Summary
Prospectus
May 1, 2017
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Columbia Acorn
European FundSM
| Class | Ticker Symbol | |
| Class A Shares | CAEAX | |
| Class C Shares | CAECX | |
| Class R4 Shares | CLOFX | |
| Class R5 Shares | CAEEX | |
| Class Y Shares | CAEYX | |
| Class Z Shares | CAEZX |
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s
Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information and other information about the Fund online at
https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800.345.6611 or by sending an email to serviceinquiries@columbiathreadneedle.com. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference
the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated May 1, 2017.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange
Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Investment Objective
Columbia Acorn European FundSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund. An investor transacting in a class of Fund shares without any front-end sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge, or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution may be required to pay a commission to
the broker/financial intermediary for effecting such transactions. Such commissions are not reflected in the tables or the example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and members of your immediate family invest, or agree to
invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain classes of shares of eligible funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). More information about these and other discounts is available from your
financial intermediary, and can be found in the Choosing a Share Class section beginning on page 23 of the Fund’s prospectus and in Appendix S to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) under Sales Charge Waivers beginning on page S-1.
| Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | |||
| Class A | Class C | Classes
R4, R5, Y and Z | |
| Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price) | 5.75% | None | None |
| Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions (as a % of the lower of the original purchase price or current net asset value) | 1.00% (a) | 1.00% (b) | None |
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | ||||||
| Class A | Class C | Class R4 | Class R5 | Class Y | Class Z | |
| Management fees | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% |
| Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other expenses(c)(d) | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.49% | 0.44% | 0.55% |
| Total annual Fund operating expenses | 1.99% | 2.74% | 1.74% | 1.68% | 1.63% | 1.74% |
| Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements(e) | (0.24%) | (0.24%) | (0.24%) | (0.25%) | (0.25%) | (0.24%) |
| Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | 1.75% | 2.50% | 1.50% | 1.43% | 1.38% | 1.50% |
| (a) | This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
| (b) | This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
| (c) | Other expenses for Class Y shares are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s current fiscal year. |
| (d) | Other expenses have been restated and are based on estimated amounts for the Fund's current fiscal year, taking into consideration changes in the method of allocating transfer agent expenses among Class A, Class C, Class R4 and Class Z shares of the Fund. |
| (e) | Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (the Investment Manager) has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse certain expenses of the Fund so that ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund’s investment in other investment companies, if any) do not exceed the annual rates of 1.75% for Class A shares, 2.50% for Class C shares, 1.50% for Class R4 shares, 1.43% for Class R5 shares, 1.38% for Class Y shares and 1.50% for Class Z shares, through April 30, 2018. This arrangement may only be modified or amended with approval from the Fund and the Investment Manager. |
Example
The following example is intended to help
you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
| ■ | you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated, |
| ■ | your investment has a 5% return each year, and |
| ■ | the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above. |
| 1 | Columbia Acorn European FundSM |
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements
shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual
costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
| 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |
| Class A (whether or not shares are redeemed) | $743 | $1,142 | $1,565 | $2,740 |
| Class C (assuming redemption of all shares at the end of the period) | $353 | $ 828 | $1,428 | $3,053 |
| Class C (assuming no redemption of shares) | $253 | $ 828 | $1,428 | $3,053 |
| Class R4 (whether or not shares are redeemed) | $153 | $ 525 | $ 921 | $2,032 |
| Class R5 (whether or not shares are redeemed) | $146 | $ 505 | $ 889 | $1,966 |
| Class Y (whether or not shares are redeemed) | $140 | $ 490 | $ 863 | $1,912 |
| Class Z (whether or not shares are redeemed) | $153 | $ 525 | $ 921 | $2,032 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when
it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which
are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of
its net assets (plus any borrowing for investment purposes) in European companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 70% of its total assets in companies in Western European countries (for example, the United Kingdom, Germany,
France and Italy), but also may invest up to 30% of its total assets in companies in emerging Central and Eastern European countries (for example, Poland, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Cyprus), including up to 10% of its total assets in companies
in Russia and the Ukraine. For purposes of the Fund's policies, the Fund may invest in a company if (i) it is domiciled in, or the principal trading market for its securities is in, a European country, (ii) it derives 50% or more of its economic
value from goods produced, sales made or services performed or has at least 50% of its assets in a European country or countries or (iii) it is a holding company that predominantly holds shares in such companies. The Fund may invest in a variety of
countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund (i) invests a majority of
its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations under $5 billion at the time of initial investment (“Focus Stocks”) and (ii) may also invest in companies with market capitalizations above
$5 billion, provided that immediately after that investment a majority of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in Focus Stocks. The Fund may continue to hold, and make additional investments in, Focus Stocks whose market capitalizations
have grown to exceed $5 billion, regardless of whether the Fund’s investments in Focus Stocks are a majority of the Fund’s net assets.
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, the Fund's investment
adviser (the Investment Manager), believes that stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, which generally are not as well known by financial analysts as larger companies, may offer higher return potential than stocks of larger companies.
The Fund takes advantage of the Investment Manager's research
and stock-picking capabilities to initially invest in a limited number of companies (generally under 100), offering the potential to provide above-average growth over time.
The Investment Manager typically seeks companies with:
| ■ | A strong business franchise that offers growth potential. |
| ■ | Products and services in which the company has a competitive advantage. |
| ■ | A stock price the Investment Manager believes is reasonable relative to the assets and earning power of the company. |
The Investment Manager may sell a portfolio holding if the
security reaches the Investment Manager's price target, if the company has a deterioration of fundamentals, such as failing to meet key operating benchmarks, or if the Investment Manager believes other securities are more attractive. The Investment
Manager also may sell a portfolio holding to fund redemptions.
| Columbia Acorn European FundSM | 2 |
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including those
described below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV)
and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The
Investment Manager’s active management of the Fund could cause the Fund to underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Liquidity and Trading Volume Risk. Due to market conditions, including uncertainty regarding the price of a security, it may be difficult for the Fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at a desirable time or price, which could result in investment
losses. This risk of portfolio illiquidity is heightened with respect to small- and mid-cap securities, generally, and foreign small- and mid-cap securities in particular. The Fund may have to lower the selling price, liquidate other investments, or
forego another, more appealing investment opportunity as a result of illiquidity in the markets. As a result of significant and sustained reductions in emerging and developed international market trading volumes in the wake of the 2007-2009
financial crisis, it may take longer to buy or sell securities, which can exacerbate the Fund’s exposure to volatile markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to
changes in share prices and fundamentals, and may be forced to dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size or, conversely, if it faces significant redemption pressure, these considerations take
on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap
companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and
more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Sector Risk. At times, the
Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within a sector. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory,
political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that sector than funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more the Fund diversifies its investments, the more it spreads risk and
potentially reduces the risks of loss and volatility.
Foreign Securities Risk.
Investments in or exposure to foreign securities involve certain risks not associated with investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Foreign securities subject the Fund to the risks associated with investing in the particular
country of an issuer, including political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism), occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated
with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions
against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of
foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Foreign Securities. The Fund’s foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of foreign sub-custodians. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and
regulation, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the Fund may be required to
make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. As a result, there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will
not be received. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share Blocking. In certain
non-U.S. markets, an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the
Fund from buying or selling securities during this period. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
| 3 | Columbia Acorn European FundSM |
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more
likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid
changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less
liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners,
which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Securities in Emerging
Markets. Foreign sub-custodians in emerging markets may be recently organized, lack extensive operating experience or lack effective government oversight or regulation. In addition, there may be legal restrictions or
limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. There may also be a greater risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of
the Fund may be lost because of failures of or defects in the system, including fraud or corruption. Settlement systems in emerging markets also have a higher risk of failed trades.
Risks Related to Currencies and Corporate Actions in Emerging
Markets. Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging market countries than in developed countries. Emerging market currencies may not have an active trading market and are subject
to a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Risks
Related to Corporate and Securities Laws in Emerging Markets. Securities laws in emerging markets may be relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws
regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights.
Foreign Currency Risk. The
performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other
assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Market Risk. Market risk
refers to the possibility that the market values of securities or other investments that the Fund holds will fall, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, or fail to rise. An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long
periods.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Poor performance may be caused by poor
management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters or other events, conditions or factors.
Geographic Focus Risk. The
Fund may be particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than
the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Europe. The Fund is
particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries in Europe. In addition, the private and public sectors’ debt problems of a single European Union (EU) country can pose
significant economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to
underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. The impact of any partial or complete dissolution of the EU on European economies could be significant, resulting in negative impacts on currency and financial
markets generally, such as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth
securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition,
growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has
performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class Z share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the
Fund’s returns for the periods shown with
| Columbia Acorn European FundSM | 4 |
the MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net). The MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index
(Net) captures small-cap representation across 21 countries in Europe. It has 1,030 constituents (as of March 31, 2017) and covers approximately 14% of the free float adjusted market capitalization across each country in Europe.
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below includes the Fund’s Class Z share returns (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such classes, where applicable) for periods prior to the
indicated inception date of such share classes. Class Y shares of the Fund commenced operations after the periods ended shown in the table below and, therefore, performance information is not yet available. Class Y shares would have annual returns
substantially similar to those of Class Z shares. Except for differences in fees and expenses, all share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of
securities.
The after-tax returns shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below are calculated using the highest historical individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Your actual
after-tax returns will depend on your personal tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. In addition, the after-tax returns shown in the table do not apply to shares held in tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans or
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns are shown only for Class Z shares and will vary for other share classes. Returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are higher than before-tax returns for certain periods
shown because they reflect the tax benefit of capital losses realized on the redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is no
guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedle.com/us.
| Year
by Year Total Return (%) as of December 31 Each Year* |
Best
and Worst Quarterly Returns During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart | ||
|
Best | 1st Quarter 2012 | 17.69% |
| Worst | 3rd Quarter 2014 | -9.07% | |
| * | Year to Date return as of March 31, 2017: 9.71% |
Average Annual Total Returns After Applicable Sales
Charges (for periods ended December 31, 2016)
| Share
Class Inception Date |
1 Year | 5 Years | Life of Fund | |
| Class Z | 08/19/2011 | |||
| returns before taxes | -3.29% | 9.47% | 7.81% | |
| returns after taxes on distributions | -3.33% | 9.38% | 7.67% | |
| returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares | -1.45% | 7.68% | 6.31% | |
| Class A returns before taxes | 08/19/2011 | -9.02% | 7.93% | 6.36% |
| Class C returns before taxes | 08/19/2011 | -5.16% | 8.40% | 6.75% |
| Class R4 returns before taxes | 06/25/2014 | -3.27% | 9.50% | 7.83% |
| Class R5 returns before taxes | 11/08/2012 | -3.23% | 9.49% | 7.82% |
| MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) | -1.57% | 12.50% | 9.99% |
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia
Wanger Asset Management, LLC
| Portfolio Manager | Title | Role with Fund | Service with the Fund Since | |||
| Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg | Portfolio Manager and Analyst | Co-manager or lead manager since inception in 2011 | 2011 |
| 5 | Columbia Acorn European FundSM |
| Portfolio Manager | Title | Role with Fund | Service with the Fund Since | |||
| Stephen Kusmierczak, CFA | Portfolio Manager and Analyst | Co-manager since inception in 2011 | 2011 |
Purchase and Sale of Fund
Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on
any business day by contacting the Fund in the ways described below:
| Online | Regular Mail | Express Mail | By Telephone | |||
| investor.columbiathreadneedle.com/us | Columbia
Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. P.O. Box 8081 Boston, MA 02266-8081 |
Columbia
Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. 30 Dan Road, Suite 8081 Canton, MA 02021-2809 |
800.422.3737 |
You may purchase shares and receive
redemption proceeds by electronic funds transfer, by check or by wire. If you maintain your account with a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary to buy, sell or exchange shares of the Fund
through your account with the intermediary.
The minimum
initial investment amounts for the share classes offered by the Fund are shown below:
Minimum Initial Investment
| Class | Category of eligible account | For
accounts other than systematic investment plan accounts |
For
systematic investment plan accounts |
| Classes
A & C |
All accounts other than IRAs | $2,000 | $100 |
| IRAs | $1,000 | $100 | |
| Classes R5 | All eligible accounts | None | N/A |
| Class Y | All eligible accounts | $0,
$1,000, $2,000 or $1 million depending upon the category of eligible investor |
$100
(for certain eligible investors) |
| Class R4 & Z | All eligible accounts | $0,
$1,000 or $2,000 depending upon the category of eligible investor |
$100 |
There is no minimum additional investment for any share
class.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes net investment income and net
realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. These distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an
IRA. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may be taxed upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial
Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a
broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies – including the Investment Manager, the Distributor and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) – may pay the
intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the Fund over another investment. These
potential conflicts of interest may be heightened with respect to broker-dealers owned by Ameriprise Financial and/or its affiliates. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
| Columbia Acorn European FundSM | 6 |
Columbia Acorn
Family of Funds
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
All rights reserved. Columbia Management Investment Distributors,
Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2804
© 2017 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
| columbiathreadneedle.com/us | SUM109_12_G01_(05/17) |