EX-99.(P)(12) 12 advisorsharestrust_ex99p12.htm EXHIBIT (P)(12)

 

Exhibit (p)(12) 

 

XI.CODE OF ETHICS:

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

A.Introduction

 

This is the Code of Ethics (the “Code”) of Gerber Kawasaki Inc. (the “Company”). The Company’s Policies on Insider Trading and Personal Securities Transactions are included in the Code.

 

Important Considerations About This Code:

 

1.Terms in boldface have special meanings as used in this Code. Please read the instructions below.

 

2.All Access Persons must complete three Reporting Forms under this Code. Additional information regarding these Reporting Forms can be found below. Copies of the Reporting Forms are included at the end of the Code or copies can be obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

3.The Chief Compliance Officer has the authority to grant written waivers of the provisions of this Code in appropriate instances. However:

 

a.the Company expects that waivers will be granted only in rare instances, and

 

b.some provisions of the Code that are mandated by law cannot be waived.

 

4.For purposes of this Code, all shareholders or other persons with Beneficial Ownership of the Company are considered an Associated Person of the Company.

 

5.The Company’s management will review the terms and provisions of this Code at least annually and make amendments as necessary. Any amendments will be distributed to all Associated Persons of the Company, and each Associated Person must provide in writing their receipt, understanding and acceptance of the changes.

 

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6.All Associated Persons are required to sign an Agreement to abide by the Company’s Code of Ethics and certify annual compliance with the Code.

 

7.If there is any doubt or uncertainty about what this Code requires or permits, ask the Chief Compliance Officer. Please do not guess at the answer.

 

B.General Principles

 

The Company is a fiduciary for its investment advisory clients. Because of this fiduciary relationship, it is generally improper for the Company or its Associated Persons to:

 

1.use for their own benefit (or the benefit of anyone other than the client), to the detriment of the client, information about the Company’s trading or recommendations for client accounts; or

 

2.take advantage of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available for the Company’s clients.

 

Also, as a matter of business policy, the Company wants to avoid even the appearance that the Company, its Associated Persons or others receive any improper benefit from information about client trading or accounts or from our relationships with our clients or with the brokerage community

 

The Company expects all Associated Persons to comply with the spirit of the Code, as well as the specific rules contained in the Code.

 

The Company treats violations of this Code (including violations of the spirit of the Code) very seriously. Violation of either the letter or the spirit of this Code, may result in the Company taking disciplinary measures, including, without limitation, imposing penalties or fines, reducing your compensation, demotion, requiring unwinding of the trade, requiring disgorgement of trading gains, suspending or terminating of employment, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

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Improper trading activity can constitute a violation of this Code. Nevertheless, the Code can be violated by failing to file required reports, or by making inaccurate or misleading reports or statements concerning trading activity or securities accounts. Individual conduct can violate this Code even if no clients are harmed by such conduct.

 

C.Definitions

 

These terms have special meanings in this Code of Ethics:

 

1.Supervised Person - This term includes employees, directors, officers and partners of the Company, as well as any other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions. The Company may also include in this category all temporary workers, consultants, independent contractors and anyone else designated by the Chief Compliance Officer. For purposes of the Code, such ‘outside individuals’ will generally only be included in the definition of a supervised person, if their duties include access to certain types of information, which would put them in a position of sufficient knowledge to necessitate their inclusion under the Code. The Chief Compliance Officer shall make the final determination as to which of these are considered supervised persons.

 

2.Access Person - An Access Person is a Supervised Person who has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic. All of the Company’s directors, officers, and partners are presumed to be Access Persons.

 

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3.Associated Person - For purposes of this Code, all Supervised Persons and Access Persons are collectively referred to as ‘Associated Persons’.

 

4.Advisory Client - Any person for whom or entity for which the Company serves an investment adviser, renders investment advice or makes any investment decisions for a fee is considered to be a client.

 

5.Beneficial Ownership - Means any opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in the profit from any transaction in securities, including those owned by members of an Access Person’s immediate family living in the Access Person’s household, as defined below.

 

6.Chief Compliance Officer — Ross Gerber, or another person that has been designated to perform the functions of Chief Compliance Officer when the named Chief Compliance Officer is not available. For purposes of reviewing the Chief Compliance Officer’s own transactions and reports under this Code, the functions of the Chief Compliance Officer are performed by Danilo Kawasaki.

 

7.Covered Account — Means any account in which an Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.

 

8.Covered Securities - Means anything that is considered a “security” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

This is a very broad definition of security. It includes most kinds of investment instruments, including things that you might not ordinarily think of as “securities,” such as:

 

exchange traded funds;

 

options on securities, on indexes and on currencies;

 

investments in all kinds of limited partnerships;

 

investments in foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds; and

 

investments in private investment funds and hedge funds.

 

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If there is any question or doubt about whether an investment is considered a security or a Covered Security under this Code, ask the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

9.Non-Reportable Securities - Rule 204A-1 does not require Access Persons to report:

 

a.Direct Obligations of the US Treasury;

 

b.Bankers’ acceptance, Certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and high quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase agreements;

 

c.Money market fund shares;

 

d.Shares of open end mutual funds, unless the Company or control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund;

 

e.Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in unaffiliated mutual funds;

 

f.Securities held in accounts over which the access person had no direct influence or control; or

 

g.Transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.

 

10.Members of the Family/Household Include:

 

a.A spouse or domestic partner (unless they do not live in the same household as the Access Person and the Access Person does not contribute in any way to their support);

 

b.Children under the age of 18;

 

c.Children who are 18 or older (unless they do not live in the same household as the Access Person and the Access Person does not contribute in any way to their support); and

 

d.Any of the people who live in the Access Person’s household including: stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, in-laws and adoptive relationships.

 

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D.Guidelines for Professional Standards

 

At all times, all Associated Persons must comply with applicable federal and state securities laws and must reflect the professional standards expected of those engaged in the investment advisory business, and they shall act within the spirit and the letter of federal (to the extent applicable), state and local laws and regulations pertaining to investment advisers and the general conduct of business. These standards require all personnel to be judicious, accurate, objective and reasonable in dealing with both clients and other parties so that his or her personal integrity is unquestionable.

 

1.All Associated Persons are required to report any violation of the Code, by any person, to the Chief Compliance Officer or other appropriate person of the Company immediately. Such reports will be held in confidence.

 

2.Associated persons must place the interests of Advisory Clients first. All Associated Persons must scrupulously avoid serving their own personal interests ahead of the interests of the Company’s Advisory Clients. In addition, Associated Persons must work diligently to ensure that no client is preferred over any other client.

 

3.All Associated Persons are naturally prohibited from engaging in any practice that defrauds or misleads any client, or engaging in any manipulative or deceitful practice with respect to clients or securities.

 

4.No Associated Person may serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company without prior written permission from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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5.Associated Persons must conduct all personal securities transactions in full compliance with this Code. Doubtful situations should be resolved in favor of Advisory Clients and in cooperation with the Chief Compliance Officer. Technical compliance with the Code’s provisions shall not automatically insulate from scrutiny any securities transactions or actions that could indicate a violation of the Company’s fiduciary duties.

 

6.Personal transactions in securities by Access Persons must be transacted to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of such personnel with the interests of the Company’s clients. Likewise, Associated Persons must avoid actions or activities that allow (or appear to allow) a person to profit or benefit from his or her position with the Company at the expense of clients, or that otherwise bring into question the person’s judgment.

 

7.The Company has adopted Insider Trading Policies that set parameters to the establishment, maintenance, and enforcement of policies and procedures to detect and prevent the misuse of material and non-public information.

 

8.Associated persons are prohibited from accepting compensation for services from outside sources without the specific prior written permission of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

9.When any Associated Person faces a conflict or potential conflict between their personal interest and the interests of clients, he or she is required to immediately report the conflict to the Chief Compliance Officer for instructions regarding how to proceed.

 

10.The recommendations and actions of the Company are confidential and private matters. Accordingly, we have adopted a Privacy Policy to prohibit the transmission, distribution or communication of any information regarding securities transactions in client accounts or other non-public information, except to broker/dealers or other bona fide service providers in the ordinary course of business. In addition, no information obtained during the course of employment regarding particular securities (including internal reports and recommendations) may be transmitted, distributed, or communicated to anyone who is not affiliated with the Company, without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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11.No Associated Person may accept or receive on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of the Company, any gift or other accommodation, which has a value in excess of $100.00 from any vendor, broker, securities sales representative, client or prospective client (a “business contact”) — per business contract per year. All gifts or other accommodations, which have a value in excess of $100.00 received by an Associated Persons or their Family/Household from a business contact, must be immediately reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

12.No Associated Person may give on their own behalf, or on behalf of the Company, any gift or other accommodation to a business contact which has a value in excess of $100.00, without prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Policies regarding gift receipt/giving are not intended to prohibit normal business entertainment or customary meals.

 

13.No Associated Person shall intentionally sell to or purchase from a client any security or other property.

 

14.No Associated Persons shall provide loans to or receive loans from clients.

 

No Associated Person shall communicate information known to be false to others (including but limited to clients, prospective clients, and other Associated Persons) with the intention of manipulating financial markets for persons gain.

 

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15.The Company shall not provide investment advisory services for compensation within two years after the Company or any Covered Associate make a contribution to an elected official of a government entity (incumbent, candidate or successful candidate) who is in a position, directly or indirectly, to influence the selection of the Company. (This prohibition shall not apply to contributions by a Covered Associate who is a natural person if and to: (1) Officials who the Covered Associate was entitled to vote at the time of the contribution and which in the aggregate do not exceed $350 to any one official, per election, or to officials for whom the Covered Associate was not entitled to vote at the time of the contribution and which in the aggregate do not exceed $150 to any one official, per election; (2) The contribution was made more than six months prior to becoming a Covered Associate of the Company unless such person, after becoming a Covered Associate, solicits clients on behalf of the Company; or (3) The Company returns any contribution (which cannot exceed $350) within four months of the date of the contribution and within 60 days of the date of discovery of the contribution. (Limited to one instance by the same Covered Associate, two instances for advisers with 50 or fewer employers or two instances for advisers with more than 50 employees)).

 

16.The Company and its Covered Associates shall not coordinate or solicit any person to make any contributions to an elected official (incumbent, candidate or successful candidate) of a government entity to which the Company is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services and shall not coordinate or solicit payment to political parties of a state or locality where the Company is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government entity.

 

17.The Company shall not agree to pay or pay a third party, such as a solicitor or placement agent, to solicit government entity clients on behalf of the Company, unless that third party is an executive officer, general partner, managing member (or similar status) or employee of the Company, an SEC-registered investment adviser in compliance with Rule 206(4)-5 or broker-dealer subject to similar restrictions imposed by FINRA.

 

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“Covered Associate” shall mean: (i) Any general partner, managing member or executive officer, or other individual with a similar status or function; (ii) Any employee who solicits a government entity for the Company and any person who supervises, directly or indirectly, such employee; and (iii) Any political action committee controlled by the Company or by any of the aforementioned persons.

 

“Political Contribution” or “Contribution” shall include a gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value including payments for debts incurred in an election.

 

E.Personal Trading Policies

 

1.General Information. The following policies and procedures apply to all accounts owned or controlled by an Access Person, and any “Covered Account”. Any account in question should be addressed with the Chief Compliance Officer immediately to determine if it is a Covered Account.

 

2.Reporting Requirements. All Access Persons must file the reports described below, even if there are no holdings, transactions or accounts to list in the reports. Copies of all reporting forms may be obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

a.Initial Holdings Reports (Exhibit “A”). No later than 10 calendar days after an Associated Person becomes an Access Person (or within 10 days of the adoption of this Code if the Associated Person was already an Access Person at the time of its adoption), that Access Person must file an Initial Holdings Report with the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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The Initial Holdings Report requires that each Access Person list all Reportable Securities on the date the Associated Person became an Access Person. It also requires each Access Person to list all brokers, dealers, and banks holding any Covered Account, on the date the Associated Person became an Access Person (or on the date this Code was adopted, if the Associated Person was already an Access Person on such date).

 

This requirement may be satisfied by instructing the custodian for these accounts to send duplicate confirmations and brokerage account statements for the Covered Accounts to the Company, c/o the Chief Compliance Officer, provided all required information is included in the report. Alternatively, Access Persons may submit this information on the Reporting Form provided by the Company.

 

Each Associated Person must notify the Chief Compliance Officer of any updates or changes to his or her Covered Accounts within 10 days of such update or change. All information contained in the holding report must be current as of the date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.

 

b.Quarterly Transaction Reports (Exhibit “B”). No later than 30 calendar days after the end of March, June, September and December each year, each Access Person must file a Quarterly Transaction Report with the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

The Quarterly Transaction Report requires each Access Person to list all transactions in Reportable Securities during the most recent calendar quarter in which the Access Person had Beneficial Ownership. This requirement may be satisfied by instructing the custodian for these accounts to send duplicate confirmations and brokerage account statements for the Covered Accounts to the Company, c/o the Chief Compliance Officer provided all required information is included in the report. Alternatively, Access Persons may submit this information on the Reporting Form provided by the Company.

 

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c.Annual Holdings Reports (Exhibit “C”). By January 31st of each year, each Access Person must file an Annual Holdings Report with the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

The Annual Holdings Report requires each Access Person to list all Reportable Securities in Covered Accounts in which the Access Person had Beneficial Ownership as of December 31st of the previous year. It also requires the Access Person to list all brokers, dealers and banks holding any accounts in which such person had direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership on December 31st of the previous year. This requirement may be satisfied by instructing the custodian for these accounts to send duplicate confirmations and brokerage account statements for the Covered Accounts to the Company, c/o the Chief Compliance Officer, provided all required information is included in the report. Alternatively, Access Persons may submit this information on the Reporting Form provided by the Company. All information contained in the holding report must be current as of the date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.

 

3.Restricted List. Certain transactions in which the Company engages may require, for either business or legal reasons that any client accounts or proprietary accounts do not trade in certain securities for specified time periods. A security will be designated as “restricted” if the Company is involved in a transaction that places limits on the aggregate position held by the accounts in that security, or if trading in a security should be restricted for any other reason. The Company’s “restricted list” will be maintained by the CCO. It is the employee’s responsibility to determine whether a security is on the Company’s restricted list prior to the execution of any security transactions.

 

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4.Principal Transactions. Neither the Company nor an employee may engage in principal transactions between a proprietary account and a client account without first obtaining the prior written approval of the CCO and the consent of the client.

 

5.Client Priority. Clients must always receive the best price, in relation to employees, on same day transactions. Employees of the Company must first give priority on all purchases and sales of securities to the Company’s clients, prior to the execution of transactions for their proprietary accounts, and personal trading must be conducted so as not to conflict with the interests of a client. While the scope of such actions cannot be exactly defined, they would always include each of the following prohibited situations:

 

a.contemporaneously purchasing the same securities as a client without making an equitable allocation of the securities to the client first, on the basis of such considerations as available capital and current positions, and then to the account of the employee;

 

b.knowingly purchasing or selling securities, directly or indirectly, in such a way as to personally injure a client’s transactions;

 

c.using knowledge of securities transactions by a client to profit personally, directly or indirectly, by the market effect of such transactions; and

 

d.giving to any person information not generally available to the public about contemplated, proposed, or current purchases or sales of securities by or for a client account, except to the extent necessary to effectuate such transactions.

 

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F.Prohibited and Restricted Transactions

 

1.Access Persons may not acquire any Beneficial Ownership in any security in an initial public offering without first seeking written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. A Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form should be used for this purpose (See Exhibit “D”).

 

2.Purchases and sales of restricted securities issued by public companies are generally prohibited, unless the Chief Compliance Officer determines that the contemplated transaction will raise no actual potential, or apparent conflict of interest.

 

3.Any Access Person wishing to purchase or sell a security obtained through a private placement, including purchase of any interest in a hedge fund, must first seek written approval by the Chief Compliance Officer. A Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form should be used for this purpose (See Exhibit “D”). In addition, if an Associated Person who owns a security in a private company knows that the company is about to engage in an IPO, he or she must disclose this information to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

4.Participation in Investment Clubs must be approved in writing the Chief Compliance Officer in advance of any such participation.

 

G.Timing of Personal Transactions.

 

If the Company is purchasing/selling or considering for purchase/sale any Covered Security on behalf of a Client Account, no Access Person may effect a transaction in that Covered Security prior to the client purchase/sale having been completed by the Company, or until a decision has been made not to purchase/sell the Covered Security on behalf of the Client Account and in accordance with the Company’s pre-clearance policy and restricted list, if any.

 

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H.Case-by-Case Exemptions.

 

Because no written policy can provide for every possible contingency, the Chief Compliance Officer may consider granting additional exemptions from the Prohibitions on Trading on a case-by-case basis. Any request for such consideration must be submitted by the Access Person in writing to the Chief Compliance Officer. Exceptions will only be granted in those cases in which the Chief Compliance Officer determines that granting the request will create no actual, potential or apparent conflict of interest.

 

I.Pre Clearance for Personal Securities Transactions.

 

a.Access Persons are prohibited from engaging in any transaction in a Covered Security in any account in which the Access Person has any Beneficial Ownership, unless the Access Person obtains pre-clearance for that transaction in advance of the transaction. Danilo Kawasaki must similarly approve any trade by the CCO. A Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form should be used for this purpose in the Form attached to this policy as Exhibit “D”. The CCO shall promptly notify the employee of approval or denial of clearance to trade by indicating such action on the Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form and returning it to the employee. Notification of approval or denial to trade may be verbally given; however, it shall be confirmed in writing by indicating such action on the Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form and returning it to the employee within 24 hours of the verbal notification.

 

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b.When any employee recommends that a security be bought or sold for a client account, such employee must disclose to the CCO if a position in that security is then held in the employee’s proprietary account. The CCO may restrict such Employee from buying or selling the position from any proprietary account until a specified period of time after the orders for client accounts have been filled and there is no buying or selling program in progress.

 

c.If pre-clearance is obtained, the approval is valid for the day on which it is granted and the 5 immediately following business days. Good ‘til Cancelled (GTC) orders are not allowed since the effective transaction date could potentially exceed the preclearance approval time frame.

 

The Chief Compliance Officer may revoke a pre-clearance any time after it is granted and before the transaction is executed. The Chief Compliance Officer may deny or revoke preclearance for any reason. In no event will pre-clearance be granted for any Covered Security if the Company has a buy or sell order pending for that same security or a closely related security (such as an option relating to that security, or a related convertible or exchangeable security), unless in accordance with the Company’s policy on timing of personal securities transactions

 

J.Review and Recordkeeping

 

The CCO shall review personal trading reports for all Access Persons no less than quarterly, and will otherwise take reasonable steps to monitor compliance with, and enforce this Code of Ethics, Evidence of the reviews shall be maintained in the Company’s files. Danilo Kawasaki will review the CCO’s personal securities trading reports.

 

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The Company reserves the right to require the Access Person to reverse, cancel, or freeze, at the Access Person’s expense, any transaction or position in a specific security if the Company believes the transaction or position violates its policies or appears improper. The Company will keep all such information confidential except as required to enforce this policy or to participate in any investigation concerning violations of applicable law.

 

If the Company discovers any trading activity that appears to be in violation of this policy, the CCO, and/or other senior representatives of the Company, will meet with the Access Person to review the findings and discuss additional pertinent information related to the situation. Where necessary, one or more of the following remedial actions may be taken:

 

Written warning that will be made a permanent part of the Access Person’s record;

 

Disgorgement of profits;

 

Monetary fine; and/or

 

Termination of employment.

 

K.Insider Trading Policies

 

The purpose of these policies and procedures (the “Insider Trading Policies”) is to educate our Associated Persons regarding insider trading, and to detect and prevent insider trading by any person associated with the Company. The term “insider trading” is not defined in the securities laws, but generally, it refers to the use of material, non-public information to trade in securities or the communication of material, non-public information to others.

 

1.Prohibited Activities. All Associated Persons of the Company, including contract, temporary, or part-time personnel, or any other person associated with the Company are prohibited from the following activities:

 

a.trading or recommending trading in securities for any account (personal or client) while in possession of material, non-public information about the issuer of the securities; or

 

b.communicating material, non-public information about the issuer of any securities to any other person.

 

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The activities described above are not only violations of these Insider Trading Policies, but also may be violations of applicable law.

 

2.Reporting of Material, Non-Public Information. Any Associated Person who possesses or believes that she/he may possess material, non-public information about any issuer of securities must report the matter immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer will review the matter and provide further instructions regarding appropriate handling of the information to the reporting individual.

 

3.Definitions

 

a.Material Information. “Material information” generally includes:

 

(i)any information that a reasonable investor would likely consider important in making his or her investment decision; or

 

(ii)any information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities.

 

Examples of material information include the following: dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems and extraordinary management developments.

 

b.Non-Public Information. Information is “non-public” until it has been effectively communicated to the market and the market has had time to “absorb” the information. For example, information found in a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public.

 

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c.Insider Trading. While the law concerning “insider trading” is not static, it generally prohibits: (1) trading by an insider while in possession of material, non-public information; (2) trading by non-insiders while in possession of material, nonpublic information, where the information was either disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider’s duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; and (3) communicating material, non-public information to others.

 

d.Insiders. The concept of “insider” is broad, and includes all Associated Persons of a company. In addition, any person may be a temporary insider if she/he enters into a special, confidential relationship with a company in the conduct of a company’s affairs and as a result has access to information solely for the company’s purposes. Any person associated with the Adviser may become a temporary insider for a company it advises or for which it performs other services. Temporary insiders may also include the following: a company’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers and the Associated Persons of such organizations.

 

e.Penalties for Insider Trading. The legal consequences for trading on or communicating material, non-public information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he/she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties may include:

 

(i)civil injunctions

 

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(ii)jail sentences

 

(iii)revocation of applicable securities-related registrations and licenses

 

(iv)fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited; and

 

(v)fines for the Associated Person or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided.

 

In addition, the Company’s management will impose serious sanctions on any person who violates the Insider Trading Policies. These sanctions may include suspension or dismissal of the persons involved.

 

L.Sanctions

 

All disciplinary responses to violations of the Code shall be administered by the Chief Compliance Officer, subject to approval by the President of the Company. Determinations regarding appropriate disciplinary responses will be administered on a case-by-case basis.

 

M.Certification

 

Upon the Company’s adoption of this Code and annually thereafter, all Associated Persons are required to certify in writing his or her understanding and continuing acceptance of, as well as agreement to abide by, the guidelines and polices set forth herein. Additionally, any change or modification to the Code will be distributed to all Associated Persons and they will be required to certify in writing their receipt, understanding and acceptance of the change(s).

 

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ACCESS PERSONS AND EMPLOYEES
As of Enter Date

 

NAME TITLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
RECEIPT OF CODE OF
ETHICS
ACCESS
PERSON
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

 

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AGREEMENT TO ABIDE BY CODE OF ETHICS

 

This agreement is entered into by and between Gerber Kawasaki Inc. (the “Company”) and the Associated Person whose name and signature is represented below (the “Employee”).

 

By signing this agreement, I _______________ acknowledge that:

 

1. I have received a copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics;

 

2. I have read and understands the information contained in the Code of Ethics; and,

 

3. I will abide by the Code of Ethics and any subsequent amendments thereto.

 

I further certify that I have disclosed all legal and disciplinary events for which I am, or have been, personally involved, including information regarding any actions or fines by any Self-Regulatory Organization.

 

To comply with the personal securities transactions reporting policy and the Company’s Code of Ethics, I further certify that I have directed each broker with whom I have a Covered Account containing Reportable Securities to send to the Company’s designated Chief Compliance Officer duplicate copies of all periodic statements relating to my accounts or have otherwise complied with the reporting requirements of the policy and the Company’s Code of Ethics.

 

     
Signature   Date

 

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Exhibit “A”

 

Initial Personal Securities Holdings Report

 

To:Chief Compliance Officer, Ross Gerber
From:    
  (Access Person — Please Print)  

 

NOTE: IN LIEU OF THE REPORTING FORM, DUPLICATE COPIES OF BROKERAGE STATEMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED PROVIDED THE STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BELOW

 

As of, _____ 200_        , I hold the following securities:

 

Security Title* Type of
Security
Ticker/CUSIP

#

Shares

Principal
Amount
Name of
Broker
Dealer
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

*Include interest rate and maturity date if applicable

 

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The following broker/dealer bank or other custodian hold accounts which are invested in non-covered securities in which I have Beneficial Ownership.

 

Name of Broker, Dealer, or Bank Account Title Account Number
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

Use additional sheet(s) if necessary

 

ri As of _____, 200_, I do not have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in any securities. However, I agree to promptly notify the designated Chief Compliance Officer, if any such account is opened, so long as I am associated with Gerber Kawasaki Inc..

 

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: _____________________
   
Report reviewed by: Date: _____________________

 

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Exhibit “B”

 

Quarterly Report of Personal Securities Transactions

 

To:Chief Compliance Officer, Gerber Kawasaki Inc.
From:    
  (Access Person — Please Print)  

 

NOTE: IN LIEU OF THE REPORTING FORM, DUPLICATE COPIES OF BROKERAGE STATEMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED PROVIDED THE STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BELOW

 

During the quarter ending                               , I have purchased, sold, or have otherwise obtained Beneficial Ownership in the following securities:

 

Date

Nature of
the

Transaction

Security
Title*
Ticker/CUSIP

#

Shares

Price Principal
Amount
Name
of
Broker
Dealer
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

*Include interest rate and maturity date if applicable

 

[Use additional sheet(s) if necessary]

 

During the above period, I have not purchased or sold any Reportable Securities in my personal brokerage account or in any account in which I have a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.

 

During the above period, I have disclosed to the Company any new accounts in which I have direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.

 

I do not currently have any Beneficial Ownership in any Covered Accounts. However, I agree to promptly notify (Insert Name of Investment Adviser) if any such account is opened, so long as I am associated with Gerber Kawasaki Inc.

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 25

 

 

Signed: ______________________________________ Date: _________________
   
Report reviewed by:  ____________________________ Date: _________________

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 26

 

 

Exhibit “C”

 

Annual Personal Securities Holdings Report

 

To:Chief Compliance Officer, Gerber Kawasaki Inc.
From:    
  (Access Person — Please Print)  

 

NOTE: IN LIEU OF THE REPORTING FORM, DUPLICATE COPIES OF BROKERAGE STATEMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED PROVIDED THE STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BELOW

 

As of, _____ 200_       , I hold the following securities:

 

Security Title* Type of
Security
Ticker/CUSIP

#

Shares

Principal
Amount
Name of
Broker
Dealer
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

*Include interest rate and maturity date if applicable

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 27

 

 

The following broker/dealer bank or other custodian hold accounts which are invested in non-covered securities in which I have Beneficial Ownership.

 

Name of Broker, Dealer, or Bank Account Title Account Number
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

Use additional sheet(s) if necessary

 

ri As of_____, 200_, I do not have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in any securities. However, I agree to promptly notify the designated Chief Compliance Officer, if any such account is opened, so long as I am associated with Gerber Kawasaki Inc.

 

Signed: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________
   
Report reviewed by:  ____________________________ Date: ____________________

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 28

 

 

Exhibit “D”

 

Personal Securities Trading Pre-Clearance Form

 

Name:  
   
Details of Proposed Transaction  
   
Circle One Purchase / Sale
Date of Transaction  
Indicate Name of Issuer and Symbol  
Type of Security (e.g., Note, Common Stock, Preferred Stock)  
Quantity of Shares or Units  
Price Per Share /Units  
Approximate Dollar Amount  
Account for Which Transaction will be Made  
Name of Broker  

 

Date of Request: ________________________

 

You ri may I pi may not execute the proposed transaction described above.

 

If approved, this approval is valid for the day on which it is granted and for the (Insert Number) immediately following business days.

 

   
  Authorized Signature

 

Date of Response: __________________

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 29

 

 

Annual Code of Ethics Certification of Compliance

 

In accordance with the Code of Ethics for Gerber Kawasaki Inc, I certify that during the year ended as of December 31,

 

1.I have reported all Covered Accounts in which I have Beneficial Ownership and which may contain Reportable and/or Non-Reportable Securities holdings.

 

3.I have obtained pre-clearance for all Reportable Securities transactions in which I have Beneficial Ownership, except for transactions exempt from pre-clearance, or for which I have received a written exception from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

4.I have reported all Reportable Securities transactions in which I have Beneficial Ownership, except for transactions for which I have received a written exception from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

5.I have complied with the Code of Ethics in all other respects.

 

   
Print Name  
   
   
Signature  

 

Dated: ___________________ 200_

 

Section XICode of EthicsPage 30