EX-99.12(A)(4) 4 a12-27455_1ex99d12a4.htm EX-99.12(A)(4)

Exhibit 99.12(a)(4)

 

Exhibit 12(a)(4)

 

XI.                              PROXY VOTING AND CORPORATE ACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

A.                                    General

 

This policy is designed to ensure that the Fund fulfills its obligations and comply with the requirements under the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to proxy voting, disclosure, and recordkeeping.  This policy is also designed to ensure that all corporate actions are voted in the best interest of the Fund, to provide disclosure of the Fund’s corporate action voting record and to ensure that certain documentation is retained.

 

Pursuant to delegation by each, the Adviser has authority to make proxy and corporate action decisions on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser’s objective is to ensure that its proxy voting and corporate action activities on behalf of the Fund are conducted in a manner consistent, under all circumstances, with the best interest of the Fund.

 

B.                                    Proxy Voting Policies

 

It is the policy of the Adviser to vote proxies in accordance with the following guidelines (to the extent each is applicable):

 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

Routine Election of Directors

 

For

Issuance of Authorized Common Stock

 

For

Stock Repurchase Plans

 

For

Reincorporation

 

For

Director Indemnification

 

For

Require Shareholder approval to issue Preferred Stock

 

For

Require Shareholder approval to issue Golden Parachutes

 

For

Require Shareholder approval of Poison Pill

 

For

Shareholders’ Right to Call Special Meetings

 

For

Shareholders’ Right to Act by Written Consent

 

For

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors With or Without Cause

 

For

Shareholders Electing Directors to Fill Board Vacancies

 

For

Majority of Independent Directors

 

For

 



 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

Board Committee Membership exclusively of Independent Directors

 

For

401(k) Savings Plans for Employees

 

For

Anti-greenmail Charter or By-laws Amendments

 

For

Corporate Name Change

 

For

Ratification of Auditors

 

For

Supermajority Vote Requirement

 

Against

Blank Check Preferred

 

Against

Dual Classes of Stock

 

Against

Staggered or Classified Boards

 

Against

Fair Price Requirements

 

Against

Limited Terms for Directors

 

Against

Require Director Stock Ownership

 

Against

Accept Plan of Reorganization

 

Case by Case

Reprice Management Options

 

Case by Case

Adopt/Amend Stock Option Plan

 

Case by Case

Adopt/Amend Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Case by Case

Approve Merger/Acquisitions

 

Case by Case

Spin-offs

 

Case by Case

Corporate Restructurings

 

Case by Case

Asset Sales

 

Case by Case

Liquidations

 

Case by Case

Adopt Poison Pill

 

Case by Case

Golden Parachutes

 

Case by Case

Executive/Director Compensation

 

Case by Case

 



 

Proxy Proposal Issue

 

Adviser’s Voting Policy

Social Issues

 

Case by Case

Contested Election of Directors

 

Case by Case

Stock Based compensation for Directors

 

Case by Case

Increase authorized shares

 

Case by Case

Tender Offers

 

Case by Case

Exchange Offers

 

Case by Case

Preemptive Rights

 

Case by Case

Debt Restructuring

 

Case by Case

Loan Waivers and Consents

 

Case by Case

 

C.                                    Proxy and Corporate Action Voting Procedures

 

The Adviser will have the responsibility of voting proxies and corporate actions that it receives on behalf of the Fund.  Proxy proposals received by the Adviser and designated above in the proxy voting policies as “For” or “Against” will be voted by the Adviser in accordance with the proxy voting policies.  Proxy proposals received by the Adviser and designated above in the proxy voting policies as “Case by Case” (or not addressed in the proxy voting policies) and all corporate actions will be reviewed by the Adviser, and voted in the best interests of the Fund.  In accordance with Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act, with respect to “Case by Case” issues, the Adviser will document the basis for the Adviser’s voting decisions with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser may vote a proxy contrary to the proxy voting guidelines if the Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer determines that such action is in the best interest of the Fund.  In the event that the Adviser votes contrary to the proxy voting guidelines, the Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer will document the basis for the Adviser’s contrary voting decision.

 

In addition, the Adviser may choose not to vote proxies or corporate actions in certain situations, such as (i) where the Fund has informed the Adviser that it wishes to retain the right to vote the proxy or corporate action, (ii) where the Adviser deems the cost of voting would exceed any anticipated benefit to the Fund or (iii) where a proxy or corporate action is received by the Adviser for a security it no longer manages on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser with the assistance of the analyst who is in charge of the issuer will document the basis for the Adviser’s decision not to vote.

 

The Adviser has developed procedures for handling the receipt and voting of Fund proxies and corporate actions.

 



 

D.                                    Conflicts of Interest

 

The Adviser may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes.  The Adviser, its affiliates and/or its employees may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with the proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors and officers or candidates for directorships.

 

If at any time, the Adviser becomes aware of an actual conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, the Adviser will notify the Fund Board and will handle the proposal as follows:

 

·                                          If the proposal is designated in proxy voting policies above as “For” or “Against,” the proposal will be voted by the Adviser in accordance with the proxy voting policies; or

 

·                                          If the proposal is designated in the proxy voting policies above as “Case by Case” (or not addressed in the proxy voting policies) or is a corporate action, the Adviser will notify the Fund of such conflict and will vote on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s instructions.  The Board may designate a committee of the Board to vote such proxy or corporate action proposals.

 

E.                                    Proxy and Corporate Action Voting Records

 

In accordance with Rule 204-2, the Adviser will maintain the following records in connection with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures:

 

·                                          a copy of the proxy voting policies and procedures;

 

·                                          a copy of all proxy statements received regarding Fund securities;

 

·                                          a record of each vote the Adviser casts on behalf of the Fund;

 

·                                          records of Fund shareholder requests for proxy voting information, including a copy of each written request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund, and a copy of any written response by the Adviser to any Fund shareholder request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund; and

 

·                                          any documentation prepared by the Adviser that was material to making a decision on how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the voting decision.

 

The Adviser will also maintain similar records in connection with corporate actions.

 

The foregoing records will be maintained and preserved for a total of seven (7) years, the first two (2) years in the Adviser’s office.

 

F.                                     Changes to the Proxy Voting Rules

 

Changes may be made by the Adviser to the proxy rules as long as such changes are not expected to materially adversely affect the Fund.  Upon a material change, the Fund will be made aware of such material change to the proxy rules and the reasons for the change.

 



 

G.                                   Disclosure

 

The Adviser will provide all the information necessary for the Fund to make the required disclosures regarding proxy voting in its Statement of Additional Information, as well as on SEC Forms N-CSR and N-PX.  In addition, information regarding how the Fund’s proxies and corporate actions were voted by the Adviser will be provided to Fund shareholders upon their written request.

 

Section XI Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures

 

Adopted: December 9, 2010 (by Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund)

May 14, 2012 (by Avenue Mutual Funds Trust)

 

Revised/Reviewed: November 28, 2011 (by Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund)