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Value Line Funds Investment Trust, et al. – ‘N-1A/A’ on 7/25/14 – ‘EX-99.(N)(2)’

On:  Friday, 7/25/14, at 4:51pm ET   ·   Private-to-Public:  Document/Exhibit  –  Release Delayed   ·   Accession #:  1571049-14-3249   ·   File #s:  811-22965, 333-195856

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 7/25/14  Value Line Funds Investment Trust N-1A/A¶               10:1.6M                                   Toppan Vite NY Inc./FAWorthington Value Line Dynamic Opportunity Fund WVLEX

Pre-Effective Amendment to Registration Statement by an Open-End Management Investment Company   —   Form N-1A
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: N-1A/A      Form N-1A (Amendment No. 1)                         HTML    476K 
10: CORRESP   ¶ Comment-Response or Other Letter to the SEC         HTML    162K 
 2: EX-99.(D)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     46K 
 3: EX-99.(D)(2)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     46K 
 4: EX-99.(E)   Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     22K 
 5: EX-99.(H)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     29K 
 6: EX-99.(J)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     10K 
 7: EX-99.(M)   Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     16K 
 8: EX-99.(N)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     59K 
 9: EX-99.(N)(2)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML    143K 


‘EX-99.(N)(2)’   —   Miscellaneous Exhibit


This Exhibit is an HTML Document rendered as filed.  [ Alternative Formats ]




Exhibit 99.(n)(2)
 
       
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  Appendix A
 
 
(worthington capital management logo)
 
WORTHINGTON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
6075 Poplar Avenue, Suite 221
 
Memphis, TN 38119
 
Code of Ethics
 
 C: 
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Worthington Capital management, LLC
 
CODE of ETHICS
 
Introduction
 
Worthington Capital Management, LLC (“WCM”), in accordance with the requirements of Rule 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), has approved and adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”).  This Code sets forth the general fiduciary principles and standards of business conduct to which all of WCM’s Covered Persons are subject.  This Code further sets forth policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent Access Persons, as defined herein, from engaging in conduct prohibited by the Advisers Act and establishes reporting requirements for these Access Persons.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Code and not defined in the text herein, such as “Access Persons,” are defined in Appendix A-1.
 
About WCM
 
WCM is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Adviser Act.  WCM acts as investment adviser to Clients who are individuals and entities including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Company Act”).
 
Who is covered by the Code
 
This Code applies to all employees and senior managers of WCM or other persons (hereinafter “Covered Persons”) as determined by WCM’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).  It is the responsibility of each Covered Person to immediately report to WCM’s CCO, any known or suspected violations of this Code, the Compliance Manual and the policies and procedures contained therein, or of any other activity of any Covered Person or consultant that could constitute a violation of law.  If you are aware of any activity in this regard, you should contact the CCO immediately.  Failure to report a potential violation could result in disciplinary action against the non-reporting Covered Person.  WCM will ensure that Covered Persons are not subject to retaliation in their employment as a result of reporting a known or suspected violation.
 
Things You Need to Know to Use this Code
 
There are three reporting forms that Access Persons have to fill out under this Code; the initial and annual holdings reports and quarterly transactions reports.  Copies of these forms are attached to this Code as Appendix A-4 and Appendix A-5.
 
All Access Persons must complete the acknowledgement of having received, read and understood this Code (Appendix A-6) and renew that acknowledgment on a yearly basis.
 
The CCO has the authority to grant written waivers of the provisions of this Code in appropriate instances.  However, (i) it is expected that waivers will be granted only in rare instances and, (ii) some provisions of the Code are prescribed by SEC rules and cannot be waived.  These provisions include, but are not limited to, the requirements that Access Persons file reports and obtain pre-approval of investments in IPOs and Limited Offerings.
 
The CCO will review the terms and provisions of this Code at least annually and make amendments as necessary.  Any amendments to this Code will be provided to you.
 
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General Fiduciary Principles
 
Acting as a Fiduciary
It is the policy of WCM to act in the best interest of its Clients and on the principles of full disclosure, good faith and fair dealing.  WCM recognizes that it has a fiduciary duty to its Clients.  Acting as a fiduciary requires that WCM, consistent with its other statutory and regulatory obligations, act solely in the Clients’ best interests when  engaging in activities on behalf of Clients.  WCM and its Covered Persons must seek to avoid situations which may result in potential or actual conflicts of interest with these duties.  To this end, the following principles apply:
 
 
All Covered Persons must always observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing and conduct their personal and business dealings in accordance with the letter, spirit and intent of all relevant laws and regulations
 
 
WCM must have a reasonable basis for decisions it makes for its Clients
 
 
WCM must ensure that its investment decisions are consistent with Client’s investment objectives, policies and any disclosures made to Clients
 
 
All Covered Persons must refrain from entering into transactions, including personal securities transactions, that are inconsistent with the interests of Clients
 
 
Covered Persons should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions and may not, directly or indirectly, use Client opportunities for personal gain
 
 
Covered Persons must be loyal to the Clients and place the interests of the Clients above their own
 
 
WCM treats violations of this Code very seriously.  If you violate this Code, WCM may take disciplinary measures against you, including, without limitation, imposing penalties or fines, reducing your compensation, demoting you, requiring unwinding of the trade, requiring disgorgement of trading gains, suspending or terminating your employment, or any combination of the foregoing
 
 
Improper trading activity can constitute a violation of this Code.  You can also violate this Code, however, by failing to file required reports, or by making inaccurate or misleading reports or statements concerning trading activity or securities accounts.  Your conduct can violate this Code even if no Clients are harmed by your conduct.
 
If you have any doubt or uncertainty about what this Code requires or permits, you should ask the CCO.  Do not guess at the answer.
 
Compliance with the Federal Securities Laws
Covered Persons are required to comply with applicable federal securities laws at all times.  Examples of applicable federal securities laws include:
 
 
the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC rules thereunder
 
 
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the SEC rules thereunder
 
 
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the SEC rules thereunder
 
 
title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (privacy and security of Client non-public information)
 
 
the Bank Secrecy Act, as it applies to mutual funds and investment Advisers, and the SEC and Department of the Treasury rules thereunder
 
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Conflicts of Interest
 
Personal Conflicts
All Covered Persons must avoid establishing financial interests or outside affiliations which may create a conflict, or appear to create a conflict, between the Covered Person’s personal interests and the interests of WCM or its Clients.  A potential conflict of interest exists whenever a Covered Person has a direct financial or other personal interest in any transaction or proposed transaction involving WCM or any of its Clients.  A conflict of interest may also exist where the Covered Person has an indirect interest in a transaction, for example, because the transaction will benefit someone with whom the Covered Person has a friendship or other personal relationship.
 
In such situations, Covered Persons must disclose the conflict to the CCO and recuse themselves from the decision making process with respect to the transaction in question and from influencing or appearing to influence the relationship between WCM or any of its Clients and the customer involved.  Covered Persons may not use non-public knowledge of a pending or currently considered securities transaction for a Client to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result.
 
Conflict of Interest between WCM and a Client
In certain instances, WCM’s relationship with a Client may require WCM to place the Client’s interest above its own interests.  If a Covered Person becomes aware of a situation where WCM’s pursuit of its own interests in a transaction appears to conflict with its obligations to a Client, he or she should bring the situation to the immediate attention of the CCO.
 
Outside Business Activities
 
All Covered Person board memberships, advisory positions, trade group positions, management positions, or any involvement with public companies must be fully disclosed and submitted for prior approval to the CCO, with the exception of purely charitable or civic involvements which do not impinge on the Covered Person’s work commitment to WCM.  Approval must be obtained through the CCO, and will ordinarily require consideration by senior management of WCM.  WCM can deny approval for any reason.  This prohibition does not apply to service as an officer or board member of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of WCM.
 
Preferential Treatment
 
Covered Persons must make investment decisions, undertake commitments, and perform their duties and obligations without favoritism of any kind and award business or contracts strictly on the basis of merit.  A Covered Person should not actively seek nor accept a discount on any item for personal use from a business contact.  If such a person extends preferential treatment (for example, offers a discount) to a Covered Person in a personal transaction, the Covered Person must have the preferential treatment pre-approved by the CCO before proceeding with the transaction.
 
Borrowing
 
Covered Persons should borrow only from reputable organizations that regularly lend money.  Borrowing from relatives, however, is not subject to restriction.  If a Covered Person borrows from any financial institution, the loan must not involve favored treatment of any kind based upon their employment with WCM.
 
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Gifts and Gratuities
 
No Covered Person may accept or receive on their own behalf or on behalf of WCM any gift or other accommodation which has a value in excess of a de minimis amount (currently $300) from any vendor, broker, public company, securities salesman, Client or prospective Client (a “business contact”).  No Covered Person may accept cash gifts or cash equivalents from any such person.  This prohibition applies equally to gifts to members of the Family/Household of a Covered Person.  Any gifts or accommodations in excess of the de minimis amount must be submitted to the CCO for prior approval.  The CCO will maintain documentation of all such requests and resulting approvals or denials.
 
No Covered Person may give on their own behalf or on behalf of WCM any gift or other accommodation to a business contact that may be construed as an improper attempt to influence the recipient.  These policies are not intended to prohibit normal business entertainment.
 
Entertainment and Meals
 
Payment for entertainment or meals where the Covered Person is not accompanied by the person purchasing the entertainment or meals is considered a gift, subject to the rules discussed above.  Acceptance of meals and entertainment where the host is present is generally permitted.  However, the acceptance of particularly lavish entertainment or entertainment with excessive frequency is generally inappropriate and should be refused.  Entertainment in poor taste or that adversely reflects on the morals or judgment of the individuals attending the event is considered inappropriate and also should be refused.  Individuals involved in the purchase of equipment, supplies, and services may not accept entertainment or meals from a vendor or potential vendor except if business is to be discussed.  Finally, under no circumstances should entertainment be accepted which may affect or be construed to affect any future dealing with that person.
 
Standards of Business Conduct
 
General
Covered Persons are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the highest professional standards.  Each Covered Person accordingly must devote his or her attention and skills to the performance of his or her responsibilities and avoid activities that interfere with that responsibility or that are detrimental to WCM and its reputation.
 
Communications with Clients
All communications with Clients, whether verbal or written, must convey information clearly and fairly. Covered Persons must comply with WCM’s policies and procedures regarding Advertising and Performance Reporting.  Exaggerated, unwarranted or misleading statements or claims are prohibited.
 
Disclosure of Confidential Information
In the course of conducting business, Covered Persons may become privy to confidential information about WCM, its present and prospective Clients, and Reportable Fund agents.  It is a violation of this Code and in some cases may be a violation of law, for any Covered Person to disclose to anyone other than another Covered Person any confidential information obtained while in the course of conducting business on behalf of WCM.  Disclosure to other Covered Persons should be made only when and to the extent necessary to further the legitimate business purposes of WCM.  Covered Persons may not use any such information in connection with their personal investments or investments of others subject to their control.
 
Client and Investor Information
Clients and investors in the parent of WCM have the right to expect WCM and its Covered Persons to treat information concerning their business dealings in the strictest confidence.  Accordingly, no one may divulge  investor confidences except in accordance with WCM’s privacy policy and unless the party to whom a disclosure is made is legitimately entitled to the information (i.e., needs to know the information in furtherance of the investor’s business) or the investor gives prior consent to the disclosure.  Any such prior consent should be documented in advance of disclosure.
 
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Company Information
Confidential information about WCM, its parent or other affiliated companies, that is obtained by an Covered Person, including its Clients, products, processes, financial condition, plans, patents, or licenses may not be disclosed to persons outside of the organization, except with the approval of senior management and to further the legitimate business purposes of WCM.
 
Discretion should always be used when handling confidential Client information or company information, and such information should never be disseminated to an unauthorized person.  Covered Persons are reminded that when it is necessary to carry sensitive information off WCM’s premises, they should take appropriate care for its security.  Specifically, Covered Persons should avoid casually displaying documents or engaging in confidential business conversations in public places, including, but not limited to, elevators, hallways, restrooms, airports, and in public transportation.  Covered Persons who take documents or computer files off the premises to work at home should return all such materials to WCM upon completion of the particular at home project.  Any questions about the confidential nature of information or whether confidential information may be disclosed should immediately be referred to the CCO.
 
Corporate Assets
All information, products and services connected to or generated by WCM as a business are considered corporate assets to which WCM has ownership rights.  Corporate property utilized or developed by Covered Persons during their employment, including, but not limited to, files, analysis, reference materials, reports, written or e-mail correspondence, trade secrets, Client lists, strategies, computer hardware and software, data processing systems, computer programs and databases, remains exclusively WCM’s property both during employment and after the Covered Person leaves WCM.  Accordingly, all Covered Persons are expected to protect WCM’s ownership or property including all information, products, and services and to return all information to WCM at the termination of employment.
 
Further, Covered Persons are prohibited from misusing WCM’s corporate assets (including use of assets for a non-business purpose, theft, inflation of expenses, etc.) and from misusing or removing those assets from the premises upon leaving WCM.  Before beginning employment with WCM, each Covered Person should give his or her manager a copy or any non-competition, non-disclosure or non-pirating agreement by which the Covered Person is bound at the time of hiring. Any questions about this requirement should be raised with senior management.
 
Money Laundering
In connection with WCM’s Anti-Money Laundering Policies and Procedures, every Covered Person bears responsibility for recognizing suspicious transaction or investor activity that may constitute money laundering (including the structuring of deposits) and that may involve proceeds from unlawful activities such as drug trafficking or racketeering.  In particular, Covered Persons should be aware that even the simple receipt of funds, including through wire transfers, which are derived from illegal activities can subject them to prosecution for money laundering.  Any suspicious deposit or customer activity which causes a Covered Person concern about the source of an investor’s funds should be promptly reported to the CCO.
 
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Bribery
Under federal law, it is illegal for WCM or any Covered Person to pay, offer to pay, or authorize a payment of any money or other thing of value to:
     
 
an official of a local, state, federal or foreign government or an agency of a local, state, federal or foreign government
     
 
a political party or official thereof, or a candidate for political office
     
 
any other person the pay or knows or has reason to know will pay or give the money or value to those listed above
     
 
Where the purpose is to influence the recipient to take or refrain from taking any official action or to induce the recipient to use his or her influence to affect governmental action to obtain, retain, or direct business for WCM, offering or making any such remuneration or consideration to a domestic or foreign government official, political party or candidate for political office is strictly prohibited. All Covered Persons must immediately report all invitations to accept a bribe or any proposal or suggestion of a similar illegal nature to the CCO.
 
Political Contributions
No Access Persons shall directly or indirectly make any political contribution to any government entity, municipality, official or candidate for the purpose of obtaining or retaining WCM.
 
Relations with Regulators
It is WCM’s policy to cooperate with government authorities and regulators during routine audits and examinations, as well as inquiries and investigations. The CCO must immediately be made aware of any requests from government authorities or regulators and should be involved in responding to all such inquiries in order to be certain that we are providing complete and accurate information to regulators, as well as to ensure awareness of pending inquiries that may require us to maintain certain records.
 
Restrictions on Personal Trading Activity
 
General Policy
No Access Person shall, in connection with the direct or indirect purchase or sale of a Security “held or to be acquired”:
     
 
employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud
     
 
make any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading
     
 
engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as fraud or deceit
     
 
engage in any manipulative practice
 
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Prohibition Against Insider Trading
As further detailed within WCM’s Insider Information & Trading Policies and Procedures, Covered Persons and the members of their Family/Household are prohibited from engaging in, or helping others engage in, insider trading. Generally, the “insider trading” doctrine under U.S. federal securities laws prohibits any person (including investment advisers) from knowingly or recklessly breaching a duty owed by that person by:
     
 
trading while in possession of material, nonpublic information
     
 
communicating (“tipping”) such information to others
     
 
recommending the purchase or sale of securities on the basis of such information
     
 
providing substantial assistance to someone who is engaged in any of the above activities
 
This means that Covered Persons and members of their Family/Household may not trade with respect to a particular security or issuer at a time when that person knows or should know that he or she is in possession of material nonpublic information about the issuer or security. Information is considered “material” if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or if it could reasonably be expected to affect the price of a company’s securities. Material information can also relate to events or circumstances affecting the market for a company’s securities such as information about an expected government ruling or regulation that can affect the business of a company in which the Fund may invest. Information is considered nonpublic until such time as it has been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally (e.g., through national business and financial news wire services). Please refer to WCM Inside Information & Trading Policies and Procedures for a full description of permissible and prohibited activities.
 
Investment Personnel Pre-clearance of Investments in IPOs or Limited Offerings
Access Persons who also meet the definition of Investment Personnel may not directly or indirectly acquire Beneficial Ownership in any Securities in an IPO or Limited Offering without obtaining, in advance of the transaction, clearance from WCM’s CCO. In order to obtain pre-clearance, a person meeting the definition of Investment Personnel must complete and submit to the CCO a Personal Trade Request Form (a “PTR”) which is included as Appendix A-3. The CCO must review each request for approval and record the decision regarding the request. The general standards for granting or denying pre-clearance are whether the securities are under active or potential consideration for Client accounts, and whether any conflict of interest exists amongst the Investment Personnel, WCM or its Clients. The CCO retains authority to grant pre-clearance in exceptional circumstances for good cause. If pre-clearance is obtained, the approval is valid for the day on which it is granted and the immediately following business day. The CCO may revoke a pre-clearance any time after it is granted and before the transaction is executed.
 
Restrictions on Personal Securities Transactions by Access Persons
Each Access Person shall direct his or her broker to supply to the CCO, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of confirmations of all securities transactions, other than for exempt securities, in which the person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership and copies of periodic statements for all securities accounts.
 
Pre-clearance
Access Persons may not buy or sell securities, other than exempt securities, for any account in which he or she has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, unless such person obtains, in advance of the transaction, clearance for that transaction from the CCO. The general standards for granting or denying pre-clearance are discussed below, although the CCO retains authority to grant pre-clearance in exceptional circumstances for good cause.
 
When and how pre-clearance must be obtained
 
Access persons must obtain pre-clearance prior to acquiring or disposing of a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest in any security, other than exempt securities.
 
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In order to obtain pre-clearance, an Access Person must complete and submit to the CCO a PTR. If the transaction is approved by the CCO, that approval is valid for the day on which it is granted and the immediately following business day. The CCO may revoke a pre-clearance any time after it is granted and before the transaction is executed.
 
When will pre-clearance be denied
 
Pre-clearance will be denied in instances when WCM plans to purchase or sell a security and the security at issue. Additionally, pre-clearance may be denied for a security contained within a Restricted or Watch List or during routine daily trading on individual accounts if, in the judgment of the CCO, the level of Client activity is sufficient to create the potential for market movement in that security. The CCO retains the right to deny pre-clearance for any reason whatsoever, without disclosure of the basis for the denial to the Access Person.
 
Blackout Period
No Access Person may buy or sell any security five days after WCM purchases or sells a security or similar security whose value is derived from that security. In addition, no Access Person may buy or sell any security within five days of a WCM transaction of that security, provided that the Access Person had knowledge of the anticipated WCM transaction, unless approved by the CCO.
 
Restricted or Watch List
WCM may maintain a Restricted or Watch List containing the names of securities which are determined to be at risk for potential conflicts of interest. The contents of the Restricted or Watch List are to be maintained exclusively by the CCO or their delegate. The basis for denials related to a Security’s presence on the Restricted or Watch Lists are not required to be disclosed to the Access Person seeking pre-clearance.
 
Prohibition on Short-Term Trading
Access Persons may not purchase and sell within any period of 5 calendar days, a security, other than an exempt security, held by a Client at the time of the proposed sale. If any such transactions occur, WCM will require any profits from the transactions to be disgorged for donation by WCM to charity. In applying the 5 calendar day holding period, WCM will apply the “last-in, first-out” methodology, unless approved by the CCO.
 
Prohibition on Short Sales and Similar Transactions
Access Persons may not purchase a put option or sell a call option, sell short or otherwise take a short position, either directly or through any Beneficial Ownership, in any security held by any Client within a portfolio managed by that Access Person, unless approved by the CCO.
 
Reporting Requirements & Procedures
In order to provide WCM with information to enable it to determine with reasonable assurance whether the provisions of this Code are being observed by its Access Persons, the following reporting requirements regarding personal securities transactions apply.
 
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Initial and Annual Holdings Reports
Within ten days after a person becomes an Access Person, and annually thereafter, such person shall submit to the CCO a completed Initial/Annual Holdings Report substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A-4.  Each holdings report must contain, at a minimum, (a) the title and type of security, and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares and principal amount of each security (other than an exempt security) in which the person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; (b) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the person maintains an account in which any securities other than exempt securities are held for the person’s direct or indirect benefit; and (c) the date the person submits the report.  The Initial Holdings Report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person became an Access Person and the Annual Holdings Report shall be submitted no later than July 1 of every year and must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.
 
Quarterly Transaction Report
Each Access Person shall submit reports substantially in the form attached hereto as Appendix A-5 to the CCO, showing all transactions in securities (other than exempt securities) in which the person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership, as well as all accounts established with brokers, dealers or banks during the quarter in which any securities, other than exempt securities, were held for the direct or indirect beneficial interest of the person. Such reports shall be filed no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. An Access Person need not detail each transaction on a quarterly transaction report under this paragraph if all of the information required by this paragraph is contained in the brokerage confirmations or account statements required to be submitted under this Code, provided the person so designates on the form.  The Report must include the date on which such report was submitted to the CCO.
 
Temporary Access Person Certification
Each Temporary Access Person shall certify in writing on the form attached as Appendix A-7 that he or she has received and reviewed WCM’s Code of Ethics and Inside Information & Trading Policies & Procedures and that he or she agrees to comply with their spirit.  Specifically, Temporary Access Persons must agree to refrain from using any information obtained while providing services to WCM for personal gain.
 
Administration Of The Code
 
The CCO’s Duties and Responsibilities are contained within the Code of Ethics Policies & Procedures section of WCM’s Compliance Manual.
 
Miscellaneous
 
Confidentiality
 
WCM will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality of all PTRs and any other information filed pursuant to this Code.  Such reports and related information, however, may be produced to the SEC and other regulatory agencies.
 
The “should have known” standard
 
For purposes of this Code, the “should have known” standard does not:
     
 
imply a duty of inquiry
     
 
presume that the individual should have deduced or extrapolated from discussions or memoranda dealing with a Client’s investment strategies
     
 
impute knowledge from the individual’s awareness of a Fund’s portfolio holdings, market considerations, benchmark index, or investment policies, objectives and restrictions
 
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Appendix A-1.
 
Definitions
 
The definitions and terms used in this Code are intended to mean the same as they do under the Advisers Act and the other federal securities laws.  If a definition hereunder conflicts with the definition in the Advisers Act or other federal securities laws, or if a term used in this Code is not defined, the definitions and meanings in the Advisers Act or other federal securities laws, as applicable, should be followed.
 
Access Person means: (i) every member of senior management of WCM, (ii) every Covered Person of WCM who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a Security for any Client, or has access to nonpublic information about the portfolio holdings of any Client, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to purchases and sales, and (iii) every other person (whether or not an Covered Person of WCM, such as consultants) who is subject to WCM’s supervision and control who has access to nonpublic information regarding any purchase or sale of securities of any Client, or has access to nonpublic information about the portfolio holdings of any Client. Temporary Access Persons as defined below are not considered Access Persons.
 
Automatic Investment Plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation.  An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.  However, any transaction that overrides the pre-set schedule or allocations of the automatic investment plan is not considered to be under the Automatic Investment Plan.
 
Beneficial Ownership or Beneficially Owns means the same as it does under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 16a-1(a)(2) thereunder.  Specifically, a person is the “beneficial owner” of any securities in which he or she has a direct or indirect pecuniary (monetary) interest.  Beneficial Ownership includes, but is not limited to securities or accounts held in the name or for the benefit of the following:
     
 
a member of an Access Person’s immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, child or parents) who lives in an Access Person’s household (including children who are temporarily living outside of the household for school, military service or other similar situation)
     
 
a relative of the person who lives in an Access Person’s household and over whose purchases, sales, or other trading activities an Access Person directly or indirectly exercises influence
     
 
a relative whose financial affairs an Access Person “controls”, whether by contract, arrangement, understanding or by convention (such as a relative he or she traditionally advises with regard to investment choices, invests for or otherwise assists financially)
     
 
an investment account over which an Access Person has investment control or discretion
     
 
a trust or other arrangement that names an Access Person as a beneficiary
     
 
a non-public entity (partnership, corporation or otherwise) of which an Access Person is a director, officer, partner or Covered Person, or in which he owns 10% or more of any class of voting securities, a “controlling” interest as generally defined by securities laws, or over which he exercises effective control.
 
Control means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of WCM.  Any person who owns beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25 per centum of the voting securities of WCM shall be presumed to control WCM.  A natural person shall be presumed not to be a controlled person within the meaning of this title.  Any such presumption may be rebutted by evidence, but except as hereinafter provided, shall continue until a determination to the contrary made by the SEC by order either on its own motion or on application by an interested person.
 
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Covered Person includes all employees and senior management of WCM or other persons as determined by the CCO.
 
Exempt Security means: (i) direct obligations of the U.S. Government (or any other “government security” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act), bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and High-Quality Short-Term Debt Instruments, including repurchase agreements, and shares of registered open-end investment companies, other than Reportable Funds, (ii) securities purchased or sold in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control, (iii) securities purchased or sold in a transaction that is non-volitional on the part of the Access Person, including mergers, recapitalizations or similar transactions, and (iv) securities acquired as a part of an Automatic Investment Plan.
 
Family/Household means a member of such person’s immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, child or parents) who lives in the person’s household (including children who are temporarily living outside of the household for school, military service or other similar situation), and a relative of the person who lives in such person’s household.
 
High Quality Short-Term Debt Instrument means any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., Moody’s Investors Service).
 
IPO (i.e., initial public offering) means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Investment Personnel means (i) any Covered Person of WCM (or of any company in a control relationship to WCM) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of Securities for a Client, (ii) any natural person who controls WCM and who obtains information concerning recommendations made regarding the purchase or sale of securities by a Client.
 
Limited Offering means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2), Section 4(6), Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 (e.g., private placements).
 
Purchase or Sale of a Security includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security.  The purchase or sale of a security in an account in which a person is deemed to have a Beneficial Ownership or a Beneficial Interest is deemed to be a purchase or sale of a Security by such a person.
 
Reportable Fund means any investment companies other than money market funds that are registered under the Investment Company Act for which WCM serves as an investment adviser or whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls WCM, is controlled by WCM, or is under common control with WCM.  A Reportable Fund includes registered investment companies that are sub-advised by WCM.
 
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Security or Securities means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.
 
Temporary Access Person means any person not employed on a full-time basis by WCM performing services for a period of less than 30 business days in a calendar year.
 
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APPENDIX A-2. 
 
Worthington Capital Management
 
Reportable Funds Report
Name of Fund
Type of Fund
Fund Ticker Symbol
Inception Date
       
       
       
       
       
 
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APPENDIX A-3.
 
Worthington Capital Management, LLC’s (“WCM”)
 
Personal Trade Request Form (PTR)
 
The following form must be completed by you in order to request pre-clearance of a personal securities transaction that requires pre-clearance under the Adviser Code of Ethics. You further certify that you do not have any confidential or inside information relating to the issuer of this Security. This Form must be submitted to WCM’s Chief Compliance Officer. You may not complete this trade until you receive approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. If approved, the approval is good for the day it is given and the following business day. If your trade is not completed within that time, you must submit a new request.
 
Investment Information:
     
 
Issuer and ticker symbol: 
 
 
Nature of Equity Investments:
       
 
Describe investment: 
   

 
Number of Shares: 
   
     
Nature of Fixed Income Investments:

 
Describe instrument: 
   

 
 Principal amount of trade: 
   
 
Transaction Type (please circle):
 
 
Purchase            Sale            Short Sale           

Proposed Trade Date
   

Current / Estimated Price
   

Broker/Dealer
   
 
Is the proposed investment an IPO?               Y          N
 
Is the proposed investment a Limited Offering?       Y          N          
     
Date: 
   

Access Person Signature: 
 

Printed Name:    
   

Title of Account(s):
 
 
  
 
 
Chief Compliance Officer Action & date
     
Approved:
   

Denied:
   
 
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APPENDIX A-4.
 
Worthington Capital Management
Initial & Annual Holdings Reports
As of ______________, a date within 45 calendar days of this submission, I had direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in the Securities listed below which are required to be reported pursuant to WCM’s Code of Ethics.
 
Name of Reporting Access Person: 
 
 
If Initial Report, date acquired Access Person status: _________ Date of Report Submission: _________
 
Holdings stated in Report effective as of: __________________ (e.g. quarter or month ending date)
 
Securities Holdings:
 
Initial here if, in lieu of completing the chart below, WCM is in receipt of all of your most recent investment account statements: _____________ Number of relevant statements: _________. Securities held outside of reported brokerage accounts must be detailed below.
 
Title of Security
Ticker Symbol or
CUSIP
# of Shares
Principal Amount, Maturity
Date & Interest Rate (if
applicable)
 
Broker, Account # & Title
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
The name of all brokers, dealers or banks with whom I maintain an account in which my securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit are as follows

Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank
 
Name(s) on and Type of Account
   
   
   
   
   
   
I certify that I have included on this report all securities holdings and accounts required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics and that the information contained herein is accurate and complete.
   
Access Person Signature
Printed Name of Access Person
 
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APPENDIX A-5.
 
Worthington Capital Management, LLC’s
Quarterly Transaction Report
I hereby certify that I have engaged in the following personal securities transactions which are required to be reported under WCM’s Code of Ethics during the calendar quarter indicated below. I hereby submit this report within 30 days after the end of that quarter. (Note: you do not need to complete the security detail section of this report if all of your trading confirmations and account statements are already being delivered to the Chief Compliance Officer)

Name of Reporting Access Person: 
 
 
Calendar Quarter ended: 
 
Date of Report: 
   

Securities Transactions: Please provide the following information for any reportable transactions during the quarter:

Date of
Transaction
 
Title of
Security
 
Ticker
Symbol or
CUSIP
 
Number of
Shares
 
Price
 
Principal
Amount,
Maturity Date
and Interest
Rate (if
applicable)
 
Type of
Transaction
 
Name of Broker, Dealer or
Bank Effecting Transaction
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
I have established the following new accounts with brokers, dealers or banks in which my securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit.

Name of Broker, Dealer or Bank
Date Account was
Established
 
Name(s) on and Type of Account
     
     
     
     
     
     
I certify that I have included on this report all securities transactions and accounts required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics.
   
   
Access Person Signature
Printed Name of Access Person
 
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APPENDIX A-6.
 
Initial and Annual Acknowledgment of
Worthington Capital Management, LLC’s
Code of Ethics
 
Initial Acknowledgment: Please check here if this is an initial acknowledgment.                o
 
I certify that (1) I have received, read and understand this Code of Ethics, (2) I am aware that I am subject to the provisions of this Code, (3) I will comply with this Code, (4) I will report all holdings, transactions and accounts that I am required to report pursuant to this Code.
 
Annual Acknowledgment: Please check here if this is an annual acknowledgment.                o
 
I certify that (1) I have received, read and understand this Code of Ethics, (2) I am aware that I am subject to the provisions of this Code, (3) I have complied with this Code at all times during the previous calendar year, and (4) I have, during the previous calendar year, reported all holdings, transactions and accounts that I am required to report pursuant to this Code.
 
Name (print): 
   

Position:
   

Signature:
   

Date Submitted:
   
 
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APPENDIX A-7.
 
Worthington Capital Management, LLC
 
Certification & Acknowledgment of Temporary Access Person
 
I certify that (1) I have received, read and understand this Code of Ethics as well as the Inside Information & Trading Policies & Procedures, (2) I am aware that I am subject to the spirit of this Code and the Inside Information Policies & Procedures, (3) I will comply with the spirit of this Code and the Inside Information & Trading Policies & Procedures, (4) I will refrain from using any information obtained by virtue of my relationship with WCM for personal gain.

Name (print): 
   

Position:
   

Agency, if any:
   

Signature:
   

Date Submitted:
   

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