LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
|
3
|
|||
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
|
6
|
|||
INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
|
8
|
|||
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
|
11
|
|||
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
|
13
|
|||
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
14
|
|||
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
|
15
|
|||
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
|
16
|
|||
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
20
|
|||
BASIS FOR TRUSTEES’ APPROVAL
|
||||
OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
|
30
|
|||
NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICY & PRACTICES
|
33
|
|||
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
34
|
Expenses Paid
|
||||
Beginning
|
Ending
|
During Period
|
||
Account Value
|
Account Value
|
January 1, 2020 –
|
Annualized
|
|
January 1, 2020
|
June 30, 2020
|
June 30, 2020*
|
Expense Ratio
|
|
Institutional Class Shares
|
||||
Actual
|
$1,000.00
|
$ 862.40
|
$4.63
|
1.00%
|
Hypothetical (5% return
|
||||
before expenses)
|
$1,000.00
|
$1,019.89
|
$5.02
|
1.00%
|
Open Class Shares
|
||||
Actual
|
$1,000.00
|
$ 861.10
|
$5.83
|
1.26%
|
Hypothetical (5% return
|
||||
before expenses)
|
$1,000.00
|
$1,018.60
|
$6.32
|
1.26%
|
*
|
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect one-half year period).
|
Since
|
|||||
Six
|
One
|
Three
|
Five
|
Inception
|
|
Months
|
Year
|
Year
|
Year
|
(9/26/2011)
|
|
Terra Firma US Concentrated
|
|||||
Realty Equity Fund –
|
|||||
Institutional Class(1)
|
-13.76%
|
-7.24%
|
1.91%
|
5.02%
|
9.93%
|
MSCI US REIT Index
|
-18.45%
|
-12.87%
|
0.08%
|
4.08%
|
8.52%
|
MSCI USA IMI Core
|
|||||
Real Estate Index
|
-19.08%
|
-14.12%
|
-1.09%
|
2.80%
|
7.40%
|
Since
|
|||||
Six
|
One
|
Five
|
Ten
|
Inception
|
|
Months
|
Year
|
Year
|
Year
|
(12/31/2008)
|
|
Terra Firma US Concentrated
|
|||||
Realty Equity Fund –
|
|||||
Open Class(1)(2)
|
-13.89%
|
-7.48%
|
4.75%
|
10.00%
|
13.77%
|
MSCI US REIT Index
|
-18.45%
|
-12.87%
|
4.08%
|
9.06%
|
10.76%
|
MSCI USA IMI Core
|
|||||
Real Estate Index
|
-19.08%
|
-14.12%
|
2.80%
|
7.90%
|
9.50%
|
(1)
|
Performance figures for Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares reflect the historical performance of the then-existing shares of the Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio (the “Predecessor Portfolio”)
(the predecessor to the Fund, for which Lazard Asset Management LLC served as the investment adviser), a series of The Lazard Funds, Inc., for periods from September 26, 2011 to June 19, 2020.
|
(2)
|
Performance figures for Open Class shares also reflect the historical performance of the then-existing shares of the predecessor fund to the Predecessor Portfolio, the Grubb & Ellis AGA U.S. Realty Fund
(the “Predecessor Fund”) (for which Grubb & Ellis Alesco Global Advisors, LLC served as the investment adviser), for periods prior to September 26, 2011.
|
Schedule of Investments
|
Shares
|
Value
|
|||||||
COMMON STOCKS – 1.30%
|
||||||||
Traveler Accommodation – 1.30%
|
||||||||
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
|
5,587
|
$
|
410,365
|
|||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $369,438)
|
410,365
|
|||||||
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 97.47%
|
||||||||
Activities Related to Real Estate – 1.57%
|
||||||||
Brixmor Property Group, Inc.
|
38,724
|
496,442
|
||||||
Lessors of Real Estate – 68.08%
|
||||||||
American Homes 4 Rent
|
33,511
|
901,446
|
||||||
Apartment Investment and Management Co.
|
16,697
|
628,475
|
||||||
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
|
8,716
|
1,347,842
|
||||||
Boston Properties, Inc.
|
9,683
|
875,149
|
||||||
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
|
19,057
|
1,190,681
|
||||||
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
|
7,939
|
1,819,381
|
||||||
Federal Realty Investment Trust
|
7,126
|
607,206
|
||||||
Healthpeak Properties, Inc.
|
61,007
|
1,681,353
|
||||||
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
|
12,180
|
306,449
|
||||||
iStar, Inc.
|
142,007
|
1,749,526
|
||||||
National Storage Affiliates Trust
|
16,894
|
484,182
|
||||||
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
|
46,253
|
631,816
|
||||||
Physicians Realty Trust
|
61,083
|
1,070,174
|
||||||
Prologis, Inc.
|
35,314
|
3,295,856
|
||||||
Public Storage
|
6,622
|
1,270,696
|
||||||
Simon Property Group, Inc.
|
17,931
|
1,226,122
|
||||||
Sun Communities, Inc.
|
4,948
|
671,345
|
||||||
VICI Properties, Inc.
|
59,446
|
1,200,215
|
||||||
Vornado Realty Trust
|
13,819
|
528,024
|
||||||
21,485,938
|
||||||||
Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers – 8.14%
|
||||||||
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
|
10,130
|
1,643,592
|
||||||
Invitation Homes, Inc.
|
33,634
|
925,944
|
||||||
2,569,536
|
||||||||
Other Financial Investment Activities – 2.38%
|
||||||||
Americold Realty Trust
|
20,726
|
752,354
|
||||||
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services – 1.52%
|
||||||||
Extra Space Storage, Inc.
|
5,186
|
479,031
|
||||||
Other Telecommunications – 14.59%
|
||||||||
American Tower Corp.
|
4,666
|
1,206,348
|
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
|
Shares
|
Value
|
|||||||
Other Telecommunications – 14.59% (Continued)
|
||||||||
Crown Castle International Corp.
|
2,736
|
$
|
457,870
|
|||||
Equinix, Inc.
|
4,185
|
2,939,125
|
||||||
4,603,343
|
||||||||
Traveler Accommodation – 1.19%
|
||||||||
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.
|
46,056
|
375,356
|
||||||
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $27,767,350)
|
30,762,000
|
|||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.00% (a)
|
||||||||
U.S. Bank Money Market Deposit Account, 0.500% (b)
|
903
|
903
|
||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $903)
|
903
|
|||||||
Total Investments (Cost $28,137,691) – 98.77%
|
31,173,268
|
|||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 1.23%
|
387,206
|
|||||||
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
|
$
|
31,560,474
|
(a)
|
Less than 0.05%.
|
(b)
|
Seven day yield as of June 30, 2020.
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
Assets
|
||||
Investments, at value (cost $28,137,691)
|
$
|
31,173,268
|
||
Cash
|
129,834
|
|||
Receivables
|
||||
Dividends and interest
|
96,132
|
|||
Investments sold
|
462,088
|
|||
Other assets
|
11,461
|
|||
Total Assets
|
31,872,783
|
|||
Liabilities
|
||||
Payables:
|
||||
Loans payable (See note 9)
|
136,000
|
|||
Fund shares redeemed
|
84,857
|
|||
Payable to Lazard
|
29,983
|
|||
To Adviser
|
9,766
|
|||
To affiliates
|
3,528
|
|||
Distribution fees
|
5,595
|
|||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
42,580
|
|||
Total Liabilities
|
312,309
|
|||
Net Assets
|
$
|
31,560,474
|
||
Net assets consists of
|
||||
Paid-in capital
|
$
|
28,841,972
|
||
Total distributable earnings
|
2,718,502
|
|||
Net Assets
|
$
|
31,560,474
|
||
Institutional Class Shares:
|
||||
Net assets
|
$
|
7,396,426
|
||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding
|
||||
(unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.001 par value)
|
452,091
|
|||
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
|
$
|
16.36
|
||
Open Class Shares:
|
||||
Net assets
|
$
|
24,164,048
|
||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding
|
||||
(unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.001 par value)
|
1,470,955
|
|||
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
|
$
|
16.43
|
Statement of Operations
|
Investment Income
|
||||
Dividends
|
$
|
540,594
|
||
Investment interest income
|
2,329
|
|||
Total Investment Income
|
542,923
|
|||
Expenses
|
||||
Management fees
|
134,616
|
|||
Distribution fees – Open Class Shares
|
33,872
|
|||
Audit and tax fees
|
17,611
|
|||
Federal and state registration fees
|
15,380
|
|||
Custody fees
|
13,724
|
|||
Administration and accounting fees
|
9,184
|
|||
Transfer agent fees and expenses
|
8,751
|
|||
Legal fees
|
6,462
|
|||
Reports to shareholders
|
6,190
|
|||
Service provider fees and expenses
|
3,528
|
|||
Trustees’ fees and expenses
|
1,851
|
|||
Interest expense
|
141
|
|||
Other expenses
|
3,259
|
|||
Total Expenses
|
254,569
|
|||
Less waivers and reimbursement by Adviser (Note 4)
|
(40,923
|
)
|
||
Net Expenses
|
213,646
|
|||
Net Investment Income
|
329,277
|
|||
Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments
|
||||
Net realized loss on investments
|
(2,161,818
|
)
|
||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
(4,260,209
|
)
|
||
Net Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments
|
(6,422,027
|
)
|
||
Net Decrease in Net Assets from Operations
|
$
|
(6,092,750
|
)
|
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
Six Months Ended
|
||||||||
June 30, 2020
|
Year Ended
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
December 31, 2019
|
|||||||
From Operations
|
||||||||
Net investment income
|
$
|
329,277
|
$
|
802,031
|
||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
|
(2,161,818
|
)
|
7,866,962
|
|||||
Net change in unrealized
|
||||||||
appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
(4,260,209
|
)
|
7,944,841
|
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
|
||||||||
resulting from operations
|
(6,092,750
|
)
|
16,613,834
|
|||||
From Distributions
|
||||||||
Net dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
|
—
|
(1,608,571
|
)
|
|||||
Net dividends and distributions – Open Class
|
—
|
(4,289,259
|
)
|
|||||
Net decrease in net assets resulting
|
||||||||
from dividends and distributions paid
|
—
|
(5,897,830
|
)
|
|||||
From Capital Share Transactions
|
||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold – Institutional Class
|
80,225
|
5,198,049
|
||||||
Proceeds from shares sold – Open Class
|
235,833
|
2,162,844
|
||||||
Net asset value of shares issued
|
||||||||
to shareholders in payment of
|
||||||||
distributions declared – Institutional Class
|
—
|
1,556,998
|
||||||
Net asset value of shares issued
|
||||||||
to shareholders in payment of
|
||||||||
distributions declared – Open Class
|
—
|
4,239,121
|
||||||
Payment for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
|
(4,334,141
|
)
|
(14,307,586
|
)
|
||||
Payment for shares redeemed – Open Class
|
(2,448,504
|
)
|
(25,107,133
|
)
|
||||
Net decrease in net assets
|
||||||||
from capital share transactions
|
(6,466,587
|
)
|
(26,257,707
|
)
|
||||
Total Decrease in Net Assets
|
(12,559,337
|
)
|
(15,541,703
|
)
|
||||
Net Assets
|
||||||||
Beginning of period
|
44,119,811
|
59,661,514
|
||||||
End of period
|
$
|
31,560,474
|
$
|
44,119,811
|
Financial Highlights
|
Six Months Ended
|
||||
June 30, 2020
|
||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$
|
18.97
|
||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||
Net investment income(1)
|
0.17
|
|||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
(2.78
|
)
|
||
Total from investment operations
|
(2.61
|
)
|
||
Less distributions:
|
||||
From net investment income
|
—
|
|||
From net realized gains
|
—
|
|||
Total distributions paid
|
—
|
|||
Redemption fees
|
—
|
|||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$
|
16.36
|
||
Total Return(3)(4)
|
-13.76
|
%
|
||
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
|
$
|
7,396
|
||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
||||
After waivers and reimbursements of expenses(5)
|
1.00
|
%
|
||
Before waivers and reimbursements of expenses(5)
|
1.29
|
%
|
||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(5)
|
1.71
|
%
|
||
Portfolio turnover rate(4)
|
15
|
%
|
(1)
|
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
|
(3)
|
Total Return in the table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.
|
(4)
|
Not annualized for periods less than one year.
|
(5)
|
Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||||||
$
|
16.69
|
$
|
18.85
|
$
|
19.37
|
$
|
18.93
|
$
|
19.71
|
|||||||||
0.29
|
0.28
|
0.31
|
0.29
|
0.33
|
||||||||||||||
4.62
|
(1.74
|
)
|
1.18
|
0.72
|
0.55
|
|||||||||||||
4.91
|
(1.46
|
)
|
1.49
|
1.01
|
0.88
|
|||||||||||||
(0.47
|
)
|
(0.32
|
)
|
(0.37
|
)
|
(0.31
|
)
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|||||||||
(2.16
|
)
|
(0.38
|
)
|
(1.64
|
)
|
(0.26
|
)
|
(1.28
|
)
|
|||||||||
(2.63
|
)
|
(0.70
|
)
|
(2.01
|
)
|
(0.57
|
)
|
(1.66
|
)
|
|||||||||
—
|
—
|
—
|
0.00
|
(2)
|
0.00
|
(2)
|
||||||||||||
$
|
18.97
|
$
|
16.69
|
$
|
18.85
|
$
|
19.37
|
$
|
18.93
|
|||||||||
29.73
|
%
|
-7.77
|
%
|
7.93
|
%
|
5.31
|
%
|
4.63
|
%
|
|||||||||
$
|
11,255
|
$
|
15,715
|
$
|
18,724
|
$
|
19,625
|
$
|
21,143
|
|||||||||
1.00
|
%
|
1.00
|
%
|
1.02
|
%
|
1.05
|
%
|
1.05
|
%
|
|||||||||
1.18
|
%
|
1.09
|
%
|
1.09
|
%
|
1.12
|
%
|
1.09
|
%
|
|||||||||
1.46
|
%
|
1.56
|
%
|
1.55
|
%
|
1.50
|
%
|
1.64
|
%
|
|||||||||
19
|
%
|
52
|
%
|
32
|
%
|
41
|
%
|
51
|
%
|
Financial Highlights
|
Six Months Ended
|
||||
June 30, 2020
|
||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$
|
19.08
|
||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||
Net investment income(1)
|
0.15
|
|||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
(2.80
|
)
|
||
Total from investment operations
|
(2.65
|
)
|
||
Less distributions:
|
||||
From net investment income
|
—
|
|||
From net realized gains
|
—
|
|||
Total distributions paid
|
—
|
|||
Redemption fees
|
—
|
|||
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$
|
16.43
|
||
Total Return(3)(4)
|
-13.89
|
%
|
||
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
|
$
|
24,164
|
||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
||||
After waivers and reimbursements of expenses(5)
|
1.26
|
%
|
||
Before waivers and reimbursements of expenses(5)
|
1.47
|
%
|
||
Ratio of net investment income to average assets(5)
|
1.58
|
%
|
||
Portfolio turnover rate(4)
|
15
|
%
|
(1)
|
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
|
(3)
|
Total Return in the table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.
|
(4)
|
Not annualized for periods less than one year.
|
(5)
|
Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||||||||||
$
|
16.77
|
$
|
18.94
|
$
|
19.44
|
$
|
19.00
|
$
|
19.78
|
|||||||||
0.24
|
0.23
|
0.25
|
0.23
|
0.26
|
||||||||||||||
4.65
|
(1.75
|
)
|
1.20
|
0.72
|
0.56
|
|||||||||||||
4.89
|
(1.52
|
)
|
1.45
|
0.95
|
0.82
|
|||||||||||||
(0.42
|
)
|
(0.27
|
)
|
(0.31
|
)
|
(0.25
|
)
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|||||||||
(2.16
|
)
|
(0.38
|
)
|
(1.64
|
)
|
(0.26
|
)
|
(1.28
|
)
|
|||||||||
(2.58
|
)
|
(0.65
|
)
|
(1.95
|
)
|
(0.51
|
)
|
(1.60
|
)
|
|||||||||
—
|
—
|
—
|
0.00
|
(2)
|
0.00
|
(2)
|
||||||||||||
$
|
19.08
|
$
|
16.77
|
$
|
18.94
|
$
|
19.44
|
$
|
19.00
|
|||||||||
29.42
|
%
|
-8.60
|
%
|
7.69
|
%
|
4.99
|
%
|
4.34
|
%
|
|||||||||
$
|
32,964
|
$
|
43,946
|
$
|
47,811
|
$
|
59,307
|
$
|
75,907
|
|||||||||
1.27
|
%
|
1.29
|
%
|
1.30
|
%
|
1.34
|
%
|
1.32
|
%
|
|||||||||
1.38
|
%
|
1.29
|
%
|
1.30
|
%
|
1.34
|
%
|
1.32
|
%
|
|||||||||
1.23
|
%
|
1.27
|
%
|
1.24
|
%
|
1.17
|
%
|
1.32
|
%
|
|||||||||
19
|
%
|
52
|
%
|
32
|
%
|
41
|
%
|
51
|
%
|
1.
|
Organization
|
Trust for Professional Managers (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust under a Declaration of Trust dated May 29, 2001. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, management investment company. The Terra Firma US Concentrated Realty Equity Fund (the “Fund”) represents a distinct non-diversified series with its own investment objective and policies within the
Trust. The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, with current income, including interest and dividends from portfolio securities, as a secondary objective. The Trust may issue an unlimited number of
shares of beneficial interest at $0.001 par value. The assets of the Fund are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the fund in which shares are held.
|
|
The Fund currently offers Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares. Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares are made available through investment advisers, banks, trust companies or authorized
representatives without a sales charge. Open Class shares are subject to a 0.25% distribution fee. Under a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, Institutional Class shares are not subject to a distribution fee.
|
|
Pursuant to a tax-free reorganization that took place after the close of business on June 19, 2020 (the “Reorganization”), the Fund is the successor to the Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio, a series of The
Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Predecessor Portfolio”). The Predecessor Portfolio had substantially the same investment objectives, strategies and policies as the Fund.
|
|
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic
946 “Financial Services — Investment Companies”.
|
|
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies
|
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”).
|
|
(a) Investment Valuation
|
|
Each security owned by the Fund that is listed on a securities exchange, except for securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”), is valued at its last sale price on that exchange on the date as
of which assets are valued. When the security is listed on more than one exchange, the Fund will use the price of the exchange that the Fund generally considers to be the principal exchange on which the stock is traded.
|
|
Fund securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”), which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be
valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at (i) the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked
|
prices at the close of the exchange on such day or (ii) the latest sales price on the Composite Market for the day such security is being valued. “Composite Market” means a consolidation of the trade
information provided by national securities and foreign exchanges and over-the counter markets as published by a pricing service.
|
|
When market quotations are not readily available, any security or other asset is valued at its fair value as determined under procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. These fair value procedures
will also be used to price a security when corporate events, events in the securities market or world events cause the Adviser to believe that a security’s last sale price may not reflect its actual fair market value. The intended effect of
using fair value pricing procedures is to ensure that the Fund is accurately priced. The Board of Trustees will regularly evaluate whether the Fund’s fair value pricing procedures continue to be appropriate in light of the specific
circumstances of the Fund and the quality of prices obtained through their application by the Trust’s valuation committee.
|
|
In the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated (such as a significant surge or
decline in the U.S. or other markets) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, the Fund will value foreign securities at fair
value, taking into account such events, in calculating the NAV. In such cases, use of fair valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating the Fund’s NAV in advance of the time the NAV is calculated.
|
|
Redeemable securities issued by open-end, registered investment companies are valued at the NAVs of such companies for purchase and/or redemption orders placed on that day. If, on a particular day, a share of
an investment company is not listed on NASDAQ, such security’s fair value will be determined. Money market mutual funds are valued at cost. If cost does not represent current market value the securities will be priced at fair value.
|
|
FASB Accounting Standards Codification, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” Topic 820 (“ASC 820”), establishes an authoritative definition of fair value and sets out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.
ASC 820 requires an entity to evaluate certain factors to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in volume and level of activity for the security such that recent transactions and quoted prices may not be determinative of
fair value and further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. ASC 820 also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value in those instances as well as expanded
disclosure of valuation levels for each class of investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
|
Level 1—
|
Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
|
||
Level 2—
|
Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
|
||
Level 3—
|
Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
|
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the
Fund’s investments carried at fair value as of June 30, 2020:
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Assets
|
|||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks
|
$
|
410,365
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
410,365
|
|||||||||
Real Estate
|
|||||||||||||||||
Investment Trusts
|
30,762,000
|
—
|
—
|
30,762,000
|
|||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments
|
903
|
—
|
—
|
903
|
|||||||||||||
Total Investments
|
$
|
31,173,268
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
31,173,268
|
For further detail on each asset class, see Schedule of Investments.
|
|
The Fund measures Level 3 activity as of the end of the period. For the period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 securities) used in determining fair value.
Therefore, a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value is not applicable.
|
|
The Fund did not hold financial derivative instruments during the reporting period.
|
|
(b) Foreign Securities and Currency Transactions
|
|
Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income
and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions.
|
|
The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Realized
foreign exchange gains or losses arising from sales of portfolio securities and sales and maturities of short-term securities are reported within realized gain (loss) on investments. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arising
from changes in the values of investments in securities from fluctuations in exchange rates are reported within unrealized gain (loss) on investments.
|
|
(c) Federal Income Taxes
|
|
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to make the requisite distributions
of income and capital gains to its shareholders sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal income tax provision has been provided.
|
|
As of and during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax benefits as
income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. The
|
Fund is not subject to examination by U.S. taxing authorities for tax periods prior to the year ended December 31, 2016.
|
|
(d) Distributions to Shareholders
|
|
The Fund will distribute any net investment income and any net realized long- or short-term capital gains at least annually. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term
capital gains. All short-term capital gains are included in ordinary income for tax purposes. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to
comply with federal tax requirements. The Fund may make additional distributions if it deems it desirable at another time during the year. Income and capital gains distributions may differ from GAAP, primarily due to timing differences in the
recognition of income, gains and losses by the Fund. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between the components of net assets. These reclassifications have no effect on net
assets or NAV per share.
|
|
Because the Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in which the Fund invests do not provide complete information about the taxability of their distributions until after the calendar year-end, the Fund may not
be able to determine how much of its distributions are taxable to shareholders until after the January 31st deadline for issuing Form 1099-DIV. As a result, the Fund may request permission from the Internal Revenue Service each year for an
extension of time to issue Form 1099-DIV until February 28th.
|
|
(e) Use of Estimates
|
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
|
|
(f) Share Valuation
|
|
The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund, plus cash or other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the
total number of shares outstanding for the Fund, rounded to the nearest cent. The Fund’s shares will not be priced on the days on which the NYSE is closed for trading.
|
|
(g) Allocation of Income, Expenses and Gains/Losses
|
|
Income, expenses (other than those deemed attributable to a specific share class), and gains and losses of the Fund are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the ratio of net assets represented by
each class as a percentage of the net assets of the Fund. Expenses deemed directly attributable to a class of shares are recorded by the specific class. Most Fund expenses are allocated by class based on relative net assets. Distribution fees
are expensed at 0.25% of average daily net assets of the Open Class shares. Expenses associated with a specific fund in the
|
Trust are charged to that fund. Common Trust expenses are typically allocated evenly between the funds of the Trust, or by other equitable means.
|
|
(h) Other
|
|
Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. The Fund determines the gain or loss from investment transactions on the identified cost basis by comparing the original cost of the security lot sold
with the net sale proceeds. Dividend income, less foreign withholding tax, is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in
accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in REITs are comprised of ordinary income, capital gains and return of capital, as applicable. For
financial statement purposes, the Fund uses estimates to characterize these distributions received as return of capital, capital gains or ordinary income. Such estimates are based on historical information available from REIT and other
industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received for the security after its tax reporting periods are concluded, as the actual character of these distributions is not known until after the fiscal
year end of the Fund. Changes to estimates will be recorded in the period they are known. The distributions received from REIT securities that have been classified as income and capital gains are included in dividend income and net realized
gain on investments, respectively, on the Statement of Operations. The distributions received that are classified as return of capital reduced the cost of investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
|
3.
|
Federal Tax Matters
|
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were as follows:
|
Year Ended
|
Year Ended
|
||||||||
December 31, 2019
|
December 31, 2018
|
||||||||
Distributions paid from:
|
|||||||||
Ordinary Income
|
$
|
815,048
|
$
|
827,749
|
|||||
Long-Term Capital Gain
|
5,082,782
|
1,584,317
|
|||||||
Total distributions paid
|
$
|
5,897,830
|
$
|
2,412,066
|
The Fund designated as long-term capital gain dividend, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(3), the amount necessary to reduce the earnings and profits of the Fund related to net capital gain to
zero for the tax year ended December 31, 2019.
|
As of December 31, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
|
Cost basis of investment for Federal income tax purposes
|
$
|
36,837,447
|
|||
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
|
8,018,789
|
||||
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
|
(835,007
|
)
|
|||
Net tax unrealized appreciation
|
7,183,782
|
||||
Undistributed ordinary income
|
—
|
||||
Undistributed long-term capital gain
|
1,627,469
|
||||
Total distributable earnings
|
1,627,469
|
||||
Other accumulated gain (loss)
|
—
|
||||
Total accumulated gains/(losses)
|
$
|
8,811,251
|
The difference between book cost of investments and tax cost of investments is attributable primarily to publicly traded partnership adjustments and the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund utilized $520,440 of realized capital loss carryovers from previous years.
|
|
Additionally, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These
reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the following table shows the reclassifications made:
|
Paid in Capital
|
Accumulated Deficit
|
$2,343,015
|
$2,343,015
|
4.
|
Investment Adviser
|
Effective after the close of business on June 19, 2020, the Trust entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Terra Firma Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) to furnish investment
advisory services to the Fund. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, compensates the Adviser for its investment advisory services at an annual rate 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets payable on a
monthly basis. For the period June 22, 2020 through June 30, 2020, the Adviser earned fees in the amount of $5,817 from the Fund.
|
|
Prior to the close of business on June 19, 2020, Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”), served as the Predecessor Portfolio’s investment manager. Lazard contractually agreed to waive a portion of its
management fee to ensure that the Predecessor Portfolio’s total annual portfolio operating expenses (exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses, of acquired funds, fees and expenses related to foreign tax
reclaims and extraordinary expenses) did not exceed 1.00% and 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Predecessor Portfolio’s Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively. For the period January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020, the
effective management fee rate (exclusive of any
|
applicable waivers/reimbursements) was 0.75%. For the period January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020, Lazard earned fees from the Fund in the amount of $128,799.
|
|
Effective after the close of business on June 19, 2020, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total amount of the Fund’s
operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, Rule 12b-1 plan fees, shareholder servicing plan fees, taxes, leverage expenses (i.e., any expenses incurred in connection with borrowings made by the Fund),
interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts), brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividends or interest expenses on short positions, expenses
incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) for Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares do not exceed 1.00% of the Fund’s average net assets, through at least May 1, 2030,
and subject thereafter to annual re-approval of the agreement by the Board of Trustees.
|
|
Any such waiver or reimbursement is subject to later adjustment to allow the Adviser to recoup amounts waived or reimbursed to the extent actual fees and expenses for a fiscal period do not exceed the lesser
of: (1) the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement; or (2) the expense limitation in place at the time of the recoupment; provided, however, that the Adviser shall only be entitled to recoup such amounts over
the following three-year period from the date of the waiver or reimbursement. The following table shows the waivers per class that are subject to potential recovery expiring on:
|
Institutional Class
|
Open Class
|
||
June 30, 2023
|
$562
|
$1,819
|
The following table shows the management fees waived by Lazard during the period of January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020. These waivers are not subject to recoupment.
|
Institutional Class
|
Open Class
|
||
$12,011
|
$26,531
|
5.
|
Distribution Plan
|
Effective after the close of business on June 19, 2020, the Trust has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “12b-1 Plan”), on behalf of the Fund, which authorizes it to pay Quasar
Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), the Fund’s distributor and principal underwriter. Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, the Distributor receives a distribution fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Open Class shares for services to
prospective Fund shareholders and distribution of Fund shares. As of and during the period June 19, 2020 through June 30, 2020, the Fund accrued, and owed expenses related to the 12b-1 Plan as presented in the Statement of Operations and
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, respectively, as follows:
|
Fees Expensed
|
Fees Owed
|
||
Open Shares
|
$1,482
|
$1,482
|
Prior to the close of business on June 19, 2020, the Predecessor Portfolio’s authorized distributor was Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC. Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC was paid distribution fees
at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Predecessor Portfolio’s Open Shares. During the period January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020, the Fund accrued, and owed expenses related to the Predecessor Portfolio’s 12b-1
Plan, as follows:
|
Fees Expensed
|
Fees Owed
|
||
Open Shares
|
$32,390
|
$4,113
|
6.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
Effective after the close of business on June 19, 2020, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or the “Administrator”) acts as the Fund’s Administrator
under an Administration Agreement. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Trustees; monitors the activities of the Fund’s
custodian, transfer agent and accountants; coordinates the preparation and payment of the Fund’s expenses; and reviews the Fund’s expense accruals. Fund Services also serves as the fund accountant and transfer agent to the Fund. The Trust’s
Chief Compliance Officer is also an employee of Fund Services. U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Fund’s custodian. During the period of June 19, 2020 through June 30, 2020, the Fund
incurred expenses of $3,528 related to the Administration Agreement. Those expenses were owed to Fund Services and U.S. Bank as of June 30, 2020.
|
|
The Fund also has a line of credit with U.S. Bank (see Note 9).
|
|
Certain officers of the Fund are also employees of Fund Services. A Trustee of the Trust is affiliated with Fund Services and U.S. Bank.
|
|
Prior to the close of business on June 19, 2020, State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) provided the Predecessor Portfolio with custody and certain fund administration and accounting services. For
the period January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020, the Predecessor Portfolio incurred $22,901 in fees related to State Street’s services. DST served as the Predecessor Portfolio’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For the period January
1, 2020 through June 19, 2020, the Predecessor Portfolio incurred $8,750 in transfer agency fees.
|
7.
|
Capital Share Transactions
|
Transaction in shares of the Fund were as follows:
|
Period Ended
|
|||||||||
June 30, 2020
|
Year Ended
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
December 31, 2019
|
||||||||
Institutional Shares
|
|||||||||
Shares sold
|
5,204
|
261,810
|
|||||||
Shares reinvested
|
—
|
81,398
|
|||||||
Shares redeemed
|
(146,316
|
)
|
(691,834
|
)
|
|||||
Net decrease
|
(141,112
|
)
|
(348,626
|
)
|
|||||
Open Shares
|
|||||||||
Shares sold
|
13,677
|
109,900
|
|||||||
Shares reinvested
|
—
|
221,447
|
|||||||
Shares redeemed
|
(265,094
|
)
|
(1,230,047
|
)
|
|||||
Net decrease
|
(251,417
|
)
|
(898,700
|
)
|
8.
|
Investment Transaction
|
The aggregate purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the Fund for the period ended June 30, 2020, were $5,485,356 and $13,473,190, respectively. There were no purchases or
sales of U.S. government securities for the Fund.
|
|
9.
|
Line of Credit
|
Effective June 22, 2020, the Fund has a line of credit with maximum borrowing for the lesser of 33.33% of the fair value of unencumbered net assets of the Fund or $6,000,000, which expires on August 8, 2020.
This line of credit is intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, in connection with shareholder redemptions, and subject to certain restrictions and is secured by the Fund’s investments. Interest was accrued at the prime rate at
the time of the loan (3.25%). The credit facility is with the Fund’s custodian, U.S. Bank. The Fund had a loan outstanding of $136,000 at the end of the period. The following table provides information regarding the usage of the line of
credit from June 22 through June 30, 2020.
|
Average
|
Maximum
|
Date of
|
|||
Amount of
|
Interest
|
Amount of
|
Maximum
|
||
Days Utilized
|
Borrowing
|
Expense*
|
Borrowing
|
Borrowing
|
|
7
|
$98,143
|
$62
|
$136,000
|
6/30/2020
|
* Interest expense is reported on Statement of Operations
|
|
Prior to the close of business on June 19, 2020, the Predecessor Portfolio had a line of credit agreement with State Street. The aggregate commitment amount was $100,000,000. Interest on borrowing is payable
at the higher of the Federal Funds rate or One-Month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%, on an annualized basis. Under the agreement the Predecessor Portfolio agreed to pay a 0.20% per annum fee on the unused portion of the commitment, payable quarterly
in arrears. The Predecessor
|
Portfolio also agreed to pay an upfront fee of 0.05% of the committed line amount. The following table provides information regarding the usage of the line of credit from January 1, 2020 through June 19, 2020.
|
Average
|
Maximum
|
Date of
|
|||
Amount of
|
Interest
|
Amount of
|
Maximum
|
||
Days Utilized
|
Borrowing
|
Expense*
|
Borrowing
|
Borrowing
|
|
14
|
$130,000
|
$79
|
$350,000
|
5/19/2020
|
* Interest expense is reported on Statement of Operations
|
|
10.
|
Recent Market Events
|
U.S. and international markets have experienced significant periods of volatility in recent years due to a number of economic, political and global macro factors including the impact of the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) as a global pandemic; which has resulted in related public health issues, growth concerns in the U.S. and overseas, temporary and permanent layoffs in the private sector, rising unemployment claims, and reduced consumer spending,
all of which may lead to a substantial economic downturn or recession in the U.S. and global economies. The recovery from the effects of COVID-19 is uncertain and may last for an extended period of time. These developments as well as other
events, such as the upcoming U.S. presidential election, could result in further market volatility and negatively affect financial asset prices, the liquidity of certain securities and the normal operations of securities exchanges and other
markets. As a result, the risk environment remains elevated. The Fund’s investment adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no
assurance that it will be successful in doing so.
|
|
11.
|
Subsequent Events
|
The Fund has evaluated events and transactions that have occurred subsequent to June 30, 2020 and determined there were no subsequent events that would require recognition or disclosure in financial statements.
|
|
12.
|
Results of Shareholder Meeting
|
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Predecessor Portfolio was held June 16, 2020, pursuant to notice given to all shareholders of record of the Predecessor Portfolio at the close of business on March 31,
2020. At the Special Meeting, shareholders were asked to the approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, providing for: (i) the transfer of all of the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Portfolio to the Fund in exchange for
Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares of the Fund, and (ii) the distribution of the Institutional Class shares and Open Class shares of the Fund pro rata by the Predecessor Portfolio to its shareholders in complete liquidation of
the Predecessor Portfolio.
|
|
The tabulation of the shareholder votes rendered the following results:
|
Votes For
|
Votes Against
|
Abstained
|
|
1,019,344.349
|
37,700.842
|
77,606.048
|
1.
|
NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE FUND
|
2.
|
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND AND THE ADVISER
|
3.
|
COSTS OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND PROFITS TO BE REALIZED BY THE ADVISER
|
4.
|
EXTENT OF ECONOMIES OF SCALE AS THE FUND GROWS
|
5.
|
BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FUND
|
•
|
information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
|
•
|
information you give us orally; and
|
•
|
information about your transactions with us or others.
|
Other
|
|||||
Term of
|
Number of
|
Directorships
|
|||
Office and
|
Portfolios
|
Principal
|
Held by
|
||
Name,
|
Position(s)
|
Length
|
in Trust
|
Occupation(s)
|
Trustee
|
Address and
|
Held with
|
of Time
|
Overseen
|
During the
|
During the
|
Year of Birth
|
the Trust
|
Served
|
by Trustee
|
Past Five Years
|
Past Five Years
|
Michael D.
|
Trustee
|
Indefinite
|
21
|
Professor
|
Independent
|
Akers, Ph.D.
|
Term; Since
|
Emeritus,
|
Trustee, USA
|
||
615 E. Michigan St.
|
August 22,
|
Department of
|
MUTUALS
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
2001
|
Accounting (June
|
(an open-end
|
||
Year of Birth: 1955
|
2019–Present),
|
investment
|
|||
Professor,
|
company with
|
||||
Department
|
two portfolios).
|
||||
of Accounting
|
|||||
(2004–May 2019),
|
|||||
Chair, Department
|
|||||
of Accounting
|
|||||
(2004–2017),
|
|||||
Marquette University.
|
Other
|
|||||
Term of
|
Number of
|
Directorships
|
|||
Office and
|
Portfolios
|
Principal
|
Held by
|
||
Name,
|
Position(s)
|
Length
|
in Trust
|
Occupation(s)
|
Trustee
|
Address and
|
Held with
|
of Time
|
Overseen
|
During the
|
During the
|
Year of Birth
|
the Trust
|
Served
|
by Trustee
|
Past Five Years
|
Past Five Years
|
Gary A. Drska
|
Trustee
|
Indefinite
|
21
|
Pilot, Frontier/
|
Independent
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Term; Since
|
Midwest Airlines,
|
Trustee, USA
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
August 22,
|
Inc. (airline
|
MUTUALS
|
||
Year of Birth: 1956
|
2001
|
company)
|
(an open-end
|
||
(1986–present).
|
investment
|
||||
company with
|
|||||
two portfolios).
|
|||||
Jonas B. Siegel
|
Trustee
|
Indefinite
|
21
|
Retired
|
Independent
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Term; Since
|
(2011–present);
|
Trustee, Gottex
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
October 23,
|
Managing
|
Trust (an open-
|
||
Year of Birth: 1943
|
2009
|
Director, Chief
|
end investment
|
||
Administrative
|
company)
|
||||
Officer (“CAO”)
|
(2010–2016).
|
||||
and Chief
|
|||||
Compliance
|
|||||
Officer (“CCO”),
|
|||||
Granite Capital
|
|||||
International Group,
|
|||||
L.P. (an investment
|
|||||
management firm)
|
|||||
(1994–2011).
|
|||||
Interested Trustee and Officers
|
|||||
Joseph C. Neuberger*
|
Chairperson
|
Indefinite
|
21
|
President (2017–
|
Trustee, Buffalo
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
and Trustee
|
Term; Since
|
present), Chief
|
Funds (an open-
|
|
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
August 22,
|
Operating Officer
|
end investment
|
||
Year of Birth: 1962
|
2001
|
(2016–present),
|
company)
|
||
Executive Vice
|
(2003–2017);
|
||||
President (1994–
|
Trustee, USA
|
||||
2017), U.S.
|
MUTUALS
|
||||
Bancorp Fund
|
(an open-end
|
||||
Services, LLC.
|
investment
|
||||
company)
|
|||||
(2001–2018).
|
|||||
John P. Buckel
|
President
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Vice President,
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
and
|
Term; Since
|
U.S. Bancorp
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
Principal
|
January 24,
|
Fund Services,
|
||
Year of Birth: 1957
|
Executive
|
2013
|
LLC (2004–
|
||
Officer
|
present).
|
*
|
Mr. Neuberger is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust as defined by the 1940 Act due to his position and material business relationship with the Trust.
|
Other
|
|||||
Term of
|
Number of
|
Directorships
|
|||
Office and
|
Portfolios
|
Principal
|
Held by
|
||
Name,
|
Position(s)
|
Length
|
in Trust
|
Occupation(s)
|
Trustee
|
Address and
|
Held with
|
of Time
|
Overseen
|
During the
|
During the
|
Year of Birth
|
the Trust
|
Served
|
by Trustee
|
Past Five Years
|
Past Five Years
|
Jennifer A. Lima
|
Vice
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Vice President,
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
President,
|
Term; Since
|
U.S. Bancorp
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
Treasurer
|
January 24,
|
Fund Services,
|
||
Year of Birth: 1974
|
and
|
2013
|
LLC (2002–
|
||
Principal
|
present).
|
||||
Financial
|
|||||
and
|
|||||
Accounting
|
|||||
Officer
|
|||||
Elizabeth B. Scalf
|
Chief
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Senior Vice
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Compliance
|
Term; Since
|
President,
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
Officer,
|
July 1,
|
U.S. Bancorp
|
||
Year of Birth: 1985
|
Vice
|
2017
|
Fund Services,
|
||
President
|
LLC (February
|
||||
and
|
2017–present);
|
||||
Anti-Money
|
Vice President
|
||||
Laundering
|
and Assistant
|
||||
Officer
|
CCO, Heartland
|
||||
Advisors, Inc.
|
|||||
(December 2016–
|
|||||
January 2017);
|
|||||
Vice President
|
|||||
and CCO,
|
|||||
Heartland Group,
|
|||||
Inc. (May 2016–
|
|||||
November 2016);
|
|||||
Vice President,
|
|||||
CCO and Senior
|
|||||
Legal Counsel
|
|||||
(May 2016–
|
|||||
November 2016),
|
|||||
Assistant CCO
|
|||||
and Senior Legal
|
|||||
Counsel (January
|
|||||
2016– April 2016),
|
|||||
Senior Legal and
|
|||||
Compliance
|
|||||
Counsel (2013–
|
|||||
2015), Heartland
|
|||||
Advisors, Inc.
|
Other
|
|||||
Term of
|
Number of
|
Directorships
|
|||
Office and
|
Portfolios
|
Principal
|
Held by
|
||
Name,
|
Position(s)
|
Length
|
in Trust
|
Occupation(s)
|
Trustee
|
Address and
|
Held with
|
of Time
|
Overseen
|
During the
|
During the
|
Year of Birth
|
the Trust
|
Served
|
by Trustee
|
Past Five Years
|
Past Five Years
|
Jay S. Fitton
|
Secretary
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Assistant Vice
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Term; Since
|
President, U.S.
|
|||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
July 22,
|
Bancorp Fund
|
|||
Year of Birth: 1970
|
2019
|
Services, LLC
|
|||
(2019–present);
|
|||||
Partner, Practus,
|
|||||
LLP (2018–2019);
|
|||||
Counsel, Drinker
|
|||||
Biddle & Reath
|
|||||
(2016–2018).
|
|||||
Kelly A. Burns
|
Assistant
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Assistant Vice
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Treasurer
|
Term; Since
|
President, U.S.
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
April 23,
|
Bancorp Fund
|
|||
Year of Birth: 1987
|
2015
|
Services, LLC
|
|||
(2011–present).
|
|||||
Melissa Aguinaga
|
Assistant
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Assistant Vice
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Treasurer
|
Term; Since
|
President, U.S.
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
July 1,
|
Bancorp Fund
|
|||
Year of Birth: 1987
|
2015
|
Services, LLC
|
|||
(2010–present).
|
|||||
Laura A. Carroll
|
Assistant
|
Indefinite
|
N/A
|
Assistant Vice
|
N/A
|
615 E. Michigan St.
|
Treasurer
|
Term; Since
|
President, U.S.
|
||
Milwaukee, WI 53202
|
August 20,
|
Bancorp Fund
|
|||
Year of Birth: 1985
|
2018
|
Services, LLC
|
|||
(2007–present).
|
(a)
|
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
|
(b)
|
Not Applicable.
|
(a)
|
The Registrant’s President and Treasurer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of
this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d‑15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are
effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.
|
(b)
|
There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the last fiscal half-year covered by this report that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
|
1.
|
Act with honesty and integrity, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
|
2.
|
Provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports submitted to or filed with the SEC and in all other public communications made by the Trust;
|
3.
|
Comply with laws, rules and regulations of the federal government, state governments and other regulatory agencies as they apply to the Trust;
|
4.
|
Disclose promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer any violations of this Code of Ethics of which the Covered Person may become aware; and
|
5.
|
Not retaliate against any other Covered Person or any employee of the Trust or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith.
|
•
|
not use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Trust whereby the Covered Person would benefit personally to the detriment of the Trust; and
|
•
|
not cause the Trust to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Person rather than for the benefit of the Trust.
|
•
|
any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Trust’s service providers, other than its investment adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and
|
•
|
a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Trust for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Person’s
employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.
|
X.
|
Confidentiality
|
XI.
|
Internal Use
|
1. |
In accordance with the Code of Ethics, I will report all violations of the Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance Officer;
|
2. |
I do not currently know of any violations of the Code of Ethics; and
|
3. |
I will comply with the Code of Ethics in all other respects.
|
|
Signature |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Name
|
|
|
|
Title |
1. |
I have reported all violations of the Code of Ethics of which I was aware;
|
2. | I have complied with the Code of Ethics in all other respects; and |
3. |
I have read and understand the Code of Ethics and recognize that I am
subject thereto. |
|
Signature |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Name
|
|
|
|
Title |
1.
|
I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Trust for Professional Managers;
|
2.
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
|
3.
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if
the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
|
4.
|
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
|
(a)
|
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
|
(b)
|
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
|
(c)
|
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the
filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
|
(d)
|
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal half-year covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
|
5.
|
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
(a)
|
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and
report financial information; and
|
(b)
|
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
|
Date: 8/31/2020
|
/s/John Buckel
John Buckel President |
1.
|
I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Trust for Professional Managers;
|
2.
|
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
|
3.
|
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if
the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
|
4.
|
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
|
(a)
|
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
|
(b)
|
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
|
(c)
|
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the
filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
|
(d)
|
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal half-year covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
|
5.
|
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
(a)
|
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and
report financial information; and
|
(b)
|
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
|
Date: 8/31/20
|
/s/Jennifer Lima
Jennifer Lima Treasurer |
/s/John Buckel
John Buckel
President, Trust for Professional Managers
|
/s/Jennifer Lima
Jennifer Lima
Treasurer, Trust for Professional Managers
|
Dated 8/31/20
|
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