Investment Managers Series Trust N14 Registration statement for investment companies business combination

Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2018

1933 Act Registration File No. 333-________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]

[ ] Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___

[ ] Post-Effective Amendment No. ___

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212-3948

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (414) 299-2295

Constance Dye Shannon

UMB Fund Services, Inc.

235 West Galena Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212-3948

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Laurie Dee

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 1800

Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7653

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective on June 21, 2018 pursuant to Rule 488.

Title of Securities Being Registered:

Class I shares of beneficial interest of the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund

No filing fee is required because an indefinite number of shares have previously been registered pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

FORUM FUNDS II

Phocas Real Estate Fund
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101

1-866-746-2271

June [ ], 2018

Dear Valued Shareholder:

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Forum Funds II (the “Trust”), has been scheduled for August 13, 2018 (the “Special Meeting”). The Special Meeting has been called to vote on a proposal to reorganize the Acquired Fund into the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”) (the “Reorganization”), a newly created series of Investment Managers Series Trust (“IMST”). The Acquiring Fund is designed to be substantially similar from an investment perspective to the Acquired Fund.

If the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) between the Trust and IMST regarding the Reorganization is approved by shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the Reorganization is completed, all of the assets of the Acquired Fund will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund; the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and each shareholder of the Acquired Fund will receive a number of full and fractional shares of Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund equal in aggregate net asset value at the time of the exchange to the aggregate net asset value of such shareholder’s shares of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund would then be dissolved.

The Acquiring Fund is a newly organized fund that will commence operation upon the closing of the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund. The Reorganization generally is not expected to result in the recognition of gain or loss by the Acquired Fund or its shareholders for federal income tax purposes. No sales charges or redemption fees will be imposed in connection with the Reorganization. If the shareholders of the Acquired Fund do not approve the Reorganization, then the Reorganization will not be implemented and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) will consider additional actions with respect to the Acquired Fund, including the possible liquidation of the Acquired Fund.

If the Reorganization is approved by shareholders of the Acquired Fund, Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will serve as the investment adviser for the Acquiring Fund and Phocas Financial Corporation, the current adviser to the Acquired Fund, will serve as an investment sub-adviser for the Acquiring Fund. The investment objective of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund are the same and the policies and strategies are substantially similar, as further described in the attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

After careful consideration, for the reasons discussed in the attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and based on the recommendations of the Acquired Fund’s investment adviser, Phocas Financial Corporation, the Board has approved the Reorganization and the solicitation of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders with respect to the Plan.

The attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus is designed to give you more information about the proposal. If you have any questions regarding the proposal to be voted on, please do not hesitate to call 1-886-746-2271. If you were a shareholder of record of the Acquired Fund as of the close of business on June 15, 2018, the record date for the Special Meeting, you are entitled to vote on the proposal at the Special Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. While you are, of course, welcome to join us at the Special Meeting, we expect that most shareholders will cast their votes by filling out and signing the enclosed proxy card.

Whether or not you are planning to attend the Special Meeting, we need your vote. Please submit your vote via the options listed on your proxy card. You can mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope so that the maximum number of shares may be voted. You should follow the enclosed instructions on your proxy card as to how to vote, which includes calling the toll-free number on your proxy card to vote by telephone. You may revoke your proxy before it is exercised at the Special Meeting, either by writing to the Secretary of the Trust at the address noted in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or in person at the time of the Special Meeting. A prior proxy vote can also be revoked by voting the proxy at a later date through the toll-free number or the Internet address listed in the enclosed voting instructions.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this important proposal and for your continuing investment in the Phocas Real Estate Fund.

Sincerely,


Jessica Chase
President

FORUM FUNDS II

Phocas Real Estate Fund
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101

1-866-746-2271

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD AUGUST 13, 2018

Forum Funds II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), will hold a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Phocas Real Estate Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Acquired Fund”), on August 13, 2018, at the offices of Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. At the Special Meeting, you and the other shareholders of the Acquired Fund will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

Approval of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for (i) the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a newly created series of Investment Managers Series Trust (“IMST”), in exchange for (a) Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund with an aggregate net asset value (“NAV”) equal to the aggregate NAV of the shares of the Acquired Fund, and (b) the Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, followed by (ii) the liquidating distribution by the Acquired Fund to its shareholders of the Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund in proportion to their respective holdings of shares of the Acquired Fund; and

The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any continuations after an adjournment thereof.

Only shareholders of record of the Acquired Fund at the close of business on June 15, 2018, the record date for this Special Meeting, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any postponements or continuations after an adjournment thereof.

As a shareholder, you are asked to attend the Special Meeting either in person or by proxy. If you are unable to attend the Special Meeting in person, we urge you to authorize proxies to cast your votes, commonly referred to as “proxy voting”. Whether or not you expect to attend the Special Meeting, please submit your vote via the options listed on your proxy card. You may vote by completing, dating and signing your proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope, by calling the toll-free number on your proxy card to vote by telephone or, if available, by voting through the internet. Your prompt voting by proxy will help assure a quorum at the Special Meeting. Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting your shares in person at the Special Meeting. You may revoke your proxy before it is exercised at the Special Meeting, either by writing to the Secretary of the Trust at the address noted in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or in person at the time of the Special Meeting. A prior proxy can also be revoked by voting your proxy at a later date through the toll-free number or the Internet website address listed in the enclosed voting instructions or submitting a later dated proxy card.

By Order of the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds II


Jessica Chase
President

FORUM FUNDS II

Phocas Real Estate Fund
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101

1-866-746-2271

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Question: What is this document and why did you send it to me?

Answer: The attached document is a proxy statement to solicit votes from shareholders of Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Forum Funds II (the “Trust”), at the special meeting of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders (“Special Meeting”), and a registration statement for AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a new series of Investment Managers Series Trust (“IMST”). This combined proxy/registration statement is referred to below as the “Proxy Statement.”

The Proxy Statement is being provided to you by the Trust in connection with the solicitation of proxies to vote to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Trust and IMST (the form of which is attached as Appendix A) (the “Plan”) regarding the proposed reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”). The Proxy Statement contains the information that shareholders of the Acquired Fund should know before voting on this proposal.

Approval of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund is needed to proceed with the proposal. The Special Meeting will be held on [August 13, 2018] to consider the proposal. If the shareholders of the Acquired Fund do not approve the Reorganization, then the Reorganization will not be implemented and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) will consider what further actions to take, which may include the liquidation of the Acquired Fund. We are sending this document to you for your use in deciding whether to approve the proposal. This document includes a Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement and a proxy card.

Question: Why is the Acquired Fund reorganizing into the Acquiring Fund?

Answer: The Acquired Fund currently operates as a separate series of the Trust. The Acquired Fund is small, with approximately $12.5 million in assets. Since the Acquired Fund’s inception, the Acquired Fund has been unable to grow to a sufficient size to be economically viable. As a result, Phocas Financial Corporation (“Phocas”), the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund, has continued to subsidize the Acquired Fund in the form of waivers of its advisory fee and reimbursement of Acquired Fund expenses. The Board and Phocas have discussed various potential options for the Acquired Fund going forward, given its small size and its difficulty in attracting assets, and the continuing needs of Phocas to subsidize the Acquired Fund. After consideration of various alternatives, Phocas has determined that the Acquired Fund could potentially benefit from the services expected to be offered in connection with its relationship with Advisors Asset Management, Inc. (“AAM”), a registered investment adviser, and from being reorganized as a series of the IMST. AAM is an experienced provider of investment advisory services to institutional and retail investors, with approximately $764 million in mutual fund assets under management. The annual advisory fee to be charged by AAM to the Acquiring Fund will be 0.65% of average daily net assets, compared to the Acquired Fund’s current annual advisory fee of 0.75% of average daily net assets. In addition, AAM has agreed, for a period of ten years from the date of the Reorganization, to cap the fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares at 0.90% of the Class’ average daily net assets, which is significantly lower than the Acquired Fund’s current expense cap of 1.50% of average daily net assets. Phocas believes the Reorganization and the significantly lower net fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund would be beneficial to shareholders and would potentially make the Acquiring Fund more attractive to prospective investors. This could increase the Acquiring Fund’s asset base, which could over time result in lower operating expenses as a percentage of assets. Therefore, Phocas has recommended, and the Board has approved, that the Acquired Fund be reconstituted as a series of IMST.

Question: Who will manage the Acquiring Fund?

Answer: Currently, Phocas is the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund and provides day-to-day portfolio management services to the Acquired Fund. After the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, AAM will become the Acquiring Fund’s investment adviser. Phocas will become the Acquiring Fund’s investment sub-adviser and will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio. Because Phocas will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio following the Reorganization, the Reorganization will not change the way your investment assets are managed, although Phocas, as sub-adviser, will now be subject to the oversight of AAM, as the investment adviser. As investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund, AAM will provide investment advisory services to the Acquiring Fund, including the oversight of Phocas, as the Acquiring Fund’s sub-adviser, ensuring quality control of Phocas’ investment process and monitoring and measuring the Acquiring Fund’s risk and return against appropriate benchmarks and peers.

Question: How will the Reorganization work?

Answer: Subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, pursuant to the Plan, the Acquired Fund will transfer all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in return for Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund’s assumption of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities. The Acquired Fund will then liquidate by distributing the Class I Shares it receives from the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will become shareholders of the Acquiring Fund, and immediately after the Reorganization each shareholder will hold a number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund equal in aggregate value at the time of the exchange to the aggregate value of such shareholder’s shares of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization.

If the Plan is carried out as proposed with respect to the Acquired Fund, the transaction is not generally expected to result in the recognition of gain or loss by either the Acquired Fund or its shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Please refer to the Proxy Statement for a detailed explanation of the proposal.

If the Plan is approved by shareholders of the Acquired Fund at the Special Meeting, the Reorganization presently is expected to be effective after the close of business (i.e., 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on or about August 24, 2018.

As of June 15, 2018, the record date for the Special Meeting, Phocas controls approximately 75% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares. Shares controlled by Phocas are held in its clients’ separately managed accounts for which Phocas has voting discretion (approximately [__]% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares), as well as by Phocas personnel and their family members and affiliates (approximately [__]% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares). Phocas expects shares held by Phocas personnel and their family members and affiliates to be voted in favor of the proposal. Phocas intends to “echo” vote shares held in its clients’ separately managed accounts for which it has voting discretion. This means Phocas will vote such shares in the same proportion as other Acquired Fund shareholders vote in favor of, and against, the proposal.

Question: Will the Board and Service Providers Change?

Answer: The Trust and IMST have different boards of trustees. The Trust and IMST also have different arrangements for custody, administration, accounting, transfer agency, and distribution services (“Third Party Service Arrangements”). Third Party Service Arrangements are provided to the Trust and IMST by the following:

	Trust	IMST
Administrator	Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Atlantic Fund Services) Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	Mutual Fund Administration, LLC 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226 Glendora, California 91740 UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Distributor	Foreside Fund Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101	IMST Distributors, LLC* Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101
Transfer Agent	Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Auditor
Custodian	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 350 California Street, 6^th Floor San Francisco, California 04104	UMB Bank, n.a. 928 Grand Boulevard, 5^th Floor Kansas City, Missouri 64106

IMST Distributors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

iii

Question: How will the Reorganization affect my investment?

Answer: Following the Reorganization, you will be a shareholder of the Acquiring Fund, which has the same investment objective and substantially similar investment strategies and policies as the Acquired Fund, as further described in the attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In addition, Phocas will serve as investment sub-adviser to the Acquiring Fund and will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio after the Reorganization. As a result, the Acquiring Fund will be managed in the same way as the Acquired Fund. The primary differences will be (1) the investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund will now be AAM rather than Phocas (although Phocas will be the sub-adviser), (2) unlike the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund’s investment objective will be non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of IMST without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders, (3) the service providers that provide Third Party Service Arrangements to the Acquiring Fund, (4) the Acquiring Fund will be a series of IMST instead of the Trust, (5) the Acquiring Fund will be governed by a different board of trustees than the Acquired Fund, and (6) differences in fee arrangements, as discussed below.

You will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund equal in aggregate value at the time of the exchange to the aggregate value of your shares of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization. The Reorganization will not affect the value of your investment at the time of Reorganization and your interest in the Acquired Fund will not be diluted. The Reorganization generally is not expected to result in recognition of gain or loss by the Acquired Fund or its shareholders for federal income tax purposes.

Question: How will the proposed Reorganization affect the fees and expenses I pay as a shareholder of the Acquired Fund?

Answer: The Acquiring Fund will pay a lower annual advisory fee rate to AAM than currently paid by the Acquired Fund to Phocas. The fees paid to Phocas as investment sub-adviser to the Acquiring Fund will be paid by AAM from its advisory fee and not by the Acquiring Fund. Following the Reorganization, the total annual fund operating fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund are expected to be higher than those of the Acquired Fund due to the differences in other expenses, including accounting, administration, transfer agency, custody and auditing fees. In addition, unlike the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund may pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of its average daily net assets to shareholder servicing agents to provide non-distribution administrative and support services. However, AAM has agreed, for a period of ten years from the date of the Reorganization, to cap the fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares at a level which is lower than the current fee and expense cap levels of the Acquired Fund. Phocas believes that these significantly lower net fees may potentially make the Acquiring Fund more attractive to prospective investors and potentially result in an increase in the Acquiring Fund’s asset base, which could over time result in lower operating expenses as a percentage of assets.

Question: What is the tax impact on my investment?

Answer: The Reorganization generally is not expected to result in recognition of gain or loss by the Acquired Fund or its shareholders for federal income tax purposes. As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will obtain an opinion of counsel regarding the tax consequences of the Reorganization. This opinion will be filed with the SEC after the close of the Reorganization and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Question: Who will benefit from the Reorganization?

Answer: If shareholders approve the Reorganization, AAM will replace Phocas as investment adviser and AAM will receive investment advisory fees for serving as the investment adviser of the Acquiring Fund. Phocas will serve as sub-adviser and provide the day-to-day portfolio management of the Acquiring Fund. Phocas will receive fees for serving as the investment sub-adviser, which are paid by AAM.

Question: What will happen if the Plan is not approved?

Answer: If the shareholders of the Acquired Fund do not approve the proposed Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, then the Reorganization will not be implemented. In such case, the Board will consider what further actions to take with respect to the Acquired Fund, which may include the liquidation of the Acquired Fund.

Question: Why do I need to vote?

Answer: Your vote is needed to ensure that a quorum is present at the Special Meeting so that the proposal can be acted upon. Your immediate response on the enclosed proxy card (or by telephone or Internet) will help prevent the need for any further solicitations for a shareholder vote, which will result in additional expenses. Your vote is very important to us regardless of the amount of shares you own.

Question: What action has the Board of Trustees taken?

Answer: After careful consideration and upon recommendation of Phocas, the Board unanimously approved the Plan and authorized the solicitation of proxies on the proposal.

Question: Who is paying for expenses related to the Special Meeting and the Reorganization?

Answer: AAM will pay all costs relating to the Reorganization, including the costs relating to the Special Meeting and the Proxy Statement, except if and to the extent that AAM’s payment of those costs would result in certain adverse tax consequences. The Acquired Fund will not incur any expenses in connection with the Reorganization.

Question: How do I cast my vote?

Answer: You may vote according to the instructions provided on your proxy card. You may vote by telephone using the toll free number found on your proxy card. You may also use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to mail your proxy card. You may also vote via the Internet. Please follow the enclosed instructions to use these methods of voting. We encourage you to vote by telephone or via the Internet. Use of telephone or Internet voting will reduce the time and costs associated with this proxy solicitation.

Question: Who do I call if I have questions?

Answer: Please call [ ] if you have any questions regarding the Reorganization. Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS

[________], 2018

FOR THE REORGANIZATION OF

Phocas Real Estate Fund,

a series of Forum Funds II
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101

1-866-746-2271

INTO

AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund,

a series of Investment Managers Series Trust

235 W. Galena Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

1-888-966-9661

This Combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus (this “Proxy Statement”) is being sent to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Forum Funds II (the “Trust”) for use at a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Phocas Real Estate Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Acquired Fund”), to be held at the offices of Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101, on August 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. At the Special Meeting, you and the other shareholders of the Acquired Fund will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any continuations after an adjournment thereof.

Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted, either by writing to the Trust, in person at the time of the Special Meeting, by voting the proxy at a later date through the toll-free number or through the Internet address listed in the enclosed voting instructions or by submitting a later dated proxy card. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or other institution, you should provide instructions to your broker, bank, nominee or other institution on how to vote your shares. If you hold your shares in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, nominee or other institution, you must provide a legal proxy from that institution in order to vote your shares in person at the Special Meeting.

The Acquired Fund is a series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and organized as a Delaware statutory trust. The Acquiring Fund is a newly created series of the IMST, an open-end management investment company registered with the SEC, and also organized as a Delaware statutory trust.

The following Acquired Fund documents have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement (which means these documents are considered legally to be part of this Proxy Statement):

•

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Acquired Fund, each dated May 1, 2018;

•

Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquired Fund dated December 31, 2017; and

•

Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquired Fund dated June 30, 2017.

The Acquired Fund’s Prospectus dated May 1, 2018, and Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, containing audited financial statements, have been previously mailed to shareholders. Copies of these documents are available upon request and without charge by writing to the Trust or by calling 1-866-746-2271.

Because the Acquiring Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Proxy Statement, no annual or semi-annual report is available for the Acquiring Fund at this time.

This Proxy Statement sets forth the basic information you should know before voting on the proposal. You should read it and keep it for future reference. Additional information is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information dated [_____] relating to this Proxy Statement, which is also incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. The Statement of Additional Information is available upon request and without charge by calling 1-888-966-9661. The Trust expects that this Proxy Statement will be mailed to shareholders on or about June 29, 2018.

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Meeting to be Held on August 13, 2018. This Proxy Statement is available on the Internet at http://www.proxyonline.com/docs/phocas.pdf. If you need any assistance, or have any questions regarding the proposal or how to vote your shares, please call [______]. Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Date: June [ ], 2018

THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES NOR HAS IT PASSED ON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The shares offered by this Combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. An investment in the Acquiring Fund involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Table of Contents

I.	Proposal - To Approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization		5
A.	Overview		5
B.	Comparison Fee Tables and Examples		7
C.	The Funds’ Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks		9
D.	Comparison of Investment Restrictions		14
E.	Comparison of Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements		15
F.	Comparison of Distribution, Purchase and Redemption Procedures and Valuation Procedures		17
G.	Key Information About the Reorganization		24
	1.	Agreement and Plan of Reorganization	24
	2.	Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares	26
	3.	Board Considerations Relating to the Proposed Reorganization	26
	4.	Federal Income Tax Consequences	28
	5.	Comparison of Forms of Organization and Shareholder Rights	30
	6.	Capitalization	32
	7.	Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act	32
H.	Additional Information about the Funds		33
	1.	Past Performance of the Acquired Fund	33
	2.	Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser and Portfolio Managers	33
	3.	Trustees and Service Providers for the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund	36
III.	Voting Information		37
A.	General Information		37
B.	Method and Cost of Solicitation		38
C.	Right to Revoke Proxy		39
D.	Voting Securities and Principal Holders		39
E.	Interest of Certain Persons in the Transaction		39
III	. Miscellaneous Information		40
A.	Other Business		40
B.	Next Meeting of Shareholders		40
C.	Legal Matters		40
D.	Auditors		40
E.	Information Filed with the SEC		40
	APPENDIX A – Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization		A-1
	APPENDIX B – More Information about the Acquiring Fund		B-1

Proposal - To Approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

Overview

Based on the recommendation of Phocas Financial Corporation (“Phocas”), the investment adviser for the Acquired Fund, the Board has called the Special Meeting to ask shareholders to consider and vote on the proposed reorganization (the “Reorganization”) of the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund, a new series of IMST (the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund are each sometimes referred to below as a “Fund” and, collectively, as the “Funds”). The Board (including a majority of the independent trustees, meaning those trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) believes that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and its shareholders. The Board considered and approved the Reorganization at a meeting held on March 26, 2018, subject to the approval of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders.

The Acquired Fund currently operates as a separate series of the Trust. Phocas currently is the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund and provides day-to-day portfolio management services to the Acquired Fund’s portfolio. Phocas has recommended that the Acquired Fund be reconstituted as a series of IMST.

In order to reconstitute the Acquired Fund under the IMST umbrella, a similar corresponding fund, referred to as the “Acquiring Fund,” has been created as a new series of IMST. If shareholders approve the Reorganization, then all of the assets and liabilities of the Acquired Fund will be acquired by the Acquiring Fund and your shares of the Acquired Fund will be converted into shares of the Acquiring Fund.

The investment objectives of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are the same and the policies and strategies are substantially similar, as described in more detail below. After the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, Advisors Asset Management, Inc. (“AAM”) will serve as the Acquiring Fund’s investment adviser. Phocas will serve as the investment sub-adviser for the Acquiring Fund and will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio. Because Phocas will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio following the Reorganization, the Reorganization will not change the way your investment assets are managed.

The Trust is a multiple series trust that offers a number of portfolios managed by separate investment advisers and/or sub-advisers. As of March 31, 2018, the Trust consisted of multiple portfolios representing approximately $927 million in assets. IMST is a multiple series trust that offers a number of portfolios managed by separate investment advisers and/or sub-advisers. As of December 31, 2017, IMST consisted of multiple portfolios representing approximately $15.8 billion in assets. IMST is not affiliated with the Trust or Phocas. The Trust and IMST have different Boards of Trustees. Custody, administration, accounting, transfer agency, and distribution services (“Third Party Service Arrangements”) are provided to the Trust and IMST by the following:

	Trust	IMST
Administrator	Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Atlantic Fund Services) Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	Mutual Fund Administration, LLC 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226 Glendora, California 91740 UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Distributor	Foreside Fund Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101	IMST Distributors, LLC* Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101
Transfer Agent	Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Auditor
Custodian	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 350 California Street, 6^th Floor San Francisco, California 04104	UMB Bank, n.a. 928 Grand Boulevard, 5^th Floor Kansas City, Missouri 64106

IMST Distributors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

The Trust believes that the Reorganization will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The closing of the Reorganization is conditioned upon the receipt by IMST and the Trust of an opinion to such effect from tax counsel to IMST. If the Reorganization so qualifies, the Acquired Fund and the shareholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the transfer of assets, the assumption of liabilities, and the receipt of Acquiring Fund shares in the Reorganization.

Furthermore, the Acquired Fund will not pay for the costs of the Reorganization and the Special Meeting. AAM will bear the costs associated with the Reorganization, Special Meeting, and solicitation of proxies, including the expenses associated with preparing and filing the registration statement that includes this Proxy Statement and the cost of copying, printing and mailing proxy materials. In addition to solicitations by mail, Phocas and AAM also may solicit proxies, without special compensation, by telephone or otherwise.

The Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Acquired Fund, believes that the terms of the Reorganization are fair and reasonable and that the interests of existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of the proposed Reorganization. In approving the Reorganization, the Board considered, among other things, that: (1) the Reorganization was recommended by Phocas as the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund; (2) the investment objectives of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are the same and the policies and strategies are substantially similar; (3) Phocas will continue to provide the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio; (4) the Reorganization would allow Acquired Fund shareholders who wish to continue to invest in a mutual fund managed in substantially the same manner as the Acquired Fund to do so; (5) the investment advisory fee for the Acquiring Fund is lower than the advisory fee for the Acquired Fund; (6) AAM will pay sub-advisory fees to Phocas from the fees it earns as investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund; (7) AAM has agreed for a period of ten years from the date of the Reorganization that the fees and expenses attributable to the Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund will be capped at levels that are significantly lower than the current fee and expense cap levels of the Acquired Fund; (8) the Acquired Fund will not bear the cost of the Reorganization; (9) the Reorganization is expected to constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Acquired Fund and the shareholders generally will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the Reorganization; (10) the proposed Reorganization will be submitted to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund for their approval; (11) shareholders of the Acquired Fund who do not wish to become shareholders of the Acquiring Fund may redeem their Acquired Fund shares before the Reorganization; and (12) the liquidation of the Acquired Fund would generally be a taxable event in which shareholders would recognize gain or loss on their investments for tax purposes.

Based on Phocas’ recommendation, the Board approved the solicitation of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund to vote on the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”), the form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement in Appendix A.

Comparison Fee Tables and Examples

The following shows the fees and expenses for the Acquired Fund based on the Acquired Fund’s assets as of December 31, 2017. As the Acquiring Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Other Expenses shown for the Acquiring Fund are estimates.

Fees and Expenses
Share Class	Acquired Fund	Acquiring Fund *(Pro forma)* Class I
Shareholder Fees *(fees paid directly from your investment)*
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	None	None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)	None	None
Redemption Fee	1.00%	2.00%
Annual Fund Operating Expenses *(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)*
Management Fees	0.75%	0.65%
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Fees	None	None
Other Expenses	1.22%	1.87%
Shareholder servicing fee	0.00%	0.15%
All other expenses	1.22%	1.72%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.97%	2.67%
Fees Waived and/or Expenses Reimbursed	(0.47%)¹	(1.77%)²
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Waiving Fees and/or Reimbursing Expenses	1.50%	0.90%

⁽¹⁾

Phocas has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Acquired Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Waiving Fees and/or Reimbursing Expenses (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 1.50% through April 30, 2019 (the “Expense Cap”). Phocas may be reimbursed by the Acquired Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by Phocas pursuant to the Expense Cap if such payment (1) is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, (2) is approved by the Board and (3) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Waiving Fees and/or Reimbursing Expenses of the Acquired Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the current Expense Cap, and (ii) the Expense Cap in place at the time the fees were waived. The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement will increase if exclusions from the Expense Cap apply. Following the Reorganization, Phocas will not be entitled to recapture any of its prior contractual waivers or reimbursements.

⁽²⁾

AAM has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Acquiring Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding, as applicable, taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares. This agreement is effective until April 30, 2028, and it may be terminated before that date only by IMST’s Board of Trustees. AAM is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Acquiring Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Acquiring Fund for a period ending three full fiscal years after the date of the waiver or payment. This reimbursement may be requested from the Acquiring Fund if the reimbursement will not cause the Acquiring Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees were waived or payments made, and (b) the expense limitation in effect at the time of the reimbursement.

Example

The Example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Acquired Fund with the cost of investing in the Acquiring Fund on a pro forma basis. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund and then redeem all of your shares at the end of each period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return, that the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Net Expenses remain as stated in the previous table and that distributions are reinvested. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be as follows, if you redeem your shares:

	One Year	Three Years	Five Years	Ten Years
Acquired Fund	$153	$573	$1,019	$2,258
Acquiring Fund (Class I Shares) (Pro forma)	$92	$287	$498	$1,108

The Funds’ Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks

The investment objective of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are the same. The principal investment strategies, principal risks and the investment limitations and restrictions are substantially similar. Each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and risks, as well as each Fund’s investment limitations and restrictions, are discussed in more detail below.

Comparison of Investment Objectives

The investment objective of both Funds is to seek long-term total investment return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. The Acquired Fund’s investment objective is a fundamental policy, which means it may not be changed without shareholder approval. Unlike the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of IMST without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

Comparison of Principal Investment Strategies

Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by using the following strategies:

Acquired Fund		Acquiring Fund
Under normal market conditions, the Acquired Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stock of equity real estate investment trusts ("REITs") and companies of any size market capitalization which own, manage and invest in underlying real estate assets, such as offices, industrial properties, retail, malls, shopping centers, apartments, lodging, storage and specialty and health care facilities. As such, the Acquired Fund invests at least 25% of its net assets (i.e., concentrates) in the real estate industry. The Acquired Fund may invest up to 60% of its net assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers ("foreign securities") that trade on U.S. or foreign exchanges, including foreign securities from emerging markets. The Acquired Fund seeks to maintain a portfolio with continuous exposure to most of these real estate sectors (offices, industrial properties, retail, malls, shopping centers, apartments, lodging, storage and specialty and health care facilities).		Under normal market conditions, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of equity real estate investment trusts ("REITs") and companies of any size market capitalization which own, manage and invest in underlying real estate assets. Therefore, the Acquiring Fund invests at least 25% of its net assets (i.e., concentrates) in the real estate industry. The Acquiring Fund seeks to maintain a portfolio with continuous exposure to most of the following real estate sectors: offices, industrial properties, retail, malls, shopping centers, apartments, lodging, storage and specialty and health care facilities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers that trade on U.S. or foreign exchanges, including foreign securities from emerging markets. The Acquiring Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stock.

Acquired Fund		Acquiring Fund
In selecting securities for the Acquired Fund's portfolio, Phocas focuses on asset valuation, management quality, the quality and location of the real estate held and the debt leverage used. The investment models used by Phocas take into account the following variables that affect REITs: asset values; management quality; prospective growth rates; debt leverage and overall balance sheet quality; the quality of income streams; conflicts of interest; insider stock ownership; and other factors.		In selecting securities for the Acquiring Fund's portfolio, Phocas uses a disciplined process that focuses on the following factors: asset valuation; management quality; prospective growth rates; quality and location of real estate held; debt leverage and overall balance sheet quality; quality of income streams; conflicts of interest; insider stock ownership; and other factors.
Phocas will consider selling a security given one or more of the following circumstances: loss of management focus, management's inability to increase shareholder value, balance sheet deterioration, or exorbitant pricing relative to underlying value.		Phocas will consider selling a security given one or more of the following circumstances: loss of management focus; management's inability to increase shareholder value; balance sheet deterioration; exorbitant pricing relative to underlying value; or the Acquiring Fund requires cash to meet redemption requests.
The Acquired Fund is “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act, which means that it may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds.		Same as the Acquired Fund.

Comparison of Principal Investment Risks

This section will help you compare the risks of the Acquired Fund with those of the Acquiring Fund. Because the Funds have the same objectives and substantially similar investment strategies, they are subject to similar principal investment risks. The risks of the Funds are described in their respective prospectuses as follows:

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging markets investments are subject to the same risks as foreign investments and to additional risks due to greater political and economic uncertainties as well as a relative lack of information about companies in such markets. Securities traded on emerging markets are potentially illiquid and may be subject to volatility and high transaction costs.

Emerging Markets Risk. Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have more government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.

Equity Risk. The Acquired Fund’s equity holdings, which include common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which may relate directly to the issuer of a security or broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates.

Equity Risk. The value of the equity securities held by the Acquiring Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Acquiring Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Acquiring Fund invests.

Large Capitalization Company Risk. The Acquired Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

Large-Cap Company Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion.

Management Risk. The Acquired Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of Phocas to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting inflationary and deflationary periods.

Management and Strategy Risk. The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Acquiring Fund’s adviser about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect.

Acquired Fund		Acquiring Fund
Market Risk. The value of the Acquired Fund’s shares will fluctuate as a result of the movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Acquired Fund, and you could lose money		Market Risk. The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Mid Capitalization Company Risk. The Acquired Fund’s investments in mid capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Acquired Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.		See “Small-Cap, Mid-Cap and Micro-Cap Company Risk” below.
Non-Diversification Risk. The Acquired Fund is non-diversified. Performance of a non-diversified fund may be more volatile than performance of a diversified fund because a non-diversified fund may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer. Greater investment in a single issuer makes the Acquired Fund more susceptible to financial, economic or market events impacting such issuer.		Non-Diversification Risk. The Acquiring Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means the Acquiring Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Acquiring Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Non-U.S. Investment Risk. Foreign securities can be more volatile than domestic (U.S.) securities. Securities markets of other countries are generally smaller than U.S. securities markets. Many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities, which could affect the Acquired Fund’s investments. The exchange rates between U.S. dollar and foreign currencies might fluctuate, which can negatively affect the value of the Acquired Fund's investments.		Foreign Investment Risk. The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Acquiring Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms.
Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer’s ability to make payments on the preferred stock.		Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Real Estate and Equity REIT Concentration Risk. Because the Acquired Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate sector (by investing in equity REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the real estate sector, including those specific to equity REITs. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry. Extended vacancies, a decline in rental income, failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties and poor management can also affect the value and performance of equity REITs and companies that invest in real estate assets. In addition, the value of an individual REIT's securities can decline if the REIT fails to continue qualifying for special tax treatment. Further, the Acquired Fund, and in turn its shareholders, will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Acquired Fund. Shareholders may also invest in REITs directly and, thus, avoid such duplicative fees.

Real Estate Industry Risk. Because the Acquiring Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate industry (by investing in REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the real estate industry. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry.

Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) Risk.

In addition to the risks associated with securities of companies participating in the real estate industry, such as declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, decreases in property revenues, and increases in prevailing interest rates, property taxes and operating expenses, REITs are subject to certain other risks related to their structure and focus. REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. A REIT could possibly fail to qualify for favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment and so become subject to additional income tax liability that could cause to liquidate investments, borrow funds under adverse conditions or fail, or to maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). Various factors including the above may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In addition, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.

Small and Micro Capitalization Company Risk. The Acquired Fund's investments in small and micro capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities' prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Acquired Fund's ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

Small-Cap, Mid-Cap and Micro-Cap Company Risk. The securities of small, mid- and micro-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.

Comparison of Investment Restrictions

The fundamental and non-fundamental limitations of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are set forth in the following table. The fundamental and non-fundamental investment limitations of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund are substantially similar, except that unlike the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of IMST without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The fundamental limitations may only be amended with shareholder approval.

Acquired Fund’s Fundamental Limitations		Acquiring Fund’s Fundamental Limitations
The Acquired Fund’s investment objective is fundamental.		The Acquiring Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of IMST without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.
The Acquired Fund may not issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Acquired Fund may borrow from banks in percentage amounts of up to one-third of its total assets (including the amounts borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Acquired Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales.		The Acquiring Fund may not issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Acquiring Fund may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its net assets (including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Acquiring Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales or investing in financial futures, swaps, when-issued or delayed delivery securities, or reverse repurchase agreements.
The Acquired Fund may not act as underwriter (except to the extent the Acquired Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio).		The Acquiring Fund may not act as underwriter, except to the extent the Acquiring Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio.
The Acquired Fund may not purchase or sell commercial real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (although the Acquired Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate).		The Acquiring Fund may not purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate or real estate limited partnerships (although the Acquiring Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate, such as REITs).
The Acquired Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Acquired Fund from engaging in transactions involving currencies and futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities or other instruments that are secured by physical commodities.		The Acquiring Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This limitation shall not prevent the Acquiring Fund from purchasing, selling or entering into future contracts, or acquiring securities or other instruments and options thereon backed by, or related to, physical commodities.

Acquired Fund’s Fundamental Limitations

Acquiring Fund’s Fundamental Limitations

The Acquired Fund may not make loans of money (except for purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Acquired Fund and except for repurchase agreements).

The Acquiring Fund may not make loans of money, except (a) for purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Acquiring Fund, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements or, (c) through the loan of portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the Acquiring Fund’s net assets.

The Acquired Fund may not, except with respect to the real estate industry, invest 25% or more of the market value of its total assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of other investment companies or securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

The Acquiring Fund may not, except with respect to the real estate industry (which for purposes of this policy includes REITs), invest 25% or more of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in any one industry (other than securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

The Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund observe the following restrictions as a matter of operating but not fundamental policy:

Non-Fundamental Limitations		Non-Fundamental Limitations
The Acquired Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.		The Acquiring Fund has no similar non-fundamental policy.
The Acquired Fund may not make any changes in its investment policies of investing at least 80% of its net assets under normal circumstances in the investments suggested by the Acquired Fund’s name without first providing the Acquired Fund’s shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior notice.		Same as the Acquired Fund.
The Acquired Fund has no similar non-fundamental policy.		The Acquiring Fund may not invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities that are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity.

Comparison of Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements

Investment Advisory Agreements

Phocas serves as the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust. The Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Phocas describes the services Phocas provides to the Acquired Fund, which generally include reviewing, supervising, and administering the investment program of the Acquired Fund. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, Phocas is not liable for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission taken or in any event whatsoever with respect to the Trust, the Acquired Fund or any of the Acquired Fund's shareholders in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance or negligence in the performance of Phocas’ duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or by reason of Phocas’ reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, Phocas receives an advisory fee from the Acquired Fund at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the Acquired Fund’s average annual daily net assets. Phocas has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Acquired Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) of the Acquired Fund to 1.50% of the Acquired Fund's average daily net assets through April 30, 2019 (“Expense Cap”). Phocas may be reimbursed by the Acquired Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by Phocas pursuant to the Expense Cap if (1) such payment is made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, (2) such payment is approved by the Board, and (3) such payment does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of the Acquired Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current Expense Cap, and (ii) the Expense Cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived or reimbursed. The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board. Following the Reorganization, Phocas will not be entitled to recapture any of its prior advisory fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Similar to the current Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Phocas, the new investment advisory agreement between IMST and AAM (the “AAM Investment Advisory Agreement”) describes the services AAM will provide to the Acquiring Fund, which are similar to the services currently provided by Phocas to the Acquired Fund. In addition, as the Acquiring Fund’s investment adviser, AAM has the ability to delegate day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities to one or more sub-advisers, and in that connection will be responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Trustees of IMST (the “IMST Board”) with respect to hiring, termination and replacement of any sub-adviser of the Acquiring Fund. AAM is not liable to IMST under the terms of the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by AAM or IMST in connection with the performance of the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty by AAM with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on AAM’s part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its duties under the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, as with the Investment Advisory Agreement with Phocas, the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically upon its assignment. If the Reorganization is approved by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement would continue in force with respect to the Acquiring Fund for a period of two years after the effective date of the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement, unless sooner terminated as provided in the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement. The AAM Investment Advisory Agreement would continue in force from year to year thereafter with respect to the Acquiring Fund so long as it is specifically approved at least annually in the manner required by the 1940 Act.

For its services under the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement, AAM will be entitled to a fee at the specified annual rate of 0.65% of the Acquiring Fund’s average daily net assets, which is lower than the rate that Phocas currently is entitled to receive from the Acquired Fund. AAM has contractually agreed until April 30, 2028 to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Acquiring Fund to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares. AAM will be permitted to seek reimbursement from the Acquiring Fund, subject to limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Acquiring Fund for a period ending three full fiscal years from the date of any such waiver or payment. This reimbursement may be requested from the Acquiring Fund if the reimbursement will not cause the Acquiring Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees were waived or payments made, or (b) the expense limitation in effect at the time of the reimbursement.

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

Currently, the Acquired Fund does not have an investment sub-advisory arrangement. If the Reorganization is approved, AAM will serve as investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund and Phocas will serve as investment sub-adviser pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between AAM and Phocas (the “Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that Phocas makes the investment decisions for and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of the Acquiring Fund, subject to the supervision of, and policies established by AAM and the IMST Board.

The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement would go into effect following the Reorganization and would remain in effect with respect to the Acquiring Fund for a period of two years from the date of its effectiveness and shall continue in effect for successive annual periods with respect to the Acquiring Fund provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in a manner required by the 1940 Act. The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Acquiring Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty: (i) by the IMST Board, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquiring Fund or by AAM on 60 days’ written notice to Phocas; or (ii) by Phocas on 60 days’ written notice to IMST. The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement shall terminate immediately upon its assignment or upon termination of the AAM Investment Advisory Agreement with IMST.

For its investment sub-advisory services, Phocas is entitled to receive an annual fee paid by AAM at an annual rate equal to 0.325% of the Acquiring Fund’s average daily net assets.

Comparison of Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Purchase and Redemption Procedures and Valuation Procedures

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Foreside Fund Services, LLC is the Distributor (also known as the principal underwriter) of the shares of the Acquired Fund.

IMST Distributors, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Fund Services, LLC, is the Distributor (also known as the principal underwriter) of the shares of the Acquiring Fund.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

The Trust has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan under which the Acquired Fund pays the Distributor a fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Acquired Fund for distribution services and/or the servicing of shareholder accounts. Because the Acquired Fund may pay distribution fees on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Distributor may pay any fee received under the Rule 12b-1 plan to Phocas or other financial intermediaries that provide distribution and shareholder services with respect to the Acquired Fund. Currently no fees are being accrued or paid pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 plan.

In addition to paying fees under the Rule 12b-1 plan, the Acquired Fund may pay service fees to financial intermediaries for administration, recordkeeping and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

Class I Shares are not subject to any distribution or service fees under a 12b-1 Plan.

The Acquired Fund, at its own expense, may pay additional compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services, including administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. In addition, pursuant to any applicable Rule 12b-1 plan, the Acquired Fund may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for distribution-related services. For example, compensation may be paid to make Acquired Fund shares available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or a similar program sponsor or for services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs. To the extent that the Acquired Fund pays all or a portion of such compensation, the payment is designed to compensate the financial intermediary for distribution activities or for providing services that would otherwise be provided by the Acquired Fund's transfer agent and/or administrator.

Phocas or another Acquired Fund affiliate, out of its own resources and not as an expense of the Acquired Fund, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries. Such compensation is sometimes referred to as "revenue sharing." Compensation received by a financial intermediary from Phocas or another Acquired Fund affiliate may include payments for shareholder servicing, marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses incurred by the financial intermediary in educating its salespersons with respect to Acquired Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding the Acquired Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with their efforts to sell Acquired Fund shares, including costs incurred in compensating registered sales representatives and preparing, printing and distributing sales literature.

AAM may pay service fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, some of which may be affiliates, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

AAM, out of its own resources, and without additional cost to the Acquiring Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to broker-dealers or intermediaries that sell shares of the Acquiring Fund. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. AAM may pay cash compensation for inclusion of the Acquiring Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or in other sales programs, or may pay an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders. AAM may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of the shares sold.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

The Acquired Fund is not subject to any shareholder service fees.

The Acquiring Fund may pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of its average daily net assets to shareholder servicing agents. Shareholder servicing agents provide non-distribution administrative and support services to their customers, which may include establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to shareholders, processing dividend and distribution payments from the Acquiring Fund on behalf of shareholders, forwarding communications from the Acquiring Fund, providing sub-accounting with respect to Acquiring Fund shares, and other similar services.

Purchase and Redemption Procedures

The following highlights the purchase and redemption policies of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Additional information regarding the pricing, purchase and redemption of the Acquiring Fund’s shares is included in Appendix B.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Minimum Initial Investment and Minimum Additional Investment

You can open an account or add to your account by mailing a check or by wiring money to your account. The investment minimums are:

Standard Accounts: $5,000

Retirement Accounts: $2,500

To add to your account: $200

You can open an account or add to your account by mailing a check or by wiring money to your account. The Acquiring Fund’s account minimums are different from the Acquired Fund. The investment minimums are:

For Class I Shares:

All Accounts: $25,000

To add to your account: $5,000

Class I Shares’ minimum investment and account size requirements will be waived for existing Acquired Fund shareholders.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Purchase of Shares

You may purchase shares of the Acquired Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business at the next NAV calculated (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) after the transfer agent or your approved broker-dealer or other financial intermediary receives your request in good order. “Good order” means that you have provided sufficient information necessary to process your request as outlined in the Acquired Fund’s prospectus, including any required signatures, documents, payment and Medallion Signature Guarantees. Unless purchased through a financial intermediary, all investments must be made by check, Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or wire.

Shares of the Acquiring Fund may be purchased by check, by wire transfer of funds via a bank or through an approved financial intermediary (i.e., a supermarket, investment advisor, financial planner or consultant, broker, dealer or other investment professional and their agents) authorized by the Acquiring Fund to receive purchase orders. The purchase price you will pay for the Acquiring Fund’s shares will be the next NAV calculated after the transfer agent or your authorized financial intermediary receives your request in good order.

Redeeming (Selling) Shares

You may redeem shares of the Acquired Fund on any day that the NYSE is open for business through your financial intermediary, by mail, or by telephone. You may redeem shares of the Acquired Fund at the next NAV calculated (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) after the transfer agent or your approved broker-dealer or other financial intermediary receives your request in good order. All requests to purchase or sell Acquired Fund shares received in good order prior to the Acquired Fund’s close will receive that day’s NAV. Requests received in good order after the Acquired Fund’s close or on a day when the Acquired Fund does not value its shares will be processed on the next business day and will be priced at the next NAV.

You may redeem shares of the Acquiring Fund at a price equal to the NAV next determined after the transfer agent and/or authorized agent receives your redemption request in good order. Acquiring Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business. If you purchased your shares through an approved financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed through the same financial intermediary. The Acquiring Fund will be deemed to have received a redemption order when a financial intermediary (or its authorized agent) receives the order. The financial intermediary must receive your redemption order prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day for the redemption to be processed at the current day’s NAV. Orders received at or after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day or on a day when the Acquiring Fund does not value its shares will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV.

Shareholders who purchased shares directly from the Acquiring Fund may sell their shares by:

• Mail

• Telephone (1-888-966-9661)

• Wire

	Acquired Fund	Acquiring Fund
*Systematic Investments*	The Acquired Fund allows investors to establish a systematic investment plan to automatically invest a specific amount of money into their account. Systematic investments must be for at least $200. The Acquired Fund also allows investors to establish a systematic withdrawal plan to automatically redeem a specific amount of money or shares no more frequently than once a month.	The Acquiring Fund allows investors to establish an automatic investment plan to invest a specific amount of money into their account. Automatic investments must be at least $100. The Acquiring Fund also allows investors to establish a systematic withdrawal plan to automatically redeem a predetermined amount (minimum of $1,000) on a monthly or quarterly basis.
*Exchanges*	The Acquired Fund does not offer exchanges.	The Acquiring Fund allows shareholders to exchange shares of the Acquiring Fund into shares of another fund managed by AAM. Exchanges may only be made between the same share classes.
*Small Accounts*	If the value of your account falls below the minimum initial account balance as a result of redemptions, the Acquired Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds.	Same as the Acquired Fund.
*Redemption Fees*	1.00% on amounts redeemed within 90 days of purchase.	2.00% on amounts redeemed within 90 days of purchase.
*Payment of Redemption* *Proceeds*	Redemption proceeds are normally paid in cash within seven days after the tender of shares.	Same as the Acquired Fund.
*Redemptions In-Kind*	Redemption proceeds normally are paid in cash. If deemed appropriate and advisable by Phocas, the Acquired Fund may satisfy a redemption request by distributing portfolio securities pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board.	During conditions that make the payment of cash unwise and/or in order to protect the interests of the Acquiring Fund’s remaining shareholders, the Acquiring Fund reserves the right to pay redemptions by an “in-kind” distribution of portfolio securities (instead of cash) from the Acquiring Fund.
*Dividends and Distributions*	The Acquired Fund declares dividends from net investment income and pays them annually. Any net capital gains realized by the Acquired Fund are distributed at least annually. The Acquired Fund may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Acquired Fund.	The Acquiring Fund will make distributions of net investment income and net capital gains, if any, at least annually, typically in December. The Acquiring Fund may make additional payments of dividends or distributions if it deems it desirable at any other time during the year.
*Frequent Trading*	The Trust has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Acquired Fund shares by Acquired Fund shareholders. It is the Acquired Fund’s policy to discourage short-term trading. Frequent trading in the Acquired Fund, such as traders seeking short-term profits from market momentum, time zone arbitrage and other timing strategies may interfere with the management of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio and result in increased administrative and brokerage costs and a potential dilution in the value of Acquired Fund shares. The Acquired Fund does not permit market timing and will not knowingly accommodate trading in Fund shares in violation of these policies. The Acquired Fund reserves the right to cancel, restrict or reject without any prior notice, any purchase order, including transactions representing excessive trading, transactions that may be disruptive to the management of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio, and purchase orders not accompanied by payment.	IMST discourages excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm the Acquiring Fund’s performance. IMST takes steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities in the Acquiring Fund. These steps may include monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing. In addition, IMST may take action, which may include using its best efforts to restrict a shareholder’s trading privileges in the Acquiring Fund, if that shareholder has engaged in four or more “round trips” in the Acquiring Fund during a 12-month period.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

Net Asset Value Per Share (“NAV”)/Fair Valuation

The NAV of the Acquired Fund is determined by taking the market value of the total assets of the Acquired Fund, subtracting the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and then dividing the result (net assets) by the number of outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund calculates its NAV as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each weekday that the NYSE is open. Since the Acquired Fund may invest in securities that trade on foreign securities markets, which may be open on days other than a Fund business day, the value of the Acquired Fund's portfolio may change on days on which shareholders are not able to purchase or redeem Acquired Fund shares. In addition, trading in certain portfolio investments may not occur on days that the Acquired Fund is open for business, as markets or exchanges other than the NYSE may be closed.

The Acquired Fund values securities for which market quotations are readily available using the last reported sales price or the official closing price, as provided by independent pricing services. In the absence of sales, such securities are valued at the mean of the last bid and asked price. Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies are valued at their NAVs.

The Acquiring Fund’s NAV is calculated as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, the normal close of regular trading on the NYSE, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If for example, the NYSE closes at 1:00 p.m. New York time, the Acquiring Fund’s NAV would still be determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time. In this example, portfolio securities traded on the NYSE would be valued at their closing prices unless IMST’s Valuation Committee determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events.

The NAV for Class I Shares is determined by dividing the value of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest) allocable to Class I Shares, less all liabilities (including accrued expenses) allocable to Class I Shares, by the total number of outstanding shares of Class I Shares. The Acquiring Fund’s NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or if permitted by the SEC. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most U.S. national holidays. However, foreign securities listed primarily on non-U.S. markets may trade on weekends or other days on which the Acquiring Fund does not value its shares, which may significantly affect the Acquiring Fund’s NAV on days when you are not able to buy or sell Acquiring Fund shares.

Acquired Fund

Acquiring Fund

If market quotations are not readily available or the Acquired Fund reasonably believes that they are unreliable, the Acquired Fund will seek to value such securities at fair value, as determined in good faith using procedures approved by the Board. The Board has delegated day-to-day responsibility for fair valuation determinations in accordance with the procedures to a Valuation Committee composed of management members who are appointed to the Committee by the Board. The Committee makes such determinations under the supervision of the Board. Fair valuation may be based on subjective factors. As a result, the fair value price of a security may differ from that security's market price and may not be the price at which the security may be sold. Fair valuation could result in a different NAV than a NAV determined by using market quotations. To the extent that the Acquired Fund invests in non-exchange traded investment companies, the prospectuses for those investment companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

The Acquired Fund's investments in foreign securities are more likely to require a fair value determination than investments in domestic securities because circumstances may arise between the close of the market on which the securities trade and the time that the Acquired Fund values its portfolio securities. In determining fair value prices of foreign securities, the Acquired Fund may consider the performance of securities on their primary exchanges, foreign currency appreciation or depreciation, securities market movements in the U.S. and other relevant information as related to the securities.

The Acquiring Fund’s securities generally are valued at market price. Securities are valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available. IMST has adopted procedures to be followed when the Acquiring Fund must utilize fair value pricing, including when reliable market quotations are not readily available, when the Acquiring Fund’s pricing service does not provide a valuation (or provides a valuation that, in the judgment of AAM, does not represent the security’s fair value), or when, in the judgment of AAM, events have rendered the market value unreliable (see, for example, the discussion of fair value pricing of foreign securities in the paragraph below). Valuing securities at fair value involves reliance on the judgment of AAM and the Board of Trustees of IMST (or a committee thereof), and may result in a different price being used in the calculation of the Acquiring Fund’s NAVs from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. There can be no assurance that the Acquiring Fund will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it sells the security.

In certain circumstances, the Acquiring Fund employs fair value pricing to ensure greater accuracy in determining daily NAVs and to prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to exploit temporary market anomalies. Fair value pricing may be applied to foreign securities held by the Acquiring Fund upon the occurrence of an event after the close of trading on non-U.S. markets but before the close of trading on the NYSE when the Acquiring Fund’s NAVs are determined. If the event may result in a material adjustment to the price of the Acquiring Fund’s foreign securities once non-U.S. markets open on the following business day (such as, for example, a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market), the Acquiring Fund may value such foreign securities at fair value, taking into account the effect of such event, in order to calculate the Acquiring Fund’s NAVs.

		Acquired Fund		Acquiring Fund
				Other types of portfolio securities that the Acquiring Fund may fair value include, but are not limited to: (1) investments that are illiquid or traded infrequently, including “restricted” securities and private placements for which there is no public market; (2) investments for which, in the judgment of AAM, the market price is stale; (3) securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; (4) securities for which trading has been halted or suspended; and (5) fixed income securities for which there is no current market value quotation.

Key Information about the Reorganization

The following is a summary of key information concerning the Reorganization. Keep in mind that more detailed information appears in the Plan, the form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

At the Special Meeting, the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will be asked to approve the Plan to reorganize the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund is a newly organized fund that will commence operations upon the closing of the Reorganization. If the Plan is approved by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the Reorganization is completed, the Acquired Fund will transfer all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for (i) a number of full and fractional shares of Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund with an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund as of the close of business on the closing day of the Reorganization (the “Closing”) and (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities. Immediately thereafter, the Acquired Fund will distribute the Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund received in exchange for the Acquired Fund’s shares to its shareholders in proportion to the relative net asset value of their holdings of shares of the Acquired Fund by instructing IMST’s transfer agent to establish accounts in the Acquiring Fund’s share records in the names of those shareholders and transferring those Acquiring Fund shares to those accounts in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund. The expenses associated with the Reorganization will not be borne by the Acquired Fund. Certificates evidencing Acquiring Fund shares will not be issued to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders.

The holding period for the Acquired Fund’s shares will carry over to the Acquiring Fund shares received by shareholders in the Reorganization for purposes of determining the application of any applicable redemption or exchange fees. Upon completion of the Reorganization, each shareholder of the Acquired Fund will own a number of full and fractional shares of Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund equal in aggregate value to the aggregate value of such shareholder’s shares of the Acquired Fund at the time of the exchange.

Until the Closing, shareholders of the Acquired Fund will continue to be able to redeem their shares at the NAV next determined after receipt by the Acquired Fund’s transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form. Redemption and purchase requests received by the transfer agent after the Closing will be treated as requests received for the redemption or purchase of shares of the Acquiring Fund received by the shareholder in connection with the Reorganization. After the Reorganization, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will be canceled on the books of the Acquired Fund and the transfer books of the Acquired Fund will be permanently closed. If the Reorganization is completed, shareholders will be free to redeem the shares of the Acquiring Fund that they receive in the transaction at their then-current NAV. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund may wish to consult their tax advisors as to any different consequences of redeeming their shares prior to the Reorganization or exchanging such shares for shares of the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization.

The Reorganization is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the receipt of a legal opinion from counsel to IMST with respect to certain tax issues. Assuming satisfaction of the conditions in the Plan, the Reorganization is expected to be effective on August 24, 2018, or such other date agreed to by the Trust and IMST.

AAM has agreed to pay all costs relating to the proposed Reorganization, including the costs relating to the Special Meeting and to preparing and filing the registration statement that includes this Proxy Statement, except if and to the extent that AAM’s payment of those costs would result in certain adverse tax consequences. AAM will also incur the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies, including the cost of copying, printing and mailing proxy materials. The Plan may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized offers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, notwithstanding approval of the Plan by the Acquired Fund’s shareholders, provided that no such amendment after such approval may have the effect of changing the Plan to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval. In addition, the Plan may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing by the Board or the IMST Board if, among other reasons, the Board or the IMST Board determines that the Reorganization is not in the best interest of its shareholders.

Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares

The Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares issued to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund pursuant to the Reorganization will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable when issued, will be transferable without restriction and will have no preemptive or conversion rights. The Acquiring Fund’s shares will be sold and redeemed based upon the NAV of the Acquiring Fund next determined after receipt of the purchase or redemption request, as described in the Acquiring Fund’s Prospectus.

Board Considerations Relating to the Proposed Reorganization

At the Trust’s Board Meeting held on March 26, 2018, Phocas, the Acquired Fund’s investment adviser, recommended that the Trustees approve the Reorganization. Since the Acquired Fund’s inception, the Acquired Fund has been unable to grow to a sufficient size to be economically viable. As a result, Phocas has continued to subsidize the Acquired Fund in the form of waivers of its advisory fee and reimbursement of expenses. The Board and Phocas have discussed various potential options for the Acquired Fund going forward, given its small size and its difficulty in attracting assets, and the continuing needs of Phocas to subsidize the Acquired Fund. After consideration of various alternatives, Phocas has determined that the Acquired Fund could potentially benefit from the services expected to be offered in connection with its relationship with AAM and from being reorganized as a series of the IMST. AAM is an experienced provider of investment advisory services to institutional and retail investors, with approximately $764 million in mutual fund assets under management. The annual advisory fee to be charged by AAM to the Acquiring Fund will be 0.65% of average daily net assets, compared to the Acquired Fund’s current annual advisory fee of 0.75% of average daily net assets. In addition, AAM has agreed, for a period of ten years from the date of the Reorganization, to cap the fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund’s Class I Shares at 0.90% of the Class’ average daily net assets, which is significantly lower than the Acquired Fund’s current expense cap of 1.50% of average daily net assets. Phocas believes the Reorganization and the significantly lower net fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund would be beneficial to shareholders and would potentially make the Acquiring Fund more attractive to prospective investors. This could increase the Acquiring Fund’s asset base, which could over time result in lower operating expenses as a percentage of assets. Therefore, Phocas recommended, and the Board has approved, that the Acquired Fund be reconstituted as a series of IMST.

At the meeting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed Reorganization from the point of view of the interests of the Acquired Fund and its shareholders. After careful consideration, the Trustees (including all Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Acquired Fund), determined that the Reorganization would be in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and its shareholders, and unanimously approved the Plan.

In approving the proposed Reorganization, the Trustees (with the advice and assistance of independent counsel) also considered, among other things:

•

the expectation that the Reorganization will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that the Acquired Fund and the shareholders generally will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the Reorganization;

•

that the investment objectives of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are the same and the policies and strategies are substantially similar;

•

that the investment adviser and portfolio managers of the Acquired Fund will continue as sub-adviser and portfolio managers of the Acquiring Fund;

•

that the advisory fees to be paid to AAM under the Acquiring Fund’s investment advisory agreement would be lower than those paid to Phocas under the Acquired Fund’s investment advisory agreement;

•

that AAM had agreed to enter into an expense limitation agreement that would cap the Acquiring Fund’s investment advisory fee and operating expenses at levels significantly lower than the Acquired Fund’s current expenses (after waivers) for a period of ten years from the date of the Reorganization;

•

that the Reorganization would allow Acquired Fund shareholders who wish to continue to invest in a mutual fund managed in substantially the same manner as the Acquired Fund to do so;

•

that the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of shareholders’ interests;

•

that AAM, and not the Acquired Fund, will bear all costs of the proposed Reorganization;

•

that the proposed Reorganization will be submitted to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund for their approval;

•

that shareholders of the Acquired Fund who do not wish to become shareholders of the Acquiring Fund may redeem their Acquired Fund shares before the Reorganization; and

•

that liquidation of the Acquired Fund would generally be a taxable event in which shareholders would recognize gain or loss on their investments for tax purposes.

The Board also considered that the proposed Reorganization might provide certain benefits to Phocas. These benefits include providing Phocas with a better opportunity to retain its assets under management than a liquidation of the Acquired Fund. In addition, in serving as sub-adviser rather than as investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund, Phocas would have no required level of advisory fee waiver or expense reimbursement to the Acquiring Fund.

After consideration of these and other factors it deemed appropriate, the Board determined that the Reorganization as proposed by Phocas is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and would not dilute the interests of the Acquired Fund’s existing shareholders. The Board, including those Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, unanimously approved the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, subject to approval by its shareholders. The Board noted that if shareholders of the Acquired Fund do not approve the Reorganization, the Acquired Fund would not be reorganized into the Acquiring Fund and the Board would have to consider what steps to take, including liquidation of the Acquired Fund.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

For each year of its existence, the Acquired Fund has had in effect an election to be, and the Trust believes it has qualified for treatment as, a “regulated investment company” under the Code. Accordingly, the Trust believes the Acquired Fund has been, and expects to continue through the Closing to be, generally relieved of any federal income tax liability on its taxable income and gains it distributes to shareholders in accordance with Subchapter M of the Code.

As a condition to the Closing of the Reorganization, the Trust will receive an opinion of counsel substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:

•

The Reorganization will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and each of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

•

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer of all its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund’s shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund’s shares to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund, except for (A) gain or loss that may be recognized on the transfer of “section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code, (B) gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non-recognition transaction under the Code;

•

The tax basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset transferred from the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the tax basis of such asset in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the transfer thereof, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Acquired Fund on the transfer;

•

The holding period in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset transferred from the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, other than assets with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized, will include in each instance the period during which such asset was held by the Acquired Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an asset);

•

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon its receipt of all the assets of the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

•

No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund shareholders upon the exchange of their Acquired Fund shares for Acquiring Fund shares as part of the Reorganization;

•

The aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares that each Acquired Fund shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund shares exchanged therefor;

•

Each Acquired Fund shareholder’s holding period for the Acquiring Fund shares received in the Reorganization will include the period for which such shareholder held the Acquired Fund shares exchanged therefor, provided that the Acquired Fund shareholder held such Acquired Fund shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange; and

•

The taxable year of the Acquired Fund will not end as a result of the Reorganization.

In rendering the opinion, counsel will rely upon, among other things, certain facts and assumptions and certain representations of the Trust, IMST, the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund. The condition that the parties to the Reorganization receive such an opinion may not be waived.

No tax ruling has been or will be received from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in connection with the Reorganization. An opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS or a court, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or a court would not sustain, a contrary position.

By reason of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will succeed to and take into account any capital loss carryforwards of the Acquired Fund. The Reorganization is not expected to result in limitations on the Acquiring Fund’s ability to use any capital loss carryforwards of the Acquired Fund.

Although the Trust is not aware of any adverse state income tax consequences, the Trust has not made any investigation as to those consequences for the shareholders. Because each shareholder may have unique tax issues, shareholders should consult their own tax advisors.

Comparison of Forms of Organization and Shareholder Rights

Form of Organization. The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust governed by its Trust Instrument and a Board of Trustees. Similarly, IMST is a Delaware statutory trust governed by its Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “IMST Declaration of Trust”), By-Laws and a Board of Trustees. The operations of the Trust and IMST are also governed by applicable state and federal law.

Shares. The Trust and IMST are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest and shareholders have no preemptive rights.

Shareholder Voting Rights, Quorum, Required Vote and Action by Written Consent. Pursuant to the Trust Instrument of the Trust, shareholders of the Trust have the power to vote only for the following (each to the extent and as provided for in the Trust Instrument): (a) the election of Trustees as required by law; (b) the removal of Trustees; (c) any investment advisory or services contract; (d) an amendment of the Trust Instrument; and (e) such additional matters relating to the Trust to the extent required by law, the Trust Instrument or any registration of the Trust with the SEC or any state, or as the Board of the Trust may consider desirable.

Except when a larger quorum is required by law, or by the rule of an applicable exchange, the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, a quorum for the transaction of business at a shareholder meeting with respect to a series or class, or with respect to the Trust, as applicable, shall be, respectively, with respect to any series or class that is listed on an exchange one-third of the outstanding shares of such series or class and with respect to any series or class that is not listed on an exchange one-tenth of the outstanding shares of such series or class, or one-third of the outstanding shares of the Trust, entitled to vote in person or by proxy. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments.

On any matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, all shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall be voted in aggregate, except: (a) when required by applicable law, shares shall be voted by individual series or class; (b) when the matter involves any action that the Trustees have determined will affect only the interests of one or more series, then only shareholders of such series shall be entitled to vote thereon; and (c) when the matter involves any action that the Trustees have determined will affect the interests of one or more classes, then only the shareholders of such class or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. A shareholder of each series or class thereof shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such series or class thereof on any matter on which such shareholder is entitled to vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shareholders may take any action as to the Trust or any series or class without a meeting if a majority (or such greater amount as may be required by law) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the matter consent to the action in writing and if such written consents are filed with the records of the meeting of shareholders.

Pursuant to the IMST Declaration of Trust, shareholders have the power to vote only for the following (each to the extent and as provided by the IMST Declaration of Trust): (i) for the election and removal of Trustees, (ii) with respect to the approval of termination in accordance with the 1940 Act of any contract with any one or more corporations, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other organizations or individuals who provide services for or on behalf of IMST and its series, including investment advisory services, as to which shareholder approval is required by the 1940 Act, (iii) with respect to any reorganization of IMST or any series; (iv) with respect to any amendment of the IMST Declaration of Trust; (v) to the same extent as the stockholders of a Delaware business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as to a class action on behalf of IMST or any series, or the shareholders of any of them, and (vi) with respect to such additional matters relating to IMST as may be required by the 1940 Act, the IMST Declaration of Trust, IMST’s by-laws or any registration of IMST with the SEC or any State, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.

The presence in person or by proxy of one-third of the holder of shares of IMST entitled to vote shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a shareholder meeting. A majority shareholder vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall decide any question, except when a different vote is required or permitted by any provision of the 1940 Act or other applicable law or by the IMST Declaration of Trust or IMST’s By-Laws, or when the Trustees shall in their discretion require a larger vote or the vote of a majority or larger fraction of the shares of one or more particular series. On each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Acquiring Fund, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each whole share and each fractional share is entitled to a fractional vote. There is no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and other applicable law, any action taken by shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a majority of shareholders entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof or of the shares of any particular series as shall be required by the 1940 Act or by any express provision of the IMST Declaration of Trust or the IMST by-laws or as shall be permitted by the IMST Trustees) consent to the action in writing and if the writings in which such consent is given are filed with the records of the meetings of shareholders.

Shareholder Meetings. The Trust and IMST are not required to, and do not, have annual meetings. Nonetheless, the Board and the IMST Board may call a special meeting of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by the 1940 Act or as required or permitted by the Trust’s Trust Instrument and the IMST Declaration of Trust and IMST’s By-Laws. Shareholders retain the right to request that a meeting of the shareholders be held for the purpose of considering matters requiring shareholder approval. The Trust must call a shareholder meeting when requested in writing by shareholders holding at least 25% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, a series or class. IMST must call a shareholder meeting when requested in writing by shareholders holding at least 10% of the shares outstanding.

Shareholder Liability. Both the Trust’s and IMST’s trust instruments disclaim shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of the Trust or IMST or any of their respective series and provide indemnification for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held liable for the obligations of the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively. Shareholders of the Trust and IMST have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to shareholders of a Delaware for-profit corporation.

Trustee Liability. Both the Trust and IMST indemnify trustees against all liabilities and expenses incurred by reason of being a trustee to the fullest extent permitted by law, except that the Trust and IMST do not provide indemnification for liabilities due to a trustee’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such trustee’s duties.

Amendments to Trust Instrument/Declaration of Trust. The Board may amend or otherwise supplement the Trust Instrument by making an amendment, a trust instrument supplemental, or an amended and restated trust instrument; provided, that shareholders shall have the right to vote on any amendment that is required to be approved by the shareholders by applicable law or the Trust’s registration statement(s) filed with the SEC or that is submitted to them by the Trustees. Any amendment that is submitted to shareholders which the Trustees determine would affect shareholders of a particular series or class is required to be authorized by vote of the shareholders of such series or class, and no vote shall be required of shareholders of any series or class not affected.

The IMST Board may amend the IMST Declaration of Trust by an instrument signed by a majority of the IMST Board so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any shareholder with respect to which such amendment is or purports to be applicable and so long as such amendment is not in contravention of applicable law, including the 1940 Act.

The foregoing is a very general summary of certain provisions of the trust instruments and by-laws governing the Trust and IMST. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the respective trust instruments and by-laws.

Capitalization

The following table shows, as of March 31, 2018, (1) the unaudited capitalization of the Acquired Fund and unaudited capitalization of the Acquiring Fund, and (2) the pro forma combined capitalization of the Acquiring Fund, giving effect to the proposed Reorganization as of that date:

Fund	Net Assets	Net Asset Value Per Share	Shares Outstanding
Acquired Fund	$11,762,472.54	$29.73	395,580
Acquiring Fund Class I Shares	$0	$0	0
Acquiring Fund Class I Shares (Pro forma)	$11,762,472.54	$29.73	395,580

Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act

Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act provides a non-exclusive safe harbor for an investment adviser or any affiliated persons thereof to receive any amount or benefit in connection with a sale of securities of, or any other interest in, such adviser which results in an assignment of an investment advisory contract with an investment company as long as two conditions are met.

•

First, no “unfair burden” may be imposed on the investment company as a result of the transaction, or any express or implied terms, conditions or understandings applicable thereto. As defined in the 1940 Act, the term “unfair burden” includes any arrangement during the two-year period after the date on which such transaction occurs whereby the investment adviser (or predecessor or successor adviser) or any interested person of any such adviser receives or is entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, from the investment company or its security holders (other than fees for bona fide investment advisory or other services), or from any person in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other property to, from or on behalf of the investment company (other than bona fide ordinary compensation as principal underwriter of the investment company). Phocas and AAM are not aware of any circumstances relating to the Reorganization that might result in the imposition of such an “unfair burden” on the Acquired Fund.

•

Second, during the three-year period immediately following the transaction, at least 75% of an investment company’s board of directors must not be “interested persons” of the investment adviser or the predecessor investment adviser within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The IMST Board will satisfy this condition at the time of the Reorganization.

Additional Information about the Funds

Past Performance of the Acquired Fund

Performance Summary

The bar chart and performance table that follow provide some indication of the risks and variability of investing in the Acquired Fund by showing the changes in the Acquired Fund’s performance from year to year since inception, and by showing how the Acquired Fund’s average annual total returns for the one year, five years and ten years ended December 31, 2017, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Performance prior to August 1, 2013 is that of the Acquired Fund’s predecessor fund, which had been a series of Advisors Series Trust and was managed by Phocas. The Acquired Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future.

Updated performance information, current through the most recent month end, is available at (866) PHOCAS1 or (866) 746-2271.

If the Reorganization is approved, the Acquiring Fund will assume the performance history of the Acquired Fund.

Calendar-Year Total Return (before taxes)

For each calendar year at NAV

Highest Calendar Quarter Return at NAV	32.24%	Quarter ended 9/30/2009
Lowest Calendar Quarter Return at NAV	-34.59%	Quarter ended 12/31/2008

Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2017)

	1 Year	5 Year	10 Year
Return Before Taxes	7.35%	10.44%	8.08%
Return After Taxes on Distributions	5.68%	9.40%	7.36%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares	5.11%	8.05%	6.34%
FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	8.67%	9.83%	7.77%

The FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index is a free-float adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index of U.S. Equity REITs. Constituents of the Index include all tax-qualified REITs with more than 50 percent of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Acquired Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 25% of the average value of its portfolio.

Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser and Portfolio Managers

The Acquired Fund’s investment adviser is Phocas, with its principal place of business at 980 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 106, Alameda, California 94501. Phocas is a registered investment adviser with the SEC and has provided investment advisory services to individuals and institutional accounts since 2005 and to the Acquired Fund since inception in 2006. Phocas is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio, selection of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio investments and supervision of its portfolio transactions subject to the general oversight of the Board. As of December 31, 2017, Phocas had over $1.26 billion in assets under management. A discussion summarizing the basis of the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and Phocas is included in the Acquired Fund’s semi-annual report for the period ended June 30, 2017. The Acquired Fund does not have an investment sub-adviser.

If the Reorganization is approved, Phocas will serve as investment sub-adviser for the Acquiring Fund. AAM, with its principal place of business at 18925 Base Camp Road, Suite 203, Monument, Colorado 80132, will become the investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to a new investment advisory agreement with IMST, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund. As investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund, AAM will provide investment advisory services to the Acquiring Fund, including oversight of Phocas, as the Acquiring Fund’s sub-adviser, ensuring quality control of Phocas’ investment process, and monitoring and measuring the Acquiring Fund’s risk and return against appropriate benchmarks and peers. AAM is a registered investment adviser and provides investment advice to institutions and high-net-worth investors. As of December 31, 2017, AAM had approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management.

William Schaff and James Murray are the portfolio managers for the Acquired Fund. Messrs. Schaff and Murray have managed the Acquired Fund since its inception in 2006. Messrs. Schaff and Murray will continue to be jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Acquiring Fund following the Reorganization. Mr. Schaff is a control person of Phocas due to his greater than 61% ownership of Phocas.

The Acquired Fund’s SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Acquired Fund.

Trustees and Service Providers for the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund

The Trust and IMST are operated by their respective board of trustees and officers appointed by each board. The Reorganization will, therefore, result in a change in the board of trustees.

Trustees of the Trust

The Board has five trustees, two of whom are considered an “interested trustee,” as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, of the Trust. The following individuals comprise the Board: David Tucker, Mark D. Moyer, Jennifer Brown-Strabley, Stacey E. Hong (interested Trustee) and John Y. Keffer (interested Trustee).

Trustees of IMST

The IMST Board has five trustees, one of whom is an “interested trustee” of IMST. The following individuals comprise the IMST Board: Charles H. Miller, Ashley Toomey Rabun, William H. Young, John P. Zader, and Eric M. Banhazl (interested Trustee).

Service Providers

The following chart describes the service providers to the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund:

	Acquired Fund	Acquiring Fund
Administrator	Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC 5(d/b/a Atlantic Fund Services) Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	Mutual Fund Administration, LLC 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226 Glendora, California 91740 UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Distributor	Foreside Fund Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101	IMST Distributors, LLC* Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, Maine 04101
Transfer Agent	Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 600 Portland, Maine 04101	UMB Fund Services, Inc. 235 W. Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Auditor
Custodian	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 350 California Street, 6^th Floor San Francisco, California 04104	UMB Bank, n.a. 928 Grand Boulevard, 5^th Floor Kansas City, Missouri 64106

IMST Distributors, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

III.

Voting Information

General Information

How to Vote

This Proxy Statement is being provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board to solicit your vote at a special meeting of shareholders of the Acquired Fund. The Special Meeting will be held at the offices of Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101.

You may vote in one of the following ways:

•

complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and mail it to us in the prepaid return envelope (if mailed in the United States);

•

vote on the Internet at the website address listed on your proxy card;

•

call the toll-free number (888) 227-9349 to reach an automated touchtone voting line; or

•

call the toll-free number [ ] to speak with a live operator Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.

You may revoke a proxy once it is given. If you desire to revoke a proxy, you must submit a subsequent later dated proxy or a written notice of revocation to the Acquired Fund. You may also give written notice of revocation in person at the Special Meeting. All properly executed proxies received in time for the Special Meeting will be voted as specified in the proxy, or, if no specification is made, FOR each proposal.

Quorum

Only shareholders of record on June 15, 2018 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. Each whole share of the Acquired Fund held as of the Record Date is entitled to one vote and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. The presence in person or by proxy of shareholders owning one-third of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund that are entitled to vote will be considered a quorum for the transaction of business with respect to the Acquired Fund. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments.

Vote Required

Approval of the proposal will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. For this purpose, the term “vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote” means the vote of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Special Meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund.

If the shareholders of the Acquired Fund do not approve the Reorganization, then the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund will not be implemented. In such case, the Board will consider what further actions to take with respect to the Acquired Fund, which may include the liquidation of the Acquired Fund.

As of the Record Date, Phocas controls approximately 75% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares. Shares controlled by Phocas are held in its clients’ separately managed accounts for which Phocas has voting discretion (approximately [__]% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares), as well as by Phocas personnel and their family members and affiliates (approximately [__]% of the Acquired Fund’s outstanding shares). Phocas expects shares held by Phocas personnel and their family members and affiliates to be voted in favor of the proposal. Phocas intends to “echo” vote shares held in its clients’ separately managed accounts for which it has voting discretion. This means Phocas will vote such shares in the same proportion as other Acquired Fund shareholders vote in favor of, and against, the proposal.

Adjournments

If a quorum of shareholders of the Acquired Fund is not present at the Special Meeting, or if a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the proposal described in this Proxy Statement are not received, the persons named as proxies may, but are under no obligation to, propose one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting of the Acquired Fund to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any business that might have been transacted at the Special Meeting with respect to the Acquired Fund may be transacted at any such adjourned session(s) at which a quorum is present. The Special Meeting with respect to the Acquired Fund may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes of the Acquired Fund properly cast upon the question of adjourning the Special Meeting of the Acquired Fund to another date and time, whether or not a quorum is present, and the Special Meeting of the Acquired Fund may be held as adjourned without further notice. The persons designated as proxies may use their discretionary authority to vote on questions of adjournment and on any other proposals raised at the Special Meeting to the extent permitted by the SEC's proxy rules, including proposals for which timely notice was not received, as set forth in the SEC's proxy rules.

Effect of Abstentions and Broker “Non-Votes”

All proxies voted, including abstentions, will be counted toward establishing a quorum. Because the proposal is expected to “affect substantially” a shareholder's rights or privileges, a broker may not vote shares if the broker has not received instructions from beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote, even if the broker has discretionary voting power (i.e., the proposal is non-discretionary). Because the proposal is non-discretionary, the Trust does not expect to receive broker non-votes.

Assuming the presence of a quorum, abstentions will have the effect of votes against the proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of a vote on adjournment.

Method and Cost of Solicitation

This Proxy Statement is being sent to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the Special Meeting. The close of business on June 15, 2018 is the Record Date for determining the shareholders of the Acquired Fund entitled to receive notice of the Special Meeting and to vote, and for determining the number of shares that may be voted, with respect to the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Trust expects that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail and telephone. AAM has retained AST Fund Solutions LLC (“AST”) to provide proxy services, at an anticipated cost of approximately $2,000. AAM will bear the costs of the Special Meeting, including legal costs, the costs of retaining AST, and other expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies.

Right to Revoke Proxy

Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it before it is exercised at the Special Meeting, either by providing written notice to the Trust, by submission of a later-dated, duly executed proxy or by voting in person at the Special Meeting. A prior proxy can also be revoked by proxy voting again through the toll-free number listed in the enclosed Voting Instructions. If not so revoked, the votes will be cast at the Special Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof. Attendance by a shareholder at the Special Meeting does not, by itself, revoke a proxy.

Voting Securities and Principal Holders

Shareholders of the Acquired Fund at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to be present and vote on the proposal related to the Acquired Fund at the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were [___________] shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

There were no outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund on the Record Date, as the Acquiring Fund had not yet commenced operations.

To the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, as of June 15, 2018, the following persons held of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund. Persons holding more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund may be deemed to have “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) and may be able to affect or determine the outcome of matters presented for a vote of shareholders.

Shareholder Name/Address	Percentage of Total Outstanding Shares of the Fund
[ ]	[ ]%

Interest of Certain Persons in the Transaction

AAM may be deemed to have an interest in the Reorganization because it will become investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund and will receive fees from the Acquiring Fund for its services as investment adviser. Phocas may be deemed to have an interest in the Reorganization because it will become a sub-adviser to the Acquiring Fund and will receive fees for its services as sub-adviser (which will be paid by AAM). William Schaff, a portfolio manager of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund and a control person of Phocas, and James Murray, a portfolio manager of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund, may be deemed to have an interest in the Reorganization because of their continued service as portfolio managers and continued receipt of compensation for managing the Acquiring Fund, which is conditioned upon the approval of the Reorganization.

III.

Miscellaneous Information

Other Business

The Board knows of no other business to be brought before the Special Meeting. If any other matters come before the Special Meeting, the Board intends that proxies that do not contain specific restrictions to the contrary will be voted on those matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card.

Next Meeting of Shareholders

The Acquired Fund is not required and does not intend to hold annual or other periodic meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act. By observing this policy, the Acquired Fund seeks to avoid the expenses customarily incurred in the preparation of proxy material and the holding of shareholder meetings, as well as the related expenditure of staff time. If the Reorganization is not completed, the next meeting of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will be held at such time as the Board may determine or at such time as may be legally required. Any shareholder proposal intended to be presented at such meeting must be received by the Trust at its office at a reasonable time before the Trust begins to print and mail its proxy statement, as determined by the Board, to be included in the Acquired Fund’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, and must satisfy all other legal requirements.

Legal Matters

Certain legal matters concerning the issuance of shares of the Acquiring Fund in connection with the Reorganization and the tax consequences of the Reorganization will be passed upon by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Auditors

The financial statements of the Acquired Fund for the year ended December 31, 2017, contained in the Acquired Fund’s 2017 Annual Report to Shareholders, has been audited by [ ], independent registered public accounting firm. The Acquiring Fund is newly created and does not yet have a financial history. [ ] will serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Acquiring Fund.

Information Filed with the SEC

The Trust and IMST are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith, file reports and other information, including proxy materials and charter documents, with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other information filed by the Trust may be inspected without charge and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such materials may also be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates.

APPENDIX A - FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the “Agreement”) is made as of this __ day of ___ 2018, by and among Forum Funds II (the “Forum Funds Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, with its principal place of business at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101, on behalf of its series Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), and Investment Managers Series Trust (the “IMST Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, with its principal place of business at 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, on behalf of its series AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquiring Fund” and, together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”) and, solely with respect to Article IX, Advisors Asset Management, Inc., the investment adviser to the Acquiring Fund (“AAM”), with its principal place of business at 18925 Base Camp Road, Suite 203, Monument, Colorado 80132 and Phocas Financial Corporation, the investment adviser to the Acquired Fund (“Phocas”), with its principal place of business at 980 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 106, Alameda, California 94501.

WHEREAS, it is intended that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a “reorganization” as defined in Section 368(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury regulations thereunder. The reorganization will consist of: (i) the transfer of all of the property, assets, and goodwill of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for (A) shares of beneficial interest, no par value per share, of Class I Shares of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”), and (B) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and (ii) the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the liquidation of the Acquired Fund as provided herein, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (collectively, the “Reorganization”). The parties hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the obligations, agreements, representations and warranties with respect to each Fund shall be the obligations, agreements, representations and warranties of that Fund only, and in no event shall any other series of the Forum Funds Trust or the IMST Trust or the assets of any other series of the Forum Funds Trust or the IMST Trust be held liable with respect to the breach or other default by an obligated Fund of its obligations, agreements, representations and warranties as set forth herein.

WHEREAS, the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund are separate series of the Forum Funds Trust and the IMST Trust, respectively, and the Forum Funds Trust and the IMST Trust are open-end, registered management investment companies, and the Acquired Fund owns securities and other investments that are assets of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;

WHEREAS, each Fund is authorized to issue its shares of beneficial interest;

WHEREAS, the Acquired Fund currently offers and has outstanding one class of shares (“Acquired Fund Shares”), and, upon the Closing, the Acquiring Fund will offer three classes of shares, which will be designated Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares (with only Class I Shares representing the Acquiring Fund Shares); and

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Forum Funds Trust have determined that the Reorganization, with respect to the Acquired Fund, is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization; and

A-1

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the IMST Trust have determined that the Reorganization, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and, there being no existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund, that the Reorganization will not result in dilution of the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders’ interests; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, covenants, and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR ACQUIRING FUND
SHARES AND THE ASSUMPTION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND’S LIABILITIES AND TERMINATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

1.1 THE EXCHANGE. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Acquired Fund agrees to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver all of its assets, as set forth in paragraph 1.2, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except those liens and encumbrances as to which the Acquiring Fund has received notice, to the Acquiring Fund. In exchange, the Acquiring Fund agrees (a) to issue and deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Shares, including fractional Acquiring Fund Shares, having an aggregate net asset value (“NAV”) equal to the aggregate NAV of the Acquired Fund attributable to the Acquired Fund Shares, as determined in the manner set forth in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2; and (b) to assume the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, as set forth in paragraph 1.3. Such transactions shall take place on the date of the Closing provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the “Closing Date”).

1.2 ASSETS TO BE ACQUIRED. The assets of the Acquired Fund to be sold, assigned, transferred and delivered to and acquired by the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all assets and property of every kind and nature, including, without limitation, all cash, securities, goodwill, commodities, interests in futures and dividends or interest receivables, receivables for shares sold and other rights that are owned by the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date, and any prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date (the “Acquired Assets”). For the sake of clarity, the Acquired Assets include, but are not limited to, all rights (including rights to indemnification and contribution) and claims (including, but not limited to, claims for breach of contract, violation of standards of care and claims in connection with past or present portfolio holdings, whether in the form of class action claims, opt-out or other direct litigation claims or regulator or government established investor recovery fund claims and any and all resulting recoveries, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims whatsoever, except those liens and encumbrances as to which the Acquiring Fund has received notice) of the Acquired Fund against any party with whom the Acquired Fund has contracted for any actions or omissions up to the Closing Date.

The Acquired Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with its most recent audited financial statements, which contain a list of all of the Acquired Fund’s assets as of the date of such statements. The Acquired Fund hereby represents that as of the date of the execution of this Agreement, there have been no changes in its financial position as reflected in such financial statements other than those occurring in the ordinary course of business in connection with the purchase and sale of securities and the payment of normal operating expenses and the payment of dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption proceeds to shareholders. The Acquired Fund reserves the right to sell any of such securities or other investments.

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1.3 LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED. The Acquired Fund will endeavor, consistent with its obligation to continue to pursue its investment objective and employ its investment strategies in accordance with the terms of its Prospectus, in good faith to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations to the extent practicable prior to the Closing Date. The Acquiring Fund shall assume all liabilities of the Acquired Fund not discharged prior to the Closing Date, whether known or unknown, contingent, accrued or otherwise (excluding expenses relating to the Reorganization borne by AAM pursuant to Article IX), and investment contracts entered into in accordance with the terms of its Prospectus, including options, futures, forward contracts, and swap agreements (the “Assumed Liabilities”).

1.4 LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION. On or as soon after the Closing Date as is practicable (the “Liquidation Date”): (a) the Acquired Fund will distribute, in liquidation, all of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1, pro rata to its shareholders of record, determined as of the close of business on the Valuation Date (as defined in paragraph 2.1) (the “Acquired Fund Shareholders”). Each Acquired Fund Shareholder will receive the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares that has an aggregate NAV equal to the aggregate NAV of the Acquired Fund Shares held of record by such Acquired Fund Shareholder on the Closing Date. Such liquidation and distribution will be accomplished by the transfer of Acquiring Fund Shares credited to the account of the Acquired Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Acquired Fund Shareholders, representing the respective pro rata number of Acquiring Fund Shares due such shareholders. All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares will simultaneously be canceled on the books of the Acquired Fund, and the Acquired Fund will thereupon proceed to terminate as set forth in paragraph 1.7 below. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange. Each Acquired Fund Shareholder shall have the right to receive any unpaid dividends or other distributions that were declared by the Acquired Fund before the Effective Time (as defined in paragraph 3.1) with respect to Acquired Fund Shares that are held of record by the Acquired Fund Shareholder at the Effective Time on the Closing Date.

1.5 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent.

1.6 TRANSFER TAXES. Any transfer taxes payable upon the transfer of Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Acquired Fund Shares on the books of the Acquired Fund as of that time shall, as a condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such Acquiring Fund Shares are to be transferred.

1.7 TERMINATION. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall make all filings and take all other steps as shall be necessary and proper to effect its complete dissolution under Delaware law. After the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall not conduct any business except in connection with its dissolution.

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ARTICLE II

VALUATION

2.1 VALUATION OF ASSETS. The value of the Acquired Fund’s assets to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be the value of such assets computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”). The NAV of each Acquiring Fund Share shall be computed by UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Acquiring Fund Co-Administrator”), the Acquiring Fund’s accounting agent, in the manner set forth in the IMST Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, or By-Laws, and the Acquiring Fund’s then-current prospectus and statement of additional information. The NAV of Acquired Fund Shares shall be computed by Atlantic Fund Services (the “Acquired Fund Administrator”), the Acquired Fund’s accounting agent, in the manner set forth in the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust, and the Acquired Fund’s then-current prospectus and statement of additional information. The Acquired Fund Administrator shall confirm the NAV of Acquired Fund Shares, which shall be subject to adjustment by an amount, if any, agreed to by the Acquiring Fund Co-Administrator and the Acquired Fund Administrator.

2.2 VALUATION OF SHARES AND CALCULATION OF NUMBERS OF SHARES. The NAV per share of Acquiring Fund Shares and the NAV per share of Acquired Fund Shares shall, in each case, be computed as of the close of normal trading on the NYSE on the Valuation Date. The number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued (including fractional shares, if any) in the Reorganization shall be determined by the Acquiring Fund Co-Administrator by dividing the NAV of the Acquired Fund Shares, as determined in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and 2.2, by the NAV of one Acquiring Fund Share, as determined in accordance with Paragraph 2.1 hereof.

2.3 DETERMINATION OF VALUE. All computations of value shall be made by the Acquired Fund Administrator, in accordance with its regular practice in pricing the shares and assets of the Acquired Fund, and confirmed by the Acquiring Fund Co-Administrator, and shall be subject to adjustment by an amount, if any, agreed to by the Acquiring Fund Co-Administrator and the Acquired Fund Administrator.

ARTICLE III

CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE

3.1 CLOSING DATE. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Articles VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement, the closing (the “Closing”) will be on the Closing Date, which will be on or about [ ], 2018, or such other date as the parties may agree to in writing. All acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place immediately prior to the Closing Date unless otherwise provided. The Closing shall be held as of the close of business (the “Effective Time”) at the offices of Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101, or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place simultaneously immediately at the Effective Time.

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3.2 CUSTODIAN’S CERTIFICATE. The portfolio securities and other investments of the Acquired Fund shall be made available by the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund’s custodian for examination no later than five business days preceding the Closing Date. MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as custodian for the Acquired Fund, shall deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that: (a) the Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities, cash, and any other assets shall have been delivered in proper form to the Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date; and (b) all necessary Taxes (as defined below), including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, shall have been paid, or provision for payment shall have been made, in conjunction with the delivery of portfolio securities by the Acquired Fund.

3.3 EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that on the Valuation Date, either: (a) the NYSE or another primary exchange on which the portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund are purchased or sold, shall be closed to trading or trading on such exchange shall be restricted; or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on the NYSE or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund is impracticable as mutually determined by the parties, the Valuation Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading is fully resumed and reporting is restored.

3.4 TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE. The Acquired Fund shall cause Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, as transfer agent for the Acquired Fund as of the Closing Date, to deliver at the Closing to the Secretary of the IMST Trust a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of Acquired Fund Shareholders, and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver or cause UMB Fund Services, Inc., its transfer agent, to issue and deliver to the Secretary of the Forum Funds Trust a confirmation evidencing Acquiring Fund Shares to be credited on the Closing Date or provide evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, receipts and other documents, if any, as such other party or its counsel may reasonably request.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND. The Forum Funds Trust and the Acquired Fund represent and warrant to the IMST Trust and the Acquiring Fund as follows:

(a) The Acquired Fund is a separate series of the Forum Funds Trust, a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Forum Funds Trust has the power to own all of its properties and assets and, subject to approval by the Acquired Fund Shareholders, to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

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(b) The Forum Funds Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company, and its registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), is in full force and effect.

(c) The current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Acquired Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) The Acquired Fund is not currently engaged in, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement (subject to shareholder approval) will not result in, the violation of any material provision of the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

(e) The Acquired Fund Shares are the only outstanding equity interests in the Acquired Fund.

(f) The Acquired Fund has no material contracts or other commitments (other than this Agreement and agreements for the purchase and sale of securities or other permitted investments) that if terminated will result in material liability to the Acquired Fund.

(g) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding, or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquired Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition, the conduct of its business, or the ability of the Acquired Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquired Fund’s business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

(h) The financial statements of the Acquired Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquired Fund as of December 31, 2017, in all material respects as of that date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquired Fund as of that date not disclosed in such statements.

(i) Since December 31, 2017, there have been no material adverse changes in the Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business (other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business), or any incurrence by the Acquired Fund of material indebtedness, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (i), distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains, changes in portfolio securities, changes in market value of portfolio securities, or net redemptions shall not constitute a material adverse change.

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(j) All Tax (as defined below) returns and reports (including, but not limited to, information returns), that are required to have been filed by the Acquired Fund have been duly and timely filed. All such returns and reports were true, correct and complete as of the time of their filing, and accurately state the amount of Tax (if any) owed for the periods covered by the returns, or, in the case of information returns, the amount and character of income or other information required to be reported by the Acquired Fund. All Taxes due or properly shown to be due on such returns and reports have been paid, or provision has been made and properly accounted therefor. To the knowledge of the Forum Funds Trust, no return of the Acquired Fund is currently being audited by any federal, state, local or foreign taxing authority. To the knowledge of the Forum Funds Trust, there are no actual deficiency assessments (or deficiency assessments proposed in writing) with respect to any Taxes of the Acquired Fund. As used in this Agreement, “Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local and foreign (whether imposed by a country or political subdivision or authority thereunder) income, gross receipts, excise, sales, use, value added, employment, franchise, profits, property, ad valorem or other taxes, stamp taxes and duties, fees, assessments or charges, whether payable directly or by withholding, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority (foreign or domestic) with respect thereto, and including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to such a liability of any other person. There are no levies, liens or encumbrances relating to Taxes existing, threatened or pending with respect to the assets of the Acquired Fund (other than liens for Taxes not yet due and payable).

(k) All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund are, and at the Closing Date will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquired Fund and will have been issued in compliance with all applicable registration or qualification requirements of federal and state securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will, at the time of the Closing Date, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Acquired Fund’s transfer agent as provided in paragraph 3.4. The Acquired Fund has no outstanding options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquired Fund shares, and has no outstanding securities convertible into any Acquired Fund shares.

(l) At the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have good and valid title to the Acquired Fund’s assets to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.2, and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver such assets hereunder. Upon delivery and payment for such assets, the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and valid title, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer of such assets, including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act, other than as disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund.

(m) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquired Fund. Subject to approval by the Acquired Fund’s shareholders, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

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(n) The information to be furnished by the Acquired Fund for use in no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities laws and other laws and regulations.

(o) From the mailing of the N-14 Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), through the time of the meeting of the Acquired Fund’s Shareholders and on the Closing Date, any written information furnished by the Acquired Fund with respect to the Acquired Fund for use in the N-14 Registration Statement, the N-1A Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 4.3) or any other materials provided in connection with the Reorganization, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading.

(p) The Forum Funds Trust has in effect an election to treat the Acquired Fund as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for federal income tax purposes under Part I of Chapter 1, Subchapter M of the Code. The Acquired Fund is a fund that is treated as a corporation separate from each other series of the Forum Funds Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code. The Acquired Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year to which the provisions of Part I of Chapter 1, Subchapter M of the Code (or the corresponding provisions of prior law) did not apply to it. The Acquired Fund has qualified for treatment as a RIC for each taxable year since its formation (or since it was first treated as a separate corporation under Section 851(g) of the Code) that has ended prior to the Closing Date and, subject to the accuracy of the representations set forth in paragraph 4.2(m), expects to satisfy the requirements of Part I of Chapter 1, Subchapter M of the Code to maintain such qualification for its current taxable year. Subject to the accuracy of the representations set forth in paragraph 4.2(m), the Acquired Fund does not expect that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will cause it to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC as of the Closing Date or as of the end of its taxable year that includes the Closing Date. The Acquired Fund has not at any time since its inception been liable for any income or excise tax pursuant to Sections 852 or 4982 of the Code that has not been timely paid. The Acquired Fund is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Code and all applicable Treasury regulations pertaining to the reporting of dividends and other distributions on and redemptions of its shares of beneficial interest and to withholding in respect of dividends and other distributions to shareholders and redemption of shares, and is not liable for any material penalties that could be imposed thereunder.

(q) The Acquired Fund’s investment operations from inception to the date hereof have been in compliance in all material respects with the investment policies and investment restrictions set forth in the Acquired Fund’s Prospectus, except as previously disclosed in writing to the Acquiring Fund.

(r) The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 will not be acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof other than to the Acquired Fund Shareholders as provided in paragraph 1.4.

(s) No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations or filings are required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), the 1940 Act or Delaware law for the execution of this Agreement by the Forum Funds Trust, for itself and on behalf of the Acquired Fund, except for the effectiveness of the N-1A Registration Statement and the N-14 Registration Statement and such other consents, approvals, authorizations and filings as have been made or received, and such consents, approvals, authorizations and filings as may be required subsequent to the Closing Date, it being understood, however, that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein must be approved by the Acquired Fund Shareholders as described in paragraph 5.2.

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(t) The books and records of the Acquired Fund, including FASB ASC 740-10-25 (formerly FIN 48) workpapers and supporting statements, made available to the Acquiring Fund and/or its counsel are substantially true and correct and contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the operations of the Acquired Fund.

(u) The Acquired Fund would not be subject to corporate-level taxation on the sale of any assets currently held by it as a result of the application of Section 337(d) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder.

(v) The Acquired Fund has not waived or extended any applicable statute of limitations with respect to the assessment or collection of Taxes.

(w) The Acquired Fund has not received written notification from any taxing authority that asserts a position contrary to any of the above representations set forth in paragraphs (j), (p), (t), (u), and (v) of this Section 4.1.

4.2 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The IMST Trust and the Acquiring Fund represent and warrant to the Forum Funds Trust and the Acquired Fund as follows:

(a) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of the IMST Trust, a Delaware statutory trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The IMST Trust has the power to own all of its properties and assets and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(b) The IMST Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company, and its registration with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.

(c) The current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Acquiring Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make such statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) The Acquiring Fund is not currently engaged in, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result in, a violation of any material provision of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the IMST Trust or its By-Laws, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

(e) Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Acquired Fund and accepted by the Acquired Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending, or to its knowledge, threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition and the conduct of its business or the ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and it is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

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(f) There shall be no issued and outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund prior to the Closing Date other than a nominal number of shares (“Initial Shares”) issued to a seed capital investor (which shall be an affiliate of the Acquiring Fund) in order to commence operations of the Acquiring Fund. The Initial Shares have been or will be redeemed by the Acquiring Fund prior to the Closing for the price for which they were issued, and any price paid for the Initial Shares shall at all times have been held by the Acquiring Fund in a non-interest bearing account.

(g) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares will be, at the Closing Date, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund has no outstanding options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund shares, and there are no outstanding securities convertible into any Acquiring Fund shares.

(h) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

(i) The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated herein shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities laws and other laws and regulations.

(j) From the mailing of the N-14 Registration Statement through the time of the meeting of the Acquired Fund Shareholders and on the Closing Date, any written information furnished by the IMST Trust with respect to the Acquiring Fund for use in the N-14 Registration Statement, the N-1A Registration Statement or any other materials provided in connection with the Reorganization, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading.

(k) The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, and any state blue sky or securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.

(l) No governmental consents, approvals, authorizations or filings are required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or Delaware law for the execution of this Agreement by the IMST Trust, for itself and on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, or the performance of the Agreement by the IMST Trust, for itself and on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, except for the effectiveness of the N-1A Registration Statement and the N-14 Registration Statement and such other consents, approvals, authorizations and filings as have been made or received, and except for such consents, approvals, authorizations and filings as may be required subsequent to the Closing Date.

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(m) Subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties in paragraph 4.1(p), for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date, the IMST Trust expects that the Acquiring Fund will meet the requirements of Chapter 1, Part I of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a RIC and will be eligible to, and will, compute its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code. After the Closing, the Acquiring Fund will be a fund that is treated as a separate corporation under Section 851(g) of the Code.

(n) The Acquiring Fund is, and will be at the time of Closing, a newly created series without assets (other than the seed capital provided in exchange for Initial Shares) and without liabilities, created for the purpose of acquiring the assets and assuming the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, and, prior to the Closing, will not carry on any business activities (other than such activities as are customary to the organization of a new series of a registered investment company prior to its commencement of investment operations). The Initial Shares have been or will be redeemed by the Acquiring Fund prior to the Effective Time for the price for which they were issued, and any price paid for the Initial Shares shall have been held by the Acquiring Fund only in a non-interest bearing account.

4.3 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE IMST TRUST. The IMST Trust represents and warrants that the IMST Trust has filed an initial registration statement for open-end management investment companies on Form N-1A (“N-1A Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering the Acquiring Fund under the 1940 Act.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

5.1 OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE. Each of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will operate their businesses in the ordinary course between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business may include (i) customary dividends and distributions and shareholder redemptions in the case of the Acquired Fund and redemptions of the Initial Shares in the case of the Acquiring Fund, and (ii) obtaining such additional “run off” insurance coverage as the Forum Funds Trust’s Board may approve.

5.2 APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Forum Funds Trust will call a special meeting of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.

5.3 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Acquired Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Acquired Fund’s shares.

5.4 FURTHER ACTION. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will take or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing Date.

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5.5 STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND PROFITS. As promptly as practicable, but in any case within 60 days after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall furnish the Acquiring Fund, in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund, a statement of the earnings and profits of the Acquired Fund for federal income tax purposes that will be carried over by the Acquiring Fund as a result of Section 381 of the Code, and which will be reviewed by the BBD, LLP and certified by the Forum Funds Trust’s Treasurer.

5.6 PREPARATION OF N-14 REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The IMST Trust will prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-14 (the “N-14 Registration Statement”) relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in compliance with the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act. The Acquired Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund with the materials and information necessary to prepare the N-14 Registration Statement.

5.7 INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) The Acquiring Fund (solely out of the Acquiring Fund’s assets and property, including any amounts paid to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquired Fund and the Acquired Fund’s Trustees and officers (collectively, “Acquired Fund Indemnified Persons”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquired Fund Indemnified Persons may become subject, insofar as any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on any material breach by the Acquiring Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

(b) The Acquired Fund (solely out of the Acquired Fund’s assets and property, including any amounts paid to the Acquired Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund’s Trustees and officers (collectively, “Acquiring Fund Indemnified Persons”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquiring Fund or any of the Acquiring Fund Indemnified Persons may become subject, insofar as any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on any material breach by the Acquired Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

5.8 TAX RETURNS. The Forum Funds Trust covenants that by the time of the Closing, all of the Acquired Fund’s federal and other Tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed on or before the Closing (taking extensions into account) shall have been filed and all federal and other Taxes (if any) shown as due on said returns shall have either been paid or, if not yet due, adequate liability reserves shall have been provided for the payment of such Taxes.

5.9 CLOSING DOCUMENTS. At the Closing, the Forum Funds Trust will provide the IMST Trust with the following:

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(a) A certificate, signed by the President and the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Forum Funds Trust on behalf of the Acquired Fund, stating the Acquired Fund’s known assets and liabilities, together with information concerning the tax basis and holding period of the Acquired Fund in all securities or investments transferred to the Acquiring Fund.

(b) A copy of any Tax books and records of the Acquired Fund necessary for purposes of preparing any Tax returns, schedules, forms, statements or related documents (including but not limited to any income, excise or information returns, as well as any transfer statements (as described in Treasury regulation Section 1.6045A-1)) required by law to be filed by the Acquiring Fund after the Closing.

(c) A copy (which may be in electronic form) of the shareholder ledger accounts of the Acquired Fund, including, without limitation, the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each shareholder of record; the number of shares of beneficial interest held by each shareholder; the dividend reinvestment elections applicable to each shareholder; the backup withholding certifications (e.g., IRS Form W-9) or foreign person certifications (e.g., IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, or W-8IMY), notices or records on file with the Acquired Fund with respect to each shareholder; and such information as the IMST Trust may reasonably request concerning Acquired Fund Shares or Acquired Fund Shareholders in connection with the Acquiring Fund’s cost basis reporting and related obligations under Sections 1012, 6045, 6045A, and 6045B of the Code and related Treasury regulations following the Closing for all of the Acquired Fund Shareholders (the “Acquired Fund Shareholder Documentation”), certified by the Forum Funds Trust’s transfer agent or its President or its Vice President to the best of their knowledge and belief.

(d) All FASB ASC 740-10-25 (formerly, FIN 48) work papers and supporting statements pertaining to the Acquired Fund.

5.10 The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund intend that the Reorganization will qualify as a reorganization described in Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code. Neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Acquired Fund shall take any action or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation the filing of any Tax return) that is inconsistent with such treatment or results in the failure of such Reorganization to qualify as a reorganization described in Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

The obligations of the Acquired Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the Acquiring Fund of all the obligations to be performed by the Acquiring Fund pursuant to this Agreement on or before the Closing Date, and, in addition, subject to the following conditions:

6.1 All representations, covenants, and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of that Closing Date. The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund a certificate executed in the Acquiring Fund’s name by the IMST Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquired Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquired Fund shall reasonably request.

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6.2 The IMST Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have executed and delivered to the Forum Funds Trust an Assumption of Liabilities dated as of the Closing Date pursuant to which the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the Assumed Liabilities of the Acquired Fund not discharged prior to the Closing Date in accordance with Section 1.3 of this Agreement.

6.3 The Acquired Fund shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate from the President of the IMST Trust, dated as of the Closing Date, addressing the following points:

(i)

The IMST Trust is a statutory trust validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and described in the registration statement on Form N-1A of the IMST Trust, and the Acquiring Fund is a separate series of the IMST Trust constituted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the IMST Trust.

(ii)

The IMST Trust is registered with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act and such registration with the SEC is in full force and effect.

(iii)

Assuming that consideration of not less than the NAV of the Acquiring Fund Shares has been paid, the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Acquired Fund, as provided by this Agreement, are duly authorized and upon such delivery will be legally issued and outstanding and fully paid and non-assessable, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund has any preemptive rights with respect to Acquiring Fund Shares.

(iv)

The N-14 Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC and no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority of the United States or the State of Delaware is required for consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and as may be required under Delaware securities laws.

(v)

The execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not, result in a violation of the IMST Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

(vi)

To the knowledge of the President of the IMST Trust, except as has been disclosed in writing to the Forum Funds Trust, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or threatened as to the IMST Trust or the Acquiring Fund or any of their properties or assets or any person who the IMST Trust or the Acquiring Fund may be obligated to indemnify in connection with such litigation, proceeding or investigation, and neither of the IMST Trust nor the Acquiring Fund is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

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6.4 The N-1A Registration Statement filed by the IMST Trust with the SEC to register the offer of the sale of the Acquiring Fund Shares will be in effect on the Closing Date.

6.5 Subject to Section 6.3 as of the Closing Date with respect to the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, there shall have been no material change in the investment objective, policies and restrictions nor any material change in the investment management fees, fee levels payable pursuant to the shareholder servicing plan, other fees payable for services provided to the Acquiring Fund, or fee waiver or expense reimbursement undertakings of the Acquiring Fund from those fee amounts and undertakings of the Acquiring Fund described in the N-14 Registration Statement or N-1A Registration Statement.

6.6 The IMST Trust Board of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the IMST Trust as defined under the 1940 Act, has determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund would not be diluted as a result of such transactions.

ARTICLE VII

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the Acquired Fund of all the obligations to be performed by the Acquired Fund pursuant to this Agreement, on or before the Closing Date and, in addition, shall be subject to the following conditions:

7.1 All representations, covenants, and warranties of the Acquired Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such Closing Date. The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on such Closing Date a certificate executed in the Acquired Fund’s name by the Forum Funds Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of such Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.

7.2 Forum Funds Trust shall have duly executed and delivered to the IMST Trust such bills of sale, assignments, certificates and other instruments of transfer as may be necessary or desirable to transfer all right, title and interest of the Acquired Fund in and to the Acquired Assets.

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7.3 The Acquiring Fund shall have received on the Closing Date a certification from the President of the Forum Funds Trust, dated as of the Closing Date, addressing the following points:

(i)

The Forum Funds Trust is a statutory trust validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and described in the registration statement on Form N-1A of the Forum Funds Trust, and the Acquired Fund is a separate series of the Forum Funds Trust constituted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust.

(ii)

The Acquired Fund has the power to sell, assign, transfer and deliver its assets to be transferred by it under the Agreement, and, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Acquired Fund will have transferred such assets to the Acquiring Fund.

(iii)

The execution and delivery of the Agreement did not, and the performance by the Forum Funds Trust and the Acquired Fund of their obligations under the Agreement will not, violate the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust.

(iv)

No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Forum Funds Trust and the Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, except such as have been obtained.

(v)

There are no legal or governmental proceedings relating to the Forum Funds Trust or the Acquired Fund existing on or before the date of mailing of the N-14 Registration Statement or the Closing Date required to be described in the N-14 Registration Statement which are not described as required.

(vi)

The Forum Funds Trust is registered with the SEC as an investment company under the 1940 Act and such registration with the SEC is in full force and effect.

(vii)

To the knowledge of the President of the Forum Funds Trust, except as has been disclosed in writing to the IMST Trust, no litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or threatened as to the Forum Funds Trust or the Acquired Fund or any of their properties or assets or any person who the Forum Funds Trust or the Acquired Fund may be obligated to indemnify in connection with such litigation, proceeding or investigation, and neither the Forum Funds Trust nor the Acquired Fund is a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body, which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

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7.4 The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund (a) a certificate, signed by the President or Vice President and the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Forum Funds Trust on behalf of the Acquired Fund, stating the Acquired Fund’s known assets and liabilities, together with information concerning the tax basis and holding period of the Acquired Fund in all securities or investments transferred to the Acquiring Fund; (b) the Acquired Fund Shareholder Documentation; (c) all FASB ASC 740-10-25 (formerly, FIN 48) work papers; (d) copies of the Tax books and records of the Acquired Fund for purposes of preparing any Tax returns required by law to be filed after the Closing Date; and (e) a statement of earnings and profits of the Acquired Fund, as described in paragraph 5.5.

7.5 The Forum Funds Trust Board of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Forum Funds Trust as defined under the 1940 Act, has determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund would not be diluted as a result of such transactions.

ARTICLE VIII

FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE
ACQUIRING FUND AND ACQUIRED FUND

If any of the conditions set forth below do not exist on or before the Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the other party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if the conditions stated in paragraphs 8.1 and 8.5 below do not exist on or before the Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated:

8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, with respect to the Acquired Fund, shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund in accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust. Certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such approval shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Acquired Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.1.

8.2 On the Closing Date, the SEC shall not have issued an unfavorable report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, or instituted any proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act. Furthermore, no action, suit or other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein.

8.3 All required consents of other parties and all other consents, orders, and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities (including those of the SEC and of state blue sky securities authorities, including any necessary no-action positions and exemptive orders from such federal and state authorities) to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, provided that either party hereto may waive any such conditions for itself.

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8.4 Each of the N-1A Registration Statement and the N-14 Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued. To the best knowledge of the parties to this Agreement, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened or contemplated under the 1933 Act.

8.5 The parties shall have received the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Acquiring Fund and Acquired Fund, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes:

(a) The Reorganization will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, and each of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer of all its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, or upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the Acquired Fund Shareholders, except for (A) gain or loss that may be recognized on the transfer of “section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code, (B) gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized upon the transfer of an asset regardless of whether such transfer would otherwise be a non-recognition transaction under the Code;

(c) The tax basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset transferred from the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same as the tax basis of such asset in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the transfer thereof, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Acquired Fund on the transfer;

(d) The holding period in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset transferred from the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, other than assets with respect to which gain or loss is required to be recognized, will include in each instance the period during which such asset was held by the Acquired Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have the effect of reducing or eliminating the holding period with respect to an asset);

(e) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon its receipt of all the assets of the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

(f) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund Shareholders upon the exchange of their Acquired Fund Shares for Acquiring Fund Shares as part of the Reorganization;

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(g) The aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares that each Acquired Fund Shareholder receives in the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefor;

(h) Each Acquired Fund Shareholder’s holding period for the Acquiring Fund Shares received in the Reorganization will include the period for which such shareholder held the Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefor, provided that the Acquired Fund Shareholder held such Acquired Fund Shares as capital assets on the date of the exchange; and

(i) The taxable year of the Acquired Fund will not end as a result of the Reorganization.

Such opinion shall be based on customary certificates, assumptions and such representations as Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP may reasonably request, and the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Acquired Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.5.

ARTICLE IX

EXPENSES

9.1 Except as otherwise provided for herein, AAM (or any affiliate thereof) shall bear all expenses of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than expenses, if any, of the shareholders). Such expenses include, without limitation: (a) expenses associated with the preparation and filing of the N-14 Registration Statement; (b) postage; (c) printing; (d) accounting fees; (e) audit and legal fees, including fees of the counsel to Forum Funds Trust and counsel to the Independent Trustees of Forum Funds Trust; (f) solicitation costs of the transactions; (g) any costs associated with meetings of the Funds’ Boards of Trustees relating to the transactions contemplated herein; (h) any costs incurred in connection with procuring “run off” tail insurance coverage, as approved by the Forum Funds Trust’s Board; and (i) any additional costs that AAM may separately agree to in writing. AAM (or any affiliate thereof) and Phocas shall obtain, or cause to be obtained, “run off” tail insurance coverage (the “Run-Off Liability Insurance”), as approved by the Forum Funds Trust’s Board. AAM (or any affiliate thereof) and Phocas shall bear the costs of procuring the Run-Off Liability Insurance as approved by the Forum Funds Trust’s Board and as disclosed in writing to AAM and Phocas at or prior to the Closing, in equal amounts. In the event that a claim is made under the Run-Off Liability Insurance and demand is made to AAM and/or Phocas to pay Forum Funds Trust and/or the Forum Funds Trust’s Board for a deductible or retention amount required by such policy (the “Run Off Insurance Deductible”), AAM shall pay, or arrange for the payment of, the portion of such Run Off Insurance Deductible arising out of the Reorganization or arising out of the operation of the Acquired Fund prior to and through the Closing Date. The continuation of the Run-Off Liability Insurance shall commence at the Closing and shall terminate three years from such date.

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AAM (or any affiliate thereof) shall remain so liable for expenses, regardless of whether the transactions contemplated by this Agreement occur, and this Section 9.1 shall survive the Closing and any termination of this Agreement pursuant to paragraph 11.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in a failure by either the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund to qualify for treatment as a RIC within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code or would prevent the Reorganization from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or otherwise result in the imposition of tax on either the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund or on any of their respective shareholders.

9.2 At the Closing, AAM (or an affiliate thereof) shall pay the estimated costs of the Reorganization to be paid by it pursuant to paragraph 9.1, and any remaining balance shall be paid by AAM (or an affiliate thereof) within thirty (30) days after the Closing.

ARTICLE X

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL

10.1 The IMST Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and the Forum Funds Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, agree that neither party has made to the other party any representation, warranty and/or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

10.2 The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation, the indemnification obligations under Section 5.7, shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder. The covenants to be performed after the Closing Date, and the obligations of the Acquiring Fund, shall continue in effect beyond the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION

11.1 This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the IMST Trust and the Forum Funds Trust. In addition, either the IMST Trust or the Forum Funds Trust may at its option terminate this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date due to:

(a) a breach by the other of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, if not cured within 30 days or, in the sole discretion of the non-breaching party’s Board of Trustees, prior to the Closing Date;

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(b) a condition herein expressed to be precedent to the obligations of the terminating party that has not been met and it reasonably appears to the terminating party’s Board of Trustees that it will not or cannot be met; or

(c) a determination by the terminating party’s Board of Trustees that the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein is not in the best interest of the party, and to give notice to the other party hereto.

11.2 In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful default, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring Fund, the Acquired Fund, the IMST Trust, the Forum Funds Trust, or the respective Trustees or officers to the other party or its Trustees or officers, but paragraph 9.1 shall continue to apply.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

12.1 This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized officers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund; provided, however, that following the meeting of the Acquired Fund Shareholders pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing any provisions to the detriment of such shareholders.

ARTICLE XIII

HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

13.1 The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

13.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

13.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

13.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but, except as provided in this paragraph, no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm, or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

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13.5 It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, agents, or employees of the IMST Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Acquiring Fund, as provided in the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the IMST Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the IMST Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and signed by authorized officers of the IMST Trust, acting as such. Such authorization by such Trustees and such execution and delivery by such officers shall not 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 Acquiring Fund as provided in the IMST Trust’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust.

13.6 It is expressly agreed that the obligations of the Acquired Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, agents, or employees of the Forum Funds Trust personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Acquired Fund, as provided in the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Forum Funds Trust on behalf of the Acquired Fund and signed by authorized officers of the Forum Funds Trust, acting as such. Such authorization by such Trustees and such execution and delivery by such officers shall not 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 Acquired Fund as provided in the Trust Instrument of the Forum Funds Trust.

13.7 Both parties specifically acknowledge and agree that any liability under this Agreement with respect to the Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund, or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein with respect to the Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund, shall be discharged only out of the assets of the Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund, and that no other series of the IMST Trust or the Forum Funds Trust shall be liable with respect thereto.

ARTICLE XIV

CONFIDENTIALITY

14.1 Each Fund agrees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the other Fund all records and other information, including any information relating to portfolio holdings, of such other Fund and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that after prior notification of and written approval by such other Fund (which approval shall not be withheld if the disclosing Fund would be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities having proper jurisdiction, and which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably in any other circumstance), a Fund may disclose such records and/or information as so approved.

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ARTICLE XV

COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

15.1 The Forum Funds Trust and the IMST Trust will provide each other and their respective representatives with such cooperation, assistance and information as either of them reasonably may request of the other in filing any Tax returns, amended Tax returns or claims for Tax refunds, determining a liability for Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes, requesting a closing agreement or similar relief from a taxing authority or participating in or conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes, or in determining the financial reporting of any Tax position. Each party or their respective agents will retain for a period of six (6) years following the Closing all returns, schedules and work papers and all material records or other documents relating to Tax matters and financial reporting of Tax positions of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund for its taxable period first ending after the Closing and for prior taxable periods for which the party is required to retain records as of the Closing, provided that the Acquired Fund shall not be required to maintain any such documents that it has delivered to the Acquiring Fund.

15.2 Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund is and shall remain the responsibility of the Acquired Fund, up to and including the date of the Closing, and such later date on which the Acquired Fund is terminated including, without limitation, responsibility for (i) preparing and filing any Tax returns relating to Tax periods ending on or prior to the date of the Closing (whether due before or after the Closing); and (ii) preparing and filing other documents with the SEC, any state securities commission, and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, except as otherwise is mutually agreed by the parties.

***Signature Page Follows.***

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as of the date first written above.

	FORUM FUNDS II

	on behalf of the Acquired Fund

	By:
	Name:
	Title:

	INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST

	on behalf of the Acquiring Fund

	By:
	Name:
	Title:

	ADVISORS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

	solely with respect to Article IX

	By:
	Name:
	Title:

	PHOCAS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

	solely with respect to Article IX

	By:
	Name:
	Title:

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APPENDIX B – MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACQUIRING FUND

The term “Fund” below refers to the Acquiring Fund.

MORE ABOUT THE FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term total investment return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund’s investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval or prior written notice, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Prospectus or the SAI.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of equity REITs and companies of any size market capitalization which own, manage and invest in underlying real estate assets. An equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership of land and buildings. An equity REIT derives its income primarily from rental income and may also realize capital gains or losses by selling real estate properties in its portfolio that have appreciated or depreciated in value. The Fund seeks to maintain a portfolio with continuous exposure to most of the following real estate sectors: offices, industrial properties, retail, malls, shopping centers, apartments, lodging, storage, specialty and health care facilities. The Fund’s policy of investing 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity REITs and other companies that invest in underlying real estate assets may only be changed with 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers that trade on U.S. or foreign exchanges, including foreign securities from emerging markets. The Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stock.

Portfolio Selection Process

In selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Sub-Advisor uses a disciplined process that focuses on the following factors: asset valuation, management quality, prospective growth rates, quality and location of real estate held, debt leverage and overall balance sheet quality, quality of income streams, conflicts of interest, insider stock ownership, and other factors.

When selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Sub-Advisor seeks a balance of quality and growth at attractive risk-adjusted valuations. The Sub-Advisor utilizes investment models that are designed to prevent the Fund from overpaying for securities. The Sub-Advisor seeks to have continuous exposure to most real estate sectors and to minimize exposure to what it considers the riskiest real estate sectors. The Sub-Advisor believes that this approach may sacrifice performance at times, but is consistent with the preservation of capital.

The Sub-Advisor may sell all or a portion of a position of the Fund’s portfolio holding when in its opinion one or more of the following occurs, among other reasons: (1) loss of management focus; (2) management’s inability to increase shareholder value; (3) balance sheet deterioration; (4) exorbitant pricing relative to underlying value and excessive position overweighting; or (5) the Fund requires cash to meet redemption requests.

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The Fund is “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act, which means that it may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The real estate companies in which the Fund invests include REITs. REITs are companies that own interests in real estate or in real estate related loans or other interests, and REITs’ revenue primarily consists of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties or from income and gains on those real estate-related loans. A REIT is generally not taxed on income distributed to shareholders so long as it meets certain tax-related requirements, including the requirement that it distribute substantially all of its taxable income to such shareholders (other than net capital gains for each taxable year). REITs tend to pay relatively higher dividends than other types of companies. Equity REITs, which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property, derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value.

Cash and Temporary Defensive Positions

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will stay fully invested according to its principal investment strategies as noted above. When the Sub-Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Principal Risks of Investing

The Fund’s principal risks are set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.

•

Emerging Market Risk. Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have more government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems. Their economies also depend heavily upon international trade and may be adversely affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. Emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. Dollar and may not be traded internationally. Some countries with emerging securities markets have experienced high rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain countries. Emerging securities markets typically have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, securities in these markets are less liquid, and their prices often are more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies. Delays may occur in settling securities transactions in emerging market countries, which could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to make or liquidate investments in those markets in a timely fashion. In addition, it may not be possible for the Fund to find satisfactory custodial services in an emerging market country, which could increase the Fund’s costs and cause delays in the transportation and custody of its investments.

B-2

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Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. The price of common stock of an issuer in the Fund's portfolio may decline if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the financial condition of the issuer declines. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority with respect to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

•

Foreign Investment Risk. Investments in foreign securities are affected by risk factors generally not thought to be present in the United States. The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. Special risks associated with investments in foreign markets include less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, greater risks associated with counterparties and settlement, and difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates, and imposition of foreign taxes, may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms.

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Large-Cap Company Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies during periods of economic expansion. In addition, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and may be more prone to global economic risks.

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Management and Strategy Risk. The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Sub-Advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Sub-Advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.

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Market Risk. The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. For example, the financial crisis that began in 2008 caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities; in particular, the values of some sovereign debt and of securities of issuers that invest in sovereign debt and related investments fell, credit became more scarce worldwide and there was significant uncertainty in the markets. Such environments could make identifying investment risks and opportunities especially difficult for the Sub-Advisor. In response to the crisis, the United States and other governments have taken steps to support financial markets. The withdrawal of this support or failure of efforts in response to the crisis could negatively affect financial markets generally as well as the value and liquidity of certain securities. In addition, policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are changing many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

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Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means the Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.

•

Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. Preferred stocks may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. The market value of preferred stock is subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness, the ability of the issuer to make payments on the preferred stock and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise. In addition, a company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. Therefore, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

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Real Estate Industry Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate industry (by investing in REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the real estate industry. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry. Extended vacancies, a decline in rental income, failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties and poor management can also affect the value and performance of companies that invest in real estate assets.

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REIT Risk. In addition to the risks of securities linked to the real estate industry, REITs are subject to certain other risks related to their structure and focus. REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, REITs could possibly fail to (i) qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to them under applicable tax law, or (ii) 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 a 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.

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Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and incomes from the properties they own. REITs are subject to other risks as well, including the fact that REITs are dependent on specialized management skills which may affect their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders. REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to the risks associated with obtaining financing for real property.

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A U.S. domestic REIT can pass its income through to shareholders or unitholders without any tax on the REIT level if it complies with various requirements under the Internal Revenue Code. There is the risk that a REIT held by the Fund will fail to qualify for this tax-free pass-through treatment of its income. Similarly, REITs formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries may fail to qualify for corporate tax benefits made available by the governments of such countries.

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By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, in addition to bearing a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, shareholders of the Fund will also indirectly bear similar expenses of the REITs in which the Fund invests.

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Small-Cap, Mid-Cap and Micro-Cap Company Risk. Investing in small-capitalization, mid-capitalization and micro-capitalization companies generally involves greater risks than investing in large-capitalization companies. Small-, mid-, or micro-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources or may depend on the expertise of a few people and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. Many small capitalization companies may be in the early stages of development. Since equity securities of smaller companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and may not be regularly traded, it may be difficult or impossible to sell securities at an advantageous time or a desirable price.

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI. Currently, disclosure of the Fund’s holdings is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, in the Fund’s Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders, and in the Fund’s quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q.

Management of the Fund

Investment Advisor and Sub-Advisor

The Advisor, Advisors Asset Management, Inc., 18925 Base Camp Road, Suite 203, Monument, Colorado 80132, is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC. As the Fund’s investment advisor, AAM provides investment advisory services to the Fund, including: (i) the selection, oversight, termination and replacement of sub-advisors; (ii) ensuring quality control of the Sub-Advisor’s investment process; and (iii) monitoring and measuring the Fund’s risk and return against appropriate benchmarks and peers. The Advisor provides investment advice to high-net worth and retail investors. As of December 31, 2017, the Advisor had approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund pays the Advisor an annual advisory fee of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis.

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The Fund’s Sub-Advisor, Phocas Financial Corporation, 980 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 106, Alameda, California 94501, is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, selection of the Fund’s portfolio investments and supervision of its portfolio transactions subject to the general oversight of the Board and the Advisor. Phocas has provided investment advisory services to individual and institutional accounts since 2005. As of December 31, 2017, Phocas had approximately $1.26 billion in assets under management.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Advisor and the sub-advisory agreement between the Advisor and Phocas will be included in the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders dated as of December 31, 2018.

Portfolio Managers

William Schaff and James Murray are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

William Schaff, CFA. Mr. Schaff founded Phocas in June 2005 and has served as a portfolio manager for the Predecessor Fund since its inception in September 2006. From 1986 to 2005, Mr. Schaff managed institutional equity portfolios and mutual funds for Bay Isle Financial LLC, Janus Capital Group, Berger LLC, and the Undiscovered Managers organization. Mr. Schaff was President and Chief Investment Officer of Bay Isle Financial LLC before it became a fully-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital Management. Mr. Schaff was the lead portfolio manager of the Undiscovered Managers REIT Fund from January 1998 through December 31, 2003. Mr. Schaff was the sole manager of the Janus World Funds Plc US REIT Fund from September 2003 through February 2005. Mr. Schaff was also the lead portfolio manager of the Janus Adviser Small Company Value Fund (formerly named Janus Adviser Small Cap Value Fund) from April 2002 to February 2005. Mr. Schaff holds a Masters degree in Engineering from the University of California, Davis. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco. Formerly, Mr. Schaff served as Trustee and Chairperson of the Investment Committee of Alameda County Employee's Retirement Association from 1998 to 2003.

James Murray, CFA. Mr. Murray was one of three original partners at Phocas starting in June 2005 and has served as a portfolio manager for the Predecessor Fund since its inception in September 2006. Prior to this, Mr. Murray was the Senior REIT Analyst for Bay Isle Financial Institutional REIT portfolios and a mutual fund and institutional trader from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Murray earned a B.A. degree in economics from Kenyon College. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco.

The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s method of compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

Other Service Providers

IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) is the Trust’s principal underwriter and acts as the Trust’s distributor in connection with the offering of Fund shares. The Distributor may enter into agreements with banks, broker-dealers, or other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or any other service provider for the Fund.

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Fund Expenses

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that the Fund’s Class I Shares’ total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Class I Shares. The agreement is in effect until April 30, 2028, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

Any reduction in advisory fees or payment of the Fund’s expenses made by the Advisor in a fiscal year may be reimbursed by the Fund for a period ending three full fiscal years after the date of reduction or payment if the Advisor so requests. This reimbursement may be requested from the Fund if the reimbursement will not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees were waived or payments made, or (b) the expense limitation in effect at the time of the reimbursement. However, the reimbursement amount may not exceed the total amount of fees waived and/or Fund expenses paid by the Advisor and will not include any amounts previously reimbursed to the Advisor by the Fund. Any such reimbursement is contingent upon the Board’s subsequent review of the reimbursed amounts. The Fund must pay current ordinary operating expenses before the Advisor is entitled to any reimbursement of fees and/or Fund expenses.

Shareholder Service Plan

Shareholder Service Fee

The Fund may pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of its average daily net assets to shareholder servicing agents. Shareholder servicing agents provide non-distribution administrative and support services to their customers, which may include establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to shareholders, processing dividend and distribution payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders, forwarding communications from the Fund, providing sub-accounting with respect to Fund shares, and other similar services.

Additional Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

The Advisor may pay service fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, some of which may be affiliates, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

The Advisor, out of its own resources, and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to broker-dealers or intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. The Advisor may pay cash compensation for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or in other sales programs, or may pay an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Fund’s shareholders. The Advisor may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of the shares sold.

B-7

These additional payments may give your financial intermediary an incentive to sell and recommend the Fund over other products for which it may receive less compensation. You may contact your financial intermediary if you want information regarding the payments it receives.

Your Account with the Fund

Share Price

The offering price of the Fund’s Class I Shares is the NAV. The Class I Shares’ NAV is calculated as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the normal close of regular trading on the NYSE, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If for example, the NYSE closes at 1:00 p.m. New York time, the Class I Shares’ NAV would still be determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time. In this example, portfolio securities traded on the NYSE would be valued at their closing prices unless the Trust’s Valuation Committee determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events. The Class I Shares’ NAV is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest) allocable to such class, less all liabilities (including accrued expenses) allocable to the Class I Shares, by the total number of outstanding Class I Shares. The Class I Shares’ NAV may be calculated earlier if permitted by the SEC. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most U.S. national holidays. However, foreign securities listed primarily on non-U.S. markets may trade on weekends or other days on which the Fund does not value its shares, which may significantly affect the Class I Shares’ NAV on days when you are not able to buy or sell Fund shares.

The Fund’s securities generally are valued at market price. Securities are valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available. The Board has adopted procedures to be followed when the Fund must utilize fair value pricing, including when reliable market quotations are not readily available, when the Fund’s pricing service does not provide a valuation (or provides a valuation that, in the judgment of the Advisor, does not represent the security’s fair value), or when, in the judgment of the Advisor, events have rendered the market value unreliable (see, for example, the discussion of fair value pricing of foreign securities in the paragraph below). Valuing securities at fair value involves reliance on the judgment of the Advisor and the Board (or a committee thereof), and may result in a different price being used in the calculation of the Class I Shares’ NAV from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it sells the security.

In certain circumstances, the Fund employs fair value pricing to ensure greater accuracy in determining daily NAV and to prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to exploit temporary market anomalies. Fair value pricing may be applied to foreign securities held by the Fund upon the occurrence of an event after the close of trading on non-U.S. markets but before the close of trading on the NYSE when the Class I Shares’ NAV is determined. If the event may result in a material adjustment to the price of the Fund’s foreign securities once non-U.S. markets open on the following business day (such as, for example, a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market), the Fund may value such foreign securities at fair value, taking into account the effect of such event, in order to calculate the Class I Shares’ NAV.

B-8

Other types of portfolio securities that the Fund may fair value include, but are not limited to: (1) investments that are illiquid or traded infrequently, including “restricted” securities and private placements for which there is no public market; (2) investments for which, in the judgment of the Advisor, the market price is stale; (3) securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; (4) securities for which trading has been halted or suspended; and (5) fixed income securities for which there is no current market value quotation.

Purchase of Shares

This Prospectus offers one class of shares of the Fund, designated as Class I Shares. Class I Shares are not subject to any sales loads, contingent deferred sales charges or distribution fees, but are subject to shareholder service fees.

To purchase Class I Shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount indicated in the following table.

Minimum Investments	To Open Your Account	To Add to Your Account
Class I Shares
All Accounts	$25,000	$5,000

Class I Shares’ minimum investment and account size requirements will be waived for shareholders of the Predecessor Fund that receive Class I Shares of the Fund in the Reorganization.

Shares of the Fund may be purchased by check, by wire transfer of funds via a bank or through an approved financial intermediary (i.e., a supermarket, investment advisor, financial planner or consultant, broker, dealer or other investment professional and their agents) authorized by the Fund to receive purchase orders. Financial intermediaries may provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem shares, which may include additional fees and different investment minimums. In addition, from time to time, a financial intermediary may modify or waive the initial and subsequent investment minimums.

You may make an initial investment in an amount greater than the minimum amounts shown in the preceding table and the Fund may, from time to time, reduce or waive the minimum initial investment amounts. The minimum initial investment amount is automatically waived for Fund shares purchased by Trustees of the Trust and current or retired directors and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates.

To the extent allowed by applicable law, the Fund reserves the right to discontinue offering shares at any time or to cease operating entirely.

Class I Shares are available for purchase by clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments and foundations.

Additional Share Purchase Programs

Listed below are some of the shareholder services the Fund offer to investors. For a more complete description of the Fund’s shareholder services, such as investment accounts, retirement plans, automated clearing house deposits, dividend diversification and the systematic withdrawal plan, please contact your authorized dealer.

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Purchases by Telephone. Investors may purchase additional shares from the Fund by calling 1-888-966-9661. If elected on your account application, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network. You must have banking information established on your account prior to making a purchase. Your shares will be purchased at the public offering price (the NAV next calculated after receipt of your purchase order plus any applicable sales charge).

Dividend Reinvestment. You may reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in shares of the Fund. Such shares are acquired at NAV (without a sales charge) on the applicable payable date of the dividend or capital gain distribution. Unless the shareholder instructs otherwise, dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in shares of the same class of the Fund paying the dividend or distribution. Dividends and distributions are subject to federal income tax regardless of whether received in cash or invested in additional shares. This instruction may be made by writing to the Transfer Agent or by telephone by calling 1-888-966-9661. The investor may, on the account application form or prior to any declaration, instruct that dividends and/or capital gain distributions be paid in cash or be reinvested in the Fund at the next determined NAV. If you elect to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months or more, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account at the Fund’s current NAV and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.

In-Kind Purchases and Redemptions

The Fund reserves the right to accept payment for shares in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Fund. The Fund also reserves the right to pay redemptions by an “in-kind” distribution of portfolio securities (instead of cash) from the Fund. In-kind purchases and redemptions are taxable events and may result in the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. See the SAI for further information about the terms of these purchases and redemptions.

Additional Investments

Additional subscriptions in the Fund generally may be made by investing at least the minimum amount shown in the table above. Exceptions may be made at the Fund’s discretion. You may purchase additional shares of the Fund by sending a check together with the investment stub from your most recent account statement to the Fund at the applicable address listed in the table below. Please ensure that you include your account number on the check. If you do not have the investment stub from your account statement, list your name, address and account number on a separate sheet of paper and include it with your check. You may also make additional investments in the Fund by wire transfer of funds or through an approved financial intermediary. The minimum additional investment amount is automatically waived for shares purchased by Trustees of the Trust and current or retired directors and employees of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor and their affiliates. Please follow the procedures described in this Prospectus.

Customer Identification Information

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 for your name, date of birth (for a natural person), your residential address or principal place of business, and mailing address, if different, as well as your Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. Additional information is required for corporations, partnerships and other entities. Applications without such information will not be considered in good order. The Fund reserves the right to deny any application if the application is not in good order.

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This Prospectus should not be considered a solicitation to purchase or as an offer to sell shares of the Fund in any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so under the laws of that jurisdiction. Please note that the value of your account may be transferred to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in the account within the time period specified by state law.

Automatic Investment Plan

If you intend to use the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”), you may open your account with the initial minimum investment amount. Once an account has been opened, you may make additional investments in the Fund at regular intervals through the AIP. If elected on your account application, funds can be automatically transferred from your checking or savings account on the 5^th, 10^th, 15^th, 20^th or 25^th of each month. In order to participate in the AIP, each additional subscription must be at least $100, and your financial institution must be a member of the ACH network. The first AIP purchase will be made 15 days after the Transfer Agent receives your request in good order. The Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee for any ACH payment that is rejected by your bank. Your AIP will be terminated if two successive mailings we send to you are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable. You may terminate your participation in the AIP at any time by notifying the Transfer Agent at 1-888-966-9661, at least five days prior to the date of the next AIP transfer. The Fund may modify or terminate the AIP at any time without notice.

Timing and Nature of Requests

The purchase price you will pay for the Fund’s shares will be the next NAV (plus any sales charge, as applicable) calculated after the Transfer Agent or your authorized financial intermediary receives your request in good order. “Good order” means that your purchase request includes: (1) the name of the Fund, (2) the dollar amount of shares to be purchased, (3) your purchase application or investment stub, and (4) a check payable to AAM Funds. All requests received in good order before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on any business day will be processed on that same day. Requests received at or after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. All purchases must be made in U.S. Dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions.

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Methods of Buying

*Through a broker-* *dealer or other* *financial* *intermediary*	The Fund is offered through certain approved financial intermediaries (and their agents). The Fund is also offered directly. A purchase order placed with a financial intermediary or its authorized agent is treated as if such order were placed directly with the Fund, and will be deemed to have been received by the Fund when the financial intermediary or its authorized agent receives the order and executed at the next NAV (plus any sales charge, as applicable) calculated by the Fund. Your financial intermediary will hold your shares in a pooled account in its (or its agent’s) name. The Fund or the Advisor may pay your financial intermediary (or its agent) to maintain your individual ownership information, maintain required records, and provide other shareholder services. A financial intermediary which offers shares may charge its individual clients transaction fees which may be in addition to those described in this Prospectus. If you invest through your financial intermediary, its policies and fees may be different than those described in this Prospectus. For example, the financial intermediary may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investments. Your financial intermediary is responsible for processing your order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised of the status of your account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you receive copies of the Fund’s Prospectus. Please contact your financial intermediary to determine whether it is an approved financial intermediary of the Fund or for additional information.
*By mail*	The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks, money orders or starter checks for the purchase of shares. All checks must be made in U.S. Dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions.
	To buy shares directly from the Fund by mail, complete an account application and send it together with your check for the amount you wish to invest to the Fund at the address indicated below. To make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it to the Fund together with the most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If your check is returned for insufficient funds, your purchase will be canceled and a $25 fee will be assessed against your account by the Transfer Agent.
	Regular Mail AAM Funds P.O. Box 2175 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201	Overnight Delivery AAM Funds 235 West Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
	*The Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents.*

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*By telephone*	To make additional investments by telephone, you must authorize telephone purchases on your account application. If you have given authorization for telephone transactions and your account has been open for at least 15 days, call the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-888-966-9661 and you will be allowed to move money in amounts of at least $500 from your bank account to the Fund account upon request. Only bank accounts held at U.S. institutions that are ACH members may be used for telephone transactions. If your order is placed before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day shares will be purchased in your account at the NAV (plus any sales charge, applicable) as calculated on that day. Orders received at or after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. For security reasons, requests by telephone will be recorded.
*By wire*	To open an account by wire, a completed account application form must be received by the Fund before your wire can be accepted. You may mail or send by overnight delivery your account application form to the Transfer Agent. Upon receipt of your completed account application form, an account will be established for you. The account number assigned to you will be required as part of the wiring instruction that should be provided to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund, the account number, and your name so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit monies by wire to:
	UMB Bank, n.a. ABA Number 101000695 For credit to AAM Funds A/C # 987 201 3735 For further credit to: Your account number [Fund Name] Name(s) of investor(s) Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
	Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-888-966-9661 to notify it of your intention to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire. Your bank may charge a fee for its wiring service.
	Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund and UMB Bank, n.a. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.

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Selling (Redeeming) Fund Shares

*Through a broker-* *dealer or other* *financial* *intermediary*	If you purchased your shares through an approved financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed through the same financial intermediary. The Fund will be deemed to have received a redemption order when a financial intermediary (or its authorized agent) receives the order. The financial intermediary must receive your redemption order prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day for the redemption to be processed at the current day’s NAV. Orders received at or after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day or on a day when the Fund does not value its shares will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. Please keep in mind that your financial intermediary may charge additional fees for its services. In the event your approved financial intermediary is no longer available or in operation, you may place your redemption order directly with the Fund as described below.
*By mail*	You may redeem shares purchased directly from the Fund by mail. Send your written redemption request to AAM Funds at the address indicated below. Your request must be in good order and contain the Fund’s name, the name(s) on the account, your account number and the dollar amount or the number of shares to be redeemed. The redemption request must be signed by all shareholders listed on the account. Additional documents are required for certain types of shareholders, such as corporations, partnerships, executors, trustees, administrators, or guardians (i.e., corporate resolutions dated within 60 days, or trust documents indicating proper authorization).
	Regular Mail AAM Funds P.O. Box 2175 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201	Overnight Delivery AAM Funds 235 West Galena Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
	A Medallion signature guarantee must be included if any of the following situations apply:
	• You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares; • When redemption proceeds are sent to any person, address or bank account not on record; • If a change of address was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15 days; • If ownership is changed on your account; or • When establishing or modifying certain services on your account.

B-14

*By telephone*	To redeem shares by telephone, call the Fund at 1-888-966-9661 and specify the amount of money you wish to redeem. You may have a check sent to the address of record, or, if previously established on your account, you may have proceeds sent by wire or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network directly to your bank account. Wire transfers are subject to a $20 fee paid by the shareholder and your bank may charge a fee to receive wired funds. Checks sent via overnight delivery are subject to a $25 charge. You do not incur any charge when proceeds are sent via the ACH network; however, credit may not be available for two to three business days.
	If you are authorized to perform telephone transactions (either through your account application form or by subsequent arrangement in writing with the Fund), you may redeem shares worth up to $50,000, by instructing the Fund by phone at 1-888-966-9661. Unless noted on the initial account application, a Medallion signature guarantee is required of all shareholders in order to qualify for or to change telephone redemption privileges.
	Note: The Fund and all of their service providers will not be liable for any loss or expense in acting upon instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine. To confirm that all telephone instructions are genuine, the caller must verify the following:
	• The Fund account number; • The name in which his or her account is registered; • The Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number under which the account is registered; and • The address of the account holder, as stated in the account application form.

Medallion Signature Guarantee

In addition to the situations described above, the Fund reserves the right to require a Medallion signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.

Shareholders redeeming more than $50,000 worth of shares by mail should submit written instructions with a Medallion signature guarantee from an eligible institution acceptable to the Transfer Agent, such as a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association, or from any participant in a Medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The three currently recognized Medallion programs are Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program. Signature guarantees that are not part of these programs will not be accepted. Participants in Medallion programs are subject to dollar limitations which must be considered when requesting their guarantee. The Transfer Agent may reject any signature guarantee if it believes the transaction would otherwise be improper. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

B-15

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

You may request that a predetermined dollar amount be sent to you on a monthly or quarterly basis. Your account must maintain a value of at least $2,500 for you to be eligible to participate in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). The minimum withdrawal amount is $1,000. If you elect to receive redemptions through the SWP, the Fund will send a check to your address of record, or will send the payment via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, directly to your bank account on record. You may request an application for the SWP by calling the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-888-966-9661. The Fund may modify or terminate the SWP at any time. You may terminate your participation in the SWP by calling the Transfer Agent at least five business days before the next withdrawal.

Payment of Redemption Proceeds

You may redeem shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent and/or authorized agent receives your redemption request in good order. Generally, your redemption request cannot be processed on days the NYSE is closed. Redemption proceeds for requests received in good order by the Transfer Agent and/or authorized agent before the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will usually be sent to the address of record or the bank you indicate, or wired using the wire instructions on record, on the following business day. Payment of redemption proceeds may take longer than typically expected, but will be sent within seven calendar days after the Fund receives your redemption request, except as specified below.

If you purchase shares using a check and request a redemption before the check has cleared, the Fund may postpone payment of your redemption proceeds up to 15 calendar days while the Fund waits for the check to clear. Furthermore, the Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven calendar days: (1) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted; (2) for any period during which an emergency exists affecting the sale of the Fund’s securities or making such sale or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (3) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund’s shareholders.

Other Redemption Information

Shareholders who hold shares of the Fund through an IRA or other retirement plan must indicate on their redemption requests whether to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election not to have taxes withheld will generally be subject to a 10% federal income tax withholding. In addition, if you are a resident of certain states, state income tax also applies to non-Roth IRA distributions when federal withholding applies. Please consult with your tax professional.

The Fund generally pays sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. The Fund typically expects to satisfy redemption requests by selling portfolio assets or by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents. The Fund uses these methods during both normal and stressed market conditions. During conditions that make the payment of cash unwise and/or in order to protect the interests of the Fund’s remaining shareholders, the Fund may pay all or part of a shareholder’s redemption proceeds in portfolio securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption-in-kind) in lieu of cash. Generally, in-kind redemptions will be effected through a pro rata distribution of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Fund may redeem shares in kind during both normal and stressed market conditions. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, you will bear any market risks associated with investment in these securities, and you will be responsible for the costs (including brokerage charges) of converting the securities to cash.

B-16

The Fund may redeem all of the shares held in your account if your balance falls below the Fund’s minimum initial investment amount due to your redemption activity. In these circumstances, the Fund will notify you in writing and request that you increase your balance above the minimum initial investment amount within 30 days of the date of the notice. If, within 30 days of the Fund’s written request, you have not increased your account balance, your shares will be automatically redeemed at the current NAV. The Fund will not require that your shares be redeemed if the value of your account drops below the investment minimum due to fluctuations of the Fund’s NAV.

Cost Basis Information

Federal tax law requires that regulated investment companies such as the Fund, report their shareholders' cost basis, gain or loss, and holding period to the IRS on their shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” shares of the regulated investment companies are sold. Covered shares are any shares acquired (including pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan) on or after January 1, 2012.

The Fund has chosen “first-in, first-out” (“FIFO”) as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders, which means this is the method the Fund will use to determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method it will use to report the sale of covered shares on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. Redemptions are taxable and you may realize a gain or a loss upon the sale of your shares. Certain shareholders may be subject to backup withholding.

Subject to certain limitations, you may choose a method other than the Fund’s standing method at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Treasury regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions

The Trust’s Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. The Trust discourages excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm the Fund’s performance. The Trust takes steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities on the Fund. These steps may include monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing. In addition, the Trust may take action, which may include using its best efforts to restrict a shareholder’s trading privileges in the Fund, if that shareholder has engaged in four or more “round trips” in the Fund during a 12-month period. Although these efforts (which are described in more detail below) are designed to discourage abusive trading practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that such activity may occur. Further, while the Trust makes efforts to identify and restrict frequent trading, the Trust receives purchase and sale orders through financial intermediaries and cannot always know or detect frequent trading that may be facilitated by the use of intermediaries or the use of group or omnibus accounts by those intermediaries. The Trust seeks to exercise its judgment in implementing these tools to the best of its ability in a manner that the Trust believes is consistent with the interests of Fund shareholders.

B-17

Redemption Fee

You will be charged a redemption fee of 2.00% of the value of the shares being redeemed if you redeem your shares of the Fund within 90 days of purchase. The FIFO method is used to determine the holding period; this means that if you bought shares on different days, the shares purchased first will be redeemed first for the purpose of determining whether the redemption fee applies. The redemption fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and is retained by the Fund for the benefit of its remaining shareholders. The fee will not apply to redemptions (i) due to a shareholder’s death or disability, (ii) from certain omnibus accounts with systematic or contractual limitations, (iii) of shares acquired through reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions, (iv) through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans or employee benefit plans or, with respect to any such plan, to comply with minimum distribution requirements, (v) effected pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program, (vi) effected pursuant to the SWP, (vii) effected pursuant to asset allocation programs, wrap fee programs, and other investment programs offered by financial institutions where investment decisions are made on a discretionary basis by investment professionals, or (viii) by the Fund with respect to accounts falling below the minimum initial investment amount. The Trust reserves the right to waive this fee in other circumstances if the Advisor determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Fund.

Monitoring

Trading Practices

The Trust may monitor trades in Fund shares in an effort to detect short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the Trust believes that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. In making such judgments, the Trust seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interest of Fund shareholders. Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying abusive trading activity, there can be no assurance that the Trust’s efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive.

General Transaction Policies

Some of the following policies are mentioned above. In general, the Fund reserves the right to:

•

vary or waive any minimum investment requirement;

•

refuse, change, discontinue, or temporarily suspend account services, including purchase or telephone redemption privileges (if redemption by telephone is not available, you may send your redemption order to the Fund via regular or overnight delivery), for any reason;

•

reject any purchase request for any reason (generally, the Fund does this if the purchase is disruptive to the efficient management of the Fund due to the timing of the investment or an investor’s history of excessive trading);

•

delay paying redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days after receiving a request, if an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund;

•

reject any purchase or redemption request that does not contain all required documentation; and

B-18

•

subject to applicable law and with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.

If you elect telephone privileges on the account application or in a letter to the Fund, you may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone orders as long as the Fund and/or its service providers have taken reasonable precautions to verify your identity. In addition, once you place a telephone transaction request, it cannot be canceled or modified.

During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone transactions may be difficult to complete. If you are unable to contact the Fund by telephone, you may also mail your request to the Fund at the address listed under “Methods of Buying.”

Your broker or other financial intermediary may establish policies that differ from those of the Fund. For example, the organization may charge transaction fees, set higher minimum investments, or impose certain limitations on buying or selling shares in addition to those identified in this Prospectus. Contact your broker or other financial intermediary for details.

Please note that the value of your account may be transferred to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in the account within the time period specified by state law.

Exchange Privilege

You may exchange Class I Shares of the Fund for the same class of shares of the other funds managed by the Advisor, including funds which are offered in separate prospectuses (Please contact the Fund at 1-888-966-9661 to receive the prospectus for another fund). The amount of the exchange must be equal to or greater than the required minimum initial investment of the other fund, as stated in that fund’s prospectus. You may realize either a gain or loss on those shares and will be responsible for paying the appropriate taxes. If you exchange shares through a broker, the broker may charge you a transaction fee. You may exchange shares by sending a written request to the Fund or by telephone. Be sure that your written request includes the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged, the name(s) on the account, the account number(s), and signed by all shareholders on the account. In order to limit expenses, the Fund reserves the right to limit the total number of exchanges you can make in any year.

Conversion of Shares

A share conversion is a transaction in which shares of one class of the Fund are exchanged for shares of another class of the Fund. Upon the Closing, the Fund will offer three classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class I Shares. Share conversions can occur between Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the Fund. Generally, share conversions occur when a shareholder becomes eligible for another share class of the Fund or no longer meets the eligibility criteria of the share class owned by the shareholder (and another class exists for which the shareholder would be eligible). Please note that a share conversion is generally a non-taxable event, but you should consult with your personal tax advisor on your particular circumstances. Please also note, all share conversion requests must be approved by the Advisor.

A request for a share conversion will not be processed until it is received in “good order” (as defined above) by the Fund or your financial intermediary. To receive the NAV of the new class calculated that day, conversion requests must be received in good order by the Fund or your financial intermediary before 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or the financial intermediary’s earlier applicable deadline. Please note that, because the NAV of the class of the Fund will generally vary from the NAVs of the other classes due to differences in expenses, you will receive a number of shares of the new class that is different from the number of shares that you held of the old class, but the total value of your holdings will remain the same.

B-19

The Fund’s frequent trading policies will not be applicable to share conversions. If you hold your shares through a financial intermediary, please contact the financial intermediary for more information on share conversions. Please note that certain financial intermediaries may not permit all types of share conversions. The Fund reserves the right to terminate, suspend or modify the share conversion privilege for any shareholder or group of shareholders.

The Fund reserves the right to automatically convert shareholders from one class to another if they either no longer qualify as eligible for their existing class or if they become eligible for another class. Such mandatory conversions may be as a result of a change in value of an account due to market movements, exchanges or redemptions. The Fund will notify affected shareholders in writing prior to any mandatory conversion.

Availability of Information

Information regarding sales charges of the Fund and the applicability and availability of discounts from sales charges is available free of charge by calling 1-888-966-9661 or through your authorized dealer.

Prospectus and Shareholder Report Mailings

In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and Prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your authorized dealer or the Transfer Agent.

Additional Information

The Fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including among others the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, who provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third party”) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.

The Prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the Fund. The Fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund will make distributions of net investment income annually and net capital gains, if any, at least annually, typically in December. The Fund may make additional payments of dividends or distributions if it deems it desirable at any other time during the year.

All dividends and distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you choose one of the following options: (1) to receive net investment income dividends in cash, while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional Fund shares; or (2) to receive all dividends and distributions in cash. If you wish to change your distribution option, please write to the Transfer Agent before the payment date of the distribution.

B-20

If you elect to receive distributions in cash and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your check, or if your distribution check has not been cashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account at the Fund’s then current NAV and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following discussion is very general and does not address investors subject to special rules, such as investors who hold Fund shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account. The SAI contains further information about taxes. Because each shareholder’s circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax advisor about your investment in the Fund.

You will generally have to pay federal income taxes, as well as any state or local taxes, on distributions received from the Fund, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. If you sell Fund shares, it is generally considered a taxable event. If you exchange shares of the Fund for shares of another fund, the exchange will be treated as a sale of the Fund’s shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to federal income tax.

Distributions of net investment income, other than “qualified dividend income,” and distributions of net short-term capital gains, are taxable for federal income tax purposes at ordinary income tax rates. Distributions from the Fund’s net capital gain (i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss) are taxable for federal income tax purposes as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares.

Dividends paid by the Fund (but none of the Fund’s capital gain distributions) may qualify in part for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs generally are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income or for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions of investment income that the Fund reports as “qualified dividend income” may be eligible to be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain if derived from the Fund’s qualified dividend income and if certain other requirements are satisfied. “Qualified dividend income” generally is income derived from dividends paid by U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a U.S. possession or eligible for tax benefits under certain U.S. income tax treaties. In addition, dividends that the Fund receives in respect of stock of certain foreign corporations may be qualified dividend income if that stock is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market.

You may want to avoid buying shares of the Fund just before it declares a distribution (on or before the record date), because such a distribution will be taxable to you even though it may effectively be a return of a portion of your investment.

Although distributions are generally taxable when received, dividends declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record as of a date in such month and paid during the following January are treated as if received on December 31 of the calendar year when the dividends were declared.

Information on the federal income tax status of dividends and distributions is provided annually.

Dividends and distributions from the Fund and net gain from redemptions of Fund shares will generally be taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.

B-21

If you do not provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number and any required certifications, you will be subject to backup withholding on your redemption proceeds, dividends and other distributions. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%.

Dividends and certain other payments made by the Fund to a non-U.S. shareholder are subject to such withholding of federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). Dividends that are reported by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” are generally exempt from such withholding. In general, the Fund may report interest-related dividends to the extent of its net income derived from U.S.-source interest and the Fund may report short-term capital gain dividends to the extent its net short-term capital gain for the taxable year exceeds its net long-term capital loss. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax described in this paragraph.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to distributions and, after December 31, 2018, to redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the United States and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of the agreement.

Some of the Fund’s investment income may be subject to foreign income taxes that are withheld at the country of origin. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes, but there can be no assurance that the Fund will qualify for treaty benefits.

B-22

Statement of Additional Information

[ ], 2018

AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund

Class I (Ticker Symbol: [ ])

A series of Investment Managers Series Trust

P.O. Box 2175

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201

1-888-966-9661

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [ ], 2018, as may be amended from time to time, (the “Prospectus”) for the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Forum Funds II, a Delaware statutory trust, to be held on August 13, 2018. A copy of the Combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus is available by calling 1-866-746-2271.

This SAI, relating specifically to the proposed reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a newly established series of Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, consists of this document and the following described documents, each of which is incorporated by reference herein:

Prospectus of the Acquired Fund dated May 1, 2018 (filed via EDGAR on April 24, 2018, Accession No. 0001398344-18-005908);

Statement of Additional Information of the Acquired Fund dated May 1, 2018 (filed via EDGAR on April 24, 2018, Accession No. 0001398344-18-005908);

Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquired Fund dated June 30, 2017 (filed via EDGAR on August 22, 2017, Accession No. 0001435109-17-000596); and

Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquired Fund dated December 31, 2017 (filed via EDGAR on March 2, 2018, Accession No. 0001435109-18-000183).

The Acquiring Fund currently has no assets or liabilities. The Acquiring Fund will commence operations upon the completion of the Reorganization and will continue the operations of the Acquired Fund. For this reason, the financial statements of the Acquiring Fund and the pro forma financial statements of the Acquiring Fund have not been included herein.

The term “Fund” as used in this SAI, refers to the Acquiring Fund.

B-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE TRUST AND THE FUND	B-3
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS	B-3
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND	B-28
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE	B-39
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER	B-40
PROXY VOTING POLICY	B-40
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM	B-41
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION	B-41
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE	B-43
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES	B-44
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS	B-44
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS	B-51
GENERAL INFORMATION	B-51
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	B-53
APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS	B-54
APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE TRUST, ADVISOR AND SUB-ADVISOR	B-60

B-2

THE TRUST AND THE FUND

The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 15, 2005. The Trust currently consists of several other series of shares of beneficial interest. This SAI relates only to the Fund and not to the other series of the Trust. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the Fund. The Prospectus of the Fund and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.

On August 24, 2018, the Fund will acquire all the assets and liabilities of the Phocas Real Estate Fund, a series of Forum Funds II (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund will adopt the prior performance and financial history of the Predecessor Fund.

The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means it is not subject to the diversification requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one issuer (and in not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer), excluding cash, Government securities, and securities of other investment companies. Although the Fund is not required to comply with the above requirement, the Fund intends to diversify its assets to the extent necessary to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I. This SAI only pertains to the Fund's Class I Shares. Other classes may be established from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”). Each class of shares of the Fund generally is identical in all respects except that each class of shares is subject to its own distribution expenses and minimum investments. Each class of shares also has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution fees.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS

The discussion below supplements information contained in the Fund’s Prospectus pertaining to the investment policies of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS

Equity Securities

Common Stock

The Fund may invest in common stock. Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

The fundamental risk of investing in common stock is that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. While common stocks have historically provided greater long-term returns than preferred stocks, fixed-income and money market investments, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility than the returns from those other investments.

B-3

Small-, Mid- and Micro-Cap Stocks

The Fund may invest in stock of companies with market capitalizations that are small compared to other publicly traded companies. Investments in larger companies present certain advantages in that such companies generally have greater financial resources, more extensive research and development, manufacturing, marketing and service capabilities, and more stability and greater depth of management and personnel. Investments in smaller, less seasoned companies may present greater opportunities for growth but also may involve greater risks than customarily are associated with more established companies. The securities of smaller companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies. These companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. Their securities may be traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. As a result of owning large positions in this type of security, the Fund is subject to the additional risk of possibly having to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous times and prices if redemptions require the Fund to liquidate its securities positions. In addition, it may be prudent for the Fund, as its asset size grows, to limit the number of relatively small positions it holds in securities having limited liquidity in order to minimize its exposure to such risks, to minimize transaction costs, and to maximize the benefits of research. As a consequence, as the Fund’s asset size increases, the Fund may reduce its exposure to illiquid small capitalization securities, which could adversely affect performance. These risks may be greater for securities of micro-capitalization companies. In addition, some U.S. micro-cap companies are followed by few, if any, securities analysts, and there tends to be less publicly available information about such companies. Their securities generally have even more limited trading volumes and are subject to even more abrupt or erratic market price movements than are small-cap securities, and the Fund may be able to deal with only a few market-makers when purchasing and selling micro-cap securities.

The Fund may also invest in stocks of companies with medium market capitalizations (i.e., mid-cap companies). Such investments share some of the risk characteristics of investments in stocks of companies with small market capitalizations described above, although mid cap companies tend to have longer operating histories, broader product lines and greater financial resources and their stocks tend to be more liquid and less volatile than those of smaller capitalization issuers.

Preferred Stock

The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and a share of the proceeds resulting from the issuer’s liquidation although preferred stock is usually subordinate to the debt securities of the issuer. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as the holders of the issuer’s common stock. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. In addition, the Fund may receive stocks or warrants as a result of an exchange or tender of fixed income securities. Preference stock, which is more common in emerging markets than in developed markets, is a special type of common stock that shares in the earnings of an issuer, has limited voting rights, may have a dividend preference, and may also have a liquidation preference. Depending on the features of the particular security, holders of preferred and preference stock may bear the risks regarding common stock or fixed income securities.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of principal and interest payments. Similar to investment companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the Fund.

B-4

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation.

Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have had more price volatility than larger capitalization stocks.

REITs may fail to qualify for the favorable federal income tax treatment generally available to them under the Code and may fail to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed-rate obligations.

Foreign Investments

The Fund may make foreign investments. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers and other non-U.S. investments may involve risks in addition to those normally associated with investments in the securities of U.S. issuers or other U.S. investments. All foreign investments are subject to risks of foreign political and economic instability, adverse movements in foreign exchange rates, and the imposition or tightening of exchange controls and limitations on the repatriation of foreign capital. Other risks stem from potential changes in governmental attitude or policy toward private investment, which in turn raises the risk of nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of foreign investors’ assets.

The financial problems in global economies over the past several years, including the European sovereign debt crisis, may continue to cause high volatility in global financial markets. In addition, global economies are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact a different country or region. The severity or duration of these conditions may also be affected if one or more countries leave the Euro currency or by other policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations.

Additional non-U.S. taxes and expenses may also adversely affect the Fund’s performance, including foreign withholding taxes on foreign securities’ dividends. Brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than in the United States. Foreign companies may be subject to different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. To the extent foreign securities held by the Fund are not registered with the SEC, or with any other U.S. regulator, the issuers thereof will not be subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC or any other U.S. regulator. Accordingly, less information may be available about foreign companies and other investments than is generally available on issuers of comparable securities and other investments in the United States. Foreign securities and other investments may also trade less frequently and with lower volume and may exhibit greater price volatility than U.S. securities and other investments.

Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value in U.S. Dollars of any foreign currency-denominated securities and other investments held by the Fund. Exchange rates are influenced generally by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign currency markets and by numerous other political and economic events occurring outside the United States, many of which may be difficult, if not impossible, to predict.

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Income from any foreign securities and other investments will be received and realized in foreign currencies, and the Fund is required to compute and distribute income in U.S. Dollars. Accordingly, a decline in the value of a particular foreign currency against the U.S. Dollar occurring after the Fund’s income has been earned and computed in U.S. Dollars may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio securities or other investments to acquire sufficient U.S. Dollars to make a distribution. Similarly, if the exchange rate declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time such expenses are paid, the Fund may be required to liquidate additional portfolio securities or other investments to purchase the U.S. Dollars required to meet such expenses.

The Fund may purchase foreign bank obligations. In addition to the risks described above that are generally applicable to foreign investments, the investments that the Fund makes in obligations of foreign banks, branches or subsidiaries may involve further risks, including differences between foreign banks and U.S. banks in applicable accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, and the possible establishment of exchange controls or other foreign government laws or restrictions applicable to the payment of certificates of deposit or time deposits that may affect adversely the payment of principal and interest on the securities and other investments held by the Fund.

Emerging Markets

The Fund may invest in companies organized or doing substantial business in emerging market countries or developing countries as defined by the World Bank, International Financial Corporation or the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) emerging market indices or other comparable indices. Developing countries may impose restrictions on the Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of investment income or capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operations of the Fund.

Some of the currencies in emerging markets have experienced devaluations relative to the U.S. Dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Certain developing countries face serious exchange constraints.

Governments of some developing countries exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some countries, the government owns or controls many companies. Therefore, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing countries, which could affect the private sector companies in which the Fund invests.

Developments in the China Region

After nearly 30 years of unprecedented growth, the People's Republic of China now faces a slowing economy. The real estate market, which many observers believed to be inflated, has begun to decline. Local governments, which had borrowed heavily to bolster growth, face high debt burdens and limited revenue sources. As a result, demand for Chinese exports by the United States and countries in Europe, and demands for Chinese imports from such countries, may weaken due to the effects of more limited economic growth. Additionally, Chinese actions to lay claim to disputed islands have caused relations with China’s regional trading partners to suffer, and could cause further disruption to regional and international trade. In the long run, China’s ability to develop and sustain a credible legal, regulatory, monetary, and socioeconomic system could influence the course of outside investment.

Europe – Recent Events

A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and without Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

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The European Union (the “EU”) currently faces major issues involving its membership, structure, procedures and policies, including the successful political, economic and social integration of new member states, the EU’s resettlement and distribution of refugees, and resolution of the EU’s problematic fiscal and democratic accountability. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the Euro, the common currency of the EU, and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.

In June 2016, the United Kingdom (the “UK”) voted in a referendum to leave the EU. On March 29, 2017, UK Prime Minister Theresa May delivered a letter invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and notifying the European Council of the UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU. The letter triggered the two year withdrawal negotiation process, and thus it is anticipated that the UK will leave the EU on or before March 29, 2019. It is unclear how withdrawal negotiations will be conducted and what the potential consequences may be. In addition, it is possible that measures could be taken to revote on the issue of Brexit, or that portions of the UK could seek to separate and remain a part of the EU. As a result of the political divisions within the UK and between the UK and the EU that the referendum vote has highlighted and the uncertain consequences of a Brexit, the UK and European economies and the broader global economy could be significantly impacted, which may result in increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth on markets in the UK, Europe and globally that could potentially have an adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s investments.

Whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments due to the interconnected nature of the global economy and capital markets. The Fund may also be susceptible to these events to the extent that the Fund invests in municipal obligations with credit support by non-U.S. financial institutions.

NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS

Equity Securities

Convertible Securities

The Fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a preferred stock, warrant or other security that may be converted or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive the dividend or interest until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both fixed income and equity securities. Although to a lesser extent than with fixed income securities generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stocks and, therefore, also will react to variations in the general market for equity securities. A significant feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so they may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.

Warrants and Rights

The Fund may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle (but do not obligate) the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Sub-Advisor. Rights are similar to warrants but typically have a shorter duration and are issued by a company to existing stockholders to provide those holders the right to purchase additional shares of stock at a later date. Warrants and rights do not have voting rights, do not earn dividends, and do not entitle the holder to any rights with respect to the assets of the company that has issued them. They do not represent ownership of the underlying companies but only the right to purchase shares of those companies at a specified price on or before a specified exercise date. Warrants and rights tend to be more volatile than the underlying stock, and if at a warrant’s expiration date the stock is trading at a price below the price set in the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. Conversely, if at the expiration date the stock is trading at a price higher than the price set in the warrant or right, the Fund can acquire the stock at a price below its market value. The prices of warrants and rights do not necessarily parallel the prices of the underlying securities. An investment in warrants or rights may be considered speculative.

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Foreign Securities

Depository Receipts

The Fund may invest in depository receipts. American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company’s office or agent in a foreign country. European Depository Receipts (“EDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. Canadian Depository Receipts (“CDRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a Canadian bank or trust company that evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company’s office or agent in a foreign country.

Investing in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs presents risks that may not be equal to the risk inherent in holding the equivalent shares of the same companies that are traded in the local markets even though the Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on ADRs in U.S. Dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political and social upheaval, and economic instability. The Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, or CDRs that it owns, but investors may or may not be able to deduct their pro-rata share of such taxes in computing their taxable income, or take such shares as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax. See “Federal Income Tax Matters.” ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs may be sponsored by the foreign issuer or may be unsponsored. Unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the foreign issuer of the underlying securities. Unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs are offered by companies which are not prepared to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets, unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs may be less liquid than sponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs. Additionally, there generally is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and CDRs.

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in debt securities. Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values and accrue interest at the applicable coupon rate over a specified time period. Some debt securities pay a periodic coupon that is not fixed; instead payments “float” relative to a reference rate, such as LIBOR. This “floating rate” debt may pay interest at levels above or below the previous interest payment. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall.

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Lower rated debt securities, those rated Ba or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and/or BB or below by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or unrated but determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality, are described by the rating agencies as speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than higher rated debt securities due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness or the fact that the issuer may already be in default. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. It may be more difficult to sell or to determine the value of lower rated debt securities.

Certain additional risk factors related to debt securities are discussed below:

Sensitivity to interest rate and economic changes. Debt securities may be sensitive to economic changes, political and corporate developments, and interest rate changes. In addition, during an economic downturn or periods of rising interest rates, issuers that are highly leveraged may experience increased financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to meet projected business goals, obtain additional financing, and service their principal and interest payment obligations. Furthermore, periods of economic change and uncertainty can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain debt securities. For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) related to the security or other assets or indices.

Payment expectations. Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate environment, the Fund would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the Fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.

Liquidity. Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market, or reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities, and may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. In such cases, the Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in purchasing and selling such securities or instruments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, illiquid sectors of fixed income securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Further, fixed income securities with longer durations until maturity face heightened levels of liquidity risk as compared to fixed income securities with shorter durations until maturity. Finally, liquidity risk also refers to the risk of unusually high redemption requests or other unusual market conditions that may make it difficult for the Fund to fully honor redemption requests within the allowable time period. Meeting such redemption requests could require the Fund to sell securities at reduced prices or under unfavorable conditions, which would reduce the value of the Fund. It may also be the case that other market participants may be attempting to liquidate fixed income holdings at the same time as the Fund, causing increased supply in the market and contributing to liquidity risk and downward pricing pressure.

The Sub-Advisor attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the Fund’s portfolio, credit analysis of each issuer, and by monitoring broad economic trends as well as corporate and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so. Credit ratings of debt securities provided by rating agencies indicate a measure of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between corporate developments and the time a rating is assigned and updated.

Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions. Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) has attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (“Quantitative Easing”). As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces Quantitative Easing, and when the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates across the U.S. financial system will rise. These policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments and share price to decline. Because the Fund invests in derivatives tied to fixed income markets it may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a fund that does not invest in derivatives. To the extent the Fund experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Fund may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Fund incurs and may lower the Fund’s performance. The liquidity levels of the Fund’s portfolio may also be affected.

B-9

Bond markets have consistently grown over the past three decades while the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. As a result, dealer inventories of corporate bonds, which provide a core indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to “make markets,” are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. Because market makers provide stability to a market through their intermediary services, the significant reduction in dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty.

Bond Ratings. Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/–) to ratings categories to signify the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Investment policies that are based on ratings categories should be read to include any security within that category, without considering the modifier. Please refer to Appendix A for more information about credit ratings.

Lower-Rated Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The lower ratings reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and could limit the Fund’s ability to sell its securities at prices approximating the values the Fund had placed on such securities. In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by it, the Fund at times may be unable to establish the fair value of such securities. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. In addition, the rating assigned to a security by Moody’s or S&P (or by any other nationally recognized securities rating agency) does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the security’s market value or the liquidity of an investment in the security.

Like those of other fixed-income securities, the values of lower-rated securities fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. A decrease in interest rates will generally result in an increase in the value of the Fund’s fixed-income assets. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of the Fund’s fixed-income assets will generally decline. The values of lower-rated securities may often be affected to a greater extent by changes in general economic conditions and business conditions affecting the issuers of such securities and their industries. Negative publicity or investor perceptions may also adversely affect the values of lower-rated securities. Changes by nationally recognized securities rating agencies in their ratings of any fixed-income security and changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal may also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of portfolio securities generally will not affect income derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. However, the Advisor will monitor the investment to determine whether its retention will assist in meeting the Fund’s investment objective. Issuers of lower-rated securities are often highly leveraged, so that their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. Such issuers may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them and may be unable to repay outstanding obligations at maturity by refinancing.

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The risk of loss due to default in payment of interest or repayment of principal by such issuers is significantly greater because such securities frequently are unsecured and subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. It is possible that, under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities when the Advisor believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if they were more widely held. Under these circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, the Fund may be required to participate in various legal proceedings or take possession of and manage assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities. This could increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value. The ability of a holder of a tax-exempt security to enforce the terms of that security in a bankruptcy proceeding may be more limited than would be the case with respect to securities of private issuers. In addition, the Fund’s intention to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Code. The Code may limit the extent to which the Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets. To the extent the Fund invests in securities in the lower rating categories, the achievement of the Fund’s investment objective is more dependent on the Advisor’s investment analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in securities in the higher rating categories.

Over-the-Counter Transactions – Fixed Income Securities

The Fund may enter into OTC transactions involving fixed income securities. OTC transactions differ from exchange-traded transactions in several respects. OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation. Without the availability of a clearing corporation, OTC transaction pricing is normally done by reference to information from market makers, which information is carefully monitored by the Sub-Advisor and verified in appropriate cases. As OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a result of the insolvency of such dealer or otherwise. The Fund intends to enter into OTC transactions only with dealers which agree to, and which are expected to be capable of, entering into closing transactions with the Fund. There is also no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate an OTC transaction at any time prior to expiration.

Investment Company Securities

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies (each, an “Underlying Fund”), including open-end funds, closed-end funds, unit investment trusts (“UITs”) and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions set forth in this SAI.

Under Sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of the 1940 Act, the Fund and any companies controlled by the Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of such Underlying Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund may exceed these limits when permitted by SEC order or other applicable law or regulatory guidance, such as is the case with many ETFs.

Generally, under Sections 12(d)(1)(F) and 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act and SEC rules adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may acquire the securities of affiliated and unaffiliated Underlying Funds subject to the following guidelines and restrictions:

•

The Fund may own an unlimited amount of the securities of any registered open-end fund or registered UIT that is affiliated with the Fund, so long as any such Underlying Fund has a policy that prohibits it from acquiring any securities of registered open-end funds or registered UIT in reliance on certain sections of the 1940 Act.

•

The Fund and its “affiliated persons” may own up to 3% of the outstanding stock of any fund, subject to the following restrictions:

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the Fund and the Underlying Fund, in the aggregate, may not charge a sales load greater than the limits set forth in Rule 2830(d)(3) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) applicable to funds of funds;

ii.

each Underlying Fund is not obligated to redeem more than 1% of its total outstanding securities during any period less than 30 days; and

iii.

the Fund is obligated either to (i) seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to the Underlying Fund and to vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) to vote the shares of the Underlying Fund held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the Underlying Fund.

Acquired funds typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses as Fund shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund expenses. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The net asset value and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund.

Under certain circumstances an open-end investment company in which the Fund invests may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, instead of in cash. As a result, the Fund may hold such securities until the Advisor and/or the Sub-Advisor determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. Such disposition will impose additional costs on the Fund.

Investment decisions by the investment advisors to the registered investment companies in which the Fund invests are made independently of the Fund. At any particular time, one Underlying Fund may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another Underlying Fund. As a result, under these circumstances the Fund indirectly would incur certain transactional costs without accomplishing any investment purpose.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are pooled investment vehicles that generally seek to track the performance of specific indices. ETFs may be organized as open-end funds or as UITs. Their shares are listed on stock exchanges and can be traded throughout the day at market-determined prices.

An ETF generally issues index-based investments in aggregations of 50,000 shares known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (a) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the applicable index (the “Index”), (b) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the ETF’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the ETF, net of expenses and liabilities, and (c) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the Index and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.

Shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the ETF. To redeem shares of an ETF, an investor must accumulate enough shares of the ETF to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of ETF shares, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market for such shares. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, the portfolio will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.

The price of ETF shares is based upon (but not necessarily identical to) the value of the securities held by the ETF. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of ETF shares is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for ETF shares is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETF shares purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on such shares. There is no assurance that the requirements of the national securities exchanges necessary to maintain the listing of shares of any ETF will continue to be met.

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Derivatives

The Fund may utilize a variety of derivatives contracts, such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, both for investment purposes and for hedging purposes. Hedging involves special risks including the possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Sub-Advisor’s assessment of certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if hedging had not been used. Nonetheless, with respect to certain investment positions, the Fund may not be sufficiently hedged against market fluctuations, in which case an investment position could result in a loss greater than if the Sub-Advisor had been sufficiently hedged with respect to such position.

The Sub-Advisor will not, in general, attempt to hedge all market or other risks inherent in the Fund’s positions, and may hedge certain risks, if at all, only partially. Specifically, the Sub-Advisor may choose not, or may determine that it is economically unattractive, to hedge certain risks, either in respect of particular positions or in respect of the Fund’s overall portfolio. Moreover, it should be noted that the Fund’s portfolio always will be exposed to unidentified systematic risk factors and to certain risks that cannot be completely hedged, such as credit risk (relating both to particular securities and to counterparties). The Fund’s portfolio composition may result in various directional market risks remaining unhedged, although the Sub-Advisor may rely on diversification to control such risks to the extent that the Sub-Advisor believes it is desirable to do so.

Recent legislation calls for new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet fully known and may not be for some time. New regulations could adversely affect the value, availability and performance of certain derivative instruments, may make them more costly, and may limit or restrict their use by the Fund.

Certain additional risk factors related to derivatives are discussed below:

Derivatives Risk. Under recently adopted rules by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), transactions in some types of interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps on North American and European indices will be required to be cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house (such as CME Clearing, ICE Clearing or LCH.Clearnet), rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members, who are futures commission merchants that are members of the clearing houses and who have the appropriate regulatory approvals to engage in swap transactions. The Fund will make and receive payments owed under cleared derivatives transactions (including margin payments) through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house. In contrast to bilateral derivatives transactions, following a period of advance notice to the Fund, clearing members generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time and increases in margin above the margin that it required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions and to terminate transactions. Any such increase or termination could interfere with the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Also, the Fund is subject to execution risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Sub-Advisor expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. While the documentation in place between the Fund and its clearing members generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits specified by the clearing members in advance, the Fund could be subject to this execution risk if the Fund submits for clearing transactions that exceed such credit limits, if the clearing house does not accept the transactions for clearing, or if the clearing members do not comply with their agreement to clear such transactions. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of any increase in the value of the transaction after the time of the transaction. In addition, new regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund or increasing margin or capital requirements. If the Fund is not able to enter into a particular derivatives transaction, the Fund’s investment performance and risk profile could be adversely affected as a result.

B-13

Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk with respect to OTC derivatives may be affected by new regulations promulgated by the CFTC and SEC affecting the derivatives market. As described under “Derivatives Risk” above, some derivatives transactions will be required to be cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Clearing members are required to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, which may also invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Fund’s clearing member because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a relevant account class. Also, the clearing member transfers to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared derivatives transactions, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the clearing member. For commodities futures positions, the clearing house may use all of the collateral held in the clearing member’s omnibus account to meet a loss in that account, without regard to which customer in fact supplied that collateral. Accordingly, in addition to bearing the credit risk of its clearing member, each customer to a futures transaction also bears “fellow customer” risk from other customers of the clearing member. However, with respect to cleared swaps positions, recent regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. Because margin in respect of cleared swaps must be earmarked for specific clearing member customers, the clearing house may not use the collateral of one customer to cover the obligations of another customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing house to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing house. In addition, a clearing member may generally choose to provide to the clearing house the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of the clearing member’s customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer. The Fund is therefore subject to the risk that a clearing house will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

The Fund may invest in options on securities and stock indices. A call option entitles the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A put option entitles the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to sell specified securities during the option period. The Fund may invest in both European-style or American-style options. A European-style option is only exercisable immediately prior to its expiration. American-style options are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.

Selling Call and Put Options. The Fund may sell options to obtain, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. Such current return could be expected to fluctuate because premiums earned from an option selling program and dividend or interest income yields on portfolio securities vary as economic and market conditions change. Selling options on portfolio securities is likely to result in a higher portfolio turnover rate. The purchaser of a call option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to buy the underlying security from the seller at a specified price during a certain period. The purchaser of a put option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to sell the underlying security to the writer at a specified price during a certain period.

To terminate its position as a writer of a call or put option, the Fund could enter into a “closing purchase transaction,” which is the purchase of a call (put) on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call (put) previously sold by the Fund. The Fund would realize a gain (loss) if the premium plus commission paid in the closing purchase transaction is less (greater) than the premium it received on the sale of the option. The Fund would also realize a gain if an option it has written lapses unexercised.

B-14

Purchasing Call or Put Options. The Fund may purchase call options to protect against anticipated increases in the prices of securities. Alternatively, the Fund may purchase call options for capital appreciation. Since the premium paid for a call option is typically a small fraction of the price of the underlying security, a given amount of funds will purchase call options covering a much larger quantity of such security than could be purchased directly. By purchasing call options, the Fund could benefit from any significant increase in the price of the underlying security to a greater extent than had it invested the same amount in the security directly. However, because of the very high volatility of option premiums, the Fund would bear a significant risk of losing the entire premium if the price of the underlying security did not rise sufficiently, or if it did not do so before the option expired.

Put options may be purchased to protect against anticipated declines in the market value of either specific securities or of the Fund’s assets generally. Alternatively, put options may be purchased for capital appreciation in anticipation of a price decline in the underlying security and a corresponding increase in the value of the put option. The purchase of put options for capital appreciation involves the same significant risk of loss as described above for call options.

In any case, the purchase of options for capital appreciation would increase the Fund’s volatility by increasing the impact of changes in the market price of the underlying securities on the Fund’s net asset value per share.

Writing Call Options. The Fund may write covered call options. A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute right to acquire the security without additional cash consideration or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or cash equivalents in such amounts as held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. The writer of a call option receives a premium and gives the purchaser the right to buy the security underlying the option at the exercise price. The writer has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price during the option period. If the writer of an exchange-traded option wishes to terminate his obligation, he may effect a “closing purchase transaction.” This is accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. A writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after it has been notified of the exercise of an option.

Effecting a closing transaction in a written call option will permit the Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise price, expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other investments of the Fund. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction prior to or concurrent with the sale of the security.

The Fund will realize a gain from a closing transaction if the cost of the closing transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or if the proceeds from the closing transaction are more than the premium paid to purchase the option. The Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the cost of the closing transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or if the proceeds from the closing transaction are less than the premium paid to purchase the option. However, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss to the Fund resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.

If the Fund were assigned an exercise notice on a call it has written, it would be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to satisfy the exercise, unless it has other liquid assets that are sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the call. If the Fund has written a call, there is also a risk that the market may decline between the time the Fund has a call exercised against it, at a price which is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of exercise, and the time it is able to sell securities in its portfolio.

In addition to covered call options, the Fund may write uncovered (or “naked”) call options on securities, including shares of ETFs, and indices; however, SEC rules require that the Fund segregates assets on its books and records with a value equal to the value of the securities or the index that the holder of the option is entitled to call. Segregated securities cannot be sold while the option strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

B-15

Writing Covered Index Call Options. The Fund may sell index call options. The Fund may also execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to the option it has sold and then sell another option with either a different exercise price and/or expiration date. The Fund’s objective in entering into such closing transactions is to increase option premium income, to limit losses or to protect anticipated gains in the underlying stocks. The cost of a closing transaction, while reducing the premium income realized from the sale of the option, should be offset, at least in part, by the appreciation in the value of the underlying index, and by the opportunity to realize additional premium income from selling a new option.

When the Fund sells an index call option, it does not deliver the underlying stocks or cash to the broker through whom the transaction is effected. In the case of an exchange-traded option, the Fund establishes an escrow account. The Fund’s custodian (or a securities depository acting for the custodian) acts as the Fund’s escrow agent. The escrow agent enters into documents known as escrow receipts with respect to the stocks included in the Fund (or escrow receipts with respect to other acceptable securities). The escrow agent releases the stocks from the escrow account when the call option expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. Until such release, the underlying stocks cannot be sold by the Fund. The Fund may enter into similar collateral arrangements with the counterparty when it sells over-the-counter index call options.

When the Fund sells an index call option, it is also required to “cover” the option pursuant to requirements enunciated by the staff of the SEC. The staff has indicated that a mutual fund may “cover” an index call option by (1) owning and holding for the term of the option a portfolio of stocks substantially replicating the movement of the index underlying the call option; (2) purchasing an American-style call option on the same index with an exercise price not greater than the exercise price of the written option; or (3) establishing and maintaining for the term of the option a segregated account consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade debt securities, equal in value to the aggregate contract price of the call option (the current index value times the specific multiple). The Fund generally “covers” the index options it has sold by owning and holding stocks substantially replicating the movement of the applicable index. As an alternative method of “covering” the option, the Fund may purchase an appropriate offsetting option.

The purchaser of an index call option sold by the Fund may exercise the option at a price fixed as of the closing level of the index on exercise date. Unless the Fund has liquid assets sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the index call option, the Fund would be required to liquidate portfolio securities to satisfy the exercise. The market value of such securities may decline between the time the option is exercised and the time the Fund is able to sell the securities. For example, even if an index call which the Fund has written is “covered” by an index call held by the Fund with the same strike price, it will bear the risk that the level of the index may decline between the close of trading on the date the exercise notice is filed with the Options Clearing Corporation and the close of trading on the date the Fund exercises the call it holds or the time it sells the call, which in either case would occur no earlier than the day following the day the exercise notice was filed. If the Fund fails to anticipate an exercise, it may have to borrow from a bank (in amounts not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets) pending settlement of the sale of the portfolio securities and thereby incur interest charges. If trading is interrupted on the index, the Fund would not be able to close out its option positions.

Risks of Transactions in Options. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indices. Options may be more volatile than the underlying securities and, therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation in value than an investment in the underlying securities themselves. There are also significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objective. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options of underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or clearing corporation may not be adequate to handle current trading volume at all times; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

B-16

A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The extent to which the Fund may enter into options transactions may be limited by the requirements of the Code, for qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

OTC Options. The Fund may engage in transactions involving OTC options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to over-the-counter options. The Fund may engage a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, but if the Fund purchased an over-the-counter option, it must then rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option if the option is exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while over-the-counter options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of an over-the-counter option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes an over-the-counter option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into over-the-counter options only with dealers who will agree to and are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate an over-the-counter option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered over-the-counter call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, since the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

The SEC has taken the position that purchased over-the-counter options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written over-the-counter options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the over-the-counter option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the over-the-counter option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat over-the-counter options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of over-the-counter options, the Fund will change the treatment of such instruments accordingly.

Stock Index Options. The Fund may invest in options on indices, including broad-based security indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on other investments except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities. When a fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.

B-17

The risks of investment in options on indices may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, if a fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying index. A fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities or instruments similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, a fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities or instruments as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities or instruments held will vary from the value of the index.

Even if the Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the “timing risk” inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, a fund as the call writer will not learn of the assignment until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security or instrument, such as common stock, because there the writer’s obligation is to deliver the underlying security or instrument, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the underlying security or instrument, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds investments that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those investments against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This “timing risk” is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding security or instrument positions.

If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.

Futures and Options on Futures

The Fund may use interest rate, foreign currency, index and other futures contracts. The Fund may use options on futures contracts. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of the security or other financial instrument at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract originally was written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, physical delivery of these securities is not always made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes, as well as financial instruments, including, without limitation: U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian Dollar; the Canadian Dollar; the British Pound; the Japanese Yen; the Swiss Franc; the Mexican Peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the Euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future.

The Fund may purchase and write (sell) call and put futures options. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indexes (discussed above). A futures option gives the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price upon expiration of, or at any time during the period of, the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by the Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures commission merchant a specified amount of liquid assets (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract that is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. The Fund expects to earn taxable interest income on its initial margin deposits. The Fund, as a writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying futures contracts may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the valuation of the futures contracts underlying the written option. The Fund, as a purchaser of an option, bears the risk that the counterparties to the option may not have the ability to meet the terms of the option contract.

B-18

Futures and options on futures are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The Fund invests in futures, options on futures and other instruments subject to regulation by the CFTC in reliance upon and in accordance with CFTC Regulation 4.5. Under Regulation 4.5, if the Fund uses futures, options on futures, or swaps other than for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), the aggregate initial margin and premiums on these positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options that are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase of a new position are “in-the-money”) may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s liquidation value, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of those positions at the time may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s liquidation value (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with CFTC Regulation 4.5. Therefore, as of the date of this SAI neither the Trust nor the Fund is deemed to be a “commodity pool” or “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), and they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA.

A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin”, equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking to market”. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions. The Fund also is required to deposit and to maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option and other futures positions held by the Fund. Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (involving the same exchange, underlying security or index and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs also must be included in these calculations.

The Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a call and a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options if the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or if the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund also will segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

With respect to options and futures contracts that are cash settled, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations under the contracts (less any amounts the Fund has posted as margin), if any, rather than the full notional value. In the case of options and futures contracts that are not cash settled, the Fund will set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the contracts (less any amounts the Fund has posted as margin), while the positions are open.

Stock Index Futures

The Fund may invest in stock index futures only as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. A stock index future obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept), effectively, an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made. With respect to stock indices that are permitted investments, the Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts on the stock index for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.

B-19

Swap Transactions

The Fund may enter into interest rate, currency and index swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund may enter into these transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. Swaps may be used in conjunction with other instruments to offset interest rate, currency or other underlying risks. For example, interest rate swaps may be offset with “caps,” “floors” or “collars”. A “cap” is essentially a call option which places a limit on the amount of floating rate interest that must be paid on a certain principal amount. A “floor” is essentially a put option which places a limit on the minimum amount that would be paid on a certain principal amount. A “collar” is essentially a combination of a long cap and a short floor where the limits are set at different levels.

The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. To the extent obligations created thereby may be deemed to constitute senior securities, the Fund will maintain required collateral in a segregated account consisting of U.S. government securities or cash or cash equivalents.

Total Return Swaps. The Fund may enter into total return swap contracts for investment purposes. Total return swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of the underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or security indexes during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate of the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swaps may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market, including in cases in which there may be disadvantages associated with direct ownership of a particular security. In a typical total return equity swap, payments made by the Fund or the counterparty are based on the total return of a particular reference asset or assets (such as an equity security, a combination of such securities, or an index). That is, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a stock, basket of stocks, or stock index in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, for example, the index receiver can gain exposure to stocks making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those stocks. Total return swaps involve not only the risk associated with the investment in the underlying securities, but also the risk of the counterparty not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.

Credit Default Swaps. The Fund may enter into credit default swap transactions for investment purposes. A credit default swap may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. Credit default swaps may also be structured based on the debt of a basket of issuers, rather than a single issuer, and may be customized with respect to the default event that triggers purchase or other factors. As a seller, the Fund would generally receive an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference obligations that may have little or no value. The notional value of the credit default swap will be used to segregate liquid assets for selling protection on credit default swaps. If the Fund were a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund would recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference obligation that may have little or no value. When the Fund buys credit default swaps it will segregate an amount at least equal to the amount of any accrued premium payment obligations including amounts for early terminations. The use of swap transactions by the Fund entails certain risks, which may be different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities and other investments that are the referenced asset for the swap transaction. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index, but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all the possible market conditions. Because some swap transactions have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Certain swaps have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

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The Fund may also purchase credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of the debt of a particular issuer or basket of issuers, in which case the Fund would function as the counterparty referenced in the preceding paragraph. This would involve the risk that the investment may expire worthless and would only generate income in the event of an actual default by the issuer(s) of the underlying obligation(s) (or, as applicable, a credit downgrade or other indication of financial instability). It would also involve the risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default. The purchase of credit default swaps involves costs, which will reduce the Fund’s return.

Currency Swaps. The Fund may enter into currency swap transactions for investment purposes. Currency swaps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that they involve multiple currencies. The Fund may enter into a currency swap when it has exposure to one currency and desires exposure to a different currency. Typically the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the contract and returned at the end of the contract. In addition to paying and receiving amounts at the beginning and termination of the agreements, both sides will also have to pay in full periodically based upon the currency they have borrowed. Change in foreign exchange rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.

Interest Rate Swaps. The Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in an effort to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Fund. In such an instance, the Fund may agree to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) while a counterparty agrees to pay a floating rate (multiplied by the same notional amount). If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the Fund’s portfolio, the fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value.

Options on Swaps. The Fund may enter into options on swap agreements. An option on a swap agreement, or a “swaption,” is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. In return, the purchaser pays a “premium” to the seller of the contract. The seller of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes on the underlying swap. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. The Fund may also enter into swaptions on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether the Fund is hedging its assets or its liabilities. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. The Fund may enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its holdings, as a duration management technique, to protect against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or for any other purposes, such as for speculation to increase returns. Swaptions are generally subject to the same risks involved in the Fund’s use of options.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When the Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

OTC Derivatives Transactions

The Fund may enter into OTC derivatives transactions. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, established a new statutory framework that comprehensively regulated the OTC derivatives markets for the first time. Key Dodd-Frank Act provisions relating to OTC derivatives require rulemaking by the SEC and the CFTC, not all of which has been proposed or finalized as at the date of this SAI. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, the OTC derivatives markets were traditionally traded on a bilateral basis (so-called “bilateral OTC transactions”). Now certain OTC derivatives contracts are required to be centrally cleared and traded on exchanges or electronic trading platforms called swap execution facilities (“SEFs”).

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Bilateral OTC transactions differ from exchange-traded or cleared derivatives transactions in several respects. Bilateral OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation. Without the availability of a clearing corporation, bilateral OTC transaction pricing is normally done by reference to information from market makers, which information is carefully monitored by the Advisor and verified in appropriate cases. As bilateral OTC transactions are entered into directly with a dealer, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a result of its insolvency or otherwise. Under recently-adopted CFTC regulations, counterparties of registered swap dealers and major swap participants have the right to elect segregation of initial margin in respect of uncleared swaps. If a counterparty makes such an election, any initial margin that is posted to the swap dealer or major swap participant must be segregated in individual customer accounts held at an independent third-party custodian. In addition, the collateral may only be invested in certain categories of instruments identified in the CFTC’s regulations. Agreements covering these segregation arrangements must generally provide for consent by both the counterparty and the swap dealer or major swap participant to withdraw margin from the segregated account. Given these limitations on the use of uncleared swaps collateral, there is some likelihood that the electing counterparty will experience an increase in the costs associated with trading swaps with the relevant swap dealer or major swap participant. Certain other protections apply to a counterparty to uncleared swaps under the CFTC’s regulations even if the counterparty does not elect segregation of its initial margin. These regulations are newly adopted, and it remains unclear whether they will be effective in protecting initial margin in the manner intended in the event of significant market stress or the insolvency of a swap dealer or major swap participant.

Furthermore, a bilateral OTC transaction may only be terminated voluntarily by entering into a closing transaction with the dealer with which the Fund originally dealt. Any such cancellation may require the Fund to pay a premium to that dealer. In those cases in which the Fund has entered into a covered transaction and cannot voluntarily terminate the transaction, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying security until the transaction expires or is exercised or different cover is substituted. The Fund will seek to enter into OTC transactions only with dealers which agree to, and which are expected to be capable of, entering into closing transactions with the Fund. There is also no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate an OTC transaction at any time prior to expiration.

The requirement to execute certain OTC derivatives contracts on SEFs may offer certain advantages over traditional bilateral OTC trading, such as ease of execution, price transparency, increased liquidity and/or favorable pricing. However, SEF trading may make it more difficult and costly for the Fund to enter into highly tailored or customized transactions and may result in additional costs and risks. Market participants such as the Fund that execute derivatives contracts through a SEF, whether directly or through a broker intermediary, are required to submit to the jurisdiction of the SEF and comply with SEF and CFTC rules and regulations which impose, among other things disclosure and recordkeeping obligations. In addition, the Fund will generally incur SEF or broker intermediary fees when it trades on a SEF. The Fund may also be required to indemnify the SEF or broker intermediary for any losses or costs that may result from the Fund’s transactions on the SEF.

Short-Term Investments

The Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits. The Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits in U.S. Dollar or foreign currencies. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. The commercial banks issuing these short-term instruments which the Fund may acquire must, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. government. If the Fund holds instruments of foreign banks or financial institutions, it may be subject to additional investment risks that are different in some respects from those incurred if the Fund invests only in debt obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. See “Foreign Investments” above. Such risks include future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes by the particular country in which the issuer is located, the possible confiscation or nationalization of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which may adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on these securities.

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Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans that may be made and interest rates that may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds and the interest income generated from lending operations. General economic conditions and the quality of loan portfolios affect the banking industry.

As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are required to maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amount that they can loan to a single borrower, and are subject to regulations designed to promote financial soundness. However, such laws and regulations may not necessarily apply to foreign banks, thereby affecting the risk involved in bank obligations that the Fund may acquire.

In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under its investment strategies and policies stated above and in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in interest-bearing time deposits or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

Savings Association Obligations. The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. government.

Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

The Fund’s investment in commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are described in Appendix A.

Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations, i.e., credit risk. The Advisor or the Sub-Advisor may actively expose the Fund to credit risk. However, there can be no guarantee that the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor will be successful in making the right selections and thus fully mitigate the impact of credit risk changes on the Fund.

Government Obligations

The Fund may invest in U.S. government obligations. Such obligations include Treasury bills, certificates of indebtedness, notes and bonds. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government securities, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises.

Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored enterprises, where it is not obligated to do so. In addition, U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in market value due to fluctuations in market interest rates. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.

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Illiquid and Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including (i) securities for which there is no readily available market; (ii) securities in which the disposition would be subject to legal restrictions (so called “restricted securities”); and (iii) repurchase agreements having more than seven days to maturity. However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation. The Board has delegated to the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any security held by the Fund, although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive liquidity criteria are used, the Board has directed the Advisor and Sub-Advisor to consider to such factors as (a) frequency of trading and availability of quotations; (b) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the availability of buyers; (c) the willingness of dealers to be market makers in the security; and (d) the nature of trading activity including (i) the time needed to dispose of a position or part of a position and (ii) offer and solicitation methods. A considerable period of time may elapse between the Fund’s decision to sell such securities and the time when the Fund is able to sell them, during which time the value of the securities could decline. Illiquid securities will usually be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegate. If, through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets is invested in illiquid securities, including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the Fund will take such steps as are deemed advisable, if any, to protect liquidity.

The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act that have a readily available market usually are not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation by the Fund. However, investing in Rule 144A securities could result in increasing the level of the Fund’s illiquidity if qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities.

The Fund may purchase commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. 4(a)(2) commercial paper has substantially the same price and liquidity characteristics as commercial paper generally, except that the resale of 4(a)(2) commercial paper is limited to the institutional investor marketplace. Such a restriction on resale makes 4(a)(2) commercial paper technically a restricted security under the 1933 Act. In practice, however, 4(a)(2) commercial paper can be resold as easily as any other unrestricted security held by the Fund. Accordingly, 4(a)(2) commercial paper has been determined to be liquid under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.

Short Sales

The Fund may seek to hedge investments or realize additional gains through the use of short sales. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash and liquid securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its custodian. The Fund also may be required to pay a premium to borrow a security, which would increase the cost of the security sold short. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

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The broker-dealer will retain the net proceeds of the short sale to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out.

When the Sub-Advisor believes that the price of a particular security held by the Fund may decline, it may make “short sales against the box” to hedge the unrealized gain on such security. Selling short against the box involves selling a security which the Fund owns for delivery at a specified date in the future. The Fund will incur transaction costs to open, maintain and close short sales against the box.

To the extent the Fund sells securities short (except in the case of short sales “against the box”), it is required to segregate an amount of cash or liquid securities on its records equal to the market price of the securities sold short. The segregated assets are marked to market daily in an attempt to ensure that the amount deposited in the segregated account is at least equal to the market value of the securities sold short. Segregated securities cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar securities. As a result, there is the possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could affect its portfolio management.

Lending Portfolio Securities

Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day’s notice, or by the Fund on five business days’ notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice or fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Fund’s management to be creditworthy and when the income that can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral, and the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or consent rights that accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder’s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.

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Borrowing

The Fund may engage in limited borrowing activities. Borrowing creates an opportunity for increased return, but, at the same time, creates special risks. Furthermore, if the Fund were to engage in borrowing, an increase in interest rates could reduce the value of the Fund’s shares by increasing the Fund’s interest expense. Subject to the limitations described under “Investment Limitations” below, the Fund may be permitted to borrow for temporary purposes and/or for investment purposes. Such a practice will result in leveraging of the Fund’s assets and may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. This borrowing may be secured or unsecured. Provisions of the 1940 Act require the Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary administrative purposes. Any borrowings for temporary administrative purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets will count against this asset coverage requirement. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint if the Fund sells securities at that time. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest charges which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased, if any. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowings or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

Temporary Investments

The Fund may take temporary defensive measures that are inconsistent with the Fund’s normal fundamental or non-fundamental investment policies and strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions as determined by the Sub-Advisor. Such measures could include, but are not limited to, investments in (1) highly liquid short-term fixed income securities issued by or on behalf of municipal or corporate issuers, obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, commercial paper, and bank certificates of deposit; (2) repurchase agreements involving any such securities; and (3) other money market instruments. The Fund also may invest in shares of money market mutual funds to the extent permitted under applicable law. Money market mutual funds are investment companies, and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions. As a shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of its expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Sub-Advisor, with respect to assets so invested. The Fund may not achieve its investment objectives during temporary defensive periods.

Market Conditions

Events in certain sectors historically have resulted, and may in the future result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to: bankruptcies, corporate restructurings, and other events related to the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008; governmental efforts to limit short selling and high frequency trading; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; social, political, and economic instability in Europe; economic stimulus by the Japanese central bank; steep declines in oil prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and China’s economic slowdown. Interconnected global economies and financial markets increase the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Such events may cause significant declines in the values and liquidity of many securities and other instruments. It is impossible to predict whether such conditions will recur. Because such situations may be widespread, it may be difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of such events.

Cyber Security Risk

Investment companies, such as the Fund, and its service providers may be subject to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund or the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, the Fund’s custodian or transfer agent, or intermediaries or other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential company information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses, and cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. While the Fund and its service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems designed to prevent or reduce the impact of cyber security attacks, such plans and systems have inherent limitations due in part to the ever-changing nature of technology and cyber security attack tactics, and there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control any cyber security plans or systems implemented by its service providers.

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Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such portfolio companies to lose value.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund’s investment objective is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund may not:

Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its net assets (including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales or investing in financial futures, swaps, when-issued or delayed delivery securities, or reverse repurchase agreements.

Act as underwriter, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio;

Except with respect to the real estate industry (which for purposes of this policy includes REITs), invest 25% or more of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in any one industry (other than securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities);

Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate or real estate limited partnerships (although the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate such as REITs);

Make loans of money, except (a) for purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements or, (c) through the loan of portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s net assets; or

Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This limitation shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, or acquiring securities or other instruments, and options thereon backed by, or related to, physical commodities.

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The Fund observes the following restrictions as a matter of operating but not fundamental policy, pursuant to positions taken by federal regulatory authorities:

The Fund may not make any changes in its investment policy of investing at least 80% of its net assets under normal circumstances in the investments suggested by the Fund’s name without first providing the Fund’s shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior notice.

The Fund may not invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities that are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity.

Except with respect to borrowing, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The overall management of the business and affairs of the Trust is vested with its Board of Trustees. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the agreements with the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, co-administrators, distributor, custodian and transfer agent. The day-to-day operations of the Trust are delegated to its officers, except that the Advisor and Sub-Advisor are responsible for making day-to-day investment decisions in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, and policies, all of which are subject to general supervision by the Board.

The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their years of birth and positions with the Trust, term of office with the Trust and length of time served, their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years and other directorships held during the past five years are listed in the table below. Unless noted otherwise, each person has held the position listed for a minimum of five years. Charles H. Miller, Ashley Toomey Rabun, William H. Young and John P. Zader are all of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”).

Name, Address, Year of Birth and Position(s) held with Trust	Term of Office^c and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years and Other Affiliations	Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee^d	Other Directorships Held by the Trustee During the Past Five Years
“Independent” Trustees:
Charles H. Miller ^a (born 1947) Trustee	Since November 2007	Retired (2013 – present). Executive Vice President, Client Management and Development, Access Data, a Broadridge company, a provider of technology and services to asset management firms (1997 - 2012).	5	None.
Ashley Toomey Rabun ^a (born 1952) Trustee and Chairperson of the Board	Since November 2007	Retired (2016 – present). President and Founder, InvestorReach, Inc. a financial services consulting firm (1996 – 2015).	5	Select Sector SPDR Trust, a registered investment company (includes 10 portfolios).

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Name, Address, Year of Birth and Position(s) held with Trust	Term of Office^c and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years and Other Affiliations	Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee^d	Other Directorships Held by the Trustee During the Past Five Years
William H. Young ^a (born 1950) Trustee	Since November 2007	Retired (2014 - present). Independent financial services consultant (1996 - 2014). Interim CEO, Unified Fund Services Inc. (now Huntington Fund Services), a mutual fund service provider (2003 - 2006). Senior Vice President, Oppenheimer Management Company (1983 - 1996). Chairman, NICSA, an investment management trade association (1993-1996).	5	None.
John P. Zader ^a (born 1961) Trustee	Since November 2007	Retired (June 2014 - present). CEO, UMB Fund Services, Inc., a mutual fund and hedge fund service provider, and the transfer agent, fund accountant, and co-administrator for the Fund (December 2006 - June 2014). President, Investment Managers Series Trust (December 2007 – June 2014).	5	Investment Managers Series Trust II, a registered investment company (includes 12 portfolios).
Interested Trustee:
Eric M. Banhazl ^b† (born 1957) Trustee	Since January 2008	Chairman (2016 – present), and President (2006-2015), Mutual Fund Administration, LLC, the co-administrator for the Fund. Trustee and Vice President, Investment Managers Series Trust (December 2007– March 2016).	5	Investment Managers Series Trust II, a registered investment company (includes 12 portfolios).
Officers of the Trust:
Maureen Quill ^a (born 1963) President	Since June 2014	President (January 2018 – present), Chief Operating Officer (June 2014 – January 2018), and Executive Vice President (January 2007 – June 2014), UMB Fund Services, Inc. Vice President, Investment Managers Series Trust (December 2013 - June 2014).	N/A	N/A
Rita Dam ^b (born 1966) Treasurer and Assistant Secretary	Since December 2007	Co-Chief Executive Officer (2016 – present), and Vice President (2006 – 2015), Mutual Fund Administration, LLC.	N/A	N/A
Joy Ausili ^b (born 1966) Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer	Since March 2016	Co-Chief Executive Officer (2016 – present), and Vice President (2006 –2015), Mutual Fund Administration, LLC. Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, Investment Managers Series Trust (December 2007 – March 2016).	N/A	N/A

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Name, Address,

Year of Birth and

Position(s) held with Trust

Term of Office^c

and Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation During the Past

Five Years and Other Affiliations

Number of

Portfolios in the

Fund Complex Overseen by

Trustee^d

Other

Directorships

Held by the

Trustee

During the Past

Five Years

Diane Drake ^b

(born 1967)

Secretary

Since March 2016

Senior Counsel, Mutual Fund Administration, LLC (October 2015 – present). Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (2010 – 2015).

N/A

Martin Dziura ^b

(born 1959)

Chief Compliance Officer

Since June 2014

Principal, Dziura Compliance Consulting, LLC (October 2014 - present). Managing Director, Cipperman Compliance Services (2010 – September 2014). Chief Compliance Officer, Hanlon Investment Management (2009-2010). Vice President − Compliance, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2000 − 2009).

N/A

Address for certain Trustees and certain officers: 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212.

Address for Mr. Banhazl, Ms. Ausili, Ms. Dam and Ms. Drake: 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, California 91740.

Address for Mr. Dziura: 309 Woodridge Lane, Media, Pennsylvania 19063.

Trustees and officers serve until their successors have been duly elected.

The Trust is comprised of numerous series managed by unaffiliated investment advisors. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the series managed by the same investment advisor. The Advisor also serves as investment advisor to the AAM/ Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund, AAM/Insight Select Income Fund, AAM/HIMCO Short Duration Fund and AAM/HIMCO Global Enhanced Dividend Fund which are offered in separate prospectuses. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust, for purposes of investment and investor service.

†

Mr. Banhazl is an “interested person” of the Trust by virtue of his position with Mutual Fund Administration, LLC.

Compensation

Each Independent Trustee receives from the Trust a quarterly retainer of $30,000. Each Independent Trustee also receives $4,000 for each special in-person meeting attended and $1,000 for each telephonic meeting attended. In addition, Ms. Rabun receives an additional annual retainer of $25,000 for serving as Chairperson of the Board; and each of Mr. Young, Mr. Miller and Mr. Zader receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for serving as Audit Committee Chair, Valuation Committee Chair and Nominating, Governance and Regulatory Review Committee Chair, respectively. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.

Effective September 1, 2017, the Trustees may elect to defer payment of their compensation from the Fund pursuant to the Trust’s non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Trustees which permits the Trustees to defer receipt of all or part of their compensation from the Trust. Amounts deferred are deemed invested in shares of one or more of the funds of the Trust, as selected by the Trustee from time to time. A Trustee’s deferred compensation account will be paid in cash at such times as elected by the Trustee, subject to certain mandatory payment provisions in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

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Name of Person/Position	AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund¹	Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund’s Expenses	Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement	Total Compensation from Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees^1,2
Charles H. Miller, Independent Trustee and Valuation Committee Chair	$1,500	None	None	$8,477
Ashley Toomey Rabun, Independent Trustee and Chairperson	$1,500	None	None	$9,188
William H. Young, Independent Trustee, Audit Committee Chair	$1,500	None	None	$8,477
John P. Zader, Independent Trustee and Nominating, Governance and Regulatory Review Committee Chair	$1,500	None	None	$8,577

Estimated annual compensation for the first year.

There are currently numerous portfolios comprising the Trust. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the series managed by the same investment advisor. The Advisor also serves as investment advisor to the AAM/ Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund, AAM/Insight Select Income Fund, AAM/HIMCO Short Duration Fund and AAM/HIMCO Global Enhanced Dividend Fund which are offered in separate prospectuses. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust, for purposes of investment and investor service.

Mr. Banhazl is not compensated for his service as Trustee because of his affiliation with the Trust. Officers of the Trust are not compensated by the Fund for their services.

Additional Information Concerning the Board and the Trustees

The current Trustees were selected in November 2007 (January 2008 for Mr. Banhazl) with a view towards establishing a Board that would have the broad experience needed to oversee a registered investment company comprised of multiple series employing a variety of different investment strategies. As a group, the Board has extensive experience in many different aspects of the financial services and asset management industries.

The Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following factors, among others: character and integrity; willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; as to each Trustee other than Mr. Banhazl and Mr. Zader (at the time), satisfying the criteria for not being classified as an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Mr. Banhazl, his position with Mutual Fund Administration, LLC, one of the Trust’s co-administrators. In addition, the Trustees have the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills relevant to the operations of the Trust:

•

Ms. Rabun has substantial senior executive experience in mutual fund marketing and distribution and serving in senior executive and board positions with mutual funds, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.

•

Mr. Miller has significant senior executive experience with respect to marketing and distribution of mutual funds, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.

•

Mr. Young has broad senior executive experience with respect to the operations and management of mutual funds and administrative service providers, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.

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•

Mr. Banhazl has significant experience serving in senior executive and board positions for mutual funds and with respect to the organization and operation of mutual funds and multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.

•

Mr. Zader has substantial experience serving in senior executive positions at mutual fund administrative service providers.

In its periodic self-assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund. The summaries set forth above as to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are required by the registration form adopted by the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case.

The Board of Trustees has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating, Governance and Regulatory Review Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and the Valuation Committee.

•

The function of the Audit Committee, with respect to each series of the Trust, is to review the scope and results of the series’ annual audit and any matters bearing on the audit or the series’ financial statements and to assist the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the series’ pricing and financial reporting. The Audit Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees and is chaired by Mr. Young. It does not include any Interested Trustees. The Audit Committee is expected to meet at least twice a year with respect to each series of the Trust.

The Audit Committee also serves as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee for the Trust for the purpose of compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding alternative reporting procedures for attorneys retained or employed by an issuer who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the issuer.

•

The Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing matters pertaining to composition, committees, and operations of the Board, as well as assisting the Board in overseeing matters related to certain regulatory issues. The Nominating Committee meets from time to time as needed. The Nominating Committee will consider trustee nominees properly recommended by the Trust’s shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations that include, among other things, biographical data and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the Trust’s Secretary. The Independent Trustees comprise the Nominating Committee, and the Committee is chaired by Mr. Zader.

•

The function of the Valuation Committee is to recommend to the Board for its approval methodologies for valuing securities held by any series of the Trust for which current and reliable market quotations are not readily available; monitor prices determined by officers of the Trust pursuant to such methodologies; and approve fair valued security prices that are not determined pursuant to an approved methodology. The actions of the Valuation Committee are subsequently reviewed by the Board. The Valuation Committee is comprised of all the Trustees and is chaired by Mr. Miller, but action may be taken by any one of the Trustees. The Valuation Committee meets as needed.

Independent Trustees comprise 80% of the Board and Ashley Toomey Rabun, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairperson of the Board. The Chairperson serves as a key point person for dealings between the Trust’s management and the other Independent Trustees. As noted above, through the committees of the Board the Independent Trustees consider and address important matters involving each series of the Trust, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that its organization and leadership structure are appropriate in light of its fiduciary and oversight obligations, the special obligations of the Independent Trustees, and the relationship between the Interested Trustees and the Trust’s co-administrators. The Board also believes that its structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from management.

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Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Fund in the interests of shareholders, the Board among other things oversees risk management of the Fund’s investment programs and business affairs directly and through the Audit Committee. The Board has emphasized to the Advisor the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management programs and procedures.

The Fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. Under the overall supervision of the Board, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor and other service providers to the Fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”), the Advisor’s and Sub-Advisor’s management, and other service providers (such as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm) make periodic reports to the Board or to the Audit Committee with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Fund Shares Beneficially Owned by Trustees. Certain information regarding ownership by the Trustees of the Fund and other series of the Trust, as of the date of this SAI, is set forth in the following table.

Name of Trustee	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Charles H. Miller, Independent Trustee	None	None
Ashley Toomey Rabun, Independent Trustee	None	None
William H. Young, Independent Trustee	None	Above $100,000
John P. Zader, Independent Trustee	None	None
Eric M. Banhazl, Interested Trustee	None	Above 100,000

Control Persons, Principal Shareholders, and Management Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is under the control of the Advisor, which had voting authority with respect to 100% of the outstanding shares in the Fund on such date. However, once the Fund commences investment operations and its shares are sold to the public, this control will be diluted. The Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group did not own more than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Furthermore, neither the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate families, own securities beneficially or of record in the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, the Fund’s distributor, IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), or any of their respective affiliates.

The Advisor

Advisors Asset Management, Inc., located at 18925 Base Camp Road, Suite 203, Monument, Colorado 80132, acts as investment advisor to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Advisor is 100% owned by AAM Holdings, Inc.

Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with investment advice, makes recommendations with respect to the selection and continued employment of sub-advisors to manage the Fund’s assets, performs diligence on and monitors the Sub-Advisor, investment performance and adherence to compliance procedures, and oversees the investments made by the Sub-Advisor. The Advisor also continuously monitors the Sub-Advisor’s compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions. Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine, the Advisor is ultimately responsible for investment decisions for the Fund.

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The Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for an initial two-year period. After the initial two-year period, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund, upon giving the Advisor 60 days’ notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board, or by the Advisor on 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the Advisory Agreement, except for a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, or for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its duties under the Advisory Agreement.

In consideration of the services to be provided by the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to receive from the Fund an investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly based on an annual rate equal to a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets specified in the Prospectus.

The Sub-Advisor

The Advisor has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with Phocas Financial Corporation with respect to the Fund (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Phocas Financial Corporation is located at 980 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 106, Alameda, California 94501. Mr. William Schaff, a portfolio manager for the AAM/Phocas Real Estate Fund, is a control person of the Sub-Advisor due to his greater than 61% ownership of the Sub-Advisor.

The Advisor compensates the Sub-Advisor out of the investment advisory fees the Advisor receives from the Fund. The Sub-Advisor makes investment decisions for the assets it has been allocated to manage, subject to the overall supervision of the Advisor.

The Sub-Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for an initial two-year period. After the initial two-year period, the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund will continue in effect from year to year only as long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Sub-Advisory Agreement or interested persons of the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor or the Trust. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that the Sub-Advisor is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund’s in the absence of a disqualifying act. The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund, or by the Sub-Advisor or the Advisor, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. Additionally, the Sub-Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act) or termination of the Advisory Agreement.

Fund Expenses

The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses (all of which will be borne directly or indirectly by the Fund’s shareholders), including among others, legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Fund and the Independent Trustees; insurance (including Trustees’ and officers’ errors and omissions insurance); auditing and accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; listing fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; fees and expenses of the Fund’s custodian, administrators, transfer agents, registrars and other service providers; expenses for portfolio pricing services by a pricing agent, if any; expenses in connection with the issuance and offering of shares; expenses relating to investor and public relations; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Fund for public sale; brokerage commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio holding of the Fund; expenses of preparation and distribution of reports, notices and dividends to shareholders; expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan; compensation and expenses of Trustees; any litigation expenses; and costs of shareholders’ and other meetings. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding, as applicable, any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Class I Shares.

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The agreement is effective until April 30, 2028, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

Portfolio Managers

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers. As of December 31, 2017, certain information on other accounts managed by the Fund’s portfolio managers is set forth below.

	Registered Investment Companies		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles		Other Accounts
Portfolio Managers	Number of Accounts	Total Assets	Number of Accounts	Total Assets	Number of Accounts	Total Assets
James Murray	1	$12.5 million	0	$0	26	$12.7 million
William Schaff	3	$85.8 million	1	$50.9 million	40	$1 billion

	Number of Accounts with Advisory Fee Based on Performance
	Registered Investment Companies		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles		Other Accounts
Portfolio Managers	Number of Accounts	Total Assets	Number of Accounts	Total Assets	Number of Accounts	Total Assets
James Murray	0	$0	0	$0	0	$0
William Schaff	0	$0	0	$0	0	$0

Material Conflicts of Interest. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. Where conflicts of interest arise between the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, the Sub-Advisor will proceed in a manner that ensures that the Fund will not be treated less favorably. There may be instances where similar portfolio transactions may be executed for the same security for numerous accounts managed by the portfolio managers. In such instances, securities will be allocated in accordance with the Sub-Advisor’s trade allocation policy.

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Compensation. The portfolio managers are compensated with a salary and bonus package. The Sub-Advisor’s bonus pool is determined by the Sub-Advisor’s profits after bonuses paid to employees who are not principals of the firm. This is derived linearly from the performance of the Fund and the asset size of the Fund. The portfolio managers do not participate in a company-sponsored retirement plan but receive the standard benefits commensurate with the other employees of the firm. Portfolio managers receive deferred compensation.

Ownership of the Fund by the Portfolio Managers. The following chart sets forth the dollar range of shares owned by each portfolio manager in the Fund as December 31, 2017.

Name of Portfolio Manager	Dollar Range of Fund Shares Owned
James Murray	$50,001-$100,000
William Schaff	$100,001-$500,000

Service Providers

Pursuant to a co-administration agreement (the “Co-Administration Agreement”), UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”), 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, and Mutual Fund Administration, LLC (“MFAC”), 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, California 91740 (collectively the “Co-Administrators”), act as co-administrators for the Fund. The Co-Administrators provide certain administrative services to the Fund, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of, the Fund’s independent contractors and agents; preparing for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for compliance with applicable laws and regulations including those of the securities laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance data, including net asset value and yield; arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund; and providing, at their own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to carry out their duties. In this capacity, the Co-Administrators do not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares. The Co-Administration Agreement provides that neither Co-Administrator shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or its series, except for losses resulting from a Co-Administrator’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

Pursuant to the Co-Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the Co-Administrators a fee for administration services. The fee is payable monthly based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Because the Fund is a newly formed fund and has yet to commence operations, the Fund has not paid any fees to the Co-Administrators as of the date of this SAI.

UMBFS also acts as the Trust’s fund accountant, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent pursuant to separate agreements.

UMB Bank, n.a. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of UMBFS, is the custodian of the assets of the Fund pursuant to a custody agreement between the Custodian and the Trust, whereby the Custodian provides services for fees on a transactional basis plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Custodian’s address is 928 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The Custodian does not participate in decisions pertaining to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.

[ ], is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. Its services include auditing the Fund’s financial statements and the performance of related tax services.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (“Morgan Lewis”), 600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 1800, Costa Mesa, California 92626, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

Paul Hastings LLP (“Paul Hastings”), 101 California Street, 48^th Floor San Francisco, California 94111, serves as legal counsel to the Independent Trustees.

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Distributor and the Distribution Agreement

IMST Distributors, LLC is the distributor (also known as the principal underwriter) of the shares of the Fund, and is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of FINRA. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or any other service provider for the Fund.

Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust dated January 1, 2013 (the “Distribution Agreement”), the Distributor acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund. With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Fund and/or the Advisor, rather than the Distributor, typically enter into such agreements. These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor. These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Fund.

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The financial intermediary, and not its customers, will be the shareholder of record, although customers may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the financial intermediary. The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan is effective. The Advisor pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

The Distribution Agreement will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund on no less than 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement, or by the Distributor, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Distribution Agreement provides that 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 performance of the Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, should any amounts be retained by the Distributor, such amounts would not be held for profit by the Distributor, but instead would be used solely for distribution-related expenditures.

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Shareholder Service Plan

The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, a Shareholder Service Plan (the “Service Plan”) under which the Advisor will provide, or arrange for others (such as banks, trust companies, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (each, a “Service Organization”) to provide, certain specified non-distribution shareholder servicing functions for Fund shares owned by its respective customers, including but not limited to (a) establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to customers who invest in the Fund; (b) aggregating and processing orders involving Fund shares; (c) processing dividend and other distribution payments from the Fund on behalf of customers; (d) preparing tax reports or forms on behalf of customers; (e) forwarding communications from the Fund; (f) providing sub-accounting with respect to Fund shares; (g) providing customers with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in Fund shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; and (h) providing such other similar services as the Advisor may reasonably request to the extent it or a Service Organization is permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules or regulations. The Fund pays the Advisor or Service Organizations, as applicable, at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, payable monthly.

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Marketing and Support Payments

The Advisor, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, may provide cash payments or other compensation to certain financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. These payments are in addition to other fees described in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI, and are generally provided for shareholder services or marketing support. Payments for marketing support are typically for inclusion of the Fund on sales lists, including electronic sales platforms. Investors may wish to take these payments into account when considering and evaluating recommendations to purchase shares of the Fund.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor determine which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The purchases and sales of securities in the OTC market will generally be executed by using a broker for the transaction.

Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund also may be made directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principals for their own accounts. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other services as discussed below.

In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor and Sub-Advisor will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the broker-dealer involved, the risk in positioning the block of securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor and Sub-Advisor that they may lawfully and appropriately use in their investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor and the Sub-Advisor consider such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.

While it is the Fund’s general policy to seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to the Fund or to the Sub-Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and may be useful to the Sub-Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Sub-Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Sub-Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the Fund.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other client accounts that may be managed or advised by the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times, identical securities will be acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts. In such event, the position of the Fund and such client accounts in the same issuer may vary and the holding period may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time as the Advisor’s or the Sub-Advisor’s other client accounts.

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The Fund does not effect securities transactions through brokers in accordance with any formula, nor do the Fund effect securities transactions through brokers for selling shares of the Fund. However, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may affect the purchase of the Fund’s shares for their customers.

Holdings of Securities of the Fund’s Regular Brokers or Dealers

From time to time, the Fund may acquire and hold securities issued by its “regular brokers or dealers” or the parents of those brokers or dealers. “Regular brokers or dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year, (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Fund’s portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of the portfolio transactions of the Fund, or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Fund’s shares. Any securities of any “regular brokers or dealers” held by the Fund during a fiscal year will be disclosed by the Fund after the end of such fiscal year.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Sub-Advisor, investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to higher transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions. To the extent net short-term capital gains are realized, any distributions resulting from such gains will generally be taxed at ordinary income tax rates for federal income tax purposes. The portfolio turnover rate for the Predecessor Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 was 25%.

PROXY VOTING POLICY

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Trust Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegates the responsibility for voting the Fund’s proxies to the Advisor and/or Sub-Advisor, as applicable, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Trust Policies require that the Advisor and Sub-Advisor vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund. The Trust Policies also require the Advisor and Sub-Advisor to present to the Board, at least annually, the Advisor’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Advisor Policies”), the Sub-Advisor’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Sub-Advisor Policies”) and a record of each proxy voted by the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Advisor and Sub-Advisor as involving a conflict of interest. See Appendix B for the Trust Policies and Advisor Policies, the Sub-Advisor Policies. The Trust Policies and the Advisor Policies are intended to serve as guidelines and to further the economic value of each security held by the Fund. The Trust’s CCO will review the Trust Policies and Advisor Policies annually. Each proxy will be considered individually, taking into account the relevant circumstances at the time of each vote.

If a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Advisor’s interests, the Sub-Advisor’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Advisor and Sub-Advisor will resolve the conflict by following the Advisor’s or Sub-Advisor’s policy guidelines or the recommendation of an independent third party.

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The Fund is required to annually file Form N-PX, which lists the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the 12-month period ending June 30 of each year. Once filed, the Fund’s proxy voting record will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-888-966-9661 and on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). In order to ensure compliance with this law, the Program provides for the development and implementation of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Distributor and the Fund’s transfer agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity, checking shareholder names against designated government lists, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings information (the “Disclosure Policy”). The Board of Trustees determined that the adoption of the Disclosure Policy, including the disclosure permitted therein, was in the best interests of the Trust. The Disclosure Policy applies to the Fund, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, and other internal parties involved in the administration, operation or custody of the Fund, including, but not limited to UMBFS, MFAC, the Board of Trustees, counsel to the Trust, Morgan Lewis, counsel to the Independent Trustees, Paul Hastings, and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, [ ] (collectively, the “Service Providers”). Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, non-public information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to its Service Providers only if such disclosure is consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the fiduciary duties owed by the Fund and the Advisor to the Fund’s shareholders. The Fund and the Service Providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Advisor, Sub-Advisor or any affiliated person of the Advisor or Sub-Advisor) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Fund. The Fund’s Disclosure Policy is implemented and overseen by the CCO of the Trust, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Trust’s Board.

Portfolio holdings information will be deemed public when it has been (1) posted to the Fund’s public website (www.aamlive.com/publicsite/mutual-funds) or (2) disclosed in periodic regulatory filings on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Management of the Fund may make publicly available the Fund’s top ten portfolio holdings as of the most recent calendar quarter end on the Fund’s public website no earlier than five days after the date of such information (e.g., information as of January 31 may be made available no earlier than February 5).

Non-Public Portfolio Holdings Information Policy. All portfolio holdings information that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally as described above is considered non-public portfolio holdings information for the purposes of the Disclosure Policy. Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, the Fund or its Service Providers may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to certain third parties who fall within pre-authorized categories on a daily basis, with no lag time unless otherwise specified below. These third parties include: (i) the Fund’s Service Providers and others who need access to such information in the performance of their contractual or other duties and responsibilities to the Fund (e.g., custodians, accountants, the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, administrators, attorneys, officers and Trustees) and who are subject to duties of confidentiality imposed by law or contract, (ii) brokers who execute trades for the Fund, (iii) evaluation service providers (as described below) and (iv) shareholders receiving in-kind redemptions (as described below).

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Evaluation Service Providers. These third parties include mutual fund evaluation services, such as Morningstar, Inc. and Lipper, Inc., if the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for disclosing the information, provided that the third party expressly agrees to maintain the non-public portfolio holdings information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public portfolio holdings information. Subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the Fund or its authorized Service Providers and the third party, if these conditions for disclosure are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings information is released, and no lag period shall apply. In addition, persons who owe a duty of trust or confidence to the Fund or their Service Providers (such as legal counsel) may receive non-public portfolio holdings information without entering into a non-disclosure agreement.

Shareholder In-Kind Distributions. The Fund may, in certain circumstances, pay redemption proceeds to a shareholder by an in-kind distribution of portfolio securities (instead of cash). In such circumstances, pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, Fund shareholders may receive a complete listing of the portfolio holdings of the Fund up to seven (7) calendar days prior to making the redemption request provided that they represent orally or in writing that they agree to maintain the confidentiality of the portfolio holdings information and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public holdings information.

Other Entities. Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, the Fund or the Advisor may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to a third party who does not fall within the pre-approved categories, and who are not executing broker-dealers; however, prior to the receipt of any non-public portfolio holdings information by such third party, the recipient must have entered into a non-disclosure agreement and the disclosure arrangement must have been approved by the CCO of the Trust. The CCO will report to the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis regarding any recipients of non-public portfolio holdings information approved pursuant to this paragraph. There are no other ongoing arrangements as of the date of this SAI.

The Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and their affiliates may provide investment advice to clients other than the Fund that have investment objectives that may be substantially similar to those of the Fund. These clients also may have portfolios consisting of holdings substantially similar to those of the Fund and generally have access to current portfolio holdings information for their accounts. These clients do not owe the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, or the Fund a duty of confidentiality with respect to disclosure of their portfolio holdings.

Current Arrangements Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. As of the date of this SAI, the Trust or the Fund has ongoing business arrangements with the following entities which involve making portfolio holdings information available to such entities as an incidental part of the services they provide to the Trust: (i) the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor, the Co-Administrators and the Custodian pursuant to investment management, administration and custody agreements, respectively, under which the Trust’s portfolio holdings information is provided daily on a real-time basis (i.e., with no time lag); (ii) [ ](independent registered public accounting firm), Morgan Lewis and Paul Hastings (attorneys) and other professionals engaged by the Trust to whom the Trust provides portfolio holdings information on a regular basis with varying lag times after the date of the information; and (iii) Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Inc., Thomson Financial, Vickers Stock Research Corporation, and Bloomberg L.P., to which the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is provided quarterly after the end of the previous fiscal quarter, with a 60-day time lag and no earlier than the date such information is filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system on Form N-Q (for the first and third fiscal quarters) or the Annual or Semi-Annual Report is mailed to shareholders (for the second and fourth fiscal quarters), as applicable.

Portfolio holdings are disclosed on a daily basis to BlackRock Solutions, TerraNua/MyComplianceOffice, FactSet Research Systems Inc., Glass Lewis & Co., Markit Group (Quantitative Services Group LLC), Advent, and Institutional Shareholder Services. Portfolio holdings are disclosed to J.P. Morgan Securities on a monthly basis, with a lag time of five calendar days. Portfolio holdings are disclosed to Barclays Capital Inc. (POINT software), CADIS Software Limited, Citigroup (Yield Book software) and TATA Consulting periodically, as needed, with no delay. Cognizant Technology Solutions and SS&C Technologies are information technology consultants that may access daily holdings information as needed.

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset values per share (the “NAVs”) of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate and are determined as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the normal close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If, for example, the NYSE closes at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Fund’s NAVs would still be determined as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. In this example, portfolio securities traded on the NYSE would be valued at their closing prices unless the Trust’s Valuation Committee determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events. The NAVs may be calculated earlier if permitted by the SEC. The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. The most recent announcement indicates that the NYSE will not be open for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, the NYSE may close on days not included in that announcement.

The NAV of each class of the Fund is computed by dividing (a) the difference between the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets and the amount of the Fund’s expenses and liabilities attributable to the class by (b) the number of shares outstanding in that class (assets – liabilities / # of shares = NAV). Each NAV takes into account all of the expenses and fees of that class of the Fund, including management fees and administration fees, which are accrued daily.

Net Assets	=	NAV
Shares Outstanding

Generally, the Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Sub-Advisor and the Trust’s Valuation Committee pursuant to procedures approved by or under the direction of the Board. Pursuant to those procedures, the Board considers, among other things: 1) the last sale price on the securities exchange, if any, on which a security is primarily traded; 2) the mean between the bid and ask prices; 3) price quotations from an approved pricing service (which use information provided by market makers or estimates of market value based on similar securities), and 4) other factors as necessary to determine a fair value under certain circumstances.

The Fund’s securities which are traded on securities exchanges are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any reported sales, at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices.

Securities that are traded on more than one exchange are valued on the exchange determined by the Advisor to be the primary market. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (“NASDAQ”), National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has not been any sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and ask prices. OTC securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the most recent trade price.

Stocks that are “thinly traded” or events occurring when a foreign market is closed but the NYSE is open (for example, the value of a security held by the Fund has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded) may create a situation where a market quote would not be readily available. When a market quote is not readily available, the security’s value is based on “fair value” as determined by procedures adopted by the Board. The Board will periodically review the reliability of the Fund’s fair value methodology. The Fund may hold portfolio securities, such as those traded on foreign securities exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the Fund’s shares are not priced. Therefore, the value of the Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.

Short-term debt obligations with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at current market prices, as discussed above. Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are, unless conditions indicate otherwise, amortized to maturity based on their cost to the Fund if acquired within 60 days of maturity or, if already held by the Fund on the 60^th day, based on the value determined on the 61^st day.

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All other assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as the Board in good faith deems appropriate to reflect as their fair value.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

Detailed information on the purchase and redemption of shares is included in the Fund’s Prospectus. Shares of the Fund are sold at the next offering price calculated after receipt of an order for purchase. In order to purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest the initial minimum investment for the relevant class of shares. However, the Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive the minimum initial investment amount for certain investors, or to waive or reduce the minimum initial investment for 401(k) plans or other tax-deferred retirement plans. You may purchase shares on any day that the NYSE is open for business by placing orders with the Fund.

The Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase requests, particularly those that would not be in the best interests of the Fund or its shareholders and could adversely affect the Fund or its operations. This includes those from any individual or group who, in the Fund’s view, is likely to engage in or has a history of excessive trading (usually defined as more than four round-trip transactions out of the Fund within a calendar year). Furthermore, the Fund may suspend the right to redeem its shares or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven calendar days (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted; (ii) for any period during which an emergency exists affecting the sale of the Fund’s securities or making such sale or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, if shares are purchased using a check and a redemption is requested before the check has cleared, the Fund may postpone payment of the redemption proceeds up to 15 days while the Fund waits for the check to clear.

Redemptions In Kind

The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1 committing to pay in cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the rule (the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) 1% of the Fund’s assets). The Fund has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares in excess of the amounts specified by the rule, either totally or partially, by an in-kind distribution of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities so distributed would be valued at the same amounts as those assigned to them in calculating the NAV for the Fund shares being redeemed. If a shareholder receives an in-kind distribution, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.

The Fund does not intend to hold any significant percentage of its portfolio in illiquid securities, although the Fund, like virtually all mutual funds, may from time to time hold a small percentage of securities that are illiquid. In the unlikely event the Fund were to elect to make an in-kind redemption, the Fund expects that it would follow the normal protocol of making such distribution by way of a pro rata distribution based on its entire portfolio. If the Fund held illiquid securities, such distribution may contain a pro rata portion of such illiquid securities or the Fund may determine, based on a materiality assessment, not to include illiquid securities in the in-kind redemption. The Fund does not anticipate that it would ever selectively distribute a greater than pro rata portion of any illiquid securities to satisfy a redemption request. If such securities are included in the distribution, shareholders may not be able to liquidate such securities and may be required to hold such securities indefinitely. Shareholders’ ability to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind may be restricted by resale limitations or substantial restrictions on transfer imposed by the issuers of the securities or by law. Shareholders may only be able to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind at a substantial discount from their value, and there may be higher brokerage costs associated with any subsequent disposition of these securities by the recipient.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal (and, where noted, state and local) income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussion is very general. Current and prospective shareholders are therefore urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

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The Fund is treated as a separate entity from other series of the Trust for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has elected (or intends to elect) to be, and intends to qualify each year for treatment as, a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code by complying with all applicable requirements of the Code, including, among other things, requirements as to the sources of the Fund’s income, diversification of the Fund’s assets and timing of Fund distributions. To so qualify, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) 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” (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, in the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships;” and (c) distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year).

As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders provided that it satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. In order to also avoid liability for a non-deductible federal excise tax, the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 98.2% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period generally ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate tax rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders. The Fund’s policy is to distribute to its shareholders all investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and any net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to any federal income or excise taxes.

If, for any taxable year, the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company or were to fail to meet certain minimum distribution requirements under the Code, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so the Fund might incur significant Fund-level taxes and might be forced to dispose of certain assets. If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.

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Shareholders generally will be subject to federal income taxes on distributions made by the Fund whether paid in cash or additional shares. Distributions of net investment income (including interest, dividend income and net short-term capital gain in excess of any net long-term capital loss, less certain expenses), other than qualified dividend income, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of qualified dividend income generally will be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at the federal income tax rates applicable to net capital gain, provided the Fund reports the amount distributed as qualified dividend income.

In general, dividends may be reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income generally means dividend income received from the Fund’s investments in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and its shareholders. If 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (calculated without taking into account net capital gain derived from sales or other dispositions of stock or securities) consists of qualified dividend income, the Fund may report all distributions of such income as qualified dividend income.

A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States or it is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the United States and meets certain additional requirements. Certain foreign corporations that are not otherwise qualified foreign corporations will be treated as qualified foreign corporations with respect to dividends paid by them if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Passive foreign investment companies are not qualified foreign corporations for this purpose. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs generally do not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.

Dividends paid by the Fund may qualify in part for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders, provided the Fund reports the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend and certain holding period and other requirements under the Code are satisfied. The reported amount, however, cannot exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year. Eligibility for qualified dividend income treatment and the dividends-received deduction may be reduced or eliminated if, among other things, (i) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property or (ii) certain holding period requirements are not satisfied at both the Fund and shareholder levels. In addition, qualified dividend income treatment is not available if a shareholder elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest.

Distributions of net capital gain, if any, that the Fund reports as capital gain dividends will be taxable to non-corporate shareholders as long-term capital gain without regard to how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. The Fund may retain certain amounts of capital gains and designate them as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amounts so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the Fund on those undistributed amounts against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their federal income tax basis in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amounts of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits.

Distributions in excess of earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares. A distribution treated as a return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, which will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or a decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on a later sale of such shares. After the shareholder’s basis is reduced to zero, any distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as a capital gain, assuming the shareholder holds his or her shares as capital assets.

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A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes, interest, dividends and certain capital gains (among other categories of income) are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder’s net investment income.

Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to a 1.4% tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends and capital gain distributions, and certain gains from the disposition of Fund shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder’s net investment income.

Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared. Distributions are includable in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for the federal alternative minimum tax. In addition, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated for certain purposes as paid by the Fund during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made. For purposes of calculating the amount of a regulated investment company’s undistributed income and gain subject to the 4% excise tax described above, such “spilled back” dividends are treated as paid by the regulated investment company when they are actually paid.

A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or loss. The gain or loss will generally be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year, and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized upon redemption or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during such six-month period. Any loss realized upon a redemption may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the Fund or substantially identical stock or securities are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. The fact that a loss is so reportable does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.

The Fund’s transactions in options and other similar transactions, such as futures, may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, affect the character of any income realized by the Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, affect the holding period of the Fund’s securities, affect whether distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction or be treated as qualified dividend income and affect the determination of whether capital gain and loss is characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions may also require the Fund to “mark-to-market” certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. The Fund will monitor these transactions and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records, and if the Fund deems it advisable, will make appropriate elections if available in order to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and minimize the imposition of U.S. federal income and excise taxes.

The Fund’s transactions in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange-traded options on such indices and certain other futures contracts are generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Any unrealized gains or losses on such Section 1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable year. The resulting gain or loss is treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section 1256 contracts is treated in the same manner. As noted above, distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income while distributions of net long-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held shares of the Fund.

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The Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts, such as futures, could be treated as the constructive sale of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.

If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such accrued income to shareholders to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities (potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to undertake leverage by borrowing cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements. Dispositions of portfolio securities may result in additional gains and additional distribution requirements.

If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the extent of the accrued market discount, unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues as discussed above. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond).

The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. So long as the Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company and incurs “qualified foreign taxes,” if more than 50% of its net assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of such foreign taxes paid. If this election is made, information with respect to the amount of the foreign income taxes that are allocated to the Fund’s shareholders will be provided to them and any shareholder subject to tax on dividends will be required (i) to include in ordinary gross income (in addition to the amount of the taxable dividends actually received) his/her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid that are attributable to such dividends; and (ii) either to deduct his/her proportionate share of such foreign taxes in computing his/her taxable income or to claim that amount as a foreign tax credit (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. income taxes.

Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes will not be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their shares of such taxes in gross income if the Fund makes the election described above. Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes, such as stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. No deduction for such taxes will be permitted to individuals in computing their alternative minimum tax liability.

If the Fund makes the election to pass through qualified foreign taxes and a shareholder chooses to take a credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken that the shareholder’s taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder’s entire taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term and short-term capital gains the Fund realizes and distributes to shareholders will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor will distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of the Code or of any other income realized by the Fund that is deemed, under the Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the Fund. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder’s particular tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If the Fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to shareholders. The Fund generally may deduct any foreign taxes that are not passed through to its shareholders in computing its income available for distribution to shareholders to satisfy applicable tax distribution requirements. Under certain circumstances, if the Fund receives a refund of foreign taxes paid in respect of a prior year, the value of the Fund’s shares could be reduced, or any foreign tax credits or deductions passed through to shareholders in respect of the Fund’s foreign taxes for the current year could be reduced.

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Foreign exchange gains or losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains or losses to be treated as ordinary gain or loss and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

The Fund may purchase the securities of certain foreign companies called passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). PFICs may be the only or primary means by which the Fund may invest in some countries. If the Fund invests in PFICs, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend to shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on either the Fund or shareholders with respect to deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Capital gains on the sale of such holdings will be deemed to be ordinary income regardless of how long such PFICs are held. A “qualified electing fund” election or a “mark to market” election may generally be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments. Under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain income derived by the Fund for a taxable year from a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a qualified electing fund election would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% test described above, only to the extent the PFIC makes distributions in respect of that income to the Fund for that taxable year. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

If a sufficient percentage of the interests in a foreign issuer are held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”) with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund will be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer’s income, whether or not such amounts are distributed. The Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to meet its distribution requirements and avoid Fund-level taxes. Under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain income derived by the Fund from a CFC for a taxable year would generally constitute qualifying income only to the extent the CFC makes distributions in respect of that income to the Fund for that taxable year. In addition, some Fund gains on the disposition of interests in such an issuer may be treated as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.

Non-U.S. persons are subject to U.S. tax on disposition of a “United States real property interest” (a “USRPI”). Gain on such a disposition is sometimes referred to as “FIRPTA gain.” The Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of “FIRPTA gain” if certain requirements are met. If the look-through rule applies, certain distributions attributable to income received by the Fund, e.g., from REITs, may be treated as gain from the disposition of a USRPI, causing distributions to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at rates of up to 21%, and requiring non-U.S. shareholders to file nonresident U.S. income tax returns.

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Noncorporate taxpayers are generally eligible for a deduction of up to 20% of “qualified REIT dividends.” The Fund will not be able to claim such a deduction in respect of any REIT dividends it receives, and shareholders will not be able to claim such a deduction in respect of Fund dividends attributable to any REIT dividends.

The Fund is required to withhold (as “backup withholding”) a portion of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges or repurchases of Fund shares, paid to shareholders who have not complied with certain IRS regulations. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must certify on IRS Forms W-9 or on certain other documents, that the Social Security Numbers or other Taxpayer Identification Numbers they provide are their correct numbers and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that a number provided is incorrect or that backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.

Ordinary dividends and certain other payments made by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or similar form certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides an IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate).

The 30% withholding tax described in the preceding paragraph generally will not apply to distributions of net capital gain, to redemption proceeds, or to dividends that the Fund reports as (a) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified net interest income,” or (b) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified short-term gain.” “Qualified net interest income” is the Fund’s net income derived from U.S.-source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. “Qualified short-term gain” generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of the Fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. In order to qualify for an exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form). Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that are subject to this 30% withholding tax.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to the Fund’s distributions and, after December 31, 2018, to redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the United States and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

This discussion and the related discussion in the Prospectus have been prepared by management of the Fund, and counsel to the Trust has expressed no opinion in respect thereof.

Shareholders and prospective shareholders of the Fund should consult their own tax advisors concerning the effect of owning shares of the Fund in light of their particular tax situations.

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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund will receive income in the form of dividends and interest earned on its investments in securities. This income, less the expenses incurred in its operations, is the Fund’s net investment income, substantially all of which will be declared as dividends to the Fund’s shareholders.

The amount of income dividend payments by the Fund is dependent upon the amount of net investment income received by the Fund from its portfolio holdings, is not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the Board. The Fund does not pay “interest” or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its shares.

The Fund also may derive capital gains or losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Any net gain the Fund may realize from transactions involving investments held for less than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing short-term capital gains and losses (taking into account any available carryover of capital losses), although a distribution from capital gains, will be distributed to shareholders with and as a part of the income dividends paid by the Fund and will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. If during any year the Fund realizes a net gain on transactions involving investments held for more than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing long-term capital gains and losses, the Fund will have a net long-term capital gain. After deduction of the amount of any net short-term capital loss, the balance (to the extent not offset by any capital losses available to be carried over) generally will be distributed and treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time the Fund’s shares may have been held by the shareholders. For more information concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, see your tax advisor.

Any dividend or distribution paid by the Fund reduces the Fund’s NAVs on the date paid by the amount of the dividend or distribution per share. Accordingly, a dividend or distribution paid shortly after a purchase of shares by a shareholder will generally be taxable, even if it effectively represents a partial return of the shareholder’s capital.

Dividends and other distributions will be made in the form of additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions by notifying the transfer agent in writing, but any such change will be effective only as to dividends and other distributions for which the record date is seven or more business days after the transfer agent has received the written request.

The Fund’s investments in partnerships, if any, including in qualified publicly traded partnerships, may result in that Fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Investment Managers Series Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 15, 2005. The Trust has a number of outstanding series of shares of beneficial interest, each of which represents interests in a separate portfolio of securities.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create additional series of shares, to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of each series, including the Fund, and to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series. The assets belonging to a series are charged with the liabilities in respect of that series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that series only. Therefore, any creditor of any series may look only to the assets belonging to that series to satisfy the creditor’s debt. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as pertaining to any particular series are allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among the existing series in the sole discretion of the Trustees. Each share of the Fund represents an interest in the Fund proportionately equal to the interest of each other share. Upon the Fund’s liquidation, all shareholders would share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders.

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The Trust may offer more than one class of shares of any series. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional series or classes. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class.

The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of the Trust which are not attributable to a specific series or class, are allocated among all the series in a manner believed by management of the Trust to be fair and equitable. Shares issued do not have pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that only affect a particular series or class, such as the approval of distribution plans for a particular class.

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but will hold special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the judgment of the Board, it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote. Shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to communicate with other shareholders in connection with requesting a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees. Shareholders also have, in certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees without a meeting. No material amendment may be made to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each portfolio affected by the amendment.

The Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that, at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class, a shareholder servicing agent may vote any shares as to which such shareholder servicing agent is the agent of record for shareholders who are not represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, proportionately in accordance with the votes cast by holders of all shares of that portfolio otherwise represented at the meeting in person or by proxy as to which such shareholder servicing agent is the agent of record.

Any shares so voted by a shareholder servicing agent will be deemed represented at the meeting for purposes of quorum requirements. Any series or class may be terminated (i) upon the merger or consolidation with, or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity, if approved by the vote of the holders of two-thirds of its outstanding shares, except that if the Board recommends such merger, consolidation or sale or disposition of assets, the approval by vote of the holders of a majority of the series’ or class’ outstanding shares will be sufficient, or (ii) by the vote of the holders of a majority of its outstanding shares, or (iii) by the Board by written notice to the series’ or class’ shareholders. Unless each series and class is so terminated, the Trust will continue indefinitely.

Shareholders may send communications to the Board. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Board by addressing the communications to the Board, in care of the Secretary of the Trust and sending the communication to 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, California 91740. A shareholder communication must (i) be in writing and be signed by the shareholder, (ii) provide contact information for the shareholder, (iii) identify the Fund to which it relates, and (iv) identify the class and number of shares held by the shareholder. The Secretary of the Trust may, in good faith, determine that a shareholder communication should not be provided to the Board because it does not reasonably relate to the Trust or its operations, management, activities, policies, Service Providers, Board, officers, shareholders or other matters relating to an investment in the Fund or is otherwise immaterial in nature. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management's discretion based on the matters contained therein.

The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability in connection with the assets or affairs of the Trust or any of its series except for losses in connection with his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The Trust has also entered into an indemnification agreement with each Trustee which provides that the Trust shall advance expenses and indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee in certain circumstances against any expenses incurred by the Trustee in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Trustee's service to the Trust, to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and which provides for certain procedures in connection with such advancement of expenses and indemnification

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The Trust’s Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities.

The Declaration of Trust does not require the issuance of stock certificates. If stock certificates are issued, they must be returned by the registered owners prior to the transfer or redemption of shares represented by such certificates.

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that as to any investment company which has two or more series outstanding and as to any matter required to be submitted to shareholder vote, such matter is not deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the rule) of the voting securities of each series affected by the matter. Such separate voting requirements do not apply to the election of Trustees or the ratification of the selection of accountants. The Rule contains special provisions for cases in which an advisory contract is approved by one or more, but not all, series. A change in investment policy may go into effect as to one or more series whose holders so approve the change even though the required vote is not obtained as to the holders of other affected series.

The Trust, the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, [ ], audits and reports on the Fund’s annual financial statements. The financial statements include the “Schedule of Investments”, “Statement of Assets and Liabilities”, “Statement of Operations”, “Statements of Changes in Net Assets”, “Financial Highlights” and “Notes to Financial Statements”. The Fund has adopted the financial statements of the Predecessor Fund. Those financial statements were audited by the Predecessor Fund’s registered public accounting firm.

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APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Standard & Poor’s Corporation

A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

Long-Term Debt

An S&P corporate or municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees. The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances. The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Investment Grade

AAA

Debt rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

Debt rated “AA” has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

Debt rated “A” has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB

Debt rated “BBB” is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

Speculative Grade Rating

Debt rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC” and “C” is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics these are outweighed by major uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

Debt rated “BB” has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The “BB” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “BBB” rating.

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Debt rated “B” has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The “B” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “BB” or “BB” rating.

CCC

Debt rated “CCC” has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The “CCC” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “B” or “B” rating.

The rating “CC” typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “CCC” debt rating.

The rating “C” typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied “CCC” debt rating. The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

The rating “CI” is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

Debt rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P 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 if debt service payments are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Provisional Ratings: The letter “p” indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The investor should exercise judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

The letter “r” is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities whose principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and principal only mortgage securities. The absence of an “r” symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.

The letter “L” indicates that the rating pertains to the principal amount of those bonds to the extent that the underlying deposit collateral is Federally insured by the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation* In the case of certificates of deposit the letter “L” indicates that the deposit, combined with other deposits being held in the same right and capacity will be honored for principal and accrued pre-default interest up to the Federal insurance limits within 30 days after closing of the insured institution or, in the event that the deposit is assumed by a successor insured institution, upon maturity.

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Indicates no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

Commercial Paper

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. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from “A-1” for the highest quality obligations to “D” for the lowest. These categories are as follows:

A-1

This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2

Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated “A-1.”

Continuance of the rating is contingent upon S&P’s receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flow.

A-3

Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

Issues rated “B” are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.

This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

Debt rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when interest payments or principal Payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.

A commercial rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable.

S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.

Preferred Securities

AAA

This is the highest rating that may be assigned to a preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.

AA A

preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high quality fixed income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.

An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB

An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. Although it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for preferred stock in this category for issues in the A category.

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As issue rated BB is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay the preferred stock obligation. While such issues will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, they are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

Long-Term Debt

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for corporate and municipal long-term debt:

Aaa

Bonds 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 issuer.

Bonds 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 risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities.

Bonds 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 sometime in the future.

Baa

Bonds considered 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, B, Caa, Ca,

and C Bonds that possess one of these ratings provide questionable protection of interest and principal (“Ba” indicates some speculative elements; “B” indicates a general lack of characteristics of desirable investment; “Caa” represents a poor standing; “Ca” represents obligations which are speculative in a high degree; and “C” represents the lowest rated class of bonds). “Caa,” “Ca” and “C” bonds may be in default.

Con. (---)

Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.

(P)

When applied to forward delivery bonds, indicates that the rating is provisional pending delivery of the bonds. The rating may be revised prior to delivery if changes occur in the legal documents or the underlying credit quality of the bonds.

B-57

Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody’s believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols, Aa1, A1, Ba1 and B1.

Short-Term Loans

MIG 1/VMIG 1

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.

MIG 2/VMIG 2

This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3

This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

MIG 4/VMIG 4

This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.

S.G.

This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt instruments in this category lack margins of protection.

Commercial Paper

Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

Leading market positions in well-established industries.

High rates of return on Funds employed.

Conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory 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. Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Preferred Securities Ratings

aaa

Preferred stocks which are rated “aaa” are considered to be top quality. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.

B-58

Preferred stocks which are rated “aa” are considered to be high grade. This rating indicates that there is reasonable assurance that earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

Preferred stocks which are rated “a” are considered to be upper-medium grade. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the “aaa” and “aa” classifications, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

baa

Preferred stocks which are rated “baa” are judged lover-medium grade, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

Preferred stocks which are rated “ba” are considered to have speculative elements and their future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

B-59

APPENDIX B
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE TRUST,
ADVISOR AND SUB-ADVISOR

INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders.

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisors

The Board believes that the investment advisor of each Fund (each an “Advisor” and, collectively, the “Advisors”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Advisor of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

The Trust hereby designates the Advisor of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Advisor shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Advisor shall perform these duties in accordance with the Advisor’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Advisor shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders

If a Fund or an Advisor has a web site, a copy of the Advisor’s proxy voting policy and this Policy may be posted on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

Each Advisor shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as advisor, to the Trust’s co-administrator within 30 days after June 30 of each year. The Trust’s co-administrator, MFAC, will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31^st of each year.

B-60

Advisors Asset Management, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policy

Advisors Asset Management, Inc., as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients. Our firm maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our firm’s proxy policies and practices. Our policy and practice includes the responsibility to monitor corporate actions, receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as making information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.

Our firm votes Proxies for primary accounts and may vote for Sub-Advised accounts if so contracted for by the primary advisor, including some ERISA accounts. That is, unless the authority to vote has been expressly (and properly) reserved or delegated to another fiduciary in accordance with ERISA, the fiduciary who is responsible for the management of securities held by a plan will also be responsible for voting those securities.

Background

Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.

Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser's interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser's proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.

Responsibility

Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management (see Schedule X), has the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy voting policy, practices, disclosures and record keeping, including outlining our voting guidelines in our procedures.

Procedure

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. has adopted procedures to implement the department's policy and conducts reviews to monitor and ensure the department's policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:

Voting Procedures

•

All employees will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of clients to Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management;

•

Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management will determine which client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates;

•

Absent material conflicts, Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management, or designee, will determine how Advisors Asset Management, Inc. should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy and vote the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.

Disclosure

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will provide required disclosures in response to Item 17 of Form ADV Part 2A summarizing this proxy voting policy and procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how Advisors Asset Management, Inc. voted a client’s proxies, and that clients may request a copy of the firm's proxy policies and procedures.

B-61

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. uses ProxyEdge, a third party proxy voting platform, to aid in the voting process as well as record maintenance. Votes are submitted through the platform in accordance with Advisors Asset Management, Inc. written voting policies and procedures. Voting records are maintained through the platform in accordance with Advisors Asset Management, Inc. written policies and procedures.

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. or designee, will also send a copy of this summary to all existing clients who have previously received Advisors Asset Management, Inc. Form ADV Part 2; or Sr. Executive Vice President or designee, Asset Management, may send each client the amended Form ADV Part 2.

Client Requests for Information

•

All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any employee should be forwarded to Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management or Designee.

•

In response to any request Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management, or designee, will prepare a written response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how Advisors Asset Management, Inc. voted the client's proxy with respect to each proposal about which client inquired.

Voting Guidelines

•

In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client. Advisors Asset Management, Inc.'s policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions from a client. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on Advisors Asset Management, Inc.'s voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities.

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by an auditors non-audit services.

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched or cause unequal voting rights.

•

In reviewing proposals, Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will further consider the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer’s business practices.

Conflicts of Interest

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and the client by reviewing the relationship of Advisors Asset Management, Inc. with the issuer of each security to determine if Advisors Asset Management, Inc. or any of its employees has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.

•

If a material conflict of interest exists, Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation.

•

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.

Recordkeeping

Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management shall retain the following proxy records in accordance with the SEC’s five-year retention requirement.

•

These policies and procedures and any amendments;

•

Each proxy statement that Advisors Asset Management, Inc. receives;

•

A record of each vote that Advisors Asset Management, Inc. casts;

B-62

•

Any document Advisors Asset Management, Inc. created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision including periodic reports to Sr. Executive Vice President, Asset Management or proxy committee, if applicable.

•

A copy of each written request from a client for information on how Advisors Asset Management, Inc. voted such client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response.

B-63

Phocas Financial Corporation

Proxy Voting Policy

In general, Phocas Financial Corporation (the “Company”) will vote client proxies based on Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") proxy voting guidelines (available at https://www.issgovernance.com/file/policy/active/americas/US-Voting-Guidelines.pdf). ISS evaluates proxies and recommends proxy voting guidelines to large institutional shareholders. It is our reasonable judgment that voting proxies consistent with ISS guidelines will be in our client's best interests and will result in a vote most likely to produce favorable financial results for our clients. Proxy votes generally will be cast in favor of proposals that maintain or strengthen the shared interests of shareholders and management, increase shareholder value, maintain or increase shareholder influence over the issuer's board of directors and management, and maintain or increase the rights of shareholders; proxy votes generally will be cast against proposals having the opposite effect. For those proxy issues of which ISS has no opinion, the Company will consider both sides of each proxy issue and make a vote consistent with the aforementioned goals favoring the financial results for our clients. Consistent with the Company’s paramount commitment to the financial investment goals of its clients, social considerations will not be considered absent contrary instructions by a client.

Conflicts of interest between the Company or a principal of the Company and the Company’s clients in respect of a proxy issue conceivably may arise, for example, from personal or professional relationships with a company or with the directors, candidates for director, or senior executives of a company that is the issuer of client securities.

If the CCO determines that a material conflict of interest exists, the following procedures shall be followed:

(a)

The Company may disclose the existence and nature of the conflict to the client(s) owning the client securities, and seek directions on how to vote the proxies;

(b)

The Company may abstain from voting, particularly if there are conflicting client interests (for example, where client accounts hold different client securities in a competitive merger situation); or

(c)

The Company may follow the recommendations of an independent proxy voting service in voting the proxies.

In instances where a conflict of interest is determined for the Fund, the advisor will, engage the services of the independent proxy voting service (ISS) who will provide an independent recommendation on the direction in which the advisor should vote on the proposal.

B-64

PART C

Item 15.

Indemnification

Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. Title 12 Section 3817, a Delaware statutory trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its officers and Trustees from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

Reference is made to Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”), which provides:

Subject to the limitations, if applicable, hereinafter set forth in this Section 8.4, the Trust shall indemnify (from the assets of the Series or Series to which the conduct in question relates) each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents (including Persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter, together with such Person’s heirs, executors, administrators or personal representative, referred to as a “Covered Person”)) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, except with respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered Person (i) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; (ii) had acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (iii) for a criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful (the conduct described in (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to hereafter as “Disabling Conduct”). A determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnity was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) nor parties to the proceeding (the “Disinterested Trustees”), or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. Expenses, including accountants' and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by one or more Series to which the conduct in question related in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that the Covered Person shall have undertaken to repay the amounts so paid to such Series if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article 8 and (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission the (“SEC”) such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the Trust and IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), the Trust has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, and each of its present or former directors, members, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (“Distributor Indemnitees”), free and harmless (a) from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs or expenses and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) of any and every nature (“Losses”) which the Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, 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 the registration statement or any prospectus, an annual or interim report to shareholders or sales literature, or any amendments or supplements thereto, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Trust’s obligation to indemnify the Distributor and any of the Distributor Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Distributor and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by the Distributor in writing for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; (b) from and against any and all Losses which the Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur in connection with the Distribution Agreement or the Distributor’s performance hereunder, except to the extent the Losses result from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, (c) from and against any and all Losses which the Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur resulting from the actions or inactions of any prior service provider to the Trust or any Funds in existence prior to, and added to Schedule A after, the date of the Distribution Agreement, or (d) from and against any and all Losses which the Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur when acting in accordance with instructions from the Trust or its representatives; and provided further that to the extent this agreement of indemnity may require indemnity of any Distributor Indemnitee who is also a trustee or officer of the Trust, no such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of such trustee or officer if to do so would be against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act or the 1940 Act.

Item 16.

Exhibits

Charter Documents:

Certificate of Trust (1)

(i)

Amendment to the Certificate of Trust. (1)

(ii)

Amendment to the Certificate of Trust. (2)

(iii)

Amendment to the Certificate of Trust. (6)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (1)

(i)

Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (2)

(ii)

Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (4)

(iii)

Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (5)

(iv)

Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (9)

By-Laws:

Amended By-Laws of Registrant. (11)

Not applicable.

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization:

Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. (12)

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders is incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.

Investment Management Agreements:

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Advisors Asset Management Inc. – to be filed by amendment.

Form of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Advisors Asset Management Inc. and Phocas Financial Corporation – to be filed by amendment.

Distribution Agreements:

Distribution Agreement. (7)

(i)

Form of Revised Exhibit A to the Distribution Agreement – to be filed by amendment.

Not applicable.

Custody Agreements:

Custody Agreement. (3)

10)

Distribution Plan and Rule 18f-3 Plan:

Form of Multiple Class (Rule 18f-3) Plan – to be filed by amendment.

Form of Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan – to be filed by amendment.

11)

Opinion of Counsel:

Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered – filed herewith.

12)

Form of opinion as to tax matters and consent – filed herewith.

13)

Other Material Contracts:

Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement. (10)

Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Agreement. (8)

Amended and Restated Co-Administration Agreement.(10)

Form of Operating Expense Agreement – to be filed by amendment.

14)

Other Opinions:

Consent of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm – to be filed by amendment.

Consent of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm, BBD, LLP – to be filed by amendment.

15)

Not applicable.

16)

Powers of Attorney:

Powers of Attorney - filed herewith.

17)

Additional Exhibits:

Form of Proxy Card – filed herewith.

All Exhibits filed previously are herein incorporated by reference as follows:

(1)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2006.

(2)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on December 5, 2007.

(3)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on February 1, 2008.

(4)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008.

(5)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2009.

(6)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on December 30, 2009.

(7)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on December 26, 2012.

(8)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 490 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014.

(9)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 494 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014.

(10)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 571 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2014.

(11)

Previously filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 784 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 333-122901 and 811-21719), as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2016.

(12)

Filed as Appendix A to Part A of this Registration Statement on Form N-14.

Item 17.

Undertakings

The undersigned registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of the registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act, the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

The undersigned registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

The undersigned registrant undertakes to file an opinion of counsel supporting the tax consequences to shareholders discussed in the combined proxy statement and prospectus in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.

SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, duly authorized, in the City of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, on the 18^th day of May, 2018.

	INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST

	By:	/s/ Maureen Quill
		Maureen Quill
		President

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature		Title
/s/ Ashley Toomey Rabun†
Ashley Toomey Rabun		Trustee
/s/ William H. Young†
William H. Young		Trustee
/s/ Charles H. Miller†
Charles H. Miller		Trustee
/s/ John P. Zader†
John P. Zader		Trustee
/s/ Eric M. Banhazl†
Eric M. Banhazl /s/ Maureen Quill		Trustee
Maureen Quill		President
/s/ Rita Dam
Rita Dam		Treasurer


† By	/s/ Rita Dam
	Attorney-in-fact, pursuant to power of attorney.

Exhibit Index

Opinion and Consent of Counsel	EX-16.11(a)
Form of Opinion as to Tax Matters and Consent	EX-16.12
Powers of Attorney	EX-16.16(a)
Form of Proxy Card	EX-16.17(a)

Investment Managers Series Trust (EPHCX) N-14Registration statement for investment companies business combination