and/or amendment hereto shall be effective
immediately upon execution and approval. The Certificate of Trust of the Trust
may be restated and/or amended by a similar procedure, and any such restatement
and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or upon such future date as may
be stated therein.
SECTION 5. FILING OF COPIES, REFERENCES, HEADINGS. The original or a
copy of this instrument and of each restatement and/or amendment hereto shall
be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder.
Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the
Trust as to whether or not any such restatements and/or amendments have been
made and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with
the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by
an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such
restatements and/or amendments. In this instrument and in any such
restatements and/or amendment, references to this instrument, and all
expressions like "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed
to refer to this instrument as amended or affected by any such restatements
and/or amendments. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference
only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the
meaning, construction or effect of this instrument. Whenever the singular
number is used herein, the same shall include the plural; and the neuter,
masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as applicable.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which
shall be deemed an original.
SECTION 6. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement and Declaration of
Trust is created under and is to be governed by and construed and
administered according to the laws of the State of Delaware and the
Delaware Business Trust Act, as amended from time to time (the "Act").
The Trust shall be a Delaware business trust pursuant to such Act, and without
limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are
ordinarily exercised by such a business trust.
SECTION 7. PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW OR REGULATIONS.
(a) The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable,
and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of
such provisions is in conflict with the Investment Company Act, the regulated
investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with other
applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never
to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that
such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the
Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted
prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and
shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any
other provision of the Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 8. BUSINESS TRUST ONLY. It is the intention of the Trustees
to create a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act,
as amended from time to time (the "Act"), and thereby to create only
the relationship of trustee and beneficial owners within the meaning of
such Act between the Trustees and each Shareholder. It is not the intention
of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership,
joint stock association, corporation, bailment, or any form of legal
relationship other than a business trust pursuant to such Act. Nothing in
this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either
by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock
association.
SECTION 9. USE OF THE IDENTIFYING WORDS "PURISIMA" AND "THE
PURISIMA FUNDS." The identifying words "Purisima" and "The Purisima
Funds" and all rights to the use of such identifying words belong to Fisher
Investments, Inc., the proposed Investment Adviser of the Trust. Fisher
Investments, Inc. has licensed the Trust to use the identifying words "The
Purisima Funds" in the Trust's name and to use the identifying word "Purisima"
in the name of any series of the Trust. In the event that Fisher Investments,
Inc. or an affiliate of Fisher Investments, Inc. is not appointed or ceases to
be the Investment Adviser of the Trust, the non-exclusive license may be revoked
by Fisher Investments, Inc., and the Trust and any series thereof shall
respectively cease using the identifying words "The Purisima Funds" and
"Purisima," unless otherwise consented to by Fisher Investments, Inc. or any
successor to Fisher Investments, Inc.'s interest.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the sole Trustee named below do hereby make and
enter into this Declaration of Trust as of the 27th day of July 1996.
Kenneth L. Fisher, Sole Trustee
THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS OF THE TRUST IS 13100 SKYLINE BOULEVARD,
WOODSIDE, CALIFORNIA, 94062.
EXHIBIT 2
BY-LAWS
for the regulation, except as
otherwise provided by statute or
the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
a Delaware Business Trust
(as of June 27, 1996)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BY-LAWS
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
PAGE
ARTICLE I OFFICES........................................ 1
1. Principal Office.................................... 1
2. Delaware Office..................................... 1
3. Other Offices....................................... 1
ARTICLE II Meetings Of Shareholders....................... 1
1. Place Of Meetings................................... 1
2. Call Of Meeting..................................... 1
3. Notice Of Shareholders' Meeting..................... 1
4. Manner Of Giving Notice; Affidavit Of Notice........ 2
5. Adjourned Meeting; Notice........................... 2
6. Voting.............................................. 3
7. Waiver Of Notice By Consent Of Absent Shareholders.. 3
8. Shareholder Action By Written Consent Without
A Meeting......................................... 4
9. Record Date For Shareholder Notice, Voting
And Giving Consents............................... 4
10. Proxies............................................. 5
11. Inspectors Of Election.............................. 5
ARTICLE III Trustees....................................... 6
1. Powers.............................................. 6
2. Number Of Trustees.................................. 6
3. Vacancies........................................... 6
4. Place Of Meetings And Meetings By Telephone......... 7
5. Regular Meetings.................................... 7
6. Special Meetings.................................... 7
7. Quorum.............................................. 8
8. Waiver Of Notice.................................... 8
9. Adjournment......................................... 8
10. Notice Of Adjournment............................... 8
11. Action Without A Meeting............................ 8
12. Fees And Compensation Of Trustees................... 9
13. Delegation Of Power To Other Trustees............... 9
ARTICLE IV Committees..................................... 9
1. Committees Of Trustees.............................. 9
2. Meetings And Action Of Committees.................. 10
ARTICLE V Officers....................................... 10
1. Officers............................................ 10
2. Election Of Officers................................ 10
3. Subordinate Officers................................ 11
4. Removal And Resignation Of Officers................. 11
5. Vacancies In Offices................................ 11
6. Chairman Of The Board............................... 11
7. President........................................... 11
8. Vice Presidents..................................... 12
9. Secretary........................................... 12
10. Treasurer........................................... 12
ARTICLE VI Indemnification Of Trustees Officers
Employees And Other Agents..................... 13
1. Agents, Proceedings And Expenses.................... 13
2. Actions Other Than By Trust......................... 13
3. Actions By The Trust................................ 14
4. Exclusion Of Indemnification........................ 14
5. Successful Defense By Agent......................... 15
6. Required Approval................................... 15
7. Advance Of Expenses................................. 15
8. Other Contractual Rights............................ 16
9. Limitations......................................... 16
10. Insurance........................................... 16
11. Fiduciaries Of Employee Benefit Plan................ 16
ARTICLE VII Records And Reports............................ 16
1. Maintenance And Inspection Of Share Register........ 16
2. Maintenance And Inspection Of By-laws............... 17
3. Maintenance And Inspection Of Other Records......... 17
4. Inspection By Trustees.............................. 17
5. Financial Statements................................ 17
ARTICLE VIII General Matters................................ 18
1. Checks, Drafts, Evidence Of Indebtedness............ 18
2. Contracts And Instruments; How Executed............. 18
3. Certificates For Shares............................. 18
4. Lost Certificates................................... 18
5. Representation Of Shares Of Other
Entities Held By Trust............................ 19
6. Fiscal Year......................................... 19
ARTICLE IX Amendments..................................... 19
1. Amendment By Shareholders........................... 19
2. Amendment By Trustees............................... 19
3. Incorporation By Reference Into Agreement
And Declaration Of Trust Of The Trust............. 19
BY-LAWS
OF
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
A Delaware Business Trust
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The Board of Trustees shall fix and,
from time to time, may change the location of the principal executive office
of THE PURISIMA FUNDS (the "Trust") at any place within or outside the State
of Delaware.
Section 2. DELAWARE OFFICE. The Board of Trustees shall establish
a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint as the Trust's
registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware an individual
resident of the State of Delaware or a Delaware corporation or a corporation
authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware; in each case the
business office of such registered agent for service of process shall be
identical with the registered Delaware office of the Trust.
Section 3. OTHER OFFICES. The Board of Trustees may at any time
establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the
Trust intends to do business.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of shareholders shall be held at
any place designated by the Board of Trustees. In the absence of any such
designation, shareholders' meetings shall be held at the principal executive
office of the Trust.
Section 2. CALL OF MEETING. A meeting of the shareholders may be called
at any time by the Board of Trustees or by the Chairman of the Board or by
the President.
Section 3. NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. All notices of meetings of
shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 4 of
this Article II not less than seven (7) nor more than seventy-five (75) days
before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify (i) the place, date
and hour of the meeting, and (ii) the general nature of the business to be
transacted. The notice of any meeting at which Trustees are to be elected
also shall include the name of any nominee or nominees whom at the time of
the notice are intended to be presented for election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a
contract or transaction in which a Trustee has a direct or indirect financial
interest, (ii) an amendment of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
(iii) a reorganization of the Trust, or (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the
Trust, the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal.
Section 4. MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE; AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICE. Notice of any
meeting of shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail
or telegraphic or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the
shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the
Trust or its transfer agent or given by the shareholder to the Trust for the
purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the Trust's books or is given,
notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by first-
class mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the Trust's
principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be
deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in
the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder
appearing on the books of the Trust is returned to the Trust by the United
States Postal Service marked to indicate that the Postal Service is unable to
deliver the notice to the shareholder at that address, all future notices or
reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if these
shall be available to the shareholder on written demand of the shareholder at
the principal executive office of the Trust for a period of one year from the
date of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any
shareholder's meeting shall be executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or
any transfer agent of the Trust giving the notice and shall be filed and
maintained in the minute book of the Trust.
Section 5. ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE. Any shareholder's meeting, whether
or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of
the majority of the Voting Interests, as defined in Article I, Section 2(o)
of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, represented at that
meeting, either in person or by proxy.
When any meeting of shareholders is adjourned to another time or place,
notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting at which the adjournment is
taken, unless a new record date of the adjourned meeting is fixed or unless the
adjournment is for more than sixty (60) days from the date set for the original
meeting, in which case the Board of Trustees shall set a new record date.
Notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting,
the Trust may transact any business which might have been transacted
at the original meeting.
Section 6. VOTING. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting
of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as in effect at such time.
The shareholders' vote may be by voice vote or by ballot, provided, however,
that any election for Trustees must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder
before the voting has begun. On any matter other than elections of Trustees,
any shareholder may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain
from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but if the
shareholder fails to specify the number of shares which the shareholder is
voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder's
approving vote is with respect to the total shares that the shareholder is
entitled to vote on such proposal.
Section 7. WAIVER OF NOTICE BY CONSENT OF ABSENT SHAREHOLDERS. The
transactions of the meeting of shareholders, however called and noticed and
wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy and
if either before or after the meeting, each person entitled to vote who was not
present in person or by proxy signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to a
holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or
consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of
any meeting of shareholders.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of
notice of that meeting, except when the person objects at the beginning of the
meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of
any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice
of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the beginning of the
meeting.
Section 8. SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A
MEETING. Any action which may be taken at any meeting of shareholders may be
taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a consent in writing setting
forth the action so taken is signed by the holders of the Voting Interests, as
defined in Article I, Section 2(o) in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of
the Trust, having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be
necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares
entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. All such consents shall
be filed with the Secretary of the Trust and shall be maintained in the Trust's
records. Any shareholder giving a written consent or the shareholder's proxy
holder or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the
shareholder or their respective proxy holders may revoke the consent by a
writing received by the Secretary of the Trust before written consents of the
number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with
the Secretary.
If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been
solicited in writing and if the unanimous written consent of all such
shareholders shall not have been received, the Secretary shall give prompt
notice of the action approved by the shareholders without a meeting. This
notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 4 of this Article II.
In the case of approval of (i) contracts or transactions in which a Trustee has
a direct or indirect financial interest, (ii) indemnification of agents of the
Trust, and (iii) a reorganization of the Trust, the notice shall be given at
least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action authorized by that
approval.
Section 9. RECORD DATE FOR SHAREHOLDER NOTICE, VOTING AND GIVING
CONSENTS. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to
notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to action without a
meeting, the Board of Trustees may fix in advance a record date which shall not
be more than ninety (90) days nor less than seven (7) days before the date of
any such meeting as provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Trust.
If the Board of Trustees does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business
on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or
if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next
preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent
to action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by
the Board of Trustees has been taken, shall be the day on which the
first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board
of Trustees has been taken, shall be at the close of business on the
day on which the Board of Trustees adopt the resolution relating to
that action or the seventy-fifth day before the date of such other
action, whichever is later.
Section 10. PROXIES. Every person entitled to vote for Trustees or on
any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by
one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person
and filed with the Secretary of the Trust. A proxy shall be deemed
signed if the shareholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by
manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic or facsimile transmission or
otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder's attorney-in-fact. The
Trustees may allow the use of electronic, telegraphic and facsimile proxies to
the fullest extent consistent with applicable law. A validly executed proxy
which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and
effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it before the vote pursuant to
that proxy by a writing delivered to the Trust stating that the proxy is revoked
or by a subsequent proxy executed by or attendance at the meeting and voting in
person by the person executing that proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death
or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the Trust before the
vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided however, that no proxy shall be
valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy
unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 11. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. Before any meeting of shareholders,
the Board of Trustees may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to
act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no
inspectors of election are so appointed, the chairman of the meeting may
and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall,
appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors
shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a
meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders
of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall
determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any
person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the
Chairman of the meeting may and on the request of any shareholder or a
shareholder's proxy, shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
These inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of
each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum
and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in
connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote
with fairness to all shareholders.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 1. POWERS. Subject to the applicable provisions of the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust and these By-Laws relating
to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding
shares, the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed and all
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. The exact number of Trustees within the
limits specified in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust shall
be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed or a resolution
approved at a duly constituted meeting by a majority of the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. VACANCIES. Vacancies in the Board of Trustees may be filled
by a majority of the remaining Trustees, though less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining Trustee, unless the Board of Trustees calls a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees. In the event that at any
time less than a majority of the Trustees holding office at that time were
so elected by the holders of the Voting Interests of the Trust as defined in
Article I, Section 2(o) of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, the Board of Trustees shall forthwith cause to be held as promptly
as possible, and in any event within sixty (60) days, a meeting of such
holders for the purpose of electing Trustees to fill any existing vacancies
in the Board of Trustees, unless such period is extended by order of, or
other relief granted by, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
or its staff.
Notwithstanding the above, whenever and for so long as the Trust is a
participant in or otherwise has in effect a Plan under which the Trust may be
deemed to bear expenses of distributing its shares as that practice is described
in Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, then the selection and
nomination of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as that
term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) shall be, and is,
committed to the discretion of such disinterested Trustees.
Section 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS AND MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE. All meetings of the
Board of Trustees may be held at any place that has been designated from time to
time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such a designation, regular
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust. With the
exception of meetings at which an investment management agreement, portfolio
advisory agreement or any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is
approved by the Board, any meeting, regular or special, may be held by
conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Trustees
participating in the meeting can hear one another and all such Trustees shall be
deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
Section 5. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees
shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed
by the Board of Trustees. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
Section 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Trustees
for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the
Board or the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any two (2)
Trustees.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered
personally or by telephone to each Trustee or sent by first-class mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each Trustee at that Trustee's address
as it is shown on the records of the Trust. In case the notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least seven (7) calendar days
before the time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered
personally or by telephone or to the telegraph company or by express mail or
similar service, it shall be given at least forty-eight (48) hours before the
time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by
telephone may be communicated either to the Trustee or to a person at the office
of the Trustee whom the person giving the notice has reason to believe will
promptly communicate it to the Trustee. The notice need not specify the purpose
of the meeting or the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal
executive office of the Trust.
Section 7. QUORUM. A majority of the authorized number of Trustees shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as
provided in Section 10 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or
made by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting duly held at which
a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Trustees,
subject to the provisions of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact
business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Trustees if any action taken is
approved by a least at majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
Section 8. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Notice of any meeting need not be given
to any Trustee who either before or after the meeting signs a written waiver
of notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes.
The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the records
of the Trust or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Notice of a
meeting shall also be deemed given to any Trustee who attends the meeting
without protesting before or at its commencement the lack of notice to that
Trustee.
Section 9. ADJOURNMENT. A majority of the Trustees present, whether
or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
Section 10. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT. Notice of the time and place
of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is
adjourned for more than forty-eight (48) hours, in which case notice of
the time and place shall be given before the time of the adjourned meeting
in the manner specified in Section 6 of this Article III to the Trustees
who were present at the time of the adjournment.
Section 11. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. With the exception of the
approval of an investment management agreement, portfolio advisory agreement,
or any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, any action required
or permitted to be taken by the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting
if a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees shall individually or
collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written
consent shall have the same force and effect as a majority vote of the Board
of Trustees. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes
of the proceedings of the Board of Trustees.
Section 12. FEES AND COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. Trustees and members of
committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and
such reimbursement of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of
the Board of Trustees. This Section 12 shall not be construed to preclude
any Trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
Section 13. DELEGATION OF POWER TO OTHER TRUSTEES. Any Trustee may, by power
of attorney, delegate his or her power for a period not exceeding six (6) months
at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in no case shall
fewer than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers granted to the
Trustees under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust except as
otherwise expressly provided herein or by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Except where applicable law may require a Trustee to be present in person, a
Trustee represented by another Trustee pursuant to such power of attorney shall
be deemed to be present for purposes of establishing a quorum and satisfying the
required majority vote.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. COMMITTEES OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees may by resolution
adopted by a majority of the authorized number of Trustees designate one or
more committees, each consisting of one (1) or more Trustees, to serve at the
pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more Trustees as
alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent member at any
meeting of the committee. Any committee to the extent provided in the
resolution of the Board, shall have the authority of the Board, except with
respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which under applicable law also requires
shareholders' approval or approval of the outstanding shares, or
requires approval by a majority of the entire Board or certain members
of said Board;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Trustees or in any committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the Trustees for serving on the Board of
Trustees or on any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust or of the By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Trustees
which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the Trust, except at a rate or
in a periodic amount or within a designated range determined by the
Board of Trustees; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the Board of Trustees or
the members of these committees.
Section 2. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES. Meetings and action of
committees shall be governed by and held and taken in accordance with the
provisions of Article III of these By-Laws, with such changes in the context
thereof as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the
Board of Trustees and its members, except that the time of regular meetings of
committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Trustees
or by resolution of the committee. Special meetings of committees may also be
called by resolution of the Board of Trustees. Alternate members shall be
given notice of meetings of committees and shall have the right to attend
all meetings of committees. The Board of Trustees may adopt rules for the
government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these
By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust shall be a President,
a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Trust may also have, at the discretion of
the Board of Trustees, a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents,
one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such
other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section
3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
Section 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers of the Trust, except
such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the Board of
Trustees, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees,
subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
Section 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Trustees may appoint and
may empower the President to appoint such other officers as the business of the
Trust may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such
authority and perform such duties as are provided in these By-Laws or as the
Board of Trustees may from time to time determine.
Section 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. Subject to the rights,
if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be
removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Trustees at any regular
or special meeting of the Board of Trustees or by the principal executive
officer or by such other officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the Board of Trustees.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Trust.
Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or
at any later time specified in that notice; and unless otherwise specified in
that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the
Trust under any contract to which the officer is a party.
Section 5. VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause shall be filled in the
manner prescribed in these By-Laws for regular appointment to that office.
The President may make temporary appointments to a vacant office pending action
by the Board of Trustees.
Section 6. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board, if such an
Officer is elected, shall, if present, preside at meetings of the Board of
Trustees, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, have general
supervision, direction and control of the business and the Officers of the
Trust and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from
time to time assigned to him or her by the Board of Trustees or prescribed
by the By-Laws. The Chairman of the Board shall serve as chief executive
officer in the chief executive officer's absence.
Section 7. PRESIDENT. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as
may be given by the Board of Trustees to the Chairman of the Board, if there
be such an officer, the President shall, subject to the control of the Board
of Trustees and the Chairman, have general supervision, direction and control of
the business and the officers of the Trust. He or she shall preside at all
meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board
or if there be none, at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. He or she shall
have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the offices
of president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of a
corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the Board of Trustees or these By-Laws.
Section 8. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence or disability of the
President, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by
the Board of Trustees or if not ranked, the Executive Vice President
(who shall be considered first ranked) and such other Vice Presidents as shall
be designated by the Board of Trustees, shall perform all the duties of the
President and, when so acting, shall have all powers of and be subject to all
the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed
for them respectively by the Board of Trustees or the President or the
Chairman of the Board or by these By-Laws.
Section 9. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at
the principal executive office of the Trust or such other place as the Board
of Trustees may direct a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of
Trustees, committees of Trustees and shareholders with the time and place of
holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the
notice given, the names of those present at Trustees' meetings or committee
meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders' meetings,
and the proceedings.
The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive
office of the Trust or at the office of the Trust's transfer agent or registrar,
a share register or a duplicate share register showing the names of all
shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each,
the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date
of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Board of Trustees required to be given by these By-Laws
or by applicable law and shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees or by these By-Laws.
Section 10. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer
and chief accounting officer of the Trust and shall keep and maintain or cause
to be kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of
the properties and business transactions of the Trust, including accounts of
its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital,
retained earnings and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable
times be open to inspection by any Trustee.
The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and
to the credit of the Trust with such depositaries as may be designated by the
Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may
be ordered by the Board of Trustees, shall render to the President and Trustees,
whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as chief
financial officer and of the financial condition of the Trust and shall have
other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of
Trustees or these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
Section 1. AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND EXPENSES. For the purpose of this
Article, "agent" means any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee
or other agent of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust
as a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or
domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
or was a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic
corporation that was a predecessor of another enterprise at the request of such
predecessor entity; "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed
action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative;
and "expenses" includes, without limitation, attorney's fees and any expenses of
establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.
Section 2. ACTIONS OTHER THAN BY TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason
of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Trust, against expenses,
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with such proceeding, if it is determined that person
acted in good faith and reasonably believed: (a) in the case of conduct in
his or her official capacity as a Trustee of the Trust, that his or her conduct
was in the Trust's best interests and (b), in all other cases, that his or her
conduct was at least not opposed to the Trust's best interests and (c) in the
case of a criminal proceeding, that he or she had no reasonable cause to believe
the conduct of that person was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding
by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person
did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably
believed to be in the best interests of the Trust or that the person had
reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 3. ACTIONS BY THE TRUST. The Trust shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the
Trust, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by that person in
connection with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted
in good faith, in a manner that person believed to be in the best interests of
the Trust and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily
prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
Section 4. EXCLUSION OF INDEMNIFICATION. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary contained herein, there shall be no right to indemnification
for any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct
of the agent's office with the Trust.
No indemnification shall be made under Sections 2 or 3 of this Article:
(a) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall
have been adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him or her, whether or not the benefit resulted
from an action taken in the person's official capacity; or
(b) In respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which that person shall
have been adjudged to be liable in the performance of that person's
duty to the Trust, unless and only to the extent that the court in
which that action was brought shall determine upon application that in
view of all the circumstances of the case, that person was not liable
by reason of the disabling conduct set forth in the preceding
paragraph and is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the
expenses which the court shall determine; or
(c) Of amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a threatened or
pending action, with or without court approval, or of expenses
incurred in defending a threatened or pending action that is settled
or otherwise disposed of without court approval, unless the required
approval set forth in Section 6 of this Article is obtained.
Section 5. SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE BY AGENT. To the extent that an agent of
the Trust has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding
referred to in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, before the court or other body before whom the
proceeding was brought, the agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually
and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith, provided that
the Board of Trustees, including a majority who are disinterested, non-party
Trustees, also determines that, based upon a review of the facts, the agent
was not liable by reason of the disabling conduct referred to in Section 4 of
this Article.
Section 6. REQUIRED APPROVAL. Except as provided in Section 5 of this
Article, any indemnification under this Article shall be made by the Trust
only if authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification
of the agent is proper in the circumstances because the agent has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 2 or 3 of this Article and
is not prohibited from indemnification because of the disabling conduct set
forth in Section 4 of this Article, by:
(a) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Trustees who are not parties
to the proceeding and are not interested persons of the Trust (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940); or
(b) a written opinion by an independent legal counsel.
Section 7. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding may be advanced by the Trust before the final disposition of the
proceeding upon a written undertaking by or on behalf of the agent, to repay the
amount of the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not
entitled to indemnification, together with at least one of the following as a
condition to the advance: (i) security for the undertaking; or (ii) the
existence of insurance protecting the Trust against losses arising by reason
of any lawful advances; or (iii) a determination by a majority of a quorum of
Trustees who are not parties to the proceeding and are not interested persons
of the Trust, or by an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, based
on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that
the agent ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. Determinations
and authorizations of payments under this Section must conform to the standards
set forth in Section 6 of this Article for determining that the
indemnification is permissible.
Section 8. OTHER CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this
Article shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than
Trustees and officers of the Trust or any subsidiary hereof may be entitled by
contract or otherwise.
Section 9. LIMITATIONS. No indemnification or advance shall be made under
this Article, except as provided in Sections 5 or 6 in any circumstances where
it appears:
(a) that it would be inconsistent with a provision of the Trust's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, a resolution of the shareholders
of the Trust, or an agreement in effect at the time of accrual of the
alleged cause of action asserted in the proceeding in which the
expenses were incurred or other amounts were paid which prohibits or
otherwise limits indemnification; or
(b) that it would be inconsistent with any condition expressly imposed by
a court in approving a settlement.
Section 10. INSURANCE. Upon and in the event of a determination by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust to purchase such insurance, the Trust shall
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the Trust against any
liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising
out of the agent's status as such, but only to the extent that the Trust would
have the power to indemnify the agent against that liability under the
provisions of this Article and the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
Section 11. FIDUCIARIES OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN. This Article VI does
not apply to any proceeding against any Trustee, investment manager or other
fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even
though that person may also be an agent of the Trust as defined in Section l of
this Article VI. Nothing contained in this Article VI shall limit any right to
indemnification to which such a Trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary
may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the
extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Section 1. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER. The Trust shall
keep at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or
registrar, if either be appointed and as determined by resolution of the Board
of Trustees, a record of its shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all
shareholders and the number, series and, where applicable, class of shares held
by each shareholder.
Section 2. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BY-LAWS. The Trust shall keep at
its principal executive office the original or a copy of these By-Laws as
amended from time to time, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders
at all reasonable times during office hours.
Section 3. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER RECORDS. The accounting
books and records and minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the Board
of Trustees and any committee or committees of the Board of Trustees shall be
kept at such place or places designated by the Board of Trustees or in the
absence ofsuch designation, at the principal executive office of the Trust.
The minutes shall be kept in written form, and the accounting books and records
shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being
converted into written form. The minutes and accounting books and records shall
be open to inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of
a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during usual business hours
of the Trust for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a
shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may
be made in person or by an agent or attorney and shall include the right to copy
and make extracts.
Section 4. INSPECTION BY TRUSTEES. Every Trustee shall have the absolute
right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records and documents of
every kind as well as the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by
a Trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and the right of
inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
Section 5. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. A copy of any financial statements
and any income statement of the Trust for each quarterly period of each fiscal
year and accompanying balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of each such
period that has been prepared by the Trust shall be kept on file in the
principal executive office of the Trust for at least twelve (12) months, and
each such statement shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any
shareholder demanding an examination of any such statement or a copy shall
be mailed to any such shareholder.
The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this
section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent
accountants engaged by the Trust or the certificate of an authorized officer of
the Trust that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the
books and records of the Trust.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 1. CHECKS, DRAFTS, EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS. All checks, drafts or
other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness
issued in the name of or payable to the Trust shall be signed or endorsed in
such manner and by such person or persons as shall be designated from time to
time in accordance with the resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The Board of Trustees,
except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, may authorize any officer or
officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument
in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and this authority may be general or
confined to specific instances; and unless so authorized or ratified by the
Board of Trustees or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or
employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Trust by any contract or
engagement, to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for
any amount.
Section 3. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates for
shares of beneficial interest in any series of the Trust may be issued to a
shareholder upon the shareholder's request when such shares are fully paid. All
certificates shall be signed in the name of the Trust by the Chairman of the
Board or the President or Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of
shares and the series of shares owned by the shareholders. Any or all of the
signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer
agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed
on a certificate shall have ceased to be that officer, transfer agent or
registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with
the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar
at the date of issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may adopt and
use a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares by electronic
or other means.
Section 4. LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as provided in this Section 4, no
new certificate for shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless
the latter is surrendered to the Trust and cancelled at the same time.
The Board of Trustees may in case any share certificate or certificate for
any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a
replacement certificate on such terms and conditions as the Board of Trustees
may require, including a provision for indemnification of the Trust secured by
a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the Trust against any
claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability on account
of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of
the replacement certificate.
Section 5. REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER ENTITIES HELD BY
TRUST. The Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or any
other person authorized by resolution of the Board of Trustees or by any of the
foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote or represent on behalf of
the Trust any and all shares of any corporation, partnership, trust or other
entity, foreign or domestic, standing in the name of the Trust. The authority
granted may be exercised in person or by a proxy duly executed by such
designated person.
Section 6. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust, and of the several
Series thereof, shall be fixed and refixed or changed from time to time by
resolution of the Trustees. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be the taxable
year of each Series of the Trust, unless otherwise provided by the Trustees.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section l. AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS. These By-Laws may be amended or
repealed by the affirmative vote or written consent of a majority of the Voting
Interests, as defined in Article I, Section 2(o) of the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust of the Trust, entitled to vote, except as otherwise
provided by applicable law or by the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust or these By-Laws.
Section 2. AMENDMENT BY TRUSTEES. Subject to the right of shareholders
as provided in Section l of this Article IX to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws,
and except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Trust's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by
the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE INTO AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF
TRUST OF THE TRUST. These By-Laws and any amendments thereto shall be
incorporated by reference to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
EXHIBIT 5
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT made as of the ___th day of July,
1996, by and between THE PURISIMA FUNDS, a Delaware business trust (hereinafter
called the "Trust"), on behalf of each series of the Trust listed in APPENDIX A
hereto, as such may be amended from time to time (each series hereinafter
referred to individually as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds") and FISHER
INVESTMENTS, INC., a California corporation (hereinafter called the "Manager").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company,
registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is engaged in the business of
supplying investment advice and investment management services, as an
independent contractor; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Manager to render advice and
services to the Funds pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
and the Manager is interested in furnishing said advice and services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER. The Trust hereby employs the Manager,
and the Manager hereby accepts such employment, to render investment advice and
management services with respect to the assets of the Funds for the period and
on the terms set forth in this Agreement, subject to the supervision and
direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
2. DUTIES OF MANAGER.
(a) GENERAL DUTIES. The Manager shall act as investment manager
to the Funds and shall supervise investments of the Funds on behalf of the Funds
in accordance with the investment objectives, programs and restrictions of the
Funds as provided in the Trust's governing documents, including, without
limitation, the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, or
otherwise and such other limitations as the Trustees may impose from time to
time in writing to the Manager. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Manager shall: (i) furnish the Funds with advice and
recommendations with respect to the investment of each Fund's assets and the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities for the Funds, including the taking of
such other steps as may be necessary to implement such advice and
recommendations; (ii) furnish the Funds with reports, statements and other data
on securities, economic conditions and other pertinent subjects which the
Trust's Board of Trustees may reasonably request; (iii) manage the investments
of the Funds, subject to the ultimate supervision and direction of the Trust's
Board of Trustees; (iv) provide persons satisfactory to the Trust's Board of
Trustees to act as officers and employees of the Trust and the Funds (such
officers and employees, as well as certain Trustees, may be trustees, directors,
officers, partners, or employees of the Manager or its affiliates), but not
including personnel to provide administrative services to the Funds; and (v)
render to the Trust's Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports with
respect to each Fund's investment activities as the Board may reasonably
request.
(b) BROKERAGE. The Manager shall place orders for the purchase
and sale of securities either directly with the issuer or with a broker or
dealer selected by the Manager. In placing each Fund's securities trades, it is
recognized that the Manager will give primary consideration to securing the most
favorable price and efficient execution, in a reasonable effort to ensure that
each Fund's total cost or proceeds in each transaction will be the most
favorable under all the circumstances. Within the framework of this policy, the
Manager may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment
information, and other services provided by brokers or dealers who may effect or
be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which other clients
of the Manager may be a party.
It is also understood that it is desirable for the Funds that the
Manager have access to investment and market research and securities and
economic analyses provided by brokers and others. It is also understood that
brokers providing such services may execute brokerage transactions at a higher
cost to the Funds than might result from the allocation of brokerage to other
brokers on the basis of seeking the most favorable price and efficient
execution. Therefore, the purchase and sale of securities for the Funds may be
made with brokers who provide such research and analysis, subject to review by
the Trust's Board of Trustees from time to time. It is understood by both
parties that the Manager may select broker-dealers for the execution of the
Funds' portfolio transactions who provide research and analysis which the
Manager may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment management and
advisory capacities, whether or not such research and analysis may also be
useful to the Manager in connection with its services to other clients.
On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security
to be in the best interest of one or more of the Funds as well as of other
clients, the Manager, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may aggregate the securities to be so purchased or sold in order to
obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and the most
efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased
or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by
the Manager in the manner it considers to be the most equitable under the
circumstances and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and to
such other clients.
3. BEST EFFORTS AND JUDGMENT. The Manager shall use its best
judgment and efforts in rendering the advice and services to the Funds as
contemplated by this Agreement.
4. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Manager shall, for all purposes
herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor, and shall, unless otherwise
expressly provided and authorized to do so, have no authority to act for or
represent the Trust or the Funds in any way, or in any way be deemed an agent
for the Trust or for the Funds. It is expressly understood and agreed that the
services to be rendered by the Manager to the Funds under the provisions of this
Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Manager shall be free to
render similar or different services to others so long as its ability to render
the services provided for in this Agreement shall not be materially impaired
thereby.
5. MANAGER'S PERSONNEL. The Manager shall, at its own expense,
maintain such staff and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such
other persons as it shall from time to time determine to be necessary to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Manager shall be
deemed to include persons employed or retained by the Manager to furnish
statistical information, research, and other factual information, advice
regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Manager or the Trust's Board of Trustees may desire and reasonably request.
6. REPORTS BY FUNDS TO MANAGER. Each Fund will from time to time
furnish to the Manager detailed statements of its investments and assets, and
information as to its investment objective or objectives and needs, and will
make available to the Manager such financial reports, proxy statements, legal
and other information relating to its investments as may be in its possession or
available to it, together with such other information as the Manager may
reasonably request.
7. EXPENSES.
(a) With respect to the operation of each Fund, the Manager is
responsible for (i) the compensation of any of the Trust's Trustees, officers,
and employees who are affiliates of the Manager (but not the compensation of
employees performing services in connection with expenses which are the Fund's
responsibility under Subparagraph 7(b) below) and (ii) providing office space
and equipment reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds.
(b) Each Fund is responsible for and has assumed the obligation
for payment of all of its expenses, other than as stated in Subparagraph 7(a)
above, including but not limited to: fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the issuance, registration and transfer of its shares; brokerage and
commission expenses; all expenses of transfer, receipt, safekeeping, servicing
and accounting for the cash, securities and other property of the Trust for the
benefit of the Funds including all fees and expenses of its custodian,
shareholder services agent and accounting services agent; interest charges on
any borrowings; costs and expenses of pricing and calculating its daily net
asset value and of maintaining its books of account required under the 1940 Act;
taxes, if any; expenditures in connection with meetings of each Fund's
Shareholders and the Trust's Board of Trustees that are properly payable by the
Fund; salaries and expenses of officers and fees and expenses of members of the
Trust's Board of Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are
not members of, affiliated with or interested persons of the Manager; insurance
premiums on property or personnel of each Fund which inure to its benefit,
including liability and fidelity bond insurance; the cost of preparing and
printing reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and statements of additional
information of the Fund or other communications for distribution to existing
shareholders; legal, auditing and accounting fees; trade association dues; fees
and expenses (including legal fees) of registering and maintaining registration
of its shares for sale under federal and applicable state and foreign securities
laws; all expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including
all charges for transfer, shareholder recordkeeping, dividend disbursing,
redemption, and other agents for the benefit of the Funds (including, without
limitation, fund accounting and administration agents), if any; and all other
charges and costs of its operation plus any extraordinary and non-recurring
expenses, except as herein otherwise prescribed.
(c) To the extent the Manager incurs any costs by assuming
expenses which are an obligation of a Fund as set forth herein, such Fund shall
promptly reimburse the Manager for such costs and expenses, except to the extent
the Manager has otherwise agreed to bear such expenses. To the extent the
services for which a Fund is obligated to pay are performed by the Manager, the
Manager shall be entitled to recover from such Fund to the extent of the
Manager's actual costs for providing such services.
8. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT FEE.
(a) Each Fund shall pay to the Manager, and the Manager agrees
to accept, as full compensation for all investment management and advisory
services furnished or provided to such Fund pursuant to this Agreement, a
management fee as set forth in the Fee Schedule attached hereto as APPENDIX B,
as may be amended in writing from time to time by the Trust and the Manager.
(b) The management fee shall be accrued daily by each Fund and
paid to the Manager monthly.
(c) The initial fee under this Agreement shall be payable
monthly following the effective date of this Agreement and shall be prorated as
set forth below. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any month,
the fee to the Manager shall be prorated for the portion of any month in which
this Agreement is in effect which is not a complete month according to the
proportion which the number of calendar days in the month during which the
Agreement is in effect bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and
shall be payable within ten (10) days after the date of termination.
(d) The fees payable to the Manager under this Agreement will be
reduced to the extent required under the most stringent expense limitation
applicable to a Fund imposed by any state in which shares of the Funds are
registered or qualified for sale. The Manager may reduce any portion of the
compensation or reimbursement of expenses due to it pursuant to this Agreement
and may agree to make payments to limit the expenses which are the
responsibility of a Fund under this Agreement. Any such reduction or payment
shall be applicable only to such specific reduction or payment and shall not
constitute an agreement to reduce any future compensation or reimbursement due
to the Manager hereunder or to continue future payments. Any such reduction
will be agreed upon prior to accrual of the related expense or fee and will be
estimated daily. Any fee withheld pursuant to this paragraph from the Manager
shall be reimbursed by the appropriate Fund to the Manager in the first, second
or third (or any combination thereof) fiscal year next succeeding the fiscal
year of the withholding to the extent permitted by applicable law if the
aggregate expenses for the next succeeding fiscal year, second succeeding fiscal
year or third succeeding fiscal year do not exceed the applicable state
limitation or any more restrictive limitation to which the Manager has agreed.
(e) The Manager may agree not to require payment of any portion
of the compensation or reimbursement of expenses otherwise due to it pursuant to
this Agreement prior to the time such compensation or reimbursement has accrued
as a liability of the Fund. Any such agreement shall be applicable only with
respect to the specific items covered thereby and shall not constitute an
agreement not to require payment of any future compensation or reimbursement due
to the Manager hereunder.
9. FUND SHARE ACTIVITIES OF MANAGER'S OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. The
Manager agrees that neither it nor any of its officers or employees shall take
any short position in the shares of the Funds. This prohibition shall not
prevent the purchase of such shares by any of the officers or bona fide
employees of the Manager or any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit
plan for such persons or affiliates thereof, at a price not less than the net
asset value thereof at the time of purchase, as allowed pursuant to rules
promulgated under the 1940 Act.
10. CONFLICTS WITH TRUST'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND APPLICABLE LAWS.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds to
take any action contrary to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-
Laws, or any applicable statute or regulation, or to relieve or deprive the
Board of Trustees of the Trust of its responsibility for and control of the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust and Funds.
11. MANAGER'S LIABILITIES.
(a) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the
part of the Manager, the Manager shall not be subject to liability to the Trust
or the Funds or to any shareholder of the Funds for any act or omission in the
course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or other
asset or instrument by the Funds.
(b) The Funds shall indemnify and hold harmless the Manager and
the shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the Manager (any such
person, an "Indemnified Party") against any loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending any
alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense and reasonable legal fees
incurred in connection therewith) arising out of the Indemnified Party's
performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement, provided,
however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any Indemnified Party
against any liability to which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(c) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect
any Trustee or officer of the Trust, or officer of the Manager, from liability
in violation of Sections 17(h) and (i) of the 1940 Act.
12. NON-EXCLUSIVITY. The Trust's employment of the Manager is not an
exclusive arrangement, and the Trust may from time to time employ other
individuals or entities to furnish it with the services provided for herein. In
the event this Agreement is terminated with respect to any Fund, this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect with respect to any and all other Funds
listed on APPENDIX A hereto, as the same may be amended.
13. TERM. This Agreement shall become effective at the time the
Trust's initial Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with
respect to the shares of the Trust is declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years,
unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. This Agreement shall continue
in effect as to each Fund after such initial two-year period for additional
periods not exceeding one (l) year so long as such continuation is approved with
respect to such Fund at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust
or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund
and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties
to this Agreement nor interested persons thereof, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
14. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust on
behalf of any one or more of the Funds, without payment of any penalty, by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the
Manager, and by the Manager upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to a
Fund.
15. TERMINATION BY ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall terminate
automatically in the event of any transfer or assignment thereof, as defined in
the 1940 Act.
16. TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be transferred,
assigned, sold or in any manner hypothecated or pledged without the affirmative
vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of each Fund.
17. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise
rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
18. DEFINITIONS. The terms "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" and "interested persons" shall have the meanings as set forth in the
1940 Act.
19. NOTICE OF DECLARATION OF TRUST. The Manager agrees that the
Trust's obligations under this Agreement shall be limited to the Funds and to
their respective assets, and that the Manager shall not seek satisfaction of any
such obligation from the shareholders of the Funds nor from any Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust or the Funds.
20. CAPTIONS. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
21. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving
effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein
shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law,
regulation or rule, including the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisors Act of
1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day
and year first above written.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS FISHER INVESTMENTS, INC.
By: By:
- -------------------------------- ---------------------------
Title: Title:
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
APPENDIX A
to the Investment Management Agreement
The provisions of the Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and the
Manager apply to the following series of the Trust:
1. The Purisima Total Return Portfolio Fund
Date: July _______, 1996.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
APPENDIX B
to the Investment Management Agreement
Each Fund shall pay to the Manager, as full compensation for all investment
management and advisory services furnished or provided to such Fund pursuant to
the Investment Management Agreement, a management fee based upon each Fund's
average daily net assets at the following per annum rates:
1. The Purisima Total Return Fund 1.00 %
EXHIBIT 6
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of this ___ day of _____, 1996, by and between
The Purisima Funds, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust") and Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc., a Wisconsin Corporation (the "Distributor").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and is authorized
to issue shares of beneficial ownership (the "Shares") in separate series with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and is a member in
good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
"NASD"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust and Distributor desire to enter into an agreement
pursuant to which Distributor shall be the distributor of the Shares of the
Trust representing the investment portfolios listed on Schedule A hereto and any
additional investment portfolios the Trust and Distributor may agree upon and
include on Schedule A as such Schedule may be amended from time to time (such
investment portfolios and any additional investment portfolios are individually
referred to as a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.
The Trust hereby appoints the Distributor as agent for the distribution
of the Shares, on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement.
Distributor hereby accepts such appointment as agent for the distribution of the
Shares on the terms and for the period set forth in this Agreement.
2. SERVICES AND DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.
2.1 Distributor will act as agent for the distribution of Shares in
accordance with the instructions of the Trust's Board of Trustees and the
registration statement and prospectuses then in effect with respect to the Funds
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").
2.2 Subject to the terms of Section 4.2, Distributor may finance
appropriate activities which it deems reasonable which are primarily intended to
result in the sale of Shares. Distributor may enter into servicing and/or
selling agreements with qualified broker/dealers and other persons with respect
to the offering of Shares to the public, and if it so chooses Distributor will
act only on its own behalf as principal. The Distributor shall not be obligated
to sell any certain number of Shares of any Fund.
2.3 All Shares of the Funds offered for sale by Distributor shall be
offered for sale to the public at a price per unit (the "offering price") equal
to their net asset value (determined in the manner set forth in the Funds' then
current prospectus).
2.4 Distributor shall act as distributor of the Shares in compliance with
all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all
rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act, by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the NASD. Distributor
shall provide to the Trust's Board of Trustees, at least quarterly, a report of
its expenses incurred pursuant to this Agreement.
3. DUTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST.
3.1 The Trust represents that it is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act and that it has and will continue to act
in conformity with its Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
By-Laws and its registration statement, as each may be amended from time to
time, and resolutions and other instructions of its Board of Trustees and has
and will continue to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the laws
of the states in which shares of the Funds are offered and sold, and the rules
and regulations thereunder.
3.2 The Trust or its agent shall take all necessary action to register and
maintain the registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act for sale as herein
contemplated and the Trust shall pay all costs and expenses in connection with
the registration of Shares under the 1933 Act, and be responsible for all
expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of
Shares and for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished by
the Trust hereunder.
3.3 The Trust shall execute any and all documents and furnish any and all
information and otherwise take all actions which may be reasonably necessary in
connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as
Distributor and the Trust may approve, shall maintain the registration of a
sufficient number or amount of shares thereunder, and shall pay all expenses
which may be incurred in connection with such qualification.
3.4 The Trust shall, at its expense, keep the Distributor fully informed
with regard to its affairs. In addition, the Trust shall furnish Distributor
from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of Shares, with such
information with respect to the Trust and the Shares as Distributor may
reasonably request, and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any
such information shall be true and correct. The Trust also shall furnish
Distributor upon request with: (a) annual audited reports of books and accounts
with respect to each of the Funds, audited by independent public accountants
regularly retained by the Trust, (b) semi-annual reports with respect to each of
the Funds, and (c) from time to time such additional information regarding the
Trust's financial condition as Distributor may reasonably request.
3.5 The Trust represents to Distributor that all registration statements
and prospectuses of the Trust filed or to be filed with the Commission under the
1933 Act with respect to the Shares have been and will be prepared in conformity
with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder. As used in this Agreement the terms
"registration statement" and "prospectus" shall mean any registration statement
and prospectus (together with the related statement of additional information)
at any time now or hereafter filed with the Commission with respect to any of
the Shares and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall
have been or will be filed with said Commission. The Trust represents and
warrants to Distributor that any registration statement and prospectus, when
such registration statement becomes effective, will contain all statements
required to be stated therein in conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission; that all information contained in
the registration statement and prospectus will be true and correct in all
material respects when such registration statement becomes effective; and that
neither the registration statement nor any prospectus when such registration
statement becomes effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading. The Trust agrees to file from time
to time such amendments, supplements, reports and other documents as may be
necessary in order to comply with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and in order
that there may be no untrue statement of a material fact in a registration
statement or prospectus, or necessary in order that there may be no omission to
state a material fact in the registration statement or prospectus which omission
would make the statements therein misleading. If the Trust shall not propose an
amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements within fifteen days
after receipt by the Trust of a written request from Distributor to do so,
Distributor may, at its option, immediately terminate this Agreement. The Trust
shall not file any amendment to the registration statement or supplement to any
prospectus without giving Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way
limit the Trust's right to file at any time such amendments to any registration
statement and/or supplements to any prospectus, of whatever character, as the
Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional.
3.6 Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by market,
economic or political conditions, or by circumstances of any kind, the Trust's
officers may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any Shares
until such time as they deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such
sales and the Trust shall advise Distributor promptly of such determination.
3.7 The Trust agrees to advise the Distributor promptly in writing:
(i) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
registration statement or prospectuses;
(ii) in the event of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or prospectuses then
in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;
(iii) of the happening of any event which makes untrue any
statement of a material fact made in the registration statement or prospectuses
or which requires the making of a change in such registration statement or
prospectuses in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and
(iv) of all actions taken by the Commission with respect to any
amendments to any registration statement or prospectus which may from time to
time be filed with the Commission.
4. COMPENSATION.
4.1 Subject to the limitations contained in Section 4.3 below, (i) for
serving as distributor the Funds will pay to the Distributor a fee, payable
monthly in arrears, at the annual rate of _____ per annum of each Fund's average
daily net assets; provided, however, that such compensation shall be subject to
an aggregate minimum annual fee of ______________, and (ii) for marketing and
advertising services, the Funds will pay to the Distributor such fees as may be
agreed to by the Funds and Distributor.
4.2 In addition to the compensation payable pursuant to Section 4.1, the
Funds will reimburse the Distributor or pay directly, at the Distributor's
discretion, the Distributor's (i) out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares including,
without limitation, typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and
shareholder reports, production, printing and distribution of sales materials
and forms, placement of media advertising, engagement of designers, free lance
writers and public relation firms, long distance telephone lines, services and
charges, postage, overnight delivery charges, storage of inventory, regulatory
filing fees and travel, lodging and meals, and (ii) amounts paid by Distributor
to dealers or other persons entering into a selling or servicing agreement with
Distributor.
4.3 Subject to and calculated in accordance with the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., if during any
annual period the total of the compensation payable and out-of-pocket
reimbursements under Sections 4.1 and 4.2 to the Distributor exceeds 0.25% of a
Fund's average daily net assets, the Distributor will rebate that portion of its
fee necessary to result in the total of (i) and (ii) above not exceeding 0.25%
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The payment of compensation and
reimbursement of expenditures is authorized pursuant to the Trust's Service and
Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
5. INDEMNIFICATION.
5.1(a) The Trust authorizes Distributor to use any prospectus, in the
form furnished to Distributor from time to time, in connection with the sale of
Shares. The Trust shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, and each of
its present or former directors, officers, employees, representatives and any
person who controls or previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all
losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages and expenses (including the costs
of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities,
damages or expenses and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which
Distributor, each of its present and former directors, officers, employees or
representatives or any such controlling person, may incur arising out of or
based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact
contained in the registration statement or any prospectus, as from time to time
amended or supplemented, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or
alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however,
that the Trust's obligation to indemnify Distributor and any of the foregoing
indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any losses, claims, demands,
liabilities, damages or expenses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the registration
statement or prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to the Distributor and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by
Distributor for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; and
provided further that the Trust's agreement to indemnify Distributor and any of
the foregoing indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any liability to the
Trust or its shareholders to which Distributor would otherwise be subject by
reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Trust's agreement to indemnify
the Distributor, and any of the foregoing indemnitees, as the case may be, with
respect to any action, is expressly conditioned upon the Trust being notified of
such action brought against Distributor, or any of the foregoing indemnitees,
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the
Distributor, or such person, such notification to be given by letter or by
telegram addressed to the Trust's President, but the failure so to notify the
Trust of any such action shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which
the Trust may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason
of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged
omission, otherwise than on account of the Trust's indemnity agreement contained
in this Section 5.1.
5.1(b) The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in
the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such loss, claim, demand, liability, damage or expense, but if the
Trust elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel
chosen by the Trust and approved by the Distributor, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of
any such suit and retain such counsel, the indemnified defendant or defendants
in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained
by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or
in case the Distributor does not, in the exercise of reasonable judgment,
approve of counsel chosen by the Trust, the Trust will reimburse the indemnified
person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees
and expenses of any counsel retained by Distributor and them. The Trust's
indemnification agreement contained in this Section 5.1 and the Trust's
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Distributor, and each of its present or former directors, officers,
employees, representatives or any controlling person, and shall survive the
delivery of any Shares and the termination of this Agreement. This Agreement of
indemnity will inure exclusively to the Distributor's benefit, to the benefit of
each of its present or former directors, officers, employees or representatives
and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors. The Trust
agrees promptly to notify Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against the Trust or any of its officers or trustees in connection
with the issue and sale of any of the Shares.
5.2(a) Distributor shall indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, and each
of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, and any
person who controls or previously controlled the Trust within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless from and against any and all
losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages and expenses (including the costs
of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities,
damages or expenses, and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
which the Trust, and each of its present or former trustees, officers,
employees, representatives, or any such controlling person, may incur arising
out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact
contained in the Trust's registration statement or any prospectus, as from time
to time amended or supplemented, or the omission, or alleged omission, to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statement not misleading, but only if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon, and in conformity with, information relating to the Distributor
and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by the Distributor for the purpose of,
and used in, the preparation thereof. Distributor's agreement to indemnify the
Trust and any of the foregoing indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any
liability to Distributor to which the Trust would otherwise be subject by reason
of its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties, under this Agreement. The Distributor's agreement to indemnify the
Trust, and any of the foregoing indemnitees, is expressly conditioned upon the
Distributor's being notified of any action brought against the Trust, and any of
the foregoing indemnitees, such notification to be given by letter or telegram
addressed to Distributor's President, within a reasonable time after the summons
or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon the Trust or such person, but the failure so to notify
Distributor of any such action shall not relieve Distributor from any liability
which Distributor may have to the person against whom such action is brought by
reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, otherwise
than on account of Distributor's indemnity agreement contained in this Section
5.2(a).
5.2(b) In case any action shall be brought against the Trust, and each
of its present or former trustees, officers, employees, representatives, or
controlling persons, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the
Distributor, the Distributor shall have the rights and duties given to the
Trust, and the Trust and each person so indemnified shall have the rights and
duties given to the Distributor by the provisions of Section 5.1(b).
6. OFFERING OF SHARES.
No Shares shall be offered by either Distributor or the Trust under any of
the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of such
Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the
effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary
amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the 1933
Act, or if and so long as current prospectuses as required by Section 10 of the
1933 Act, as amended, are not on file with the Commission; provided, however,
that nothing contained in this Paragraph 6 shall in any way restrict or have an
application to or bearing upon the Trust's obligation to repurchase Shares from
any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the prospectuses or
Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
7. TERM.
7.1 This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed
on Schedule A hereof as of the date hereof and, with respect to each Fund not in
existence on that date, on the date an amendment to Schedule A to this Agreement
relating to that Fund is executed. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein,
this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund until
______________, 1997. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall
continue automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive annual periods,
provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the
Trust's Board of Trustees or (ii) the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, and provided that in either
event the continuance is also approved by the Distributor and a majority of the
Trust's Board of Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
7.2 This Agreement may be terminated without penalty with respect to a
particular Fund (i) through a failure to renew this Agreement at the end of a
term, (ii) upon mutual consent of the parties, or (iii) on no less than sixty
(60) days' written notice, by the Trust's Board of Trustees, by vote of a
majority (as defined with respect to voting securities in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by the Distributor (which notice may
be waived by the party entitled to such notice). The terms of this Agreement
shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner
whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by the Distributor and the
Trust. This Agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
8. MISCELLANEOUS.
8.1 The services of the Distributor rendered to the Funds are not deemed
to be exclusive. The Distributor may render such services and any other
services to others, including other investment companies. The Trust recognizes
that from time to time directors, officers, and employees of the Distributor may
serve as directors, trustees, officers and/or employees of other entities
(including other investment companies), that such other entities may include the
name of the Distributor as part of their name and that the Distributor or its
affiliates may enter into distribution, administration, fund accounting,
transfer agent or other agreements with such other entities.
8.2 Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other
information relative to the Funds and prior, present or potential shareholders
of the Funds (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and
information for any purpose other than performance of Distributor's
responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and
approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld when the Distributor is subject to regulatory
audit or inspection, when Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal
contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities with proper jurisdiction, or when so
requested by the Trust.
8.3 This Agreement shall be governed by Wisconsin law. To the extent that
the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall
control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the
1940 Act or any rule or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of
this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
8.4 Any notice required or to be permitted to be given by either party
to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when
hand delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, as follows: Notice to the Distributor shall be sent to
Sunstone Financial Group, Inc., 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, 53202, Attention: Miriam M. Allison, and notice to the Trust shall
be sent to The Purisima Funds, at 13100 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, California
94061, Attention: Clayton P. Fisher.
8.5 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
(the "Trust")
By:
--------------------------------------
Kenneth L. Fisher
President
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
("Distributor")
By:
--------------------------------------
Miriam M. Allison
President
EXHIBIT 9.1
ADMINISTRATION AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of this ___ day of _______, 1996, by and between
The Purisima Funds, a Delaware business trust, (the "Trust"), and Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the "Administrator").
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and is authorized
to issue shares of beneficial ownership (the "Shares") in separate series with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Administrator desire to enter into an agreement
pursuant to which the Administrator shall provide administration and fund
accounting services to such investment portfolios of the Trust as are listed on
Schedule A hereto and any additional investment portfolios the Trust and
Administrator may agree upon and include on Schedule A as such Schedule may be
amended from time to time (such investment portfolios and any additional
investment portfolios are individually referred to as a "Fund" and collectively
the "Funds").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT
The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator as administrator and fund
accountant of the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render the
services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. SERVICES AS ADMINISTRATOR
(a) Subject to the direction and control of the Trust's Board of Trustees
and utilizing information provided by the Trust and its agents, the
Administrator will, in a timely manner: (1) provide office space, facilities,
equipment and personnel to carry out its services hereunder; (2) compile data
for and prepare with respect to the Funds timely notices to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") required pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the
1940 Act and Semi-Annual Reports on Form N-SAR; (3) assist in the preparation
for execution by the Trust and file all federal income and excise tax returns
and state income tax returns (and such other required tax filings as may be
agreed to by the parties) other than those required to be made by the Trust's
custodian or transfer agent, subject to review and approval of the Trust and the
Trust's independent accountants; (4) prepare the financial statements for the
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports required pursuant to Section 30(d) under the 1940
Act; (5) assist the Trust's legal counsel in the preparation of the Registration
Statement for the Trust (on Form N-1A or any replacement therefor) and any
amendments thereto; (6) determine and periodically monitor the Funds' income and
expense accruals and cause all appropriate expenses to be paid from Trust assets
on proper authorization from the Trust; (7) calculate daily net asset values and
income factors of the Funds, (8) maintain all general ledger accounts and
related subledgers; (9) perform security valuations; (10) assist in the
acquisition of the Trust's fidelity bond required by the 1940 Act, monitor the
amount of the bond and make the necessary Commission filings related thereto;
(11) from time to time as the Administrator deems appropriate, check the Funds'
compliance with the policies and limitations of the Funds relating to the
portfolio investments as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information and monitor each Fund's status as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (but these
functions shall not relieve the Trust's investment adviser and sub-advisers, if
any, of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance);
(12) maintain, and/or coordinate with the other service providers the
maintenance of, the accounts, books and other documents required pursuant to
Rule 31a-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act; (13) prepare and/or file all documents
required to be filed with states to register and maintain the registration of
the Shares in the states and in the amounts identified by the Corporation; (14)
develop with legal counsel and secretary of the Trust an agenda and related
materials and resolutions for each board and committee meeting and, if requested
by the Trustees, attend board meetings and prepare minutes; (15) coordinate
preparation of other matters required to be reported to the board, including,
without limitation, details of Rule 12b-1 payments, codes of ethics compliance
and broker commissions; (16) prepare Form 1099s for Trustees and other fund
vendors; (17) calculate dividend and capital gains distributions subject to
review and approval by the Trust and its independent accountants; and (18)
generally assist in the Trust's administrative operations as mutually agreed to
by the parties. The duties of the Administrator shall be confined to those
expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be
asserted against the Administrator hereunder.
(b) The Trustees of the Trust shall cause the officers, investment adviser,
legal counsel, independent accountants and custodian for the Trust to cooperate
with the Administrator and to provide the Administrator, upon request, with such
information, documents and advice relating to the Funds and the Trust as is
within the possession or knowledge of such persons, in order to enable the
Administrator to perform its duties hereunder. In connection with its duties
hereunder, and not withstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Administrator shall be entitled to rely in good faith, and shall be held
harmless by the Trust when acting in reliance, upon the instruction, advice,
information or any documents relating to the Trust provided to the Administrator
by an officer or representative of the Trust or by any of the aforementioned
persons. Fees charged by such persons shall be an expense of the Trust. The
Administrator shall be entitled to rely on any document which it reasonably
believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party.
The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of
any officer, agent, representative or employee of the Trust until receipt of
written notice thereof from the Trust.
(c) In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act,
the Administrator hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the
Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to
the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request. Subject to the terms of
Section 6, the Administrator further agrees to preserve for the periods
prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records described in (a) above
which are maintained by the Administrator for the Trust.
(d) It is understood that in determining security valuations, the
Administrator employs one or more pricing services to determine valuations of
portfolio securities for purposes of calculating net asset values of the Funds.
The Administrator shall identify to the Trust and the Board of Trustees any
such pricing service utilized on behalf of the Trust. The Administrator is
authorized to rely on the prices provided by such service(s) or by the Funds'
investment adviser or other authorized representative of the Trust, and shall
not be liable for losses to the Trust or its security holders as a result of its
reasonable and good faith reliance on the valuations provided by the approved
pricing service(s) or the representative.
3. FEES; DELEGATION; EXPENSES
(a) In consideration of the services rendered pursuant to this Agreement,
the Trust will pay the Administrator a fee, computed daily and payable monthly,
as provided in Schedule B hereto, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Trust shall
also pay the Administrator for organizational start-up services provided on
behalf of the Funds as specified in Schedule B. Out-of-pocket expenses include,
but are not limited to, travel, lodging and meals in connection with travel on
behalf of the Trust, programming and related expenses (previously incurred or to
be incurred by Administrator) in connection with providing electronic
transmission of data between the Administrator and the Funds' other service
providers, brokers, dealers and depositories, and photocopying, postage and
overnight delivery expenses. Fees shall be paid by the Funds at a rate that
would aggregate at least the applicable minimum fee for the respective Funds.
(b) For the purpose of determining fees payable to the Administrator, net
asset value shall be computed in accordance with the Trust's Prospectuses and
resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees. The fee for the period from the
day of the month this Agreement is entered into until the end of that month
shall be pro-rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the
full monthly period. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of
any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-rated according to the
proportion which such period bears to the full monthly period and shall be
payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. Should the Trust be
liquidated, merged with or acquired by another fund or investment company, any
accrued fees shall be immediately payable. Such fee as is attributable to each
Fund shall be a separate charge to each Fund and shall be the several (and not
joint or joint and several) obligation of each such Fund.
(c) The Administrator will bear all expenses in connection with the
performance of its services under this Agreement except as otherwise provided
herein. Other costs and expenses to be incurred in the operation of the Trust,
including, but not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions,
if any; salaries, fees and expenses of officers and Trustees; Commission fees
and state Blue Sky fees; advisory fees; charges of custodians, transfer agents,
dividend disbursing and accounting services agents; security pricing services;
insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of organization
and maintenance of corporate existence; typesetting, printing, proofing and
mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information, supplements,
notices and proxy materials for regulatory purposes and for distribution to
current shareholders; typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing and other
costs of shareholder reports; expenses in connection with the electronic
transmission of documents and information including electronic filings with the
Commission and the states; expenses incidental to holding meetings of the
Trust's shareholders and Trustees; and any extraordinary expenses; will be borne
by the Funds or their investment adviser. Expenses incurred for distribution of
shares, including the typesetting, printing, proofing and mailing of
prospectuses for persons who are not shareholders of the Trust, will be borne by
the Trust's investment adviser, except for such expenses permitted to be paid by
the Trust under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with applicable laws.
4. PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
The Administrator agrees on behalf of itself and its employees to treat
confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other
information relative to the Trust and the Funds and prior, present or potential
shareholders of the Trust (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use
such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its
responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and
approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld and may not be withheld where the Administrator may be exposed to civil
or criminal proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such
information by duly constituted authorities with proper jurisdiction, when
subject to governmental or regulatory audit or investigation, or when so
requested by the Trust.
5. LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
(a) The Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Funds in connection
with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a loss resulting
from the Administrator's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in
the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. Furthermore, notwithstanding
anything else herein to the contrary, the Administrator shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with instructions received
by the Administrator from a duly authorized officer or representative of the
Trust according to such written lists of authorized representatives as furnished
to Administrator from time to time.
(b) The Administrator assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not be
liable, for any damage, loss of data, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever
caused by events beyond its reasonable control and that are not a result of
actions of the Administrator constituting its willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence. The Administrator will, however, take all reasonable steps to
minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues
beyond the Administrator's control.
(c) Each party represents to the other that all necessary proceedings
required by their respective charters have been taken to authorize them to enter
into and perform this Agreement. The Administrator represents that it is
currently in compliance, and will for the duration of this Agreement comply, in
all material respects, with all applicable laws and regulations governing its
performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Trust represents that it is
currently in compliance, and will for the duration of this Agreement comply, in
all material respects, its Registration Statement and with all applicable laws
and regulations including those governing its registration and operation as an
investment company.
(d) The Administrator will hold the Trust harmless against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees and expenses) which are the result of Sunstone's willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties hereunder or by
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
(e) The Trust will hold the Administrator harmless against any and all
losses, claims damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel
fees and expenses) not resulting from the Administrators' willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties hereunder or by
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, and
harmless against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
(including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from the
Administrator's reliance on instructions, advice, information or documents as
provided in section 2(b) of this Agreement.
(f) In no event and under no circumstances shall either party to this
Agreement be liability to anyone, including without limitation to other party,
for consequential, incidental or punitive damages for any act or failure to act
under any provision of this Agreement even if advised of the possibility
thereof.
6. TERM
(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed
on Schedule A hereof as of the date hereof and, with respect to each Fund not in
existence on that date, on the date an amendment to Schedule A to this Agreement
relating to that Fund is executed. This Agreement shall continue in effect with
respect to each Fund until ______________, 1997 (the "Initial Term").
Thereafter, if not terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue
automatically in effect as to each Fund for successive annual periods.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any one or more
particular Funds without penalty after the Initial Term (i) upon mutual consent
of the parties, or (ii) by either party upon not less than sixty (60) days'
written notice to the other party (which notice may be waived by the party
entitled to the notice). The terms of this Agreement shall not be waived,
altered, modified, amended or supplemented in any manner whatsoever except by a
written instrument signed by the Administrator and the Trust.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the termination of
this Agreement or the liquidation of a Fund or the Trust, the Administrator
shall deliver the records of the Fund(s) and/or Trust as the case may be to the
Trust or person(s) designated by the Trust and thereafter the Trust or its
designee shall be solely responsible for preserving the records for the periods
required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations. In addition, in the
event of termination of this Agreement, or the proposed liquidation or merger of
the Trust or a Fund(s), and the Trust requests the Administrator to provide
services in connection therewith, the Administrator shall provide such services
and be entitled to such compensation as the parties may mutually agree.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY
The services of the Administrator rendered to the Trust are not deemed to be
exclusive. The Administrator may render such services and any other services to
others, including other investment companies. The Trust recognizes that from
time to time directors, officers and employees of the Administrator may serve as
trustees, directors, officers and employees of other entities (including other
investment companies), that such other entities may include the name of the
Administrator as part of their name and that the Administrator or its affiliates
may enter into investment advisory or other agreements with such other entities.
8. GOVERNING LAW; INVALIDITY
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Wisconsin. To the extent that the applicable laws of the
State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing
herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule
or order of the Commission thereunder. Any provision of this Agreement which
may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in
any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
9. NOTICE OF DECLARATION OF TRUST
This Agreement is executed by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to each
of the Funds and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the
Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding
only upon the Funds to which such obligations pertain and the assets and
property of such Funds. The Trust's Certificate of Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of Delaware.
10. NOTICES
Any notice required or to be permitted to be given by either party to the
other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when sent by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, as
follows: Notice to the Administrator shall be sent to Sunstone Financial Group,
Inc., 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, Attention Miriam
M. Allison, and notice to the Trust shall be sent to The Purisima Funds, 13100
Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, California, 94062, Attention: Clayton P. Fisher.
11. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original agreement but such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by a duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
(the "Trust")
By:
---------------------------------------
President
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
("Administrator")
By:
---------------------------------------
President
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
ADMINISTRATION AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NAME OF FUND
PURISIMA TOTAL RETURN FUND
SCHEDULE B
TO THE
ADMINISTRATION AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Intending to be legally bound, the undersigned hereby amend and restate Schedule
B to the aforesaid Agreement to include the following fees for the following
investment portfolios:
MINIMUM
NAME OF FUND ANNUAL FEES ANNUAL FEE
- ------------ --------------------------------------------- ----------
Total Return Fund Up to $50 Million 22.0 basis points $75,000
$50 Million to $100 Million 15.0 basis points
Over $100 Million 7.0 basis points
The minimum annual fee is subject to an automatic annual escalation of 5%.
Sunstone will notify the Trust of each such escalation but no amendment of this
Schedule B shall be required. The Trust shall pay the Administrator $_______
for its initial start-up services for the Fund. The Trust shall also
pay/reimburse the Administrator's out-of-pocket expenses as described in the
Agreement. The foregoing fee schedule assumes a single Fund and a single class
of shares.
EXHIBIT 9.2
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the ___ day of _______, 1996 by and between The
Purisima Funds, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), and Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation. ("Sunstone"):
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company and
is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") in separate
series with each such series representing the interests in a separate portfolio
of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain Sunstone to render the transfer agency
and other services contemplated hereby with respect to each of the investment
portfolios of the Trust as are listed on Schedule A hereto and any additional
investment portfolios the Trust and Sunstone may agree upon and include on
Schedule A as such Schedule may be amended from time to time (such investment
portfolios and any additional investment portfolios are individually referred to
as a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"), and Sunstone is willing to render
such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
APPOINTMENT OF TRANSFER AGENT
A. APPOINTMENT.
1. The Trust hereby constitutes and appoints Sunstone as transfer agent
and dividend disbursing agent of all the Shares of the Funds during the period
of this Agreement, and Sunstone hereby accepts such appointment as transfer
agent and dividend disbursing agent and agrees to perform the duties thereof as
hereinafter set forth.
2. Sunstone shall perform the transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent services described on Schedule B hereto. To the extent that the Trust
requests Sunstone to perform any additional services in a manner not consistent
with Sunstone's usual processing procedures, Sunstone and the Trust shall
mutually agree as to the services to be accomplished, the manner of
accomplishment and the compensation to which Sunstone shall be entitled with
respect thereto.
3. Sunstone may, in its discretion, appoint in writing other parties
qualified to perform transfer agency and shareholder services reasonably
acceptable to the Trust (individually, a "Sub-transfer Agent") to carry out
some or all of its responsibilities under this Agreement with respect to a Fund;
provided, however, that unless the Trust shall enter into a written agreement
with such Sub-transfer Agent, the Sub-transfer Agent shall be the agent of
Sunstone and not the agent of the Trust and, in such event Sunstone shall be
fully responsible for the acts or omissions of such Sub-transfer Agent and shall
not be relieved of any of its responsibilities hereunder by the appointment of
such Sub-transfer Agent.
4. Sunstone shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever
hereunder except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth
in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this
Agreement against Sunstone.
B. DOCUMENTS/RECORDS.
1. In connection with such appointment, the Trust shall deliver or
cause to be delivered the following documents to Sunstone:
a) A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws of
the Trust and all amendments thereto, and a copy of the resolutions of the Board
of Trustees of the Trust appointing Sunstone and authorizing the execution of
this Transfer Agency Agreement on behalf of the Funds; each certified by the
Secretary of the Trust;
b) A certificate signed by the President and Secretary of the Trust
specifying: the number of authorized Shares and the number of such authorized
Shares issued and currently outstanding, if any; the names and specimen
signatures of the officers of the Trust authorized to sign written stock
certificates, and the individuals authorized to provide oral instructions and to
sign written instructions and requests on behalf of the Trust (hereinafter
referred to as "Authorized Person(s)");
c) In the event the Trust issues Share certificates, specimen Share
certificates for each Fund in the form approved by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust (and in a format compatible with Sunstone's operating system), together
with a Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Trust as to such approval;
d) Copies of the Trust's Registration Statement, as amended to date,
and the most recently filed Post-Effective Amendment thereto, filed by the Trust
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), and under the 1940 Act, as amended, together with
any applications filed in connection therewith; and
e) Opinion of counsel for the Trust filed as an exhibit to the
Trust's Registration Statement with respect to the validity of the authorized
and outstanding Shares and whether such Shares are fully paid and non-
assessable.
2. The Trust agrees to deliver or to cause to be delivered to Sunstone
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Trust's expense, all such documents, records and
information as Sunstone may reasonably request in order for Sunstone to perform
its services hereunder.
ARTICLE II
COMPENSATION & EXPENSES
A. COMPENSATION. In consideration for its services hereunder as transfer
agent and dividend disbursing agent, each Fund will pay to Sunstone such
compensation as shall be set forth in a separate fee schedule to be agreed to by
each Fund and Sunstone from time to time. The liability of each Fund to
Sunstone is such Fund's own liability and Sunstone agrees there is no joint and
several liabilities among the Funds. A copy of the initial fee schedule is
attached hereto as Schedule C.
B. EXPENSES. The Trust on behalf of each Fund also agrees to promptly
reimburse Sunstone for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements
incurred by Sunstone in connection with the performance of services under this
Agreement including, but not limited to, expenses for postage, express delivery
services, freight charges, envelopes, checks, drafts, forms (continuous or
otherwise), specially requested reports and statements, bank account service
fees and charges, telephone calls, telegraphs, stationery supplies, outside
printing and mailing firms, magnetic tapes, reels or cartridges (if sent to a
Fund or to a third party at a Fund's request) and magnetic tape handling
charges, on-site and off-site record storage, media for storage of records
(e.g., microfilm, microfiche, optical platters, computer tapes and disks),
computer equipment installed at a Fund's request at a Fund's or a third party's
premises, telecommunications equipment, telephone/telecommunication lines
between the Trust and its agents, on one hand, and Sunstone on the other, proxy
soliciting, processing and/or tabulating costs, transmission of statement data
for remote printing or processing, and transaction fees to the extent any of the
foregoing are paid by Sunstone. If requested by Sunstone, postage and other
out-of-pocket expenses are payable in advance, and in the event requested
postage is due at least seven days prior to the anticipated mail date. In the
event Sunstone requests advance payment, Sunstone shall not be obligated to
incur such expenses or perform the related service(s) until payment is received.
Sunstone may, at its option, arrange to have various service providers submit
invoices directly to the Trust for payment of out-of pocket expenses
reimbursable hereunder.
C. PAYMENT PROCEDURES.
1. Amounts due hereunder shall be due and paid by the respective Fund
on or before the thirtieth (30th) day after the date of the statement therefor
(the "Due Date"). Service fees are billed monthly, and out-of-pocket expenses
are billed as incurred (unless prepayment is requested by Sunstone). The Trust
is aware that its failure to pay all amounts in a timely fashion so that they
will be received by Sunstone on or before the Due Date will give rise to costs
to Sunstone not contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to
carrying, processing and accounting charges. Accordingly, in the event that any
amounts due hereunder are not received by Sunstone by the Due Date, a Fund shall
pay a late charge equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month or the
maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is less. In addition, the Fund shall
pay reasonable attorney's fees and court costs of Sunstone if any amounts due
Sunstone are collected by or through an attorney. The parties hereby agree that
such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs
incurred by reason of late payment or payment of amounts not properly due.
Acceptance of such late charge shall in no event constitute a waiver of a Fund's
default or prevent Sunstone from exercising any other rights and remedies
available to it.
2. In the event that any charges are disputed, the Fund shall, on or
before the Due Date, pay all undisputed amounts due hereunder and notify
Sunstone in writing of any disputed charges for out-of-pocket expenses which it
is disputing in good faith. Payment for such disputed charges shall be due on
or before the close of the tenth (10th) business day after the day on which
Sunstone provides to the Fund documentation which an objective observer would
agree reasonably supports the disputed charges. Late charges shall not begin to
accrue as to charges disputed in good faith until the fifteenth day after
Sunstone provides notice that it intends to impose late charges.
ARTICLE III
PROCESSING AND PROCEDURES
A. ISSUANCE, REDEMPTION AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
1. Sunstone acknowledges that it has received a copy of each Fund's
Prospectus (as hereinafter defined), which Prospectus describes how sales and
redemptions of shares of each Fund shall be made and Sunstone agrees to accept
purchase orders and redemption requests with respect to Fund shares on each Fund
Business Day in accordance with such Prospectus. "Fund Business Day" shall be
deemed to be each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading,
and "Prospectus" shall mean the last Fund prospectus, including all
unsuperceded supplements actually received by Sunstone from the Fund with
respect to which the Fund has indicated a registration statement under the 1933
Act has become effective, including the Statement of Additional Information,
incorporated by reference therein.
2. On each Fund Business Day Sunstone shall, as of the time at which
the net asset value of each Fund is computed, issue to and redeem from the
accounts specified in a purchase order or redemption request in proper form and
accepted by the Trust or its authorized agent or subagent, which in accordance
with the Prospectus is effective on such day, the appropriate number of full and
fractional Shares based on the net asset value per Share of the respective Fund
specified in an advice received on such Fund Business Day from or on behalf of
the Fund.
3. Upon the issuance of any Shares in accordance with this Agreement,
Sunstone shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other
taxes required to be paid by a Fund in connection with such issuance of any
Shares.
4. Sunstone shall not be required to issue any Shares after it has
received from an Authorized Person or from an appropriate federal or state
authority written notification that the sale of Shares has been suspended or
discontinued, and Sunstone shall be entitled to rely upon such written
notification.
5. Upon receipt of a proper redemption request and monies paid to it by
the Custodian in connection with a redemption of Shares, Sunstone shall cancel
the redeemed Shares and after making appropriate deduction for any withholding
of taxes required of it by applicable law, make payment in accordance with the
Fund's redemption and payment procedures described in the Prospectus.
6. (a) Except as otherwise provided in sub-paragraph (b) of this
paragraph, Shares will be transferred or redeemed upon presentation to Sunstone
of Share certificates, if any, or instructions properly endorsed for transfer or
redemption, accompanied by such documents as Sunstone deems necessary to
evidence the authority of the person making such transfer or redemption, and
bearing satisfactory evidence of the payment of any applicable stock transfer
taxes. Sunstone reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem Shares until
it is satisfied that the endorsement on the stock certificate, if any, or
instructions is valid and genuine, and for that purpose it will require, unless
otherwise instructed by an Authorized Person or except as provided in sub-
paragraph (b) of this paragraph, a guarantee of signature by an "Eligible
Guarantor Institution" as that term is defined by SEC Rule 17Ad-15. Sunstone
also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem Shares until it is
satisfied that the requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and
it shall incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers or
redemptions which Sunstone, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or
until it is satisfied that there is no reasonable basis to any claims adverse to
such transfer or redemption. Sunstone may, in effecting transfers and
redemptions of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the Uniform Act for the
Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers or the Uniform Commercial Code,
as the same may be amended from time to time, applicable to the transfer of
securities, and shall not be responsible for any act done or omitted by it in
good faith and without negligence in reliance upon such laws.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, Sunstone shall be fully protected by each Fund
in not requiring any instruments, documents, assurances, endorsements or
guarantees, including, without limitation, any signature guarantees, in
connection with a redemption, or transfer, of Shares whenever Sunstone
reasonably believes in good faith that requiring the same would be inconsistent
with the transfer and redemption procedures as described in the Prospectus.
7. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, Sunstone shall not be required or expected to require, as a condition
to any transfer or redemption of any Shares pursuant to a computer tape or
electronic data transmission, any documents to evidence the authority of the
person requesting the transfer or redemption and/or the payment of any stock
transfer taxes, and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Article.
8. In connection with each purchase and each redemption of Shares,
Sunstone shall send such statements as are prescribed by the Federal securities
laws applicable to transfer agents or as described in the Prospectus. If the
Prospectus indicates that certificates for Shares are available and if
specifically requested in writing by any shareholder, or if otherwise required
hereunder, Sunstone will countersign, issue and mail to such shareholder at the
address set forth in the records of Sunstone a Share certificate for any full
Share requested.
9. On each Fund Business Day Sunstone shall supply the Trust or its
agent or subagent with a statement specifying with respect to the immediately
preceding Fund Business Day: the total number of Shares of the Funds (including
fractional Shares) issued and outstanding at the opening of business on such
day; the total number of Shares of the Funds sold on such day; the total number
of Shares of the Funds and the dollar amount redeemed from Shareholders by
Sunstone on such day; and the total number of Shares of the Funds issued and
outstanding. Sunstone shall endeavor to provide this information by 10:00 a.m.
Central Time on each such Business Day.
10. Procedures for effecting purchase, redemption or transfer
transactions accepted from investors by telephone or other methods shall be
established by mutual agreement between the Trust and Sunstone consistent with
the terms of the Prospectus. Sunstone upon notice to the Trust may establish
such additional procedures, rules and regulations governing the transfer or
registration of Share certificates, if any, or the purchase, redemption or
transfer of Shares, as it may deem advisable and consistent with the Prospectus
and such rules and regulations generally adopted by mutual fund transfer agents.
Sunstone shall not be liable, and shall be held harmless by the Trust, for its
actions or omissions which are consistent with the foregoing procedures absent
fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of Sunstone or its agents.
B. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
1. The Trust shall furnish to Sunstone a copy of a resolution of its
Board of Trustees, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, either
(i) setting forth the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the
date of accrual or payment, as the case may be, thereof, the record date as of
which shareholders entitled to payment, or accrual, as the case may be, shall be
determined, the amount per Share of such dividend or distribution, the payment
date on which all previously accrued and unpaid dividends are to be paid, and
the total amount, if any, payable to Sunstone on such payment date, or (ii)
authorizing the declaration of dividends and distributions on a daily or other
periodic basis and authorizing Sunstone to rely on a certificate of an
Authorized Person setting forth the information described in subsection (i) of
this paragraph.
2. In connection with a reinvestment of a dividend or distribution of
Shares of a Fund, Sunstone shall as of each Fund Business Day, as specified in a
certificate or resolution described in paragraph 1, issue Shares of the Fund
based on the net asset value per Share of such Fund specified in an advice
received from or on behalf of the Fund on such Fund Business Day.
3. Upon the mail date specified in such certificate or resolution, as
the case may be, the Fund shall, in the case of a cash dividend or distribution,
cause the Custodian to deposit in an account in the name of Sunstone on behalf
of the Fund, an amount of cash, if any, sufficient for Sunstone to make the
payment, as of the mail date, specified in such Certificate or resolution, as
the case may be, to the Shareholders who were of record on the record date.
Sunstone will, upon receipt of any such cash, promptly make payment of such cash
dividends or distributions to the shareholders of record as of the record date.
Absent Sunstone's negligence, Sunstone shall not be liable for any improper
payments made in good faith and in accordance with a certificate or resolution
described in the preceding paragraph. If Sunstone shall not receive from the
Custodian sufficient cash to make payments of any cash dividend or distribution
to all shareholders of the Fund as of the record date, Sunstone shall promptly
notify the Fund and shall, upon notifying the Fund, withhold payment to all
shareholders of record as of the record date until sufficient cash is provided
to Sunstone.
4. It is understood that Sunstone in its capacity as transfer agent and
dividend disbursing agent shall in no way be responsible for the determination
of the rate or form of dividends or capital gain distributions due to the
shareholders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. It is further understood
that Sunstone shall file in a timely manner with the Internal Revenue Service
and shareholders such appropriate federal tax forms concerning the payment of
dividend and capital gain distributions but shall in no way be responsible for
the collection or withholding of taxes due on such dividends or distributions
due to shareholders, except and only to the extent, required by applicable law.
C. AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES; RECAPITALIZATION OR CAPITAL
ADJUSTMENT.
1. Prior to the effective date of any increase or decrease in the total
number of Shares authorized to be issued, or the issuance of any additional
Shares of a Fund pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits, recapiltalizations,
capital adjustments or similar transactions, the Trust agrees to deliver to
Sunstone such documents, certificates, reports and legal opinions as Sunstone
may reasonably request.
2. In the event a Fund issues Share certificates, Sunstone may issue
new Share certificates in place of certificates represented to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed upon receiving written instructions from the shareholder
accompanied by proof of an indemnity or surety bond issued by a recognized
insurance institution specified by the Trust or Sunstone. If Sunstone receives
written notification from the shareholder or broker dealer that the certificate
issued was never received, and such notification is made within 30 days of the
date of issuance, Sunstone may reissue the certificate without requiring a
surety bond. Sunstone may also reissue certificates which are represented as
lost, stolen, or destroyed without requiring a surety bond provided that the
notification is in writing and accompanied by an indemnification signed on
behalf of a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange and signed by an officer
of said firm with the signature guaranteed. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Sunstone will reissue a certificate upon written authorization from an
Authorized Person.
D. RECORDS.
1. Sunstone shall keep such records as are specified in Schedule D
hereto in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable but
not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government
authorities, in particular Rules 31a-2 and 31a-3 under the 1940 Act. Sunstone
may deliver to the Trust from time to time at its discretion, for safekeeping or
disposition by the Trust in accordance with law, such records, papers and
documents accumulated in the execution of its duties as such transfer agent, as
Sunstone may deem expedient, other than those which Sunstone is itself required
to maintain pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. The Trust shall assume
all responsibility for any failure thereafter to produce any record, paper,
canceled Share certificate, or other document so returned, if and when required.
To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, the records specified in Schedule D hereto maintained by
Sunstone, which have not been previously delivered to the Trust pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph, shall be considered to be the property
of the Trust shall be made available upon request for inspection by the
officers, employees, and auditors of the Trust, and shall be delivered to the
Trust promptly upon request and in any event upon the date of termination of
this Agreement, in the form and manner kept by Sunstone on such date of
termination or such earlier date as may be requested by the Trust.
2. Sunstone agrees to keep all records and other information relative
to the Trust, the Funds and their shareholders confidential. In case of any
requests or demands for the inspection of the shareholder records of a Fund,
Sunstone will notify the Fund promptly and secure instructions from an
Authorized Person as to such inspection. Sunstone reserves the right, however,
to exhibit the shareholder records to any person whenever it receives advice
from its counsel that there is a reasonable likelihood that Sunstone will be
held liable for the failure to exhibit the shareholder records to such person;
provided, however, that in connection with any such disclosure Sunstone shall
promptly notify the Trust that such disclosure is to be made. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Sunstone may disclose information when requested by a shareholder
concerning an account as to which such shareholder claims a legal or beneficial
interest or when requested by the Trust, the shareholder or the dealer of record
as to such account.
ARTICLE IV
CONCERNING THE TRUST
A. REPRESENTATIONS. The Trust represents and warrants to Sunstone that:
(a) It is a Trust duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Agreement
and Declaration of Trust and its By-Laws to enter into and perform this
Agreement, and all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize
it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
(b) It is an investment company registered under the 1940 Act.
(c) A registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to the
Shares is effective. The Trust or its agent upon instructions from the Trust
shall notify Sunstone if such registration statement or any state securities
registrations have been terminated, lapse or a stop order has been entered with
respect to the Shares.
B. COVENANTS.
1. The Trust or its legal counsel will provide to Sunstone copies of
all amendments to its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws made after
the date of this Agreement. If requested by Sunstone, each copy of the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and copies of all amendments thereto shall be
certified by the Secretary of the Trust. Each copy of the By-Laws and copies of
all amendments thereto, and copies of resolutions of the Board of Trustees,
shall be certified by the Secretary of the Trust, if requested by Sunstone.
2. The Trust shall promptly deliver to Sunstone written notice of any
change in the Authorized Persons, together with a specimen signature of each new
Authorized Person. In the event any Authorized Person who shall have signed
manually or whose facsimile signature shall have been affixed to blank Share
certificates shall die, resign or be removed prior to issuance of such Share
certificates, Sunstone may issue such Share certificates of the Trust
notwithstanding such death, resignation or removal, and the Trust shall promptly
deliver to Sunstone such approval, adoption or ratification as may be required
by law.
3. The Trust shall deliver to Sunstone each Fund's currently effective
Prospectus and, for purposes of this Agreement, Sunstone shall not be deemed to
have notice of any information contained in such Prospectus until a reasonable
time after it is actually received by Sunstone.
4. All requisite steps will be taken by the Trust or its agent upon
instructions from the Trust from time to time when and as necessary to register
the Funds' shares for sale in all states in which the Funds' shares shall at the
time be offered for sale and require registration. If at any time a Fund
receives notice of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state
affecting such registration or the sale of a Fund's shares, or of any stop order
or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of the
Fund's shares, the Trust or its agent upon instructions from the Trust will give
prompt notice thereof to Sunstone.
5. The Trust will comply in all material respects with all applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the 1940 Act, blue sky laws, and any other applicable laws, rules and
regulations.
6. The Trust agrees that prior to effecting any change in the
Prospectus which would increase or alter the duties and obligations of Sunstone
hereunder, it shall advise Sunstone of such proposed change at least 30 days
prior to the intended date of the same, and shall proceed with such change only
if it shall have received the written consent of Sunstone thereto, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE V
CONCERNING THE TRANSFER AGENT
A. REPRESENTATIONS; COVENANTS. Sunstone represents, warrants and
covenant's to the Trust that:
1. It is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Wisconsin, is empowered under applicable law and by its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement, and all
requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into
and perform this Agreement.
2. It is duly registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to the extent required.
3. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the 1940 Act, blue sky laws, and any other applicable laws, rules and
regulations, as they relate to its duties and obligations under this Agreement.
B. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
1. Sunstone shall use its best efforts to ensure the accuracy and
timely nature of all services performed, or required to be performed, under this
Agreement, but shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel
fees, resulting from its actions or omissions to act or otherwise, in the
absence of its bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its duties under this agreement. Sunstone shall not be liable in
acting upon any writing or document reasonably and in good faith believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or made by an Authorized Person or verbal
instructions which the individual receiving the instructions on behalf of
Sunstone reasonably believes in good faith to have been given by an Authorized
Person, and Sunstone shall not be held to have any notice of any change of
authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust
or such person.
2. Sunstone assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not be
liable, for any damage, loss of data, errors, delay or any other loss whatsoever
caused by events beyond its reasonable control and that are not a result of
actions of Sunstone constituting its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence. Sunstone will, however, take all reasonable steps to minimize
service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues beyond
Sunstone's control.
3. In no event and under no circumstances shall either party to this
agreement be liable to anyone, including, without limitation to the other party,
for consequential or punitive damages for any act or failure to act under any
provision of this Agreement even if advised of the possibility thereof.
4. At any time Sunstone may request instructions and/or receive
directions from an Authorized Person with respect to any matter arising in
connection with Sunstone's duties and obligations under this Agreement, and
Sunstone shall not be liable for any action taken or permitted by it in good
faith in accordance with such instructions or directions. Such request for
instructions by Sunstone may set forth any action proposed to be taken or
omitted by Sunstone with respect to its duties or obligations under this
Agreement and the date on and/or which such action shall be taken. Sunstone may
consult counsel of the Trust, at the expense of the Trust, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in
accordance with the advice or opinion of counsel to the Trust.
5. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, Sunstone
shall be under no duty or obligation under this Agreement to inquire into, and
shall not be liable for:
(a) The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares, the sufficiency
of the amount to be received therefor, or the authority of a Fund, as the case
may be, to request such sale or issuance;
(b) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by a Fund, or the
legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend, or the
legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of Shares.
C. INDEMNIFICATION.
1. The Trust on behalf of the Funds agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless Sunstone, its employees, agents, directors, officers and nominees from
and against any and all claims, demands, actions and suits, whether groundless
or otherwise, and from and against any and all judgments, liabilities, losses,
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and
character arising out of or in any way relating to Sunstone's actions taken or
non-actions with respect to the performance of services under this Agreement or
based, if applicable, upon reliance on information, records, instructions (oral
or written) or requests given or made to Sunstone by the Trust, its officers,
trustees, agents or representatives; provided that this indemnification shall
not apply to actions or omissions of Sunstone in cases of its own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement, and further provided that prior to
confessing any claim against it which may be the subject of this
indemnification, Sunstone shall give the trust written notice of and reasonable
opportunity to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of
Sunstone. The indemnity and defense provisions provided hereunder shall
indefinitely survive the termination of this Agreement.
2. Sunstone shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless from and
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liabilities which are the result of Sunstone's constituting willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
TERM
1. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until ____,
1997 (the "Initial Term"), and thereafter shall automatically extend for
additional, successive twelve (12) month terms unless earlier terminated as
provided below.
2. Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement after the
Initial Term by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the
date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after
the date of receipt of such notice. In the event such notice is given with
respect to a Fund, it shall be followed promptly by a copy of a resolution of
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating the successor
transfer agent or transfer agents. In the event such notice is given by
Sunstone, the Trust shall on or before the termination date, deliver to Sunstone
a copy of a resolution of its Board of Trustees certified by the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary designating a successor transfer agent or transfer
agents. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, the Trust shall upon
the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and delivery
of the records maintained hereunder, be deemed to be its own transfer agent and
Sunstone shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant
to this Agreement. Fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Sunstone, but
unpaid by a Fund upon such termination, shall be immediately due and payable
upon and notwithstanding such termination.
3. In the event this Agreement is terminated as provided herein,
Sunstone, upon the written request of the Trust, shall deliver the records of
the Trust to the Trust or its successor transfer agent in the form maintained by
Sunstone. The Trust shall be responsible to Sunstone for all out-of-pocket
expenses and for the reasonable costs and expenses associated with the
preparation and delivery of such media, including: (a) any custom programming
requested by the Trust in connection with the preparation of such media; (b)
transportation of forms and other materials used in connection with the
processing of Fund transactions by Sunstone; and (c) transportation of Trust
records and files in the possession of Sunstone. Sunstone shall not reduce the
level of service provided to the Trust following notice of termination by the
Trust or by Sunstone.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
A. NOTICES. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or
required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust with respect to any Fund,
shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Trust and mailed and delivered
to the President at 13100 Skyline Boulevard, Woodside, California, 94062, or at
such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing. Any
notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement
to be given to Sunstone shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Sunstone and
mailed or delivered to the President at 207 East Buffalo Street, Suite 400,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or at such other place as Sunstone may from time to
time designate in writing.
B. AMENDMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS.
1. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except
by a written agreement executed by both parties with the formality of this
Agreement.
2. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not
be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party
except that Sunstone may assign this Agreement to an affiliate with advance
written notice to the Trust.
C. WISCONSIN LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin. If any part, term or
provision of this Agreement is determined by the courts or any regulatory
authority having jurisdiction over the issue to be illegal, in conflict with any
law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered
severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties
shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the
particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.
D. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such
counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
E. NOTICE OF DECLARATION OF TRUST. This Agreement is executed by or on
behalf of the Trust with respect to each of the Funds and the obligations
hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of
the Trust individually but are binding only upon the Funds to which such
obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Funds. The Trust's
Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
F. NON-EXCLUSIVE; OTHER AGREEMENTS. The services of Sunstone hereunder are
not deemed exclusive and Sunstone shall be free to render similar services to
others. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any
way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any
actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or
obligations of any other party hereunder.
G. CAPTIONS. The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only, and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective corporate officer, thereunto duly authorized and
their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, as the day and year
first above written.
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. THE PURISIMA FUNDS
By: By:
------------------------------ --------------------------------
(Signature) (Signature)
(Name) (Name)
(Title) (Title)
(Date Signed) (Date Signed)
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NAME OF FUND
PURISIMA TOTAL RETURN FUND
Dated: ______________, 1996
SCHEDULE B
TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
SERVICES TO THE PURISIMA FUNDS
- --MAINTENANCE OF SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS<F8>
- Maintain records for each shareholder account
- Scan account documents for electronic storage
- Issue customer statements
- Record changes to shareholder account information
- Maintain account documentation files for each shareholder
- Establish and maintain IRA accounts
- --SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AND SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTIONS<F8>
- Respond to written and telephone (recorded lines) inquiries from
shareholders for information about their accounts
- Process shareholder purchase and redemption orders, including those of
automatic investment and systematic withdrawal plans
- Set up account information, including address, dividend options, taxpayer
identification numbers and wire instructions
- Issue transaction confirmations
- Process transfers and exchanges
- Process dividend payments by check, wire or ACH or purchase new shares
through dividend reinvestment
- Tax reporting
<F8>Includes money market accounts and transactions
- --COMPLIANCE REPORTING AND PROXY PROCESSING
- Provide required reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
National Association of Securities Dealers and the states in which each
fund is registered
- Prepare and distribute required Internal Revenue Service forms relating to
earned income and capital gains to fund and shareholders
- Issue tax withholding reports to the Internal Revenue Service
- Mail, process and tabulate proxies
- --DEALER/LOAD PROCESSING (IF APPLICABLE)
- Provide dealer access through NSCC's FundSERV
- Provide reports for tracking Rights of Accumulation and purchases made
under Letters of Intent
- Account for separation of shareholder investments from transaction sale
charges for purchases of fund shares
- Calculate fees due under 12b-1 plans for distribution and marketing
expenses
- Track sales and commissions by dealer and provide for payment of
commissions on direct shareholder purchases in load funds
- --TELEPHONE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ON-LINE ACCESS RESPONDING TO SHAREHOLDER OR
DEALER INQUIRIES RELATED TO:
- Account registration
- Share balances
- Account options
- Dividend and capital gain distribution status
- Withholding status
- Transaction dates and types;
- Shares traded
- Social security number/tax ID number
- External account number
- Address
- Customer or account type
- Dealer, branch and rep information
- Dollars available/not available in the account
- Shares purchased/redeemed today
- Dividend accrual, current dividend period; and
- Market value of shares
- --STANDARD REPORTS
- Shareholder base analysis (monthly)
- New account listing (weekly)
- Purchases, redemptions, exchanges (monthly)
- Servicing summary (monthly)
- Commission and 12b-1 reports for load funds (monthly)
- --OTHER AVAILABLE SERVICE FEATURES
In addition to the standard features listed above, Sunstone's system offers
additional features to meet specialized needs and are available at additional
costs.
- 12b-1 fee calculations
- LOI/ROA processing
- Asset allocation and re-allocation processing in real time
- Multiple account look-up options
- Cross-fund account queries
- Cross-account queries
- On-line transaction list
- Comprehensive reporting by various criteria
- Consolidated statements
- Duplicate statements to third parties
- Proxy generation and tabulation
- Broker-dealer reporting
- Remote system access
- Cross-fund dividend reinvestment
- User-defined transaction rules
- Fund-level processing options
- Systematic withdrawals
- Correspondence system capabilities
SCHEDULE C
TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
FEE SCHEDULE
- --BASE FEES
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MINIMUM ANNUAL
TYPE OF FUND ACCOUNT FEE FEE PER FUND
------------ ------------------ --------------
Equity $ 20.00 $ 20,000
The base fee assumes a single class of shares, no load or 12b-1 plan;
availability of automatic investment plans and systematic withdrawal plans
(using Sunstone's regular processing date); quarterly or less frequent
dividend distributions for equity funds; annual capital gains distributions;
and includes all standard reports.
- --ADDITIONAL FEES TO BE ADDED TO BASE FEE
TYPE OF SERVICE OR ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MINIMUM ANNUAL
FUND FUNCTION ACCOUNT FEE FEE PER FUND
------------------ ----------------- --------------
Front-end Load 1.50 2,000
CDSC or Back-end Load 2.00 3,000
12B-1 Plan 1.00 1,000
Monthly Dividends on
Non-Money Market Funds 2.00 2,000
Additional Class of Shares --- One-half minimum above
- --MAINTENANCE OF NORTHERN MONEY MARKET FUNDS
An annual fee of $5,000 per Northern Money Market Fund used in
connection with your fund is allocated to the base fee . All account
maintenance and processing fees, out-of-pocket expenses and additional
fees apply to the Northern Money Market Fund shareholder accounts and
are billed to the Adviser.
- --ONE-TIME SET-UP FEES
NSCC FundSERV set-up (per fund group) $2,500
NSCC networking (per fund group) 1,500
Remote access set-up (per location) 500
Northern Money Market Funds (per fund) 1,500
- --ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE AND PROCESSING FEES
(per occurrence)
Shareholder account set-up 2.00
AIP/SWP/Automatic Exchange account set-up 2.50
AIP/SWP/Automatic Exchange transaction processing .50
AIP/SWP/Automatic Exchange alternate date
transaction processing 1.50
Omnibus account transaction 2.50
Transaction processing - FundSERV .20
Taxpayer ID number solicitation 1.50
Monthly remote access user charge
First user and password 150.00
Additional users and passwords (each) 100.00
- --OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
Per check processing (dividend, capital
gains, redemption) .25
Per statement and confirm processing .25
Per tax form processing .15
Per label printing for proxy or
marketing purposes .05
Production of ad hoc reports 25.00
Bulk mailings At cost
Bank account service fees and any other
bank charges At cost
Check stock At cost
Statement paper At cost
Envelopes At cost
Tax forms At cost
Postage and express delivery charges At cost
Telephone and long distance charges At cost
Fax charges At cost
P.O. box rental At cost
800-phone number At cost
Inventory and records storage At cost
FundSERV charges At cost
- --ADDITIONAL FEES (WHICH MAY BE PASSED ON TO SHAREHOLDERS)
Outgoing wire fee Varies by bank
Telephone exchange fee $ 5.00
Non-sufficient funds Varies by bank
IRA/SEP processing
Annual maintenance or custodial fee (per account) 15.00
Account termination (transfer or rollover)
15.00
- --CUSTOM PROGRAMMING
Additional fees may apply for special programming to meet your servicing
requirements or to create custom reports.
SCHEDULE D
TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
AND
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
RECORDS MAINTAINED BY SUNSTONE
Account applications
Canceled certificates plus stock powers and supporting documents
Checks including check registers, reconciliation records, any adjustment
records and tax withholding documentation
Indemnity bonds for replacement of lost or missing stock certificates and
checks
Liquidation, redemption, withdrawal and transfer requests including stock
powers, signature guarantees and any supporting documentation
Shareholder correspondence
Shareholder transaction records
Share transaction history of the Funds
Such other records expressly required to be maintained by a transfer agent
pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
EXHIBIT 10
HELLER EHRMAN WHITE & MCAULIFFE
ATTORNEYS
A PARTNERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS
333 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-2878
July 29, 1996
The Purisima Funds
13100 Skyline Boulevard
Woodside, CA 94062
Registration Statement on Form N-1A
-----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to The Purisima Funds, a Delaware business trust (the
"Trust"), in connection with the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration
Statement") and relating to the issuance by the Trust of an indefinite number
of $0.01 par value shares of beneficial interest of the Trust's Purisima Total
Return Fund series (the "Shares") pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act").
In connection with this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
records, documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, the genuineness
of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons and the conformity
to the originals of all records, documents and instruments submitted to us as
copies. We have based our opinion upon the following:
a) the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated as of June 27, 1996
(the "Declaration of Trust") and the Trust's Certificate of Trust as
filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 27, 1996;
b) the By-laws of the Trust;
c) resolutions of the sole Trustee of the Trust adopted by written consent
dated July 23, 1996 authorizing the issuance of the Shares;
d) the Registration Statement; and
e) a certificate of the sole Trustee of the Trust as to certain factual
matters relevant to this opinion.
The Purisima Funds
July 29, 1996
Page -2-
Our opinion below is limited to the federal law of the United States of America
and the business trust law of the state of Delaware. We are not licensed to
practice law in the State of Delaware, and we have based our opinion below
solely on our review of Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code and the
case law interpreting such Chapter as reported in Delaware Code Annotated
(Michie Co. 1995). We have not undertaken a review of other Delaware law or
of any administrative or court decisions in connection with rendering this
opinion. We disclaim any opinion as to any law other than that of the United
States of America and the business trust law of the State of Delaware as
described above, and we disclaim any opinion as to any statute, rule,
regulation, ordinance, order or other promulgation of any regional or local
governmental authority.
Based on the foregoing and our examination of such questions of law as we have
deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of this opinion, and assuming
that (i) all of the Shares will be issued and sold for cash at the per-share
public offering price on the date of their issuance in accordance with
statements in the Trust's Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and
in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, (ii) all consideration for the
Shares will be actually received by the Trust, (iii) such consideration will be
at least equal in value to the par value of the Shares, and (iv) all applicable
securities laws will be complied with, it is our opinion that, when issued and
sold by the Trust, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the Registration Statement
and is solely for your benefit. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for
any other purpose or relied upon by any other person, firm, corporation or other
entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent. We disclaim any
obligation to advise you of any developments in areas covered by this opinion
that occur after the date of this opinion.
We hereby consent to (i) the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Counsel" in the Prospectus of the Trust included in the Registration Statement,
and (ii) the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/S/ HELLER EHRMAN WHITE & MCAULIFFE
EXHIBIT 13.2
ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES AGREEMENT
---------------------------------
The Purisima Funds, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust") and Fisher
Investments, Inc., a California corporation (the "Adviser"), in consideration
for the engagement by the Adviser as the investment adviser for the series of
the Trust designated the Purisima total Return Fund (the "Fund") pursuant to a
separate agreement, hereby agree as follows:
1. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Adviser shall pay all of the organizational
expenses of the Fund, including but not limited to initial fees for registration
of the shares of the Fund under applicable law and fees for services rendered
prior to the commencement of the initial public offering of shares of the Fund,
subject to the right to be reimbursed pursuant to paragraph 2.
2. REIMBURSEMENT AND AMORTIZATION OF EXPENSES. The Fund shall amortize the
organizational expenses over a period of 60 months beginning with the month in
which the Fund commences the initial public offering of shares of the Fund, and
the Fund shall reimburse the Adviser during the period of such amortization.
3. LIMITATION ON REIMBURSEMENT. If the Fund liquidates during such 60-month
period prior to the complete amortization of all organizational expenses,
neither the Fund nor the Trust shall have any duty to reimburse the Adviser for
organizational expenses unamortized as of the time of liquidation.
4. LIMITATION ON REDEMPTION OF INITIAL INVESTMENT. The Adviser agrees that, in
the event that it or any transferee thereof redeems any percentage of its
initial investment in the Fund prior to the 60-month amortization period, the
Trust is authorized to reduce the redemption proceeds to cover any unamortized
organizational expenses in the same proportion as the number of initial shares
being redeemed bears to the number of initial shares outstanding at the time of
redemption. If, for any reason, said reduction of redemption proceeds is not in
fact made by the Trust in the event of such a redemption, the Adviser agrees to
reimburse the Trust immediately for any unamortized organizational expenses in
the proportion stated above.
5. OBLIGATION OF THE TRUST. This agreement is executed by an officer of the
Trust on behalf of the Trust and not individually. The obligations of this
Agreement are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund and the
Trust and not upon the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust
individually. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust under which the Trust was
organized and operates is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
Dated:
-----------------
THE PURISIMA FUNDS FISHER INVESTMENTS, INC.
("Trust") ("Adviser")
By: By:
------------------------------ --------------------------
EXHIBIT 15
SERVICE AND
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
OF
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
WHEREAS, The Purisima Funds (the "Trust") engages in business as an
open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") has established a
separate series of shares of the Trust and hereafter may establish additional
series of shares (each a "Fund," and collectively, the "Funds");
WHEREAS, the Trust proposes or may propose to commence an offering of
shares of the Funds at net asset value without an initial or contingent deferred
sales charge;
WHEREAS, the Trust proposes to engage in activities which are
primarily intended to result in the distribution and sale of the shares of the
Funds and to make payments in connection with the distribution of the shares of
the Funds, and the Trust desires to adopt a Distribution Plan (the "Plan")
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act;
WHEREAS, the principal distribution coordinator of the shares of the
Funds (the "Distribution Coordinator") proposes to incur substantial expenses in
rendering distribution services for the Funds; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that there is a reasonable
likelihood that adoption of this Plan will benefit the Funds and
their shareholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan with respect to
the shares of each Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act and
containing the following terms and conditions:
1. ANNUAL FEE. The Trust will pay to the Distribution Coordinator,
as the Funds' principal distribution coordinator, an annual fee for the
Distribution Coordinator's serving in such capacity and providing certain
distribution-related services. The annual fee paid to the Distribution
Coordinator under the Plan will be calculated daily and paid monthly in arrears
by each Fund on the first day of each month based on the average daily net
assets of such Fund at an annual rate of 0.20% of 1.0% on each Fund's first
$50,000,000 of average net assets, 0.10% of 1.0% on the next $50,000,000 of
average net assets, and 0.05% of 1.0% on average net assets in excess of
$100,000,000, subject to a minimum annual fee of $50,000. In addition, the
Trust will pay the expenses incurred by the Distribution Coordinator which are
primarily intended to resultin the sale of a Fund's shares ("Distribution
Expenses"). Payments under thisPlan are not tied exclusively to actual
distribution and service expenses, and the payments may exceed distribution
and service expenses actually incurred.
2. DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES IN EXCESS OF OR LESS THAN AMOUNT OF FEE.
The fees paid by the Trust on behalf of each Fund shall not be refundable if in
any given year the fees are greater than the Distribution Expenses for that
year. Distribution Expenses will be paid on a first-in, first-out basis.
3. EXPENSES COVERED BY THE PLAN. Distribution Expenses which may
be paid under the Plan are those expenses primarily intended to result in the
sale of a Fund's shares ("distribution services"), including, but not limited
to: (a) costs of payments, including incentive compensation, made to agents for
and consultants to the Distribution Coordinator, any affiliate of the
Distribution Coordinator or the Trust, including pension administration firms
that provide distribution and shareholder related services and broker-dealers
that engage in the distribution of a Fund's shares; (b) payments made to, and
expenses of, persons who provide support services in connection with the
distribution of a Fund's shares and servicing of a Fund's shareholders,
including, but not limited to, personnel of the Distribution Coordinator
and the Fund's investment manager, office space and equipment, telephone
facilities, answering routine inquiries regarding the Fund, processing
shareholder transactions and providing any other shareholder services not
otherwise provided by the Trust's transfer agency or other servicing
arrangements; (c) payments made pursuant to any Distribution Coordination
Agreement (the form of which is attached hereto as exhibit) or other Service
Agreement; (d) fees and costs relating to the formulation and
implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not
limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine
and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of printing and distributing
prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports of the Funds to
prospective shareholders of the Funds; (f) costs involved in preparing, printing
and distributing sales literature pertaining to the Fund; and (g) costs involved
in obtaining whatever information, analyses and reports with respect to
marketing and promotional activities that the Trust may, from time to time, deem
advisable. Such expenses shall be deemed incurred whether paid directly by the
Distribution Coordinator or by a third party to the extent reimbursed therefor
by the Distribution Coordinator.
4. WRITTEN REPORTS. The Distribution Coordinator shall furnish to
the Board, for its review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the monies
paid to it under the Plan with respect to each Fund, and shall furnish the Board
with such other information as the Board may reasonably request in connection
with the payments made under the Plan in order to enable the Board to make an
informed determination of whether the Plan should be continued as to each Fund.
5. TERMINATION. The Plan may be terminated as to any Fund at any
time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of such Fund, and any Distribution Coordination Agreement under the
Plan may be likewise terminated at any time. Once terminated, no further
payments shall be made under the Plan.
6. AMENDMENTS. The Plan and any Distribution Coordination Agreement
or related distribution or service agreement may not be amended with respect to
a Fund to increase materially the amount to be spent by the Fund for
distribution and servicing of Fund shares pursuant to Section 1 hereof
without approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such
Fund. All material amendments to the Plan and any Distribution Coordination
Agreement or related distribution or service agreement entered into with
third parties shall be approved by the Trust's independent Trustees cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.
The Distribution Coordinator may assign its responsibilities and liabilities
under the Plan to another party who agrees to act as principal distribution
coordinator for the Trust with the consent of a majority of the Trust's
independent Trustees.
7. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES. So long as the Plan is in
effect, the selection and nomination of the Trust's independent Trustees shall
be committed to the discretion of such independent Trustees.
8. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan shall take effect at such time
as it has received the requisite Trustee and shareholder approval and, unless
sooner terminated, shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year
from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by the Board, including a majority of the independent
Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
continuance.
9. PRESERVATION OF MATERIALS. The Trust will preserve copies of the
Plan, any agreements relating to the Plan and any reports made pursuant to
Section 4 above, for a period of not less than six years (the first two years in
an easily accessible place) from the date of the Plan, agreement or report.
10. MEANINGS OF CERTAIN TERMS. As used in this Plan, the terms
"interested person" and "majority of the outstanding voting securities" will be
deemed to have the same meaning that those terms have under the Act and the
rules and regulations under the Act, subject to any exemption that may be
granted to the Trust under the Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Trust and the Distribution Coordinator, as evidenced by their
execution hereof, as of this ___th day of _______ 1996.
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
By:
------------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
as Principal Distribution Coordinator
By:
-------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
Distribution Coordination Agreement
EXHIBIT ONLY
- -----------------------------------
- -----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Distribution Coordination Agreement has been adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Company
Act"), by THE PURISIMA FUNDS, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), on behalf
of the series of the Trust (each series, a "Fund"), as governed by the terms of
the Trust's Service and Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to such Rule 12b-1
(the "Plan").
The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Trust's Trustees who
are not interested persons of the Trust or the Funds and who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the "independent
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. Such approval included a determination that in the exercise of the
reasonable business judgment of the Board of Trustees and in light of the
Trustees' fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will
benefit each Fund and its shareholders. The Plan also has been approved by a
vote of at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund,
as defined in the Company Act.
1. To the extent you provide eligible shareholder services of the
type identified in the Plan to the Funds identified in the attached Schedule
(the "Schedule"), we shall pay you a quarterly fee based on the average net
asset value of Fund shares during any quarter which are attributable to
customers of your firm, at the rate set forth on the Schedule.
2. In no event may the aggregate annual fee paid to you pursuant to
the Schedule exceed ___ percent of the value of the net assets of each Fund
held in your customers' accounts which are eligible for payment pursuant to this
Agreement (determined in the same manner as the Fund uses to compute its net
assets as set forth in its then effective Prospectus), without approval by a
majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund. Subject to that limitation,
the fee rate may be prospectively increased or decreased by us, in our sole
discretion, at any time upon notice to you. Furthermore, we may, in our
discretion and without notice, suspend or withdraw the sale of shares,
including the sale of shares to you for the account of any customer or
customers.
3. You shall furnish us and the Trust with such information as shall
reasonably be requested by us or the Trust's Board of Trustees with respect to
the services performed by you and the fees paid to you pursuant to the Schedule.
4. We shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, for its
review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the
Plan by us with respect to each Fund and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. You agree to make shares of the Funds available only (a) to your
customers or entities that you service at the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt of the relevant purchase instruction or (b) to each
such Fund itself at the redemption price for shares of the Fund, as described in
each Fund's then-effective Prospectus.
6. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning a
Fund or shares of a Fund except those contained in each Fund's then-effective
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information and any such information as
may be released by a Fund as information supplemental to such Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information.
7. Additional copies of each such Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information and any printed information issued as supplemental to
each such Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information will be supplied by
each Fund to you in reasonable quantities upon request.
8. In no transaction shall you have any authority whatever to act as
agent of the Funds and nothing in this Agreement shall constitute you or any
Fund the agent of the other. You are not authorized to act as an underwriter of
shares of the Funds or as a dealer in shares of the Funds.
9. By your written acceptance of this Agreement, you agree to and do
release, indemnify and hold us, the Trust and the Funds harmless from and
against any and all direct or indirect liabilities or losses resulting from
requests, directions, actions or inactions of or by you or your officers,
employees or agents regarding your responsibilities hereunder or the purchase,
redemption, transfer or registration of shares (or orders relating to the same)
by or on behalf of your customers. You and your employees will, upon request,
be available during normal business hours to consult with us or our designees
concerning the performance of your responsibilities under this Agreement.
10. By your written acceptance of this Agreement, you represent,
warrant and agree that: (a) the compensation payable to you hereunder, together
with any other compensation you receive from your customers for services
contemplated by this Agreement, will not be excessive or unreasonable under the
laws and instruments governing your relationships with your customers; (b) you
will provide to your customers a schedule of any fees that you may charge to
them relating to the investment of their assets in shares; (c) you are a member
in good standing of the NASD and registered as a broker-dealer under the federal
and all applicable state securities laws; (d) you are empowered under applicable
law and by your organizational documents to enter into and perform this
Agreement, and all requisite actions have been taken to authorize you to enter
into and perform this Agreement; and (e) you will comply at all times with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. All communications to the Funds shall be sent to: Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc., as Distribution Coordinator for the Funds, 207 E. Buffalo
Street, Milwaukee, WI 53217. Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or
telegraphed to you at your address as indicated in this Agreement.
12. This Agreement may be terminated by us or by you, by the vote of
a majority of the independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of a Fund, or at any time upon written notice, all without
payment of any penalty. This Agreement shall also be terminated automatically
in the event of its assignment or by any act that terminates the Plan.
13. The provisions of the Plan between the Trust and us, insofar as
they relate to you, are incorporated herein by reference.
This Agreement shall take effect on the date indicated below, and the
terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and agreed to by us as
evidenced by our execution hereof.
SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
Distribution Coordinator
By: EXHIBIT ONLY
Authorized Officer
Dated:
------------------------
Agreed and Accepted:
(Name)
By:
------------------------
(Authorized Officer)
THE PURISIMA FUNDS
SCHEDULE TO DISTRIBUTION COORDINATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN SUNSTONE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AS DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR
AND
(Name)
Pursuant to the provisions of the Distribution Coordination Agreement
between the above parties with respect to The Purisima Funds, Sunstone
Financial Group, Inc., as Distribution Coordinator, shall pay a quarterly
fee to the above-named party based on the average net asset value of shares
of each Fund during the previous calendar quarter the sales of which are
attributable to the above-named party, as follows:
the following is a table sans lines
Fund Fee
---- ---
<TABLE>
EXHIBIT 16
PURISIMA TOTAL RETURN FUND
COMPUTATION OF ONE YEAR HYPOTHETICAL AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
FORM N-1A PART C ITEM 16
<CAPTION>
Initial Shares Reinvested Dividend Record Reinvest
Investment NAV Outstanding Shares Amount Date Ex-Date Rate Price
---------- --- ----------- ------ ------ ---- ------- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
8/31/96 1,000.00 10.00 100.000
8/31/97 1,057.00 10.07 104.965 4.965 50.00 12/30/96 12/31/96 0.50 10.07
HYPOTHETICAL TOTAL RETURN CALCULATION
P(1+T)^n = ERV
1,000(1+T)^1 = 1,057.00
T = 5.70%
</TABLE>
