0000950152-08-010270.txt : 20120813 0000950152-08-010270.hdr.sgml : 20120813 20081215170501 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950152-08-010270 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 485APOS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 16 FILED AS OF DATE: 20081215 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090511 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RidgeWorth Funds CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000883939 IRS NUMBER: 232678674 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485APOS SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-45671 FILM NUMBER: 081250366 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 PIEDMONT ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 1500 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: 2Q ZIP: 30305 BUSINESS PHONE: 888-784-3863 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 PIEDMONT ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 1500 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: 2Q ZIP: 30305 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RIDGEWORTH INVESTMENTS VARIABLE TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20080414 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RIDGEWORTH DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20080414 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STI CLASSIC FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920929 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RidgeWorth Funds CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000883939 IRS NUMBER: 232678674 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 485APOS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-06557 FILM NUMBER: 081250367 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 PIEDMONT ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 1500 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: 2Q ZIP: 30305 BUSINESS PHONE: 888-784-3863 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 PIEDMONT ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 1500 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: 2Q ZIP: 30305 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RIDGEWORTH INVESTMENTS VARIABLE TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20080414 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RIDGEWORTH DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20080414 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: STI CLASSIC FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920929 0000883939 S000004723 RidgeWorth Total Return Bond Fund C000012869 C Shares SCBLX 0000883939 S000004724 RidgeWorth Intermediate Bond Fund C000012872 C Shares IBLSX 485APOS 1 l34812ae485apos.htm FORM 485APOS FORM 485APOS
AS FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 15, 2008
File No. 033-45671
File No. 811-06557
 
 
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
         
 
       
 
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES    
 
  ACT OF 1933   o
 
  POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 77   þ
 
  AND    
         
    REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT    
    COMPANY ACT OF 1940   o
    AMENDMENT NO. 79   þ
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS (formerly, STI Classic Funds)
 
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
155 Federal Street, Suite 700
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: 1-888-784-3863
Julia R. Short, President
RidgeWorth Funds
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
 
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
         
Richard W. Grant, Esquire
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
One Oxford Centre
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-6401
  W. John McGuire, Esquire
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
  Cynthia Surprise
Senior Vice President
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
100 Summer St. — Suite 1500
Boston, MA 02110
It is proposed that this filing become effective (check appropriate box):
o   Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
o   On [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
þ   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
 
o   On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
o   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
 
 

 


 

(RIDGEWORTH LOGO)
RidgeWorth Fixed Income Funds
R Shares
Prospectus
February 13, 2009
Investment Adviser: RidgeWorth Investments
Investment Grade Funds
Subadviser: Seix Investment Advisors LLC
  Intermediate Bond Fund
 
  Total Return Bond Fund
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.
As of March 31, 2008, the STI Classic Funds became RidgeWorth Funds and Trusco Capital Management, Inc. became RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.
RidgeWorth Investments is the trade name of RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.

 


 

About This Prospectus
The RidgeWorth Funds (formerly, STI Classic Funds) is a mutual fund family that offers shares in separate investment portfolios that have individual investment goals and strategies. This prospectus gives you important information about the R Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund (“Funds”) that you should know before investing. Please read this prospectus and keep it for future reference.
This prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. On the next page, there is some general information you should know about risk and return that is common to each of the Funds. For more detailed information about each Fund, please see:
     
2
  Investment Grade Funds
 
   
2
  Intermediate Bond Fund
 
   
12
  Total Return Bond Fund
 
   
28
  More Information About Risk
 
   
31
  More Information About Fund Investments
 
   
32
  Information About Portfolio Holdings
 
   
32
  Management
 
   
35
  Purchasing and Selling Fund Shares
 
   
39
  Market Timing Policies and Procedures
 
   
40
  Distribution of Fund Shares
 
   
41
  Dividends and Distributions
 
   
41
  Taxes
 
   
42
  Financial Highlights
 
   
Inside Back Cover
  Privacy Policy
 
   
Back Cover
  How to Obtain More Information
About the RidgeWorth Funds
February 13, 2009

 


 

1
CUSIP/TICKER SYMBOLS
                 
Fund Name   Class   Inception*   Ticker   CUSIP
 
Investment Grade Funds
               
Intermediate Bond Fund
  R Shares   2/15/2009   IBLSX   76628T884
Total Return Bond Fund
  R Shares   2/15/2009   SCBLX   76628T488
 
*   The performance included under “Performance Information” may include the performance of predecessors of the Fund.
RISK/RETURN INFORMATION COMMON TO RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
Each Fund is a mutual fund. A mutual fund pools shareholders’ money and, using professional investment managers, invests it in securities.
Each Fund has its own investment goal and strategies for reaching that goal. The Subadviser (under the supervision of the Adviser) invests Fund assets in a way that it believes will help a Fund achieve its goal. Still, investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its goal. The Subadviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good a job the Subadviser does, you could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.
The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the market prices of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities a Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. The effect on a Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on how widely the Fund diversifies its holdings.
Each Fund’s investment goal may be changed without shareholder approval. Before investing, make sure that the Fund’s goal matches your own.

 


 

2      Investment Grade Funds
INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Fund Summary
     
Investment Goal
  Total return that consistently exceeds the total return of the broad U.S. dollar denominated, investment grade market of intermediate term government and corporate bonds
 
   
Investment Focus
  Intermediate term investment grade debt securities
 
   
Share Price Volatility
  Moderate
 
   
Principal Investment Strategy
  Invest in intermediate term fixed income securities with an emphasis on corporate and mortgage backed securities
 
   
Investor Profile
  Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
 
   
Subadviser
  Seix Investment Advisors LLC
Investment Strategy
     The Intermediate Bond Fund invests in various types of income producing debt securities including mortgage and asset backed securities, government and agency obligations, corporate obligations and floating rate loans. The Fund may invest in debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including emerging market debt. The Fund’s investment in non-U.S. issuers may at times be significant. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities. These securities will be chosen from the broad universe of available intermediate term fixed income securities rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service or Fitch Ratings or unrated securities that the Subadviser believes are of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in below investment grade, high yield debt obligations. The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in securities that are restricted as to resale.
The Subadviser anticipates that the Fund will maintain an average weighted maturity of 3 to 10 years and the Fund will be managed with a duration that is close to that of its comparative benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index, which is generally between 3 to 4 years. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Subadviser generally selects a greater weighting in obligations of domestic corporations and mortgage backed securities relative to the Fund’s comparative benchmark, and a lower relative weighting in U.S. Treasury and government agency issues.
The Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and lower performance, and will be more likely to generate short-term capital gains (which are generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates).
In addition, to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell derivative instruments (such as foreign currency forward contracts, swaps, including credit default swaps, futures, credit linked notes, options, inverse floaters and warrants) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or credit risks. The Fund may count the value of certain derivatives with investment grade intermediate-term fixed income characteristics towards its policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities.

 


 

What are the principal risks of investing in this Fund?
     Debt securities will generally lose value if interest rates increase. Interest rate risk is generally higher for investments with longer maturities or durations.
Debt securities are subject to the risk that an issuer will fail to make timely payments of interest or principal, or go bankrupt, reducing the Fund’s return. The lower the rating of a debt security,the higher its credit risk.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed investments are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Because of the sensitivity of these securities to changes in interest rates, the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than if it did not hold these securities. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk of loss due to prepayments.
Foreign securities involve special risks such as currency fluctuations, economic or financial instability, lack of timely or reliable financial information and unfavorable political or legal developments. These risks are increased for investments in emerging markets.

 


 

Investment Grade Funds      3
INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Below investment grade securities (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) involve greater risk of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities may also be less liquid than higher quality securities.
The risks associated with floating rate loans are similar to the risks of below investment grade securities. In addition, the value of the collateral securing the loan may decline, causing a loan to be substantially unsecured. Difficulty in selling a floating rate loan may result in a loss. Borrowers may pay back principal before the scheduled due date when interest rates decline, which may require the Fund to replace a particular loan with a lower-yielding security. There may be less extensive public information available with respect to loans than for rated, registered or exchange listed securities. The Fund may assume the credit risk of the primary lender in addition to the borrower, and investments in loan assignments may involve the risks of being a lender.
Derivatives expose the Fund to additional volatility and potential loss. The technique of purchasing foreign currency forward contracts to obtain exposure to currencies or manage currency risk may not be effective. In addition, currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets.
The Fund may enter into swap agreements, including credit default swaps, for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to a particular asset without actually purchasing that asset, or to hedge a position. Credit default swaps may increase the Fund’s exposure to credit risk and could result in losses if the Subadviser does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the entity on which the credit default swap is based.
The Fund may enter into futures contracts. The risks associated with futures include: the successful use of futures contracts depends on the Subadviser’s ability to manage these instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell a position, the lack of a liquid secondary market for the Fund’s position and the risk that the counterparty to the transaction will not meet its obligations.
Certain transactions and the use of derivatives such as foreign currency forward contracts, swaps and futures may create leveraging risk. To mitigate leveraging risk, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” liquid assets or otherwise cover the transactions that may give rise to such risk. Leverage may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
U.S. government securities can exhibit price movements resulting from changes in interest rates. Treasury inflation protected securities (“TIPS”) can also exhibit price movements as a result of changing inflation expectations and seasonal inflation patterns. Certain obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (such as U.S. Treasury bonds and GNMA mortgage-backed securities) while others are backed by only the credit of a federal agency or government sponsored entity (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities).
Restricted securities may increase the level of illiquidity in the Fund during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The Subadviser intends to invest only in restricted securities that it believes present minimal liquidity risk.
For further information about these and other risks, see “More Information About Risk.”
Performance Information
The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. The Fund’s past

 


 

performance does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating on October 11, 2004. Performance prior to October 11, 2004 is that of the Class I Shares of the Seix Intermediate Bond Fund, the Fund’s predecessor, which began operations of June 30, 1999, and has not been adjusted to reflect C Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. At the close of business on February 13, 2009, all outstanding C Shares converted to R Shares. The performance shown below from October 11, 2004 is that of C Shares and has not been adjusted to reflect R Shares expenses, which are lower. If it had been, performance would have been higher.
This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s R Shares from year to year.* [To be updated]
     (BAR CHART)
     
Best Quarter   Worst Quarter
[4.33%]   [-2.33%]
[(9/30/01])   [(6/30/04)]
 
*   The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year.

 


 

4       Investment Grade Funds
INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Average Annual Total Returns
This table compares the Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2008, to those of the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
                         
                    Since
R Shares   1 Year   5 Years   Inception*
 
Fund Returns
Before Taxes
    %     %     %
 
                       
Fund Returns
After Taxes on Distributions
    %     %     %
 
                       
Fund Returns After
Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
    %     %     %
 
                       
Lehman Brothers
Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
    %     %     %
 
*   Since inception of the predecessor C Share Class on October 11, 2004 and the predecessor fund on June 30, 1999.
What is an Index?
An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is composed of all bonds that are investment grade rated Baa or higher by Moody’s or BBB or higher by S&P, if unrated by Moody’s. Issues must have at least one year to maturity.

 


 

Investment Grade Funds      5
INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses deducted from Fund assets)
         
    R Shares
Investment Advisory Fees
    0.25 %
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.50 %
Other Expenses1
      %
 
       
 
       
Total Annual Operating Expenses 2
      %
 
1   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Other Expenses include a 0.25% shareholder servicing fee.
 
2   The Adviser, the Subadviser and/or other service providers may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees in order to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses. These waivers may be discontinued at any time.
Example
This 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period.
The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
                                 
    1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
 
  $       $       $       $    
Fund Expenses
Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund’s expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see “Investment Adviser.”

 


 

12      Investment Grade Funds
TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
Fund Summary
     
Investment Goal
  Total return that consistently exceeds the total return of the broad U.S. investment grade bond market
 
   
Investment Focus
  Investment grade debt securities
 
   
Share Price Volatility
  Moderate
 
   
Principal Investment Strategy
  Invest in fixed income securities with an emphasis on corporate and mortgage-backed securities
 
   
Investor Profile
  Investors who want to receive income from their investment, as well as an increase in the value of the investment
 
   
Subadviser
  Seix Investment Advisors LLC
Investment Strategy
     The Total Return Bond Fund invests in various types of income producing debt securities including mortgage- and asset-backed securities, government and agency obligations, corporate obligations and floating rate loans. The Fund may invest in debt obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including emerging market debt. The Fund’s investment in non-U.S. issuers may at times be significant. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities. These securities will be chosen from the broad universe of available fixed income securities rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service or Fitch Ratings or unrated securities that the Subadviser believes are of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in below investment grade, high yield debt obligations. The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in securities that are restricted as to resale.
The Subadviser anticipates that the Fund’s modified adjusted duration will generally range from 3 to 6 years, similar to that of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index, the Fund’s comparative benchmark. Duration measures a bond or Fund’s sensitivity to interest rate changes. Duration is expressed as a number of years. The higher the number, the greater the risk. Under normal circumstances, for example, if a portfolio has a duration of five years, its value will change by 5% if rates change by 1%. Shorter duration bonds result in lower expected volatility. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Subadviser generally selects a greater weighting in obligations of domestic corporations and mortgage-backed securities relative to the Fund’s comparative benchmark, and a lower relative weighting in U.S. Treasury and government agency issues.
The Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which may result in higher transaction costs and lower performance, and will be more likely to generate short-term capital gains (which are generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates).
In addition, to implement its investment strategy, the Fund may buy or sell derivative instruments (such as foreign currency forward contracts, swaps, including credit default swaps, futures, credit linked notes, options, inverse floaters and warrants) to use as a substitute for a purchase or sale of a position in the underlying assets and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or credit risks. The Fund may count the value of certain derivatives with investment grade fixed income characteristics towards its policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities.
What are the principal risks of investing in this Fund?

 


 

     Debt securities will generally lose value if interest rates increase. Interest rate risk is generally higher for investments with longer maturities or durations.
Debt securities are subject to the risk that an issuer will fail to make timely payments of interest or principal, or go bankrupt, reducing the Fund’s return. The lower the rating of a debt security, the higher its credit risk.
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed investments are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Because of the sensitivity of these securities to changes in interest rates, the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than if it did not hold these securities. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk of loss due to prepayments.
Foreign securities involve special risks such as currency fluctuations, economic or financial instability, lack of timely or reliable financial information and unfavorable political or legal developments. These risks are increased for investments in emerging markets.

 


 

Investment Grade Funds      13
TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
Below investment grade securities (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) involve greater risk of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities may also be less liquid than higher quality securities.
The risks associated with floating rate loans are similar to the risks of below investment grade securities. In addition, the value of the collateral securing the loan may decline, causing a loan to be substantially unsecured. Difficulty in selling a floating rate loan may result in a loss. Borrowers may pay back principal before the scheduled due date when interest rates decline, which may require the Fund to replace a particular loan with a lower-yielding security. There may be less extensive public information available with respect to loans than for rated, registered or exchange listed securities. The Fund may assume the credit risk of the primary lender in addition to the borrower, and investments in loan assignments may involve the risks of being a lender.
Derivatives expose the Fund to additional volatility and potential loss. The technique of purchasing foreign currency forward contracts to obtain exposure to currencies or manage currency risk may not be effective. In addition, currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets.
The Fund may enter into swap agreements, including credit default swaps, for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to a particular asset without actually purchasing that asset, or to hedge a position. Credit default swaps may increase the Fund’s exposure to credit risk and could result in losses if the Subadviser does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the entity on which the credit default swap is based.
The Fund may enter into futures contracts. The risks associated with futures include: the successful use of futures contracts depends on the Subadviser’s ability to manage these instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell a position, the lack of a liquid secondary market for the Fund’s position and the risk that the counterparty to the transaction will not meet its obligations.
Certain transactions and the use of derivatives such as foreign currency forward contracts, swaps and futures may create leveraging risk. To mitigate leveraging risk, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” liquid assets or otherwise cover the transactions that may give rise to such risk. Leverage may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
U.S. government securities can exhibit price movements resulting from changes in interest rates. Treasury inflation protected securities (“TIPS”) can also exhibit price movements as a result of changing inflation expectations and seasonal inflation patterns. Certain obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (such as U.S. Treasury bonds and GNMA mortgage-backed securities) while others are backed by only the credit of a federal agency or government sponsored entity (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities).
Restricted securities may increase the level of illiquidity in the Fund during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The Subadviser intends to invest only in restricted securities that it believes present minimal liquidity risk.
For further information about these and other risks, see “More Information About Risk.”
Performance Information
     The bar chart and the performance table that follow illustrate the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund. The Fund’s past

 


 

performance does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund began operating on October 11, 2004. Performance prior to October 11, 2004 is that of the Class I Shares of the Seix Core Bond Fund, the Fund’s predecessor, which began operations on December 30, 1997, and has not been adjusted to reflect C Share expenses. If it had been, performance would have been lower. At the close of business on February 13, 2009, all outstanding C Shares converted to R Shares. The performance shown below from October 11, 2004 is that of C Shares and has not been adjusted to reflect R Shares expenses, which are lower. If it had been, performance would have been higher.
This bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s R Shares from year to year.* [To be updated]
     (BAR CHART)
     
Best Quarter   Worst Quarter
[4.25%]   [-2.16%]
[(9/30/01)]   [(6/30/04)]
 
*   The performance information shown above is based on a calendar year. The Fund’s total return from 1/1/08 to 6/30/08 was 0.89%.

 


 

14      Investment Grade Funds
TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
Average Annual Total Returns
This table compares the Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2008, to those of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. These returns assume shareholders redeem all of their shares at the end of the period indicated.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
                         
R Shares   1 Year   5 Years   10 Years
 
Fund Returns
Before Taxes
    %     %     %
 
                       
Fund Returns
After Taxes on Distributions
    %     %     %
 
                       
Fund Returns
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
    %     %     %
 
                       
Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
    %     %     %
What is an Index?
An index measures the market prices of a specific group of securities in a particular market or market sector. You cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not have an investment adviser and does not pay any commissions or expenses. If an index had expenses, its performance would be lower. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index is a widely-recognized index of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade, fixed rate, taxable bond market of SEC-registered securities. The index includes bonds from the Treasury, Government-related, Corporate, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM passthroughs), ABS, and CMBS sectors.

 


 

Investment Grade Funds      15
TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Fund shares.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses deducted from Fund assets)
         
    I Shares
Investment Advisory Fees
    0.25 %
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee
    0.50 %
Other Expenses
      %
 
       
 
       
Total Annual Operating Expenses 1
      %
 
1   Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Other Expenses include a 0.25% shareholder servicing fee.
 
2   The Adviser, the Subadviser and/or other service providers may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees in order to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses. These waivers may be discontinued at any time.
Example
This 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and that you sell your shares at the end of the period.
The Example also assumes that each year your investment has a 5% return, Fund operating expenses remain the same and you reinvest all dividends and distributions. Although your actual costs and returns might be different, your approximate costs of investing $10,000 in the Fund would be:
                                 
    1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  
 
  $       $       $       $    
Fund Expenses
Every mutual fund has operating expenses to pay for professional advisory, shareholder, distribution, administration and custody services. The Fund’s expenses in the table above are shown as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets. These expenses are deducted from Fund assets. For more information about these fees, see “Investment Adviser.”

 


 

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More Information About Risk
Below Investment Grade Risk
All Funds
High yield securities, which are also known as “junk bonds,” involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities. High yield securities involve greater risk of default or price declines than investment grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer’s credit-worthiness. In addition, issuers of high yield securities may be more susceptible than other issuers to economic downturns. High yield securities are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends and ultimately to repay principal upon maturity. Discontinuation of these payments could substantially adversely affect the market value of the security. High yield securities may be less liquid than higher quality investments. A security whose credit rating has been lowered may be particularly difficult to sell.
Derivatives Risk
All Funds
Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on changes in the value of one or more underlying assets, reference rates or indices. A Fund may use derivatives (such as credit linked notes, futures, options, inverse floaters, swaps and warrants) to attempt to achieve its investment objective and offset certain investment risks, while at the same time attempting to maintain liquidity. These positions may be established for hedging, as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset, or for speculation purposes. Hedging involves making an investment (e.g. in a futures contract) to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an already existing investment position. Risks associated with the use of derivatives include those associated with hedging and leveraging activities:
  The success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates.
 
  A Fund may experience losses over certain market movements that exceed losses experienced by a Fund that does not use derivatives.
 
  There may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of derivatives used to hedge those positions.
 
  There may not be a liquid secondary market for derivatives.
 
  Trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange.
 
  Government regulations may restrict trading in derivatives.
 
  The other party to an agreement (e.g., options or swaps) may default; however, in certain circumstances, such counterparty risk may be reduced by the credit worthiness of the counterparty and/or using an exchange as an intermediary.
Because premiums or totals paid or received on derivatives are small in relation to the market value of the underlying investments, buying and selling derivatives can be more speculative than investing directly in securities. In addition, many types of derivatives have limited investment lives and may expire or necessitate being sold at inopportune times.
The use of derivatives may cause a Fund to recognize higher amounts of short-term capital gains, which are generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates.

 


 

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the asset directly. A Fund may be more exposed to credit risk. In addition, a Fund may experience losses if the Subadviser does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the entity on which the credit default swap is based. Total return swaps could result in losses if their reference index, security or investments do not perform as anticipated.
To limit leveraging risk, a Fund observes asset segregation requirements to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. By setting aside assets equal only to its net obligations under certain derivative instruments, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if

 


 

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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISK
it were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such derivative instruments.
Emerging Markets Risk
All Funds
Emerging market countries are countries that the World Bank or the United Nations considers to be emerging or developing. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with a Fund’s investments in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Governments of some emerging market countries have defaulted on their bonds and may do so in the future.
Exchange-Traded Fund Risk
All Funds
The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) to gain exposure to a particular portion of the market. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s expense. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. In addition, because of ETF expenses, compared to owning the underlying securities directly, it may be more costly to own shares of an ETF.
Fixed Income Risk
All Funds
The prices of a Fund’s fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, a Fund’s fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa.
Long-term debt securities generally are more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than short-term debt securities and thereby increasing risk.
Debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility than an issuer will fail to make timely payments of interest or principal, or go bankrupt. The lower the ratings of such debt securities, the greater their risks. In addition, lower rated securities have higher risk characteristics, and changes in economic conditions are likely to cause issuers of these securities to be unable to meet their obligations.
Debt securities are also subject to income risk, which is the possibility that falling interest rates will cause a Fund’s income to decline. Income risk is generally higher for short-term bonds.
An additional risk of debt securities is reinvestment risk, which is the possibility that a Fund may not be able to reinvest interest or dividends earned from an investment in such a way that they earn the same rate of return as the invested funds

 


 

that generated them. For example, falling interest rates may prevent bond coupon payments from earning the same rate of return as the original bond. Furthermore, pre-funded loans and issues may cause a Fund to reinvest those assets at a rate lower than originally anticipated.

 


 

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Floating Rate Loan Risk
All Funds
As fixed income securities, investments in floating rate loans are subject to interest rate risk, but that risk is less because the interest rate of the loan adjusts periodically. As debt securities, investments in floating rate loans are subject to credit risk. Many floating rate loans are in unrated or lower rated securities. When a security is unrated, a Fund must rely more heavily on the analytical ability of the Subadviser. Many floating rate loan investments share the same risks as high yield securities, although these risks are reduced when the floating rate loans are senior and secured as opposed to many high yield securities that are junior and unsecured. Floating rate securities are often subject to restrictions on resale which can result in reduced liquidity. A floating rate loan also may not be fully collateralized, although one lending institution will often be required to monitor collateral. Borrowers may repay principal faster than the scheduled due date which may result in a Fund replacing that loan with a lower-yielding security. Investment in loan participation interests may result in increased exposure to financial services sector risk.
A loan may not be fully collateralized which may cause the loan to decline significantly in value, although one lending institution acting as agent for all of the lenders will generally be required to administer and manage the loan and, with respect to collateralized loans, to service or monitor the collateral.
Certain portfolio managers and other personnel of the Subadviser may also manage similar investment portfolios of floating rate loans for another non-investment adviser contracted affiliated business, Seix Structured Products, LLC (“SSP”). SSP is a subsidiary of SunTrust Bank and an affiliate of the Adviser and Subadviser, but not a client of the Adviser or Subadviser. In that role, this group purchases bank loans on behalf of SSP, for purposes of subsequent collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) transactions where the Adviser, Subadviser and their affiliate, SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., will serve as collateral manager and as structuring agent/placement agent, respectively. The trustee and custodian of the CLO transactions are not affiliated entities of the Adviser, Subadviser or SunTrust Capital Markets. In addition, the Adviser serves as adviser to an account established with its affiliate, SunTrust Equity Funding, LLC for the purpose of purchasing high yield securities for subsequent sale to these same CLO transactions. Each of these transactions is subject to the approval of the independent trustee of the CLO transaction. In addition to disclosure to the trustee, all such transactions are fully disclosed to potential investors in the CLO’s offering and disclosure documents.
As a result of these multiple investment-oriented and associated relationships, there exists a potential risk that the portfolio managers may favor other adviser and non-adviser contracted businesses over a Fund. The Subadviser has created and implemented additional policies and procedures designed to protect shareholders against such conflicts; however, there can be no absolute guarantee that a Fund will always participate in the same or similar investments or receive equal or better individual investment allocations at any given time.
Foreign Security Risk
All Funds
Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets.
The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies

 


 

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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS
strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund’s investment. Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly. They are determined by supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, and other complex factors. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments. Currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer’s home country.
Foreign companies or governments generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for custodial arrangements of foreign securities may be somewhat greater than typical expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.
Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
All Funds
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgages or other cash-flow producing assets such as automobile loans, credit card receivables and other financial assets. The value of these securities may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, the market’s perception of issuers and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. These securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the likelihood that a change in the general level of interest rates will impact the magnitude and timing of any prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of these securities. The uncertainty inherent in assessing prepayment risk makes it difficult to calculate the average maturity of a portfolio including these securities, and therefore, to assess the volatility risk of a Fund.
Securities Lending Risk
All Funds
A Fund may lend securities to broker-dealers to earn additional income. Risks include the potential insolvency of the borrower that could result in delays in recovering securities and capital losses. Additionally, losses could result from the reinvestment of collateral received on loaned securities in investments that default or do not perform well. It is also possible that if a security on loan is sold and a Fund is unable to timely recall the security, the Fund may be required to repurchase the security in the market place, which may result in a potential loss to shareholders. As securities on loan may not be voted by the Fund, there is a risk that the Fund may not be able to recall the securities in sufficient time to vote on material proxy matters.
More Information About Fund Investments
     This prospectus describes the Funds’ primary strategies, and the Funds will normally invest in the types of securities described in this prospectus. However, in addition to the investments and strategies described in this prospectus, each Fund also may invest in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment

 


 

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MANAGEMENT
practices. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this prospectus, are described in detail in the Statement of Additional Information.
The investments and strategies described in this prospectus are those that the Funds use under normal conditions. During unusual economic or market conditions, or for temporary defensive or liquidity purposes, each Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, repurchase agreements and short-term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with a Fund’s objectives. In addition, each Fund may shorten its average weighted maturity to as little as 90 days. A Fund will do so only if the Subadviser believes that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for higher income. Of course, a Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment goal.
Each Fund may invest in other mutual funds for cash management purposes. When a Fund invests in another mutual fund, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the other mutual fund’s expenses.
Information About Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the circumstances under which the Funds disclose their portfolio securities is available in the Statement of Additional Information.
Management
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall supervision and management of the business and affairs of RidgeWorth Funds. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and Subadviser and establishes policies that the Adviser and Subadviser must follow in their fund related management activities. The day-to-day operations of RidgeWorth Funds are the responsibilities of the officers and various service organizations retained by RidgeWorth Funds.
(RIDGEWORTH LOGO)
Investment Adviser
RidgeWorth Investments (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.), 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (“RidgeWorth” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. In addition to being an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), RidgeWorth is a money-management holding company with multiple style-focused investment boutiques. As of June 30, 2008, the Adviser had approximately $69.6 billion in assets under management. The Adviser is responsible for overseeing the Subadviser to ensure compliance with each Fund’s investment policies and guidelines and monitors the Subadviser’s adherence to its investment style. The Adviser pays the Subadviser out of the fees it receives from the Funds.
The Adviser may use its affiliates as brokers for Fund transactions.
An investment adviser has a fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under the current contractual agreement, the Adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of each Fund. Information regarding the Adviser’s, and thus each Fund’s, Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is provided in the Statement of Additional Information. A copy of the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting the RidgeWorth Funds at 1-888-784-3863, or by visiting www.ridgeworthfunds.com.

 


 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the following Funds paid the Adviser advisory fees

 


 

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MANAGEMENT
(after waivers) based on the respective Fund’s average daily net assets of:
         
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0.25 %
Total Return Bond Fund
    0.25 %
The following breakpoints are used in computing the advisory fee:
     
Average Daily Net Assets   Discount From Full Fee
First $500 million
  None — Full Fee
Next $500 million
  5%
Over $1 billion
  10%
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser appears in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2008.
Investment Subadviser
The Subadviser is responsible for managing the portfolios of the Funds on a day-to-day basis and selecting the specific securities to buy, sell and hold for the Funds under the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment subadvisory agreement appears in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2008.
Information about the Subadviser and the individual portfolio managers of the Funds is discussed below. The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information regarding the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, potential conflicts of interest and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds.
(SEIX INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC LOGO)
Seix Investment Advisors LLC (“Seix”)
10 Mountainview Road, Suite C-200,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
www.seixadvisors.com
Seix, established in 2008 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RidgeWorth, is an investment adviser registered with the SEC. Its predecessor, Seix Investment Advisors, Inc., was founded in 1992 and was independently-owned until 2004 when the firm joined RidgeWorth as the high grade, high yield investment management division. As of June 30, 2008, Seix had approximately $19.7 billion in assets under management.
Seix is a fundamental, credit driven fixed income boutique specializing in both investment grade and high yield bond management. Seix has employed its bottom-up, research-oriented approach to fixed income management for over 15 years. Seix is focused on delivering superior, risk-adjusted investment performance for its clients. Seix selects, buys and sells securities for the Funds it subadvises.

 


 

34
MANAGEMENT
Seix utilizes a team management approach for certain of the Funds for which it acts as Subadviser. Seix is organized into teams of portfolio managers and credit analysts along sectors and broad investment categories, including government securities, corporate bonds, securitized assets, high yield bonds, high yield loans, emerging market debt, non-U.S. securities and global currencies. The senior portfolio managers are responsible for security selection, portfolio structure and rebalancing, compliance with stated investment objectives, and cash flow monitoring. The Chief Investment Officer is a member of each Fund’s management team and is responsible for setting overall investment strategy. In addition, the Chief Investment Officer works with the senior portfolio managers on establishing sector allocation for each of the Funds. Other members of the team provide analytical support including investment research and monitoring credit risks, financial metrics and market conditions.
Intermediate Bond Fund and Total Return Bond Fund
Mr. James F. Keegan, Chief Investment Officer, has been a member of the Funds’ management team since March 2008, when he joined Seix. Mr. Keegan sets overall investment strategy and works with Mr. Troisi, Mr. Webb and Mr. Rieger on sector allocation for the Investment Grade Funds. Prior to joining Seix, Mr. Keegan was a Senior Vice President at American Century Investments from February 2006 through March 2008, a private investor from July 2003 through January 2006, and the Chief Investment Officer of Westmoreland Capital Management, LLC from February 2002 through June 2003. Mr. Keegan has more than 25 years of investment experience.
Mr. Adrien Webb, CFA, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the Funds’ management team for several years. Mr. Webb focuses primarily on high grade corporate bonds and related securities held in the Investment Grade Funds. Mr. Webb joined Seix Investment Advisors, Inc., a predecessor of Seix, in 2000, where he served as Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Webb has more than 13 years of investment experience.
Mr. Perry Troisi, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the Funds’ management team for several years. Mr. Troisi focuses primarily on United States government and agency bonds and related securities held in the Funds. Mr. Troisi joined Seix Investment Advisors, Inc., a predecessor of Seix, in 1999, where he served as Senior Portfolio Manager. He has more than 22 years of investment experience.
Mr. Michael Rieger, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the Funds’ management team since 2007, when he joined Seix. Mr. Rieger focuses primarily on securitized assets including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities held in the Investment Grade Funds. Prior to joining the Adviser in 2007, Mr. Rieger was a Managing Director at AIG Global Investments since 2005 and a Vice President from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Rieger has more than 21 years of investment experience.
Mr. Seth Antiles, Ph.D., Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the management team for the Total Return Bond Fund since 2007. Mr. Antiles focuses on emerging market debt, foreign currency and related securities held in the Total Return Bond Fund. Mr. Antiles joined the

 


 

35
PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
Adviser in 2005 as the Head of Emerging Markets. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Antiles was a Director at Citigroup/Salomon Smith Barney since 1997. Mr. Antiles has more than 14 years investment experience.
Purchasing and Selling Fund Shares
This section tells you how to purchase and sell R Shares of the Funds.
How to Purchase Fund Shares
R Shares are designed to be sold only through various third-party intermediaries that offer employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plans and other retirement plan platforms including brokers, dealers, banks, insurance companies, retirement plan recordkeepers and others. R Shares require an agreement with the Funds prior to investment. The intermediary may charge a fee for its services.
Please consult your intermediary to find out about how to purchase R Shares of the Funds.
When Can You Purchase Shares?
The Funds are open for business on days when the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for regular trading (a “Business Day”). RidgeWorth Funds reserves the right to open one or more Funds on days that the principal bond markets (as recommended by the Bond Market Association) are open even if the NYSE is closed.
Each Fund calculates its net asset value per share (“NAV”) once each Business Day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
If a Fund or its authorized agent receives your purchase or redemption request in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, your transaction will be priced at that Business Day’s NAV. If your request is received after 4:00 p.m., it will be priced at the next Business Day’s NAV.
The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time until which orders are accepted may be changed if the NYSE closes early or if the principal bond markets close early on days when the NYSE is closed.
The Funds will not accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions.
You may be required to transmit your purchase and sale orders to your financial institution or intermediary at an earlier time for your transaction to become effective that day. This allows the financial institution or intermediary time to process your order and transmit it to the transfer agent in time to meet the above stated Fund cut-off times. For more information about how to purchase or sell Fund shares, including a specific financial institution’s or intermediary’s internal order entry cut-off time, please contact your financial institution or intermediary directly.
A Fund may reject any purchase order.
How the Funds Calculate NAV

 


 

NAV is calculated by adding the total value of a Fund’s investments and other assets, subtracting its liabilities and then dividing that figure by the number of outstanding shares of the Fund.
In calculating NAV, each Fund generally values its investment portfolio at market price. If market prices are not readily available or a Fund reasonably believes that market prices or amortized cost valuation method are unreliable, such as in the case of a security value that has been materially affected by events occurring after the relevant market closes, the Fund is required to price those securities at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees. A Fund’s determination of a security’s fair value

 


 

37
PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value that a Fund assigns to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available.
When valuing fixed income securities with remaining maturities of more than 60 days, the Funds use the value of the security provided by pricing services. The values provided by a pricing service may be based upon market quotations for the same security, securities expected to trade in a similar manner, or a pricing matrix. When valuing fixed income securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less, the Funds use the security’s amortized cost. Amortized cost and the use of a pricing matrix in valuing fixed income securities are forms of fair value pricing. Fair value prices may be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board of Trustees.
With respect to non-U.S. securities held by a Fund, the Fund may take factors influencing specific markets or issues into consideration in determining the fair value of a non-U.S. security. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. In such cases, the value of any international securities owned by a Fund may be significantly affected on days when investors cannot buy or sell shares. In addition, due to the difference in times between the close of the international markets and the time a Fund prices its shares, the value the Fund assigns to securities generally will not be the same as the primary markets or exchanges. In determining fair value prices, a Fund may consider the performance of securities on their primary exchanges, foreign currency appreciation/depreciation, securities market movements in the U.S., or other relevant information as related to the securities.
The prices for many securities held by the Funds are provided by independent pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees.
Customer Identification
Foreign Investors
The Funds do not generally accept investments in R Shares by non-U.S. citizens or entities.
Customer Identification and Verification
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.
When you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, residential street address, date of birth, Social Security number or tax identification number. You may also be asked for other information that will allow us to identify you. Entities are also required to provide additional information. This information will be verified to ensure the identity of all persons opening a mutual fund account.
In certain instances, the Funds are required to collect documents to fulfill their legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify a customer’s identity.
The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided. Attempts to collect the missing information required on the application will be performed by either contacting you or, if applicable, your broker. If this information is unable to be obtained within a timeframe established in

 


 

38
PURCHASING AND SELLING FUND SHARES
the sole discretion of the Funds your application will be rejected.
Upon receipt of your application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying information required on the application), your investment will be accepted and your order will be processed at the NAV next-determined.
However, the Funds reserve the right to close your account at the then-current day’s price if the Funds are unable to verify your identity. Attempts to verify your identity will be performed within a timeframe established in the sole discretion of the Funds. If the Funds are unable to verify your identity, the Funds reserve the right to liquidate your account at the then-current day’s price and remit proceeds to you via check. The Funds reserve the further right to hold your proceeds until your original check clears the bank. In such an instance, you may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be subject to corresponding tax implications.
Anti-Money Laundering Program
Customer identification and verification is part of the Funds’ overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Funds have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, the Funds reserve the right to (i) refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order, (ii) freeze any account and/or suspend account services, or (iii) involuntarily redeem your account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of the Funds or in cases when the Funds are requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authority.
How to Sell Your Fund Shares
Please consult your intermediary to find out about how to sell your R Shares of the Funds.
The sale price of each share will be the NAV next determined after the Funds receive your request in proper form.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee by a bank or other financial institution (a notarized signature is not sufficient) is required to redeem shares:
  made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder;
 
  sent to an address or bank account other than the address or bank account of record; or
 
  sent to an address or bank account of record that has been changed within the last 15 calendar days.
Other documentation may be required depending on the registration of the account.
Medallion Signature Guarantee: A Medallion Signature Guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature and helps ensure that changes to your account are in fact authorized by you. A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution participating in a Medallion Program recognized by the Securities Trading Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that do not reflect one of the following are not part of the program and will not be accepted. The acceptable Medallion programs are

 


 

Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, (STAMP), Stock Exchange Medallion Program, (SEMP), or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Program, (NYSR MSP). Contact your local financial adviser or institution for further assistance.
Receiving Your Money
Normally, the Funds will send your sales proceeds within five Business Days after a Fund receives your request, but a Fund may take up to seven days to pay the sale proceeds if making immediate payment would adversely affect the Fund (for example, to allow the Fund to raise capital in the case of a large redemption).

 


 

39
MARKET TIMING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Redemptions In Kind
The Funds generally pay redemption proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions that make the payment of cash unwise (and for the protection of the Funds’ remaining shareholders), a Fund might pay all or part of your redemption proceeds in liquid securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption in kind). It is highly unlikely that your shares would ever be redeemed in kind, but if they were you would probably have to pay transaction costs to sell the securities distributed to you, as well as taxes on any capital gains from the sale as with any redemption.
Suspension of Your Right to Sell Your Shares
A Fund may suspend your right to sell your shares if the NYSE restricts trading, the SEC declares an emergency or for other reasons approved by the SEC. More information about this is in the Statement of Additional Information.
Market Timing Policies and Procedures
The Funds are intended for long-term investment purposes only and discourage shareholders from engaging in “market timing” or other types of excessive short-term trading. This frequent trading into and out of the Funds may present risks to the Funds’ long-term shareholders, all of which could adversely affect shareholder returns. The risks posed by frequent trading include interfering with the efficient implementation of the Funds’ investment strategies, triggering the recognition of taxable gains and losses on the sale of Fund investments, requiring the Funds to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemption requests, and experiencing increased transaction costs. A Fund that invests a significant amount of its assets in overseas markets is particularly susceptible to the risk of certain investors using a strategy known as time-zone arbitrage. Investors using this strategy attempt to take advantage of the differences in value of foreign securities that might result from events that occur between the close of the foreign securities market on which a foreign security is traded and the time at which the Fund calculates its NAV.
The Funds and/or their service providers will take steps reasonably designed to detect and deter frequent trading by shareholders pursuant to the Funds’ policies and procedures described in this prospectus and approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. The Funds seek to discourage short-term trading by using fair value pricing procedures to fair value certain investments under some circumstances. For purposes of applying these policies, the Funds’ service providers may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control. The Funds’ policies and procedures include:
  Shareholders are restricted from making more than one (1) “round trip” into or out of a Fund within 14 days or more than two (2) “round trips” within any continuous 90 day period. If a shareholder exceeds either “round trip” restriction, he or she may be deemed a “Market Timer,” and the Funds and/or their service providers may, at their discretion, reject any additional purchase orders. The Funds define a round trip as a purchase into a Fund by a shareholder, followed by a subsequent

 


 

40
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
redemption out of the Fund. Anyone considered to be a Market Timer by the Funds, the Adviser, the Subadviser or a shareholder servicing agent may be notified in writing of their designation as a Market Timer.
  The Funds reserve the right to reject any purchase request by any investor or group of investors for any reason without prior notice, including, in particular, if the Funds or their Adviser reasonably believes that the trading activity would be harmful or disruptive to the Funds.
The Funds and/or their service providers seek to apply these policies to the best of their abilities uniformly and in a manner they believe is consistent with the interests of the Funds’ long-term shareholders.
Although these policies are designed to deter frequent trading, none of these measures alone nor all of them taken together eliminate the possibility that frequent trading in the Funds will occur, particularly with respect to trades placed by shareholders that invest in the Funds through omnibus arrangements maintained by brokers, retirement plan accounts and other financial intermediaries. Purchase and redemption transactions submitted to the Funds by these intermediaries reflect the transactions of multiple beneficial owners whose individual transactions are not automatically disclosed to the Funds. Therefore, the Funds rely in large part on the intermediaries who maintain omnibus arrangements (which may represent a majority of Fund shares) to aid in the Funds’ efforts to detect and deter short-term trading. The Funds monitor trading activity at the omnibus account level and look for activity that indicates potential short-term trading. If they detect suspicious trading activity, the Funds contact the intermediaries to determine whether the short-term trading policy has been violated and may request and receive personal identifying information and transaction histories for some or all beneficial owners to make this determination. If a Fund believes that a shareholder has violated the short-term trading policy, it will take further steps to prevent any future short-term trading by such shareholder in accordance with the policy. The Funds cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided by the intermediaries and may not always be able to track short-term trading effected through these intermediaries. A Fund has the right to terminate an intermediary’s ability to invest in a Fund if excessive trading activity persists and a Fund or its Adviser or Subadviser reasonably believes that such termination would be in the best interests of long-term shareholders. In addition to the Funds’ market timing policies and procedures described above, you may be subject to the market timing policies and procedures of the intermediary through which you invest. Please consult with your intermediary for additional information regarding its frequent trading restrictions.
Distribution of Fund Shares
The R Shares of each Fund have adopted a distribution and service plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and service fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets continuously, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
The R Shares maximum distribution and service fee is 0.50% of the average daily net assets of a Fund’s R Shares.
The Funds may provide financial assistance in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising to the extent permitted by the distribution plan and applicable state or self-regulatory agencies, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency.
From their own assets, the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates may make payments based on gross sales and current assets to selected brokerage firms or institutions. The amount of these payments may be substantial. The minimum aggregate sales required for eligibility for such payments, and the factors in selecting the

 


 

brokerage firms and institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to time by the Adviser or Subadviser. Furthermore, in addition to the fees that may be paid by a Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates may pay fees from their own capital resources to brokers, banks, financial advisers, retirement plan service providers and other financial intermediaries, including affiliates, for providing distribution-related or shareholder services.
The Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates may pay fees from their own capital resources to financial intermediaries to compensate them for marketing expenses they incur or to pay for the opportunity to have them distribute the Funds. The amount of these payments is determined by the Adviser or the Subadviser and may differ among financial intermediaries. Such payments may provide incentives for financial intermediaries to make shares of the Funds available to their customers, and may allow the Funds greater access to such financial intermediaries and their customers than would be the case if no payments were made. You may wish to consider whether such arrangements exist when evaluating any recommendation to purchase shares of the Funds.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for more information regarding these arrangements.
Shareholder Servicing Plan
The R Shares Shareholder Servicing Plan permits R Shares to pay specified benefit plans or other financial service firms for shareholder support services they provide, at a rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of R Shares. The services may include, among others, providing general shareholder liaison services (including responding to shareholder inquiries), providing information on shareholder investments, and establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts and records.

 


 

41
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES AND TAXES
Dividends and Distributions
Each Fund declares dividends daily and pays these dividends monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If you own Fund shares on a Fund’s record date, you will be entitled to receive the distribution.
You will receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional Fund shares unless you elect to receive payment in cash. To elect cash payment, you must notify the Funds in writing prior to the date of the distribution. Your election will be effective for dividends and distributions paid after the Funds receive your written notice. To cancel your election, simply send the Funds written notice.
Taxes
Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific questions about federal, state and local income taxes. Below the Funds have summarized some important tax issues that affect the Funds and their shareholders. This summary is based on current tax laws, which may change.
Each Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. The dividends and distributions you receive may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending upon your tax situation. Distributions you receive from a Fund may be taxable whether or not you reinvest them. Income distributions are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Capital gains distributions are generally taxable at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. A high portfolio turnover rate and a Fund’s use of certain derivatives may cause a Fund to recognize higher amounts of short-term capital gains, which are generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates. Each sale or exchange of Fund shares may be a taxable event. For tax purposes, an exchange of your Fund shares for shares of another RidgeWorth Fund is treated the same as a sale. A transfer from one share class to another share class in the same RidgeWorth Fund should not be a taxable event.
Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year.
If you have a tax-advantaged or other retirement account you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gain distributions until you begin receiving your distributions from your retirement account. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your own retirement plan.
The Funds expect to distribute primarily ordinary income dividends currently taxable at a maximum rate of 35%.
More information about taxes is in the Statement of Additional Information.

 


 

42
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
To be updated.

 


 

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Investment Adviser:
RidgeWorth Investments
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
ridgeworth.com
Investment Subadviser:
Seix Investment Advisors LLC
10 Mountainview Road, Suite C-200
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
seixadvisors.com
More information about the RidgeWorth Funds is available without charge through the following:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI):
The SAI includes detailed information about the RidgeWorth Funds. The SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports:
These reports list each Fund’s holdings and contain information from the Funds’ managers about strategies and recent market conditions and trends and their impact on Fund performance. The reports also contain detailed financial information about the Funds.
To Obtain an SAI, Annual or Semi-Annual Report, or More Information:
     
Telephone:
   Shareholder Services
 1-888-784-3863
Mail:
RidgeWorth Funds
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Website: ridgeworthfunds.com
SEC:
You can also obtain the SAI or the Annual and Semi-Annual reports, as well as any other information about the RidgeWorth Funds, from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may review and copy documents at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 202-551-8090). You may request documents by mail from the SEC, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to: Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. You may also obtain this information, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by e-mailing the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.
The RidgeWorth Funds’ Investment Company Act registration number is 811-06557.
(RIDGEWORTH LOGO)

 


 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
(formerly, STI Classic Funds)
February 13, 2009
Investment Adviser:
RIDGEWORTH INVESTMENTS
(formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.)
(the “Adviser”)
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”) and should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s prospectus dated February 13, 2009 as may be supplemented from time to time. This SAI relates to R Shares (formerly, C Shares) of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund of the Trust (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):
This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Trust’s prospectus dated February 13, 2009. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the prospectus. The prospectus may be obtained by writing to the Trust or calling toll-free 1-888-784-3863.

 


 

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DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
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PROXY VOTING POLICY
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THE TRUST
Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company established under Massachusetts law as a Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration of Trust dated January 15, 1992. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of units of beneficial interest (“shares”) and different classes of shares of each series. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds and/or classes. Each Fund is diversified, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Prior to March 31, 2008 the name of the Trust was STI Classic Funds.
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
The Funds’ respective investment objectives and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus. Following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices discussed in the Funds’ prospectus under the “Investment Strategy” section and the associated risk factors. The Subadviser will only invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices if such investment or activity is consistent with and permitted by the Funds’ stated investment policies.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). ADRs, EDRs, and GDRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution or a non-U.S. financial institution in the case of an EDR or GDR (a “depositary”). The institution has ownership interests in a security, or a pool of securities, issued by a foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a depositary. An unsponsored facility may be established by a depositary without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.
Acquisitional/equipment lines (delayed-draw term loans). Acquisitional/equipment lines (delayed-draw term loans) are credits that may be drawn down for a given period to purchase specified assets or equipment of to make acquisitions. The issuer pays a fee during the commitment period (a ticking fee). The lines are then repaid over a specified period (the term-out period). Repaid amounts may not be re-borrowed. To avoid any leveraging concerns, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligations.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables and mortgage-like assets such as home equity loans on manufactured housing. These securities may be traded over-the-counter and typically have a short-

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intermediate maturity structure depending on the pay down characteristics of the underlying financial assets which are passed through to the security holder. These securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities may also be debt obligations, which are known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity, such as a trust, organized solely for the purpose of owning these assets and issuing debt obligations. Asset-backed securities that are backed by a single type of asset are pooled together by asset type for purposes of calculating a Fund’s industry concentration levels.
Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and, for a certain period, by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities. The purchase of asset-backed securities raises risk considerations peculiar to the financing of the instruments underlying such securities. There also is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those securities.
Asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. In addition, credit card receivables are unsecured obligations of the card holder.
Bank Obligations. A Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions which might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. The Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks only when the Subadvisers believe that the risks associated with such investment are minimal and that all applicable quality standards have been satisfied. Bank obligations include the following:
Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers’ acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less.
Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.
Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a

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withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.
A Fund will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser, Subadvisers, or their affiliates.
Borrowing. As required by the 1940 Act, a Fund must maintain continuous asset coverage (total assets, including assets acquired with borrowed funds, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of all amounts borrowed. If, at any time, the value of the Fund’s assets should fail to meet this 300% coverage test, the Fund, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays), will reduce the amount of the Fund’s borrowings to the extent necessary to meet this 300% coverage. Maintenance of this percentage limitation may result in the sale of portfolio securities at a time when investment considerations otherwise indicate that it would be disadvantageous to do so. Investment strategies that either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or require a Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing.
In addition to the foregoing, the Funds are authorized to borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in amounts not in excess of 5% of the value of a Fund’s total assets. This borrowing is not subject to the foregoing 300% asset coverage requirement.
Borrowing may subject the Funds to interest costs, which may exceed the interest received on the securities purchased with the borrowed funds. The Funds may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. Borrowing can involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money.
Brady Bonds. A Brady Bond is a U.S. dollar denominated bond issued by an emerging market, particularly those in Latin America, and collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds. In the event of a default on collateralized Brady Bonds for which obligations are accelerated, the collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. Brady Bonds are subject to the same risks as foreign securities.
Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are interest bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid.
Collateralized Debt Obligations. Collateralized Debt Obligations (“CDOs”) are securitized interests in pools of assets. Assets called collateral usually comprise loans or debt instruments. A CDO may be called a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) or collateralized bond obligation (“CBO”) if it holds only loans or bonds, respectively. Investors bear the credit risk of the collateral. Multiple tranches of securities are issued by the CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics. Tranches are categorized as senior, mezzanine, and subordinated/equity, according to their degree of credit risk. If there are defaults or the CDO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/equity tranches. Senior and

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mezzanine tranches are typically rated, with the former receiving ratings of A to AAA/Aaa and the latter receiving ratings of B to BBB/Baa. The ratings reflect both the credit quality of underlying collateral as well as how much protection a given tranche is afforded by tranches that are subordinate to it.
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities. Maturities on these issues vary from a few to 270 days.
Convertible Bonds. Convertible bonds are bonds which may be converted, at the option of either the issuer or the holder, into a specified amount of common stock of the issuer, or in the case of exchangeable bonds, into the common stock of another corporation. Convertible bonds are generally subordinate to other publicly held debt of the issuer, and therefore typically have a lower credit rating than nonconvertible debt of the issuer. Convertible bonds generally carry a lower coupon rate than the issuer would otherwise pay at issuance in exchange for the conversion feature. In addition to the interest rate risk factors generally associated with fixed income investments, the market risk of a convertible bond is determined by changes in the credit quality of the issuer and price changes and volatility of the stock into which the bond may be converted. The conversion feature may cause a convertible bond to be significantly more volatile than other types of fixed income investments. Convertible bonds for which the value of the conversion feature is deemed worthless are generally referred to as “busted” convertibles, and risk associated more closely approximates that of similar debt without the conversion feature.
Corporate Issues. Corporate issues refer to debt instruments issued by private corporations or other business entities. Bondholders, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders of the corporation as to both income and assets for the principal and interest due to the bondholder. A Fund will buy corporate issues subject to any quality constraints. Corporate issues may also be issued by master limited partnerships and real estate investment trusts, or REITS.
Credit Linked Notes. A credit linked note (“CLN”) is a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity issues a structured note (the “Note Issuer”) that is intended to replicate a single bond, a portfolio of bonds, or with respect to the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (the “Reference Instrument”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “Note Purchaser”) invest a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the Reference Instrument. Upon maturity of the CLN, the Note Purchaser will receive a payment equal to (i) the original par amount paid to the Note Issuer, if there is neither a designated event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to the Reference Instrument nor a restructuring of the issuer of the Reference Instrument (a “Restructuring Event”) or (ii) the value of the Reference Instrument, if an Event of Default or Restructuring Event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the Note Purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the Reference Instrument in the event of an Event of Default or a Restructuring Event. Most CLNs use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the Reference Instrument(s). However, almost any type of fixed income security (including foreign government securities) or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the Reference Instrument.
Custodial Receipts. A custodial receipt represents an indirect interest in a tax-exempt bond that is deposited with a custodian. For example, custodial receipts may be used to permit the sale of the deposited bond in smaller denominations than would otherwise be permitted. Frequently, custodial receipts are issued to attach bond insurance or other forms of credit enhancement to the deposited tax-exempt bond. Note, because a “separate security” is not created by the issuance of a receipt, many of the tax advantages bestowed upon holders of the deposited tax-exempt bond are also conferred upon the custodial receipt holder.

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Debt Securities. Debt securities (e.g., bonds, notes, debentures) represent money borrowed that obligates the issuer (e.g., a corporation, municipality, government, government agency) to repay the borrowed amount at maturity (when the obligation is due and payable) and usually to pay the holder interest at specific times.
Dollar Rolls. Dollar rolls are transactions in which securities are sold for delivery in the current month and the seller contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. Any difference between the sale price and the purchase price (plus interest earned on the cash proceeds of the sale) is applied against the past interest income on the securities sold to arrive at an implied borrowing rate.
Dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and initially may involve only a firm commitment agreement by the Fund to buy a security.
If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll and that the security the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held. To avoid any leveraging concerns, the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligations. A Fund may also cover the transaction by means of an offsetting transaction or by other means permitted under the 1940 Act or the rules and Securities and Exchange Commssion (“SEC”) interpretations thereunder.
Equipment Trust Certificates (“ETCs”). ETCs are issued by a trust formed to finance large purchases of equipment, such as airplanes, at favorable interest rates. Legal title on such equipment is held by a trustee. The trustee leases the equipment and sells ETCs at a small discount to the purchase price of the equipment. The lease payments are then used to pay principal and interest to the ETC holders.
Equity Securities. Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and consist of common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock, and securities convertible into common stock. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a fund invests will cause the net asset value of a fund to fluctuate. The Funds purchase equity securities traded in the U.S. or foreign countries on securities exchanges or the over-the-counter market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:
    Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
 
    Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock.
    Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying

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      common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a fund is called for redemption or conversion, the fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third-party.
 
      Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
 
    Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Generally, capitalization or market capitalization is a measure of a company’s size. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and frequent lack of depth of management. The securities of smaller companies are often traded in the over-the-counter market and even if listed on a national securities exchange may not be traded in volumes typical for that exchange. Consequently, the securities of smaller companies are less likely to be liquid, may have limited market stability, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established growth companies or the market averages in general.
 
    Equity-Linked Securities. A Fund may invest in equity-linked securities, including, among others, PERCS, ELKS or LYONs, which are securities that are convertible into, or the value of which is based upon the value of, equity securities upon certain terms and conditions. The amount received by an investor at maturity of such securities is not fixed but is based on the price of the underlying common stock. It is impossible to predict whether the price of the underlying common stock will rise or fall. Trading prices of the underlying common stock will be influenced by the issuer’s operational results, by complex, interrelated political, economic, financial or other factors affecting the capital markets, the stock exchanges on which the underlying common stock is traded and the market segment of which the issuer is a part. In addition, it is not possible to predict how equity-linked securities will trade in the secondary market. The market for such securities may be shallow, and high volume trades may be possible only with discounting. In addition to the foregoing risks, the return on such securities depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the securities, which may be the issuer of the underlying securities or a third-party investment banker or other lender. The creditworthiness of such third-party issuer equity-linked

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      securities may, and often does, exceed the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying securities. The advantage of using equity-linked securities over traditional equity and debt securities is that the former are income producing vehicles that may provide a higher income than the dividend income on the underlying equity securities while allowing some participation in the capital appreciation of the underlying equity securities. Another advantage of using equity-linked securities is that they may be used for hedging to reduce the risk of investing in the generally more volatile underlying equity securities.
 
      The following are three examples of equity-linked securities. A Fund may invest in the securities described below or other similar equity-linked securities.
    PERCS. Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock (“PERCS”) technically is preferred stock with some characteristics of common stock. PERCS are mandatorily convertible into common stock after a period of time, usually three years, during which the investors’ capital gains are capped, usually at 30%. Commonly, PERCS may be redeemed by the issuer at any time or if the issuer’s common stock is trading at a specified price level or better. The redemption price starts at the beginning of the PERCS duration period at a price that is above the cap by the amount of the extra dividends the PERCS holder is entitled to receive relative to the common stock over the duration of the PERCS and declines to the cap price shortly before maturity of the PERCS. In exchange for having the cap on capital gains and giving the issuer the option to redeem the PERCS at any time or at the specified common stock price level, the Fund may be compensated with a substantially higher dividend yield than that on the underlying common stock.
 
    ELKS. Equity-Linked Securities (“ELKS”) differ from ordinary debt securities, in that the principal amount received at maturity is not fixed but is based on the price of the issuer’s common stock. ELKS are debt securities commonly issued in fully registered form for a term of three years under an indenture trust. At maturity, the holder of ELKS will be entitled to receive a principal amount equal to the lesser of a cap amount, commonly in the range of 30% to 55% greater than the current price of the issuer’s common stock, or the average closing price per share of the issuer’s common stock, subject to adjustment as a result of certain dilution events, for the 10 trading days immediately prior to maturity. Unlike PERCS, ELKS are commonly not subject to redemption prior to maturity. ELKS usually bear interest six times during the three-year term at a substantially higher rate than the dividend yield on the underlying common stock. In exchange for having the cap on the return that might have been received as capital gains on the underlying common stock, the Fund may be compensated with the higher yield, contingent on how well the underlying common stock does.
 
    LYONS. Liquid Yield Option Notes (“LYONS”) differ from ordinary debt securities, in that the amount received prior to maturity is not fixed but is based on the price of the issuer’s common stock. LYONs are zero-coupon notes that sell at a large discount from face value. For an investment in LYONs, a Fund will not receive any interest payments until the notes mature, typically in 15 to 20 years, when the notes are redeemed at face, or par value. The yield on LYONs, typically, is lower-than-market rate for debt securities of the same maturity, due in part to the fact that the LYONs are convertible into common stock of the issuer at any time at the option of the holder of the LYONs. Commonly, the LYONs are redeemable by the issuer at any time after an initial period or if the issuer’s common stock is trading at a specified price level or better, or, at the option of the holder, upon certain fixed dates. The redemption price typically is the purchase price of the LYONs plus accrued original issue discount to the date of redemption, which amounts

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      to the lower-than-market yield. A Fund will receive only the lower-than-market yield unless the underlying common stock increases in value at a substantial rate. LYONs are attractive to investors, like a Fund, when it appears that they will increase in value due to the rise in value of the underlying common stock.
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Obligations. Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued outside the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee dollar obligations are U.S. dollar denominated obligations issued in the United States by non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain to the domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk. Additionally, Yankee obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital from flowing across their borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization or foreign issuers.
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. Some examples of ETFs are SPDRsâ, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking StockSM (“QQQs SM”), iSharesâ and VIPERsâ. A Fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying securities directly. (See also “Investment Company Shares” below).
Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities are debt obligations issued by corporations, municipalities and other borrowers. Coupons may be fixed or adjustable, based on a pre-set formula. The market value of fixed income investments may change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally decline. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Changes by recognized agencies in the rating of any fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal will also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect a Fund’s net asset value.
Floating Rate Instruments. Floating rate instruments have a rate of interest that is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as LIBOR). Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Subadviser’s opinion be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated in the prospectus. The Subadviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand.
Foreign Securities. Foreign securities may include U.S. dollar denominated obligations or securities of foreign issuers denominated in other currencies. Possible investments include obligations of foreign corporations and other entities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and of foreign banks, including, without limitation, European Certificates of Deposit, European Time Deposits, European Bankers’ Acceptances, Canadian Time Deposits, Europaper and Yankee Certificates of Deposit, and investments in Canadian Commercial Paper and

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foreign securities. These instruments have investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. These risks include future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. These investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.
In making investment decisions for the Funds, the Subadvisers evaluate the risks associated with investing Fund assets in a particular country, including risks stemming from a country’s financial infrastructure and settlement practices; the likelihood of expropriation, nationalization or confiscation of invested assets; prevailing or developing custodial practices in the country; the country’s laws and regulations regarding the safekeeping, maintenance and recovery of invested assets, the likelihood of government-imposed exchange control restrictions which could impair the liquidity of Fund assets maintained with custodians in that country, as well as risks from political acts of foreign governments (“country risks”). Of course, the Subadviser cannot assure that the Fund will not suffer losses resulting from investing in foreign countries.
Holding Fund assets in foreign countries through specific foreign custodians presents additional risks, including but not limited to the risks that a particular foreign custodian or depository will not exercise proper care with respect to Fund assets or will not have the financial strength or adequate practices and procedures to properly safeguard Fund assets.
By investing in foreign securities, the Funds attempt to take advantage of differences between both economic trends and the performance of securities markets in the various countries, regions and geographic areas as prescribed by each Fund’s investment objective and policies. During certain periods the investment return on securities in some or all countries may exceed the return on similar investments in the United States, while at other times the investment return may be less than that on similar U.S. securities. The international investments of a Fund may reduce the effect that events in any one country or geographic area will have on its investment holdings. Of course, negative movement by a Fund’s investments in one foreign market represented in its portfolio may offset potential gains from the Fund’s investments in another country’s markets.
Emerging countries are all countries that are considered to be developing or emerging countries by the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation, as well as countries classified by the United Nations or otherwise regarded by the international financial community as developing.
Foreign Currency: A Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits in foreign currencies during the completion of investment programs. A Fund may conduct foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market or by entering into a foreign currency forward contract (“forward contract”). A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific amount of a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are considered “derivatives” — financial instruments whose performance is derived, at least in part, from the performance of another asset (such as a security, currency or an index of securities). A forward contract “locks in”

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the exchange rate between the currency it will deliver and the currency it will receive at the maturity of the contract. AFund may enter into forward contracts to hedge against risks arising from securities the Fund owns or anticipates purchasing, or the U.S. dollar value of interest and dividends paid on those securities. In addition, the Fund may enter into forward contracts to gain exposure to foreign markets.
At or before settlement of a forward contract, a Fund may either deliver the currency or terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by purchasing an offsetting contract. If a Fund makes delivery of the foreign currency, it may be required to obtain the currency through the conversion of assets of a Fund into the currency. A Fund may close out a forward contract by purchasing or selling an offsetting contract, in which case it will realize a gain or a loss.
A Fund may invest in a combination of forward contracts and U.S. dollar-denominated instruments in an attempt to obtain an investment result that is substantially the same as a direct investment in a foreign currency-denominated instrument. This investment technique creates a “synthetic” position in the particular foreign-currency instrument whose performance the manager is trying to duplicate. For example, the combination of U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments with “long” forward contracts creates a position economically equivalent to a money market instrument denominated in the foreign currency itself. Such combined positions are sometimes necessary when the money market in a particular foreign currency is small or relatively illiquid.
For hedging purposes, a Fund may invest in forward contracts to hedge either specific transactions (transaction hedging) or portfolio positions (position hedging). Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of a Fund in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. Position hedging is the sale of a forward contract on a particular currency with respect to portfolio positions denominated or quoted in that currency.
A Fund may use forward contracts for position hedging if consistent with its policy of trying to expose its net assets to foreign currencies. A Fund is not required to enter into forwardcontracts for hedging purposes and it is possible that a Fund may not be able to hedge against a currency. It also is possible, under certain circumstances that a Fund may have to limit its currency transactions to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).
Each Fund currently does not intend to enter into a forward currency contract with a term of more than one year, or to engage in position hedging with respect to the currency of a particular country to more than the aggregate market value (at the time the hedging transaction is entered into) of its portfolio securities denominated in (or quoted in or currently convertible into or directly related through the use of forward currency contracts in conjunction with money market instruments to) that particular currency. At or before the maturity of a forward currency contract, a Fund may either sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the currency, or retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by buying an “offsetting” contract obligating it to buy, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the currency. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may later enter into a new forward currency contract to sell the currency.
If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has been movement in forward currency contract prices. If forward prices go down during the period between the date a Fund enters into a forward currency contract for the sale of a currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to

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sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to buy. If forward prices go up, a Fund will suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to buy exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.
A Fund may also enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other appropriate currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund’s securities denominated in the foreign currency. A Fund may realize a gain or loss from currency transactions.
When a Fund purchases or sells a forward contract, under applicable federal securities laws, rules, and interpretations thereof and applicable exchange rules, a Fund must “set aside” (referred to sometimes as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other measures to “cover” open positions with respect to such transactions. For example, with respect to forward contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. With respect to forward contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund may set aside or deliver liquid assets, including cash, in an amount equal to a Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation rather than the notional value. By setting aside or delivering assets equal to only its net obligation under “cash-settled” forward contracts, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if a Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts. The Funds reserve the right to modify their asset segregation policies in the future.
A Fund may otherwise cover the transaction by means of an offsetting transaction or by other means permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. In as much as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregating liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and their Subadviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions. The Funds reserve the right to modify their asset segregation policies in the future.
Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities. Investing in fixed and floating rate high yield foreign sovereign debt securities will expose a Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in countries that issue the securities. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the obligor’s balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds, which may further impair the obligor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts.
Futures and Options on Futures. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on a national futures exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). A Fund may use futures

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contracts and related options for bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. To the extent the Fund uses futures and/or options on futures, it will do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, no Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.
When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, under applicable federal securities laws, rules, and interpretations thereof and applicable exchange rules, a Fund must “set aside” (referred to sometimes as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other measures to “cover” open positions with respect to such transactions. For example, with respect to futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. With respect to futures contracts that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” a Fund may set aside or deliver liquid assets, including cash, in an amount equal to a Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation rather than the notional value. By setting aside or delivering assets equal to only its net obligation under “cash-settled” futures contracts, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if a Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts. The Funds reserve the right to modify their asset segregation policies in the future.
The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price (i.e., an exercise price) as high as or higher than the price of the futures contract. In the alternative, if the strike price of the put is less than the price of the futures contract, the Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its long position in a futures contract by taking a short position in the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract. The Fund may cover its short position in a futures contract by taking a long position in the instruments underlying the futures contracts, or by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the futures contract.
A Fund may cover its sale of a call option on a futures contract by taking a long position in the underlying futures contract at a price less than or equal to the strike price of the call option. In the alternative, if the long position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price greater than the strike price of the written (sold) call, a Fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the call and the price of the futures contract. The Fund may also cover its sale of a call option by taking positions in instruments with prices which are expected to move relatively consistently with the call option. A Fund may cover its sale of a put option on a futures contract by taking a short position in the underlying futures contract at a price greater than or equal to the strike price of the put option, or, if the short position in the underlying futures contract is established at a price less than the strike price of the written put, the fund will maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the difference between the strike price of the put and the price of the futures contract. A Fund may also cover its sale of a put option by taking positions in instruments with prices, which are expected to move relatively consistently with the put option.

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In as much as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregating liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and their Subadvisers believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.
There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts and related options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates, (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures, (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option, (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures. In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure
Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”). A GIC is a general obligation of the issuing insurance company and not a separate account. The purchase price paid for a GIC becomes part of the general assets of the issuer, and the contract is paid at maturity from the general assets of the issuer. Generally, GICs are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance company. For this reason, an active secondary market in GICs does not currently exist and GICs are considered to be illiquid investments.
Hedging Techniques. Hedging is an investment strategy designed to offset investment risks. Hedging activities include, among other things, the use of options and futures. There are risks associated with hedging activities, including: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets, and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures and option on futures; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; and (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options.
High Yield Securities. High yield securities, commonly referred to as junk bonds, are debt obligations rated below investment grade, i.e., below BBB by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or their unrated equivalents. The risks associated with investing in high yield securities include:
1. High yield, lower rated bonds involve greater risk of default or price declines than investments in investment grade securities (e.g., securities rated BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or higher by Moody’s) due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness.
2. The market for high risk, high yield securities may be thinner and less active, causing market price volatility and limited liquidity in the secondary market. This may limit the ability of a Fund to sell these securities at their fair market values either to meet redemption requests, or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.
3. Market prices for high risk, high yield securities may also be affected by investors’ perception of the issuer’s credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. Thus, prices for high risk, high yield securities may move independently of interest rates and the overall bond market.

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4. The market for high risk, high yield securities may be adversely affected by legislative and regulatory developments.
Illiquid Securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (within seven days) at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, a Fund’s illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security’s fair value price may differ from the actual price, which the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a Fund. Under the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Subadviser determines the liquidity of a Fund’s investments. In determining the liquidity of a Fund’s investments, the Subadviser may consider various factors, including (1) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). A Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets (10% with respect to the Money Market Funds) in illiquid securities.
Inverse Floaters. A Fund may invest in municipal securities whose interest rated bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index (“Inverse Floaters”). An investment in Inverse Floaters may involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate bond. Because changes in the interest rate on the other security or index inversely affect the residual interest paid on the Inverse Floater, the value and income of an inverse floater is generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. Inverse Floaters have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline.
Investment Company Shares. A Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent that such an investment would be consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Fund’s investment objectives. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, an investing Fund’s shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Fund’s shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations.
Under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, a Fund may invest only up to 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company (ETF or other mutual funds), but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company (the “3% Limitation”) or invest more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies. Because other investment companies employ an investment advisor, such investments by a Fund may cause shareholders to bear duplicate fees.
A Fund may exceed the limits established by Section 12(d)(1) if (i) the ETF or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from the 3% limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. In the alternative, a Fund may rely on Rule

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12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds to exceed the 5% Limitation and the 10% Limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired funds) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), for funds of funds.
For hedging or other purposes, each Fund may invest in investment companies that seek to track the composition and/or performance of specific indexes or portions of specific indexes. Certain of these investment companies, known as ETFs, are traded on a securities exchange. (See “Exchange Traded Funds” above.) The market prices of index-based investments will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the underlying portfolio securities of the investment company and also due to supply and demand of the investment company’s shares on the exchange upon which the shares are traded. Index-based investments may not replicate or otherwise match the composition or performance of their specified index due to transaction costs, among other things. Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC to iShares® Funds, The Select Sector SPDR Trust, streetTRACKS Series Trust, streetTRACKS Index Shares Fund and Vanguard Trust and procedures approved by the Board, each Fund may invest in iShares® Funds, The Select Sector SPDR Trust, streetTRACKS Series Trust, streetTRACKS Index Shares Fund and Vanguard Trust in excess of the 5% and 10% limits described above, provided that the Fund has described ETF investments in its prospectus and otherwise complies with the conditions of the SEC, as it may be amended, and any other applicable investment limitations. iShares® is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (“BGI”). Neither BGI, The Select Sector SPDR Trust, streetTRACKS Series Trust, streetTRACKS Index Shares Fund nor the iShares® Funds makes any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds.
Investment Grade Obligations. Investment grade obligations are fixed income obligations rated by one or more of the rating agencies in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s or determined to be of equivalent quality by the Subadviser). Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the lowest of four levels of investment grade obligations and are regarded as borderline between sound obligations and those in which the speculative element begins to predominate. Ratings assigned to fixed income securities represent only the opinion of the rating agency assigning the rating and are not dispositive of the credit risk associated with the purchase of a particular fixed income obligation. A Fund may hold unrated securities if its Subadviser considers the risks involved in owning that security to be equivalent to the risks involved in holding an instrument grade security. Moreover, market risk also will affect the prices of even the highest rated fixed income obligation so that their prices may rise or fall even if the issuer’s capacity to repay its obligation remains unchanged.
Leveraged Buyouts. A Fund may invest in leveraged buyout limited partnerships and funds that, in turn, invest in leveraged buyout transactions (“LBOs”). An LBO, generally, is an acquisition of an existing business by a newly formed corporation financed largely with debt assumed by such newly formed corporation to be later repaid with funds generated from the acquired company. Since most LBOs are by nature highly leveraged (typically with debt to equity ratios of approximately 9 to 1), equity investments in LBOs may appreciate substantially in value given only modest growth in the earnings or cash flow of the acquired business. Investments in LBO partnerships and funds, however, present a number of risks. Investments in LBO limited partnerships and funds will normally lack liquidity and may be subject to intense competition from other LBO limited partnerships and funds. Additionally, if the cash flow of the acquired company is insufficient to service the debt assumed in the LBO, the LBO limited partnership or fund could lose all or part of its investment in such acquired company.
Medium-Term Notes. Medium-term notes are periodically or continuously offered corporate or agency debt that differs from traditionally underwritten corporate bonds only in the process by which they are issued.

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Money Market Securities. Money market securities include short-term U.S. government securities; custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; commercial paper rated in the highest short-term rating category by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”), such as S&P or Moody’s, or determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase; short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and repurchase agreements involving such securities. Each of these money market securities are described herein. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are securities which represent ownership interests in, or are debt obligations secured entirely or primarily by, “pools” of residential or commercial mortgage loans or other asset-backed securities (the “Underlying Assets”). Such securities may be issued by U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities, such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, or by issuers that are affiliates of or sponsored by such entities. The payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed obligations issued by these entities may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of GNMA), or may be guaranteed by the issuer (in the case of FNMA and MHLMC). However, these guarantees do not apply to the market prices and yields of these securities, which vary with changes in interest rates.
Obligations of GNMA are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Obligations of Fannie Mae and FHLMC are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, but are considered to be of high quality since they are considered to be instrumentalities of the United States. A Fund will not purchase mortgage-backed securities that do not meet the above minimum credit standards. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing ownership interests in the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans are distributed monthly to the holders of the mortgage-backed securities. In the case of mortgage-backed securities representing debt obligations secured by the Underlying Assets, the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgage loans, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on such mortgage-backed securities.
Certain mortgage-backed securities represent an undivided fractional interest in the entirety of the Underlying Assets (or in a substantial portion of the Underlying Assets, with additional interests junior to that of the mortgage-backed security), and thus have payment terms that closely resemble the payment terms of the Underlying Assets.
In addition, many mortgage-backed securities are issued in multiple classes. Each class of such multi-class mortgage-backed securities, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayment on the Underlying Assets may cause the MBS to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all or most classes of the MBS on a periodic basis, typically monthly or quarterly. The principal of and interest on the Underlying Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a series of MBS in many different ways. In a relatively common structure, payments of principal (including any principal prepayments) on the Underlying Assets are applied to the classes of a series of MBS in the order of their respective stated maturities so that no payment of principal will be made on any class of MBS until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity have been paid in full. An important feature of MBS is that the principal amount is generally subject to partial or total prepayment at any time because the Underlying Assets (i.e., loans) generally may be prepaid at any time.

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Private pass-through securities are mortgage-backed securities issued by a non-governmental agency, such as a trust. While they are generally structured with one or more types of credit enhancement, private pass-through securities generally lack a guarantee by an entity having the credit status of a governmental agency or instrumentality. The two principal types of private mortgage-backed securities are collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”).
CMOs are collateralized mortgage obligations, which are collateralized by mortgage pass-through securities. Cash flows from the mortgage pass-through securities are allocated to various tranches (a “tranche” is essentially a separate security) in a predetermined, specified order. Each tranche has a stated maturity — the latest date by which the tranche can be completely repaid, assuming no prepayments — and has an average life — the average of the time to receipt of a principal payment weighted by the size of the principal payment. The average life is typically used as a proxy for maturity because the debt is amortized (repaid a portion at a time), rather than being paid off entirely at maturity, as would be the case in a straight debt instrument.
Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported by various types of insurance, and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-throughs issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed.
REMICs are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities and are rated in one of the two highest categories by S&P or Moody’s.
Investors may purchase beneficial interests in REMICs, which are known as “regular” interests, or “residual” interests. Guaranteed REMIC pass-through certificates (“REMIC Certificates”) issued by Fannie Mae or FHLMC represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, FHLMC or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates.
For FHLMC REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest. GNMA REMIC Certificates are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Parallel pay CMOs and REMICs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date, but may be retired earlier. Planned Amortization Class CMOs (“PAC Bonds”) generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds are always parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities are securities that are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The holder of the “principal only” security (“PO”) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the “interest only” security (“IO”) receives interest payments from the same underlying security.

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The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.
Municipal Forwards. Municipal forwards are forward commitments for the purchase of tax-exempt bonds with a specified coupon to be delivered by an issuer at a future date, typically exceeding 45 days but normally less than one year after the commitment date. Municipal forwards are normally used as a refunding mechanism for bonds that may only be redeemed on a designated future date. See “When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitment Securities” for more information.
Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations are securities issued by state and local governments and authorities to finance the acquisition of equipment and facilities. They may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a conditional sales contract, or a participation interest in any of the above.
Municipal Securities. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility (for example, tolls from a bridge). Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development bonds generally is totally dependent on the ability of a facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property as security for the payment.
Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. A Fund’s investments in any of the notes described above will be limited to those obligations (i) where both principal and interest are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, (ii) which are rated MIG-2 or V-MIG-2 at the time of investment by Moody’s, (iii) which are rated SP-2 at the time of investment by S&P, or (iv) which, if not rated by S&P or Moody’s, are in the Subadviser’s judgment, of at least comparable quality to MIG-2, VMIG-2 or SP-2.
From time to time, a municipality may refund a bond that it has already issued prior to the original bond’s call date by issuing a second bond, the proceeds of which are used to purchase securities. The securities are placed in an escrow account pursuant to an agreement between the municipality and an independent escrow agent. The principal and interest payments on the securities are then used to pay off the original bondholders. For purposes of diversification and industry concentration, pre-refunded bonds will be treated as governmental issues.
Municipal bonds generally must be rated investment grade by at least one national securities rating agency or, if not rated, must be deemed by the Subadviser to essentially have characteristics similar to those of bonds having the above rating. Bonds downgraded to below investment grade may continue to be held at the discretion of a Fund’s Subadviser. A Fund may purchase industrial development and pollution control bonds if the interest paid is exempt from federal income tax. These bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet

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its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment.
Private activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of states, or political subdivisions thereof, to finance privately owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control, and to finance activities of and facilities for charitable institutions. Private activity bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports parking and low-income housing. The payment of the principal and interest on private activity bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and may be secured by a pledge of real and personal property so financed.
Investments in floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that a Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Subadviser’s opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Subadviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Subadviser may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above.
The Subadviser has the authority to purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when they can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer, or a third-party (the “writer”) at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a “standby commitment” or a “put.” The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity in order to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The right to put the securities depends on the writer’s ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. A Fund will limit its put transactions to those with institutions which the Subadviser believe present minimum credit risks, and the Subadviser will use its best efforts to initially determine and thereafter monitor the financial strength of the put providers by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however, be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers where adequate current financial information is not available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, the affected Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between a Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities in certain circumstances (for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying municipal securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer’s credit); or a provision in the contract may provide that the put will not be exercised except in certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. A Fund could, however, sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security. Municipal securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, a Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to a Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that a Fund may purchase subject to a put. For the purpose of determining the “maturity” of securities purchased subject to an option to put, and for the purpose of determining the dollar-

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weighted average maturity of a Fund including such securities, a Fund will consider “maturity” to be the first date on which it has the right to demand payment from the writer of the put although the final maturity of the security is later than such date.
Other types of tax-exempt instruments which are permissible investments include floating rate notes. Investments in such floating rate instruments will normally involve industrial development or revenue bonds which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate (such as the prime rate) at a major commercial bank, and that a Fund can demand payment of the obligation at all times or at stipulated dates on short notice (not to exceed 30 days) at par plus accrued interest. Such obligations are frequently secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The quality of the underlying credit or of the bank, as the case may be, must, in the Subadviser’s opinion, be equivalent to the long-term bond or commercial paper ratings stated above. The Subadviser will monitor the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. A Fund may also purchase participation interests in municipal securities (such as industrial development bonds and municipal lease/purchase agreements). A participation interest gives a Fund an undivided interest in the underlying municipal security. If it is unrated, the participation interest will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a credit-worthy financial institution or the payment obligations otherwise will be collateralized by U.S. government securities. Participation interests may have fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and may include a demand feature. A participation interest without a demand feature or with a demand feature exceeding seven days may be deemed to be an illiquid security subject to a Fund’s investment limitations restricting its purchases of illiquid securities. A Fund may purchase other types of tax-exempt instruments as long as they are of a quality equivalent to the bond or commercial paper ratings stated above.
Opinions relating to the validity of municipal securities and to the exemption of interest thereon from federal income tax are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuers at the time of issuance. Neither a Fund nor its Subadviser will review the proceedings relating to the issuance of municipal securities or the basis for such opinions.
Non-Publicly Traded Securities; Rule 144A Securities. The Funds may purchase securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), but that can be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A Securities”). An investment in Rule 144A Securities will be considered illiquid and therefore subject to a Fund’s limitation on the purchase of illiquid securities (usually 15% of a fund’s net assets, 10% for the Money Market Funds), unless a Fund’s governing Board of Trustees determines on an ongoing basis that an adequate trading market exists for the security. In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board of Trustees will also consider factors such as trading activity, availability of reliable price information and other relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in a Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees will carefully monitor any investments by a Fund in Rule 144A Securities. The Board of Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Subadvisers the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of Rule 144A Securities, although the Board of Trustees will retain ultimate responsibility for any determination regarding liquidity.
Non-publicly traded securities (including Rule 144A Securities) may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. These securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities, and a Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded

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securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized on such sales could be less than those originally paid by a Fund. Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements applicable to companies whose securities are publicly traded. A Fund’s investments in illiquid securities are subject to the risk that should a Fund desire to sell any of these securities when a ready buyer is not available at a price that is deemed to be representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected.
Options. A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on securities or securities indices (traded on U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter markets) and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.
Put and call options on indices are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally, rather than the price movements in individual securities.
The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an “opening transaction.” In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a “closing transaction,” which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.
A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter options (“OTC options”) differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is done normally by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC’s position that OTC options are generally illiquid.
The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.
A Fund must cover all options it purchases or writes. For example, when a Fund writes an option on a security, index or foreign currency, it will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian in an amount at least equal to the market value of the option and will maintain such coverage while the option is open. A Fund may otherwise cover the transaction by means of an offsetting transaction or other means permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder.

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A Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indices or currencies, as its Subadviser determines is appropriate in seeking the Fund’s investment objective. For example, a Fund may purchase put and call options on securities or indices to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. A Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium therefor. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for a Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund’s securities or by a decrease in the cost of acquisition of securities by the Fund.
In another instance, a Fund may write covered call options on securities as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option generally will expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option written by a Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price, and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option written by a Fund is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.
There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of options, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on the Subadviser’s ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the movement in prices of options held by the Fund and the securities underlying them; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (4) while a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.
Other Investments. The Funds are not prohibited from investing in bank obligations issued by clients of the Funds’ administrator or distributor or their respective parent or affiliated companies. The purchase of Fund shares by these banks or their customers will not be a consideration in deciding which bank obligations the Funds will purchase. The Funds will not purchase obligations issued by the Adviser, Subadvisers or the Funds’ distributor.
Pay-In-Kind Securities. Pay-In-Kind securities are debt obligations or preferred stock that pay interest or dividends in the form of additional debt obligations or preferred stock.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock is a corporate equity security that pays a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred stock is generally a non-voting security.
Real Estate Investment Trusts. A REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The Code permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid, thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax and making the REIT a pass-through vehicle for federal income tax purposes. A REIT primarily invests in real estate and real estate mortgages. If a corporation, trust or association meets the REIT requirements, it will be taxed only on its undistributed income and capital gains.

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REITs are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings; a Mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans.
REITs in which a Fund invests may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which a Fund invests may concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types. Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such Mortgage REITs. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent.
Certain REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs. Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders.
In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.
Real Estate Securities. A Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate because of its policy of concentration in the securities of companies principally engaged in the real estate industry. For example, real estate values may fluctuate as a result of general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, demographic trends and variations in rental income, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, related party risks, changes in how appealing properties are to tenants, changes in interest rates and other real estate capital market influences. The value of securities of companies, which service the real estate business sector may also be affected by such risks.
Because a Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in REITs, a Fund may also be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be

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affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Changes in prevailing interest rates may inversely affect the value of the debt securities in which a Fund will invest. Changes in the value of portfolio securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect a Fund’s net asset value. Generally, increases in interest rates will increase the costs of obtaining financing which could directly and indirectly decrease the value of a Fund’s investments.
Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. The Funds each follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with creditworthy financial institutions whose condition will be continually monitored by the Subadviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement. Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund, the custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of each Fund’s right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It is the current policy of each of the Funds, not to invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid assets held by that Fund, amounts to more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets. The investments of each of the Funds in repurchase agreements, at times, may be substantial when, in the view of the Subadviser, liquidity or other considerations so warrant.
Resource Recovery Bonds. Resource recovery bonds are a type of revenue bond issued to build facilities such as solid waste incinerators or waste-to-energy plants. Typically, a private corporation will be involved, at least during the construction phase, and the revenue stream will be secured by fees or rents paid by municipalities for use of the facilities. The viability of a resource recovery project, environmental protection regulations, and project operator tax incentives may affect the value and credit quality of resource recovery bonds.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. A reverse repurchase agreement is a contract under which a Fund sells a security for cash for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the Fund to repurchase such security at a fixed time and price (representing the seller’s cost plus interest). Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities a Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements are techniques involving leverage, and are subject to asset coverage requirements. To avoid any leveraging concerns, the Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligations.
Revolving Credit Facilities (“Revolvers”). Revolvers are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. As the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the Revolver and usually provides for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To avoid any leveraging concerns, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover its repurchase obligations.

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A Fund may invest in Revolvers with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its other investments. Revolvers may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. Each Fund currently intends to treat Revolvers for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of that Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments.
Securities Lending. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Fund’s Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). No Fund will lend portfolio securities to its investment adviser, subadviser or their affiliates unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities by marking to market daily. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. A Fund may pay a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral, or other fee, to an unaffiliated third party for acting as the Fund’s securities lending agent.
By lending its securities, a Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. government securities or letters of credit are used as collateral. Each Fund will adhere to the following conditions whenever its portfolio securities are loaned: (i) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (iii) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan on demand; (iv) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in market value; (v) the Fund may pay only reasonable fees in connection with the loan (which fees may include fees payable to the lending agent, the borrower, the Fund’s administrator and the custodian); and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, provided, however, that if a matter comes up for a vote which would have a material effect on a Fund or its investment, the Fund must attempt to terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. Any securities lending activity in which a Fund may engage will be undertaken pursuant to Board approved procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the foregoing criteria will be met. Loan agreements involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the borrower, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund’s ability to recover the loaned securities or dispose of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.
Senior Loans
Structure of Senior Loans. A senior floating rate loan (“Senior Loan”) is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors (“Loan Investors”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Loan Investors.

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Senior Loans primarily include senior floating rate loans and secondarily senior floating rate debt obligations (including those issued by an asset-backed pool), and interests therein. Loan interests primarily take the form of assignments purchased in the primary or secondary market. Loan interests may also take the form of participation interests in, or novations of a Senior Loan. Such loan interests may be acquired from U.S. or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions who have made loans or are Loan Investors or from other investors in loan interests.
A Fund typically purchases “Assignments” from the Agent or other Loan Investors. The purchaser of an Assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement of the assigning Loan Investor and becomes a Loan Investor under the Loan Agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning Loan Investor. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Loan Investor.A Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in “Participations.” Participations by a Fund in a Loan Investor’s portion of a Senior Loan typically will result in a Fund having a contractual relationship only with such Loan Investor, not with the borrower. As a result, a Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Loan Investor selling the Participation and only upon receipt by such Loan Investor of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other Loan Investors through set-off against the borrower and a Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the Senior Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, a Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the Loan Investor selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Loan Investor selling a participation, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such Loan Investor. The selling Loan Investors and other persons interpositioned between such Loan Investors and a Fund with respect to such Participations will likely conduct their principal business activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries. Persons engaged in such industries may be more susceptible to, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the Federal Open Market Committee’s monetary policy, governmental regulations concerning such industries and capital raising activities generally, and fluctuations in the financial markets generally.
A Fund will only acquire Participations if the Loan Investor selling the Participation, and any other persons interpositioned between a Fund and the Loan Investor, at the time of investment has outstanding debt or deposit obligations rated investment grade (BBB or A-3 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Baa or P-3 or higher by Moody’s or comparably rated by another nationally recognized rating agency (each a “Rating Agency”)) or determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Securities rated Baa by Moody’s have speculative characteristics. Similarly, a Fund will purchase an Assignment or Participation or act as a Loan Investor with respect to a syndicated Senior Loan only where the Agent with respect to such Senior Loan at the time of investment has outstanding debt or deposit obligations rated investment grade or determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality. Long-term debt rated BBB by S&P is regarded by S&P as having adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal and debt rated Baa by Moody’s is regarded by Moody’s as a medium grade obligation, i.e., it is neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Commercial paper rated A-3 by S&P indicates that S&P believes such obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters but that adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation and issues of commercial paper rated P-3 by Moody’s are considered by Moody’s to have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced.

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Loan Participations. Loan participations are interests in loans to U.S. corporations, which are administered by the lending bank or agent for a syndicate of lending banks. In a loan participation, the borrower corporation is the issuer of the participation interest except to the extent a Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank. Because the intermediary bank does not guarantee a loan participation, a loan participation is subject to the credit risks associated with the underlying corporate borrower.
In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the intermediary bank. In addition, in the event the underlying corporate borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses, and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if a Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower. Under the terms of a Loan Participation, a Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the intermediary bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that a Fund may also be subject to the risk that the intermediary bank may become insolvent.
The secondary market for loan participations is limited and any such participation purchased by a Fund may be regarded as illiquid.
Loan Collateral. In order to borrow money pursuant to a Senior Loan, a borrower will frequently, for the term of the Senior Loan, pledge collateral, including but not limited to, (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights (but excluding goodwill); and/or (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates. In the case of Senior Loans made to non-public companies, the company’s shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or security interests in assets that they own. In many instances, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy a borrower’s obligations under a Senior Loan.
Certain Fees Paid to a Fund. In the process of buying, selling and holding Senior Loans, a Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When a Fund buys a Senior Loan it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a Senior Loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, a Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, a Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a Senior Loan by a borrower. Other fees received by a Fund may include amendment fees.
Borrower Covenants. A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the Senior Loan (the “Loan Agreement”). Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to stockholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios, and limits on total debt. In addition, the Loan Agreement may contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the Loan with any free cash flow. Free cash flow is generally defined as net cash flow after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures, and includes the proceeds from asset dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant which is not waived by the Agent, or by the Loan Investors directly, as the case may be, is normally an event of acceleration; i.e., the Agent, or the Loan Investors directly, as the case may be, has the right to call the outstanding Senior Loan. The typical practice of an Agent or a Loan Investor in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower may involve a risk of fraud by the borrower. In the case of a Senior Loan in the form of a Participation, the agreement between the buyer and seller may limit the rights of the holder to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan

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Agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. However, the holder of the Participation will, in almost all cases, have the right to vote on certain fundamental issues such as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate.
Administration of Loans. In a typical Senior Loan, the Agent administers the terms of the Loan Agreement. In such cases, the Agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the Loan Agreement. A Fund will generally rely upon the Agent or an intermediate participant to receive and forward to a Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the Senior Loan. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a Participation Agreement a Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, a Fund will rely on the Agent and the other Loan Investors to use appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. The Agent is typically responsible for monitoring compliance with covenants contained in the Loan Agreement based upon reports prepared by the borrower. The seller of the Senior Loan usually does, but is often not obligated to, notify holders of Senior Loans of any failures of compliance. The Agent may monitor the value of the collateral and, if the value of the collateral declines, may accelerate the Senior Loan, may give the borrower an opportunity to provide additional collateral or may seek other protection for the benefit of the participants in the Senior Loan. The Agent is compensated by the borrower for providing these services under a Loan Agreement, and such compensation may include special fees paid upon structuring and funding the Senior Loan and other fees paid on a continuing basis. With respect to Senior Loans for which the Agent does not perform such administrative and enforcement functions, a Fund will perform such tasks on its own behalf, although a collateral bank will typically hold any collateral on behalf of a Fund and the other Loan Investors pursuant to the applicable Loan Agreement.
A financial institution’s appointment as Agent may usually be terminated in the event that it fails to observe the requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent, enters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership, or, if not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy proceedings. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the Loan Agreement should remain available to holders of Senior Loans. However, if assets held by the Agent for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, a Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Senior Loan, or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving intermediate participants similar risks may arise.
Prepayments. Senior Loans can require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from free cash flow, as defined above. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among Loan Investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which a Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However, a Fund may receive both a prepayment penalty fee from the prepaying borrower and a facility fee upon the purchase of a new Senior Loan with the proceeds from the prepayment of the former. Prepayments generally will not materially affect a Fund’s performance because a Fund should be able to reinvest prepayments in other Senior Loans that have similar yields (subject to market conditions) and because receipt of such fees may mitigate any adverse impact on a Fund’s yield.
Other Information Regarding Senior Loans. From time to time a Subadviser and its affiliates may borrow money from various banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell interests in Senior Loans to or acquire them from a Fund or may be intermediate participants with respect to Senior Loans in which a Fund owns interests. Such banks may also act as Agents for Senior Loans held by a Fund.

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A Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio a Senior Loan where the borrower has experienced, or may be perceived to be likely to experience, credit problems, including involvement in or recent emergence from bankruptcy reorganization proceedings or other forms of debt restructuring. Such investments may provide opportunities for enhanced income as well as capital appreciation. At times, in connection with the restructuring of a Senior Loan either outside of bankruptcy court or in the context of bankruptcy court proceedings, a Fund may determine or be required to accept equity securities or junior debt securities in exchange for all or a portion of a Senior Loan. As soon as reasonably practical, a Fund will divest itself of any equity securities or any junior debt securities received if it is determined that the security is an ineligible holding for a Fund. As a matter of policy, a Fund will not consider equity securities to be eligible holdings.
A Fund may acquire interests in Senior Loans which are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. Bridge loans are often unrated. A Fund may also invest in Senior Loans of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.
A Fund will be subject to the risk that collateral securing a loan will decline in value or have no value. Such a decline, whether as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized or unsecured. In most credit agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In addition, a Fund may invest in Senior Loans guaranteed by, or secured by assets of, shareholders or owners, even if the Senior Loans are not otherwise collateralized by assets of the borrower; provided, however, that such guarantees are fully secured. There may be temporary periods when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a Senior Loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the Senior Loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged or is exchanged for or replaced by other assets, which will be pledged as security for the Senior Loan. However, the borrower’s ability to dispose of such securities, other than in connection with such pledge or replacement, will be strictly limited for the protection of the holders of Senior Loans and, indirectly, Senior Loans.
If a borrower becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court may invalidate a Fund’s security interest in the loan collateral or subordinate a Fund’s rights under the Senior Loan to the interests of the borrower’s unsecured creditors or cause interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. If a court required interest to be refunded, it could negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the borrower did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the loan collateral to a Fund. For Senior Loans made in connection with a highly leveraged transaction, consideration for granting a security interest may be deemed inadequate if the proceeds of the Loan were not received or retained by the borrower, but were instead paid to other persons (such as shareholders of the borrower) in an amount which left the borrower insolvent or without sufficient working capital. There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of a Fund’s security interest in loan collateral. If a Fund’s security interest in loan collateral is invalidated or the Senior Loan is subordinated to other debt of a borrower in bankruptcy or other proceedings, a Fund would have substantially lower recovery, and perhaps no recovery on the full amount of the principal and interest due on the Loan, or a Fund could also have to refund interest (see the prospectus for additional information).

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A Fund may acquire warrants and other equity securities as part of a unit combining a Senior Loan and equity securities of a borrower or its affiliates. The acquisition of such equity securities will only be incidental to a Fund’s purchase of a Senior Loan. A Fund may also acquire equity securities or debt securities (including non-dollar denominated debt securities) issued in exchange for a Senior Loan or issued in connection with the debt restructuring or reorganization of a borrower, or if such acquisition, in the judgment of the Subadviser, may enhance the value of a Senior Loan or would otherwise be consistent with a Fund’s investment policies.
Regulatory Changes. To the extent that legislation or state or federal regulators that regulate certain financial institutions impose additional requirements or restrictions with respect to the ability of such institutions to make loans, particularly in connection with highly leveraged transactions, the availability of Senior Loans for investment may be adversely affected. Further, such legislation or regulation could depress the market value of Senior Loans.
Short Sales. A Fund may engage in short sales that are either “uncovered” or “against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” if at all times during which the short position is open, a Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable without further consideration for, securities of the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale “against-the-box” is a taxable transaction to a Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short.
Uncovered short sales are transactions under which a Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such a transaction, a Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of the replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by a Fund. Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund is required to pay a premium or daily interest, which will increase the total cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker, to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements, until the short position is closed out.
Until a Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, a Fund will: (a) earmark or maintain in a segregated account cash or liquid securities at such a level that (i) the amount earmarked or deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short; and (ii) the amount earmarked or deposited in the segregated account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will not be less than the current market value of the security sold short, or (b) otherwise cover a Fund’s short positions. Uncovered short sales incur a higher level of risk because to cover the short sale, the security may have to be purchased in the open market at a much higher price.
Short-Term Obligations. Short-term obligations are debt obligations maturing (becoming payable) in 397 days or less, including commercial paper and short-term corporate obligations. Short-term corporate obligations are short-term obligations issued by corporations.
Standby Commitments and Puts. A Fund may purchase securities at a price which would result in a yield to maturity lower than that generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when the Fund can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer or a third-party (the “writer”) at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a “standby commitment” or a “put.” The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit a Fund to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The Funds reserve the right to engage in put transactions. The right to put the securities depends on the writer’s ability

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to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. A Fund would limit its put transactions to institutions which the Subadviser believes present minimal credit risks, and the Subadviser would use its best efforts to initially determine and continue to monitor the financial strength of the sellers of the options by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers because adequate current financial information may not be available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, a Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on a parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between a Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities; for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer’s credit or a provision in the contract that the put will not be exercised except in certain special cases, for example, to maintain portfolio liquidity. A Fund could, however, at any time sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security.
The securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Therefore, the put would have value only to a Fund. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, a Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to a Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. There will be no limit to the percentage of portfolio securities that a Fund may purchase subject to a standby commitment or put, but the amount paid directly or indirectly for all standby commitments or puts which are not integral parts of the security as originally issued held in a Fund will not exceed one-half of 1% of the value of the total assets of such Fund calculated immediately after any such put is acquired.
STRIPS. Separately Traded Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) are component parts of U.S. Treasury securities traded through the federal book-entry system. A Subadviser will only purchase STRIPS that it determines are liquid or, if illiquid, do not violate the affected Fund’s investment policy concerning investments in illiquid securities. Consistent with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Subadviser will only purchase, for Money Market Funds, STRIPS that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less; therefore, the Money Market Funds currently may only purchase interest component parts of U.S. Treasury securities. While there is no limitation on the percentage of a Fund’s assets that may be comprised of STRIPS, the Subadviser will monitor the level of such holdings to avoid the risk of impairing shareholders’ redemption rights and of deviations in the value of shares of the Money Market Funds.
Structured Investments. Structured Investments are derivatives in the form of a unit or units representing an undivided interest(s) in assets held in a trust that is not an investment company as defined in the 1940 Act. A trust unit pays a return based on the total return of securities and other investments held by the trust and the trust may enter into one or more swaps to achieve its objective. For example, a trust may purchase a basket of securities and agree to exchange the return generated by those securities for the return generated by another basket or index of securities. A Fund will purchase structured investments in trusts that engage in such swaps only where the counterparties are approved by the Subadviser in accordance with credit-risk guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.
Structured Notes. Structured Notes are derivatives where the amount of principal repayment and or interest payments is based upon the movement of one or more factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate and LIBOR) and stock indices such as the S&P 500® Index. In some cases, the impact of the movements of these factors may increase or decrease through

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the use of multipliers or deflators. The use of structured notes allows the Fund to tailor its investments to the specific risks and returns the Subadviser wishes to accept while avoiding or reducing certain other risks.
Supranational Agency Obligations. Supranational Agency Obligations are obligations of supranational entities established through the joint participation of several governments, including the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (also known as the “World Bank”), African Development Bank, European Union, European Investment Bank, and the Nordic Investment Bank.
Swap Agreements. A Fund may enter into swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to the securities making up an index without actually purchasing those instruments, to hedge a position or to gain exposure to a particular instrument or currency. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap,” interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor;” and interest rate dollars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. A credit default swap is a specific kind of counterparty agreement designed to transfer the third party credit risk between parties. One party in the swap is a lender and faces credit risk from a third party and the counterparty in the credit default swap agrees to insure this risk in exchange for regular periodic payments (essentially an insurance premium). If the third party defaults, the party providing insurance will have to purchase from the insured party the defaulted asset. The Select Aggregate Market Index (“SAMI”) is a basket of credit default swaps whose underlying reference obligations are floating rate loans. Investments in SAMIs increase exposure to risks that are not typically associated with investments in other floating rate debt instruments, and involve many of the risks associated with investments in derivative instruments. The liquidity of the market for SAMIs is subject to liquidity in the secured loan and credit derivatives markets.
The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
A Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by earmarking or segregating assets determined to be liquid. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund’s illiquid investment limitations. A Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Subadviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counterparty will generally agree to pay a Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular

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stocks, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. A Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to a Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by a Fund on the notional amount.
Swap agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap agreement defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap will be accrued on a daily basis and liquid assets, having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to such accrued excess will be earmarked or maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. In as much as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregating liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the Funds and their Subadviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions. For purposes of each of the Fund’s requirements under Rule 12d3-1 (where, for example, a Fund is prohibited from investing more than 5% of its total assets in any one broker, dealer, underwriter or investment adviser (the “securities-related issuer”) and Section 5b-1 where, for example, a diversified Fund is prohibited from owning more than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer with respect to 75% of a Fund’s total assets, the mark-to-market value will be used to measure the Fund’s counterparty exposure. In addition, the mark-to-market value will be used to measure the Fund’s issuer exposure for purposes of Section 5b-1.
A Fund may enter into index swap agreements as an additional hedging strategy for cash reserves held by the Fund or to effect investment transactions consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. Index swaps tend to have a maturity of one year. There is not a well-developed secondary market for index swaps. Many index swaps are considered to be illiquid because the counterparty will typically not unwind an index swap prior to its termination (and, not surprisingly, index swaps tend to have much shorter terms). A Fund may therefore treat all swaps as subject to their limitation on illiquid investments. For purposes of calculating these percentage limitations, a Fund will refer to the notional amount of the swap.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments, which are traded in the over-the-counter market. The Subadviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements.
Taxable Municipal Securities. Taxable municipal securities are municipal securities the interest on which is not exempt from federal income tax. Taxable municipal securities include “private activity bonds” that are issued by or on behalf of states or political subdivisions thereof to finance privately-owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control and to finance activities of and facilities for charitable institutions. Private activity bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking lots, and low income housing. The payment of the principal and interest on private activity bonds is not backed by a pledge of tax revenues, and is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations, and may be secured by a pledge of real and personal property so financed. Interest on these bonds may not be exempt from federal income tax.

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Tender Option Bonds
A tender option bond is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued in conjunction with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which the institution grants the security holder the option, at periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond’s fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The tender option will be taken into account in determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and a Fund’s average portfolio maturity. There is a risk that a Fund will not be considered the owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes, and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating downgrade, payment default or a disqualification from tax-exempt status.
Trust Preferred Securities. Trust preferred securities are convertible preferred shares issued by a trust where proceeds from the sale are used to purchase convertible subordinated debt from the issuer. The convertible subordinated debt is the sole asset of the trust. The coupon from the issuer to the trust exactly mirrors the preferred dividend paid by the trust. Upon conversion by the investors, the trust in turn converts the convertible debentures and passes through the shares to the investors.
U.S. Government Securities. Examples of types of U.S. government obligations in which a Fund may invest include U.S. Treasury obligations and the obligations of U.S. government agencies such as Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association, General Services Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Freddie Mac (formerly Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Maritime Administration, and other similar agencies. Whether backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or not, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to fluctuating interest rates. The Student Loan Marketing Association can issue debt both as a U.S. government agency or as corporation. If the debt is issued as a corporation, it is not considered a U.S. government obligation.
U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry system known as STRIPS and Treasury Receipts (“TRs”).
Receipts. Interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts

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evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities.
Treasury Inflation Protected Notes (“TIPS”). TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.
Zero Coupon Obligations. Zero coupon obligations are debt obligations that do not bear any interest, but instead are issued at a deep discount from face value or par. The value of a zero coupon obligation increases over time to reflect the interest accumulated. These obligations will not result in the payment of interest until maturity, and will have greater price volatility than similar securities that are issued at face value or par and pay interest periodically.
U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturity and credit qualities. See “Mortgage-Backed Securities.”
U.S. Government Agencies. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that in the event of a default prior to maturity there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of a Fund’s shares.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments. Certain of the obligations purchased by a Fund may carry variable or floating rates of interest, may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature and may include variable amount master demand notes. Such instruments bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but which vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly or some other reset period, and may have a floor or ceiling on interest rate changes. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such securities.

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Variable Rate Master Demand Notes. Variable rate master demand notes permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between a Fund, as lender, and a borrower. Such notes provide that the interest rate on the amount outstanding varies on a daily, weekly or monthly basis depending upon a stated short-term interest rate index. Both the lender and the borrower have the right to reduce the amount of outstanding indebtedness at any time. There is no secondary market for the notes and it is not generally contemplated that such instruments will be traded. The quality of the note or the underlying credit must, in the opinion of the Subadviser, be equivalent to the ratings applicable to permitted investments for the particular Fund. The Subadviser will monitor on an ongoing basis the earning power, cash flow and liquidity ratios of the issuers of such instruments and will similarly monitor the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. Variable rate master demand notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit.
Warrant. A Warrant is a financial instrument that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a specified amount of an asset at a specified price during a specified period of time. A warrant may give its holder the right to buy shares of stock, bonds, currencies, or commodities. Index Warrants, a type of warrant, allows investors to take a direct position in a commodity, index, currency or economic variable. An example of an Index Warrant is a GDP Warrant, which is a bond that allows investors to invest directly in a country’s economic growth. A GDP Warrant creates long term securities that would be indexed on the economic growth of a country, or rather an economic zone (for example Euroland). Those securities would have two main purposes: 1) to give those countries or other issuers another source of financing, and a new financial management tool; 2) to give investors a hybrid asset which has some feature(s) of an equity security (variable return and/or capital, based on economic performances) while basically being a bond (it is a debt). In the case of a GDP Warrant, the index would be the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitment Securities. When-Issued and Forward Commitment Securities are securities with settlement dates in excees of normal settlement periods.
When-issued securities are subject to market fluctuation, and accrue no interest to the purchaser during this pre-settlement period. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities are each fixed at the time the purchaser enters into the commitment. Purchasing when-issued and forward commitment securities entails leveraging and can involve a risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. In that case, there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery.
To avoid any leveraging concerns, a Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount at least equal in value to its commitments to purchase when-issued and forward commitment securities for any securities with settlement periods of 30 days or more from trade date.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Except with respect to a Fund’s non-fundamental policy relating to liquidity, if a percentage limitation stated in the fundamental and non-fundamental policies below is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value will not result in a violation of such restriction.

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Fundamental Policies
Fundamental policies cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding shares. The term “majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, whichever is less.
The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of the Funds.
No Fund may:
1. With respect to 75% of each Fund’s total assets invest more than 5% of the value of the total assets of a Fund in the securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements involving such securities, and securities issued by investment companies), or purchase the securities of any one issuer if such purchase would cause more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be held by a Fund.
2. Borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets, provided that, for the purposes of this limitation, investment strategies that either obligate a Fund to purchase securities or require a Fund to segregate assets are not considered to be borrowing. Asset coverage of at least 300% is required for all borrowing, except where the Fund has borrowed money for temporary purposes (less than 60 days), and in an amount not exceeding 5% of its total assets.
3. Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the sale of portfolio securities.
4. Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.
5. Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities and securities issued by investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry.
6. Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments either issued by companies that invest in real estate, backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).

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7. Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
8. Make loans, except that a Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; and (iii) lend its portfolio securities.
Non-Fundamental Policies
The following investment policies are non-fundamental policies of the Funds and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval:
1. Any change to a Fund’s investment policy of investing at least 80% of such Fund’s net assets in a particular type or category of securities is subject to 60 days prior notice to shareholders.
2. No Fund may purchase or hold illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of for their approximate carrying value in seven days or less (which term includes repurchase agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven days) if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
3. The Intermediate Bond Fund will not engage in the strategy of establishing or rolling forward To Be Approved (“TBA”) mortgage commitments.

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THE ADVISER
General. RidgeWorth Investments serves as investment adviser to the Funds. RidgeWorth Investments is the trade name of RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc., a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Adviser oversees the Subadviser to ensure compliance with the respective Fund’s investment policies and guidelines and monitors the Subadviser’s adherence to its investment style. The Board supervises the Adviser and establishes policies that the Adviser must follow in its management activities. The principal business address of the Adviser is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Advisory Agreement with the Trust. The Adviser serves as the investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust. The continuance of the Advisory Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Board or by a vote of the shareholders of the Funds and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or “interested persons” of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Board or, with respect to any Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, on not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90 days written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.
The Advisory Agreement provides that if, for any fiscal year, the ratio of expenses of any Fund (including amounts payable to the Adviser but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and litigation and other extraordinary expenses) exceeds limitations established by certain states, the Adviser and/or the administrator will bear the amount of such excess. The Adviser will not be required to bear expenses of the Trust to an extent which would result in a Fund’s inability to qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Advisory Fees Paid to the Adviser. For its services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to a fee at the specified annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets as listed in the table that follows. Each Fund allocates and pays advisory fees among its constituent classes based on the aggregate daily net asset values of each such class.
         
Fund   Fee
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0.25 %
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    0.25 %
The above fees are also subject to the following breakpoint discounts:
First $500 million = full fee
Next $500 million = 5% discount from full fee
Over $1.0 billion = 10% discount from full fee

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For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007, and March 31, 2006, the Funds paid the following advisory fees:
                                                 
    Fees Paid (in thousands)   Fees Waived (in thousands)
Fund   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006
Intermediate Bond Fund
    1,360       201       170                    
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    1,545       1,364       969                    
THE SUBADVISER
The Subadviser is a professional investment management firm registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Subadviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser.
The Subadviser began operations on March 31, 2008 and did not receive fees for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
Seix Investment Advisors LLC (“Seix”) serves as the subadviser to the Funds pursuant to an Investment Subadvisory Agreement between the Adviser and Seix. For its subadvisory services, Seix is entitled to receive an annual fee paid by the Adviser equal to 60% of the net advisory fee paid by each applicable Fund.
Investment Subadvisory Agreement. The Adviser and the Subadviser have entered into an investment subadvisory agreement (the “Investment Subadvisory Agreement”) under which the Subadviser makes the investment decisions for and continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the investment program of the respective Funds, subject to the supervision of, and policies established by, the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust. After an initial two year term, the continuance of the Investment Subadvisory Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of the Trustees or a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Subadvisory Agreement or “interested persons” of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Subadvisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty by (i) the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to each Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, (ii) the Adviser at any time on not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Subadviser, or (iii) the Subadviser on 90 days written notice to the Adviser. The Investment Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser shall not be protected against any liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or duties thereunder.
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Set forth below is information regarding the individuals who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds (“portfolio managers”). All information is as of March 31, 2008, except as otherwise noted.

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Management of Other Accounts. The table below shows the number of other accounts managed by each portfolio manager and the approximate total assets in the accounts in each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the approximate total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.
                                         
                                Other Accounts with
        Number of Other Accounts Managed/   Performance-Based
        Total Assets in Accounts (millions)   Fees
                Other                
        Registered   Pooled               Total
Portfolio   RidgeWorth   Investment   Investment   Other   Number &   Assets
Manager   Fund(s) Managed   Companies   Vehicles   Accounts   Category   (millions)
   
 
                                   
Seth Antiles  
 
                                   
   
 
                                   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
    2/94.10       0       156/7.1B     2
separately
managed
accounts
    335.70  
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
    8/2B       0       0     0     0  
   
 
                                   
James Keegan  
 
                                   
   
 
                                   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
    8/2.2B       0       0     0     0  
   
 
                                   
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
    6/1.9B       0       0     0     0  
   
 
                                   
Michael Rieger  
 
                                   
   
 
                                   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
    6/2.1B       0       0     0     0  

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                                Other Accounts with
        Number of Other Accounts Managed/   Performance-Based
        Total Assets in Accounts (millions)   Fees
                Other                
        Registered   Pooled               Total
Portfolio   RidgeWorth   Investment   Investment   Other   Number &   Assets
Manager   Fund(s) Managed   Companies   Vehicles   Accounts   Category   (millions)
Perry Troisi  
 
                                   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
    6/2.1B       0       0     0     0  
   
 
                                   
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
    8/2B       0       0     0     0  
   
 
                                   
Adrien Webb  
 
                                   
   
 
                                   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
    8/2.2B       0       0     0     0  
Potential Conflicts of Interest in Managing Multiple Accounts. A portfolio manager’s management of both a Fund and the other accounts listed in the table above at the same time may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. If a Fund and the other accounts have identical investment objectives, the portfolio manager could favor one or more accounts over the Fund. Another potential conflict may arise from the portfolio manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades if the portfolio manager used this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. In addition, aggregation of trades may create the potential for unfairness to a Fund or another account if one account is favored over another in allocating the securities purchased or sold. The Subadviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are allocated in a manner the Subadviser believes is fair and equitable.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure.
Portfolio Managers of the Adviser and the Subadviser. Portfolio managers earn competitive salaries and participate in incentive bonus plans designed to retain high quality investment professionals. The portfolio managers receive a salary commensurate with the individual’s experience and responsibilities with the firm. The incentive bonus plans may be structured differently, but all incorporate an evaluation of the Fund’s performance returns and/or the Subadviser’s financial performance. Investment performance may be judged directly relative to a peer group and/or benchmark or may be incorporated by measuring business unit financial performance over an extended period under the theory that successful investment performance will translate into improved financial results. Other components that may be considered in the calculation of incentive bonuses include: adherence to compliance policies, marketing, risk management and business development, among others.
Where applicable, investment performance is determined by comparing a Fund’s pre-tax total returns to the returns of the Fund’s benchmark and peer groups over multi-year periods, as applicable. Where portfolio managers manage multiple Funds or other managed accounts, each Fund or other managed account is weighted based on its market value and its relative strategic importance to the Adviser and/or the Subadviser. Other performance

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attributes are also based on a scorecard that objectively measures key performance attributes, which is then evaluated by the Adviser’s and/or Subadviser’s management to determine the award amount.
As a tool to minimize personnel turnover, the portfolio manager’s incentive bonus will usually have one portion of the incentive bonus paid promptly following the calendar year end and the remaining portion subject to a mandatory deferral which vests over three years subject to the terms and conditions of the incentive bonus plan.
On occasion, a portfolio manager may receive a guaranteed incentive for a fixed period in conjunction with accepting a new position when the Adviser and/or the Subadviser deem it necessary to recruit talented managers.
All full-time employees of the Adviser and Subadviser, including the Funds’ portfolio managers, are provided a benefits package on substantially similar terms. The percentage of each individual’s compensation provided by these benefits is dependent upon length of employment, salary level, and several other factors. In addition, certain portfolio managers may be eligible for one or more of the following additional benefit plans:
       401(k) Excess Plan — This plan provides benefits which would otherwise be provided under the qualified cash or deferred ESOP plan adopted by the Adviser’s/Subadviser’s parent company (SunTrust Banks, Inc.), were it not for the imposition of certain statutory limits on qualified plan benefits. Certain select individuals within specific salary levels may be eligible for this plan. Participation in the plan must be approved by the individual’s senior executive for the business.
 
       ERISA Excess Retirement Plan — This plan provides for benefits to certain executives that cannot be paid to them under tax qualified pension plans as a result of federal restrictions. Certain select individuals within specific salary levels may be eligible for this plan. Participation in the plan must be approved by the individual’s senior executive for the business.
 
       Voluntary Functional Incentive Plan Deferral — This plan is a provision of a SunTrust Deferred Compensation Plan which allows participants of selected annual incentive plans to voluntarily defer portions of their incentive. Eligibility to participate in this plan is offered to employees of selected incentive plans who earn above a specified level of total compensation in the year prior to their deferral. The Adviser’s/Subadviser’s annual incentive plans offer this provision to employees who meet the compensation criteria level.
 
       Restricted Stock Awards — Restricted stock awards are granted to certain select individuals on a case-by-case basis as a form of long-term compensation and as an additional incentive to retain these professionals. The awards often vest based on the recipient’s continued employment with the Adviser/Subadviser, but these awards may also carry additional vesting requirements, including performance conditions.
Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers. The table below shows the range of equity securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager in the Fund or Funds managed by the portfolio manager. The information is as of March 31, 2008, except as otherwise noted.

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    RidgeWorth Fund(s)    
Portfolio Manager   Managed   Range of Securities Owned ($)
Seth Antiles  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
  None
 
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
  None
James Keegan  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
Michael Rieger  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
Michael Rieger  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
Perry Troisi  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
   
Intermediate Bond Fund
  None
   
 
   
Adrien Webb  
 
   
   
 
   
   
Total Return Bond Fund
  None
THE ADMINISTRATOR
General. Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (the “Administrator”) serves as administrator of the Trust. Prior to the acquisition of the Administrator by a subsidiary of Citibank N.A. on August 1, 2007, the Administrator was known

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as BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. The Administrator, an Ohio corporation, has its principal business offices at 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Administrator provides administration services to other investment companies.
Master Services Agreement with the Trust. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into a master services agreement (the “Master Services Agreement”). Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative services, including day-to-day administration of matters necessary to each Fund’s operations, maintenance of records and the books of the Trust, preparation of reports, assistance with compliance monitoring of the Funds’ activities, and certain supplemental services in connection with the Trust’s obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; fund accounting services; transfer agency services and shareholder services.
The Master Services Agreement provides that it shall remain in effect until July 31, 2010 and shall continue in effect for successive one year periods subject to review at least annually by the Trustees of the Trust unless terminated by either party on not less than 90 days written notice to the other party.
Administration Fees to be Paid to the Administrator. Under the Master Services Agreement, the Administrator is entitled to receive an asset-based fee for administration, fund accounting, transfer agency and shareholder services (expressed as a percentage of the combined average daily net assets of the “RidgeWorth Complex”) of 2.75 basis points (0.0275%) on the first $25 billion, 2.25 basis points (0.0225%) on the next $5 billion, and 1.75 basis points (0.0175%) on the amounts over $30 billion, plus an additional class fee of $2,593 per class annually, applicable to each additional class of shares over 145 classes of shares. The Administrator may waive a portion of its fee.
The Master Services Agreement provides for the Administrator to pay certain insurance premiums for the RidgeWorth Complex, including $300,000 toward the premium for Directors and Officers Liability/Errors and Omissions insurance coverage, and $25,000 toward the premium for Fidelity Bond coverage. The Administrator has also separately agreed to provide, for the benefit of shareholders, (i) annual fee waivers and certain administrative services at an annual value of at least $950,000, and (ii) additional fee waivers expected to be approximately $200,000 to $300,000 annually of its administrative fees annually for the remaining term of the Master Services Agreement. The waivers described in (i) above are not applied uniformly across the Funds. In certain instances, the waivers may be applied to Funds subject to a contractual expense limitation or cap. In other instances, the waivers may be applied to non-capped Funds on a voluntary basis. The application of the Administrator’s waivers to capped Funds decreases the Adviser’s obligation to reimburse the Funds for expenses incurred in excess of the expense cap. The administrative services described in (i) above include: (a) paying for certain legal expenses for the benefit of the Funds associated with fund administration matters such as mergers and acquisitions, proxy statements, exemptive relief, contract review, and preparation of filings and prospectuses with respect to the Funds; (b) providing certain shareholder services; and (c) AccessData services. The waivers described in (ii) above are applied pro rata to reduce the expenses of each Fund in the RidgeWorth Complex. Such payments and fee waivers will not be recouped by the Administrator in subsequent years.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007, and March 31, 2006, the Funds paid the following administrative fees to the Administrator:
                                                 
    Fees Paid (in thousands)($)   Fees Waived (in thousands)($)
Fund   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006
Intermediate Bond Fund
    156       20       18       23       2       3  
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    183       138       102       7       3       0  

45


 

                                                 
    Fees Paid (in thousands)($)   Fees Waived (in thousands)($)
Fund   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006
Total Return Bond Fund
    183       138       102       7       3       0  
THE DISTRIBUTOR
The Trust and RidgeWorth Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) are parties to a Distribution Agreement whereby the Distributor acts as principal underwriter for the Trust’s shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is 10 High Street, Suite 302, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Prior to its acquisition by RidgeWorth Distributors LLC on August 20, 2008, the Distributor was known as Foreside Distributors, L.P. Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor must use all reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Trust. The Distributor receives an annual fee of $37,500 for the services it performs pursuant to the Distribution Agreement. In addition, the R Shares of the Funds have a distribution and service plan (the “R Shares Plan”).
The continuance of a distribution agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the funds and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to such distribution agreement or “interested persons” of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. A distribution agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the trustees, the distributor, or, with respect to any fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that fund, upon 60 days written notice by either party. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares.

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For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the Funds paid the aggregate sales charge payable to the Distributor with respect to the C Shares shown below. C Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund converted to R Shares on February 13, 2009.
                                                 
    Aggregate Sales Charge   Amount Retained by
    Payable to Distributor (in thousands) ($)   Distributor (in thousands) ($)
Fund   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0       0       1       0       0       0  
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    0       0       0       0       0       0  
R Shares Distribution Plan
The Distribution Agreement and the R Shares Plan provide that R Shares will pay the Distributor a fee of up 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund, respectively. The Distributor can use these fees to compensate broker-dealers and service providers, including SunTrust and its affiliates, which provide administrative and/or distribution services to each Fund. Prior to Bebruary 15, 2009, the Distribution Agreement provide that C Shares of each Fund could pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Funds. In addition, R Shares are subject to a service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the R Shares of each applicable Fund. This service fee will be used for services provided and expenses incurred in maintaining shareholder accounts, responding to shareholder inquiries and providing information to R Shares shareholders or their customers who beneficially own R Shares.
Services for which broker-dealers and service providers may be compensated include establishing and maintaining customer accounts and records; aggregating and processing purchase and redemption requests from customers; placing net purchase and redemption orders with the Distributor; automatically investing customer account cash balances; providing periodic statements to customers; arranging for wires; answering customer inquiries concerning their investments; assisting customers in changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; performing sub-accounting functions; processing dividend payments from the Trust on behalf of customers; and forwarding shareholder communications from the Trust (such as proxies, shareholder reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices) to these customers with respect to investments in the Trust. Certain state securities laws may require those financial institutions providing such distribution services to register as dealers pursuant to state law. Although banking laws and regulations prohibit banks from distributing shares of open-end investment companies such as the Trust, according to an opinion issued to the staff of the SEC by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, financial institutions are not prohibited from acting in other capacities for investment companies, such as providing shareholder services. Should future legislative, judicial, or administrative action prohibit or restrict the activities of financial institutions in connection with providing shareholder services, the Trust may be required to alter materially or discontinue its arrangements with such financial institutions.
The Trust has adopted the R Shares Plan in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which rule regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the R Shares Plan must be approved annually by a majority

47


 

of the Trustees of the Trust and by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Distribution related expenditures under the R Shares Plan may support the distribution of any class or combination of classes of Shares of a Fund. The the R Shares Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the the R Shares Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. The R Shares Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount that may be spent thereunder without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected class of shares of the Trust. All material amendments of the Plans will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the disinterested Trustees.
There is no sales charge on purchases of R Shares. Prior to February 13, 2009, C Shares were subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if they were redeemed within one year respectively of purchase. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and the R Shares Plan, R Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and service fee calculated on each Fund’s aggregate average daily net assets attributable to its R Shares.
The following amounts paid to the Distributor by the Funds (including when they were Predecessor Funds, if applicable) under the Plan during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 were used as set forth below:
                                                         
            Printing and                                
            Mailing of                           Interest    
            Prospectuses                           Carrying or    
            to Other Than                   Compensation   Other   Other
            Current   Compensation   Compensation   to Sales   Financing   Marketing
Fund Name   Advertising   Shareholders   to Underwriters   to Dealers   Personnel   Charges   Expenses
Intermediate Bond Fund
    6,721.81       2,808.05               1,583.92                       7,151.45  
 
                                                       
Total Return Bond Fund
    7,625.84       3,185.70               762.55                       8,113.26  
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Funds paid the amounts shown below as compensation to broker-dealers pursuant to the C Shares Plan. C Shares of the Funds converted to R Shares effective February 13, 2009.
         
    Amount Paid
    (in thousands)
Fund   ($)
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0  
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    0  
Other than any portion of the sales charges imposed on purchases, the following table shows the level of compensation paid by the Distributor to broker-dealers selling R Shares (purchased prior to August 1, 2005), unless otherwise agreed upon by the Distributor and such broker-dealer.

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            Annual Payout
    Initial Payment -   12(b)-1 Effective
Fund   At Time Of Sale (R)   in the 13th Month (R)*
Intermediate Bond Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    1.00 %     1.00 %
 
*   The C Shares Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) were waived for certain retirement plan providers (“Intermediary”) with whom the Trust had entered into an administrative arrangement under which the Intermediary agreed to provide certain recordkeeping or administrative services. Under such arrangements, the Trust would not pay an upfront commission. Rather, the Trust paid (or caused to be paid) asset-based compensation to the Intermediary of up to 1.00% annually of the average daily net assets of the plan assets invested in C Shares of the Funds (of which 0.25% consisted of the Distribution Plan service fee).
Prior to February 13, 2009, other than any portion of the sales charges imposed on purchases, and unless otherwise agreed upon by the Distributor and such broker-dealer the Distributor paid broker-dealers selling C Shares purchased beginning August 1, 2005, an initial payment at the time of sale of 1.00% and annual 12(b)-1 payout effective in the 13th month of 1.00%. The Distributor used fees it received from both the distribution plan and from contingent deferred sales charges to make these upfront payments to broker-dealers. If, for any reason, there were insufficient fees available to the Distributor from the distribution plan and the contingent deferred sales charges, to make these payments, the Adviser provided the Distributor with funds that could, in turn, be used by the Distributor to make these upfront payments to broker-dealers.
Participation Payment Program. The Adviser, the Subadvisers and their affiliates may make payments to certain intermediaries for marketing support services, including business planning assistance, educating dealer personnel about the Funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the intermediary’s preferred or recommended fund company list, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the dealer. These payments are made to intermediaries that are registered as holders of record or dealers of record for accounts in a Fund. These payments are generally based on one or more of the following factors: average net assets of the Funds attributable to that intermediary, gross or net sales of the Funds attributable to that intermediary, reimbursement of ticket charges (fees that an intermediary firm charges its representatives for effecting transactions in fund shares) or a negotiated lump sum payment for services rendered. The Adviser, the Subadvisers and their affiliates compensate dealers differently depending upon, among other factors, the level and/or type of marketing support provided by the intermediary. As of August 1, 2008, no intermediaries are currently receiving participation payment program payments.
Shareholder Servicing Plans.
R Shares. The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan for the R Shares of the Funds (the “R Shares Servicing Plan”). Under the R Shares Servicing Plan, the Funds may pay Intermediaries a fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the R Shares. Intermediaries may perform, or may compensate other service providers for performing, the following shareholder services: (i) establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to shareholders; (ii) processing dividend and distribution payments from a Fund on behalf of shareholders; (iii) providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in shares and integrating such statements with those of other transactions and balances in shareholders’ other accounts serviced by such intermediary; (iv) arranging for bank wires; (v) responding to shareholder inquiries relating to the services performed; (vi) responding to routine inquiries from shareholders concerning their investment; (vii) providing

49


 

subacccounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by shareholders, or the information to a Fund necessary for subaccounting; (viii) if required by law, forwarding shareholder communications from a Fund (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to shareholders; (ix) assisting in processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from shareholders and in placing such orders with service contractors; (x) assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (xi) providing shareholders with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; and (xiii) providing such other similar services as a Fund or its shareholders may reasonable request to the extent the intermediary is permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
THE TRANSFER AGENT
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the transfer agent and dividend paying agent to the Trust.
THE CUSTODIAN
SunTrust Bank, 303 Peachtree Street N.E., 14th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308 serves as the custodian for the Funds. SunTrust Bank is paid on the basis of net assets and transactions costs of the Funds. The custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the assets of the Funds.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
[       ], located at [       ], serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and each of the Funds are supervised by the Board under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Board is responsible for overseeing each of the Funds. The Trustees have approved contracts, as described above, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.
Members of the Board. Set forth below are the names, business addresses, states of residence, ages, positions with the Trust, principal occupations for the last five years and other directorships of each of the persons currently serving as Trustees of the Trust. Each Trustee is also a Trustee of the RidgeWorth Variable Trust which is comprised of five series. None of the Trustees of the Trust are considered “interested persons” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

50


 

                         
                Number of    
                Portfolios in    
        Term of       the    
    Position   Office and       RidgeWorth    
Name, Business   Held   Length of       Complex    
Address, State of   With the   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Residence, Age   Trust   Served   During the Past 5 Years   Trustees   Held By Trustee
Jeffrey M. Biggar
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Ohio)

Age: 58
  Trustee   Indefinite; since January 2007   Chief Operating Officer (Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC) (March 2008-present). Retired (2006-March 2008). Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director, Sterling (National City Corp.) (2002-2006)     57     None
 
                       
George C. Guynn
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Georgia)

Age: 65
  Trustee   Indefinite; since January 2008   Retired. President (1996-October 2006) and Chief Executive Officer (1995-October 2006) Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta     57     Genuine Parts Company; Oxford Industries; John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods Inc.
 
                       
Sidney E. Harris
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Georgia)

Age: 59
  Trustee   Indefinite; since November 2004   Professor (since 1997), Dean (1997-2004), J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University     57     Total System Services, Inc.
 
                       
Warren Y. Jobe
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Georgia)

Age: 67
  Trustee   Indefinite; since November 2004   Retired. Executive Vice President, Georgia Power Company and Senior Vice President, Southern Company (1998-2001)     57     WellPoint, Inc; UniSource Energy Corp.; HomeBanc Corp.

51


 

                         
                Number of    
                Portfolios in    
        Term of       the    
    Position   Office and       RidgeWorth    
Name, Business   Held   Length of       Complex    
Address, State of   With the   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Residence, Age   Trust   Served   During the Past 5 Years   Trustees   Held By Trustee
Connie D. McDaniel
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Georgia)

Age: 50
  Trustee   Indefinite; since May 2005   Vice President Global Finance Transformation (since 2007), Vice President and Controller (1999 - 2007), The Coca-Cola Company     57     None
 
                       
Clarence H. Ridley*
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(Georgia)

Age: 66
  Trustee   Indefinite; since November 2001   Chairman, Haverty
Furniture Companies
    57     Crawford & Co.; Haverty Furniture Companies
 
                       
Charles D. Winslow 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 (Florida)
Age: 73
  Trustee   Indefinite; since November 2004   Retired. Formerly Partner, Accenture (consulting)     57     None
 
*   Prior to May 12, 2008, Mr. Ridley was deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust.
Board Committees. The Board has established the following committees:

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  Audit Committee. The Board’s Audit Committee is composed exclusively of independent Trustees of the Trust. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: recommending which firm to engage as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and whether to terminate this relationship; reviewing the independent registered public accounting firm’s compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm’s independence; pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided by the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and certain other affiliated entities; serving as a channel of communication between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Trustees; reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent registered public accounting firms’ opinion, any related management letter, management’s responses to recommendations made by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit, reports submitted to the Committee by the internal auditing department of the Trust’s Administrator that are material to the Trust as a whole, if any, and management’s responses to any such reports; reviewing the Trust’s audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; considering, in consultation with the independent registered public accounting firm and the Trust’s senior internal accounting executive, if any, the independent registered public accounting firm’s report on the adequacy of the Trust’s internal financial controls; reviewing, in consultation with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing the Trust’s financial statements; and other audit related matters. Messrs. Biggar, Harris and Winslow and Ms. McDaniel currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met twice in the most recently completed fiscal year.
 
  Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee is composed exclusively of independent Trustees of the Trust. The Governance and Nominating Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The purposes of the Governance and Nominating Committee are: to evaluate the qualifications of candidates for Trustee and to make recommendations to the Independent trustees and the entire Board with respect to nominations for Trustee membership on the Board when necessary or considered advisable; to review periodically Board governance practices, procedures and operations and to recommend any appropriate changes to the Board; to review periodically the size and composition of the Board and to make recommendations to the Independent Trustees and the Board as to whether it may be appropriate to add to the membership of the Board; to review as necessary the committees established by the Board and to make recommendations to the Board; to review periodically Trustee compensation and any other benefits and to recommend any appropriate changes to the Board and the Independent Trustees; to review periodically and make recommendations regarding ongoing Trustee education and orientation for new Trustees; to make recommendations regarding any self-assessment conducted by the Board; and to review as necessary any other similar matters relating to the governance of the Trust at the request of any Trustee or on its own initiative. While the Governance and Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of Trustees, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by shareholders. A nomination submission must be sent in writing to the Governance and Nominating Committee, addressed to the Secretary of the Trust, and must be accompanied by all information relating to the recommended nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxy statements for the election of Trustees. Nomination submissions must also be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders. Additional information must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as reasonably requested by the Governance and Nominating Committee. Messrs. Guynn, Harris, Jobe and Ridley currently serve as members of the Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee meets periodically as necessary. The Governance and Nominating Committee met twice during the most recently completed fiscal year.

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  Valuation Committee. The Board has established the Trust’s Valuation Committee, which is composed of two Trustees, as non-voting members, and various representatives of the Trust’s service providers, as appointed by the Board. The Valuation Committee operates under procedures approved by the Board. The principal responsibility of the Valuation Committee is to determine the fair value of securities for which current market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee’s determinations are reviewed by the Board. The Valuation Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met 44 times during the most recently completed fiscal year.
Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of each of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC.
“Beneficial ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act. The “Family of Investment Companies” referenced in the table consists of the Trust and the RidgeWorth Variable Trust.
[Table to be updated]
         
        Aggregate Dollar
        Range of Shares in All
        Investment Companies
        Overseen By Trustee in
        Family of Investment
Trustee   Dollar Range of Fund Shares   Companies
Jeffrey M. Biggar
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
George C. Guynn*
  None   None
 
       
Sidney E. Harris
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
Warren Jobe
  None   Over $100,000
 
       
Connie D. McDaniel
  None   Over $100,000

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        Aggregate Dollar
        Range of Shares in All
        Investment Companies
        Overseen By Trustee in
        Family of Investment
Trustee   Dollar Range of Fund Shares   Companies
Clarence H. Ridley*
  None   $50,001-$100,000
 
       
Charles D. Winslow
  None   $50,001-$100,000
 
*   Mr. Guynn became a Trustee on January 30, 2008. Prior to May 12, 2008 Mr. Ridley was deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust.
As of                     2009 the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned less that 1% of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund.
Board Compensation. The table below shows the compensation paid to the Trustees during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The “Fund Complex” referenced in the table consists of the Trust and the RidgeWorth Variable Trust.
                                 
            Pension or        
            Retirement        
            Benefits   Estimated   Total Compensation
    Aggregate   Accrued as Part   Annual Benefits   From
    Compensation from   of Fund   Upon   the Trust and Fund
Name of Trustee   the Trust ($)1   Expenses   Retirement   Complex ($)
Jeffrey M. Biggar
    114,642       N/A       N/A       115,000  
F. Wendell Gooch2
    89,700       N/A       N/A       90,000  
George C. Guynn2
    25,437       N/A       N/A       25,500  
Sidney E. Harris
    147,786       N/A       N/A       148,250  

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            Pension or        
            Retirement        
            Benefits   Estimated   Total Compensation
    Aggregate   Accrued as Part   Annual Benefits   From
    Compensation from   of Fund   Upon   the Trust and Fund
Name of Trustee   the Trust ($)1   Expenses   Retirement   Complex ($)
Warren Y. Jobe
    113,146       N/A       N/A       113,500  
Connie McDaniel
    108,169       N/A       N/A       108,500  
Clarence H. Ridley3
    108,660       N/A       N/A       109,000  
James O. Robbins2
    50,319       N/A       N/A       50,500  
Charles D. Winslow
    114,642       N/A       N/A       115,000  
 
1   Amounts include payments deferred by Trustees for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The total amount of deferred compensation (including interest) accrued for the Trustees is as follows: Biggar ($98,876) and Harris ($49,112).
 
2   Mr. Guynn became a Trustee on January 30, 2008, Mr. Robbins is deceased and Mr. Gooch retired as a Trustee on December 31, 2008.
 
3   Prior to May 12, 2008 Mr. Ridley was deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust.
Deferred Compensation Plan. A Deferred Compensation Plan designed to comply with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code was in effect during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan, each Trustee could elect to defer receipt of between 30% to 100% of his or her aggregate annual compensation from the RidgeWorth Complex, and such amount was placed into a deferral account. Deferred amounts accumulated at an earnings rate determined by the return of one or more Funds as designated by the Trustees. Amounts deferred and accumulated earning on such amounts are unfunded and are general unsecured liabilities of the RidgeWorth Complex until paid to the Trustees. The Board terminated the Deferred Contribution Plan effective May 20, 2008.
Trust Officers. The officers of the Trust, their business addresses, their ages, and their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth below. The officers of the Trust who are employees of the Administrator may also serve as officers to one or more mutual funds for which the Administrator or its affiliates act as administratoror transfer agent. None of the officers receive compensation from the Trust for their services. Officers of the Trust are elected annually by the Board and hold office until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.

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    Position(s)   Term of Office    
Name, Address   Held with   and Length    
and Ages   Trust   of Time Served   Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years
Officers:
           
Julia R. Short
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
Age: 35
  President and Chief Executive Officer   One year; since June 2007   Managing Director, Product Manager, RidgeWorth Investments. (since 2004); Relationship Manager, SEI Investments (financial services) (1994 - 2004)
 
           
Patrick A. Paparelli
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
Age: 46
  Vice President; Chief Compliance Officer   One year; since May 2008;   Managing Director, Director of Legal and Compliance (since 2001) and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2004), RidgeWorth Investments
 
           
Diana Hanlin
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
Age: 41
  Vice President; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer   One year; since June 2008   Director, RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (Since May, 2008); Employee of BB&T Asset Management, Inc. ( 2007 - 2008); Employee of BISYS Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (1996-2007)
 
           
Martin R. Dean
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Age: 44
  Treasurer; Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer   One year; since March 2007   Senior Vice President, Fund Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
 
           
Aaron J. Masek
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Age: 34
  Assistant Treasurer   One year; since May 2008   Senior Vice President, Fund Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

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    Position(s)   Term of Office    
Name, Address   Held with   and Length    
and Ages   Trust   of Time Served   Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years
Cynthia J. Surprise
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Age: 62
  Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   One year; since February 2005   Senior Vice President, Regulatory Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since December 2004); Director, Investors Bank & Trust Company (1999-2004)
 
           
Katherine A. Reilly
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
Age: 43
  Assistant Secretary   One year; since February 2008   Vice President (since July 2007), Assistant Counsel (January 2006-July 2007), Regulatory Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.; Employee of CitiStreet LLC (June 2004 — May 2005); Employee of Fidelity Investments (1987 - 2001).

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PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES
Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Equity Funds and Fixed Income Funds may be made on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. The Trust reserves the right to open the Fixed Income Funds when the principal bond markets are open for business even if the NYSE is closed. Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Money Market Funds may be made on any day the NYSE and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Fed”) are open for settlement. The Trust reserves the right to open the Money Market Funds when the Fed is open for settlement and/or the principal bond markets are open for business even if the NYSE is closed. Shares of each Fund are offered and redeemed on a continuous basis. Currently, the NYSE is closed on the days the following holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Currently, the Fed and the principal bond markets are closed on the same days that the NYSE is closed except for Good Friday. In addition, the Fed and the principal bond markets are closed on the days that Columbus Day and Veterans Day are observed.
It is currently the Trust’s policy to pay for all redemptions in cash, however, the Trust retains the right to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of readily marketable securities held by the Funds in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges on the sale of any such securities so received in payment of redemptions. A shareholder will at all times be entitled to aggregate cash redemptions from all Funds of the Trust up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Trust’s net assets during any 90-day period. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures which permit the Trust to make in-kind redemptions to those shareholders of the Trust that are affiliated with the Trust solely by their ownership of a certain percentage of the Trust’s investment portfolios.
The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during the existence of an emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of which disposal or valuation of a Fund’s portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC has by order permitted. The Trust reserves the right to postpone payment or redemption proceeds for up to seven days if the redemption would harm existing shareholders. The Trust also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of a Fund for any period during which the NYSE, the Adviser, the Administrator and/or the Custodian are not open for business.
The Trust reserves the right to waive any minimum investment requirements or sales charges for immediate family members of the Trustees or employees of the Adviser and its affiliates. “Immediate Family” means a spouse, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law or children (including step children) age 21 years or under. Currently, the front-end sales charge is waived on A Shares purchased by Trustees, employees of the Adviser, and its affiliates and their respective immediate family members.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

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General Policy. Each of the Funds adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rules 2a-4 and 2a-7 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trusts’ Board of Trustees. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance.
Equity Securities. Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except securities traded on NASDQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the official closing price or the last quoted sale price on the principal exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time if a security’s principal exchange is normally open at that time). If there is no official closing price and there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, the security is valued at the most recent quoted bid price, or if such prices are not available, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price is used.
Money Market Securities and other Debt Securities. If available, Money Market Securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money Market Securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
The prices for foreign securities are reported in local currency and converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Use of Third-Party Pricing Agents. Pursuant to contracts with the Trust’s Administrator, prices for most securities held by the Funds are provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator. If a security price cannot be obtained from an independent pricing service, the Trust’s accounting agent will seek to obtain a bid price from at least one independent broker.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their respective daily net asset values.
Amortized Cost Method of Valuation. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances) assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuations in general market rates of interest on the value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which a security’s value, as determined by this method, is higher or lower than the price a Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield of a Fund may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a company with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio securities. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Fund

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resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in a Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from investment in a company utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in a Fund would experience a lower yield. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates.
A Fund’s use of amortized cost and the maintenance of a Fund’s net asset value at $1.00 are permitted by regulations promulgated by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, provided that certain conditions are met. The regulations also require the Trustees to establish procedures which are reasonably designed to stabilize the net asset value per share at $1.00 for the Funds. Such procedures include the determination of the extent of deviation, if any, of the Funds current net asset value per share calculated using available market quotations from the Funds amortized cost price per share at such intervals as the Trustees deem appropriate and reasonable in light of market conditions and periodic reviews of the amount of the deviation and the methods used to calculate such deviation. In the event that such deviation exceeds one half of 1%, the Trustees are required to consider promptly what action, if any, should be initiated, and, if the Trustees believe that the extent of any deviation may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees are required to take such corrective action as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce such dilution or unfair results to the extent reasonably practicable. Such actions may include the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redeeming shares in kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations. In addition, if the Funds incur a significant loss or liability, the Trustees have the authority to reduce pro rata the number of shares of the Funds in each shareholder’s account and to offset each shareholder’s pro rata portion of such loss or liability from the shareholder’s accrued but unpaid dividends or from future dividends while each other Fund must annually distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income.
TAXES
The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their investors. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal tax treatment of a Fund or its investors, and the discussion here and in the Trust’s prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
Federal Income Tax
This discussion of federal income tax considerations is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations issued thereunder, in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions may change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code, the Funds must distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its net investment income excludable from gross income plus 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain) (the “Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund’s gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships, (ii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one

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issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a Fund’s assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers engaged in same or similar businesses if a Fund owns at least 20% of the voting power of such issuers, or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which only requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss), a Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year 98% of its ordinary income for that year and 98% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (and any retained amount from that prior calendar year on which the Fund paid no federal income tax). The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the federal excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies but can make no assurances that distributions will be sufficient to avoid this tax.
If a Fund fails to maintain qualification as a RIC for a tax year, that Fund will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income and gains at corporate rates, without any benefit for distributions paid to shareholders, and distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of that Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such case, the dividends received deduction generally will be available for eligible corporate shareholders (subject to certain limitations) and the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income would be available to individual shareholders. The board reserves the right not to maintain qualification of a Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Each Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gains, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund, and/or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to shareholders by a Fund.
With respect to investments in STRIPs, TRs, and other zero coupon securities which are sold at original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash interest payments, a Fund will be required to include as part of its current income the imputed interest on such obligations even though the Fund has not received any interest payments on such obligations during that period. Because each Fund distributes all of its net investment income to its shareholders, a Fund may have to sell Fund securities to distribute such imputed income at a time when the Adviser would not have chosen to sell such securities and which may result in taxable gain or loss.
The Fixed Income Funds receive income generally in the form of interest derived from Fund investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes its net investment income from which dividends may be paid to shareholders. Any distributions by a Fund may be taxable to shareholders regardless of whether they are received in cash or additional shares. A Fund may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions of net short-term capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In general, the Fixed Income Funds do not expect to realize net-long term capital gains because the Bond Funds and the portion of such Funds’ distributions are expected to be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.

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The Equity Funds receive income generally in the form of dividends and interest on Fund investments. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of a Fund, constitutes its net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. All or a portion of the net investment income distributions may be treated as qualified dividend income (eligible for the reduced maximum rate to individuals of 15% (lower rates apply to individuals in lower tax brackets)) to the extent that a Fund receives qualified dividend income.
Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, a Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio, and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to a Fund’s shares. Any distributions by a Fund may be taxable to shareholders regardless of whether they are received in cash or in additional shares. The Equity Funds may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of each Fund’s portfolio securities. Distributions from net short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from net long-term capital gains will be taxable to you as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have held your shares in the fund. Currently, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains is 15%.
A Fund’s participation in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. If a Fund participates in a securities lending transaction, to the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to such a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income and thus will not be eligible for taxation at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. Such income will also not be qualifying dividends eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate investors. The Funds expect to use such substitute payments, if any, to satisfy a Fund’s expenses, and therefore expect that their receipt of substitute payments, if any, will not adversely affect the percentage of distributions qualifying as qualified dividend income. Withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that any security was not directly held by a Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by a Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders.
Absent further legislation, the maximum 15% tax rate on qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains will cease to apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.
Shareholders who have not held Fund shares for a full year should be aware that a Fund may designate and distribute, as ordinary income or capital gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of investment in a Fund.
Each Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year.
If a Fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in a Fund and result in higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which distribution was received are sold.

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If a shareholder that is a tax-exempt investor (e.g., a pension plan, individual retirement account, 401(k), similar tax-advantaged plan, charitable organization, etc.) incurs debt to finance the acquisition of its shares, a portion of the income received by that shareholder with respect to its shares would constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). A tax-exempt investor is generally subject to federal income tax to the extent that its UBTI for a taxable year exceeds its annual $1,000 exclusion. If a charitable remainder trust incurs any UBTI in a taxable year, all of its net income for the taxable year is subject to federal income tax.
Sale, Redemption or Exchange of Fund Shares
Sales, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal, state and local income tax purposes.
Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder who holds his or her shares as a capital asset will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, and short-term if for a year or less. If shares held for six months or less are sold or redeemed for a loss, two special rules apply. First, if shares on which a net capital gain distribution has been received are subsequently sold or redeemed, and such shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the long-term capital gain distributions. Second, any loss recognized by a shareholder upon the sale or redemption of shares of a tax-exempt fund held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. All or a portion of any loss that you realize upon the redemption of your fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in a Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy.
In certain cases, a Fund will be required to withhold, at the applicable withholding rates, an amount from any distributions and redemptions to shareholders, and to remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) if the shareholder: (1) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS, or (3) has failed to provide the Fund with certain certifications that are required by the IRS, or (4) has failed to certify that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
The Funds will make annual reports to shareholders of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
In certain cases, a Fund will be required to withhold, at the applicable withholding rates, an amount from any distributions and redemptions to shareholders, and to remit such amount to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) if the shareholder: (1) has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS, or (3) has failed to provide the Fund with certain certifications that are required by the IRS, or (4) has failed to certify that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
State Taxes

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A Fund is not liable for any income or franchise tax in Massachusetts if it qualifies as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the Funds to investors and the ownership of shares may be subject to state and local taxes.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding state and local taxes affecting an investment in shares of a Fund.
Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. Government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by a Fund. Investments in Government National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae securities, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collaterized by U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.
Foreign Taxes
Dividends and interests received by a Fund may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on the Fund’s stock or securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.

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FUND TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage Transactions. The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.
Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees and oversight by the Adviser, the Subadviser is responsible for placing the orders to execute transactions for each Fund.
In placing orders, it is the policy of the Trust to seek to obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm’s general execution and operational facilities, and the firm’s risk in positioning the securities involved. Where possible, the Adviser or the Subadviser will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. While the Adviser or the Subadviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Trust will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available due to reasons described herein.
The money market securities in which the Funds invest are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Bonds and debentures are usually traded over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Money market and debt securities are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. Certain Funds may also enter into financial futures and option contracts, which normally involve brokerage commissions. The cost of executing portfolio securities transactions of the Trust will primarily consist of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions:

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    Aggregate Dollar Amount of
    Brokerage Commissions Paid ($)
Fund   2008   2007   2006
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0       0       0  
                         
    Aggregate Dollar Amount of
    Brokerage Commissions Paid ($)
Fund   2008   2007   2006
Total Return Bond Fund
    0       0       0  
Brokerage Selection. The Trust does not expect to use one particular broker or dealer, and when one or more brokers is believed capable of providing the best combination of price and execution, the Funds’ Adviser or Subadviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser or Subadviser. The Adviser or Subadviser may pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers in return for such services only if a good faith determination is made that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.
Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser or Subadviser, under certain circumstances, to cause each Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser or Subadviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser or Subadviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to their investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to each Fund.
To the extent research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser or Subadviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser or Subadviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser or Subadviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Funds’ Adviser or Subadviser under the Advisory or Subadvisory Agreement. Any

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advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser or Subadviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.
In some cases the Adviser or Subadviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, the Adviser or Subadviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser or Subadviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser or Subadviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser or Subadviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.
From time to time, the Funds may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser or Subadviser with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, the Funds did not pay any commissions on brokerage transactions directed to brokers pursuant to an agreement or understanding whereby the broker provides research or other brokerage services to the Adviser or Subadviser.

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Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. A Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of the Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and rules promulgated by the SEC. Under the 1940 Act and the 1934 Act, affiliated broker-dealers are permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund on an exchange if a written contract is in effect between the affiliate and the Fund expressly permitting the affiliate to receive and retain such compensation. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed usual and customary” brokerage commissions. The rules define “usual and customary” commissions to include amounts which are “reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time.” The Trustees, including those who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 the Funds paid the following aggregate brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected by affiliated brokers. All amounts shown reflect fees paid in connection with Fund repurchase agreement transactions.

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                            Percentage of Total   Percentage of Total
                            Brokerage   Brokerage Transactions
    Aggregate Dollar Amount of   Commissions/Fees   Effected Through
    Brokerage Commissions/Fees   Paid to Affiliated Brokers   Affiliated
    Paid to Affiliated Brokers ($)   (%)+   Brokers (%)
Fund   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006
Intermediate Bond Fund
    0       382       905       0       100       100       0       100       100  
 
Total Return Bond Fund
    0       5,574       12,291       0       100       100       0       100       100  
 
+   Transactions in repurchase agreements, which are generally traded through an affiliated broker-dealer, are the only transactions that result in the payment of commissions. Therefore, it might appear, based on the percentage of commissions paid, that the Funds’ portfolio transactions are made through affiliated broker-dearlers. However, transactions in repurchase agreements make up only a small part of a Fund’s portfolio transactions.

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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE
Portfolio turnover rate is defined under SEC rules as the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one-year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one-year are excluded from the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate. Instruments excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover generally would include the futures contracts and option contracts in which the Funds invest since such contracts generally have remaining maturities of less than one-year. The Funds may at times hold investments in other short-term instruments such as money market instruments and repurchase agreements, which are excluded for purposes of computing portfolio turnover. Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 is shown in the table below. Variations in turnover rate may be due to market conditions, fluctuating volume of shareholder purchases and redemptions or changes in the Adviser’s investment outlook.
                 
    Turnover Rate (%)
Fund   2008   2007
Intermediate Bond Fund
    254       225  
 
Total Return Bond Fund1
    248       310  
 
1   Increased exposure to specified pools combined with decreased exposure to TBAs, compared to 2007 trading volumes in TBAs, resulted in lower turnover.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Board of Trustees has approved a policy and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances regarding the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings information to shareholders and third parties. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that disclosure of information regarding the Funds’ portfolio securities is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, and include procedures to address conflicts between the interests of the Funds’ shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Funds’ investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliated person of the Funds, its investment adviser, or its principal underwriter, on the other. Pursuant to such procedures, the Board has authorized the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”) to authorize the release of the Funds’ portfolio holdings, as necessary, in conformity with the foregoing principles. The Funds’ CCO reports quarterly to the Board regarding the implementation of such policies and procedures.
Pursuant to applicable law, each Fund is required to disclose its complete portfolio holdings quarterly, within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter (currently, each March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31). Each Fund discloses a complete schedule of investments in each Semi-Annual Report and Annual Report to Fund shareholders or, following the first and third fiscal quarters, in quarterly holdings reports filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are distributed to Fund shareholders. Quarterly holdings reports filed with the SEC on Form N-Q are not distributed to Fund shareholders, but are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public

71


 

reference room. Information on the operation and terms of usage of the SEC public reference room is available at http://www.sec.gov/info/edgar/prrrules.htm or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Funds’ Annual Reports and Semi-Annual Reports are available, free of charge, on the Trust’s website at www.ridgeworthfunds.com.
The Trust’s website will provide complete portfolio holdings for the Funds on the 15th day of each month (or on the next business day should the 15th be other than a business day) as of the end of the most recent month. Information will remain available until updated.
Portfolio holdings for previous month-ends are available for each Fund, To request this historical information without charge, call 1-888-784-3863, or write to the Trust at RidgeWorth Funds, c/o Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219.
In addition to information provided to shareholders and the general public, from time to time rating and ranking organizations, such as S&P and Morningstar, Inc., may request complete portfolio holdings information in connection with rating the Funds. Similarly, institutional investors, financial planners, pension plan sponsors and/or their consultants may request a complete list of portfolio holdings in order to assess the risks of a Fund’s portfolio along with related performance attribution statistics. The Trust believes that these third parties have legitimate objectives in requesting such portfolio holdings information. The Trust may also disclose the portfolio holdings to broker-dealers and/or pricing services in order to allow the Funds to accurately price and potentially sell portfolio securities. The Trust’s policies and procedures provide that the Adviser’s CCO may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information to such parties at differing times and/or with different lag times to such third parties provided that the recipient is, either by contractual agreement or otherwise by law, (i) required to maintain the confidentiality of the information and (ii) prohibited from using the information to facilitate or assist in any securities transactions or investment program.
The Trust requires any third party receiving non-public holdings information to enter into a Confidentiality Agreement with the Adviser. The Confidentiality Agreement provides, among other things, that non-public portfolio holdings information will be kept secret and confidential and that such information will be used solely for the purpose of analysis and evaluation of the Funds. Specifically, the Confidentiality Agreement prohibits anyone in possession of non-public portfolio holdings information from purchasing or selling securities based on such information, or from disclosing such information to other persons, except for those who are actually engaged in, and need to know, such information to perform the analysis or evaluation of the Funds.
Currently, the Trust has arrangements to provide additional disclosure of portfolio holdings information on a monthly basis with no lag time to the following third parties: ABN-AMRO, Advest, Inc., AG Edwards & Sons, Inc., Banc of America Securities, LLC, BB&T Capital Markets, Bear Stearns & Co, Inc., BMO Nesbit Burns, Buckingham Research Group, Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Credit Suisse First Boston, LLC, Davenport & Company, LLC, Empirical Research Partners, Ferris Baker Watts, Inc., Freidman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., FTN Financial, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, JP Morgan Securities, Inc., Lehman Brothers, Inc., McDonald Investments, Inc., Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc., FTN Midwest Research, Moody’s Investors Service, Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc., Oppenheimer & Company, Piper Jaffray & Co., Raymond James Financial, Inc., RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc, Robert W. Baird & Co., Smith Barney, Starboard Capital Markets, LLC, Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc., UBS Financial Services, Inc., and Wachovia Bank, N.A., Zions First National Bank, N.A.
Currently, the Trust has arrangements to provide additional disclosure of complete portfolio holdings information on a quarterly basis with no lag to the following third parties: Aon Consulting, Inc., Callan Associates, Inc.,

72


 

Colonial Consulting, Inc., CRA Business Strategies Group, Gabriel Roder, Smith & Co., New England Pension Consultants, Prime Buchholz & Associates, Inc., Towers Perrin HR Services, Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting, Inc., Wilshire Associates Incorporated.
Currently, the Trust has arrangements to provide additional disclosure of complete portfolio holdings information on a weekly basis with a lag time of 7 days to S&P.
In addition, the Trust’s service providers, such as the custodian, administrator and transfer agent, may receive portfolio holdings information in connection with their services to the Funds. Financial printers, proxy voting service providers and pricing information vendors may receive portfolio holdings information, as necessary, in connection with their services to the Funds.
No compensation or other consideration is paid to or received by any party in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information, including the Funds, the Adviser and its affiliates or recipient of the Funds’ portfolio holdings information.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of the Funds each of which represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share. Shares are entitled upon liquidation to a pro rata share in the net assets of the Funds. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the Trust may create additional series of shares. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that series and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing shares will not be issued.
VOTING RIGHTS
Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one vote for each dollar invested. In other words, each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each full share held on the record date for any shareholder meeting. Each Fund will vote separately on matters relating solely to it. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is not required, and does not intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholder approval will be sought, however, for certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the election of Trustees under certain circumstances. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the power to liquidate one or more Funds without shareholder approval. While the Trustees have no present intention of exercising this power, they may do so if a Fund fails to reach or maintain a viable size or for some other extraordinary reason.
In addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate assistance and information to the shareholders requesting the meeting.

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SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. Even if, however, the Trust were held to be a partnership, the possibility of the shareholders’ incurring financial loss for that reason appears remote because the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees, and because the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Trust property for any investor held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES’ LIABILITY
The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust unless it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties. Nothing contained in this section attempts to disclaim a Trustee’s individual liability in any manner inconsistent with the federal securities laws.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Board of the Trust has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, the Subadvisers and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees (“access persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. The Code of Ethics adopted by each of these entities governs the manner and extent to which certain persons associated with that entity may invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons of the Adviser, and the Subadvisers are generally prohibited from acquiring beneficial ownership of securities offered in connection with initial public offerings. Certain access persons of the Adviser and Subadvisers are required to obtain approval before investing in limited offerings. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.

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PROXY VOTING
The Board has delegated the responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Funds to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, summaries of which are included in Appendix B to this SAI.
Information regarding how the Funds’ voted proxies during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 has been filed with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Funds’ proxy voting record, along with the Funds’ full proxy voting policies and procedures, is available on the Funds’ website at www.ridgeworthfunds.com, , without charge upon request by calling 1-888-784-3863, or by writing to the Funds at RidgeWorth Funds, c/o Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. The Funds’ proxy voting record is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
5% AND 25% SHAREHOLDERS
As of February 13, 2009, the following persons were the only persons who were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or more of the shares of the Funds. Persons who owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund’s outstanding shares may be deemed to control the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The nature of ownership for each position listed is “Record” unless otherwise indicated. The Trust believes that most of the shares of the Funds were held for the record owner’s fiduciary, agency or custodial customers.
To be updated.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, including notes thereto and the reports of [            ]thereon, and the financial statements for the six month period ended September 30, 2008 (which are unaudited) are incorporated into this Statement of Additional Information by reference from the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders and the 2008 Sem-Annual Report to Shareholders. Copies of the 2008 Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report will be provided without charge to each person receiving this Statement of Additional Information.

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APPENDIX A

A-1


 

INVESTMENT RATINGS
STANDARD & POOR’S (S&P) SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATION RATINGS
An S&P note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks unique to notes.
SP-1—Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus sign (+) designation.
SP-2—Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
S&P VARIABLE RATE DEMAND NOTES (VRDNs) AND TENDER OPTION BONDS (TOBs) RATINGS
S&P assigns “dual” ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of their provisions a demand feature. The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols are usually used to denote the put (demand) options (i.e., AAA/A-1+). Normally demand notes receive note-rating symbols combined with commercial paper symbols (i.e., SP-1+/A-1+).
S&P COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP) RATINGS
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
A-1—A Short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2—A Short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
S&P LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS

A-2


 

AAA—Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA—Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A—High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB—Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.
BB—Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment-grade.
B—Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC, C—High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A ‘CC’ rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. ‘C’ ratings signal imminent default.
D—In payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on a financial commitment are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on a financial commitment are jeopardized.

A-3


 

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE (MOODY’S) SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATION RATINGS
Moody’s short-term ratings are designated Moody’s Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG). (See below.) The purpose of the MIG or VMIG ratings is to provide investors with a simple system by which the relative investment qualities of short-term obligations may be evaluated.
MIG1—This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG2—This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
MOODY’S VARIABLE RATE DEMAND NOTES (VRDNs) AND TENDER OPTION BONDS (TOBs) RATINGS
Short-term ratings on issues with demand features are differentiated by the use of the VMIG symbol to reflect such characteristics as payment upon periodic demand rather than fixed maturity dates and payment relying on external liquidity. In this case, two ratings are usually assigned, (for example, Aaa/VMIG-1); the first representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments, and the second representing an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature. The VMIG rating can be assigned a 1 or 2 designation using the same definitions described above for the MIG rating.
MOODY’S COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP) RATINGS
Prime-1—Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well established industries, high rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

A-4


 

Prime-2—Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
MOODY’S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Aaa—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

A-5


 

Ca—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C—Bonds and preferred stock which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
NR—Indicates that both the bonds and the obligor or credit enhancer are not currently rated by S&P or Moody’s with respect to short-term indebtedness. However, management considers them to be of comparable quality to securities rated A-1 or P-1.
NR(1)—The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s.
NR(2)—The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s.
NR(3)—The underlying issuer/obligor/guarantor has other outstanding debt rated A by S&P or Moody’s.

A-6


 

FITCH RATINGS SHORT-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS
F-1—Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Under their national rating scale, this rating is assigned to the “best” credit risk relative to all others in the same country and is normally assigned to all financial commitments issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state. Where the credit risk is particularly strong, a “+” is added to the assigned rating.
F-2—Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F-3—Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, such capacity is more susceptible to near-term adverse changes than for financial commitments in higher rated categories.
FITCH RATINGS COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
F-1—Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Under their national rating scale, this rating is assigned to the “best” credit risk relative to all others in the same country and is normally assigned to all financial commitments issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state. Where the credit risk is particularly strong, a “+” is added to the assigned rating.
F-2—Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
FITCH RATINGS LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS
AAA—Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA—Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A-7


 

A—High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB—Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.
BB—Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment-grade.
B—Highly Speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
DBRS SHORT-TERM DEBT AND COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
As is the case with all Dominion Bond Rating Service (“DBRS”) rating scales, commercial paper ratings are meant to give an indication of the risk that the borrower will not fulfill its obligations in a timely manner.
R-1 (high) Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity which possesses unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels and profitability which is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high),” few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.
R-1 (middle) Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits to only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the “R-1 (high)” category (which few companies are able to achieve), entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits

A-8


 

which typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.
R-1 (low) Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios is not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.
R-2 (high), R-2 (middle), R-2 (low) Short-term debt rated “R-2” is of adequate credit quality and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios of entities in the “R-2” classification are not as strong as those in the “R-1” category, and the past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically as strong as an “R-1 credit”. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable, earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
DBRS LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS
As is the case with all DBRS rating scales, long-term debt ratings are meant to give an indication of the risk that the borrower will not fulfill its full obligations in a timely manner with respect to both interest and principal commitments.
“AAA” Bonds rated “AAA” are of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity, the strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.
“AA” Bonds rated “AA” are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category (which few companies are able to achieve), entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically

A-9


 

exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
“A” Bonds rated “A” are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable rating, entities in the “A” category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.
“BBB” Bonds rated “BBB” are of adequate credit quality, with acceptable protection of principal and interest; Issuers in this category are fairly susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
“BB” Bonds rated “BBB” are of speculative credit quality, with uncertain protection of principal and interest, particularly during periods of economic recession.
“B” Bonds rated “B” are of highly speculative credit quality, with a reasonably high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the issuers to pay principal and interest on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.
“CCC, CC, C” Bonds rated “CCC, CC, or C” are of very highly speculative credit quality, with principal and interest being in danger of default. In practice, there is little difference between the categories.
“D” For bonds rated “D,” the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of principal or interest or interest issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the near future.
“High” or “low” grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in the middle of the category. Note that “high” and “low” grades are not used for the AAA category.
A.M. BEST SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
An A.M. Best Short-Term Debt Rating (issue credit rating) is an opinion as to the issuer’s ability to meet its obligations having maturities generally less than one year, such as commercial paper.

A-10


 

AMB-1+—Strongest. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, the strongest ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
AMB-1—Outstanding. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an outstanding ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
AMB-2—Satisfactory. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, a satisfactory ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
AMB-3—Adequate. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an adequate ability to repay short-term debt obligations; however, adverse economic conditions will likely lead to a reduced capacity to meet its financial commitments on short-term debt obligations.
A.M. BEST LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
An A.M. Best Long-Term Debt Rating (issue credit rating) is an opinion as to the issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to security holders when due. These ratings are assigned to debt and preferred stock issues.
aaa—Exceptional. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an exceptional ability to meet the terms of the obligation.
aa—Very Strong. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, a very strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.
a—Strong. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, a strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.
bbb—Adequate. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an adequate ability to meet the terms of the obligation; however, is more susceptible to changes in economic or other conditions.
bb—Speculative. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a moderate margin of principal and interest payment protection and vulnerability to economic changes.

A-11


 

b—Very Speculative. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, very speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a modest margin of principal and interest payment protection and extreme vulnerability to economic changes.
ccc,cc, c— Extremely Speculative. Assigned to issues where the issuer has, in A.M. Best’s opinion, extremely speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a minimal margin of principal and interest payment protection and/or limited ability to withstand adverse changes in economic or other conditions.
d—In Default. In default on payment of principal, interest or other terms and conditions. The rating also is utilized when a bankruptcy petition, or similar action, has been filed.
Ratings from “aa” to “ccc” may be enhanced with a “+” (plus) or “-” (minus) to indicate whether credit quality is near the top or bottom of a category. A company’s Long-Term Credit Rating also may be assigned an Under Review modifier(“u”) that generally is event-driven (positive, negative or developing) and indicates that the company’s A.M. Best Rating opinion is under review and may be subject to near-term change. Ratings prefixed with an (“i”) denote indicative ratings. Ratings may also be assigned a Public Data modifier (“pd”) which indicates that a company does not subscribe to A.M. Best’s interactive rating process.
A.M. BEST RATING OUTLOOK
A.M. Best Credit Ratings (aaa to c) are assigned a Rating Outlook that indicates the potential direction of a company’s rating for an intermediate period, generally defined as the next 12 to 36 months. Public Data Ratings are not assigned an Outlook. Ratings Outlooks are as follows:
Positive—Indicates a company’s financial/market trends are favorable, relative to its current rating level, and if continued, the company has a good possibility of having its rating upgraded.
Negative—Indicates a company is experiencing unfavorable financial/market trends, relative to its current rating level, and if continued, the company has a good possibility of having its rating downgraded.
Stable—Indicates a company is experiencing stable financial/market trends and that there is a low likelihood that its rating will change in the near term.

A-12


 

APPENDIX B

B-1


 

(RIDGEWORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LOGO)
RIDGEWORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. PROXY DISCLOSURE TO THE
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Shareholders:
Securities and Exchange Commission rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 address an investment adviser’s fiduciary obligation to its clients when the adviser has authority to vote their proxies. Under our current contractual agreement, RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (“RidgeWorth”), is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the RidgeWorth Funds.
The rules require an investment company to adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the fund: 1) votes proxies in the best interests of clients; 2) discloses information about those policies and procedures and how to obtain copies; 3) discloses how clients may obtain information about proxy votes cast; and 4) maintains appropriate records relating to actual proxy voting.
The RidgeWorth Funds’ board has delegated voting authority to RidgeWorth and accordingly has adopted RidgeWorth’s proxy voting policies.
RidgeWorth’s existing Proxy Voting Committee (“Committee”) is structured to seek to ensure compliance with all of the requirements. After an extensive review, the Committee determined that the use of a professional proxy voting administration servicing agency would be the most efficient and effective course of action to accommodate certain portions of the regulations. The Committee conducted comprehensive due diligence of the most established and capable proxy voting servicing agencies in the industry and chose to hire the Institutional Shareholder Services division (“ISS”) of Risk Metrics Group as RidgeWorth’s agent to assist us with meeting the administrative, clerical, functional, and recordkeeping aspects of our fiduciary obligations.
Several of the determining factors in choosing ISS as an agent to provide such services included its excellent research tools and advanced, state of the art technical capabilities and large scale system support required to accommodate an advisor of our size.

B-1


 

The Committee recognizes that each proxy vote must be evaluated on its own merits. Factors such as a company’s organizational structure, executive and operational management, structure of the board of directors, corporate culture and governance process, and the impact of economic, environmental and social implications remain key elements in all voting decisions. Management believes that it is in the best interest of shareholders to abstain from voting shares of securities held in the RidgeWorth International Equity 130/30 Fund in countries that participate in share blocking.
To address material conflicts of interest, as defined by SEC regulations, involving RidgeWorth relationships, the Committee will engage the services of an independent fiduciary voting service to vote on any proxies for securities for which the Committee determines a material conflict of interest exists so as to provide shareholders with the most beneficial and objective proxy voting possible.
Material conflicts might occur, for example, (1) in the case of securities of a company where a director or officer may serve as an independent director on RidgeWorth’s, SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust”) or a related SunTrust affiliate’s board of directors or (2) where an issuer has substantial banking or other financial relationships with RidgeWorth and/or SunTrust, or a SunTrust affiliate.
If the Committee engages an independent fiduciary voting service to perform the voting analysis, ISS, as our agent for administrative, clerical and recordkeeping proxy services, will then vote the shares according to the directions of the independent fiduciary. RidgeWorth will have no power to participate in, alter or change the decision or final vote for any proxy matters entrusted to the properly appointed independent fiduciary.
Please be assured that although RidgeWorth has engaged ISS to assist with physical proxy voting matters, we retain the primary obligation of proxy voting and will review all issues and actively monitor all information prior to determining each vote placed on behalf of shareholders. RidgeWorth will continue to utilize available resources in order to make well-informed, qualified proxy vote decisions.
Further information, such as copies of RidgeWorth’s Proxy Policies and Procedures and voting records of the RidgeWorth Funds, may be obtained without charge by contacting the RidgeWorth Funds by telephone at 1-800-874-4770, Option 5 or by visiting www.ridgeworthfunds.com. The policies and procedures are also available in the RidgeWorth Funds’ Statement of Additional Information. Actual voting records will also be filed and available on the SEC’s website.
Again, please know that, as with all matters relating to the RidgeWorth Funds, we at RidgeWorth take our fiduciary proxy voting obligations very seriously, and will continue to do our utmost to protect the interests of each and every shareholder.
Regards,
RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.

B-2


 

RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. Proxy Policy
RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (“RidgeWorth”) has a Proxy Committee (“Committee”) that is responsible for establishing policies and a procedure designed to ensure the firm ethically and effectively discharges its fiduciary obligation to vote all applicable proxies on behalf of all discretionary client accounts and funds. Annually (or more often as needed), the Committee will review, reaffirm and/or amend guidelines, strategies and proxy policies for all domestic and international client accounts, funds and product lines.
After an extensive review of established service providers including size, experience and technical capabilities, RidgeWorth contracted with the Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) of Risk Metrics Group as its agent to provide certain administrative, clerical, functional recordkeeping and support services related to the firm’s proxy voting processes/procedures, which include, but are not limited to:
  1.   The collection and coordination of proxy material from each custodian for each RidgeWorth client’s account, including RidgeWorth’s managed fund clients.
 
  2.   The facilitation of the mechanical act of proxy voting, reconciliation, and disclosure for each RidgeWorth client’s accounts, including RidgeWorth’s fund clients, in accordance with RidgeWorth’s proxy policies and the Committee’s direction.
 
  3.   Required record keeping and voting record retention of all RidgeWorth proxy voting on behalf RidgeWorth’s clients, including RidgeWorth’s fund clients.
As reflected in RidgeWorth’s proxy policies, the Committee will affirmatively vote proxies for proposals that it interprets are deemed to be in the best economic interest of its clients as shareholders and beneficiaries to those actions.
The Committee will retain the ability to consider client specific preferences and/or develop and apply criteria unique to its client base and product lines, where appropriate. As needed, this information will be communicated to ISS as RidgeWorth’s agent to ensure that the relative shares proxies will be voted accordingly. The Committee has reviewed ISS’ capabilities as agent for the administerial services above and is confident in its abilities to effectively provide these services. The Committee will monitor such capability on an ongoing basis.
An Independent, Objective Approach to Proxy Issues
In the absence of express contractual provisions to the contrary, the Committee will vote proxies for all RidgeWorth discretionary investment management clients and RidgeWorth managed funds, such as the RidgeWorth Funds.

B-3


 

As indicated above, the Committee utilizes the services of ISS, an independent third party agent, to assist with facilitating the administrative, clerical, functional and recordkeeping proxy duties and to assist in managing certain aspects of our proxy obligations. Accordingly, RidgeWorth maintains its own proxy policies for U.S. domestic and global proxy voting issues, as well as guidelines applicable to “Taft Hartleyplans and relationships. ERISA accounts will be voted in accordance with the U.S. domestic proxy policy as ERISA specific guidelines and requirements are incorporated into this policy.
RidgeWorth provides and maintains the following standard proxy voting policies:
    RidgeWorth U.S. Domestic Proxy Policy (applied to both ERISA and Non-ERISA related accounts)
 
    RidgeWorth Taft Hartley Proxy Policy
 
    RidgeWorth Global/International Proxy Policy
These policies are available as described below. Both brief and extended summaries are available for the RidgeWorth Taft Hartley Proxy Policy and the RidgeWorth Global/International Proxy Policy.
The Committee’s process includes a review and evaluation of relevant, information related to the issuer’s proxy, applying the firm’s proxy voting policy in a prudent and appropriate manner ensuring votes are cast in the best interest of our clients.
Under the RidgeWorth Global/International Proxy Policy the Committee generally votes in a manner similar to that recommended by ISS for an account’s international holdings including, to the extent permitted by law, ERISA accounts international holdings.* In this regard the Committee has reviewed and will monitor ISS’ capabilities and conflict policies with respect to international securities proxy vote recommendations.
Exceptions to Policy
The RidgeWorth Proxy Policies and guidelines as outlined herein generally will not be applied where RidgeWorth has further delegated discretionary investment management and the authority to vote shares to a properly appointed subadvisor, such as may be the case in some managed separate accounts, wrap programs, and funds.
In those situations proxy votes cast by the subadvisor will be governed by the subadvisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures.
Conflicts of Interest
Due to its diversified client base, numerous product lines, independent board of directors, and affiliation with SunTrust Banks, Inc., and its subsidiaries, the Committee may determine a potential conflict exists in

B-4


 

connection with a proxy vote based on the SEC guidelines. In such instances, the Committee will review the potential conflict to determine if it is material.
Examples of material conflicts of interest which may arise could include those where the shares to be voted involve:
  1.   Common stock of SunTrust Banks, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Inc., and/or other public corporate issuers with which either RidgeWorth or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates, may have a similar on-going non-investment management associated relationship.
 
  2.   An issuer with a director, officer or employee who presently serves as an independent director on the board of RidgeWorth or SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of its affiliates.
 
  3.   An issuer having substantial and numerous banking, investment or other financial relationships with RidgeWorth, SunTrust Banks, Inc. or its affiliates.
 
  4.   A director or senior officer of RidgeWorth or SunTrust Banks, Inc. serving on the board of a publicly held company.
 
  5.   A direct common stock ownership position of five percent (5%) or greater held individually by RidgeWorth or in conjunction with SunTrust Banks, Inc. and/or its affiliates
Although RidgeWorth utilizes a pre-determined proxy voting policy, occasions may arise in which a conflict of interest could be deemed to be material. In this case, the Committee will determine the most fair and reasonable procedure to be followed in order to properly address all conflict concerns. The Committee may employ one or more of the options listed below:
  1.   Retain an independent fiduciary to vote the shares.
 
  2.   Send the proxy material to the client (in the case of mutual funds, the funds’ shareholders) so he or she may vote the proxies.
Although RidgeWorth does its best to alleviate or diffuse known conflicts, there is no guarantee that all situations have been or will be mitigated through proxy policy incorporation.
Securities Lending Program
RidgeWorth also manages assets for several clients (including mutual funds, such as the RidgeWorth Funds) who engage in “security lending” programs. A typical security lending program such as the “RidgeWorth Securities Lending Program” is where the clients or funds lend equities and/or fixed-income assets from their accounts or portfolio to various approved-broker-dealers against cash collateral (102% of loan value) and earn incremental income by: 1.) extracting intrinsic value from each loan; and, 2.)

B-5


 

generating investment income through reinvestment activities involving cash collateral. Consistent with SEC guidelines, the Committee will generally refrain from voting securities loaned out under this type of lending arrangement when the costs and lost revenue to the client or fund combined with the administrative effects of recalling the securities outweigh the benefit of voting the proxy. In addition, the Committee must make a good-faith determination that the individual proxy ballot decisions would not materially impact the portfolio manager’s desire to retain the position in the portfolio. and that the entire position of loaned shares’ votes would not significantly affect the overall voting outcome. The Committee will rely on the portfolio manager’s input to make such decisions. Furthermore, absent compelling economic and/or security related research or news, the Committee will generally not consider recalling shares unless total beneficial ownership under management is greater than 4.55%.
Under the current RIdgeWorth Securities Lending Program, RidgeWorth is required to notify the Custodian to recall securities on loan 10 business days prior to the record date or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter if RidgeWorth wishes to vote proxy on the securities so as to ensure that they are in Custodian’s possession by the voting deadline.
Additional Information
RidgeWorth clients:
Extended summaries of RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.’s U.S. Domestic Proxy Policy (includes ERISA related accounts,) Taft Hartley Proxy Policy, and Global/International Proxy Policy and voting records are available to clients upon request. (Complete copies are quite voluminous but are also available.) For this information, or to obtain information about specific voting issues, please contact RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc, Attn: Proxy Voting Committee Administrator, 50 Hurt Plaza, 14th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, by telephone at 404.827.6177, or via e-mail at: PMP.operations@ridgeworth.com.
RidgeWorth Funds and RidgeWorth Variable Trust shareholders:
Shareholders of the RidgeWorth Funds or the RidgeWorth Variable Trust may access this information by contacting the RidgeWorth by telephone at 1-888-784-3863 or by visiting www.ridgeworthfunds.com.
 
*   With the exception of the RidgeWorth International Equity 130/30 Fund. Management believes that it is in the best interest of shareholders to abstain from voting shares in countries that participate in share blocking.

B-6


 

2008 RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. International Proxy Voting Guidelines
Following is a concise summary of general policies for voting global proxies. In addition, RidgeWorth has country- and market-specific policies, which are not captured below.
Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports
Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:
    there are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or
 
    the company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should be publicly disclosed.
Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Compensation
Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:
    there are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used;
 
    the auditors are being changed without explanation; or
 
    non audit-related fees are substantial or are routinely in excess of standard annual audit fees.
Vote AGAINST the appointment of external auditors if they have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.
Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors
Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:
    there are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;
 
    questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or
 
    the auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.
Allocation of Income
Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:
    the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or
 
    the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative
Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.
Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the

B-7


 

cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Amendments to Articles of Association
Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Change in Company Fiscal Term
Vote FOR resolutions to change a company’s fiscal term unless a company’s motivation for the change is to postpone its AGM.
Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership
Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below five percent unless specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.
Amend Quorum Requirements
Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Transact Other Business
Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item.
Director Elections
Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless:
    Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;
 
    There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;
 
    There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;
 
    There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; and
 
    The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards.
Vote FOR individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities.
Vote AGAINST shareholder nominees unless they demonstrate a clear ability to contribute positively to board deliberations.
Vote AGAINST individual directors if they cannot provide an explanation for repeated absences at board meetings (in countries where this information is disclosed).
Vote AGAINST labor representatives if the sit on either the audit or compensation committee, as they are not required to be on those committees.

B-8


 

Director Compensation
Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.
Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.
Discharge of Board and Management
Vote FOR discharge of the board and management, unless:
    there are serious questions about actions of the board or management for the year in question; or
 
    legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders.
Vote AGAINST proposals to remove approval of discharge of board and management from the agenda.
Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions
Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.
Board Structure
Vote FOR proposals to fix board size.
Vote AGAINST mandatory retirement ages for directors.
Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the company or the board.
Share Issuance Requests
General Issuances:
Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued capital.

B-9


 

Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of currently issued capital.
Specific Issuances:
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.
Increases in Authorized Capital
Vote FOR nonspecific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.
Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any amount, unless:
    the specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet RidgeWorth’s guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or
 
    the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.
Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.
Reduction of Capital
Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are unfavorable to shareholders.
Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BYCASE basis.
Capital Structures
Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one share, one vote capital structure.
Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual class capital structures or the creation of new or additional supervoting shares.
Preferred Stock
Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets RidgeWorth’s guidelines on equity issuance requests.

B-10


 

Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares.
Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.
Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Debt Issuance Requests
Vote nonconvertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive rights.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets RidgeWorth’s guidelines on equity issuance requests.
Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.
Pledging of Assets for Debt
Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Increase in Borrowing Powers
Vote proposals to approve increases in a company’s borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Share Repurchase Plans
Vote FOR share repurchase plans, unless:
    clear evidence of past abuse of the authority is available; or
 
    the plan contains no safeguards against selective buybacks.
Reissuance of Shares Repurchased
Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this authority in the past.
Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase In Par Value
Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.
Reorganizations/Restructurings
Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

B-11


 

Mergers and Acquisitions
Vote mergers and acquisitions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
For every M&A analysis, ISS reviews publicly available information as of the date of the report
and evaluates the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:
    Valuation — Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, ISS places emphasis on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.
 
    Market reaction — How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction will cause ISS to scrutinize a deal more closely.
 
    Strategic rationale — Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.
 
    Conflicts of interest — Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? ISS will consider whether any special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger.
 
    Governance — Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
Vote AGAINST if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an informed voting decision.
Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers
Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reincorporation Proposals
Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Expansion of Business Activities
Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into risky areas.
Related-Party Transactions
Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

B-12


 

Compensation Plans
Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Antitakeover Mechanisms
Vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.
Shareholder Proposals
Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote FOR proposals that would improve the company’s corporate governance or business profile at a reasonable cost.
Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the company’s business activities or capabilities or result in significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.

B-13


 

Proxy Voting Policies Updated 03/31/2008
RIDGEWORTH Capital Management, Inc.
                 
1.0.
  Operational Items   Adjourn Meeting   To provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting.   F
 
               
1.1.
  Operational Items   Amend Quorum Requirements   To reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding   A
 
               
1.2.
  Operational Items   Amend Minor Bylaws   To make housekeeping changes (updates or corrections) to bylaw or charter   F
 
               
1.3.
  Operational Items   Change Company Name   To change the corporate name   F
 
               
1.4.
  Operational Items   Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting   Management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting   F
 
               
1.5.
  Operational Items   Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting   Shareholder proposals To change the date/time/location of the annual meeting   A
 
               
1.6.
  Operational Items   Auditors   To ratify auditors (except as
described below)
  F
 
               
1.6.a
  Operational Items   Auditors   To ratify auditors if non-audit fees (tax and other) exceed audit and audit related fees combined. In circumstances where “Other” fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which ISS determines to be an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.   A

B-14


 

                 
1.7.
  Operational Items   Auditors   Shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services   A
 
               
1.8.
  Operational Items   Auditors   Shareholder proposals to require audit firm rotation   A
 
               
1.9.
  Operational Items   Transact Other Business   To approve other business when
it appears as voting item
  A
 
               
2.0.
  Board of Directors   Voting on Director Nominees in
Uncontested Elections
  Director nominees who are not described below   F
 
               
2.1.
  Board of Directors   Voting on Director Nominees in
Uncontested Elections
  Director nominees who have Implemented or renewed a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill unless a shareholder vote will occur within twelve months of its adoption or in the case of an newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a shareholder vote within 12 months following the IPO   W
 
               
2.2.
  Board of Directors   Voting on Director Nominees in
Uncontested Elections
  Director nominees who have ignored a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years   W
 
               
2.3.
  Board of Directors   Voting on Director Nominees in
Uncontested Elections
  Director nominees who have failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares   W
 
               
2.4.
  Board of Directors   Voting on Director Nominees in
Uncontested Elections
  Director nominees who enacted egregious corporate governance policies or failed to replace management as appropriate   W
 
               
2.5.
  Board of Directors   Age Limits   To limit the tenure of outside directors either through term limits or mandatory retirement ages.   A
 
               
2.6.
  Board of Directors   Board Size   To fix the board size or
designate a range for the
board size
  F

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2.7.
  Board of Directors   Board Size   To give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval   A
 
               
2.8.
  Board of Directors   Classification/Declassification of the Board   Management and shareholder proposals to classify the board   C
 
               
2.9.
  Board of Directors   Classification/Declassification of the Board   Management and shareholder proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.   F
 
               
2.10.
  Board of Directors   Cumulative Voting   To eliminate cumulative voting.   F
 
               
2.11.
  Board of Directors   Cumulative Voting   To restore or permit cumulative voting.   A
 
               
2.12.
  Board of Directors   Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection   Proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection not particularly described below.   C
 
               
2.13.
  Board of Directors   Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection   To eliminate entirely directors’ and officers’ liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.   A
 
               
2.14.
  Board of Directors   Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection   To expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness   A
 
               
2.15.
  Board of Directors   Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection   To expand coverage in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) only if the director’s legal expenses would be covered.   F
 
               
2.16.
  Board of Directors   Establish/ Amend Nominee
Qualifications
  To establish or amend director
qualifications
  A
 
               
2.17.
  Board of Directors   Establish/ Amend Nominee
Qualifications
  Shareholder proposals
requiring two candidates per
board seat
  A
 
               
2.18.
  Board of Directors   Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors   To provide that directors may be removed only for cause.   A

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2.19.
  Board of Directors   Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors   To restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.   F
   
2.20.
  Board of Directors   Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors   To provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.   A
 
               
2.21.
  Board of Directors   Filling Vacancies/ Removal of Directors   To permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.   F
 
               
2.22.
  Board of Directors   Independent Chairman (Separate
Chairman/CEO)
  To recommend that the positions of chairman and CEO be combined.   C
 
               
2.23.
  Board of Directors   Independent Chairman (Separate
Chairman/CEO
  To recommend that the positions of chairman and CEO be separate and distinct positions held by 2 different individuals.   A
 
               
2.24.
  Board of Directors   Majority of Independent Directors/ Establishment of Committees   Shareholder proposals to require that a majority or more of directors be independent   F
 
               
2.25.
  Board of Directors   Majority of Independent Directors/ Establishment of Committees   Shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors   F
 
               
2.26.
  Board of Directors   Open Access   Shareholder proposals asking
for open access
  A
 
               
2.27.
  Board of Directors   Stock Ownership Requirements   Shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board   A
 
               
2.28.
  Board of Directors   Stock Ownership Requirements   Shareholder proposals asking that the company adopt a holding or retention period for its executives (for holding stock after the vesting or exercise of equity awards)   A
 
               
2.29.
  Board of Directors   Term Limits   Shareholder or management proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors   A

B-17


 

                 
2.30.
  Board of Directors   Majority Voting Standard   Shareholder proposals requesting a majority voting standard on election of directors   F
 
               
3. 0.
  Proxy Contests   Voting for Director Nominees
in Contested Elections
  Votes in a contested election of directors   C
 
               
3.1.a
  Proxy Contests   Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation
Expenses
  To reimburse proxy
solicitation expenses if
dissident wins
  F
 
               
3.1.b
  Proxy Contests   Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation
Expenses
  To reimburse proxy
solicitation expenses (unless
described above)
  A
 
               
3.2.
  Proxy Contests   Confidential Voting   Shareholder proposals requesting that corporations adopt confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators and use independent inspectors of election   A
 
               
3.3.
  Proxy Contests   Confidential Voting   Management proposals to adopt confidential voting.   A
 
               
4. 0.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Advance Notice Requirements
for Shareholder
Proposals/Nominations
  Advance notice proposals   F
 
               
4.1.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Amend Bylaws without
Shareholder Consent
  Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws   F
 
               
4.2.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Amend Bylaws without
Shareholder Consent
  Proposals giving the board the ability to amend the bylaws in addition to shareholders   F
 
               
4.3.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Poison Pills   Shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification   F

B-18


 

                 
4.4.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Poison Pills   Shareholder proposals asking that any future pill be put to a shareholder vote   F
 
               
4.5.a
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Poison Pills   Management proposals to ratify a poison pill if a Company is trading below book value and plan contains a reasonable “qualifying off” clause (i.e. is chewable)   F
 
               
4.5.b
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Poison Pills   Management proposals to ratify a poison pill (except as described above)   A
 
               
4.6.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent   To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent   A
 
               
4.7.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent   To allow or make easier
shareholder action by written
consent
  F
 
               
4.8.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings   To restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.   A
 
               
4.9.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings   To remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.   F
 
               
4.10.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Supermajority Vote Requirements   To require a supermajority shareholder vote pertaining to issues other than election of directors.   A
 
               
4.11.
  Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues   Supermajority Vote Requirements   To lower supermajority vote requirements pertaining to issues other than election of directors.   F

B-19


 

                 
5.0.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Appraisal Rights   To restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.   A
 
               
5.1.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Asset Purchases   On asset purchase proposals   C
 
               
5.2.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Asset Sales   Asset sales   C
 
               
5.3.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Bundled Proposals   Bundled or “conditioned” proxy
proposals
  C
 
               
5.4.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Conversion of Securities   Proposals regarding conversion of securities, absent penalties or likely bankruptcy.   C
 
               
5.5.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Conversion of Securities   Proposals regarding conversion of securities, if it is expected that the company will be subject to onerous penalties or will be forced to file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.   F
 
               
5.6.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Corporate Reorganization   Proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan, absent likely bankruptcy.   C
 
               
5.7.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Corporate Reorganization   Proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan where bankruptcy is likely if the transaction is not approved   F
 
               
5.8.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Formation of Holding Company   To form a holding company   C
 
               
5.9.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Going Private Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze outs)   To make the company private
rather than public
  C
 
               
5.10.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Joint Ventures   To form joint ventures   C
 
               
5.11.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Liquidations   To liquidate when bankruptcy is not likely   C

B-20


 

                 
5.12.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Liquidations   To liquidate when bankruptcy is likely   F
 
               
5.13.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Mergers and Acquisitions/Issuance of Shares to Facilitate Merger or Acquisition   To merge with or acquire
another company
  C
 
               
5.14.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Private Placements/ Warrants/Convertible
Debentures
  To issue a private placement security when bankruptcy is not likely   C
 
               
5.15.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Private Placements/ Warrants/Convertible
Debentures
  To issue a private placement security when bankruptcy is likely   F
 
               
5.16.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Spin-offs   To spin off a unit or line of business   C
 
               
5.17.
  Mergers and Corporate Restructurings   Value Maximization Proposals   To maximize shareholder value by hiring a financial advisor to explore strategic alternatives, selling the company or liquidating the company and distributing the proceeds to shareholders.   C
 
               
6.0.
  State of Incorporation   Control Share Acquisition
Provisions
  To opt out of control share acquisition statutes   F
 
               
6.1.
  State of Incorporation   Control Share Acquisition
Provisions
  To amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.   A
 
               
6.2.
  State of Incorporation   Control Share Acquisition
Provisions
  To restore voting rights to the control shares.   F
 
               
6.3.
  State of Incorporation   Control Share Cash out
Provisions
  To opt out of control share cash out statutes.   F
 
               
6.4.
  State of Incorporation   Disgorgement Provisions   To opt out of state disgorgement provisions.   F
 
               
6.5.
  State of Incorporation   Fair Price Provisions   To adopt fair price provisions   C
 
               
6.6.
  State of Incorporation   Fair Price Provisions   To adopt fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.   A
 
               
6.7.
  State of Incorporation   Freeze Out   proposals to opt out of state freeze out provisions   F

B-21


 

                 
6.8.
  State of Incorporation   Greenmail   To adopt anti greenmail charter of bylaw amendments Or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.   F
 
               
6.9.
  State of Incorporation   Greenmail   To adopt anti greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.   F
 
               
6.10.
  State of Incorporation   Reincorporation Proposals   To change a company’s state of incorporation   C
 
               
6.11.
  State of Incorporation   Stakeholder Provisions   To consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.   A
 
               
6.12.
  State of Incorporation   State Anti takeover Statutes   To opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).   C
 
               
7.0.
  Capital Structure   Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock   Management proposals to reduce or eliminate the par value of common stock.   F
 
               
7.1.
  Capital Structure   Common Stock Authorization   To increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance   C
 
               
7.2.
  Capital Structure   Common Stock Authorization   To increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights.   C
 
               
7.3.
  Capital Structure   Common Stock Authorization   To approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain   F

B-22


 

                 
7.4.
  Capital Structure   Dual-class Stock   Proposals to create a new class of common stock with superior voting rights   A
 
               
 
          To create a new class of nonvoting or sub-voting common stock if:    
 
               
7.5.
  Capital Structure   Dual-class Stock  
     It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders


     It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder
  F
 
               
7.6.
  Capital Structure   Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan   To increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).   A
 
               
7.7.
  Capital Structure   Preemptive Rights   Shareholder proposals that
seek preemptive rights
  C
 
               
7.8.
  Capital Structure   Preferred Stock   To authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock).   A
 
               
7.9.
  Capital Structure   Preferred Stock   To create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).   F
 
               
7.10.
  Capital Structure   Preferred Stock   To authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable   F
 
               
7.11.
  Capital Structure   Preferred Stock   To increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.   A
 
               
7.12.
  Capital Structure   Preferred Stock   To increase the number of blank check preferred shares   A
 
               
7.13.
  Capital Structure   Recapitalization   Recapitalizations (reclassifications of securities)   C

B-23


 

                 
7.14.
  Capital Structure   Reverse Stock Splits   Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced   F
 
               
7.15.
  Capital Structure   Reverse Stock Splits   Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split to avoid delisting.   F
 
               
7.16.
  Capital Structure   Reverse Stock Splits   To implement a reverse stock splits that do not proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized or considered “going dark” transactions.   C
 
               
7.17.
  Capital Structure   Share Repurchase Programs   Management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms   F
 
               
7.17.a
  Capital Structure   Share Repurchase Programs   Management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which derivatives may be utilized   C
 
               
7.18.
  Capital Structure   Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends   Management proposals to increase the common share authorization for a stock split or share dividend, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in an excessive number of shares available for issuance   F
 
               
7.19.
  Capital Structure   Tracking Stock   To authorize the creation of tracking stock   C
 
               
8.0.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Executive Compensation   To approve executive compensation plans or plan amendments.   C
 
               
8.1.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Executive Compensation   To approve compensation plans that expressly permit the re-pricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval.   A
 
               
8.2.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Executive Compensation   Plans in which the CEO participates if there is a disconnect between the CEO’s pay and company performance   A

B-24


 

                 
8.3.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Director Compensation   Plans for directors   C
 
               
8.4.a
  Executive and Director Compensation   Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash   Plans which provide participants with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock if conversion price is greater than 90% of fair market value.   F
 
               
8.4.b
  Executive and Director Compensation   Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash   Plans which provide participants with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock (unless as described above)   A
 
               
8.5.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash   Plans which provide a
dollar-for-dollar cash for
stock exchange
  F
 
               
8.6.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash   Plans which do not provide a
dollar-for-dollar cash for
stock exchange
  A
 
               
8.7.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Director Retirement Plans   Retirement plans for non-employee directors.   A
 
               
8.8.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Director Retirement Plans   Shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors   F
 
               
8.9.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Re-price Options   On management proposals seeking approval to re-price options   A
 
               
8.10.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Voting on Compensation   Shareholder proposals to submit executive compensation to a vote.   A
 
               
8.11.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Employee Stock Purchase Plans   Employee stock purchase plans
not described below
  C
 
 
          Employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply    
 
8.12.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Employee Stock Purchase Plans  
     Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value


 
     Offering period is 27 months or less
  F

B-25


 

                 
 
          Employee stock purchase plans where any of the following apply    
 
               
8.13.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Employee Stock Purchase Plans  
     Purchase price is less than 85 percent of fair market value, or
 

     Offering period is greater than 27 months
  A
 
               
8.14.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals   Simply amend shareholder-approved compensation plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m).   F
 
               
8.15.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals   To add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m)   F
 
               
8.16.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals   Plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m)   F
 
               
8.17.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals   Cash or cash and stock bonus plans that are submitted to shareholders for the purpose of exempting compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) if no increase in shares is requested.   F
 
               
8.18.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Employee Stock Ownership Plans
(ESOPs)
  To implement an ESOP or increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, unless the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (more than five percent of outstanding shares.)   F
 
               
8.19.
  Executive and Director Compensation   401(k) Employee Benefit Plans   To implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.   F
 
               
8.20.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay   Shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information,   A

B-26


 

                 
8.21.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay   Shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.   A
 
               
8.22.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay   Shareholder proposals
requiring director fees be
paid in stock only
  A
 
               
8.23.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay   Shareholder proposals to put option re-pricings to a shareholder vote   F
 
               
8.24.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay   For all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay   C
 
               
8.25.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Performance-Based Stock Options   Shareholder proposals advocating the use of performance-based stock options (indexed, premium-priced, and performance-vested options).   C
 
               
8.26.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Golden Parachutes and Executive Severance Agreements   Shareholder proposals to require golden parachutes or executive severance agreements to be submitted for shareholder ratification   A
 
               
8.27.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Golden Parachutes and Executive Severance Agreements   Proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes.   C
 
               
8.28.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Pension Plan Income Accounting   Shareholder proposals to exclude pension plan income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation   F
 
               
8.29.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plans (SERPs)
  Shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote   A
 
               
8.31.
  Executive and Director Compensation   Equity Based Compensation Plans   Management proposals for
equity plans
  C

B-27


 

                 
8.32
  Executive and Director Compensation   Transferable Stock Options   Management and shareholder proposals for new on-going Transferable Stock option plans if the total cost of the company’s equity plans is less than the company’s allowable cap.   F
 
               
9.0.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Animal Rights
  To phase out the use of animals in product testing   A
 
               
9.1.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Animal Rights
  Report on animal welfare   A
 
               
9.2.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Animal Rights
  Adopt animal welfare policy   A
 
               
9.3.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Drug Pricing
  To implement price restraints
on pharmaceutical products
  A
 
               
9.4.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Drug Reimportation
  Proposals requesting that companies report on the financial and legal impact of their policies regarding prescription drug reimportation or proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or constrain prescription drug reimportation   A
 
               
9.5.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Genetically Modified Foods
  To voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products or alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients.   A
 
               
9.6.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Genetically Modified Foods   A report on the feasibility of labeling products containing GE ingredients   A
 
               
9.7.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Genetically Modified Foods   A report on the financial, legal, and environmental impact of continued use of GE ingredients/seeds   A

B-28


 

                 
9.8.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Genetically Modified Foods   Report on the health and environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)   A
 
               
9.9.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Genetically Modified Foods   To completely phase out GE ingredients from the company’s products or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE ingredients   A
 
               
9.10.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY:
Handguns
  Reports on a company’s policies aimed at curtailing gun violence in the United States   A
 
               
9.11.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY:
HIV/AIDS
  Reports outlining the impact of the health pandemic (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) on the company’s Sub-Saharan operations   A
 
               
9.12.
  Social and Environmental Issues   HIV/AIDS   To establish, implement, and report on a standard of response to the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria health pandemic in Africa and other developing countries   A
 
               
9.13.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Predatory Lending
  Reports on the company’s procedures for preventing predatory lending, including the establishment of a board committee for oversight,   A
 
               
9.14.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Tobacco
  Proposals seeking stronger
product warnings
  A
 
               
9.15.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Tobacco   Proposals asking that the company’s operating facilities be smoke-free   A
 
               
9.16.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Tobacco   Proposals dealing with product placement in stores or advertising to youth.   A
 
               
9.17.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Tobacco   Proposals asking the company to cease production of tobacco-related products or cease selling products to tobacco companies.   A

B-29


 

                 
9.18.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Tobacco   Proposals to spin-off tobacco-related businesses:   A
 
               
9.19.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Tobacco   Proposals prohibiting investment in tobacco equities.   A
 
               
9.20.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CONSUMER ISSUES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY: Toxic Chemicals
  Proposals requesting that a company discloses its policies related to toxic chemicals, proposals requesting that companies evaluate and disclose the potential financial and legal risks associated with utilizing certain chemicals, or proposals requiring that a company reformulate its products within a certain timeframe.   A
 
               
9.21.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
  Requests for reports outlining
potential environmental damage
from drilling in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge
(ANWR)
  A
 
               
9.22.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
CERES Principles
  Proposals to adopt the CERES Principles   A
 
               
9.23.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Environmental-Economic Risk
Report
  Proposals requests reports assessing economic risks of environmental pollution or climate change or reports outlining potential environmental damage from operations in protected regions, including wildlife refuges.   A
 
               
9.24.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Environmental Reports   Proposals for reports disclosing the company’s environmental policies.   A
 
               
9.25.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Nuclear Safety   Proposals requesting that companies report on risks associated with their nuclear reactor designs and/or the production and interim storage of irradiated fuel rods   A

B-30


 

                 
9.26.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Global Warming
  Proposals to make reports on the level of greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s operations and products.   A
 
               
9.27.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Recycling
  Proposals to adopt a comprehensive recycling strategy   A
 
               
9.28.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Renewable Energy
  Proposals to invest in renewable energy sources.   A
 
               
9.29.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Renewable Energy   Requests for reports on the feasibility of developing renewable energy sources   A
 
               
9.30.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Sustainability Report
  Proposals to make report on its policies and practices related to social, environmental, and economic sustainability   A
 
               
9.31.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:   Report on energy efficiency   A
 
      Efficiency Report        
 
               
9.32.
  Social and Environmental Issues   ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY:
Kyoto Protocol
  Proposals requesting that companies outline their preparations to comply with standards established by Kyoto Protocol signatory markets   A
 
               
9.33.
  Social and Environmental Issues   LAND USE   Proposals that request the disclosure of detailed information on a company’s policies related to land use or development   A
 
               
9.34.
  Social and Environmental Issues   CAFOs   Proposals requesting that companies report to shareholders on the risks and liabilities associated with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)   A
 
               
9.35.
  Social and Environmental Issues   GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES:
Charitable/ Political Contributions
  Proposals to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace   A
 
               
9.36.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Charitable/ Political Contributions   Proposals to report or publish in newspapers the company’s political and/or charitable contributions   A

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9.37.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Charitable/ Political Contributions   Proposals to prohibit the company from making political contributions   A
 
               
9.38.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Charitable/ Political Contributions   Proposals to restrict the company from making charitable contributions   A
 
               
9.39.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Charitable/ Political Contributions   Proposals to publish a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company   A
 
               
9.40.
  Social and Environmental Issues   GENERAL CORPORATE ISSUES: Link Executive Compensation to Social Performance   Proposals to review ways of linking executive compensation to social factors   A
 
               
9.41.
  Social and Environmental Issues   LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS: China Principles
  Proposals to implement the China Principles.   A
 
               
9.42.
  Social and Environmental Issues   LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS: Country-specific human rights
reports
  Proposals to make reports detailing the company’s operations in a particular country and steps to protect human rights   A
 
               
9.43.
  Social and Environmental Issues   LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: International Codes of Conduct/Vendor Standards   Proposals to implement certain human rights standards at company facilities or those of its suppliers and to commit to outside, independent monitoring   A
 
               
9.44.
  Social and Environmental Issues   LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS: MacBride Principles
  Proposals to endorse or increase activity on the MacBride Principles.   A
 
               
9.45.
  Social and Environmental Issues   MILITARY BUSINESS: Foreign
Military Sales/Offsets
  Proposals to make reports on foreign military sales or offsets.   A
 
               
9.46.
  Social and Environmental Issues   MILITARY BUSINESS: Landmines and Cluster Bombs   Proposals asking the company to renounce future involvement in antipersonnel landmine production   A

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9.47.
  Social and Environmental Issues   MILITARY BUSINESS: Nuclear
Weapons
  Proposals asking the company to cease production of nuclear weapons components and delivery systems, including disengaging from current and proposed contracts   A
 
               
9.48.
  Social and Environmental Issues   MILITARY BUSINESS: Operations
in Nations Sponsoring Terrorism (Iran)
  Proposals asking the company to appoint a board committee review and report outlining the company’s financial and reputational risks from its operations in Iran,   A
 
               
9.49.
  Social and Environmental Issues   MILITARY BUSINESS:
Spaced-Based Weaponization
  Proposals asking the company to make reports on a company’s involvement in spaced-based weaponization   A
 
               
9.50.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board
Diversity
  Requests for reports on the company’s efforts to diversify the board   A
 
               
9.51.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Board
Diversity
  Proposals asking the company to increase the representation of women and minorities on the board   C
 
               
9.52.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Equal
Employment Opportunity (EEO)
  Proposals to increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs   A
 
               
9.53.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Glass
Ceiling
  To increase regulatory oversight of EEO programs and Glass Ceiling proposals   A
 
               
9.54.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Sexual
Orientation
  Exclude reference to sexual orientation from the EEO statement   A
 
               
9.55.
  Social and Environmental Issues   WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: Sexual
Orientation
  Proposals to amend a company’s EEO statement in order to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation   A
 
               
9.56.
  Social and Environmental Issues   Sexual Orientation   Proposals to extend company benefits to or eliminate benefits from domestic partners   A
 
               
9.57
  Social and Environmental Issues   Outsourcing   Proposals asking for companies to report on the risks associated with outsourcing or offshoring.   A
 
               
9.58
  Social and Environmental Issues   Community Impact Assessment   Proposals asking for reports outling the potential community impact of company operations in specific regions.   A

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9.59
  Social and Environmental Issues   Internet Privacy and Censorship   Proposals requesting the disclosure and implementation of Internet privacy and censorship policies and procedures.   F
 
               
10.0
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Election of Directors   Director nominees who are not described below   F
 
               
10.1.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Election of Directors   Ignore a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years   W
 
               
10.2.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Convert Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund   Conversion Proposals   C
 
               
10.3.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Proxy Contests   Proxy Contests   C
 
               
10.4.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Investment Advisory Agreements   Investment Advisory Agreements   F
 
               
10.5.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Approve New Classes or Series of Shares   The establishment of new classes or series of shares.   F
 
               
10.6.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Change Fundamental Restriction to Nonfundamental Restriction   Proposals to change a fund’s fundamental restriction to a non fundamental restriction   C
 
               
10.7.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental   Proposals to change a fund’s fundamental investment objective to a non fundamental investment objective   C
 
               
10.8.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Name Change Proposals   Name change proposals.   F
 
               
10.9.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Change in Fund’s Sub classification   To change a fund’s sub-classification   F
 
               
10.10.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation   To dispose of assets, liquidate or terminate the fund   F
 
               
10.11.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   To make changes to the charter document   C
 
               
10.12.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Removal shareholder approval requirement to reorganize or terminate the trust or any of its series   F

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10.13.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Removal of shareholder approval requirement for amendments to the new declaration of trust   F
 
               
10.14.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Removal of shareholder approval requirement to amend the fund’s management contract, allowing the contract to be modified by the investment manager and the trust management, as permitted by the 1940 Act   F
 
               
10.15.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Allow the trustees to impose other fees in addition to sales charges on investment in a fund, such as deferred sales charges and redemption fees that may be imposed upon redemption of a fund’s shares   F
 
               
10.16.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Removal of shareholder approval requirement to engage in and terminate Sub-advisory arrangements   F
 
               
10.17.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Changes to the Charter Document   Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile of the fund   F
 
               
10.18.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Change the Fund’s Domicile   Fund’s Reincorporation   C
 
               
10.19.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Authorize the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisors Without Shareholder Approval   Proposals authorizing the board to hire/terminate sub-advisors without shareholder approval.   F
 
               
10.20.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Distribution Agreements   Distribution agreements   F
 
               
10.21.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Master-Feeder Structure   Establishment of a master-feeder structure.   F
 
               
10.22.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Mergers   Mergers and Acquisitions   C
 
               
10.23.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Shareholder Proposals to Establish Director Ownership Requirement   To mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board   A
 
               
10.24.a
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Shareholder Proposals to Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses   To reimburse proxy solicitation expenses if dissident wins   F

B-35


 

                 
10.24.b
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Shareholder Proposals to Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses   To reimburse proxy
solicitation expenses (except
as described above)
  A
 
               
10.25.
  Mutual Fund Proxies   Shareholder Proposals to Terminate Investment Advisor   To terminate the investment
advisor
  C
RFSP-SAI-0808

B-36


 

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 77
ITEM 23. Exhibits:
(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration STI Calssic Funds (now, RidgeWorth Funds) (the “Registrant”) of Trust as originally filed with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 12, 1992, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0000912057-96-015938 on July 31, 1996.
(a)(2) Amendment dated March 31, 2008 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(b) (1) Amended and Restated By-Laws, as approved by the Board of Trustees on August 15, 2000, as approved by the Board of Trustees on August 15, 2000, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000935069-00-000528 on September 21, 2000.
(b)(2) Amendment dated March 31, 2008 to Amended and Restated By-laws, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004343 on May 30, 2008.
(c) Not applicable.
(d)(1) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now, RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.) dated November 14, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-07-004809 on May 30, 2007.
(d)(2) Amended Schedule A to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 14, 2006, between the Registrant and RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(d)(3) Amendment dated April 1, 2008, to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 14, 2006, between the Registrant and RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(4) Expense Limitation Agreement dated August 1, 2007 between the Registrant and Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(d)(5) Expense Limitation Agreement dated January 9, 2008 between the Registrant, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.) and Alpha Equity Management LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(d)(6) Form of Expense Limitation Agreement dated August 1, 2008 among the Registrant, RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc., Alpha Equity Management LLC and StableRiver Capital Management, LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.

C-1


 

(d)(7) Form of Interim Investment Subadvisory Agreement between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. and Zevenbergen Capital Investments, LLC is filed herewith.
(d)(9) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated December 13, 2007, between Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.) and Alpha Equity Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(10) Amendment dated April 1, 2008 to the Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated December 13, 2007, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Alpha Equity Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(11) Expense Limitation Agreement dated January 9, 2008, between the Registrant, Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.) and Alpha Equity Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(12) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Ceredex Value Advisors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(13) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Certium Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(14) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and IronOak Advisors LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(15) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Seix Investment Advisors LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(d)(16) Amended Schedule A to the Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Seix Investment Advisors LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(d)(17) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and Silvant Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(d)(18) Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated March 31, 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) and StableRiver Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.

C-2


 

(e)(1) Distribution Agreement dated August 20, 2008 between the Registrant and RidgeWorth Distributors LLC is filed herewith.
(f) Not applicable.
(g)(1) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Trust Company Bank (now, SunTrust Bank) dated February 1, 1994, as originally filed with the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, filed on September 28, 1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000912057-96-015938 on July 31, 1996.
(g)(2) Securities Lending Amendment dated October 1, 2002 to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000935069-03-001371 on September 30, 2003.
(g)(3) Amendment dated July 1, 2003 to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank, dated as of February 1, 1994, as amended October 1, 2002, and Schedule A of such Agreement amended as of August 16, 1995 and January 1, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000935069-03-001651 on December 10, 2003.
(g)(4) Amendment dated November 25, 2003 to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-04-005770 on July 30, 2004.
(g)(5) Amendment dated August 19, 2005 to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-05-009415 on November 18, 2005.
(g)(6) Amendment dated March 31, 2008 to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(g)(7) Amended Schedule A dated March 31, 2008 to the Custodian Agreement dated February 1, 1994 between the Registrant and SunTrust Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(g)(8) Custodian Agreement dated January 29, 2003 among the Registrant, STI Classic Variable Trust (now, RidgeWorth Variable Trust) and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., with respect to the Institutional Cash Management Fund, International Equity Fund, International Equity Index Fund, International Equity 130/30 Fund, Real Estate 130/30 Fund, U.S. Equity 130/30 Fund, Seix Global Strategy Fund and Strategic Income Fund, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement of the STI Classic Variable Trust (now, RidgeWorth Variable Trust) (SEC No. 033-91476) filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000935069-03-00052 on April 25, 2003.
(g)(9) Amendment dated March 31, 2008 to the Custodian Agreement dated January 29, 2003 among the Registrant, RidgeWorth Variable Trust (formerly, STI Classic Variable Trust) and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., is

C-3


 

incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(h)(1) Master Services Agreement between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) dated July 16, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-04-007101 on September 28, 2004.
(h)(2) Revised Schedule A to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(h)(3) Amendment dated as of August 11, 2004 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-04-007101 on September 28, 2004.
(h)(4) Amendment dated November 5, 2004 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-04-009220 on December 30, 2004.
(h)(5) Amendment dated November 18, 2005 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (h)(4) of Post Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-06-002527 on March 24, 2006.
(h)(6) Amendment dated July 1, 2007 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-07-009632 on December 14, 2007.
(h)(7) Amendment dated May 15, 2007 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc., (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(h)(8) Amendment dated August 21, 2007 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc., (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(h)(9) Form of Amendment dated April 1, 2008 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc., (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(h)(10) Amendment dated May 20, 2008 to the Master Services Agreement dated July 16, 2004, between the Registrant and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.

C-4


 

(h)(11) Form of Shareholder Service Plan and Agreement relating to Corporate Trust Shares, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(h)(12) Shareholder Servicing Plan related to R Shares, is filed herewith.
(h)(13) Securities Lending Management Agreement dated March 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Credit Suisse First Boston is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-05-004581 on May 18, 2005.
(h)(14) Compliance Services Agreement dated October 1, 2004, among the Registrant, STI Classic Variable Trust (now, RidgeWorth Variable Trust) and Citi Fund Services, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-06-004792 on May 30, 2006.
(h)(15) Form of Amendment dated May 1, 2008 to the Compliance Services Agreement dated October 1, 2004, among the Registrant, RidgeWorth Variable Trust (formerly, STI Classic Variable Trust) and Citi Fund Services, Inc. (formerly,, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(i) To be updated by amendment.
(j) Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m)(1) Distribution and Service Plan relating to C Shares and R Shares (with respect to certain Funds) dated May 17, 2005, as amended November 20, 2008 is filed herewith.
(m)(2) Distribution and Service Plan relating to B Shares dated February 11, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000935069-03-001371 on September 30, 2003.
(m)(3) Distribution and Service Plan relating to A Shares dated May 17, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-05-0048058 on May 27, 2005.
(m)(4) Amended Schedule A dated August 1, 2008 to the Distribution and Service Plan relating to A Shares dated May 17, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-005746 on July 29, 2008.
(n)(1) Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan is filed herewith.
(o) Not applicable.
(p)(1) Registrant’s Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrant’s Registration statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004343 on May 30, 2008.

C-5


 

(p)(2) Code of Ethics for Trusco Capital Management, Inc. (now, RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.) Ceredex Value Advisors LLC, Certium Asset Management LLC, IronOak Advisors LLC, Seix Investment Advisors LLC, Silvant Capital Management LLC and StableRiver Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-07-004809 on May 30, 2007.
(p)(3) Code of Ethics for Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC, dated October 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC via EDGAR Accession No. 0000950152-08-004114 on May 16, 2008.
(p)(4) Code of Ethics for Alpha Equity Management LLC is filed herewith.
ITEM 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant:
See the prospectus and Statement of Additional Information regarding the Registrant’s control relationships.
ITEM 25. Indemnification:
Article VIII of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (a) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to trustees, directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser:
RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (formerly, Trusco Capital Management, Inc.) (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Registrant. The Adviser’s principal address is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of the adviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
David Eidson
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Senior Vice President
Chairman &
  SunTrust Bank   Executive Vice President
Chief Executive Officer
  SunTrust Capital Markets   Board Member
 
  Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC   Board Member
 
       
Ashi Parikh
  CeredexValue Advisors LLC (“Ceredex”)   CEO
President & CIO
  IronOak Advisors LLC (“IronOak”)   CEO
 
  Silvant Capital Management LLC (“Silvant”)   CEO
 
  StableRiver Capital Management LLC   Chairman

C-6


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
 
  (“StableRiver”)    
 
  Certium Asset Management LLC (“Certium”)   CEO
 
       
Christina Seix
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Executive Vice President
  SunTrust International Banking   Officer
 
  Company    
 
  Seix Investment Advisors LLC   Chairman
 
  (“Seix”)    
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
David C. Anderson
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Andrew S. Atkins
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Steve R. Bendrick
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Gordon R. Boardway
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Sabrina Bowens
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Charles H. Boyt
   
Vice President
       
 
       
John C. Brennan
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Sheraun Y. Britton-Paris
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Matthew B. Carney
   
Director
       
 
       
Benjamin M. Clark
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Shane Coldren
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
  Certium   Officer
 
  Seix   Officer
 
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
  Ceredex   Officer
 
       
Jim Coryell
   
Director
       
 
       
David M. Craig
   
Director
       
 
Samantha Crain
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Dara B. Day
   
Associate
       
 
       

C-7


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Martin J. Duffy
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Mary J. Durkin
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Todd C. Early
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Douglas J. Farmer
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Laura B. Friend
   
Director
       
 
       
Kirsten M. Fuller
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Karen Gardner
   
Vice President
       
 
Alan M. Gayle
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Allan J. George
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Bradford Anthony Gifford
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Eunice Gillespie
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Melvin E. Hamilton
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Diana Hanlin
   
Director
       
 
       
Jacob. T. Harper
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
James B. Hester
   
Associate
       
 
Michael Todd Hill
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Deborah A. Hopkins
   
Vice President
       

C-8


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Marcus Hopkins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
Zhigang Jin
   
Associate
       
 
       
Christopher A. Jones
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Jay Karpinsky
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Mary S. Kelly
   
Vice President
       
 
       
William J. Laplante Jr.
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Wayne G. Larochelle
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Jonathan D. Larsen
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Matthew D. Lota
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Steve Loncar
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Tina Y. Long
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Robert Tate McDaniel Jr.
   
Director
       
 
       
William J. Longan
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Scott F. Luxton
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Jennifer Love Mann
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Samuel A. McKnight, Jr.
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Daniella Moiseyev - Cunnife
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Evan B. Melcher
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Blake E. Myton
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Wesley P. Neal
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Laura B. Newberg
   
Vice President
       
 
       
David W. Neely
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       

C-9


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Robert H. Neinken
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Patrick A. Paparelli
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director/Secretary
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Silvant   CCO
 
  Certium   CCO
 
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Seix   Officer
 
  Ceredex   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
       
Ty E. Parrish
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Ronnie G. Pennell
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
James M. Phebus Jr.
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Gregory L. Phillips
   
Director
       
 
       
Gary A. Plourde
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Sean D. Porrello
   
Director
       
 
       
Raymond A. Prophater
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Armond R. Reese
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
David W. Reidy
   
Vice President
       
Dina E. Romeo
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Josie C. Rosson
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
  Ceredex   CCO
 
  IronOak   CCO
 
  Certium   Officer
 
  StableRiver   CCO
 
  Silvant   Officer

C-10


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Michael C. Sahakian
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Diane F. Schmidt
   
Director
       
 
       
Sowmdeb Sen
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Julia R. Short
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Shelly R. Simpson
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Paul Slakter
   
Director
       
 
       
Edward P. Smith
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
George D. Smith, Jr.
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Stephen Smith
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Ellen E. Spong
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Jeffrey P. St. Amand
   
Director
       
 
       
John H. Stebbins
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Ceredex   CFO
 
  IronOak   CFO
 
  Silvant   CFO
 
  Certium   CFO
 
  StableRiver   CFO
 
  Seix   Officer
 
       
Kimberly Jean Strickland
   
Vice President
       
 
       
James Stueve
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Jessica Lacey Thompson
  Certium   Officer
Vice President
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Ceredex   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
  Silvant   Officer

C-11


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Matthew M. Tollison
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Michelle A. Tribble
   
Vice President
       
 
       
William A. Turner
  Certium   Officer
Director
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Seix   Officer
 
  Ceredex   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
       
David Walley
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Joseph P. Walsh
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Joseph Ward
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Angela V. Watterson
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Elizabeth Wilson
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
William L. Wilson, Jr.
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Kevin D. Wright
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Stephen M. Yarbrough
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Jay A. Young
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Vice President
       

C-12


 

Ceredex Value Advisors LLC (“Ceredex”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s Large Cap Value Equity Fund, Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund and the Small Cap Value Equity Fund. The principal address of Ceredex is 300 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1600, Orlando, Florida 32801.
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Brett Barner
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Charlie Carter
  Certium   Officer
Vice President
  Seix   Officer
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
  StableRiver   Officer
 
       
Rohit Dewan
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Jennifer Graff
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Nicole Guidry
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Vice President
       
 
       
Hein Hanekom
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
Ashi Parikh
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   President & CIO
CEO
  IronOak   CEO
 
  Silvant   CEO
 
  Certium   CEO
 
  StableRiver   Chairman
 
       
Mills Riddick
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
President/CIO
       
 
       
Josie Rosson
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CCO
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  IronOak   CCO
 
  Certium   Officer
 
  StableRiver   CCO
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
       
Cody Smith
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       

C-13


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
John Stebbins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CFO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  IronOak   CFO
 
  Silvant   CFO
 
  Certium   CFO
 
  StableRiver   CFO
 
  Seix   Officer
 
       
Don Wordell
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
IronOak Advisors LLC (“IronOak”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s Large Cap Core Equity Fund and the Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund. The principal address of IronOak is 919 East Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23219
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Charles Arrington
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Frank Ashby
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Frances Aylor
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Matthew Laing
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Jim Mallory
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Jeffrey Markunas
  Ceredex   Officer
President/CIO
  Silvant   Officer
 
  Certium   Officer
 
       
Thomas O’Neil
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Ashi Parikh
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   President & CIO
CEO
  Ceredex   CEO
 
  Silvant   CEO
 
  Certium   CEO
 
  StableRiver   Chairman

C-14


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Josie Rosson
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CCO
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Ceredex   CCO
 
  Certium   Officer
 
  StableRiver   CCO
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
       
James Savage
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
John Stebbins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CFO
  SunTrust Bank, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Ceredex   CFO
 
  Silvant   CFO
 
  Certium   CFO
 
  StableRiver   CFO
 
  Seix   Officer
Silvant Capital Management LLC (“Silvant”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s Large Cap Growth Stock Fund, Select Large Cap Growth Stock Fund and Small Cap Growth Stock Fund. The principal address of Silvant is 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Brandi Allen
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Christin Armacost
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Michael A. Bain
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Sandeep Bhatia
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Brad Erwin
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Jim Foster
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Christopher Guinther
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
President/CIO
       
 
       
Randy Loving
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       

C-15


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Patrick Paparelli
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CCO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Certium   CCO
 
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Seix   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
       
Ashi Parikh
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   President & CIO
CEO
  Ceredex   CEO
 
  Iron Oak   CEO
 
  Certium   CEO
 
  StableRiver   Chairman
 
       
Joe Ransom
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
Kristin Ribic
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Director
       
 
       
Michael Sansoterra
  Certium   Officer
Managing Director
  Seix   Officer
 
  StableRiver   Officer
 
  Ceredex   Officer
 
  IronOak   Officer
 
       
Marc Schneidau
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Managing Director
       
 
       
John Stebbins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CFO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
  Ceredex   CFO
 
  IronOak   CFO
 
  Certium   CFO
 
  Seix   Officer
 
  StableRiver   CFO
Certium Asset Management LLC (“Certium”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s International Equity Fund, International Equity Index Fund, and the Large Cap Quantitative Equity Fund. The principal address of Certium is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326.

C-16


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Chad Deakins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
President/CEO
       
 
       
Charles East
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Risei Goto
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Patrick Papparelli
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CCO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank    
 
  Ceredex    
 
  IronOak    
 
  StableRiver    
 
  Seix    
 
  Silvant    
 
       
Ashi Parikh
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   President and CIO
CEO
  Ceredex    
 
  IronOak    
 
  Silvant    
 
  StableRiver    
 
       
Greg Peters
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
John Stebbins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CFO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank    
 
  Ceredex    
 
  IronOak    
 
  Silvant    
 
  StableRiver    
 
  Seix    
Seix Investment Advisors LLC (“Seix”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s High Income Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund, Investment Grade Bond Fund, Limited Duration Fund, Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Bond Fund, Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund, Seix High Yield Fund, Strategic Income Fund, Total Return Bond Fund, and U.S. Government Securities Fund. The principal address of Seix is 10 Mountainview Road, Suite C-200, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

C-17


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Jeannell Anthony
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
E. Cashwell, Jr.
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Carlos Catoya
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Stacy Culver
   
Vice President
       
 
       
William Davis
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Christopher DeGaetano
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Deirdre Dillon
   
CCO
       
 
       
Rebecca Ehrhart
   
Vice President
       
 
       
James Fitzpatrick
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Vincent Flanagan
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Elena Fyodorova
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Michelle Gallo
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Leo Goldstein
   
Vice President
       
 
       
George Goudelias
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Paul Guevera
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
James Keegan
  Seix Structured Products LLC   Manager
CIO
       

C-18


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Nathaniel King
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Michael Kirkpatrick
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Raymond Kramer
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Scott Kupchinsky
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Gerard Leen
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Charles Leonard
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Carla Leslie
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Biron Lim
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Michael McEachern
   
President
       
 
       
Claudia J. McPherson
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Sharon Moran
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Brian Nold
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Cynthia Panebianco
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Brian Reid
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Michael Reiger
   
Managing Director
       

C-19


 

         
        CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   COMPANY
Christina Seix
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
Chairman
  SunTrust International Banking Company   Officer
 
       
Robert Sherman
       
CEO
       
 
       
Robin Shulman
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Atul Sibal
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Eric Storch
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Perry Troisi
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Ania Wacht
   
Vice President
       
 
       
George Way
   
CFO
       
 
       
Adrien Webb
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Ellen Welsh
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Thomas Winters
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Jonathan Yozzo
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Samuel Zona
   
Managing Director
       
StableRiver Capital Management LLC (“StableRiver”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, High Grade Municipal Bond Fund, Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, North Carolina Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Short-Term Bond Fund, Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund, U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund, Ultra-Short Bond Fund, Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund, Institutional Municipal Cash Reserve Money Market Fund, Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund, Prime Quality Money Market Fund, Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund and the Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund. The principal address of StableRiver is 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326.

C-20


 

         
    CONNECTION WITH OTHER
NAME NAME OF OTHER COMPANY COMPANY
Matthew Boden
   
Director
       
 
       
George Calvert
   
Director
       
 
       
Christopher Carter
   
Director
       
 
       
Kimberly Cook
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
Robert Corner
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Scott Craig
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Colleen Doremus
   
Director
       
 
       
Christopher Giglio
   
Director
       
 
       
Matt Edelstein
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Gregory Hallman
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Michael Honshurak
   
Director
       
 
       
Mark Kallis
   
Director
       
 
       
James Kofron
   
Director
       
 
Hollis D. Linginfelter
   
Vice President
       
 
       
Kimberly Maichle
   
Director
       
 
       
Doug Mitchell
   
Vice President
       

C-21


 

         
NAME   NAME OF OTHER COMPANY   CONNECTION WITH OTHER COMPANY
Rick Nelson
   
CEO/CIO
       
 
       
Paul Robertson, III
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
President
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
 
       
Josie Rosson
  SunTrust Bank   Officer
CCO
  Ceredex   CCO
 
  Certium   Officer
 
  IronOak   CCO
 
  Silvant   Officer
 
       
Ron Schwartz
       
Managing Director
       
 
       
Michael Sebesta
       
Managing Director
       
 
       
Dusty Self
       
Director
       
 
       
Mark Smith
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Associate
Associate
       
 
       
Dean Speer
       
Director
       
 
       
John Stebbins
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Managing Director
CFO
  SunTrust Banks, Inc.   Officer
 
  SunTrust Bank    
 
  Ceredex    
 
  IronOak    
 
  Silvant    
 
  StableRiver    
 
  Seix    
 
       
Chad Stephens
   
Managing Director
       
 
       
Sonny Surkin
   
Director
       
 
       
J.P. Yarusinski
   
Director
       
 
       
Scott Yuschak
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.   Officer
Vice President
       
 
       
Justin Wu
   
Vice President
       

C-22


 

Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC (“ZCI”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s Aggressive Growth Stock and Emerging Growth Stock Funds. The principal address of ZCI is 601 Union Street, Seattle, Washington 98101.
Other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of the subadviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:
         
        Connection with Other
Name   Name of Other Company   Company
Brooke de Boutray
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager
  Rivendell Capital Inc.
Seattle University
  Vice President and Director
Member, Department of
Finance Advisory Board
 
       
Lisa Foley
Managing Director, Investment Officer
  Rivendell Capital Inc.   Secretary
Leslie Tubbs
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager
and Chief Compliance Officer
  Rivendell Capital Inc.   Treasurer
 
       
Nancy A. Zevenbergen
President and Chief Investment Officer
  Rivendell Capital Inc.
Seattle Pacific University
Foundation
  President and Director
Director
Alpha Equity Management LLC (“Alpha Equity”) serves as the investment subadviser for the Registrant’s International Equity 130/30 Fund, the Real Estate 130/30 Fund and the U.S. Equity 130/30 Fund. The principal address of Alpha Equity is 90 State House Square, Suite 1100, Hartford, CT 06103.
Other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of the subadviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:
         
        Connection with Other
Name   Name of Other Company   Company
Kevin Means
       
Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer
   
Vince Fioramonti
       
Partner, Director of Trading and IT
   
Donald Townswick
       
Partner, Director of Research
   
Neil Kochen
       
Partner, Chief Risk Officer
   
Peter E. de Svastich
   
Partner, Chief Financial Officer/Chief
       
Compliance Officer
       
Charles B. Krausen
   
Partner, Director of Institutional Marketing
       
Alan Glatt
   
Partner, Director of Private Client Marketing
       
ITEM 27. Principal Underwriters:
Item 27(a) RidgeWorth Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:
RidgeWorth Funds
RidgeWorth Variable Trust

C-23


 

The Distributor is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Regulatory Authority or “FINRA”. The Distributor has its main address at 10 High Street, Suite 302, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The Distributor is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group LLC.
Item 27(b) Information about the Directors and Officers of the Distributor is as follows:
         
Name   Address   Position with Underwriter
Mark S. Redman
  690 Taylor Road, Gahanna, OH 43230   President and Manager
Jennifer Hoopes
  3 Canal Plaza, Portland, ME 04101   Secretary
Linda C. Carley
  10 High Street, Boston, MA 02110   Chief Compliance Officer
Wayne A. Rose
  10 High Street, Boston, MA 02110   Assistant Chief Compliance Officer
James E. (Ed) Pike
  690 Taylor Road, Gahanna, OH 43230   Financial and Operations Principal
Richard J. Berthy
  Three Canal Plaza, Portland, ME 04101   Treasurer, Vice President, Assistant Secretary & Manager
Item 27(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 28. Location of Accounts and Records:
Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are maintained as follows:
(a) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1); (2)(a) and (b); (3); (6); (8); (12); and 31a-1(d), the required books and records are maintained at the offices of Registrant’s custodians:
SunTrust Bank
303 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30308
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
40 Water Street
Boston, MA 02109
(Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund, International Equity Fund, International Equity Index Fund, Seix Global Strategy Fund, Strategic Income Fund, International Equity 130/30 Fund, Real Estate 130/30 Fund and U.S. Equity 130/30 Fund)
(b) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1),(4); (2)(C) and (D); (4); (5); (6); (8); (9); (10); (11); and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the offices of Registrant’s administrator:
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (formerly, BISYS Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.)
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, Ohio 43219
(c) With respect to Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and 31a-1(f), the required books and records are maintained at the principal offices of the Registrant’s adviser and subadviser:
RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Alpha Equity Management LLC
90 State House Square
Suite 1100

C-24


 

Hartford, CT 06103
Ceredex Value Advisers LLC
300 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1600
Orlando, FL 32801
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
Certium Asset Management LLC
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
IronOak Advisors LLC
919 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
Seix Investment Advisors LLC
10 Mountain View Road
Suite C-200
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
Silvant Capital Management LLC
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
StableRiver Capital Management LLC
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC
601 Union Street
Seattle, Washington 98101
(records relating to its function as subadviser)
(d) RidgeWorth Distributors LLC
10 High Street
Boston, MA 02110
(records relating to its function as distributor)
ITEM 29. Management Services: None.
ITEM 30. Undertakings: None.

C-25


 

NOTICE
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust for the Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this Registration Statement has been executed on behalf of the Registrant by an officer of the Registrant as an officer and by its trustees as trustees and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this Registration Statement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers, or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Registrant.

C-26


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (the “Amendment”) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia on the 10th day of December, 2008.
         
     
  By:   /s/ Julia Short    
    Julia R. Short,   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment has been signed below by the following persons in the capacity and as of the dates indicated.
     
 
   
*
 
Jeffrey M. Biggar
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
George C. Guynn
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
Sidney E. Harris
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
Warren Y. Jobe
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
Connie D. McDaniel
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
Clarence H. Ridley
  Trustee  
 
   
*
 
Charles D. Winslow
  Trustee  
 
   
/s/ Julia Short
 
Julia R. Short
  President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
   
/s/ Martin R. Dean
 
Martin R. Dean
  Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
         
     
* By:   /s/ Cynthia Surprise      
  Cynthia Surprise, pursuant to the
powers of attorney filed herewith 
 
       
 

C-27


 

RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
RIDGEWORTH VARIABLE TRUST
POWER OF ATTORNEY
     KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as trustees of RidgeWorth Funds and RidgeWorth Variable Trust (each, a “Trust”), business trusts organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby constitutes and appoints Kerry Reilly and Cynthia Surprise, and each of them singly, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of each Trust’s shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names as of the 20th day of May 2008.
         
/s/ Jeffrey Biggar
 
Jeffrey M. Biggar, Trustee
  /s/ George C. Guynn
 
George C. Guynn, Trustee
   
 
       
/s/ Sidney E. Harris
  /s/ Warren Y. Jobe    
 
       
Sidney E. Harris, Trustee
  Warren Y. Jobe, Trustee    
 
       
/s/ Connie McDaniel
  /s/ Clarence Ridley    
 
       
Connie D. McDaniel, Trustee
  Clarence H. Ridley, Trustee    
 
       
/s/ Charles D. Winslow
 
       
Charles D. Winslow, Trustee
       

C-28


 

Exhibit Index
     
Exhibit   Document
 
   
(d)(7)
  Form of Interim Investment Subadvisory Agreement between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. and Zevenbergen Capital Investments, LLC.
 
   
(e)(1)
  Distribution Agreement dated August 20, 2008 between the Registrant and RidgeWorth Distributors LLC.
 
   
(h)(12)
  Shareholder Servicing Plan related to R Shares.
 
   
(m)(1)
  Distribution and Service Plan relating to C Shares and R Shares (with respect to certain Funds) dated May 17, 2005, as amended November 20, 2008.
 
   
(n)(1)
  Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan.
 
   
(p)(4)
  Code of Ethics for Alpha Equity Management LLC.

C-29

EX-99.D.7 2 l34812aexv99wdw7.htm EX-99.D.7 EX-99.d.7
Exhibit (d)(7)
FORM OF INTERIM INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
     This INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT (“Interim Agreement”) made as of the       day of      , 2008, between RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”) and Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC (the “Subadviser”).
     WHEREAS, RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust, is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
     WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into investment advisory agreements with the Trust (the “Advisory Agreements”) pursuant to which the Adviser acts as investment adviser to the series of the Trust; and
     WHEREAS, the Adviser, with the approval of the Trust, desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Adviser in connection with the management of the series of the Trust set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), as such schedule may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties hereto, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services.
     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.   Duties of the Subadviser. Subject to supervision by the Adviser and the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Subadviser shall manage all of the securities and other assets of each Fund entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s then current prospectus and statement of additional information, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following:
  (a)   The Subadviser will provide investment advisory services to the Fund and shall, in such capacity, determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained, or sold by the Fund, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash, subject to the direction of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
 
  (b)   In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Interim Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (as defined herein), the Prospectus, and the instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
 
  (c)   The Subadviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by each Fund as provided in subparagraph (a) above and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in each Fund’s Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Subadviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of each Fund the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Subadviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker-dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Subadviser may also consider the brokerage and research services provided (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Consistent with any guidelines established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Subadviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for each Fund that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Subadviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in

A-1


 

      terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities of the Subadviser to its discretionary clients, including the Funds. In addition, the Subadviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokers or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser, Subadviser, or the Trust’s principal underwriter) if the Subadviser believes that the quality of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Funds’ Assets be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, Subadviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of either the Trust, Adviser, the Subadviser, or the principal underwriter, acting as principal in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the 1940 Act.
  (d)   The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(9), (b)(10), and (b)(11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser shall provide to the Adviser or the Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board of Trustees may reasonably request.
 
      The Subadviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Subadviser under this Interim Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Subadviser’s services under this Interim Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and records of the Funds required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Trust obtains from the SEC. The Subadviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of the Funds are property of the Funds and the Subadviser will surrender promptly to the Funds any of such records upon the Funds’ request; provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Interim Agreement, the Subadviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Interim Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor subadviser upon the termination of this Interim Agreement (or, if there is no successor subadviser, to the Adviser).
 
  (e)   The Subadviser shall provide the Funds’ custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Funds’ Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request by the Adviser.
 
  (f)   The investment management services provided by the Subadviser under this Interim Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others as long as such services do not impair the services rendered to the Adviser or the Trust.
 
  (g)   The Subadviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is likely to impair the Subadviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Interim Agreement.
 
  (h)   The Subadviser shall not be responsible for reviewing proxy solicitation materials or voting and handling proxies in relation to the securities held as Assets in the Funds. If the Subadviser receives a misdirected proxy, it shall promptly forward such misdirected proxy to the Adviser.
 
  (i)   In performance of its duties and obligations under this Interim Agreement, the Subadviser shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Funds or a subadviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Funds concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Funds. The Subadviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Funds other than the Assets.
 
      Services to be furnished by the Subadviser under this Interim Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of the Subadviser’s control affiliates, partners, officers or employees.
2.   Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreements and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its

A-2


 

    duties under this Interim Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Subadviser of responsibility for compliance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust (as defined herein), the Prospectus, the instructions and directions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
3.   Delivery of documents. The Adviser has furnished the Subadviser with copies of each of the following documents:
  (a)   The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Interim Agreement and as amended from time to time, herein called the “Declaration of Trust”);
 
  (b)   By-Laws of the Trust as in effect on the date of this Interim Agreement and as amended from time to time; and
 
  (c)   Prospectus of each Fund.
4.   Compensation to the Subadviser. For the services to be provided by the Subadviser pursuant to this Interim Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Subadviser, and the Subadviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefor, a subadvisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule B attached hereto and made part of this Interim Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the average daily value of the Assets under the Subadviser’s management and will be paid to the Subadviser quarterly. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretation), the Subadviser may, in its discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.
 
    Notwithstanding any other provision in this Interim Agreement, all compensation to be paid to the Subadviser hereunder shall be held in an interest-bearing escrow account with each Fund’s custodian or a bank until such time as within 150 days from the date of this Interim Agreement, an investment advisory agreement with the Subadviser is approved by the vote of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Upon such approval, the escrowed amount (including interest earned) will be paid to the Subadviser. If an investment advisory agreement with the Subadviser is not approved by the vote of a majority of each of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities within 150 days from the Closing Date, the Subadviser will be paid from the escrow account the lesser of: (i) any costs incurred in performing its duties under this Interim Agreement (plus interest earned on that amount while in escrow); or (ii) the total amount in the escrow account (plus interest earned).
 
5.   Indemnification. The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) howsoever arising from or in connection with the performance of the Subadviser’s obligations under this Interim Agreement; provided, however, that the Subadviser’s obligation under this Paragraph 5 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Adviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Interim Agreement.
 
    The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subadviser from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) howsoever arising from or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s obligations under this Interim Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Paragraph 5 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability, or damage experienced by the Subadviser, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Subadviser’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Interim Agreement.
 
6.   Duration and termination. This Interim Agreement shall become effective as of [     ], 2008, or in any event not later than the date on which that certain contract between the Subadviser and the Adviser related to each Fund is terminated (“Effective Date”). It shall continue in effect thereafter until the earlier of the date on which a

A-3


 

    subsequent agreement with the Subadviser is approved by the shareholders of each Fund in accordance with Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act or the 150th day following the Effective Date.
    This Interim Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Funds (a) by the Funds at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, (b) by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to the Subadviser, or (c) by the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 90 days written notice to the Adviser. This Interim Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment or in the event of a termination of the relevant Advisory Agreement with the Trust. As used in this Paragraph 6, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings set forth in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.
 
7.   Governing Law. This Interim Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.
 
8.   Severability. Should any part of this Interim Agreement be held invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Interim Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Interim Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
 
9.   Notice: Any notice, advice, or report to be given pursuant to this Interim Agreement shall be deemed sufficient if delivered or mailed by registered, certified, or overnight mail, postage prepaid, and addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party:
     
         To the Adviser at:
  RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc.
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Attention: Patrick Paparelli
 
   
         To the Subadviser at:
  Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC
601 Union Street
Suite 4600
Seattle, Washington 98101
Attention: Nancy A. Zevenbergen
10.   Non-hire/non-solicitation. The Subadviser hereby agrees that so long as the Subadviser provides services to the Adviser or the Trust and for a period of one year following the date on which the Subadviser ceases to provide services to the Adviser and the Trust, the Subadviser shall not for any reason, directly or indirectly, on the Subadviser’s own behalf or on behalf of others, hire any person employed by the Adviser, whether or not such person is a full-time employee or whether or not any person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The Subadviser further agrees that, to the extent that the Subadviser breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the Adviser shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.
 
11.   Entire Agreement. This Interim Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Interim Agreement’s subject matter. This Interim Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
 
    In the event the terms of this Interim Agreement are applicable to more than one Fund, the Adviser is entering into this Interim Agreement with the Subadviser on behalf of the respective Funds severally and not jointly, with the express intention that the provisions contained in each numbered paragraph hereof shall be understood as applying separately with respect to each Fund as if contained in separate agreements between the Adviser and Subadviser for each such Fund. In the event that this Interim Agreement is made applicable to any additional Funds by way of a schedule executed subsequent to the date first indicated above, provisions of such

A-4


 

    schedule shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Interim Agreement as it relates to such Fund so that, for example, the execution date for purposes of Paragraph 6 of this Interim Agreement with respect to such Fund shall be the execution date of the relevant schedule.
12.   Miscellaneous.
  (a)   A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.
 
  (b)   Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Interim Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation, or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, or order.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Interim Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written above.
         
RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc
 
 
By:      
  Name:      
  Title:      
 
         
Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC
 
   
By:        
  Name:        
  Title:        
 


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SCHEDULE A
TO THE
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
RIDGEWORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
ZEVENBERGEN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC
AS OF                , 2008
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
Aggressive Growth Stock Fund
Emerging Growth Stock Fund

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SCHEDULE B
TO THE
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
RIDGEWORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
ZEVENBERGEN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC
AS OF                , 2008
Pursuant to Paragraph 4, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser compensation at an annual rate as follows:
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
     
 
   
Aggressive Growth Stock Fund
  .44% of the average daily value of the assets under the Subadviser’s management, except except that for any compensation period during which the Adviser waives any portion of the management fee that the Fund is required to pay, the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a proportionate amount of the compensation the Adviser receives from the Fund during that compensation period.
 
   
 
  If applicable, the Adviser and Subadviser shall share in fee waivers, reimbursements, fees for services payments and participation payments. The sharing percentage is to be based on the same pro-rata share that the Funds’ Investment Adviser fee is allocated between the Adviser and the Subadviser as mentioned above.
 
   
Emerging Growth Stock Fund
  .44% of the average daily value of the assets under the Subadviser’s management, except except that for any compensation period during which the Adviser waives any portion of the management fee that the Fund is required to pay, the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a proportionate amount of the compensation the Adviser receives from the Fund during that compensation period.
 
   
 
  If applicable, the Adviser and Subadviser shall share in fee waivers, reimbursements, fees for services payments and participation payments. The sharing percentage is to be based on the same pro-rata share that the Funds’ Investment Adviser fee is allocated between the Adviser and the Subadviser as mentioned above.
The management fee will be paid to the Subadviser quarterly.

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Agreed and Accepted

RidgeWorth Capital Management, Inc
 
 
By:      
  Name:      
  Title:      
 
         

 
Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC

 
   
By:        
  Name:        
  Title:        
 


A-8

EX-99.E.1 3 l34812aexv99wew1.htm EX-99.E.1 EX-99.e.1
Exhibit (e)(1)
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
     AGREEMENT made as of August 20, 2008 between RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust having an office at 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303, and RidgeWorth Distributors LLC (“Distributor”), having an office at 100 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
     WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
     WHEREAS, Distributor is registered with the Commission as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) (the successor organization to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.); and
     WHEREAS, it is intended that Distributor act as the distributor of the units of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of each series of the Trust, as listed on Schedule A, and such series as are hereafter created (all of the foregoing series individually referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively as the “Funds”).
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. Services as Distributor.
     1.1 Distributor will act as agent of the Trust on behalf of each Fund for the distribution of the Shares covered by the registration statement of the Trust then in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the 1940 Act. As used in this Agreement, the term “registration statement” shall mean the registration statement of the Trust and any amendments thereto, then in effect, including Parts A (the Prospectus), B (the Statement of Additional Information) and C of the registration statement, as filed on Form N-1A, or any successor thereto, with the Commission, together with any amendments thereto. The term “Prospectus” shall mean the then-current forms of Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information used by the Funds, in accordance with the rules of the Commission, for delivery to shareholders and prospective shareholders after the effective dates of the above-referenced registration statement together with any amendments and supplements thereto. The Trust will notify Distributor in advance of any proposed changes to Schedule A to this Agreement.
     1.2 Consistent with the understanding between the Funds, the Funds’ investment adviser (the “Adviser”) and the Distributor, the Distributor may solicit orders for the sale of the Shares and may undertake such advertising and promotion as it believes reasonable in connection with such solicitation. The Trust understands that Distributor is now and may in the future be the distributor of the shares of many other

1


 

investment companies or series, including investment companies having investment objectives similar to those of the Trust. The Trust further understands that investors and potential investors in the Trust may invest in shares of such other investment companies. The Trust agrees that Distributor’s duties to such other investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its duties to the Trust under this Section 1.2.
     1.3 Consistent with the understanding between the Funds, the Adviser and the Distributor, and subject to the last sentence of this Section 1.3, Distributor will engage in such activities set forth on the schedules hereto or as otherwise agreed by the parties and may engage in such activities as it deems appropriate in connection with the promotion and sale of the Shares, which may include advertising, compensation of underwriters, dealers and sales personnel, the printing and mailing of Prospectuses to prospective investors other than current shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. Distributor may enter into dealer agreements and other selling agreements with broker-dealers and other intermediaries; provided, however, that Distributor shall have no obligation to make any payments to any third parties, whether as finder’s fees, compensation or otherwise, unless (i) Distributor has received a corresponding payment from the applicable Fund’s Distribution Plan (as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement), the Adviser or from another source as may be permitted by applicable law, and (ii) such corresponding payment has been approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
     1.4 In its capacity as distributor of the Shares, all activities of the Distributor and its partners, agents, and employees shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act, all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder, all applicable rules and regulations adopted by any securities association registered under the 1934 Act, and the laws governing the sale of securities in the various states. The Distributor is registered under the 1934 Act with the SEC as a broker-dealer, it is a member in good standing of the FINRA, it will abide by the rules and regulations of the FINRA, and it will immediately notify the Trust if any regulatory actions are instituted against it by the SEC or FINRA or its membership in the FINRA or registration with any State is terminated or suspended.
     1.5 Distributor will transmit any orders received by it for purchase or redemption of the Shares to the transfer agent for the Funds, and may instruct dealers and other intermediaries to transmit orders directly to the transfer agent.
     1.6 Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or political conditions or by abnormal circumstance of any kind, the Trust’s officers may upon reasonable notice instruct the Distributor to decline to accept any orders for or make any sales of the Shares until such time as those officers deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales.
     1.7 The Trust agrees to inform the Distributor from time to time of the states and other jurisdictions in which a Fund or its administrator has registered or otherwise qualified shares for sale, and the Trust agrees at its own expense to execute any and all documents and to furnish any and all information and otherwise to take all actions that

2


 

may be reasonably necessary in connection with the qualification of the Shares for sale in such states as Distributor may designate.
     1.8 The Trust shall furnish from time to time, for use in connection with the sale of the Shares, such supplemental information with respect to the Funds and the Shares as Distributor may reasonably request; and the Trust warrants that the statements contained in any such supplemental information fairly show or represent what they purport to show or represent. The Trust shall also furnish Distributor upon request with: (a) unaudited semi-annual statements of the Funds’ books and accounts prepared by the Trust, (b) a monthly itemized list of the securities in the Funds, (c) monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable after the end of each month, and (d) from time to time such additional information regarding the financial condition of the Funds as Distributor may reasonably request. Distributor is not authorized by the Trust to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus or in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use.
     1.9 The Trust represents and warrants to Distributor that all registration statements, and each Prospectus, filed by the Trust with the Commission under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act shall be prepared in conformity with requirements of said Acts and rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The registration statement and Prospectus shall contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with said Acts and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement and Prospectus are true and correct in all material respects. Furthermore, neither any registration statement nor any Prospectus includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of the Shares. The foregoing representations and warranties shall continue throughout the term of this Agreement and be deemed to be of a continuing nature, applicable to all Shares distributed hereunder. The Trust may, but shall not be obligated to, propose from time to time such amendment or amendments to any registration statement and such supplement or supplements to any Prospectus as, in the light of future developments, the Trust may deem necessary or advisable. If the Trust shall not propose any amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements to correct any untrue statement or omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to a purchaser of the Shares within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a written request from Distributor to do so, Distributor may, at its option, terminate this Agreement. In such case, the Distributor will be held harmless from, and indemnified by Trust for, any liability or loss resulting from the failure to implement such amendment. The Trust shall not file any amendment to any registration statement or supplement to any Prospectus without giving Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any Prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

3


 

     1.10 The Trust may use, or may request Distributor to use, an electronic processing system over the internet in which electronically transmitted orders are forwarded electronically for processing under circumstances in which Distributor will not review the orders. Under such circumstances, the Trust acknowledges and agrees that it will independently determine that any third party used by the Trust to process orders is a satisfactory service provider and that the Distributor’s review will not be necessary.
     1.11 The Trust authorizes the Distributor and dealers to use any Prospectus in the form furnished by the Trust from time to time in connection with the sale of the Shares.
     1.12 The Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Distributor’s part in the performance of its duties, from reckless disregard by the Distributor of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or from the Distributor’s failure to comply with laws, rules and regulations applicable to it in connection with its distribution of the Shares. The Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Distributor, its several officers and employees, and any person who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Distributor, its officers and employees, or any such controlling person, may incur (a) as the result of acting as distributor of the Funds and entering into selling agreements, shareholder servicing agreements or similar agreements with financial intermediaries on behalf of the Trust; (b) under the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in any registration statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any registration statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) any Trust-related advertisement or sales literature, or other materials distributed to the public that contains any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact, or any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated therein to make the statements therein not misleading, notwithstanding the exercise of reasonable care in the preparation or review thereof by the Distributor; or (c) arising out of or based upon the electronic processing of orders over the internet at the Trust’s request; provided, however, that the Trust’s agreement to indemnify the Distributor, its officers or employees, and any such controlling person shall not be construed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out of or based upon (a) any untrue statements, or alleged untrue statement, as are contained in any registration statement, Prospectus, or Trust-related advertisement or sales literature, or other materials distributed to the public, or any omission to state a material fact required to be stated in such materials that would be necessary to make the information therein not misleading to the extent that such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished in writing to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor provided the Distributor has reviewed any such registration statement,

4


 

Prospectus, advertisement or sales literature, or other material prior to its use, or (b) the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of the Distributor in the performance of its duties or the Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
     In the event of a formal legal action against the Distributor, its officers or employees, or any such controlling person, the Distributor shall provide the Trust with written notice of the action, identifying the persons against whom such action is brought, promptly following receipt of service of the summons or other first legal process, and in any event within ten (10) days of such receipt. The Trust will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability if such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Trust and approved by the Distributor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event any such claim, demand or liability is not heard solely on an alleged misstatement, omission or wrongful act on the Trust’s part, the Distributor shall have the right to participate in the defense. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing so approved by the Distributor, the Distributor and any other defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them; but in any case where the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit or in case the Distributor reasonably withholds approval of counsel chosen by the Trust, the Trust will reimburse the Distributor, its officers, employees, and controlling persons named as defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them to the extent related to a claim, demand, liability or expense covered under this Section 1.12. The Trust’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 1.12 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Distributor, its officers and employees, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares.
     1.13 The Distributor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust, its several officers and Trustees, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Trustees or any such controlling person may incur (a) under the Securities Act or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in any registration statement, Prospectus, or Trust-related advertisement or sales literature, or other materials distributed to the public, or any omission to state a material fact required to be stated in such materials that would be necessary to make the information therein not misleading to the extent that such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished in writing to the Trust by or on behalf of the Distributor provided the Distributor has reviewed any such registration statement, Prospectus, advertisement or sales literature, or other material prior to its use, (b) the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of the Distributor in the performance of its duties, or the Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (c) the Distributor’s failure to comply with laws applicable to it in connection with its activities

5


 

hereunder (other than in respect of Trust-related advertisements or sales literature that fails to comply with applicable laws notwithstanding the exercise of reasonable care in the preparation and review thereof by the Distributor).
     In the event of a formal legal action against the Trust, its officers or Trustees, or any such controlling person, the Trust shall provide the Distributor with written notice of the action, identifying the persons against whom such action is brought, promptly following the receipt of service of the summons or other first legal process, and in any event within ten (10) days of such receipt. The Distributor will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability if such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by the Distributor and approved by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event any such claim, demand or liability is not based solely on an alleged misstatement, omission or wrongful act on the Distributor’s part, the Trust shall have the right to participate in the defense. In the event the Distributor elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing so approved by the Trust, the Trust and any other defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in any case where the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit or in case the Trust reasonably withholds approval of counsel chosen by the Distributor, the Distributor will reimburse the Trust, its officers, directors, employees and controlling persons named as defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the Trust or them to the extent related to a claim, demand, liability or expense covered under this Section 1.13. The Distributor’s indemnification agreement contained in this Section 1.13 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Trust, its officers and employees, or any controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of any Shares.
     1.14 No Shares shall be offered by either the Distributor or the Trust under any of the provisions of this Agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Trust if and so long as the effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the Securities Act or if and so long as a current Prospectus as required by Section 10(b)(2) of said Act is not on file with the Commission, provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 1.14 shall in any way restrict or have an application to or bearing upon the Trust’s obligation to repurchase Shares from a shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Trust’s Prospectus, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, or Bylaws.
     1.15 The Trust agrees to advise the Distributor as soon as reasonably practical by a notice in writing delivered to the Distributor:
  (a)   of any request by the Commission for amendments to the registration statement or Prospectus then in effect or for additional information;
 
  (b)   in the event of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or

6


 

      Prospectus then in effect or the initiation by service of process on the Trust or any proceeding for that purpose;
 
  (c)   of the happening of any event that makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the registration statement or Prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such registration statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and
 
  (d)   of any action of the Commission with respect to any amendment to any registration statement or Prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the Commission, which could reasonably be expected to have a material negative impact upon the offering of Shares.
     For purposes of this section, informal requests by or acts of the Staff of the Commission shall not be deemed actions of or requests by the Commission unless they would reasonably be expected to have a material negative impact upon the offering of Shares.
     1.16 The Distributor agrees on behalf of itself and its officers and employees to treat confidentiality and as proprietary information of the Trust all records and other information relative to the Trust and its prior, present or potential shareholders, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, but such approval shall not be required where the Distributor may be exposed to civil or criminal liability for failure to disclose such information, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust.
2. Fee.
     2.1 Attached as Schedule B to this Agreement are all plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act approved by the Funds and in effect (collectively, the “Distribution Plan”). The Funds will deliver to Distributor promptly after any changes thereto updated copies of the Distribution Plan. For its services under this Agreement, the Distributor shall be compensated and reimbursed for its expenses as set forth on Schedules C and D to this Agreement. If the Funds have a Distribution Plan that permits and authorizes them to compensate and reimburse the Distributor and required board approvals have been given, then the Funds shall be responsible for all such compensation and reimbursements or such portions of it as have been permitted and authorized under the Distribution Plan. If the Funds do not have a Distribution Plan that permits and authorizes them to compensate and reimburse the Distributor in full, then the Distributor shall receive from other sources consistent with applicable law and other written agreements any portions of owed compensation and reimbursement not paid under the Distribution Plan. Except as provided by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and the terms of the Distribution Plan, as concerns continuation of the Distribution Plan and

7


 

termination of the Distribution Plan under certain circumstances, the relevant Fund’s obligation to pay distribution fees to the Distributor, when applicable as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to any dispute, offset, counterclaim or defense whatsoever.
     2.2 If: (i) the Distributor properly receives fees from the Funds under the Distribution Plan, other than for services rendered or expenses incurred, that the Distributor is not obligated to pay to third party broker-dealers, plan administrators or others (“Retained Fees”), and (ii) the Funds have authority under the Distribution Plan to pay for some or all of the Distributor’s services under this Agreement (“Permitted Services”), then all of the Retained Fees will either be (a) returned to the Funds and/or (b) credited against the compensation payable by the Funds to the Distributor for Permitted Services.
3. Sale and Payment.
     3.1 Shares of a Fund may be subject to a sales load and may be subject to the imposition of a distribution fee pursuant to the Distribution Plans referred to above. To the extent that Shares of a Fund are sold at an offering price which includes a sales load or subject to a contingent deferred sales load with respect to certain redemptions (either within a single class of Shares or pursuant to two or more classes of Shares), such Shares shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as “Load Shares” (and in the case of Shares that are sold with a front-end sales load, “Front-End Load Shares”, or Shares that are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales load, “CDSL Shares”). Funds that issue Front-End Load Shares shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as “Front-End Load Funds.” Funds that issue CDSL Shares shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as “CDSL Funds.” Front-End Load Funds and CDSL Funds may individually or collectively be referred as “Load Funds.” Under this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply with respect to the sale of, and payment for, Load Shares.
     3.2 The Distributor shall have the right to offer Load Shares at their net asset value and to sell such Load Shares to the public against orders therefore at the applicable public offering price, as defined in Section 4 hereof. The Distributor shall also have the right to sell Load Shares to dealers against orders therefore at the public offering price less a concession determined by the Distributor, which concession shall not exceed the amount of the sales charge or underwriting discount, if any, referred to in Section 4 below.
     3.3 Prior to the time of delivery of any Load Shares by a Load Fund to, or on the order of, the Distributor, the Distributor shall pay or cause to be paid to the Load Fund or to its order an amount in New York cleared funds equal to the applicable net asset value of such Shares. The Distributor may retain so much of any sales charge or underwriting discount as is not allowed by the Distributor as a concession to dealers.

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4. Public Offering Price.
     The public offering price of a Load Share shall be the net asset value of such Load Share next determined, plus any applicable sales charge, all as set forth in the current Prospectus of the Load Fund. The net asset value of Load Shares shall be determined in accordance with the Prospectus of the Load Fund.
5. Issuance of Shares.
     The Trust reserves the right to issue, transfer or sell Load Shares at net asset values (a) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the Trust or the Load Fund(s) with any other investment company or the acquisition by the Trust or the Load Fund(s) of all or substantially all of the assets or of the outstanding Shares of any other investment company; (b) in connection with a pro rata distribution directly to the holders of Shares in the nature of a stock dividend or split; (c) upon the exercise of subscription rights granted to the holders of Shares on a pro rata basis; (d) in connection with the issuance of Load Shares pursuant to any exchange and reinvestment privileges described in any then-current Prospectus of the Load Fund; and (e) otherwise in accordance with any then-current Prospectus of the Load Fund.
6. Term, Duration and Termination.
     This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Fund as of the date first written above (the “Effective Date”) (or, if a particular Fund is not in existence on such date, on the earlier of the date an amendment to Schedule A to this Agreement relating to that Fund is executed or the Distributor begins providing services under this Agreement with respect to such Fund) and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue until August 31, 2010. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue with respect to a particular Fund automatically for successive one-year terms, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Trust’s Board of Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting for the purpose of voting on such approval and (b) by the vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund. This Agreement is terminable without penalty with sixty days’ prior written notice, by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by the Distributor. This Agreement will also terminate automatically (a) in the event of its assignment or (b) if Distributor is no longer registered with the Commission under the 1934 Act and a member of the FINRA. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons” and “assignment” shall have the same meaning as ascribed to such terms in the 1940 Act.)
7. Limitation of Liability of the Trustees and Shareholders.
     It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in

9


 

the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees, and this Agreement has been signed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
8. Privacy.
     Nonpublic personal financial information relating to consumers or customers of the Funds provided by, or at the direction of, the Trust to the Distributor, or collected or retained by the Distributor to perform its duties as distributor, shall be considered confidential information. The Distributor shall not disclose or otherwise use any nonpublic personal financial information relating to present or former shareholders of the Funds other than for the purposes for which that information was disclosed to the Distributor, including use under an exception in Rules 14 or 15 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P in the ordinary course of business to carry out those purposes. The Distributor shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to consumers of the Funds. The Trust represents to the Distributor that it has adopted a Statement of its privacy policies and practices as required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P and agrees to provide the Distributor with a copy of that statement annually.
9. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance.
     9.1 Each of Distributor and the Trust acknowledges that it is a financial institution subject to the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Bank Secrecy Act (collectively, the “AML Acts”), which require, among other things, that financial institutions adopt compliance programs to guard against money laundering. Each represents and warrants to the other that it is in compliance with and will continue to comply with the AML Acts and applicable regulations in all relevant respects. The Distributor shall also provide written notice to each person or entity with which it entered an agreement prior to the date hereof with respect to sale of the Trust’s Shares, such notice informing such person of anti-money laundering compliance obligations applicable to financial institutions under applicable laws and, consequently, under applicable contractual provisions requiring compliance with laws.
     9.2 The Distributor shall include specific contractual provisions regarding anti-money laundering compliance obligations in agreements entered into by the Distributor with any dealer that is authorized to effect transactions in Shares of the Trust.
     9.3 Each of Distributor and the Trust agrees that it will take such further steps, and cooperate with the other as may be reasonably necessary, to facilitate compliance

10


 

with the AML Acts, including but not limited to the provision of copies of its written procedures, policies and controls related thereto (“AML Operations”). Distributor undertakes that it will grant to the Trust, the Trust’s anti-money laundering compliance officer and regulatory agencies, reasonable access to copies of Distributor’s AML Operations, books and records pertaining to the Trust only. It is expressly understood and agreed that the Trust and the Trust’s compliance officer shall have no access to any of Distributor’s AML Operations, books or records pertaining to other clients of Distributor.
10. Notices.
     Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with such notice at the following address: if to the Trust, to it at 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303 Attention: Diana Hanlin, with copy to the President of the Trust; and if to Distributor, to it at 100 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attn: Chief Compliance Officer, with a copy to such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party pursuant to this Section.
11. Governing Law.
     This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
11. Prior Agreements.
     This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement of the parties as to the subject matter covered by this Agreement, and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the subject matter covered by this Agreement.
12. Amendments.
     No amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by both parties hereto.
* * * * * *

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written above.
         
  RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
 
 
  By:   /s/ Julia Short    
    Name:   Julia Short   
    Title:   President & CEO   
 
  RIDGEWORTH DISTRIBUTORS LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard J. Berthy    
    Name:   Richard J. Berthy   
    Title:   Vice President   

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SCHEDULE A
TO THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
AND RIDGEWORTH DISTRIBUTORS LLC
Funds
Aggressive Growth Stock Fund
Institutional Cash Management Money Market Fund
Institutional Municipal Cash Reserve Money Market Fund
Institutional U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund
Institutional U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund
Emerging Growth Stock Fund
Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
High Grade Municipal Bond Fund
High Income Fund
Intermediate Bond Fund
International Equity Fund
International Equity Index Fund
International Equity 130/30 Fund
Investment Grade Bond Fund
Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Large Cap Core Equity Fund
Large Cap Growth Stock Fund
Large Cap Quantitative Equity Fund
Large Cap Value Equity Fund
Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund
Life Vision Conservative Fund
Life Vision Growth and Income Fund
Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund
Life Vision Target Date 2015 Fund
Life Vision Target Date 2025 Fund
Life Vision Target Date 2035 Fund
Limited Duration Fund
Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund
North Carolina Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Prime Quality Money Market Fund
Real Estate 130/30 Fund
Select Large Cap Growth Stock Fund
Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund
Seix High Yield Fund
Short-Term Bond Fund
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund
Small Cap Growth Stock Fund
Small Cap Value Equity Fund
Strategic Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund

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Total Return Bond Fund
U.S. Equity 130/30 Fund
U.S. Government Securities Fund
U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Securities Ultra-Short Bond Fund
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
Ultra-Short Bond Fund
Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund

14


 

SCHEDULE B
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
A Shares (formerly, Investor Shares)
     WHEREAS, RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”) is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and
     WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the following Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Trust and the owners of the A Shares of the portfolios (“Shareholders”) of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust hereby adopt this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and in accordance with the Trust’s Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan:
     Section 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses related to (a) the distribution and sale of A Shares (collectively, the “Shares”) of the portfolios of the Trust, as now in existence or hereinafter created from time to time, (each a “Portfolio”), and (b) the shareholder servicing of such Shares.
     Section 2. The Shares of each Portfolio are authorized to pay the principal underwriter of the Shares (the “Distributor”) a total fee in connection with distribution-related services and shareholder servicing provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
     Section 3. Distribution Activities.
(a)   The fee paid pursuant to Section 2 may be used by the Distributor to provide initial and ongoing sales compensation to its investment executives and to other broker-dealers in respect of sales of Shares of the applicable Portfolios and to pay for other advertising and promotional expenses in connection with the distribution of the Shares. These advertising and promotional expenses include, by way of example but not way of limitation, costs of printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareholder reports to prospective investors; preparation and distribution of sales literature; advertising of any type; an allocation of overhead and other expenses of the Distributor related to the distribution of the Shares; and payments to, and expenses of, officers, employees or representatives of the Distributor, of other broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions, and of any

15


 

    other persons who provide support services in connection with the distribution of the Shares, including travel, entertainment, and telephone expenses.
 
(b)   Payments under this Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for distribution-related activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(c)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional distribution.
     Section 4. Shareholder Servicing Activities.
(a)   A portion of the fee payable to the Distributor pursuant to Section 2 may be used by the Distributor to provide compensation for personal, ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to the Shares of the applicable Portfolios, provided that the amount paid for such shareholder servicing activities does not exceed the amount set forth on Schedule A. Compensation may be paid by the Distributor, or any portion of the fee may be reallowed, to persons, including employees of the Distributor, and institutions who respond to inquiries of holders of the Shares regarding their ownership of Shares or their accounts with the Trust or who provide other administrative or accounting services not otherwise required to be provided by the Trust’s investment adviser, transfer agent, or other agent of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) adopts a definition of “service fee” for purposes of Section 26(d) of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice that differs from the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph, or if the NASD adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to such NASD definition.
(b)   Payments under this Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for shareholder servicing activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(c)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional shareholder servicing activities.
     Section 5. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to a Portfolio until it has been approved together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the

16


 

Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a Board of Trustees meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
     Section 6. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 5 herein for the approval of this Plan.
     Section 7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     Section 8. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to a Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares.
     Section 9. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to a Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
     Section 10. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenses permitted pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding Shares of the applicable Portfolio, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Section 5 herein for the approval of this Plan.
     Section 11. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     Section 12. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a) (19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
     Section 13. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
Approved May 17, 2005

17


 

SCHEDULE A
TO THE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
CLASS A SHARES
Pursuant to Section 2, the Trust shall pay the Distributor compensation at which is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate as set forth below.
                 
            Maximum
            Shareholder
Portfolio   Fee   Services Fee
 
               
Aggressive Growth Stock Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Emerging Growth Stock Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Georgia Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
    .18 %     .18 %
 
               
High Grade Municipal Bond Fund
    .18 %     .18 %
 
               
High Income Fund
    .30 %     .25 %
 
               
Intermediate Bond Fund
    .25 %     .25 %
 
               
International Equity Fund
    .33 %     .25 %
 
               
International Equity Index Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
International Equity 130/30 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Investment Grade Bond Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Investment Grade Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Large Cap Core Equity Fund
    .25 %     .25 %
 
               
Large Cap Growth Stock Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Large Cap Quantitative Equity Fund
    .25 %     .25 %
 
               
Large Cap Value Equity Fund
    .33 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Aggressive Growth Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Conservative Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Growth and Income Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Moderate Growth Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Target Date 2015 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %

18


 

                 
            Maximum
            Shareholder
Portfolio   Fee   Services Fee
 
               
Life Vision Target Date 2025 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Life Vision Target Date 2035 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Limited-Term Federal Mortgage Securities Fund
    .23 %     .23 %
 
               
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
    .15 %     .15 %
 
               
Mid-Cap Core Equity Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
North Carolina Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
    .15 %     .15 %
 
               
Prime Quality Money Market Fund
    .20 %     .20 %
 
               
Real Estate 130/30 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund
    .30 %     .25 %
 
               
Seix High Yield Fund
    .25 %     .25 %
 
               
Select Large Cap Growth Stock Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Short-Term Bond Fund
    .23 %     23 %
 
               
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Securities Fund
    .18 %     .18 %
 
               
Small Cap Growth Stock Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Small Cap Value Equity Fund
    .33 %     .25 %
 
               
Strategic Income Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
    .15 %     .15 %
 
               
Total Return Bond Fund
    .25 %     .25 %
 
               
U.S. Equity 130/30 Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
U.S. Government Securities Fund
    .35 %     .25 %
 
               
U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund
    .17 %     .17 %
 
               
U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
    .15 %     .15 %
 
               
Virginia Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
    .15 %     .15 %
 
               
Virginia Tax-Free Money Market Fund
    .20 %     .20 %
 
               

19


 

RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
CLASS B SHARES
WHEREAS, RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”) is engaged in business as an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Trust and the owners of the B Shares of the portfolios of the Trust, as now in existence or hereinafter created from time to time (each a “Portfolio”).
NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust hereby adopt this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to (a) the distribution and sale of B Shares (the “Shares”) of the Portfolios and (b) the shareholder servicing of such Shares.
SECTION 2. Distribution Activities.
(a) The Shares of each Portfolio are authorized to pay the principal underwriter of the Shares (the “Distributor”) a total fee in connection with distribution-related services provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .75% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class. The services rendered by the Distributor for which the Distributor is entitled to receive this fee shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of the initial purchase of the Shares taken into account in computing the fee.
(b) The fee paid pursuant to this Section 2 may be used by the Distributor to provide initial and ongoing sales compensation to its investment executives and to other broker-dealers in respect of sales of Shares of the applicable Portfolios and to pay for other advertising and promotional expenses in connection with the distribution of the Shares. These advertising and promotional expenses include, by way of example but not way of limitation, costs of printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareholder reports to prospective investors; preparation and distribution of sales literature; advertising of any type; an allocation of overhead and other expenses of the Distributor related to the distribution of the Shares; and payments to, and expenses of, officers, employees or representatives of the Distributor, of other broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions, and of any other persons who provide support services in connection with the distribution of the Shares, including travel, entertainment, and telephone expenses.
(c) Payments under this Section 2 of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for distribution-related activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d) The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional distribution.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Distributor shall be paid the accrued fee pursuant to this Section 2 regardless of the Distributor’s termination as principal underwriter of the Shares or any termination of the Plan other than a complete termination of the Plan. In addition, the

20


 

Trust’s obligation to pay the fee to the Distributor shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be subject to any dispute, offset, counterclaim, or defense whatsoever.
SECTION 3. Shareholder Servicing Activities.
(a) In addition to the amounts set forth in Section 2 above, the Shares of each Portfolio are authorized to pay the Distributor a fee in connection with the personal, ongoing servicing of shareholder accounts of such Shares, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
(b) The service fee payable to the Distributor pursuant to this Section 3 hereof may be used by the Distributor to provide compensation for personal, ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to the Shares of the applicable Portfolios. Compensation may be paid by the Distributor, or any portion of the fee may be reallowed, to persons, including employees of the Distributor, and institutions who respond to inquiries of holders of the Shares regarding their ownership of Shares or their accounts with the Trust or who provide other administrative or accounting services not otherwise required to be provided by the Trust’s investment adviser, transfer agent, or other agent of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) adopts a definition of “service fee” for purposes of Section 26(d) of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice that differs from the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph, or if the NASD adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to such NASD definition.
(c) Payments under this Section of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for shareholder servicing activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d) The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional shareholder servicing activities.
SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to a Portfolio until it has been approved (a) by a vote of at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of such Portfolio, if adopted after any public offering of the Shares or the sale of such Shares to persons who are not affiliated with the Portfolio, affiliated persons of such persons, promoters of the Portfolio, or affiliated persons of such promoters; and (b) together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a Board of Trustees meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
SECTION 5. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after its adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 4(b) herein for the approval of this Plan.
SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at last quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares.
SECTION 8. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be

21


 

terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding Shares of the applicable Portfolio, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Section 4(b) herein for the approval of this Plan.
SECTION 10. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECTION 11. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
SECTION 12. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
February 11, 2003

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RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
C Shares (formerly, L Shares)
     WHEREAS, The RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”) is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and
     WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the following Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Trust and the owners of the C Shares of the portfolios (the “Shareholders”) of the Trust.
     NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust hereby adopt this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and in accordance with the Trust’s Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan:
     Section 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses related to (a) the distribution and sale of C Shares (collectively, the “Shares”) of the portfolios of the Trust, as now in existence or hereinafter created from time to time, (each a “Portfolio”), and (b) the shareholder servicing of such Shares.
     Section 2. Distribution Activities.
(a)   The Shares of each Portfolio except the Classic Institutional Limited Duration Fund are authorized to pay the principal underwriter of the Shares (the “Distributor”) a total fee in connection with distribution-related services provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .75% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class. The Shares of the Classic Institutional Limited Duration Fund are authorized to pay the Distributor a total fee in connection with distribution-related services provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
(b)   The fee paid pursuant to this Section 2 may be used by the Distributor to provide initial and ongoing sales compensation to its investment executives and to other broker-dealers in respect of sales of Shares of the applicable Portfolios and to pay for other advertising and promotional expenses in connection with the distribution of the Shares. These advertising and promotional expenses include, by way of example but not way of limitation, costs of printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareholder reports to prospective investors; preparation and distribution of sales literature; advertising of any type; an allocation of overhead and other expenses of the Distributor related to the distribution of the Shares; and payments to, and expenses of, officers, employees or representatives of the Distributor, of other broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions, and of any other persons who provide support services in connection with the distribution of the Shares, including travel, entertainment, and telephone expenses.
(c)   Payments under this Section of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for distribution-related activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional distribution.

23


 

     Section 3. Shareholder Servicing Activities.
(a)   In addition to the amounts set forth in Section 2 above, the Shares of each Portfolio are authorized to pay the Distributor a fee in connection with the personal, ongoing servicing of shareholder accounts of such Shares, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
(b)   The service fee payable to the Distributor pursuant to this Section 3 hereof may be used by the Distributor to provide compensation for personal, ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to the Shares of the applicable Portfolios. Compensation may be paid by the Distributor, or any portion of the fee may be reallowed, to persons, including employees of the Distributor, and institutions who respond to inquiries of holders of the Shares regarding their ownership of Shares or their accounts with the Trust or who provide other administrative or accounting services not otherwise required to be provided by the Trust’s investment adviser, transfer agent, or other agent of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) adopts a definition of “service fee” for purposes of Section 26(d) of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice that differs from the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph, or if the NASD adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to such NASD definition.
(c)   Payments under this Section of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for shareholder servicing activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional shareholder servicing activities.
     Section 4. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to a Portfolio until it has been approved together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a Board of Trustees meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
     Section 5. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.
     Section 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at last quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     Section 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares.
     Section 8. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a

24


 

majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
     Section 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding Shares of the applicable Portfolio, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.
     Section 10. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC.
     Section 11. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
     Section 12. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
Adopted May 17, 2005

25


 

SCHEDULE C
COMPENSATION OF THE DISTRIBUTOR
SALES LOADS (PAID THROUGH 12b-1 PLAN):
1. With respect to Class A Shares (i) that part of the sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after reallowance of discounts to dealers as set forth, if required, in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of the offering, as amended.
2. With respect to Class C Shares (i) that part of any front-end sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after allowance of discounts to dealers as set forth, if required, in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of the offering, as amended, and (ii) the contingent deferred sales charge payable with respect to Class C Shares sold through the Distributor as set forth in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, filed with the SEC and in effect at the time of sale of such Class C Shares.
3. With respect to Class I Shares, if any, the Distributor shall not be entitled to any compensation.
4. With respect to any future Class of Shares, the Distributor shall be entitled to such consideration as the Fund and the Distributor shall agree at the time such Class of Shares is established.
DISTRIBUTION-RELATED FEES
         
One-time Fees   One-time  
Setup Fee
  $59,000
         
Recurring Fees   Rate  
Fixed fee, based on a per Fund fee of $3,500, subject to a minimum annual fee payable of $172,000
  $3,500 per Fund per annum  

26


 

OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR DISTRIBUTION
     Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares, including, without limitation: annual financial audit of the broker-dealer and associated costs (approximately $35,000), typesetting, printing and distribution of Prospectuses and shareholder reports; production, printing, distribution and placement of advertising and sales literature and materials; engagement of designers, free-lance writers and public relations firms; long-distance telephone charges; postage; overnight delivery charges; record retention; travel, lodging and meals.
REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE COMPLIANCE SERVICES FEES
    $3,000 per year for each of the Reps;
 
    $2,500 for each Rep whose securities transactions require NASD Conduct Rule 3040 review;
 
    $2,500 for each separate Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (“OSJ”) or branch office, above one; and,
 
    $1,000 for each non-branch location, above one.
 
    Once-only initial set up fee $2,000
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR REGISTERED REP SERVICES
     Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with registered representative compliance services, including, without limitation: regulatory filing fees; sales literature regulatory review fees; initial and ongoing FINRA and state Rep fees; FINRA testing fees; compliance staff travel; communications; postage and delivery service fees; reproduction and record storage fees; and allocated E&O Rep insurance premium.
12b-1 PAYMENTS
     Attached to this Exhibit B are all plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act approved by the Funds and in effect (collectively, the “Distribution Plan”). If the Funds have a Board approved Distribution Plan that authorizes them to compensate and reimburse the Distributor for distribution services, then the Funds shall be responsible for all compensation and reimbursements pursuant to this Agreement, or such portions thereof as are authorized under the Distribution Plan.
INVESTMENT ADVISER PAYMENTS
     The Funds’ investment adviser shall compensate and reimburse the Distributor for its provision to the Funds of any distribution services for which the Funds are not authorized to compensate and reimburse the Distributor.
Notes:
    Fees will be calculated and payable monthly.
 
    All fees are subject to a CPI adjustment based on each contract anniversary.

27


 

SCHEDULE D
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND FEES
     
Services   Fees
1. Wholesaling Personnel Services
  Wholesaling Personnel Services Fees
 
   
Wholesaling Personnel may be external wholesalers and/or internal wholesalers.

Services include soliciting support of the Funds with selling broker dealers; participating in promotional meetings, presentations, conferences and other and forums; identifying high potential personnel of the Adviser and selling broker dealers; and assisting with mail solicitations and literature fulfillment.

The Wholesaling Personnel Services described on this Schedule D will be provided only upon the written election of the Trust to receive such services.
  For each individual constituting the Wholesaling Personnel employed by the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement, the Distributor shall receive annually an amount equal to the sum of:

(i) all compensation paid annually by the Distributor to the employee; plus

(ii) a management oversight fee equal to:

(a)  if one to four Wholesaling Personnel are employed, 30% of the salary compensation and 5% of the bonus or commission compensation, or

(b)  if five or more Wholesaling Personnel are employed, 25% of the salary compensation and 5% of the bonus or commission compensation;

plus

(iii) 18% of the total compensation (covering costs of the Distributor’s employee benefits that are provided by the Distributor).

In addition, the Distributor shall be reimbursed for all related costs to support, educate and train and maintain compliance oversight of Wholesaling Personnel and other personnel such as sales management, marketing and performance reporting personnel (including time and expenses, continuing education, seminars, rent, supplies, phone, computers, firm element, license, registration)

Upon any termination of Wholesaling Personnel at the request of the Funds or upon termination of this Agreement by the Funds for any reason other than cause, the Distributor will be reimbursed its severance costs with respect to such terminated Wholesaling Personnel.

28


 

Expenses Applicable to Special Distribution Services
Except as expressly set forth above, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Distributor in the performance of the special distribution services set forth on this Schedule D are not included in the above fees. Reimbursement of such out-of-pocket expenses will be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Out-of-pocket expenses may include, without limitation:
  reasonable travel and entertainment costs;
 
  expenses incurred by the Distributor in qualifying, registering and maintaining the registration of the Distributor and each individual comprising Wholesaling Personnel as a registered representative of the Distributor under applicable federal and state laws and rules of the FINRA, e.g., CRD fees and state fees;
 
  Sponsorships, Promotions, Sales Incentives;
 
  any and all compensation to be paid to a third party as paying agent for distribution activities (platform fees, finders fees, sub-TA fees, 12b-1 pass thru, commissions, etc.);
 
  costs and expenses incurred for telephone service, photocopying and office supplies;
 
  advertising costs;
 
  costs for printing, paper stock and costs of other materials, electronic transmission, courier, talent utilized in sales materials (e.g. models), design output, photostats, photography, and illustrations;
 
  packaging, shipping, postage, and photocopies; and
 
  taxes that are paid or payable by the Distributor or its affiliates in connection with its services hereunder, other than taxes customarily and actually imposed upon the income that the Distributor receives hereunder.

29

EX-99.H.12 4 l34812aexv99whw12.htm EX-99.H.12 EX-99.h.12
Exhibit (h)(12)
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
November 20, 2008
     This Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted by the RidgeWorth Funds, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of each of its Funds (individually, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”) set forth in Schedule A, as amended from time to time, subject to the following terms and conditions:
     Section 1. Annual Fees.
     Shareholder Services Fee. Each Fund (or class thereof, as the case may be) may pay to financial institutions that provide certain services to the Funds, a shareholder and/or administration services fee under the Plan (the “Service Fee”). Such Service Fee shall be at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund or Class attributable to said financial institution.
     Adjustment to Fees. Any Fund may pay a Service Fee to a financial institution at a lesser rate than the fees specified in Section 1 hereof as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees and the Distributor or financial institution and approved in the manner specified in Section 3 of this Plan.
     Payment of Fees. The Service Fee will be calculated daily and paid monthly by each Fund (or class thereof, as the case may be) at the annual rate indicated above, or such other rate as is agreed upon by the Fund and the Distributor or financial institution, provided that such rate shall not exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of a Fund or Class.
     Section 2. Expenses Covered by the Plan.
     Service Fees may be used by the financial institution for payments to financial institutions and persons who provide administrative and support services to their customers who may from time to time beneficially own shares, which may include (but are not limited to) (i) establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to shareholders; (ii) processing dividend and distribution payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders; (iii) providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in shares and integrating such statements with those of other transactions and balances in shareholders’ other accounts serviced by such financial institution; (iv) arranging for bank wires; (v) responding to shareholder inquiries relating to the services performed; (vi) responding to routine inquiries from shareholders concerning their investments; (vii) providing subaccounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by shareholders, or the information to the Fund necessary for subaccounting; (viii) if required by law, forwarding shareholder communications from the Fund (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to shareholders; (ix) assisting in processing purchase, exchange and

1


 

redemption requests from shareholders and in placing such orders with service contractors; (x) assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (xi) providing shareholders with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; and (xii) providing such other similar services as a Fund or its shareholders may reasonably request to the extent the financial institution is permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
     Section 3. Approval of Trustees.
     Neither the Plan nor any related agreements will take effect until approved by a majority of both (a) the full Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to it (the “Qualified Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and the related agreements.
     Section 4. Continuance of the Plan.
     The Plan will continue in effect for a period of one year from its date of execution, and will automatically renew for successive twelve-month periods thereafter until terminated as provided in Section 5, below. The Board of Trustees shall periodically review the appropriateness of continuing the Plan and the payments made thereunder.
     Section 5. Termination.
     The Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to a Fund (i) by the Trust without the payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or, the shareholders of a particular class, if applicable) or (ii) by a vote of the Qualified Trustees. The Plan may remain in effect with respect to a Fund even if the Plan has been terminated in accordance with this Section 5 with respect to any other Fund.
     Section 6. Amendments.
     No material amendment to the Plan may be made unless approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees in the manner described in Section 3 above.
     Section 7. Written Reports.
     In each year during which the Plan remains in effect, a person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to the Plan or any related agreement will prepare and furnish to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, and the Board will review, at least quarterly, written reports complying with the requirements of the Rule which set out the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which those expenditures were made.

2


 

     Section 8. Preservation of Materials.
     The Trust will preserve copies of the Plan, any agreement relating to the Plan and any report made pursuant to Section 7 above, for a period of not less than six years (the first two years in an easily accessible place) from the date of the Plan, agreement or report.
     Section 9. Limit of Liability.
     The limitation of shareholder liability set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust is hereby acknowledged. The obligations of the Trust under this Plan, if any, shall not be binding upon the Trustees individually or upon holders of shares of the Trust individually but shall be binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust, and upon the Trustees insofar as they hold title thereto.
     Section 10. Meanings of Certain Terms.
     As used in the Plan, the terms “interested person” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” will be deemed to have the same meaning that those terms have under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

3


 

RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
November 20, 2008
     This Shareholder Servicing Plan shall be adopted with respect to the following Funds (and Classes) of RidgeWorth Funds:
Name of Fund/Class
Intermediate Bond Fund — C Shares
Total Return Bond Fund — C Shares

4

EX-99.M.1 5 l34812aexv99wmw1.htm EX-99.M.1 EX-99.m.1
Exhibit (m)(1)
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
C Shares (R Shares with respect to certain Funds)
     WHEREAS, The RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”) is engaged in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and
     WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the following Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit the Trust and the owners of the C Shares of the portfolios (R Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund) (the “Shareholders”) of the Trust.
     NOW THEREFORE, the Trustees of the Trust hereby adopt this Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and in accordance with the Trust’s Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan:
     Section 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses related to (a) the distribution and sale of C Shares of the portfolios (R Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund) of the Trust, as now in existence or hereinafter created from time to time (each a “Portfolio”) (collectively, the “Shares”), and (b) the shareholder servicing of such Shares.
     Section 2. Distribution Activities.
(a)   The Shares of each Portfolio, except the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund are authorized to pay the principal underwriter of the Shares (the “Distributor”) a total fee in connection with distribution-related services provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .75% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class. The Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund are authorized to pay the Distributor a total fee in connection with distribution-related services provided in respect of such class, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
(b)   The fee paid pursuant to this Section 2 may be used by the Distributor to provide initial and ongoing sales compensation to its investment executives and to other broker-dealers in respect of sales of Shares of the applicable Portfolios and to pay for other advertising and promotional expenses in connection with the distribution of the Shares. These advertising and promotional expenses include, by way of example but not way of limitation, costs of printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareholder reports to prospective investors; preparation and distribution of sales literature; advertising of any type; an allocation of overhead and other expenses of the Distributor related to the

 


 

    distribution of the Shares; and payments to, and expenses of, officers, employees or representatives of the Distributor, of other broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions, and of any other persons who provide support services in connection with the distribution of the Shares, including travel, entertainment, and telephone expenses.
(c)   Payments under this Section of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for distribution-related activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional distribution.
     Section 3. Shareholder Servicing Activities.
(a)   In addition to the amounts set forth in Section 2 above, the Shares of each Portfolio, except the Prime Quality Money Market Fund, are authorized to pay the Distributor a fee in connection with the personal, ongoing servicing of shareholder accounts of such Shares, calculated and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
(b)   The service fee payable to the Distributor pursuant to this Section 3 hereof may be used by the Distributor to provide compensation for personal, ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to the Shares of the applicable Portfolios. Compensation may be paid by the Distributor, or any portion of the fee may be reallowed, to persons, including employees of the Distributor, and institutions who respond to inquiries of holders of the Shares regarding their ownership of Shares or their accounts with the Trust or who provide other administrative or accounting services not otherwise required to be provided by the Trust’s investment adviser, transfer agent, or other agent of the Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) adopts a definition of “service fee” for purposes of Section 26(d) of the NASD Rules of Fair Practice that differs from the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph, or if the NASD adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the definition of shareholder servicing activities in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to such NASD definition.
(c)   Payments under this Section of the Plan are not tied exclusively to the expenses for shareholder servicing activities actually incurred by the Distributor, so that such payments may exceed expenses actually incurred by the Distributor. The

 


 

    Trust’s Board of Trustees will evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan and its payment terms on a continuing basis and in doing so will consider all relevant factors, including expenses borne by the Distributor and amounts it receives under the Plan.
(d)   The Trust’s investment adviser and the Distributor may, at their option and in their sole discretion, make payments from their own resources to cover costs of additional shareholder servicing activities.
     Section 4. The Shares of the Prime Quality Money Market Fund are authorized to pay the Distributor a total fee in connection with distribution-related services (as defined in Section 2) and/or shareholder servicing (as defined in Section 3), provided in respect of such class, at the annual rate of .25% of the value of the average daily net assets of such class.
     Section 5. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to a Portfolio until it has been approved together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (i) the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a Board of Trustees meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.
     Section 6. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 5 herein for the approval of this Plan.
     Section 7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at last quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     Section 8. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares.
     Section 9. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to any Portfolio, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the Portfolio’s outstanding Shares, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
     Section 10. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted pursuant to Section 2 and 4 hereof without the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding Shares of the applicable Portfolio, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Section 5 herein for the approval of this Plan.

 


 

     Section 11. As used in this Plan, (a) the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it, and (b) the terms “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC.
     Section 12. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.
     Section 13. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.
Adopted May 17, 2005
Approved November 14, 2006
Revised March 31, 2008 — Name Change
Revised November 20, 2008 — Prime Quality Money Market Fund, the Intermediate Bond Fund and the
Total Return Bond Fund

 

EX-99.N.1 6 l34812aexv99wnw1.htm EX-99.N.1 EX-99.n.1
Exhibit (n)(1)
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
Rule 18f-3
Multiple Class Plan
     RidgeWorth Funds (formerly, the STI Classic Funds) (the “Trust”), a registered management investment company that currently consists of a number of separately managed funds (each a “Fund and together the “Funds”), has elected to rely on Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), in offering multiple classes of shares of the Funds.
A. Attributes of Share Classes
     1. The rights of each class of shares of the Funds shall be as set forth in the respective Certificate of Class Designation for each class (each a “Certificate”) as each such Certificate is approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and as attached hereto as an exhibit.
     2. With respect to each class of shares created hereunder, each share of a Fund will represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and will have identical terms and conditions, except that: (i) each new class will have a different class name (or other designation) that identifies the class as separate from any other class; (ii) each class will be offered and sold only to investors meeting the qualifications set forth in the Certificate and disclosed in the Trust’s Prospectuses; (iii) each class will separately bear any distribution fees that are payable in connection with a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (a “Distribution Plan”), and separately bear any other service fees that are payable under any service agreement entered into with respect to that class which are not contemplated by or within the scope of the Distribution Plan; (iv) each class may bear, consistent with rulings and other published statements of position by the Internal Revenue Service, the expenses of the Fund’s operations which are directly attributable to such class (“Class Expenses”); and (v) shareholders of each class will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to such class (such as a Distribution Plan or service agreement relating to such class), and will have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of that class differ from the interests of any other class.
B. Expense Allocations
     With respect to each Fund, the expenses of each class shall be allocated as follows: (i) any Rule 12b-1 fees relating to a particular class of shares associated with a Distribution Plan or service fees relating to a particular class of shares are (or will be) borne exclusively by that class; and (ii) Class Expenses relating to a particular class are (or will be) borne exclusively by that class.

 


 

     Income and non-class specific expenses shall be allocated in accordance with Rule 18f-3(c).
C. Amendment of Plan; Periodic Review
     This Plan must be amended to properly describe (through additional exhibits hereto) each new class of shares upon its approval by the Board. The Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act, must approve any material amendment of the Plan as it relates to any class of any Fund covered by the Plan. In approving any material amendment to the Plan, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, must find that the amendment is in the best interests of each class individually and the Trust as a whole.

2


 

Exhibit A
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Class A Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     A Shares of each of the Funds (except the Money Market Funds) are sold subject to a front-end sales charge. A Shares sold without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a deferred sales charge.
     A Shares of the Funds are also subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee under the A Shares Distribution and Service Plan as described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     A Shares are offered to individual investors through brokerage accounts offered by financial institutions or intermediaries that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers.
3. Exchange Privileges
     A Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for A Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of A Shares will have one vote for each full A Share held and a fractional vote for each fractional A Share held. Shareholders of A Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to A Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to A Shares), and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of A Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     A Shares do not have a conversion feature.

3


 

Exhibit B
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Class B Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     B Shares of each of the Funds are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. If shares are sold within five years of purchase, a shareholder will generally pay a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on those shares according to the following schedule:
         
    CDSC as a Percentage
    of Original Purchase
Years After Purchase   Amount Subject to Charge
0 to 1 Year
    5 %
1 to 2 Years
    4 %
2 to 3 Years
    4 %
3 to 4 Years
    3 %
4 to 5 Years
    2 %
5 Years*
    0 %
 
*   B Shares automatically convert to A Shares after eight years.
     B Shares of the Funds are also subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee under the B Shares Distribution and Service Plan as described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     B Shares are offered to individual investors through brokerage accounts offered by financial institutions or intermediaries that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers.
3. Exchange Privileges
     B Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for B Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of B Shares will have one vote for each full B Share held and a fractional vote for each fractional B Share held. Shareholders of B Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to B Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to B Shares) and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which

4


 

the interests of the shareholders of B Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     B Shares automatically convert to A Shares after eight years.

5


 

Exhibit C
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Class C Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     C Shares of each of the Funds are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. If shares are sold within the first year after purchase, a shareholder will generally pay a contingent deferred sales charge equal to 1.00% for either (1) the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, or (2) NAV of the shares next calculated after the Fund receives the sale request, whichever is less. In addition, C Shares of the Funds are subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee under the C Shares Distribution and Service Plan as described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     C Shares are offered to individual investors through brokerage accounts offered by financial institutions or intermediaries that are authorized to place transactions in Fund shares for their customers.
3. Exchange Privileges
     C Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for C Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of C Shares will have one vote for each full C Share held and a fractional vote for each fractional C Share held. Shareholders of C Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to C Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to C Shares), and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of C Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     C Shares do not have a conversion feature.

6


 

Exhibit D
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Class R Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     R Shares of the Intermediate Bond Fund and the Total Return Bond Fund (the “Bond Funds”) are not sold subject to a sales charge. R Shares of the Bond Funds are subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee under the Distribution and Service Plan for the C Shares of the Funds (R Shares of the Bond Funds) and a shareholder servicing fee, as described in the Bond Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     R Shares are offered to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and health care benefit funding plans where R Shares are held on the books of the Bond Funds through omnibus accounts (either a the benefit plan level or at the level of the plan’s financial service firm).
3. Exchange Privileges
     R Shares of one Bond Fund may be exchanged for R Shares of the other Bond Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Bond Funds’ Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Bond Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of R Shares will have one vote for each full RShare held and a fractional vote for each fractional R Share held. Shareholders of R Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to R Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to R Shares), and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of R Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     R Shares do not have a conversion feature.

7


 

Exhibit E
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Class I Shares
(formerly T Shares)
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     I Shares of each of the Funds are not sold subject to a sales charge, a Rule 12b-1 fee, or a shareholder servicing fee.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     I Shares are offered only to financial institutions or intermediaries for their own or their customers’ accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian.
3. Exchange Privileges
     I Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for I Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of I Shares will have one vote for each full I Share held and a fractional vote for each fractional I Share held. Shareholders of I Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to I Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to I Shares), and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of I Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     I Shares do not have a conversion feature.

8


 

Exhibit F
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Corporate Trust Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     Corporate Trust Shares are sold without a sales charge and are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee. However, Corporate Trust Shares are subject to shareholder servicing fees as described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     Corporate Trust Shares are offered only to accounts administered by the financial intermediaries that have executed certain agreements with the RidgeWorth Funds.
3. Exchange Privileges
     Corporate Trust Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for Corporate Trust Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Each shareholder of Corporate Trust Shares will have one vote for each full Corporate Trust Share held and a fractional vote for each fractional Corporate Trust Share held. Shareholders of Corporate Trust Shares will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to Corporate Trust Shares (such as a distribution plan or service agreement relating to Corporate Trust Shares), and will have separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of Corporate Trust Shares differ from the interests of holders of any other class.
5. Conversion Rights
     Corporate Trust Shares do not have a conversion feature.

9


 

Exhibit G
RIDGEWORTH FUNDS
CERTIFICATE OF CLASS DESIGNATION
Money Market Funds — Institutional Class Shares
1. Class-Specific Distribution Arrangements; Other Expenses.
     Institutional Shares of each of the Funds are not sold subject to a sales charge or to a Rule 12b-1 fee, although institutions may charge their customers for services provided in connection with the purchase of shares.
2. Eligibility of Purchasers
     Institutional Shares are offered primarily to institutional investors for their own or their customers’ accounts for which they act as fiduciary, agent, investment adviser, or custodian.
3. Exchange Privileges
     Institutional Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for Institutional Shares of each other Fund of the Trust in accordance with the procedures disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and subject to any applicable limitations resulting from the closing of Funds to new investors.
4. Voting Rights
     Institutional Shares will be held of record by (in the name of) the customer’s institution. Depending upon the terms of the customer’s account, however, the customer may have, or be given, the right to vote his or her Institutional Shares.
5. Conversion Rights
     Institutional Shares do not have a conversion feature.
Adopted May 24, 1995
Amended May 17, 2005 (for effectiveness August 1, 2005)
Amended May 20, 2008
Amended November 20, 2008

10

EX-99.P.4 7 l34812aexv99wpw4.htm EX-99.P.4 EX-99.p.4
Exhibit (p)(4)
ALPHA EQUITY MANAGEMENT LLC
CODE OF ETHICS
A. Introduction. [See SEC Rule 204A-1 adopted under the Advisers Act.] The Firm’s code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) as set forth below is designed to ensure that all Firm employees are aware of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Firm. Maintaining a spirit of openness, honesty and integrity are of paramount importance at the Firm. The Firm believes that its employees should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and should be vigilant about alerting senior management of anything they deem amiss with respect to the Firm’s business, operations or compliance. As evidence of the Firm’s commitment to operating with integrity, the Firm has adopted this Code of Ethics, which shall be amended from time to time. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to identify the ethical and legal framework in which the Firm and its employees are required to operate and to highlight some of the guiding principles and mechanisms for upholding the Firm’s standard of business conduct, as set forth below. Employees will be required to acknowledge receipt of the Code of Ethics by executing the Acknowledgement and Agreement to Abide by Compliance Policies and Procedures attached to this Manual as Exhibit B.
B. Standard of Business Conduct. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that the Firm conducts its business with the highest level of ethical standards and in keeping with its fiduciary duties to the Firm’s clients. Employees have a duty to place the interests of the Firm’s clients first, and to refrain from having outside interests that conflict with the interests of its clients. To this end, employees are required to maintain the following standards:
  1.   Compliance with all Covered Laws, including, but not limited to, federal securities laws;
 
  2.   Compliance with the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures, as shall be updated from time to time;
 
  3.   Honest and fair dealings with clients;
 
  4.   Disclosure to clients of potential and actual conflicts of interest;
 
  5.   Exercise diligence in making investment recommendations or taking investment actions, including but not limited to maintaining objectivity, considering the suitability of an investment for a particular client or portfolio and keeping appropriate records;
 
  6.   Obtain written consent from the Firm for all independent business practices; and
 
  7.   Immediate disclosure to the Firm’s management of any matters that could create a conflict of interest, constitute a violation of any government or regulatory law, rule or regulation or constitute a violation of the Firm’s policies and procedures.
C. Prohibited Conduct. Firm employees must avoid any circumstances that might adversely affect, or appear to affect, their duty of complete loyalty to the Firm’s clients. Neither the Firm nor any of its employees shall:

 


 

  1.   Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud, or engage in any act, practice, or course of conduct that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon, any client or prospective client or any party to any securities transaction in which the Firm or any of its clients is a participant;
 
  2.   Make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to any person a material fact necessary in order to make a statement of the Firm, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, materially complete and not misleading;
 
  3.   Engage in any act, practice or course of business that is fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative, particularly with respect to a client or prospective client;
 
  4.   Engage in any manipulative practices; or
 
  5.   Cause the Firm, acting as principal for its own account or for any account in which the Firm or any person associated with the Firm has a beneficial interest, to sell any security to or purchase any security from a client in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation.
D. Privacy of Client Information. All information relating to clients’ portfolios and activities and to proposed recommendations is strictly confidential. Consideration of a particular purchase or sale for a client account may not be disclosed, except to authorized persons.
The following are potentially compromising situations which must be avoided. Any exceptions must be reported to the CCO and written approval for continuation must be obtained from the CCO:
  1.   Participation in civic or professional organizations that might involve divulging confidential information of the Firm.
 
  2.   Engaging in any form of harassment with is prohibited by law.
 
  3.   Investing or holding outside interest or directorship in clients, vendors or customers or competing firms, including financial speculations, where such investment or directorship might influence in any manner a decision or course of action of the Firm. In the limited instances in which service as a director is authorized by the Firm, employees serving as directors will be isolated from other employees who are involved in making decisions as to the securities of that company through procedures determined by the Firm to be appropriate according to the circumstances.
 
  4.   Engaging in any financial transaction with any of the Firm’s vendors, investors or employees, including but not limited to: providing any rebate, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity that has received compensation from the Firm; accepting, directly or indirectly, from any person or entity, other than the Firm, compensation of any nature as a bonus, commission, fee, gratuity or other consideration in connection with any transaction on behalf of the Firm; beneficially owning any security of, or have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest in, any other organization engaged in securities, financial or related business, except for beneficial ownership of not more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of any business that is publicly owned.

 


 

  5.   Unlawfully discussing trading practices, pricing, clients, research, strategies, processes or markets with competing firms or their personnel.
 
  6.   Making any unlawful agreement with vendors, existing or potential investment targets or other organizations.
 
  7.   Improperly using or authorizing the use of any inventions, programs, technology or knowledge which are the proprietary information of the Firm.
 
  8.   Communicating any information regarding the Firm, the Firm’s investment products and services, or any client to prospective clients, investors, journalists, clients or regulatory authorities that is not accurate, or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements the Firm has made to such person not misleading.
 
  9.   Engaging in any conduct that is not in the best interest of the Firm or might appear to be improper.
E. Personal Securities Transactions. All employees shall comply with the Firm’s Personal Account Trading Policy (which is set forth in Section XV of this Manual).
F. Conflicts of Interests. The Firm has a duty to disclose potential and actual conflicts of interest to its clients. Employees may not use any confidential information or otherwise take inappropriate advantage of their positions for the purpose of furthering any private interest or as a means of making any personal gain. Additionally, employees and their immediate families may not accept any benefit from a client or person who does business with the Firm, other than business courtesies and non-cash gifts of nominal value (i.e., de minimis gifts, which are usually defined as having a value under $100.00).
G. Service as a Director. No employee may serve as a director of a publicly-held company without prior approval by the CCO based upon a determination that service as a director would not be adverse to the interests of any client. In the limited instances in which such service is authorized, employees serving as directors will be isolated from other employees who are involved in making decisions as to the securities of that company through procedures determined by the CCO to be appropriate in the circumstances.
H. Reporting of Violations. Employees are required to promptly report all actual or potential conflicts of interest, violations of any government or regulatory law, rule or regulation or violations of the Firm’s policies and procedures. Such reports shall be made to the CCO and may be made on a confidential or non-confidential basis, orally in person or by phone, or in writing hand delivered or sent by e-mail or fax. Any action taken against a person who reports a violation or potential violation shall be a violation of the Code of Ethics.
I. Training. Formal ethics training for employees will occur on an annual basis. The training will be documented and maintained with the Firm’s books and records. Training will include a review of the Firm’s policies and procedures, including this Code of Ethics, and a discussion of any changes in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Firm’s business and operations.
J. Review and Enforcement. [Section 204A-1 of the Advisers Act.] The CCO is responsible for ensuring adequate supervision over the activities of all persons who act on the

 


 

Firm’s behalf in order to prevent and detect violations of the Code of Ethics by such persons. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
  1.   Adopting, implementing and enforcing the Firm’s compliance and supervisory procedures and controls, including those set forth in this Manual to ensure compliance with the Covered Laws;
 
  2.   Ensuring that all employees fully understand the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures;
 
  3.   Establishing an annual review of the Firm’s operations and its compliance policies and procedures to ensure that it has a system designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures are effective and are being followed; and
 
  4.   Review personal securities transactions and reports of the Firm’s employees.
Upon discovering that any person has failed to comply with the requirements of this Code of Ethics, the Firm may impose on that person whatever sanctions the CCO and management consider appropriate under the circumstances, including censure, suspension, limitations on permitted activities, or termination of employment.
K. Policies and Procedures Not Exclusive. This Code of Ethic’s policies, procedures, standards and restrictions do not and cannot address each potential conflict of interest. Ethics and faithful discharge of the Firm’s fiduciary duties require adherence to the spirit of this Code of Ethics and awareness that activities other than personal securities transactions could involve conflicts of interest. (For example, accepting favors from broker-dealers could involve an abuse of a person’s position with the Firm. The Firm is a natural object of cultivation by broker-dealers and it is possible that such considerations could impair the Firm’s objectivity.) If there is any doubt about the application, or potential application, of this Code of Ethics, or any of the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures to a specific situation or occurrence, the CCO should be consulted.

 


 

PERSONAL ACCOUNT TRADING POLICY
All employees shall comply with the procedures governing personal securities transactions set forth below.
A. Introduction. The following procedures are designed to assist the CCO in avoiding potential conflicts of interests and detecting and preventing abusive sales practices such as “scalping” or “front running” and to highlight potentially abusive “soft dollar” or brokerage arrangements. Strict compliance with the Firm’s Personal Account Trading Policy (“Personal Trading Policy”) is essential to the Firm and its reputation. This Personal Trading Policy, and the procedures described herein, are in addition to and separate from (i) the Policy to Detect and Prevent Insider Trading (set forth in Section XVI of this Manual), and (ii) other provisions of law applicable to individual transactions by investment advisory personnel, securities industry employees and fiduciaries generally. NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THIS PERSONAL TRADING POLICY CAN BE GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL BY THE FIRM OF ANY EMPLOYEE. Every employee of the Firm is expected to be familiar with this Personal Trading Policy and the procedures contained herein. These matters can be reviewed with the CCO at any time.
B. Responsibility. The CCO shall maintain current and accurate records of all personal securities transactions in which employees have a direct or indirect beneficial interest. For purposes of this Code of Ethics the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
1. Security. The term “security” includes stocks, options, rights, warrants, ETFs, futures, contracts, convertible securities or other securities that are related to securities in which the Firm’s clients may invest or as to which the Firm may make recommendations. Rule 204 A-1 treats all securities as reportable securities, with five exceptions designed to exclude securities that appear to present little opportunity for the type of improper trading that the employee reports are designed to uncover:
    Transactions and holdings of direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
 
    Money Market Instruments — bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments;
 
    Shares of money market funds;
 
    Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end mutual funds, unless the adviser or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter for the fund;
 
    Transactions in units of an investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in unaffiliated open-end mutual funds;
The above rule requires employees to report shares of open-end mutual funds advised by the employee’s employer or an affiliate, and is designed to help advisers identify abusive

 


 

trading by personnel with access to information about an open-end mutual fund’s portfolio.
2. Beneficial Interest. The term “beneficial interest” of securities is broad. It includes not only securities that an employee owns directly, and not only securities owned by others specifically for the employee’s benefit, but also (i) securities held by the employee’s spouse, minor children and relatives who live full time in his or her home; and (ii) securities held by another person if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement the employee obtains benefits substantially equivalent to ownership. Some examples of when beneficial ownership would exist are where securities are held:
a. by an employee for his or her own benefit, whether bearer, registered in his or her own name, or otherwise;
b. by others for the employee’s benefit (regardless of whether or how registered), such as securities held for the employee by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors or administrators;
c. for an employee’s account by a pledgee;
d. by a trust in which an employee has an income or remainder interest unless the employee’s only interest is to receive principal if (a) some other remainderman dies before distribution or (b) if some other person can direct by will a distribution of trust property or income to the employee;
e. by an employee as trustee or co-trustee, where either the employee or any member of his or her immediate family (i.e., spouse, children and their descendants, stepchildren, parents and their ancestors, and step-parents, in each case treating a legal adoption as blood relationship) has an income or remainder interest in the trust;
f. by a trust of which the employee is the settlor, if the employee has the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries;
g. by any non-public partnership in which the employee is a partner;
h. by a personal holding company controlled by the employee alone or jointly with others;
i. in the name of the employee’s spouse unless legally separated;
j. in the name of minor children of the employee or in the name of any relative of the employee or of his or her spouse (including an adult child) who is presently sharing the employee’s home. This applies even if the securities were not received from the employee and the dividends are not actually used for the maintenance of the employee’s home; and
k. in the name of any person other than the employee, even though the employee does not obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership, if the employee can vest or re-vest title in himself or herself.
C. Pre-Approval of Personal Securities Transactions. The CCO shall pre-approve (or disapprove) all personal securities transactions in which employees have a direct or indirect beneficial interest. A record of each pre-approval (or disapproval) shall be evidenced by a duly completed and executed Personal Securities Trading Pre-Approval

 


 

Request and Authorization Form (See Exhibit H) maintained in the Firm’s personnel files.
Notwithstanding the approval by the CCO of any securities transaction(s), the following restrictions shall apply to the approved securities transaction(s):
1. Restricted Securities. No employee shall invest or trade in securities included on the restricted securities list (See Exhibit F).
2. Black-Out Period. No employee may purchase, sell or trade a security on the day that any client account (hedge fund, mutual fund or separately managed account) intends to buy or sell the same or related security. Employees are restricted from buying or selling stocks in which a client account is currently active. The CCO may grant exemptions to this restriction where strict adherence would result in prejudice to a client’s interest (for example, when an employee has sold a security and external events make it important for a client to sell the same or a related security on that day). In no event may any employee execute a personal transaction in a security on any day during which there is pending for any client any order in the same security until the order is executed or withdrawn. This rule applies whether or not the transaction has already been cleared (e.g. earlier in the day than the time at which an order was first placed for a client). The demonstrable process for monitoring employee transactions shall be to fill out the Pre-Approval of Personal Securities Transactions Form, to deliver the same and the intended trade to the CCO, to have the CCO check with the Operations Analyst who oversees trading to make sure that no client account trades are pending or have been executed on that particular day, and then to have the CCO provide written authorization for the employee trade.
3. Short-Term Trading. No employee may purchase and subsequently sell a security within any thirty (30) day period, unless such transaction is approved in writing by the CCO. The CCO shall consider the totality of the circumstances, including: the frequency of short-term trading by the Firm employee, whether the trade would involve a breach of any fiduciary duty; whether it would otherwise be inconsistent with applicable laws and the Firm’s compliance policies and procedures; and whether the trade would create an appearance of impropriety. Based on the CCO’s consideration of these issues, the CCO shall have the sole authority to grant or withhold permission to execute the trade.
D. Initial Report. An employee shall, no later than 10 days after the employee begins its relationship with the Firm, provide the Firm with brokerage account statements and complete and submit Exhibit G, List of Personal Investment Accounts. The information provided must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an employee and must include:
1. The title, number of shares and principal amount of each security in which the employee had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership when he or she became associated with the Firm or at the end of each calendar year, as applicable;
2. The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the employee maintained an account in which any securities were held for his or her direct or indirect benefit as of the date such person became associated with the Firm or at the end of each calendar year, as applicable;

 


 

And
3. The date that the report is submitted by such person.
E. Quarterly Reports. On a quarterly basis all employees shall submit to the CCO the Personal Securities Transaction Report (See Exhibit I). This report must be submitted no later than 20 days after the end of each calendar quarter and must cover, at a minimum, all transactions during the quarter.
F. Annual Report. Following the completion of each calendar year, employees must resubmit the Personal Securities Transaction Report (See Exhibit I). This must be submitted by January 31st of the following calendar year. The information provided must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date that the report was submitted.

 

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(CITI LOGO)
December 15, 2008
VIA EDGAR
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Re:     RidgeWorth Funds
File Nos. 033-45671 and 811-06557
Filing Pursuant to Rule 485(a)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As Administrator on behalf of RidgeWorth Funds (the “Trust”), we are filing pursuant to Rule 485(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Post-effective Amendment No. 77 (the “Amendment”) to the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A.
The Amendment is being filed for the purpose of converting C Shares to R Shares for the RidgeWorth Total Return Bond Fund and the RidgeWorth Intermediate Bond Fund.
Please contact me at (617) 824-1514 if you have any questions or comments regarding this filing.
         
Very truly yours,
 
 
/s/ Kristin Person    
Kristin Person