STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST

Government Fund

Ticker Symbols: Institutional—SEOXX, Class CAA—GFAXX, Sweep Class Shares—AABXX

Government II Fund

Ticker Symbol: Class F—TCGXX

Treasury II Fund

Ticker Symbol: Class F—SCPXX

Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund

Ticker Symbols: Class F—SECPX, Class Y—SECYX

Short-Duration Government Fund

Ticker Symbols: Class F—TCSGX, Class Y—SDGFX

GNMA Fund

Ticker Symbols: Class F—SEGMX, Class Y—SGMYX

Administrator:

SEI Investments Global Funds Services

Distributor:

SEI Investments Distribution Co.

Investment Adviser:

SEI Investments Management Corporation

Sub-Advisers:

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

MetLife Investment Management, LLC

Wellington Management Company LLP

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of SEI Daily Income Trust (the "Trust") and should be read in conjunction with the Trust's Institutional, Class F, Class Y, Sweep Class and Class CAA shares prospectuses (the "Prospectuses"), each dated May 31, 2023. Prospectuses may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing the Trust's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734.

The Trust's financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023, including notes thereto and the report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are incorporated by reference from the Trust's 2023 Annual Report. Shareholder reports are available online or by calling 1-800-DIAL-SEI. Unless you have elected to receive paper copies of the shareholder reports, you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted on the Funds' website and provided with a link to access the report online.

May 31, 2023

SEI-F-045 (5/23)


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

S-1

 

THE TRUST

 

S-3

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

S-3

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

 

S-5

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

S-5

 

Commercial Paper

 

S-6

 

Derivatives

 

S-6

 

Dollar Rolls

 

S-8

 

Economic Risks of Global Health Events

 

S-8

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

S-9

 

Foreign Securities and Emerging and Frontier Markets

 

S-11

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

 

S-15

 

Government National Mortgage Association Securities

 

S-16

 

Illiquid Securities

 

S-17

 

Interest Rate

 

S-17

 

Interfund Lending and Borrowing Arrangements

 

S-18

 

LIBOR Replacement

 

S-18

 

MiFID II

 

S-18

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

S-19

 

Municipal Securities

 

S-22

 

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks

 

S-22

 

Obligations of Supranational Entities

 

S-23

 

Options

 

S-23

 

Regulatory Reform

 

S-25

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

S-25

 

Restricted Securities

 

S-25

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Sale-Buybacks

 

S-26

 

Risks of Cyber Attacks

 

S-26

 

Swaps, Caps, Floors, Collars and Swaptions

 

S-27

 

U.S. Government Securities

 

S-29

 

Variable and Floating Rate Instruments

 

S-30

 

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities

 

S-30

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

S-31

 

THE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT

 

S-34

 

THE ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS

 

S-36

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING

 

S-44

 

SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITY

 

S-46

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

S-46

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

S-54

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

S-55

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

 

S-58

 

TAXES

 

S-59

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

S-66

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

 

S-68

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

S-69

 

LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY

 

S-69

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

S-69

 

VOTING

 

S-70

 

SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY

 

S-70

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

S-70

 

CUSTODIAN

 

S-74

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

S-74

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

S-74

 

APPENDIX A—DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

 

A-1

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following terms are used throughout this SAI, and have the meanings set forth below. Because the following is a combined glossary of terms used for all the SEI Funds, certain terms below may not apply to your fund. Any terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the applicable Fund's prospectus or as otherwise defined in this SAI.

Term

 

Definition

 
1933 Act  

Securities Act of 1933, as amended

 
1940 Act  

Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended

 

ADRs

 

American Depositary Receipts

 

ARMS

 

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities

 

BHCA

 

Bank-Holding Company Act

 
Bank Loan
Rate
  The rate of interest that would be charged by a
bank for short-term borrowings
 

Board

 

The Trust's Board of Trustees

 

CATS

 

Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities

 

CDOs

 

Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

CDRs

 

Continental Depositary Receipts

 
CFTC  

Commodities Futures Trading Commission

 

CLCs

 

Construction Loan Certificates

 

CLOs

 

Collateralized Loan Obligations

 

CMBS

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

CMOs

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

Code

 

Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

 
Confidential
Information
 

Material, non-public information

 
Dodd-Frank
Act
  Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protections Act
 

EDRs

 

European Depositary Receipts

 

ETFs

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

 

ETNs

 

Exchange-Traded Notes

 

ETPs

 

Exchange-Traded Products

 

EU

 

European Union

 

Fannie Mae

 

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

FHA

 

Federal Housing Administration

 

Freddie Mac

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

 

GDRs

 

Global Depositary Receipts

 

GNMA

 

Government National Mortgage Association

 

IFA

 

Insurance Funding Agreement

 

IO

 

Interest-Only Security

 

IRS

 

Internal Revenue Service

 

LIBOR

 

London Interbank Offered Rate

 

Liquidity Fund

 

SEI Liquidity Fund, LP

 

LYONs

 

Liquid Yield Option Notes

 

MiFID II

  Directive 2014/61/EU on markets in financial
instruments and Regulation 600/2014/EU on
markets in financial instruments
 

MLPs

 

Master Limited Partnerships

 

Moody's

 

Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

 

NAV

 

Net Asset Value

 

NDFs

 

Non-Deliverable Forwards

 

NRSRO

  Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating
Organization
 


S-1


Term

 

Definition

 

OTC

 

Over-the-Counter

 

PAC Bonds

 

Planned Amortization Class CMOs

 

PIPEs

 

Private Investments in Public Equity

 

PLC

 

Permanent Loan Certificate

 

P-Notes

 

Participation Notes

 

PO

 

Principal-Only Security

 

Program

 

SEI Funds' interfund lending program

 

QFII

 

Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor

 

QPTPs

 

Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships

 

REITs

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

REMIC Certificates

 

REMIC pass-through certificates

 

REMICs

 

Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits

 

REOCs

 

Real Estate Operating Companies

 

Repo Rate

  rate of interest for an investment in overnight
repurchase agreements
 

RIC

 

Regulated Investment Company

 

S&P

 

Standard & Poor's Rating Group

 

SEC

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

 

SEI Funds

  The existing or future investment companies
registered under the 1940 Act that are advised
by SIMC
 

STRIPS

  Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal
Securities
 

Subsidiary

  A wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the
laws of the Cayman Islands
 

TIGRs

 

Treasury Investment Growth Receipts

 

TRs

 

Treasury Receipts

 

UK

 

United Kingdom

 

World Bank

  International Bank of Reconstruction and
Development
 

Yankees

 

Yankee Obligations

 


S-2


THE TRUST

The Trust is a diversified, open-end management investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated March 15, 1982. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series ("portfolios") of units of beneficial interest ("shares") and separate classes of portfolios. Except for differences among the Institutional, Class F, Class Y, Sweep Class and/or Class CAA shares pertaining to shareholder servicing, administrative servicing, distribution, voting rights, dividends and transfer agent expenses, each share of each portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in that portfolio with each other share of that portfolio. The Trust changed its name from SEI Cash+Plus Trust to its current name in April 1994.

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") relates to the following portfolios: Government, Government II, Treasury II, Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government, and GNMA Funds (each, a "Fund" and together, the "Funds"), including all classes of the Funds.

The investment adviser to the Funds, SEI Investments Management Corporation, is herein referred to as "SIMC" or the "Adviser," and the investment sub-advisers are each referred to as the "Sub-Adviser," and together, the "Sub-Advisers."

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

GOVERNMENT FUND—The Government Fund seeks to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, government securities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully with cash or government securities. The Fund may invest in variable or floating rate securities and when-issued securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

GOVERNMENT II FUND—The Government II Fund seeks to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash and government securities. The Fund may invest in variable or floating rate securities and when-issued securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

TREASURY II FUND—The Treasury II Fund seeks to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations. Using a top-down strategy and bottom-up security selection, the Sub-Adviser seeks to invest in securities with a remaining maturity not greater than 397 calendar days that are marketable, liquid and offer competitive yields, and which are expected to result in the Fund's portfolio having an average dollar-weighted maturity of 60 days or less and a dollar-weighted average life to maturity of 120 days or less. In making investment decisions, the Sub-Adviser also considers factors such as the anticipated level of interest rates and the maturity of individual securities relative to the maturity of the Fund as a whole. Currently, the Fund invests only in first-tier securities.

ULTRA SHORT DURATION BOND FUND—The Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund seeks to provide higher current income than that typically offered by a money market fund while maintaining a high degree of liquidity and a correspondingly higher risk of principal volatility. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in obligations of U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments consisting of: (i) commercial paper rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories by an NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the Sub-Advisers to be of comparable quality at the time of investment; (ii) obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances and bank notes) of U.S. savings and loan and thrift institutions, U.S. commercial banks (including foreign branches of such banks) and foreign banks; (iii) U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or U.S. Government sponsored entities (including Treasury Inflation Protected Securities or "TIPS"); (iv) corporate obligations (notes, bonds and debentures) rated in one of the four highest long-term rating categories by an NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the Sub-Advisers to be of comparable quality at the time of investment; (v) mortgage-backed


S-3


securities; (vi) asset-backed securities rated in one of the four highest long-term rating categories by an NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by the Sub-Advisers to be of comparable quality at the time of investment; (vii) repurchase agreements involving the foregoing securities; and (viii) U.S. dollar-denominated instruments of foreign issuers. The Fund may also invest in futures contracts, forwards contracts, options, swaps and other similar instruments. The primary derivatives used by the Fund are futures contracts. The Fund will primarily use futures contracts for hedging purposes to manage the Fund's exposure to interest rate risk. There will be times when the Fund utilizes futures contracts to take an active position to either increase or reduce the interest rate sensitivity of the Fund.

Using a top-down strategy and bottom-up security selection, the Sub-Advisers seek attractively-valued securities that offer competitive yields and that are issued by issuers that are on a sound financial footing. The Sub-Advisers also consider factors such as the anticipated level of interest rates, relative valuations and yield spreads among various sectors, and the duration of individual securities relative to the duration of fixed income securities in which the Fund invests as a whole.

The Sub-Advisers intend to limit the Fund's purchases of non-mortgage asset-backed securities to securities that are readily marketable at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest in variable or floating rate securities and when-issued and delayed delivery securities. In addition, the Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions with selected banks and broker-dealers and may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Under normal conditions, the Sub-Advisers will strive to maintain a portfolio duration for the Fund of 18 months or less.

SHORT-DURATION GOVERNMENT FUND—The Short-Duration Government Fund seeks to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of its net assets in: (i) U.S. Treasury obligations; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, including obligations of the GNMA, and other mortgage-backed securities of governmental issuers; and (iii) repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such obligations. The Fund may invest in securities issued by various entities sponsored by the U.S. Government, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These issuers are chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress; however, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The Fund may also invest in futures contracts, forward contracts, options, swaps and other similar instruments. The primary derivatives used by the Fund are futures contracts. The Fund will primarily use futures contracts for hedging purposes to manage the Fund's exposure to interest rate risk. There will be times when the Fund utilizes futures contracts to take an active position to either increase or reduce the interest rate sensitivity of the Fund. The Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions with selected banks and broker-dealers and may invest in variable or floating rate securities and when-issued and delayed delivery securities, including to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Under normal market conditions, the Sub-Adviser will strive to maintain a portfolio duration of up to three years.

Using a top-down strategy and bottom-up security selection, the Sub-Adviser seeks attractively-valued securities that offer competitive yields. The Sub-Adviser also considers factors such as the anticipated level of interest rates, relative valuations and yield spreads, and the duration of individual securities relative to the duration of fixed income securities in which the Fund invests as a whole.

GNMA FUND—The GNMA Fund seeks to preserve principal value and maintain a high degree of liquidity while providing current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests in the investments permitted for the Short-Duration Government Fund, but without restrictions on portfolio duration. At least 80% of the net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) of the Fund will, under normal circumstances, be invested in mortgage-backed securities issued by the GNMA. The Fund will notify its shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change to this policy. In addition, the GNMA Fund may invest in futures contracts, forward contracts, options, swaps and other similar instruments and enter into dollar roll transactions with selected banks and broker-dealers. The primary derivatives used by the Fund are futures contracts. The Fund will primarily use futures contracts for hedging purposes to manage the Fund's exposure to interest rate risk. There will be times when the Fund utilizes futures contracts to take an active position to


S-4


either increase or reduce the interest rate sensitivity of the Fund. The Fund may invest in variable or floating rate securities and when-issued and delayed delivery securities, including to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

Using a top-down strategy and bottom-up security selection, the Sub-Adviser seeks attractively-valued securities that offer competitive yields. The Sub-Adviser also considers factors such as the anticipated level of interest rates, relative valuations and yield spreads, and the duration of individual securities relative to the duration of fixed income securities in which the Fund invests as a whole.

There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their respective investment objectives.

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices of the Funds, including those discussed in the applicable Prospectus and the Funds' "Investment Objectives and Policies" section of this SAI and the associated risk factors. A Fund may purchase any of these instruments and/or engage in any of these investment practices if, in the opinion of SIMC or the Sub-Advisers, such investments or investment practices will be advantageous to the Fund. A Fund is free to reduce or eliminate its activity in any of these areas. An adviser may invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices unless such investment or activity is inconsistent with or is not permitted by a Fund's stated investment policies, including those stated below. There is no assurance that any of these strategies or any other strategies and methods of investment available to a Fund will result in the achievement of the Fund's investment objective.

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES—Asset-backed securities are securities that are backed primarily by the cash flows of a discrete pool of fixed or revolving receivables or other financial assets that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed securities, but the term is more commonly used to refer to securities supported by non-mortgage assets such as auto loans, motor vehicle leases, student loans, credit card receivables, floorplan receivables, equipment leases and peer-to-peer loans. The assets are removed from any potential bankruptcy estate of an operating company through the true sale of the assets to an issuer that is a special purpose entity, and the issuer obtains a perfected security interest in the assets. Payments of principal of and interest on asset-backed securities rely entirely on the performance of the underlying assets. Asset-backed securities are generally not insured or guaranteed by the related sponsor or any other entity and therefore, if the assets or sources of funds available to the issuer are insufficient to pay those securities, the Funds will incur losses. In addition, asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk that may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. Additional risks related to collateralized risk obligations, CLOs and mortgage-backed securities are described below.

Losses may be greater for asset-backed securities that are issued as "pass-through certificates" rather than as debt securities, because those types of certificates only represent a beneficial ownership interest in the related assets and their payment is based primarily on collections actually received. For asset-backed securities as a whole, if a securitization issuer defaults on its payment obligations due to losses or shortfalls on the assets held by the issuer, a sale or liquidation of the assets may not be sufficient to support payments on the securities and the Funds, as securityholders, may suffer a loss.

Recent changes in legislation, together with uncertainty about the nature and timing of regulations that will be promulgated to implement such legislation, has created uncertainty in the credit and other financial markets and other unknown risks. The Dodd-Frank Act, for example, imposes a new regulatory framework on the U.S. financial services industry and the consumer credit markets in general. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and similar measures to re-regulate the credit markets and, in particular, the structured finance markets, the manner in which asset-backed securities are issued and structured has been altered and the reporting obligations of the issuers of such securities may be significantly increased or may become costlier. The value or liquidity of any asset-backed securities held or acquired by the Funds may be adversely affected as a result of these changes.


S-5


In particular, the implementation of Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act (and related regulations) prohibiting certain banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading (the so-called Volcker Rule) and of Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act (and related regulations) requiring the "sponsor" of a securitization to retain no less than 5% of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing the asset-backed securities, could have a negative effect on the marketability and liquidity of asset-backed securities (including mortgage-backed securities and CDOs and CLOs), whether in the primary issuance or in secondary trading. It is possible that the risk retention rules may reduce the number of new issuances of private-label mortgage backed securities or the number of collateral managers active in the CDO and CLO markets, which also may result in fewer new issue securities. A contraction or reduced liquidity in the asset-backed, CDO or CLO markets could reduce opportunities for the Funds to sell their securities and might adversely affect the management flexibility of the Funds in relation to the respective portfolios.

In addition to the changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC adopted rules in August 2014 that substantially revise "Regulation AB" (the SEC's principal source of rules for asset-backed securities) and other rules governing the offering process, disclosure and reporting for asset-backed securities issued in registered transactions. Among other things, those rules require enhanced disclosure of asset-level information at the time of the securitization and on an ongoing basis. Certain elements of proposed Regulation AB remain outstanding, including the proposal that issuers of structured finance products offered privately provide the same initial and ongoing information as would be required if the offering were public. It is not clear when or whether any of the proposed revisions to Regulation AB that remain outstanding will be adopted, how those standards will be implemented, or what effect those standards will have on securitization transactions. The rules may, for example, have the effect of impeding new issuances and reducing the availability of investments for the Funds, or adversely affecting the market value of legacy securities that do not conform with the new rules.

There is a limited secondary market for asset-backed securities. Consequently, it may be difficult for the Funds to sell or realize profits on those securities at favorable times or for favorable prices.

CDO and CLO securities are non-recourse obligations of their issuer payable solely from the related underlying collateral or its proceeds. Therefore, as a holder of CDOs and CLOs, the Funds must rely only on distributions on the underlying collateral or related proceeds for payment. If distributions on the underlying collateral are insufficient to make payments on the CDO or CLO securities, no other assets will be available for payment of the deficiency. As a result, the amount and timing of interest and principal payments in respect of CDO and CLO securities will depend on the performance and characteristics of the related underlying collateral.

Recent legislation, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, together with uncertainty about the nature and timing of regulations that will be promulgated to implement such legislation, may continue to create uncertainty in the credit and other financial markets. Given that all applicable final implementing rules and regulations have not yet been published or are not yet in effect, the potential impact of these actions on CDOs and CLOs owned by the Funds is unknown. If existing transactions are not exempted from the new rules or regulations, compliance with those rules and regulations could impose significant costs on the issuers of CDOs and CLOs and ultimately adversely impact the holders (including the Funds) of those types of securities.

COMMERCIAL PAPER—Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of issuance generally not exceeding 270 days. The value of commercial paper may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuing entities. The value of commercial paper will tend to fall when interest rates rise and rise when interest rates fall.

DERIVATIVES—In an attempt to reduce systemic and counterparty risks associated with OTC derivative transactions, the Dodd-Frank Act requires that a substantial portion of OTC derivatives be executed in regulated markets and submitted for clearing to regulated clearinghouses. The CFTC also requires a substantial portion of derivative transactions that have historically been executed on a bilateral basis in the OTC markets to be executed through a regulated swap execution facility or designated contract market. The SEC is expected to eventually impose a similar requirement with respect to security-based swaps. Such requirements could limit


S-6


the ability of the Funds to invest or remain invested in derivatives and may make it more difficult and costly for investment funds, including the Funds, to enter into highly tailored or customized transactions. They may also render certain strategies in which a Fund might otherwise engage impossible or so costly that they will no longer be economical to implement.

OTC trades submitted for clearing will be subject to minimum initial and variation margin requirements set by the relevant clearinghouse, as may be adjusted to a higher amount by the Fund's Futures Commission Merchant, as well as possible SEC- or CFTC-mandated margin requirements. With respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from a Fund and may be required to collect initial margin from a Fund pursuant to the CFTC's or the Prudential Regulators' uncleared swap margin rules. Both initial and variation margin must be in the form of eligible collateral, and may be composed of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. These rules also mandate that collateral in the form of initial margin be posted to cover potential future exposure attributable to uncleared swap transactions for certain entities, which may include the Funds. In the event a Fund is required to post collateral in the form of initial margin in respect of its uncleared swap transactions, all such collateral will be posted with a third-party custodian pursuant to a triparty custody agreement between the Fund, its dealer counterparty and an unaffiliated custodian.

Although the Dodd-Frank Act requires many OTC derivative transactions previously entered into on a principal-to-principal basis to be submitted for clearing by a regulated clearinghouse, certain of the derivatives that may be traded by a Fund may remain principal-to-principal or OTC contracts between the Fund and third parties. The risk of counterparty non-performance can be significant in the case of these OTC instruments, and "bid-ask" spreads may be unusually wide in these markets. To the extent not mitigated by implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act, if at all, the risks posed by such instruments and techniques, which can be complex, may include: (1) credit risks (the exposure to the possibility of loss resulting from a counterparty's failure to meet its financial obligations), as further discussed below; (2) market risk (adverse movements in the price of a financial asset or commodity); (3) legal risks (the characterization of a transaction or a party's legal capacity to enter into it could render the transaction unenforceable, and the insolvency or bankruptcy of a counterparty could pre-empt otherwise enforceable contract rights); (4) operational risk (inadequate controls, deficient procedures, human error, system failure or fraud); (5) documentation risk (exposure to losses resulting from inadequate documentation); (6) liquidity risk (exposure to losses created by inability to prematurely terminate derivative transactions); (7) systemic risk (the risk that financial difficulties in one institution or a major market disruption will cause uncontrollable financial harm to the financial system); (8) concentration risk (exposure to losses from the concentration of closely related risks such as exposure to a particular industry or exposure linked to a particular entity); and (9) settlement risk (the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty).

Swap dealers and major swap participants that are registered with the CFTC and with whom a Fund may trade are subject to minimum capital and margin requirements. These requirements may apply irrespective of whether the OTC derivatives in question are traded bilaterally or cleared. OTC derivatives dealers are subject to business conduct standards, disclosure requirements, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, transparency requirements, position limits, limitations on conflicts of interest, and other regulatory burdens. These requirements may increase the overall costs for OTC derivative dealers, which are likely to be passed along, at least partially, to market participants in the form of higher fees or less advantageous dealer marks. The full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on the Funds remains uncertain, and it is unclear how the OTC derivatives markets will ultimately adapt to this new regulatory regime.

Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governs a Fund's use of derivative instruments and certain other transactions that create future payment and/or delivery obligations by the Fund. Rule 18f-4 permits a Fund to enter into Derivative Transactions (as defined below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of "senior securities" under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other things, prohibits open-end funds, including a Fund, from issuing or selling any "senior security," other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a requirement to maintain 300% "asset coverage"). In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC eliminated the asset segregation framework arising from prior SEC guidance for covering Derivative Transactions and certain financial instruments.


S-7


Under Rule 18f-4, "Derivative Transactions" include the following: (1) any swap, security-based swap (including a contract for differences), futures contract, forward contract, option (excluding purchased options), any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which a Fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise; (2) any short sale borrowing; (3) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, if a Fund elects to treat these transactions as Derivative Transactions under Rule 18f-4; and (4) when-issued or forward-settling securities (e.g., firm and standby commitments, including to-be-announced ("TBA") commitments, and dollar rolls) and non-standard settlement cycle securities, unless the Fund intends to physically settle the transactions and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date.

Rule 18f-4 requires that a Fund that invests in Derivative Transactions above a specified amount adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program administered by a derivatives risk manager that is appointed by and overseen by the Funds' Board, and comply with an outer limit on Fund leverage risk based on value at risk. A Fund that uses Derivative Transactions in a limited amount are considered "limited derivatives users," as defined in Rule 18f-4, will not be subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4, but will have to adopt and implement policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage the Funds' derivatives risk. A Fund will be subject to reporting and recordkeeping requirements regarding its use of Derivative Transactions.

The requirements of Rule 18f-4 may limit a Fund's ability to engage in Derivative Transactions as part of its investment strategies. These requirements may also increase the cost of a Fund's investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments and/or the performance of the Fund. The rule also may not be effective to limit a Fund's risk of loss. In particular, measurements of VaR rely on historical data and may not accurately measure the degree of risk reflected in a Fund's derivatives or other investments. There may be additional regulation of the use of Derivative Transactions by registered investment companies, which could significantly affect their use. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of Derivative Transactions may make them more costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.

More information about particular types of derivatives instruments is included below in the sections titled "Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts," "Options" and "Swaps, Caps, Floors, Collars and Swaptions."

DOLLAR ROLLS—Dollar rolls are transactions in which securities (usually mortgage-backed securities) are sold for delivery in the current month and the seller simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. The difference between the sale price and the purchase price (plus any interest earned on the cash proceeds of the sale) is netted against the interest income foregone on the securities sold to arrive at an implied borrowing rate. Alternatively, the sale and purchase transactions can be executed at the same price, with a Fund being paid a fee as consideration for entering into the commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and may initially involve only a firm commitment agreement by a Fund to buy a security. If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll and that the security a Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held.

A Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to its dollar roll transactions, which are considered Derivative Transactions under the Rule. See "Derivatives" above.

ECONOMIC RISKS OF GLOBAL HEALTH EVENTS—An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus designated as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in international, national and local border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic


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environment. These impacts also have caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, which have caused losses for investors. The impact of this COVID-19 pandemic may be short term or may last for an extended period of time, and in either case could result in a substantial economic downturn or recession. Health crises caused by viral or bacterial outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, economic, market and financial risks. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Funds invest, which in turn could negatively impact the Funds' performance and cause losses on your investment in the Funds.

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES—Fixed income securities consist primarily of debt obligations issued by governments, corporations, municipalities and other borrowers, but may also include structured securities that provide for participation interests in debt obligations. The market value of the fixed income securities in which a Fund invests will change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the value of outstanding fixed income securities generally rises. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Changes by recognized agencies in the rating of any fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of these securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities, but will affect a Fund's NAV.

Securities held by a Fund that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and interest and do not guarantee the yield or value of the securities or the yield or value of the Fund's shares.

There is a risk that the current interest rate on floating and variable rate instruments may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates.

Additional information regarding fixed income securities is described below:

Duration. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. For example, if a fixed income security has a five-year duration, it will decrease in value by approximately 5% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by approximately 5% if interest rates fall 1%. Fixed income instruments with longer duration typically have higher risk and higher volatility. Longer-term fixed income securities in which a portfolio may invest are more volatile than shorter-term fixed income securities. A portfolio with a longer average portfolio duration is typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a portfolio with a shorter average portfolio duration.

Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities are considered investment grade if they are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by a NRSRO, or, if not rated, are determined to be of comparable quality by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable. See "Appendix A-Description of Ratings" for a description of the bond rating categories of several NRSROs. Ratings of each NRSRO represent its opinion of the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market risk, of bonds and other fixed income securities it undertakes to rate at the time of issuance. Ratings are not absolute standards of quality and may not reflect changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. Securities rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's or BBB- or higher by S&P are considered by those rating agencies to be "investment grade" securities, although securities rated Baa3 or BBB- lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics. Although issuers of bonds rated BBB by S&P are considered to have adequate capacity to meet their financial commitments, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal for debt in this category than debt in higher-rated categories. In the event a security owned by a Fund is downgraded below investment grade, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will review the situation and take appropriate action with regard to the security.


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Lower-Rated Securities. Lower-rated bonds or non-investment grade bonds are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield/high-risk securities. Lower-rated securities are defined as securities rated below the fourth highest rating category by an NRSRO. Such obligations are speculative and may be in default.

Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's ability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation (known as "credit risk") and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (known as "market risk"). Lower-rated or unrated (i.e., high yield) securities are more likely to react to developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated securities, which primarily react to movements in the general level of interest rates. Yields and market values of high yield securities will fluctuate over time, reflecting not only changing interest rates but also the market's perception of credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. When economic conditions appear to be deteriorating, medium- to lower-rated securities may decline in value due to heightened concern over credit quality, regardless of prevailing interest rates.

Investors should carefully consider the relative risks of investing in high yield securities and understand that such securities are not generally meant for short-term investing.

Adverse economic developments can disrupt the market for high yield securities and severely affect the ability of issuers, especially highly leveraged issuers, to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity, which may lead to a higher incidence of default on such securities. In addition, the secondary market for high yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. As a result, it may be more difficult for a Fund to sell these securities, or a Fund may only be able to sell the securities at prices lower than if such securities were highly liquid. Furthermore, a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing certain high yield securities at certain times. Under these circumstances, prices realized upon the sale of such lower-rated or unrated securities may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund's NAV. Prices for high yield securities may also be affected by legislative and regulatory developments.

Lower-rated or unrated fixed income obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligations for redemption, a Fund may have to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the Fund's investment portfolio and increasing the Fund's exposure to the risks of high yield securities.

A Fund may invest in securities rated as low as "C" by Moody's or "D" by S&P and may invest in unrated securities that are of comparable quality as "junk bonds."

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. Lower-rated bonds are very sensitive to adverse economic changes and corporate developments. During an economic downturn, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a bond defaulted on its obligations to pay interest or principal or entered into bankruptcy proceedings, a Fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and change can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high-yield, high-risk bonds and a Fund's NAV.

Payment Expectations. High-yield, high-risk bonds may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercised these provisions in a declining interest rate market, a Fund would have to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high-yield, high-risk bond's value may decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the value of a Fund's assets. If a Fund experiences significant unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell high-yield, high-risk bonds without regard to their investment merits, thereby decreasing the asset base upon which expenses can be spread and possibly reducing the Fund's rate of return.

Liquidity and Valuation. There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular bonds, which may adversely affect a Fund's ability to value accurately or dispose of such bonds. Adverse publicity and investor


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perception, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of high-yield, high-risk bonds, especially in a thin market.

Taxes. A Fund may purchase debt securities (such as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities) that contain original issue discount. Original issue discount that accretes in a taxable year is treated as earned by a Fund and is therefore subject to the distribution requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. Because the original issue discount earned by a Fund in a taxable year may not be represented by cash income, the Fund may have to dispose of other securities and use the proceeds to make distributions to shareholders.

FOREIGN SECURITIES AND EMERGING AND FRONTIER MARKETS—Foreign securities are securities issued by non-U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices that differ from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than those in the United States. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.

The value of a Fund's investments denominated in foreign currencies will depend on the relative strengths of those currencies and the U.S. dollar, and a Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the exchange rates or exchange or currency control regulations between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by a Fund. Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments.

A Fund's investments in emerging and frontier markets can be considered speculative and therefore may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in developed markets. With respect to an emerging market country, there may be a greater potential for nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war), which could adversely affect the economies of such countries or investments in such countries. "Frontier market countries" are a subset of emerging market countries with even smaller national economies, so these risks may be magnified further. The economies of emerging and frontier countries are generally heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange or currency controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.

The economies of frontier market countries tend to be less correlated to global economic cycles than the economies of more developed countries and their markets have lower trading volumes and may exhibit greater price volatility and illiquidity. A small number of large investments in these markets may affect these markets to a greater degree than more developed markets. Frontier market countries may also be affected by government activities to a greater degree than more developed countries. For example, the governments of frontier market countries may exercise substantial influence within the private sector or subject investments to government approval, and governments of other countries may impose or negotiate trade barriers, exchange controls, adjustments to relative currency values and other measures that adversely affect a frontier market country. Governments of other countries may also impose sanctions or embargoes on frontier market countries. Although all of these risks are generally heightened with respect to frontier market countries, they also apply to emerging market countries.

In addition to the risks of investing in debt securities of emerging and frontier markets, a Fund's investment in government or government-related securities of emerging and frontier market countries and restructured debt instruments in emerging and frontier markets are subject to special risks, including the inability or


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unwillingness to repay principal and interest, requests to reschedule or restructure outstanding debt and requests to extend additional loan amounts. A Fund may have limited recourse in the event of default on such debt instruments.

Growing tensions, including trade disputes, between the United States and other nations, or among foreign powers, and possible diplomatic, trade or other sanctions could adversely impact the global economy, financial markets and the Funds. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies may, among other things, adversely affect the Funds' investments denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have, and the duration of those effects.

Investments in the United Kingdom—The UK formally notified the European Council of its intention to withdraw from the EU by invoking article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March 2017. On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU (commonly known as "Brexit") and entered into a transition phase that expired on December 31, 2020. On January 1, 2021, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a bilateral trade and cooperation deal governing the future relationship between the UK and the EU, provisionally went into effect. The UK Parliament ratified the agreement in December 2020 and the EU Parliament ratified the agreement in April 2021. The agreement was then approved by EU member states and became effective in May 2021. However, many aspects of the UK-EU trade relationship remain subject to further negotiation.

Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. There is considerable uncertainty about the potential consequences of Brexit, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, how future negotiations of trade relations will proceed, and how the financial markets will react to all of the preceding. As this process unfolds, markets may be further disrupted. Brexit may also cause additional member states to contemplate departing from the EU, which would likely perpetuate political and economic instability in the region and cause additional market disruption in global financial markets.

Investments in China—China is an emerging market, and as a result, investments in securities of companies organized and listed in China may be subject to liquidity constraints and significantly higher volatility, from time to time, than investments in securities of more developed markets. China may be subject to considerable government intervention and varying degrees of economic, political and social instability. These factors may result in, among other things, a greater risk of stock market, interest rate, and currency fluctuations, as well as inflation. Accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in China are different from U.S. standards and, therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, may be less available, or may be less reliable. It may also be difficult or impossible for the Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment in a Chinese court. In addition, periodically there may be restrictions on investments in Chinese companies. For example, Executive Orders have been issued prohibiting U.S. persons from purchasing or investing in publicly-traded securities of certain companies identified by the U.S. Government because of their ties to the Chinese military or China's surveillance technology sector. These restrictions have also applied to instruments that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, those companies. The universe of affected securities can change from time to time. As a result of an increase in the number of investors looking to sell such securities, or because of an inability to participate in an investment that the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser otherwise believes is attractive, a Fund may incur losses. Certain investments that are or become designated as prohibited may have less liquidity as a result of such designation and the market price of such prohibited investments may decline, potentially causing losses to a Fund. In addition, the market for securities and other investments of other Chinese-based issuers may also be negatively impacted, resulting in reduced liquidity and price declines.

Investments in the China A-Shares. A Fund may invest in PRC A-Shares through the Stock Connect subject to any applicable regulatory limits. The Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing linked program developed by HKEx, the HKSCC, SSE, SZSE and ChinaClear with the aim of achieving mutual stock market access between PRC and Hong Kong. This program allows foreign investors to trade certain SSE-listed or SZSE-listed PRC A-Shares through their Hong Kong based brokers. All Hong Kong and overseas investors in the Stock Connect will trade and settle SSE or SZSE securities in the CNH only. A Fund will be exposed to any fluctuation in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and CNH in respect of such investments.


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By seeking to invest in the domestic securities markets of the PRC via the Stock Connect a Fund is subject to the following additional risks:

General Risks. The relevant regulations are relatively untested and subject to change. There is no certainty as to how they will be applied, which could adversely affect a Fund. The program requires the use of new information technology systems which may be subject to operational risk due to the program's cross-border nature. If the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both Hong Kong and PRC markets through the program could be disrupted.

Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when it is a normal trading day for the PRC market but the Stock Connect is not trading. As a result, a Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations in PRC A-Shares when the Fund cannot carry out any PRC A-Shares trading.

Clearing and Settlement Risk. HKSCC and ChinaClear have established the clearing links and each will become a participant of each other to facilitate clearing and settlement of cross-boundary trades. For cross-boundary trades initiated in a market, the clearing house of that market will on one hand clear and settle with its own clearing participants and on the other hand undertake to fulfill the clearing and settlement obligations of its clearing participants with the counterparty clearing house.

Legal/Beneficial Ownership. Where securities are held in custody on a cross-border basis there are specific legal and beneficial ownership risks linked to the compulsory requirements of the local central securities depositaries, HKSCC and ChinaClear.

As in other emerging markets, the legislative framework is only beginning to develop the concept of legal/formal ownership and of beneficial ownership or interest in securities. In addition, HKSCC, as nominee holder, does not guarantee the title to Stock Connect securities held through it and is under no obligation to enforce title or other rights associated with ownership on behalf of beneficial owners. Consequently, the courts may consider that any nominee or custodian as registered holder of Stock Connect securities would have full ownership thereof, and that those Stock Connect securities would form part of the pool of assets of such entity available for distribution to creditors of such entities and/or that a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof. Consequently, neither a Fund nor its custodian can ensure that the Fund's ownership of these securities or title thereto is assured.

To the extent that HKSCC is deemed to be performing safekeeping functions with respect to assets held through it, it should be noted that a Fund and its custodian will have no legal relationship with HKSCC and no direct legal recourse against HKSCC in the event that the Fund suffers losses resulting from the performance or insolvency of HKSCC. In the event that the Fund suffers losses due to the negligence, or willful default, or insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not be able to institute legal proceedings, file any proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. In the event of the insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not have any proprietary interest in the PRC A-Shares traded through the Stock Connect program and may be an unsecured general creditor in respect of any claim the Fund may have in respect of them. Consequently, the value of the Fund's investment in PRC A-Shares and the amount of its income and gains could be adversely affected.

In the event ChinaClear defaults, HKSCC's liabilities under its market contracts with clearing participants may be limited to assisting clearing participants with claims. It is anticipated that HKSCC will act in good faith to seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from ChinaClear through available legal channels or the liquidation of ChinaClear. Regardless, the process of recovery could be delayed and a Fund may not fully recover its losses or its Stock Connect securities.

Operational Risk. The HKSCC provides clearing, settlement, nominee functions and other related services in respect of trades executed by Hong Kong market participants. PRC regulations which include certain restrictions on selling and buying will apply to all market participants. In the case of a sale, pre-delivery of shares to the broker is required, increasing counterparty risk. As a result, a Fund may not be able to purchase and/or dispose of holdings of PRC A-Shares in a timely manner.


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Quota Limitations. The Stock Connect program is subject to daily quota limitations which may restrict a Fund's ability to invest in PRC A-Shares through the program on a timely basis.

Investor Compensation. A Fund will not benefit from the China Securities Investor Protection Fund in mainland China. The China Securities Investor Protection Fund is established to pay compensation to investors in the event that a securities company in mainland China is subject to compulsory regulatory measures (such as dissolution, closure, bankruptcy, and administrative takeover by the China Securities Regulatory Commission). Because the Fund is carrying out trading of PRC A-Shares through securities brokers in Hong Kong, but not mainland China brokers, it is not protected by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund.

That said, if the Fund suffers losses due to default matters of its securities brokers in Hong Kong in relation to the investment of PRC A-Shares through the Stock Connect program, it would be compensated by Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund.

Tax within the PRC. Uncertainties in the PRC tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments in PRC securities could result in unexpected tax liabilities for a Fund. A Fund's investments in securities, including A-Shares, issued by PRC companies may cause the Fund to become subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by the PRC.

If a Fund were considered to be a tax resident enterprise of the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If a Fund were considered to be a non-tax resident enterprise with a "permanent establishment" in the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax on the profits attributable to the permanent establishment. SIMC and the Funds' Sub-Advisers intend to operate the Funds in a manner that will prevent them from being treated as tax resident enterprises of the PRC and from having a permanent establishment in the PRC. It is possible, however, that the PRC could disagree with that conclusion, or that changes in PRC tax law could affect the PRC corporate income tax status of a Fund.

Unless reduced or exempted by the applicable tax treaties, the PRC generally imposes withholding income tax at the rate of 10% on dividends, premiums, interest and capital gains originating in the PRC and paid to a company that is not a resident of the PRC for tax purposes and that has no permanent establishment in China. The State Administration of Taxation has confirmed the application to a QFII of the withholding income tax on dividends, premiums and interest. Effective as of November 17, 2014, Chinese authorities issued two circulars (Caishui [2014] 79 and Caishui [2014] 81) clarifying the corporate income tax policy of China with respect to QFIIs and Renminbi QFIIs and investments through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect. In addition, Chinese authorities issued Caishui [2016] 127 which took effect on December 5, 2016, to clarify the corporate income tax policy of China with respect to investments through the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect. Pursuant to the circulars, each Fund is expected to be temporarily exempt from withholding tax on capital gains out of trading in A-Shares, but the dividends derived from China A-shares by foreign investors is subject to a 10% withholding income tax. Because there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Funds may be subject to such withholding tax in the future. If in the future China begins applying tax rules regarding the taxation of income from A-Shares investment to QFIIs and Renminbi QFIIs or investments through the Stock Connect, and/or begins collecting capital gains taxes on such investments, a Fund could be subject to withholding tax liability if the Fund determines that such liability cannot be reduced or eliminated by applicable tax treaties. The negative impact of any such tax liability on a Fund's return could be substantial.

SIMC, the Funds' Sub-Advisers or a Fund may also potentially be subject to PRC value added tax at the rate of 6% on capital gains derived from trading of A-Shares and interest income (if any). Existing guidance provides a value added tax exemption for overseas investors in respect of their gains derived from trading of PRC securities through Stock Connect. Because there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Funds may be subject to such value added tax in the future. In addition, urban maintenance and construction tax (currently at rates ranging from 1% to 7%), educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 3%) and local educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 2%) (collectively, the "surtaxes") are imposed based on value added tax liabilities, so if SIMC, the Funds' Sub-Advisers or a Fund were liable for value added tax it would also be required to pay the applicable surtaxes.


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The PRC rules for taxation of Renminbi QFIIs and QFIIs are evolving, and the tax regulations to be issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation and/or PRC Ministry of Finance to clarify the subject matter may apply retrospectively, even if such rules are adverse to a Fund and its shareholders.

Investments in Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). In seeking exposure to Chinese companies, a Fund may invest in VIE structures. VIE structures can vary, but generally consist of a U.S.-listed company with contractual arrangements, through one or more wholly-owned special purpose vehicles, with a Chinese company that ultimately provides the U.S.-listed company with contractual rights to exercise control over and obtain economic benefits from the Chinese company. Although the U.S.-listed company in a VIE structure has no equity ownership in the underlying Chinese company, the VIE contractual arrangements permit the VIE structure to consolidate its financial statements with those of the underlying Chinese company. The VIE structure enables foreign investors, such as a Fund, to obtain investment exposure similar to that of an equity owner in a Chinese company in situations in which the Chinese government has restricted the non-Chinese ownership of such company. As a result, an investment in a VIE structure subjects a Fund to the risks associated with the underlying Chinese company. In its efforts to monitor, regulate and/or control foreign investment and participation in the ownership and operation of Chinese companies, including in particular those within the technology, telecommunications and education industries, the Chinese government may intervene or seek to control the operations, structure, or ownership of Chinese companies, including VIEs, to the disadvantage of foreign investors, such as a Fund. Intervention by the Chinese government with respect to a VIE could significantly and adversely affect the Chinese company's performance or the enforceability of the company's contractual arrangements with the VIE and thus, the value of a Fund's investment in the VIE. In addition to the risk of government intervention, a Fund's investment in a VIE structure is subject to the risk that the underlying Chinese company (or its officers, directors, or Chinese equity owners) may breach the contractual arrangements with the other entities in the VIE structure, or that Chinese law changes in a way that affects the enforceability of these arrangements, or those contracts are otherwise not enforceable under Chinese law, in which case a Fund may suffer significant losses on its VIE investments with little or no recourse available.

Investments in Russia—Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, significantly amplifying already existing geopolitical tensions. Russia's actions and the resulting responses by the United States and other countries could increase volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect regional and global economies. The United States and other countries have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia, certain Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations, and Belarus as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and may impose sanctions on other countries that provide military or economic support to Russia. The extent and duration of Russia's military actions or future escalation of such hostilities, and the extent and impact of the resulting sanctions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions, including cyber-attacks) are impossible to predict, but could result in significant market disruptions, including in certain industries or sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could have a significant impact on a Fund's performance and the value of the Fund's investments, even though the Fund does not have direct exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion.

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS—Futures contracts (also called "futures") provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made, and generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.

A Fund may also invest in Treasury futures, interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, and interest rate swap futures. A Treasury futures contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell Treasury securities at a


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future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The sale of a Treasury futures contract creates an obligation by the Fund to deliver the amount of certain types of Treasury securities called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. A purchase of a Treasury futures contract creates an obligation by the Fund to take delivery of an amount of securities at a specified future time at a specific price. Interest rate futures can be sold as an offset against the effect of expected interest rate increases and purchased as an offset against the effect of expected interest rate declines. Interest rate swaps are an agreement between two parties where one stream of future interest rate payments is exchanged for another based on a specified principal amount. Interest rate swaps often exchange a fixed payment for a floating payment that is linked to a particular interest rate. Interest rate swap futures are instruments that provide a way to gain swap exposure and the structure features of a futures contract in a single instrument. Swap futures are futures contracts on interest rate swaps that enable purchasers to cash settle at a future date at the price determined by the benchmark rate at the end of a fixed period.

A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on national futures exchanges regulated by the CFTC (generally, futures must be traded on such exchanges). Subject to their permitted investment strategies, certain Funds may use futures contracts and related options for either hedging purposes or risk management purposes, or to gain exposure to currencies, as well as to enhance the Fund's returns. Instances in which a Fund may use futures contracts and related options for risk management purposes include: (i) attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; (ii) attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; (iii) attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or (iv) other risk management purposes. A Fund may use futures contracts for cash equitization purposes, which allows a Fund to invest consistent with its investment strategy while managing daily cash flows, including significant client inflows and outflows.

There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on SIMC or a Sub-Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (v) government regulations or exchange requirements may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts. In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund's exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.

GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION SECURITIES—Certain Funds may invest in securities issued by GNMA, a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation that guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest. However, any premiums paid to purchase these instruments are not subject to GNMA guarantees.

GNMA securities represent ownership in a pool of federally insured mortgage loans. GNMA certificates consist of underlying mortgages with a maximum maturity of 30 years. However, due to scheduled and unscheduled principal payments, GNMA certificates have a shorter average maturity and, therefore, less principal volatility than a comparable 30-year mortgage-backed bond. Because prepayment rates vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average maturity of a particular GNMA pool. The scheduled monthly interest and principal payments relating to mortgages in the pool will be "passed through" to investors. GNMA securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is paid back to the certificate holders over the life of the loan rather than at maturity. As a result, a Fund will receive monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest. In addition, a Fund may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Any prepayments will be reinvested at the then-prevailing interest rate.

Although GNMA certificates may offer yields higher than those available from other types of U.S. Government securities, GNMA certificates may be less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term rates because of the prepayment feature. The market value and interest yield of these instruments can vary due to market interest rate fluctuations and early prepayments of underlying


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mortgages. Due to this prepayment feature, GNMA certificates tend not to increase in value as much as most other debt securities when interest rates decline.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES—Illiquid securities are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If, subsequent to purchase, a security held by a Fund becomes illiquid, the Fund may continue to hold the security. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, a Fund's illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security's fair value price may differ from the actual price that the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a Fund. Under the supervision of the Board, SIMC or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines the liquidity of a Fund's investments. In determining the liquidity of a Fund's investments, SIMC or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, may consider various factors, including: (i) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations; (ii) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security).

INTEREST RATE—Interest rate risk is the risk that a Fund's yield will decline due to changing interest rates. A rise in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, in which a Fund invests, whereas a fall in interest rates typically results in the Fund having to invest available cash in instruments with lower interest rates than those of the current portfolio securities. During periods when interest rates are low, a Fund's yield will also be low and the Fund may not generate enough income to pay its expenses or pay a daily dividend. The Fund could even have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis) during a lower interest rate environment. This could impair the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds' ability to provide a positive yield and maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Fluctuations in interest rates may also have unpredictable effects on the markets and may affect the liquidity of the fixed-income securities held by a Fund. As a result, it is possible that the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds would, during these conditions, maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it may earn little, if any, income.

Negative Interest Rates. Certain debt instruments have traded at negative yields. A negative yield could be generated by a negative interest rate policy, which is an unconventional central bank monetary policy tool where nominal target interest rates are set with a negative value (i.e., below zero percent) intended to help create self-sustaining growth in the local economy. A negative yield could also be due to excess demand for or scarce supply of a certain security. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent. To the extent the Fund has a bank deposit or holds a debt instrument with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment. While negative yields can be expected to reduce demand for fixed-income investments trading at a negative interest rate, investors may be willing to continue to purchase such investments for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, price insensitivity, arbitrage opportunities across fixed-income markets or rules-based investment strategies. If negative interest rates become more prevalent in the market, it is expected that investors would seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets such as investment grade and high-yield debt instruments, or equity investments that pay a dividend. This increased demand for higher yielding assets may cause the price of such instruments to rise while triggering a corresponding decrease in yield and the value of debt instruments over time.

In a prolonged environment of low to negative interest rates, the Fund's Trustees may consider taking various actions, including enacting mechanisms to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00 (such as reducing the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis through a reverse distribution mechanism, to the extent permissible by applicable law and its organizational documents) and discontinuing use of the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable NAV of $1 per share and establishing a fluctuating NAV rounded to four decimal places by using available market quotations or equivalents. There is no assurance such measures will result in a stable NAV per share of $1.00.


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INTERFUND LENDING AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS—The SEC has granted an exemption that permits the Funds to participate in the Program with the SEI Funds. The Program allows the SEI Funds to lend money to and borrow money from each other for temporary or emergency purposes. Participation in the Program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds. Interfund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more favorable to the lending fund than the Repo Rate and more favorable to the borrowing fund than the Bank Loan Rate. The Bank Loan Rate will be determined using a formula approved by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees. The interest rate imposed on interfund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.

All interfund loans and borrowings must comply with the conditions set forth in the exemption, which are designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds. Each Fund's participation in the Program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations and is subject to certain percentage limitations. SIMC administers the Program according to procedures approved by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees. In addition, the Program is subject to oversight and periodic review by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees.

LIBOR REPLACEMENT—LIBOR is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. The regulatory authority that oversees financial services firms and financial markets in the U.K. has announced that, after the end of 2021, it would no longer persuade or compel contributing banks to make rate submissions for purposes of determining the LIBOR rate. The publication of LIBOR on a representative basis ceased for the one-week and two-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately after December 31, 2021, and is expected to cease for the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately after June 30, 2023. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve's Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. In response to the discontinuation of LIBOR, investors have added fallback provisions to existing contracts for investments whose value is tied to LIBOR, with most fallback provisions requiring the adoption of SOFR as a replacement rate. On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Adjustable Interest Rate Act into law (the "LIBOR Act"), which, in conjunction with regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, establishes SOFR as the default fallback rate for any U.S. contract without a fallback provision. In addition, on March 4, 2023, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that, starting July 1, 2023 and continuing through September 30, 2024, it will publish 1-, 3- and 6-month synthetic U.S. dollar LIBOR settings based on SOFR to serve as a fallback for non-U.S. contracts. The Funds have added provisions for the majority of their contracts to fall back to SOFR following the discontinuation of U.S. dollar LIBOR rates and the remaining contracts will fall back to either SOFR pursuant to the LIBOR Act for U.S. contracts or a synthetic LIBOR rate for non-U.S. contracts. However, there is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of SOFR or any such alternative reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that it will have the same volume or liquidity as did LIBOR prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. This, in turn, may affect the value or liquidity or return on certain Fund investments, result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades and reduce the effectiveness of related fund transactions such as hedges. These risks may also apply with respect to potential changes in connection with other interbank offering rates (e.g., Euribor) and other indexes, rates and values that may be used as "benchmarks" and are the subject of recent regulatory reform. Questions around liquidity impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds.

MiFID II—MiFID II took effect in Member States of the EU on January 3, 2018. MiFID II forms the legal framework governing the requirements applicable to EU investment firms and trading venues and third-country firms providing investment services or activities in the EU. The extent to which MiFID II will have an indirect impact on markets and market participants outside the EU is unclear and yet to fully play out in practice. It will likely impact pricing, liquidity and transparency in most asset classes and certainly impact the research market.

MiFID II prohibits an EU authorized investment firm from receiving investment research unless it is paid for directly by the firm out of its own resources or from a separate research payment account regulated under MiFID II and funded either by a specific periodic research charge to the client or by a research charge that is not


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collected from the client separately but instead alongside a transaction commission. Specifically, MiFID II will have practical ramifications outside the EU in certain areas such as payment for equity research and fixed income, currency and commodities research. For example, US asset managers acting under the delegated authority of an EU-based asset manager and US asset managers that are part of a global asset management group with one or more EU affiliates may, in practice, have to restructure the way they procure, value and pay for research under US laws and regulations to more closely align with the requirements under MiFID II. Absent appropriate relief or guidance from US regulators, certain aspects of the research payment regime under MiFID II may be incompatible with US law and regulation. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of MiFID II on the Funds and the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, but it could include an increase in the overall costs of entering into investments. Shareholders should be aware that the regulatory changes arising from MiFID II may affect each Fund's ability to adhere to its investment approach and achieve its investment objective.

EU research providers that are MiFID II firms will be obliged to price their research services separately from their execution services. It is uncertain whether these changes will lead to an overall increase in the price of research and/or lead to reduced access to research for the Adviser and Sub-Advisers. While the exact impact of MiFID II and the related Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation on certain Funds and the Adviser and Sub-Advisers remain unclear and will take time to quantify, the impact on them and on the EU financial markets may be material.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—Mortgage-backed securities are a class of asset-backed securities representing an interest in a pool or pools of whole mortgage loans (which may be residential mortgage loans or commercial mortgage loans). Mortgage-backed securities held or acquired by the Funds could include (i) obligations guaranteed by federal agencies of the U.S. Government, such as GNMA, which are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States, (ii) securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are not backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States but are guaranteed by the U.S. Government as to timely payment of principal and interest, (iii) securities (commonly referred to as "private-label RMBS") issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole residential mortgage loans without a government guarantee and (iv) CMBS, which are multi-class or pass-through securities backed by a mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured by commercial property such as industrial and warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping malls, multifamily properties and cooperative apartments. Because private-label RMBS and CMBS are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, those securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement. There can be no assurance, however, that credit enhancements will support full payment to the Funds of the principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, changes in the credit quality of the entity that provides credit enhancement could cause losses to the Funds and affect their share prices.

A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities in the form of debt or in the form of "pass-through" certificates. Pass-through certificates, which represent the beneficial ownership interests in the related mortgage loans, differ from debt securities, which generally provide for periodic fixed payments of interest on and principal of the related notes. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a "pass-through" of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees and expenses owed to the servicers of the mortgage loans and other transaction parties that receive payment from collections on the mortgage loans.

The performance of mortgage loans and, in turn, the mortgage-backed securities acquired by a Fund, is influenced by a wide variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors, including general economic conditions, the level of prevailing interest rates, the unemployment rate, the availability of alternative financing and homeowner behavior. Beginning in late 2006, delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures on residential and commercial mortgage loans increased significantly, and they may again increase in the future. In addition, beginning in late 2006, numerous originators and servicers of residential mortgage loans experienced serious financial difficulties and, in many cases, went out of business or were liquidated in bankruptcy proceedings. Those difficulties resulted, in part, from declining markets for their mortgage loans as well as from claims for repurchases of mortgage loans previously sold under provisions that require repurchase in the event of early payment defaults or for breaches of representations and warranties regarding loan characteristics.


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Since mid-2007, the residential mortgage market has been subject to extensive litigation and legislative and regulatory scrutiny. The result has been extensive reform legislation and regulations including with respect to loan underwriting, mortgage loan servicing, foreclosure practices and timing, loan modifications, enhanced disclosure and reporting obligations and risk retention. Numerous laws, regulations and rules related to residential mortgage loans generally, and foreclosure actions particularly, have been proposed or enacted by federal, state and local governmental authorities, which may result in delays in the foreclosure process, reduced payments by borrowers, modification of the original terms of mortgage loans, permanent forgiveness of debt, increased prepayments due to the availability of government-sponsored refinancing initiatives and/or increased reimbursable servicing expenses. Any of these factors could result in delays and reductions in distributions to residential mortgage-backed securities and may reduce the amount of investment proceeds to which a Fund would be entitled.

The conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the current uncertainty regarding the future status of these organizations may also adversely affect the mortgage market and the value of mortgage-related assets. It remains unclear to what extent the ability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to act as the primary sources of liquidity in the residential mortgage markets, both by purchasing mortgage loans for their own portfolios and by guaranteeing mortgage-backed securities, may be curtailed. Legislators have repeatedly unveiled various plans to reduce and reform the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the mortgage market and, possibly, wind down both institutions. Although it is unclear whether, and if so how, those plans may be implemented or how long any such wind-down or reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, if implemented, would take, a reduction in the ability of mortgage loan originators to access Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sell their mortgage loans may adversely affect the financial condition of mortgage loan originators. In addition, any decline in the value of agency securities may affect the value of residential mortgage-backed securities as a whole.

Since March 13, 2020, there have been a number of government initiatives applicable to federally backed mortgage loans in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, including foreclosure and eviction moratoria, mortgage forbearance and loan modifications for borrowers and renters experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

It is difficult to predict how the government initiatives relating to COVID-19 may affect the federally backed mortgage market, the U.S. mortgage market as a whole and the price of securities relating to the mortgage markets. However, high forbearance rates create a real possibility of billions of dollars of loan servicers' obligations to advance payment to investors in securities backed by mortgages in the absence of borrower payments on the underlying loans. Accordingly, the Funds cannot predict with certainty the extent to which these or similar initiatives in the future may adversely impact the value of the Funds' investments in securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and in investments in securities in the U.S. mortgage industry as a whole.

The rate and aggregate amount of distributions on mortgage-backed securities, and therefore the average lives of those securities and the yields realized by a Fund, will be sensitive to the rate of prepayments (including liquidations) and modifications of the related mortgage loans, any losses and shortfalls on the related mortgage loans allocable to the tranches held by a Fund and the manner in which principal payments on the related mortgage loans are allocated among the various tranches in the particular securitization transaction. Furthermore, mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to those changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the mortgage loans. Among other factors, a significant amount of defaults, rapid prepayments or prepayment interest shortfalls may erode amounts available for distributions to a Fund. The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments of the mortgage loans may significantly affect the Funds' actual yield to maturity, even if the average rate of principal payments is consistent with a Fund's expectations. If prepayments of mortgage loans occur at a rate faster than that anticipated by a Fund, payments of interest on the mortgage-backed securities could be significantly less than anticipated. Similarly, if the number of mortgage loans that are modified is larger than that anticipated by a Fund, payments of principal and interest on the mortgage-backed securities could be significantly less than anticipated.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. CMOs are securities collateralized by mortgages, mortgage pass-throughs, mortgage pay-through bonds (bonds representing an interest in a pool of mortgages where the cash


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flow generated from the mortgage collateral pool is dedicated to bond repayment) and mortgage-backed bonds (general obligations of the issuers payable out of the issuers' general funds and additionally secured by a first lien on a pool of single family detached properties). To the extent a Fund invests in CMOs, the Fund typically will seek to invest in CMOs rated in one of the two highest categories by S&P or Moody's. Many CMOs are issued with a number of classes or series that have different expected maturities. Investors purchasing such CMOs are credited with their portion of the scheduled payments of interest and principal on the underlying mortgages plus all unscheduled prepayments of principal based on a predetermined priority schedule. Accordingly, the CMOs in the longer maturity series are less likely than other mortgage pass-through securities to be prepaid prior to their stated maturity. Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported by various types of insurance and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed.

Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. REMICs are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by interests in real property. REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates. For Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates, Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest. GNMA REMIC Certificates are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Parallel Pay Securities; Planned Amortization Class CMOs. Parallel pay CMOs and REMICs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds are always parallel pay CMOs, with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. ARMS are a form of pass-through security representing interests in pools of mortgage loans whose interest rates are adjusted from time to time. The adjustments are usually determined in accordance with a predetermined interest rate index and may be subject to certain limits. Although the value of ARMS, like other debt securities, generally varies inversely with changes in market interest rates (increasing in value during periods of declining interest rates and decreasing in value during periods of increasing interest rates), the value of ARMS should generally be more resistant to price swings than other debt securities because the interest rates of ARMS move with market interest rates. The adjustable rate feature of ARMS will not, however, eliminate fluctuations in the prices of ARMS, particularly during periods of extreme fluctuations in interest rates. Also, because many adjustable rate mortgages only reset on an annual basis, it can be expected that the prices of ARMS will fluctuate to the extent that changes in prevailing interest rates are not immediately reflected in the interest rates payable on the underlying adjustable rate mortgages.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are securities that are created when a U.S. Government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The holder of the PO receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the IO receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.

Estimated Average Life. Due to the possibility of prepayments of the underlying mortgage instruments, mortgage-backed securities generally do not have a known maturity. In the absence of a known maturity, market participants generally refer to an "average life estimate." An average life estimate is a function of an assumption regarding anticipated prepayment patterns and is based upon current interest rates, current conditions in the relevant housing markets and other factors. The assumption is necessarily subjective, and thus different market participants can produce different average life estimates with regard to the same security. There can be no assurance that the estimated average life will be a security's actual average life.


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MUNICIPAL SECURITIES—Municipal securities consist of: (i) debt obligations issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to be used for various public facilities, refunding outstanding obligations, general operating expenses and lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities, and (ii) certain private activity and industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated facilities. Additional information regarding municipal securities is described below:

Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds are debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds, moral obligation bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility, such as tolls from a toll bridge. Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development bonds is generally dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. A Fund may purchase private activity or industrial development bonds if, in the opinion of counsel for the issuers, the interest paid is exempt from federal income tax. Municipal bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking, sewage or solid waste disposal facilities and certain other facilities. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. Moral obligation bonds are normally issued by special purpose authorities. Moral obligation bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the state, but are generally backed by the agreement of the issuing authority to request appropriations from the state legislative body.

Municipal Leases. Municipal leases are instruments, or participations in instruments, issued in connection with lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations of municipalities (so-called "municipal lease obligations"). Although municipal lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuing municipality, a lease obligation may be backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate funds for and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses, which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose in the relevant years. Municipal lease obligations are a form of financing, and the market for such obligations is still developing. Municipal leases will be treated as liquid only if they satisfy criteria set forth in guidelines established by the Board, and there can be no assurance that a market will exist or continue to exist for any municipal lease obligation. Information regarding illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.

Municipal Notes. Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. The maturities of the instruments at the time of issue will generally range from three months to one year.

SIMC and/or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, may rely on the opinion of the issuer's counsel, which is rendered at the time the security is issued, to determine whether the security is fit, with respect to its validity and tax status, to be purchased by a Fund. SIMC, the Sub-Advisers and the Funds do not guarantee this opinion is correct, and there is no assurance that the IRS will agree with such counsel's opinion.

OBLIGATIONS OF DOMESTIC BANKS, FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS—Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks.


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These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions that might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Bank obligations include the following:

Bankers' Acceptances. Bankers' acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers' acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less.

Bank Notes. Bank notes are notes used to represent debt obligations issued by banks in large denominations.

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and can normally be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid. Additional information about illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.

Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, a time deposit earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid. Additional information about illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.

OBLIGATIONS OF SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES—Supranational entities are entities established through the joint participation of several governments, including the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Economic Community, the European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank. The governmental members, or "stockholders," usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and, in many cases, are committed to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of a supranational entity will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and a Fund may lose money on such investments.

OPTIONS—A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on indexes and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period, or for certain types of options, at the conclusion of the option period or only at certain times during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period, or for certain types of options, at the conclusion of the option period or only at certain times during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.

A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies (traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or OTC markets) to manage its exposure to exchange rates.

Put and call options on indexes are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally rather than the price movements in individual securities. Options on indexes may, depending on circumstances, involve greater risk than options on securities. Because stock index options are settled in cash,


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when a Fund writes a call on an index it may not be able to provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities.

Each Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indexes and currencies, as SIMC or a Sub-Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective, unless otherwise restricted by the Fund's investment limitations.

The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an "opening transaction." In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a "closing transaction," which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.

A Fund may purchase put and call options on securities for any lawful purpose, including to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. A Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium for such options. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's securities or by a decrease in the cost of the acquisition of securities by the Fund.

A Fund may write (i.e., sell) "covered" call options on securities for any lawful purpose, including as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. Certain Funds may engage in a covered call option writing (selling) program in an attempt to generate additional income or provide a partial hedge to another position of the Fund. A call option is "covered" if the Fund either owns the underlying instrument or has an absolute and immediate right (such as a call with the same or a later expiration date) to acquire that instrument. The underlying instruments of such covered call options may consist of individual equity securities, pools of equity securities, ETFs or indexes.

The writing of covered call options is a more conservative investment technique than writing of naked or uncovered options, but capable of enhancing the Fund's total return. When a Fund writes a covered call option, it profits from the premium paid by the buyer but gives up the opportunity to profit from an increase in the value of the underlying security above the exercise price. At the same time, the Fund retains the risk of loss from a decline in the value of the underlying security during the option period. Although the Fund may terminate its obligation by executing a closing purchase transaction, the cost of effecting such a transaction may be greater than the premium received upon its sale, resulting in a loss to the Fund. If such an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received. Such a gain may be offset or exceeded by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If an option is exercised, the exercise price, the premium received and the market value of the underlying security determine the gain or loss realized by the Fund.

When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease, as applicable, to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option will generally expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.

A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or OTC. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation or futures commission merchant, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is normally done by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC's position that OTC options are generally illiquid. The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other


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principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.

Risks. Risks associated with options transactions include: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (iv) though a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.

REGULATORY REFORM—Changes in the laws and regulations applicable to and governing money market funds, such as Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, can impact the Funds. On July 23, 2014, the SEC voted to amend Rule 2a-7 and other rules and forms related to money market funds. These amendments affect the manner in which the Funds and other money market funds are structured and operated, and may impact Fund expenses, returns and liquidity. The SEC and other government agencies continue to review the regulation of money market funds and may implement certain regulatory changes in the future. In December 2021, the SEC proposed amendments to Rule 2a-7 that, if adopted, would impact the manner in which all types of money market funds operate. The amendments would, among other items, prohibit certain mechanisms for maintaining a stable NAV per share in negative interest rate environments, such as by reducing the number of Fund shares outstanding (including through reverse distribution mechanisms). These and other legal or regulatory changes may negatively impact the Funds.

The Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds qualify as a "government money market fund" as defined in Rule 2a-7. Accordingly, the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds must each invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, government securities and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by cash or government securities, but, unlike certain other types of money market funds, the Fund is not required to maintain a floating NAV or impose liquidity fees or redemption gates.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS—A repurchase agreement is an agreement in which one party sells securities to another party in return for cash, with an agreement to repurchase equivalent securities at an agreed-upon price and on an agreed-upon future date. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. The Funds follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions deemed creditworthy by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement at all times. SIMC and the applicable Sub-Advisers monitor compliance with this requirement as well as the ongoing financial condition and creditworthiness of the counterparty.

If a money market fund decides to "look through" a repurchase agreement counterparty issuer to the underlying collateral for diversification purposes, the collateral posted by the counterparty will be required to be cash items or U.S. Government securities. Further, the money market funds will evaluate the creditworthiness of the counterparty before "look through" treatment.

Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund, the Fund's custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of a Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase are less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. A Fund may enter into "tri-party" repurchase agreements. In "tri-party" repurchase agreements, an unaffiliated third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for the Fund and its counterparties and, therefore, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of those custodians. At times, the investments of a Fund in repurchase agreements may be substantial when, in the view of SIMC or the Sub-Adviser(s), liquidity or other considerations so warrant.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES—Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public without registration under the 1933 Act or an exemption from registration. Restricted securities, including securities eligible for re-sale under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, that are determined to be liquid are not subject


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to a Fund's limitation on investing in illiquid securities. The determination of whether a restricted security is illiquid is to be made by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board. Under these guidelines, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser will consider the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers in, and potential purchasers for, the security, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security, and the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades. In purchasing such restricted securities, SIMC and each Sub-Adviser intends to purchase securities that are exempt from registration under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, including, but not limited to, Rules 506(b) or 506(c) under Regulation D.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SALE-BUYBACKS—Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions, such as banks and broker-dealers, and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed-upon date and price that is higher than the original sale price. Reverse repurchase agreements are similar to a fully collateralized borrowing by a Fund. Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act permits a Fund to enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Rule permits a Fund to elect whether to treat a reverse repurchase agreement as a borrowing, subject to the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the Act, or as a Derivative Transactions under Rule 18f-4. The Funds have elected to treat all reverse repurchase agreements as Derivative Transactions. See "Derivatives" above.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve risks. Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of leverage, and the use of reverse repurchase agreements by a Fund may increase the Fund's volatility. Reverse repurchase agreements are also subject to the risk that the other party to the reverse repurchase agreement will be unable or unwilling to complete the transaction as scheduled, which may result in losses to a Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. In addition, when a Fund invests the proceeds it receives in a reverse repurchase transaction, there is a risk that those investments may decline in value. In this circumstance, the Fund could be required to sell other investments in order to meet its obligations to repurchase the securities.

In a sale-buyback transaction, a Fund sells an underlying security for settlement at a later date. A sale-buyback is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback the counterparty who purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of the Fund's repurchase of the underlying security.

RISKS OF CYBER-ATTACKS—As with any entity that conducts business through electronic means in the modern marketplace, the Funds, and their service providers, may be susceptible 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 monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential information, unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the Funds and their service providers use to service the Funds' operations, ransomware, operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Funds and their service providers, or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting a Fund, SIMC or any of the Sub-Advisers, a Fund's distributor, custodian, transfer agent, or any other of a Fund's intermediaries or service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses or the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Funds may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes designed to mitigate or prevent the risk of cyber-attacks. Such costs may be ongoing because threats of cyber-attacks are constantly evolving as cyber attackers become more sophisticated and their techniques become more complex. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund's investment in such companies to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Funds, the Funds' service providers, or the issuers


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of the securities in which the Funds invest will not suffer losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches in the future. A Fund may also experience losses due to systems failures or inadequate system back-up or procedures at the brokerage firm(s) carrying the Fund's positions.

SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS, COLLARS AND SWAPTIONS—Swaps are centrally-cleared or OTC derivative products in which two parties agree to exchange payment streams calculated by reference to an underlying asset, such as a rate, index, instrument or securities (referred to as the "underlying") and a predetermined amount (referred to as the "notional amount"). The underlying for a swap may be an interest rate (fixed or floating), a currency exchange rate, a commodity price index, a security, group of securities or a securities index, a combination of any of these, or various other rates, securities, instruments, assets or indexes. Swap agreements generally do not involve the delivery of the underlying or principal, and a party's obligations are generally equal to only the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the swap agreement.

A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swaps may be structured. For example, in a simple fixed-to-floating interest rate swap, one party makes payments equivalent to a fixed interest rate, and the other party makes payments calculated with reference to a specified floating interest rate, such as SOFR or the prime rate. In a currency swap, the parties generally enter into an agreement to pay interest streams in one currency based on a specified rate in exchange for receiving interest streams denominated in another currency. Currency swaps may involve initial and final exchanges of the currency that correspond to the agreed upon notional amount. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment techniques and risks, including settlement risk, non-business day risk, the risk that trading hours may not align, and the risk of market disruptions and restrictions due to government action or other factors.

A Fund may engage in simple or more complex swap transactions involving a wide variety of underlying assets for various reasons. For example, a Fund may enter into a swap (i) to gain exposure to investments (such as an index of securities in a market) or currencies without actually purchasing those stocks or currencies; (ii) to make an investment without owning or taking physical custody of securities or currencies in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable; (iii) to hedge an existing position; (iv) to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded the desired return; or (v) for various other reasons.

Certain Funds may enter into credit default swaps as a buyer or a seller. The buyer in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided no event of default has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value ("par value") of the underlying in exchange for the underlying. If a Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs, the Fund will have made a stream of payments to the seller without having benefited from the default protection it purchased. However, if an event of default occurs, the Fund, as a buyer, will receive the full notional value of the underlying that may have little or no value following default. As a seller, a Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, provided there is no default. If an event of default occurs, the Fund would be obligated to pay the notional value of the underlying in return for the receipt of the underlying. The value of the underlying received by the Fund, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. Credit default swaps involve different risks than if a Fund invests in the underlying directly. For example, credit default swaps would increase credit risk by providing the Fund with exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation (typically a debt obligation) and the counterparty to the credit default swap. Credit default swaps may in some cases be illiquid. Furthermore, the definition of a "credit event" triggering the seller's payment obligations under a credit default swap may not encompass all of the circumstances in which the buyer may suffer credit-related losses on an obligation of a referenced entity.

The Funds may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indexes during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable


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interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market.

Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund's portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically, no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, a Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). Fully funded total return swaps have economic and risk characteristics similar to credit-linked notes, which are described above.

Caps, floors, collars and swaptions are privately-negotiated option-based derivative products. Like a put or call option, the buyer of a cap or floor pays a premium to the writer. In exchange for that premium, the buyer receives the right to a payment equal to the differential if the specified index or rate rises above (in the case of a cap) or falls below (in the case of a floor) a pre-determined strike level. Like swaps, obligations under caps and floors are calculated based upon an agreed notional amount, and, like most swaps (other than foreign currency swaps), the entire notional amount is not exchanged. A collar is a combination product in which one party buys a cap from and sells a floor to another party. Swaptions give the holder the right to enter into a swap. A Fund may use one or more of these derivative products in addition to or in lieu of a swap involving a similar rate or index.

Under current market practice, swaps, caps, collars and floors between the same two parties are generally documented under a "master agreement." In some cases, options and forward contracts between the parties may also be governed by the same master agreement. In the event of a default, amounts owed under all transactions entered into under, or covered by, the same master agreement would be netted, and only a single payment would be made.

Generally, a Fund would calculate the obligations of the swap agreements' counterparties on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's current obligation (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty to the swap agreement (the "net amount"). A Fund's current obligation under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund).

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents using standardized swap agreements. As a result, the use of swaps has become more prevalent in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are also traded in OTC markets.

Swaps and other derivatives involve risks. One significant risk in a swap, cap, floor, collar or swaption is the volatility of the specific interest rate, currency or other underlying that determines the amount of payments due to and from a Fund. This is true whether these derivative products are used to create additional risk exposure for a Fund or to hedge, or manage, existing risk exposure. If under a swap, cap, floor, collar or swaption agreement a Fund is obligated to make a payment to the counterparty, the Fund must be prepared to make the payment when due. A Fund could suffer losses with respect to such an agreement if the Fund is unable to terminate the agreement or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions. Further, the risks of caps, floors and collars, like put and call options, may be unlimited for the seller if the cap or floor is not hedged or covered, but is limited for the buyer.

Because under swap, cap, floor, collar and swaption agreements a counterparty may be obligated to make payments to a Fund, these derivative products are subject to risks related to the counterparty's creditworthiness, in addition to other risks discussed in this SAI. If a counterparty defaults, a Fund's risk of loss will consist of any payments that the Fund is entitled to receive from the counterparty under the agreement (this may not be true


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for currency swaps that require the delivery of the entire notional amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other). Upon default by a counterparty, however, a Fund may have contractual remedies under the swap agreement.

A Fund will enter into swaps only with counterparties that SIMC or a Sub-Adviser believes to be creditworthy.

The swap market is a relatively new market for which regulations are still being developed. The Dodd-Frank Act has substantially altered and increased the regulation of swaps. Swaps are broadly defined in the Dodd-Frank Act, CFTC rules and SEC rules, and also include commodity options and NDFs. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act divided the regulation of swaps between commodity swaps (such as swaps on interest rates, currencies, physical commodities, broad based stock indexes, and broad based credit default swap indexes), regulated by the CFTC, and security based swaps (such as equity swaps and single name credit default swaps), regulated by the SEC. The CFTC will determine which categories of swaps will be required to be traded on regulated exchange-like platforms, such as swap execution facilities, and which will be required to be centrally cleared. Cleared swaps must be cleared through futures commission merchants registered with the CFTC, and such futures commission merchants will be required to collect margin from customers for such cleared swaps. Additionally, all swaps are subject to reporting to a swap data repository. Dealers in swaps are required to register with the CFTC as swap dealers and are required to comply with extensive regulations regarding their external and internal business conduct practices, regulatory capital requirements, and rules regarding the holding of counterparty collateral.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES—Examples of types of U.S. Government obligations in which a Fund may invest include U.S. Treasury obligations and the obligations of U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government sponsored entities such as Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the FHA, the Farmers Home Administration, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Small Business Administration, Fannie Mae, GNMA, the General Services Administration, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Freddie Mac, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Maritime Administration and other similar agencies. Whether backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or not, U.S. Government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to fluctuating interest rates.

If the total public debt of the U.S. Government as a percentage of gross domestic product reaches high levels as a result of combating financial downturn or otherwise, such high levels of debt may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may increase borrowing costs and cause a government to issue additional debt, thereby increasing the risk of refinancing. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government may be unable or unwilling to repay the principal or interest on its debt when due. Unsustainable debt levels can decline the valuation of currencies, can prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy during economic downturns, and can contribute to market volatility.

An increase in national debt levels may also necessitate the need for the U.S. Congress to negotiate adjustments to the statutory debt ceiling to increase the cap on the amount the U.S. Government is permitted to borrow to meet its existing obligations and finance current budget deficits. Future downgrades could increase volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets, result in higher interest rates, lower prices of U.S. Treasury securities and increase the costs of different kinds of debt. Any controversy or ongoing uncertainty regarding statutory debt ceiling negotiations may impact the U.S. long-term sovereign credit rating and may cause market uncertainty. As a result, market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government may be adversely affected. Although remote, it is at least theoretically possible that under certain scenarios the U.S. Government could default on its debt, including U.S. Treasury securities.

Receipts. Receipts are interests in separately-traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are


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interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, which means that they are sold at a substantial discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal.

U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry systems known as STRIPS and TRs.

U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities; that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturities and credit qualities.

U.S. Government Agencies. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by GNMA), others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks), while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality (e.g., obligations of Fannie Mae). Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that, in the event of a default prior to maturity, there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest neither extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of a Fund's shares.

VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS—Certain obligations may carry variable or floating rates of interest and may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature. Such instruments bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but that vary with changes in specified market rates or indexes. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly, or some other reset period. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security.

WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES—When-issued and delayed delivery basis, including "TBA" (to be announced) basis, transactions involve the purchase of an instrument with payment and delivery taking place in the future. Delivery of and payment for these securities may occur a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to the settlement date. The interest rate realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase date, and no interest accrues to a Fund before settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuation due to changes in market interest rates, and it is possible that the market value of these securities at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if the general level of interest rates has changed. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of actually acquiring securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of a when-issued security or forward commitment prior to settlement if SIMC or a Sub-Adviser deems it appropriate. Rule 18f-4 under 1940 Act permits a Fund to enter into when-issued or delayed delivery basis securities notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. If a when-issued or delayed delivery basis security does not satisfy those requirements, the Fund would need to comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to its when issued or delayed delivery transactions, which are considered Derivative Transactions under the Rule. See "Derivatives" above.


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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The following are fundamental and non-fundamental policies of the Funds. Except with regard to the limitation on investing in illiquid investments and borrowings, the following percentages will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of a purchase of such security.

Fundamental Policies

The following investment limitations are fundamental policies of each Fund, which cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the consent of the holders of a majority of that Fund's outstanding shares. The term "majority of outstanding shares" means the vote of: (i) 67% or more of a Fund's shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is less.

Each of the Government, Government II, Treasury II, Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds may not:

  1.  Purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Fund to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

  2.  Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

  3.  Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

  4.  Make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

  5.  Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

  6.  Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

Non-Fundamental Policies

The following investment limitations are non-fundamental policies of each Fund and may be changed by the Board without a vote of shareholders.

Each of the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds may not:

  1.  Purchase securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies), if as a result, more than 5% of the total assets of a Fund would be invested in the securities of such issuer or if a Fund would acquire more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer; provided, however, each Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets without regard to this restriction as permitted by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

  2.  Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the total assets of a Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to investments in: (i) certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers'


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acceptances or similar instruments issued or guaranteed by domestic banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks, which a Fund has determined to be subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks, or (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

  3.  Borrow money except for temporary or emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 10% of the value of the total assets of that Fund. This borrowing provision is included solely to facilitate the orderly sale of portfolio securities to accommodate substantial redemption requests if they should occur and is not for investment purposes. All borrowings will be repaid before the Fund makes additional investments and any interest paid on such borrowings will reduce the income of that Fund.

  4.  Make loans, except that a Fund may purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective, enter into repurchase agreements, loan its portfolio securities, and participate in the Program. In the case of the Government II Fund, repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, restricted securities and other illiquid securities are not to exceed, in the aggregate, 5% of the Fund's net assets.

  5.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets except to secure temporary borrowings permitted by a Fund's borrowing policy in aggregate amounts not to exceed 10% of the net assets of such Fund taken at fair market value at the time of the incurrence of such loan.

  6.  Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnership interests, commodities or commodities contracts including futures contracts. However, to the extent consistent with its investment objective and policies, a Fund (other than Government II Fund) may: (i) invest in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business or the business of investing in real estate (including interests in limited partnerships owning or otherwise engaged in the real estate business or the business of investing in real estate) and securities which are secured by real estate or interest therein; (ii) hold or sell real estate received in connection with securities it holds or held; or (iii) trade in futures contracts and options on futures contracts (including options on currencies). In addition, the Government II Fund, subject to its permitted investments, may purchase obligations issued by companies which invest in real estate, commodities or commodities contracts.

  7.  Make short sales of securities, maintain a short position or purchase securities on margin, except that a Fund may obtain short-term credits as necessary for the clearance of security transactions.

  8.  Acquire any Illiquid Security if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 5% of its Total Assets in illiquid securities. Capitalized terms have the meaning given to such terms in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

  9.  With respect to the Government II Fund, issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) except in connection with permitted borrowings as described in its Prospectuses and its SAI or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

In addition, each of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds may not:

  1.  With respect to 75% of its assets: (i) purchase the securities of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies), if as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer; or (ii) acquire more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer.

  2.  Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the total assets of the Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that this limitation does not apply to investments in (a) domestic banks and (b) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities.

  3.  Borrow money except for temporary or emergency purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 10% of the value of the total assets of that Fund. This borrowing provision is included solely to facilitate the orderly sale of portfolio securities to accommodate substantial redemption requests if they should occur and is not for investment purposes. All borrowings will be repaid before the Fund makes additional investments and any interest paid on such borrowings will reduce the income of that Fund.


S-32


  4.  Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) except in connection with permitted borrowings as described in its Prospectuses and its SAI or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

  5.  Make loans, except that each Fund: (a) may purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies; (b) may enter into repurchase agreements, provided that repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, restricted securities and other illiquid securities are not to exceed, in the aggregate, 15% of the Fund's net assets; (c) may engage in securities lending as described in this SAI; and (d) may participate in the Program.

  6.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets except to secure temporary borrowings permitted by a Fund's borrowing limitation described above in aggregate amounts not to exceed 10% of the net assets of such Fund taken at current value at the time of the incurrence of such loan.

  7.  Make short sales of securities, maintain a short position or purchase securities on margin, except that the Funds may obtain short-term credits as necessary for the clearance of security transactions.

  8.  Purchase illiquid investments, i.e., any investment that the fund reasonably expects cannot be sold in current market conditions in seven calendar days without significantly changing the market value of the investment, if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

Unregistered securities sold in reliance on the exemption from registration in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and securities exempt from registration on re-sale pursuant to Rule 144A of the 1933 Act may be treated as liquid securities under procedures adopted by the Board. Rule 144A securities are securities that are traded in the institutional market pursuant to an exemption from registration. Rule 144A securities may not be as liquid as exchange-traded securities because they may only be resold to certain qualified institutional buyers.

Other Policies. The Funds are prohibited from acquiring any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on section 12(d)(1)(G) or section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.

The following descriptions of the 1940 Act may assist shareholders in understanding the above policies and restrictions.

Diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding voting securities would be held by the fund. Money market funds are subject to additional diversification requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Concentration. The SEC has presently defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company's net assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions. For purposes of a Fund's concentration policy, the Fund may classify and re-classify companies in a particular industry and define and re-define industries in any reasonable manner, consistent with SEC and SEC staff guidance.

Borrowing. The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 331/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets).

Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. Each Fund's investment policy on lending is set forth above.

Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.


S-33


Real Estate. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict a fund's ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every fund have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. Certain Funds have adopted a fundamental policy that would permit direct investment in real estate. However, these Funds have a non-fundamental investment limitation that prohibits the Funds from investing directly in real estate. This non-fundamental policy may be changed only by vote of such Fund's Board.

Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it provides allowances for certain borrowings and certain other investments, such as short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments.

THE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT

General. SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the "Administrator"), a Delaware statutory trust, has its principal business offices at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. The Administrator also serves as the transfer agent for the Funds (the "Transfer Agent"). SIMC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company ("SEI"), is the owner of all beneficial interest in the Administrator and Transfer Agent. SEI and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including the Administrator, are leading providers of fund evaluation services, trust accounting systems, and brokerage and information services to financial institutions, institutional investors and money managers. The Administrator and its affiliates also serve as administrator or sub-administrator to other mutual funds.

Administration Agreement with the Trust. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into an administration and transfer agency agreement (the "Administration Agreement"). Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative and transfer agency services or employs certain other parties, including its affiliates, who provide such services. Such services generally include, but are not limited to:

•  maintaining books and records related to a Fund's cash and position reconciliations, and portfolio transactions;

•  preparation of financial statements and other reports for the Funds;

•  calculating the NAV of the Funds in accordance with the Funds' valuation policies and procedures;

•  tracking income and expense accruals and processing disbursements to vendors and service providers;

•  providing performance, financial and expense information for registration statements and board materials;

•  providing certain tax monitoring and reporting and all necessary office;

•  providing space, equipment, personnel and facilities;

•  maintaining share transfer records;

•  reviewing account opening documents and subscription and redemption requests;

•  calculating and distributing required ordinary income and capital gains distributions; and

•  providing anti-money laundering program services.

The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator in the performance of its duties or from the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.


S-34


The Administration Agreement shall remain effective for the initial term of the Agreement and each renewal term thereof unless earlier terminated: (a) by a vote of a majority of the Trustees on not less than 60 days' written notice to the Administrator; or (b) by the Administrator on not less than 90 days' written notice to the Trust.

As disclosed in the applicable Prospectuses, certain voluntary and contractual fee waivers and reimbursement arrangements by the Administrator were in effect during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023. The Administrator has agreed to waive a portion of its entire fee, for various classes of shares in various Funds, to limit total annual expenses up to the following amounts (expressed as a percentage of the Funds' average annual daily net assets):

    Government
Fund
  Government II
Fund
  Treasury II
Fund
 

Institutional

   

0.20

%(1)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class F

   

N/A

     

0.20

%(2)

   

0.20

%(2)

 

Class CAA

   

0.20

%(1)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Sweep Class

   

0.35

%(1)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   
    Ultra
Short
Duration
Bond
Fund
  Short-Duration
Government
Fund
  GNMA
Fund
 

Class F

   

0.38

%(1)

   

0.48

%(1)

   

0.63

%(1)

 

Class Y

   

0.30

%(1)

   

0.38

%(1)

   

0.43

%(1)

 

(1)  Represents a voluntary cap that may be discontinued at any time.

(2)  Represents a contractual cap effective through May 31, 2024, to be changed only by Board approval.

Administration Fees. For its administrative services, the Administrator receives a fee, which is calculated based upon the average daily net assets of each Fund and paid monthly by the Trust at the following annual rates as set forth in the chart below:

For the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds:

   

Administration Fee

 

On the first $1.5 billion of Assets;

   

0.150

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1375

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1250

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1125

%

 

on Assets over $3 billion.

   

0.100

%

 

For the GNMA, Ultra Short Duration Bond and Short-Duration Government Funds:

   

Administration Fee

 

On the first $1.5 billion of Assets;

   

0.200

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1775

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1550

%

 

on the next $500 million of Assets;

   

0.1325

%

 

on Assets over $3 billion.

   

0.110

%

 


S-35


For each Fund the following table shows: (i) the dollar amount of fees paid to the Administrator by the Funds; and (ii) the dollar amount of the Administrator's contractual and voluntary fees waived and/or reimbursed for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023:

    Administration Fees
Paid (000)
  Administration
Fees Waived or
Reimbursed (000)
 
   

2021

 

2022

 

2023

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

 
Government Fund  

$

10,761

   

$

9,867

   

$

11,234

   

$

1,817

   

$

9,736

   

$

880

   
Government II Fund  

$

3,529

   

$

3,668

   

$

3,073

   

$

573

   

$

3,619

   

$

349

   
Treasury II Fund  

$

629

   

$

525

   

$

758

   

$

88

   

$

481

   

$

104

   
Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund  

$

629

   

$

671

   

$

652

   

$

98

   

$

212

   

$

211

   
Short-Duration Government Fund  

$

1,601

   

$

1,487

   

$

1,371

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
GNMA Fund  

$

181

   

$

183

   

$

114

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

3

   

THE ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS

General. SIMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC), a leading global provider of outsourced asset management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The principal business address of SIMC and SEI is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. SEI was founded in 1968 and is a leading provider of investment solutions to banks, institutional investors, investment advisers and insurance companies. As of December 31, 2022, SIMC had approximately $180.86 billion in assets under management.

Manager of Managers Structure. SIMC is the investment adviser to each of the Funds and operates as a "manager of managers." SIMC and the Trust have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits SIMC, with the approval of the Trustees, to hire, retain or terminate sub-advisers unaffiliated with SIMC for the Funds without submitting the sub-advisory agreements to a vote of the Funds' shareholders. Among other things, the exemptive relief permits the disclosure of only the aggregate amount payable by SIMC under all such sub-advisory agreements. The Funds will notify shareholders in the event of any addition or change in the identity of their sub-advisers.

SIMC oversees the investment advisory services provided to the Funds and may manage the cash portion of the Funds' assets. Pursuant to separate sub-advisory agreements with SIMC, and under the supervision of SIMC and the Board, the sub-advisers to the Funds are generally responsible for the day-to-day investment management of all or a discrete portion of the assets of the Funds. Sub-advisers also are responsible for managing their employees who provide services to the Funds.

Subject to Board review, SIMC allocates and, when appropriate, reallocates the Funds' assets to the Sub-Advisers, monitors and evaluates the Sub-Advisers' performance and oversees the Sub-Advisers' compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions. SIMC has the ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Funds due to its responsibility to oversee Sub-Advisers and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements.

The Trust and SIMC have entered into an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, SIMC oversees the investment advisory services provided to the Funds and may manage the cash portion of the Funds' assets. Pursuant to separate sub-advisory agreements (the "Sub-Advisory Agreements" and, together with the Advisory Agreement, the "Investment Advisory Agreements") with SIMC, and under the supervision of SIMC and the Board, one or more Sub-Advisers are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of all or a distinct portion of the assets of the Funds. The Sub-Advisers are also responsible for managing their employees who provide services to the Funds.

Each Investment Advisory Agreement sets forth a standard of care, pursuant to which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, is responsible for performing services to the Funds, and also includes liability and indemnification provisions.


S-36


The continuance of each Investment Advisory Agreement after the first two (2) years must be specifically approved at least annually: (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund or by the Trustees; and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such Investment Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, on not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' written notice to SIMC or the Fund's Sub-Adviser, as applicable, or by SIMC or the Fund's Sub-Adviser, as applicable, on 90 days' written notice to the Trust.

In accordance with a separate exemptive order that the Trust and SIMC have obtained from the SEC, the Board may approve a new sub-advisory agreement or a material amendment to an existing sub-advisory agreement at a meeting that is not in person, subject to certain conditions, including that the Trustees are able to participate in the meeting using a means of communication that allows them to hear each other simultaneously during the meeting.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fees. For its advisory services, SIMC receives a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rates set forth in the tables below (shown as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund).

For the Government Fund, Government II Fund and Treasury II Fund:

Fund Name

 

Contractual Advisory Fee

 

Government Fund

   

0.07

%

 

Government II Fund*

   

0.07

%

 

Treasury II Fund*

   

0.07

%

 

*  SIMC has contractually agreed to waive its management fee as necessary to keep the management fee paid by each of the Government II Fund and Treasury II Fund during its fiscal year from exceeding 0.20%. This fee waiver agreement shall remain in effect until May 31, 2024 and, unless earlier terminated, shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods thereafter. The agreement may be amended or terminated only with the consent of the Board.

For the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund:

   

Contractual Advisory Fee

 

On the first $500 million in Assets

   

0.10

%

 

On the next $500 million in Assets

   

0.075

%

 

On Assets over $1 billion

   

0.05

%

 

For the combined average daily net assets of the Short-Duration Government Fund and GNMA Fund:

   

Contractual Advisory Fee

 

On the first $500 million in Assets

   

0.10

%

 

On the next $500 million in Assets

   

0.075

%

 

On Assets over $1 billion

   

0.05

%

 


S-37


SIMC pays each Sub-Adviser a fee out of its advisory fee. Sub-Advisory fees are based on a percentage of the average daily net assets managed by the applicable Sub-Adviser. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023 the following percentage amount of sub-advisory fees were paid to the Sub-Advisers:

Fund Name

  Aggregate Sub-Advisory
Fees Paid
 
Government Fund    

0.00

%

 

Government II Fund

   

0.01

%

 

Treasury II Fund

   

0.01

%

 

Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund

   

0.10

%

 

Short-Duration Government Fund

   

0.09

%

 

GNMA Fund

   

0.10

%

 

For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the following tables show: (i) the contractual advisory fees that SIMC is entitled to receive from each Fund; (ii) the dollar amount of SIMC's contractual and voluntary fee waivers; (iii) the dollar amount of fees paid to the Sub-Advisers by SIMC; and (iv) the dollar amount of the fees retained by SIMC.

Sub-Advisory fees are based on a percentage of the average daily net assets managed by the applicable Sub-Adviser.

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023:

Fund Name

  Contractual
Advisory Fees (000)
  Advisory Fees
Waived (000)
  Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000)
  Advisory Fees
Retained
by SIMC (000)
 

Government Fund

 

$

7,076

   

$

0

   

$

509

   

$

6,567

   

Government II Fund

 

$

1,479

   

$

529

   

$

108

   

$

842

   

Treasury II Fund

 

$

354

   

$

126

   

$

27

   

$

201

   
Ultra Short Duration Bond
Fund
 

$

321

   

$

0

   

$

321

   

$

0

   
Short-Duration Government
Fund
 

$

631

   

$

0

   

$

631

   

$

0

   

GNMA Fund

 

$

53

   

$

0

   

$

53

   

$

0

   

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022:

Fund Name

  Contractual
Advisory Fees (000)
  Advisory Fees
Waived (000)
  Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000)
  Advisory Fees
Retained
by SIMC (000)
 

Government Fund

 

$

5,696

   

$

1,847

   

$

442

   

$

3,407

   

Government II Fund

 

$

1,819

   

$

1,018

   

$

134

   

$

667

   

Treasury II Fund

 

$

245

   

$

144

   

$

18

   

$

83

   
Ultra Short Duration Bond
Fund
 

$

325

   

$

0

   

$

325

   

$

0

   
Short-Duration Government
Fund
 

$

650

   

$

0

   

$

650

   

$

0

   

GNMA Fund

 

$

93

   

$

0

   

$

93

   

$

0

   


S-38


For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2021:

Fund Name

  Contractual
Advisory Fees (000)
  Advisory Fees
Waived (000)
  Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000)
  Advisory Fees
Retained
by SIMC (000)
 

Government Fund

 

$

6,751

   

$

0

   

$

488

   

$

6,263

   

Government II Fund

 

$

1,738

   

$

626

   

$

127

   

$

985

   

Treasury II Fund

 

$

294

   

$

105

   

$

22

   

$

167

   
Ultra Short Duration Bond
Fund
 

$

309

   

$

0

   

$

309

   

$

0

   
Short-Duration Government
Fund
 

$

718

   

$

0

   

$

718

   

$

0

   

GNMA Fund

 

$

86

   

$

0

   

$

86

   

$

0

   

The Sub-Advisers

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC—BlackRock Advisors, LLC ("BAL") serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds. BAL is an investment adviser registered with the SEC. BAL is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. ("BlackRock"), an independent and publicly-traded corporation incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in New York, New York. As of March 31, 2023, there was no person known by BlackRock to own beneficially 10% or more of any class of outstanding voting securities of BlackRock.

METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC—MetLife Investment Management, LLC ("MIM") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund. MIM, a Delaware limited liability company, was founded and registered with the SEC in 2006. MIM is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. ("MetLife"). There are no 25% or greater shareholders of MetLife.

WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLP—Wellington Management Company LLP ("Wellington Management"), serves as a Sub-Adviser to the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds. Wellington Management, a Delaware limited liability partnership with principal offices at 280 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 is a professional investment counseling firm that provides investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations and other institutions. Wellington Management and its predecessor organizations have provided investment advisory services for over 90 years. Wellington Management is owned by the partners of Wellington Management Group LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership.

Portfolio Management.

SIMC

Compensation. SIMC compensates each portfolio manager for his or her management of the Funds. Each portfolio manager's compensation consists of a fixed annual salary, plus a discretionary annual bonus determined generally as follows.

Portfolio manager compensation is a combination of both Fund performance and SEI Investments Company ("SEI") performance. A majority of each portfolio manager's compensation is determined by the performance of the Funds for which the portfolio manager is responsible for over both a short-term and long-term time horizon. A final factor is a discretionary component, which is based upon a qualitative review of the portfolio managers and their team.

With respect to the bonus, twenty percent of each portfolio manager's compensation is tied to the corporate performance of SEI (SIMC's ultimate parent company), as measured by the earnings per share earned for a particular year. This percentage is set at the discretion of SEI and not SIMC.

The remaining percentage is based upon each Fund's performance (pre-tax) versus its respective benchmark over a one and three year period.


S-39


Ownership of Fund Shares. As of December 31, 2022, the portfolio managers beneficially owned shares of the Funds they manage (which may be through their 401(k) plans), as follows:

Portfolio Manager

  Dollar Range of
Fund Shares
 

Richard A. Bamford

 

$

0

   

Anthony Karaminas, CFA

 

$

0

   

Philip Terrenzio, CFA

 

$

0

   

Other Accounts. As of December 31, 2022, in addition to the Funds, the portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:

    Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
 

Other Accounts

 

Portfolio Manager

  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
 
Richard A. Bamford    

21

   

$

27,198.61

     

2

   

$

346.34

     

0

   

$

0

   
Anthony Karaminas, CFA    

19

   

$

30,220.32

     

0

   

$

0

     

0

   

$

0

   

Philip Terrenzio, CFA

   

2

   

$

750.14

     

0

   

$

0

     

0

   

$

0

   

No account listed above is subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

Conflicts of Interest. A portfolio manager's management of registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles or other accounts may give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with their day-to-day management of the Funds' investments. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Funds or hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Funds.

While a portfolio manager's management of the other accounts may give rise to the following potential conflicts of interest, SIMC does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, SIMC believes that it has designed policies and procedures that reasonably manage such conflicts in an appropriate way.

Knowledge of the Timing and Size of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of a portfolio manager's day-to-day oversight of the Funds. Because of his/her position with the Funds, a portfolio manager knows the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of the other accounts and to the possible detriment of the Funds. However, SIMC has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.

Investment Opportunities. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of a portfolio manager's oversight of the Funds and the other accounts, which, in theory, may allow a portfolio manager to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors the other accounts over the Funds. This conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that SIMC or a portfolio manager receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of the other accounts than the Funds. Notwithstanding this theoretical conflict of interest, it is SIMC's policy to manage each account based on its investment objectives and related restrictions and, as discussed above, SIMC has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time and in a manner consistent with each account's investment objectives and related restrictions. For example, while a portfolio manager may buy for other accounts securities that differ in identity or quantity from securities bought for the Funds, such an approach might not be suitable for the Funds given their investment objectives and related restrictions.

MIM

Compensation. SIMC pays MIM a fee based on the assets under management of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between MIM and SIMC. MIM pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned


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with respect to the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund. The following information relates to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023.

MIM is a wholly owned subsidiary of MetLife. The program is a combination of short and long term elements to compensate investment professionals, and non-investment professionals, based on the overall financial success of the firm. The incentive program is primarily comprised of three elements:

(i) Base salary: Base salaries are generally reviewed annually and are based on market competitiveness.

(ii) Short Term Awards: Individual awards in the form of an annual cash bonus are discretionary and non-formulaic based on firm as well as individual performance. Bonus compensation for senior investment professionals comprises a majority of their total compensation. This portion of compensation is determined subjectively based on qualitative and quantitative factors. Compensation is impacted by the performance of investments under management (i.e., delivering investment performance to clients consistent with portfolio objectives, guidelines and risk parameters) as well as an individual's qualitative contributions to the organization.

(iii) Long term Awards: Senior level employees are eligible to receive long term equity incentives. These create the motivation for strong individual and business performance over time and the opportunity for long-term alignment with shareholder return and employee retention.

An investment professional's short and long term awards and the compensation is not tied to any pre-determined or specified level of investment performance.

Ownership of Fund Shares. As of January 31, 2023, MIM's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund.

Other Accounts. As of January 31, 2023, MIM's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:

    Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
 

Other Accounts

 

Portfolio Manager†

  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
  Number
of Accounts
  Total Assets
(in millions)
 

Scott Pavlak, CFA

   

2

   

$

1,507

     

4

   

$

1,482

     

51

   

$

8,905

   

Juan Peruyero

   

2

   

$

1,507

     

4

   

$

1,482

     

51

   

$

8,905

   

None of these accounts are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

  MIM utilizes a team-based approach to portfolio management, and each of the portfolio managers listed in the table is jointly responsible for the management of a portion of the accounts listed in each category.

Conflicts of Interest. Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or account. MIM is wholly owned by MetLife and is part of MetLife Investment Management, MetLife's institutional investment management business, and is affiliated with many types of U.S. and non-U.S. financial service providers, including other investment advisers, broker-dealers and insurance companies.

MetLife affiliates also invest their own capital in a broad range of investments. These investments may give rise to numerous situations where interests may conflict, including issues arising out of the investments of MetLife affiliates in entities or assets in which the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund may invest or MIM may be prohibited from pursuing certain investment opportunities for the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund due to regulatory or legal restrictions or constraints that may not have been applicable had MetLife affiliates not also invested in the same entity.

MIM has adopted procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws and to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest to affect portfolio management decisions; however, there can be no assurance that all conflicts will be identified or that all procedures will be effective in mitigating the potential for such risks.


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MIM and/or its affiliates manage certain accounts subject to performance-based fees or may have proprietary investments in certain accounts. The side-by-side management of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund and these other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of investment opportunities because of market factors or investment restrictions. The performance of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund's investments could be adversely affected by the manner in which MIM and/or its affiliates enter particular orders for all such accounts. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited supply and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as MIM and/or its affiliates may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. A potential conflict of interest also may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price.

MIM and its affiliates have adopted a policy to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts. Orders for the same security on the same day are generally aggregated consistent with MIM's duty of best execution; however, purchases of fixed income securities cannot always be allocated pro rata across all client accounts with similar investment strategies and objectives. MIM will attempt to mitigate any potential unfairness using an objective methodology that in the good faith judgment of MIM permits a fair and equitable allocation over time.

MIM will manage the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund and other client accounts in accordance with their respective investment objectives and guidelines. As a result, MIM and/or its affiliates may give advice, and take action with respect to any current or future other client accounts that may be opposed to or conflict with the advice MIM may give to the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund, or may involve a different timing or nature of action than with respect to the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund. Where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increases the holding in such security. The results of the investment activities of the Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund may differ significantly from the results achieved by MIM and/or its affiliates for other client accounts.

Wellington Management

Compensation. Wellington Management receives a fee based on the assets under management of each of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government, and GNMA Funds as set forth in the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Wellington Management and SIMC. Wellington Management pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues, including the advisory fees earned with respect to the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds. The following information relates to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023.

Wellington Management's compensation structure is designed to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals necessary to deliver high quality investment management services to its clients. Wellington Management's compensation of each Fund's manager listed in the applicable Prospectus who is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds (the "Portfolio Managers") includes a base salary and incentive components. The base salary for each Portfolio Manager who is a partner (a "Partner") of Wellington Management Group LLP, the ultimate holding company of Wellington Management, is generally a fixed amount that is determined by the managing partners of Wellington Management Group LLP. The base salary for other Portfolio Managers is determined by the Portfolio Manager's experience and performance in his role as a Portfolio Manager. Base salaries for Wellington Management's employees are reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on the recommendation of a Portfolio Manager's manager, using guidelines established by Wellington Management's Compensation Committee, which has final oversight responsibility for base salaries of employees of the firm. Each Portfolio


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Manager is eligible to receive an incentive payment based on the revenues earned by Wellington Management from the Fund managed by the Portfolio Manager and generally each other account managed by such Portfolio Manager. Each Portfolio Manager's incentive payment relating to the relevant fund is linked to the gross pre-tax performance of the portion of the fund managed by the Portfolio Manager compared to the Bloomberg GNMA index for the GNMA Fund and compared to the ICE BofA 1-3 Year US Treasury index for the Short-Duration Government Fund over one, three, and five year periods, with an emphasis on five year results. Wellington Management applies similar incentive compensation structures (although the benchmarks or peer groups, time periods and rates may differ) to other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, including accounts with performance fees. The incentive paid to the Portfolio Manager for the other fund, which has no performance-related component, is based on the revenues earned by Wellington Management.

Portfolio-based incentives across all accounts managed by an investment professional can, and typically do, represent a significant portion of an investment professional's overall compensation. Incentive compensation varies significantly by individual and can vary significantly from year to year. The Portfolio Managers may also be eligible for bonus payments based on their overall contribution to Wellington Management's business operations. Senior management at Wellington Management may reward individuals as it deems appropriate based on other factors. Each Partner is eligible to participate in a Partner-funded tax qualified retirement plan, the contributions to which are made pursuant to an actuarial formula. Brian Conroy and Timothy E. Smith are Partners.

Ownership of Fund Shares. As of January 31, 2023, the Portfolio Managers did not beneficially own any Fund shares of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government or GNMA Funds.

Other Accounts. As of January 31, 2023, in addition to the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government, and GNMA Funds, the Portfolio Managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:

    Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
 

Other Accounts

 

Portfolio Manager

  Number
of Accounts
 

Total Assets

  Number
of Accounts
 

Total Assets

  Number
of Accounts
 

Total Assets

 

Timothy E. Smith

   

12

   

$

9,975,954,012

     

6

   

$

4,335,091,990

     

64

   

$

22,156,597,293

   
     

0

   

$

0

     

1

*

 

$

36,584,226

     

0

   

$

0

   

Brian Conroy, CFA

   

7

   

$

19,208,304,975

     

11

   

$

2,901,299,033

     

44

   

$

15,406,269,100

   
     

0

   

$

0

     

0

   

$

0

     

6

*

 

$

5,110,582,924

   

Marc Piccuirro

   

0

   

$

0

     

1

   

$

16,869,239

     

62

   

$

17,484,227,949

   

*  These accounts, which are a subset of the accounts in the preceding row, are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.

Conflicts of Interest. Individual investment professionals at Wellington Management manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions, such as pension funds, insurance companies, foundations or separately managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries), bank common trust accounts and hedge funds.

The Portfolio Managers generally manage accounts in several different investment styles. These accounts may have investment objectives, strategies, time horizons, tax considerations and risk profiles that differ from those of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds. The Portfolio Managers make investment decisions for each account, including the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds, based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, benchmarks, cash flows, tax and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that account. Consequently, the Portfolio Managers may purchase or sell securities, including initial public offerings, for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. Alternatively, these accounts may be managed in a similar fashion to the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds and thus the accounts may have


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similar, and in some cases nearly identical, objectives, strategies and/or holdings to that of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds.

A Portfolio Manager or other investment professionals at Wellington Management may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds depending on market conditions. For example, an investment professional may purchase a security in one account while appropriately selling that same security in another account. Similarly, a Portfolio Manager may purchase the same security for the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds and for one or more other accounts at or about the same time. In those instances, the other accounts will have access to their respective holdings prior to the public disclosure of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds' holdings. In addition, some of these accounts have fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher, in some cases significantly higher, than the fees Wellington Management receives for managing the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government and GNMA Funds. Mr. Smith, and Mr. Conroy also manage accounts which pay performance allocations to Wellington Management or its affiliates. Because incentive payments paid by Wellington Management to the Portfolio Managers are tied to revenues earned by Wellington Management and, where noted, to the performance achieved by the manager in each account, the incentives associated with any given account may be significantly higher or lower than those associated with other accounts managed by a given Portfolio Manager. Finally, the Portfolio Managers may hold shares or investments in the other pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts identified above.

Wellington Management's goal is to meet its fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly and provide high quality investment services to all of its clients. Wellington Management has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures that it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Wellington Management monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with primary account guidelines, the allocation of initial public offerings and compliance with the firm's Code of Ethics and places additional investment restrictions on investment professionals who manage hedge funds and certain other accounts. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Wellington Management periodically review the performance of Wellington Management's investment professionals. Although Wellington Management does not track the time an investment professional spends on a single account, Wellington Management does periodically assess whether an investment professional has adequate time and resources to effectively manage the investment professional's various client mandates.

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING

General. SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor") serves as each Fund's distributor. The Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI, has its principal business address at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.

Distribution Agreement and Shareholder Service Plan. The Distributor serves as each Fund's distributor pursuant to a distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement").

Pursuant to a Shareholder Service Plan (the "Shareholder Service Plan"), the Class F, Sweep Class and Class CAA shares are authorized to pay service providers a fee in connection with the ongoing servicing of shareholder accounts owning such shares at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets attributable to each of the Class F, Sweep Class and Class CAA shares of the Fund, which is calculated daily and payable monthly.

The service fee payable under the Shareholder Service Plan are intended to compensate service providers for the provision of shareholder services and may be used to provide compensation to financial intermediaries for ongoing service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to Fund shares of the applicable


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Funds. Shareholder services under the Shareholder Service Plan may include: (i) maintaining client accounts; (ii) arranging for bank wires; (iii) responding to client inquiries concerning services provided on investments; (iv) assisting clients in changing dividend options, (v) account designations and addresses; (vi) sub-accounting; (vii) providing information on share positions to clients; (viii) forwarding shareholder communications to clients; (ix) processing purchase, exchange and redemption orders; (x) processing dividend payments; and (xi) providing such other similar services as a Fund may reasonably request to the extent the service provider is permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.

Distribution Expenses Incurred by Adviser. The Funds may be sold through independent registered investment advisers, financial planners, bank trust departments and other financial advisors ("Financial Advisors") who provide their clients with advice and services in connection with their investments in the SEI Funds. SEI Funds are typically combined into complete investment portfolios and strategies using asset allocation techniques to serve investor needs. In connection with its distribution activities, SIMC and its affiliates may provide Financial Advisors, without charge, asset allocation models and strategies, custody services, risk assessment tools and other investment information and services to assist them in providing advice to investors.

SIMC may hold conferences, seminars and other educational and informational activities for Financial Advisors for the purpose of educating Financial Advisors about the Funds and other investment products offered by SIMC or its affiliates. SIMC may pay for lodging, meals and other similar expenses incurred by Financial Advisors in connection with such activities. SIMC also may pay expenses associated with joint marketing activities with Financial Advisors, including, without limitation, seminars, conferences, client appreciation dinners, direct market mailings and other marketing activities designed to further the promotion of the Funds. In certain cases, SIMC may make payments to Financial Advisors or their employer in connection with their solicitation or referral of investment business, subject to any regulatory requirements for disclosure to and consent from the investor. All such marketing expenses and solicitation payments are paid by SIMC or its affiliates out of its past profits or other available resources and are not charged to the Funds.

Many Financial Advisors may be affiliated with broker-dealers. SIMC and its affiliates may pay compensation to broker-dealers or other financial institutions for services such as, without limitation, providing the Funds with "shelf space" or a higher profile for the firm's associated Financial Advisors and their customers, placing the Funds on the firm's preferred or recommended fund list, granting the Distributor access to the firm's associated Financial Advisors, providing assistance in training and educating the firms' personnel, allowing sponsorship of seminars or informational meetings, and furnishing marketing support and other specified services. These payments may be based on average net assets of SEI Funds attributable to that broker-dealer, gross or net sales of SEI Funds attributable to that broker-dealer, a negotiated lump sum payment or other appropriate compensation for services rendered.

Payments may also be made by SIMC or its affiliates to financial institutions to compensate or reimburse them for administrative or other client services provided such as sub-transfer agency services for shareholders or retirement plan participants, omnibus accounting or sub-accounting, participation in networking arrangements, account set-up, recordkeeping and other shareholder services. These fees may be used by the financial institutions to offset or reduce fees that would otherwise be paid directly to them by certain account holders, such as retirement plans. The foregoing payments may be in addition to any shareholder servicing fees paid to a financial institution in accordance with the Funds' Shareholder Servicing Plan or Administrative Servicing Plan.

The payments discussed above may be significant to the financial institutions receiving them and may create an incentive for the financial institutions or their representatives to recommend or offer shares of the SEI Funds to its customers rather than other funds or investment products. These payments are made by SIMC and its affiliates out of their past profits or other available resources.

Although the Funds may use broker-dealers that sell Fund shares to effect transactions for the Funds' portfolio, the Funds, SIMC and the Funds' Sub-Advisers will not consider the sale of Fund shares as a factor when choosing broker-dealers to effect those transactions and will not direct brokerage transactions to broker-dealers as compensation for the sales of Fund shares.


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SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITY

During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds did not engage in securities lending.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Funds described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has approved contracts, as described above, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.

Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as SIMC, the Distributor and the Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust's service providers and, thus, have oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. 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 Funds. The Funds and their service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such risks if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust's business (e.g., SIMC is responsible for the investment performance of the Funds and, along with the Board, is responsible for the oversight of the Funds' Sub-Advisers, which, in turn, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds' portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Funds' service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.

The Trustees' role in risk oversight begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time SIMC presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally, each Sub-Adviser and SIMC provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophy, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructure. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of SIMC and other service providers such as the Fund's independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Funds may be exposed.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and Sub-Advisers and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, in connection with its consideration of whether to annually renew the Advisory Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and SIMC and the various sub-advisory agreements between SIMC and the Sub-Advisers with respect to the Funds, the Board annually meets with SIMC and, at least every three years, meets with the Sub-Advisers to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Sub-Advisers' adherence to the Funds' investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations.

The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues and Fund, Adviser and Sub-Adviser risk assessments. At least annually, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust's policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Advisers. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Valuation Designee and the Funds' service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. The Trust's Valuation Designee provides quarterly reports to the Board concerning investments for which market prices are not readily available or may be unreliable. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the


S-46


Audit Committee its audit of the Funds' financial statements, focusing on major areas of financial statement risk encountered by the Funds and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that were identified in the Funds' internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management's implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust's internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust's financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust's financial statements.

From their review of these reports and discussions with SIMC, the Sub-Advisers, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn about the material risks of the Funds, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified and/or quantified, 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 Funds' goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the Funds' investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through SIMC, the Sub-Advisers and the Funds' other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management and each of which has policies and methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out. These risk management policies and methods may differ in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board's ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.

Members of the Board. There are nine members of the Board, seven of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act ("independent Trustees"). Robert A. Nesher, an interested person of the Trust, serves as Chairman of the Board. James M. Williams, an independent Trustee, serves as the lead independent Trustee. The Trust has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Trust made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the chairperson of each Committee of the Board is an independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust and the number of Funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the independent Trustees from Fund management.

The Board has two standing committees: the Audit Committee and Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and Governance Committee are chaired by an independent Trustee and composed of all of the independent Trustees. In addition, the Board has a lead independent Trustee.

In his role as lead independent Trustee, Mr. Williams, among other things: (i) presides over Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board; (ii) presides over executive sessions of the independent Trustees; (iii) along with the Chairman of the Board, oversees the development of agendas for Board meetings; (iv) facilitates dealings and communications between the independent Trustees and management, and among the independent Trustees; and (v) has such other responsibilities as the Board or independent Trustees determine from time to time.

Set forth below are the names, years of birth, position with the Trust, the year in which the Trustee was elected, and the principal occupations and other directorships held during at least the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as a Trustee of the Trust. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees. However, each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust must retire from the Board by the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee attains the age of 75 years. Current members of the Board may, upon the unanimous vote of the Governance Committee and a majority vote of the full Board, continue to serve on the Board for a maximum of five successive one calendar year terms after attaining the age of 75 years. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee is SEI Investments Company, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.


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Interested Trustees.

ROBERT A. NESHER (Born: 1946)—Chairman of the Board of Trustees* (since 1989)—President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust since December 2005. SEI employee since 1974; currently performs various services on behalf of SEI Investments for which Mr. Nesher is compensated. President and Director of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP. Director of SEI Global Master Fund plc, SEI Global Assets Fund plc, SEI Global Investments Fund plc, SEI Investments—Global Funds Services, Limited, SEI Investments Global, Limited, SEI Investments (Europe) Ltd., SEI Investments—Unit Trust Management (UK) Limited, SEI Multi-Strategy Funds PLC and SEI Global Nominee Ltd. Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II, Bishop Street Funds, Frost Family of Funds and Catholic Responsible Investments Funds. President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Trustee of The KP Funds from 2013 to 2020. Vice Chairman of Schroder Series Trust and Schroder Global Series Trust from 2017 to 2018. Vice Chairman of Gallery Trust from 2015 to 2018. Vice Chairman of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund from 2014 to 2018. Vice Chairman of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund III from 2014 to 2018. Vice Chairman of Winton Series Trust from 2014 to 2017. Vice Chairman of O'Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) from 2014 to 2016. President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust from 1989 to 2016. President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP, from 2007 to 2013.

WILLIAM M. DORAN (Born: 1940)—Trustee* (since 1982)—1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Self-employed consultant since 2003. Counsel to the Trust, SEI Investments, SIMC, the Administrator and the Distributor. Director of the Distributor since 2003. Director of SEI Investments since 1985. Secretary of SEI since 1978. Director of SEI Investments—Global Funds Services, Limited, SEI Investments Global, Limited, SEI Investments (Europe), Limited, SEI Investments (Asia) Limited, SEI Global Nominee Ltd. and SEI Investments—Unit Trust Management (UK) Limited. Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund III, Gallery Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of Schroder Global Series Trust and Schroder Series Trust from 2017 to 2021. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Trustee of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) from 2014 to 2018. Trustee of The KP Funds from 2013 to 2018. Trustee of Bishop Street Funds from 2006 to 2018. Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund and The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II from 1991 to 2018. Trustee of Winton Series Trust from 2014 to 2017. Trustee of O'Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) from 2014 to 2016. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust from 1982 to 2016. Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP from 2007 to 2013. Partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (law firm) from 1976 to 2003.

Independent Trustees.

NINA LESAVOY (Born: 1957)—Trustee (since 2003)—Founder and Managing Director, Avec Capital (strategic fundraising firm), since April 2008. Trustee/Director of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust from 2003 to 2016. Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP from 2007 to 2013. Managing Director, Cue Capital (strategic fundraising firm) from March 2002 to March 2008.

*  Messrs. Nesher and Doran are Trustees who may be deemed to be "interested" persons (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds by virtue of their affiliation with SIMC and the Distributor.


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JAMES M. WILLIAMS (Born: 1947)—Trustee (since 2004)—Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, J. Paul Getty Trust, Non Profit Foundation for Visual Arts, since December 2002. Trustee/Director of Ariel Mutual Funds, SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee/Director of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust from 2004 to 2016. Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP from 2007 to 2013. President of Harbor Capital Advisors and Harbor Mutual Funds from 2000 to 2002. Manager of Pension Asset Management for Ford Motor Company from 1997 to 1999.

HUBERT L. HARRIS, JR. (Born: 1943)—Trustee (since 2008)—Retired since December 2005. Owner of Harris Plantation, Inc. since 1995. Chief Executive Officer of Harris CAPM, a consulting asset and property management entity. Director of Aaron's Inc. since August 2012. Member of the Board of Councilors of the Carter Center (nonprofit corporation) and served on the boards of other non-profit organizations. Trustee of SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust from 2008 to 2016. Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP from 2008 to 2013. Served as a director of a bank holding company from 2003 to 2009. Chief Executive Officer, INVESCO North America, from August 2003 to December 2005. Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors of AMVESCAP Retirement, Inc., from January 1998 to August 2005. Director of AMVESCAP PLC from 1993 to 2004.

SUSAN C. COTE (Born: 1954)—Trustee (since 2016)—Retired since July 2015. Trustee/Director of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2015 to 2020. Treasurer and Chair of Finance of the Investment and Audit Committee of the New York Women's Foundation from 2012 to 2017. Member of the Ernst & Young LLP Retirement Investment Committee from 2009 to 2015. Global Asset Management Assurance Leader, Ernst & Young LLP from 2006 to 2015. Partner of Ernst & Young LLP from 1997 to 2015. Americas Director of Asset Management of Ernst & Young LLP from 2006 to 2013. Employee of Prudential from 1983 to 1997.

JAMES B. TAYLOR (Born: 1950)—Trustee (since 2018)—Retired since December 2017. Trustee of SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2018 to 2020. Chief Investment Officer, Georgia Tech Foundation from 2008 to 2017. Chief Investment Officer, Delta Air Lines from 1983 to 2007. Member of the Investment Committee of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers from 1999 to 2004. President, Vice President and Treasurer for Southern Benefits Conference from 1998 to 2000.

CHRISTINE REYNOLDS (Born: 1958)—Trustee (since 2019)—Retired since December 2016. Trustee of SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Trustee of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2019 to 2020. Executive Vice President at Fidelity Investments from 2014 to 2016. President at Fidelity Pricing and Cash Management Services ("FPCMS") and Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Funds from 2008 to 2014. Chief Operating Officer of FPCMS from 2007 to 2008. President, Treasurer at Fidelity Funds from 2004 to 2007. Anti-Money Laundering Officer at Fidelity Funds in 2004. Executive Vice President at Fidelity Funds from 2002 to 2004. Audit Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1992 to 2002.

THOMAS MELENDEZ (Born 1959)—Trustee (since 2021)—Retired since April 2019. Trustee of SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, Adviser Managed Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds. Independent Consultant of New Covenant Funds and SEI Catholic Values Trust. Trustee of Boston Children's Hospital, The


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Partnership Inc. (non-profit organizations) and Brae Burn Country Club. Investment Officer and Institutional Equity Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management from 2002 to 2019. Director of Emerging Markets Group, General Manager of Operations in Argentina and Portfolio Manager for Latin America at Schroders Investment Management from 1994 to 2002.

There are currently 6 Funds in the Trust and 97 Funds in the Fund Complex.

Individual Trustee Qualifications. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of their ability to review and understand information about the Funds provided to them by management, to identify and request other information they may deem relevant to the performance of their duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise their business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds' shareholders. The Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on their own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Nesher should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained in his various roles with SEI Investments Company, which he joined in 1974, his knowledge of and experience in the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the various SEI Trusts since 1982.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Doran should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as a Partner in the Investment Management and Securities Industry Practice of a large law firm, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the various SEI Trusts since 1982.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Lesavoy should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained as a Director of several private equity fundraising firms and marketing and selling a wide range of investment products to institutional investors, her experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience she has gained serving as Trustee of the various SEI Trusts since 2003 and the various SEI Trusts' Governance Chair since 2014.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Williams should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained as Chief Investment Officer of a non-profit foundation, the President of an investment management firm, the President of a registered investment company and the Manager of a public company's pension assets, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the various SEI Trusts since 2004.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Harris should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained as Chief Executive Officer and Director of an investment management firm, the experience he gained serving on the Board of a public company, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services and banking industries, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the various SEI Trusts since 2008.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Cote should serve as Trustee because of her education, knowledge of financial services and investment management, and the experience she has gained as a partner at a major accounting firm, where she served as both the Global Asset Management Assurance Leader and the Americas Director of Asset Management, and other professional experience gained through her prior employment and directorships.

The Trust has concluded that Mr. Taylor should serve as Trustee because of his education, knowledge of financial services and investment management, and the experience he has gained as a Chief Investment Officer at an endowment of a large university, and other professional experience gained through his prior employment and leadership positions.

The Trust has concluded that Ms. Reynolds should serve as Trustee because of the experience she has gained in her various roles with Fidelity, which she joined in 2002, including Chief Financial Officer of Fidelity Funds, her experience as a partner of a major accounting firm, and her experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry.


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The Trust has concluded that Mr. Melendez should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained as an executive and portfolio manager of an investment management firm, his experience in and knowledge of the financial services industry, and other professional experience gained through his prior employment and leadership positions.

In its periodic 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 Funds. Moreover, references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of, or reflect any conclusion that, the Board or any Trustee has any special expertise or experience, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Board Standing Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:

•  Audit Committee. The Board has a standing Audit Committee that is composed of each of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: (i) recommending which firm to engage as the Trust's independent auditors and whether to terminate this relationship; (ii) reviewing the independent auditors' compensation, the proposed scope and terms of its engagement, and the firm's independence; (iii) pre-approving audit and non-audit services provided by the Trust's independent auditors to the Trust and certain other affiliated entities; (iv) serving as a channel of communication between the independent auditors and the Trustees; (v) reviewing the results of each external audit, including any qualifications in the independent auditors' opinion, any related management letter, management's responses to recommendations made by the independent auditors in connection with the audit, reports submitted to the Audit Committee by the internal auditing department of the Administrator that are material to the Trust as a whole, if any, and management's responses to any such reports; (vi) reviewing the Trust's audited financial statements and considering any significant disputes between the Trust's management and the independent auditors that arose in connection with the preparation of those financial statements; (vii) considering, in consultation with the independent auditors and the Trust's senior internal accounting executive, if any, the independent auditors' report on the adequacy of the Trust's internal financial controls; (viii) reviewing, in consultation with the Trust's independent auditors, major changes regarding auditing and accounting principles and practices to be followed when preparing the Trust's financial statements; and (ix) other audit related matters. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Trust's compliance program. Messrs. Williams, Harris, Taylor and Melendez and Mmes. Lesavoy, Cote and Reynolds currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets periodically, as necessary, and met four (4) times during the Trust's most recently completed fiscal year.

•  Governance Committee. The Board has a standing Governance Committee that is composed of each of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Governance Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board. The principal responsibilities of the Governance Committee include: (i) considering and reviewing Board governance and compensation issues; (ii) conducting a self-assessment of the Board's operations; (iii) selecting and nominating all persons to serve as Independent Trustees and evaluating the qualifications of "interested" Trustee candidates; and (iv) reviewing shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board if such recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Governance Committee at the applicable Trust's offices. Messrs. Williams, Harris, Taylor and Melendez and Mmes. Lesavoy, Cote and Reynolds currently serve as members of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee shall meet at the direction of its Chair as often as appropriate to accomplish its purpose. In any event, the Governance Committee shall meet at least once each year and shall conduct at least one meeting in person. The Governance Committee met four (4) times during the Trust's most recently completed fiscal year.


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Fund Shares Owned by Board Members. The following table shows the dollar amount range of each Trustee's "beneficial ownership" of shares of each of the Funds as of the end of the most recently completed calendar year. Dollar amount ranges disclosed are established by the SEC.

"Beneficial ownership" is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). The Trustees and officers of the Trust own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

Name

  Dollar Range of
Fund Shares
(Fund)*
  Aggregate Dollar
Range of Shares
(Fund Complex)*†
 

Interested

 

Mr. Nesher

 

None

 

Over $100,000

 
Mr. Doran   $10,0001-$50,000  

Over $100,000

 

Independent

 

Ms. Lesavoy

  $1-$10,000  

Over $100,000

 

Mr. Williams

 

None

  $50,001-$100,000  

Mr. Harris

 

None

 

None

 

Ms. Cote

 

None

 

None

 

Mr. Taylor

 

None

 

None

 

Ms. Reynolds

 

None

 

None

 

Mr. Melendez

 

None

 

None

 

*  Valuation date is December 31, 2022.

  The Fund Complex currently consists of 97 portfolios of the following trusts: SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds.

Board Compensation. The Trust and the Fund Complex paid the following fees to the Trustees during its most recently completed fiscal year.

Name

  Aggregate
Compensation
  Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of
Fund Expenses
  Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
  Total Compensation
From the Trust
and Fund
Complex*
 

Interested

 

Mr. Nesher

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Mr. Doran

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Independent

 

Ms. Lesavoy

 

$

41,026

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

335,000

   

Mr. Williams

 

$

42,251

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

345,000

   

Mr. Johnson**

 

$

37,965

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

310,000

   

Mr. Harris

 

$

37,965

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

310,000

   

Ms. Cote

 

$

41,026

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

335,000

   

Mr. Taylor

 

$

37,965

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

310,000

   

Ms. Reynolds

 

$

37,965

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

310,000

   

Mr. Melendez

 

$

37,965

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

310,000

   

*  The Fund Complex currently consists of 97 portfolios of the following trusts: SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds.

**  Mr. Mitchell A. Johnson retired from the Board of Trustees effective December 31, 2022, after having dutifully served on the SEI Funds' Board since 2007.


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Trust Officers. Set forth below are the names, dates of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations for the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as officers of the Trust. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each officer is SEI Investments Company, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. None of the officers, except for Stephen Panner, the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, receives compensation from the Trust for his or her services. The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer serves in the same capacity for the other SEI trusts included in the Fund Complex (as described above), and the Trust pays its pro rata share of the aggregate compensation payable to the Chief Compliance Officer for his services.

Certain officers of the Trust also serve as officers to one or more mutual funds for which SEI or its affiliates act as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.

The officers of the Trust have been elected by the Board. Each officer shall hold office until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until earlier resignation or removal.

ROBERT A. NESHER (Born: 1946)—President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005)—See biographical information above under the heading "Interested Trustees."

TIMOTHY D. BARTO (Born: 1968)—Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (since 2002)—Vice President and Secretary of SEI Institutional Transfer Agent, Inc. since 2009. General Counsel and Secretary of SIMC since 2004. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of SEI since 2001. Vice President of SIMC and the Administrator since 1999.

ANKIT PURI (Born: 1984)—Controller and Chief Financial Officer (since 2022)—Director, Fund Accounting at SEI Investments Global Funds Services since July 2021. Associate Director of Fund Accounting Policy at Vanguard from September 2020 to June 2021. Senior Manager at Ernst & Young LLP from October 2017 to August 2020.

GLENN R. KURDZIEL (Born: 1974)—Assistant Controller (since 2017)—Senior Manager of Funds Accounting of SEI Investments Global Funds Services since 2005.

STEPHEN F. PANNER (Born: 1970)—Chief Compliance Officer (since 2022)—Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust, SEI Exchange Traded Funds, SEI Structured Credit Fund LP, The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II, Bishop Street Funds, Frost Family of Funds, The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund III, Gallery Trust, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Master Fund, Delaware Wilshire Private Markets Tender Fund and Catholic Responsible Investments Funds since September 2022. Fund Compliance Officer of SEI Investments Company from February 2011 to September 2022. Fund Accounting Director and CFO and Controller for the SEI Funds from July 2005 to February 2011.

STEPHEN G. MACRAE (Born: 1967)—Vice President (since 2012)—Director of Global Investment Product Management since January 2004. Vice President of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020.

KATHERINE MASON (Born: 1979)—Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2022)—Consulting Attorney at Hirtle, Callaghan & Co. (investment company) from October 2021 to June 2022. Attorney at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP (law firm) from September 2007 to July 2012.

DAVID F. MCCANN (Born: 1976)—Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2009)—General Counsel and Secretary of SEI Institutional Transfer Agent, Inc. since 2020. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of SIMC since 2008. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of SEI Insurance Products Trust from 2013 to 2020. Attorney at Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP (law firm) from May 2005 to October 2008.

DONALD DUNCAN (Born: 1964)—Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer (since 2023)—Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer of SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Catholic Values Trust and SEI Exchange Traded Funds since 2023. Chief Compliance Officer and Global Head of Anti-Money Laundering Strategy of SEI


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Investments Company since January 2023. Head of Global Anti-Money Laundering Program for Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC from August 2021 to December 2022. Senior VP and Supervising Principal of Hamilton Lane Securities, LLC from June 2016 to August 2021. Senior Director at AXA-Equitable from June 2011 to May 2016. Senior Director at PRUCO Securities, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. October 2005 to December 2009.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to SIMC, subject to the Board's general oversight. As required by applicable regulations, SIMC must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of each investment advisory client who delegates voting responsibility to SIMC, which includes the Funds (each a "Client") and must not place its own interests above those of its Clients. SIMC has adopted its own written proxy voting policies, procedures and guidelines that are reasonably designed to meet this purpose (the "Procedures"). The Procedures may be changed as necessary to remain current with regulatory requirements and internal policies and procedures.

SIMC has elected to retain an independent proxy voting service (the "Service") to vote proxies with respect to its Clients. The Service votes proxies in accordance with guidelines (the "Proxy Guidelines") approved by SIMC's Proxy Voting Committee (the "Proxy Committee") with certain limited exceptions as outlined below. The Proxy Guidelines set forth the manner in which SIMC will vote, or the manner in which SIMC shall determine how to vote, with respect to matters that may come up for shareholder vote. The Service will review each matter on a case-by-case basis and, in most cases, vote the proxies in accordance with the Proxy Guidelines.

Prior to voting a proxy, the Service makes available to SIMC its recommendation on how to vote in light of the Proxy Guidelines. SIMC retains the authority to overrule the Service's recommendation in certain scenarios (as listed below) and instruct the Service to vote in a manner in variance with the Service's recommendation:

•  Requests by Sub-Advisers to Direct Proxy Votes. Sub-Advisers retained by SIMC to manage the Funds may contact SIMC with requests that SIMC direct a proxy vote in a particular solicitation which would differ from the Service's recommendation.

•  Recommendations by Engagement Vendor. In addition to retaining the Service, SIMC has also engaged a third party vendor to assist with engagement services (the "Engagement Service"). The Engagement Service strives to help investors manage reputational risk and increase corporate accountability through proactive, professional and constructive engagement. It does so by collaborating with investors, facilitating avenues of active ownership (including direct, constructive dialogue with companies) and assisting with shareholder resolutions and proxy voting decisions. As a result of this process, the Engagement Service will at times provide SIMC with proxy voting recommendations that may conflict with the Proxy Guidelines. Recommendations from the Engagement Service to potentially override the Service's recommendation are expected to be limited to companies with which the Engagement Service is engaged on SIMC's behalf, and limited to proxy matters that bear on the subject of the engagement with that issuer.

In all circumstances identified above, the Proxy Committee shall convene and adhere to the conflicts provisions of the Procedures. For any proposal where the Proxy Committee determines that SIMC does not have a material conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee may overrule the Service's recommendation if the Proxy Committee reasonably determines that doing so is in the best interest of the Clients. For any proposal where the Proxy Committee determines that SIMC has a material conflict of interest, SIMC must vote in accordance with the Service's recommendation unless it has first fully disclosed to each Client holding the security at issue the nature of the conflict and obtained each Client's consent as to how SIMC will vote on the proposal. If the Proxy Committee decides to overrule the Service's recommendation, the Proxy Committee shall maintain a written record setting forth the basis of its decision.

In some circumstances, SIMC may determine it is in the best interest of its Clients to abstain from voting certain proxies. These include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following circumstances:

•  Proxy Guidelines do not cover an issue;


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•  The Service does not make a recommendation on the issue;

•  SIMC determines that the costs of voting exceed the expected benefits to Clients;

•  The accounts engage in securities lending;

•  The vote is subject to "share blocking," which requires investors who intend to vote to surrender the right to dispose of their shares until after the shareholder meeting, potentially creating liquidity issues; and

•  The Proxy Committee is unable to convene to determine whether the proposal would be in the Client's best interests.

With respect to proxies of an affiliated investment company or series thereof, SIMC will vote such proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the investment company or series thereof (i.e., "echo vote" or "mirror vote").

With respect to proxies in foreign jurisdictions, certain countries or issuers may require SIMC to have a duly executed power of attorney in place with such country or issuer in order to vote a proxy. The Service may execute, on behalf of SIMC, power of attorney requirements in order to satisfy these requirements. Under circumstances where the issuer, not the jurisdiction, requires an issuer-specific, shareholder-specific or other limited power of attorney in order to vote a proxy, the Service will coordinate with SIMC in order to execute such power of attorney. In these instances, it may not be convenient or practicable to execute a power of attorney in sufficient time to vote proxies in that meeting, and SIMC may abstain from voting.

For each proxy, SIMC maintains all related records as required by applicable law. The Trust is required to file how all proxies were voted with respect to portfolio securities held by the Funds. A Client may obtain, without charge, a copy of SIMC's Procedures and Proxy Guidelines, or information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, by calling SIMC at 1-800-DIAL-SEI, by writing to SIMC at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

Securities of the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds will be valued by the amortized cost method, which involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances), assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuations in general market rates of interest on the value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, there may be periods during which the value of an instrument, as determined by this method, is higher or lower than the price the Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield of a Fund may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a company with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio securities. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Fund resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from investment in a company utilizing solely market values, and existing shareholders in the Fund would experience a lower yield. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates.

A Fund's use of amortized cost valuation (with respect to the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds) and the maintenance of the Fund's NAV at $1.00 are permitted, provided certain conditions are met under Rule 2a-7, promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act. Under Rule 2a-7 (the "Rule"), as amended, a money market portfolio must maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity in its portfolio of 60 days or less and must not purchase any instrument having a remaining maturity of more than 397 days (as calculated under the Rule). The money market funds must maintain a weighted average life maturity of 120 days or less. In addition, money market funds may acquire only U.S. dollar-denominated obligations that present minimal credit risks and that are "eligible securities." An "eligible security" is one that is: (i) rated, at the time of investment, by at least two NRSROs (one if it is the only organization rating such obligation) in the highest short-term rating category or,


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if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality (a "first tier security"); or (ii) rated according to the foregoing criteria in the second highest short-term rating category or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality ("second tier security"). SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will determine that an obligation presents minimal credit risks or that unrated instruments are of comparable quality in accordance with guidelines established by the Trustees. In addition, investments in second tier securities are subject to the further constraints under the Rule that (i) no more than 3% of a money market fund's assets may be invested in such securities in the aggregate, and (ii) any investment in such securities of one issuer is limited to 1/2 of 1% of the Fund's total assets, each percentage limitation measured at the time of acquisition of the security.

The regulations also require the Trustees to establish procedures that are reasonably designed to stabilize the NAV per share at $1.00 for each Fund. However, there is no assurance that each Fund will be able to meet this objective. The Funds' procedures include the determination of the extent of deviation, if any, of each Fund's current NAV per share calculated using available market quotations from each Fund's amortized cost price per share at such intervals as the Trustees deem appropriate and reasonable in light of market conditions and periodic reviews of the amount of the deviation and the methods used to calculate such deviation. In the event that such deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Trustees are required to consider promptly what action, if any, should be initiated, and, if the Trustees believe that the extent of any deviation may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Trustees are required to take such corrective action as they deem appropriate to eliminate or reduce such dilution or unfair results to the extent reasonably practicable. In addition, if any Fund incurs a significant loss or liability, the Trustees have the authority to reduce pro rata the number of shares of that Fund in each shareholder's account and to offset each shareholder's pro rata portion of such loss or liability from the shareholder's accrued but unpaid dividends or from future dividends.

Institutional prime money market funds are required to offer shares at a floating NAV based on the current market value of portfolio securities. Retail money market funds and government money market funds will be permitted to continue utilizing the amortized cost method to value portfolio securities and offer shares at a stable NAV (e.g., $1.00).

Securities of the Short-Duration Government, GNMA and Ultra Short Duration Bond Funds may be valued by the Administrator pursuant to valuations provided by independent pricing services. The pricing services rely primarily on prices of actual market transactions as well as trader quotations. However, the pricing services may also use a matrix system to determine valuations, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. The procedures of the independent pricing services and the valuation methodologies are reviewed by the officers of the Trust under the general supervision of the Trustees.

The Trust's Board of Trustees has designated SIMC as the Valuation Designee for the Government, Government II, Treasury II, Short-Duration Government, GNMA and Ultra Short Duration Bond Funds pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 2a-5"). The Valuation Designee has the responsibility for the fair value determination with respect to all Fund investments that do not have readily available market quotations or quotations that are no longer reliable. SIMC has appointed a Valuation Committee (the "Committee") and has established a Valuation and Pricing Policy to implement the Rule and the Funds' Valuation and Pricing Policy (together with SIMC's Valuation and Pricing Policy, the "Fair Value Procedures").

As discussed in detail below, the Committee will typically first seek to fair value investments with valuations received from an independent, third-party pricing agent (a "Pricing Service"). If such valuations are not available or are unreliable, the committee will seek to obtain a bid price from at least one independent broker or dealer. If a broker or dealer quote is unavailable, the Committee will convene, subject to the Fair Value Procedures, to establish a fair value for the fair value investments.

When valuing portfolio securities, securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (other than securities traded on National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) or as otherwise noted below), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on the primary exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which the securities are traded or, if there is no such reported sale, at the most recent quoted bid price. Securities traded on NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.


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Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company's applicable NAV per share, with the exception of ETFs, which are priced as equity securities. These open-end investment company shares are offered in separate prospectuses, each of which describes the process by which the applicable investment company's NAV is determined. The prices of foreign securities are reported in local currency and converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates.

Options are valued at the last quoted sales price. If there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, then long positions are valued at the most recent bid price, and short positions are valued at the most recent ask price as provided by a Pricing Service.

Futures and swaps cleared through a central clearing house (centrally cleared swaps) are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of exchange on which they are traded. The daily settlement prices for financial futures and centrally cleared swaps are provided by a Pricing Service. On days when there is excessive volume, market volatility or the future or centrally cleared swap does not end trading by the time the fund calculates its NAV, the settlement price may not be available at the time at which a fund calculates its NAV. On such days, the best available price (which is typically the last sales price) may be used to value a Fund's futures or centrally cleared swaps position.

If a security's price cannot be obtained, as noted above, or in the case of equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) or collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), the securities will be valued using a bid price from at least one independent broker. If such prices are not readily available, are determined to be unreliable or cannot be valued using the methodologies described above, the Valuation Designee will fair value the security using the Fair Value Procedures, as described below.

If available, debt securities, swaps (which are not centrally cleared), bank loans or debt tranches of CLOs/CDOs, such as those held by the Funds, are priced based upon valuations provided by a Pricing Service. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The Pricing Service may also value debt securities at an evaluated bid price by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities.

On the first day a new debt security purchase is recorded, if a price is not available from a Pricing Service or an independent broker, the security may be valued at its purchase price. Each day thereafter, the debt security will be valued according to the Fair Value Procedures until an independent source can be secured. Securities held by the Funds with remaining maturities of 60 days or less will be valued at their amortized cost. Should existing credit, liquidity or interest rate conditions in the relevant markets and issuer specific circumstances suggest that amortized cost does not approximate fair value, then the security will be valued by an independent broker quote or fair valued by the Valuation Designee.

Foreign currency forward contracts are valued at the current day's interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using forward rates provided by a Pricing Service.

The Valuation Designee and Funds' administrator, as applicable, reasonably believe that prices provided by Pricing Services are reliable. However, there can be no assurance that such Pricing Service's prices will be reliable. The Valuation Designee, who is responsible for making fair value determinations with respect to the Funds' portfolio securities, will, with assistance from the applicable Sub-Adviser, continuously monitor the reliability of readily available market quotations obtained from any Pricing Service and shall promptly notify the Funds' administrator if the Valuation Designee reasonably believes that a Pricing Service is no longer a reliable source of readily available market quotations. The Funds' administrator, in turn, will notify the Valuation Designee if it reasonably believes that a Pricing Service is no longer a reliable source for readily available market quotations.

The Fair Value Procedures provide that any change in a primary Pricing Service or a pricing methodology for investments with readily available market quotations requires prior approval by the Board. However, when the change would not materially affect the valuation of a Fund's net assets or involve a material departure in pricing methodology from that of the Funds' existing Pricing Service or pricing methodology, ratification may


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be obtained at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. A change in a Pricing Service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Valuation Designee in accordance with certain requirements.

Securities for which market prices are not "readily available" are valued in accordance with Rule 2a-5 and the Fair Value Procedures. The Valuation Designee must monitor for circumstances that may necessitate that a security be valued using Fair Value Procedures which can include: (i) the security's trading has been halted or suspended, (ii) the security has been de-listed from a national exchange, (iii) the security's primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open, (iv) the security has not been traded for an extended period of time, (v) the security's primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price, (vi) trading of the security is subject to local government-imposed restrictions; or (vii) a significant event (as defined below). When a security is valued in accordance with the Fair Value Procedures, the Valuation Designee will determine the value after taking into consideration relevant information reasonably available to the Valuation Designee. Examples of factors the Valuation Designee may consider include: (i) the type of security or asset, (ii) the last trade price, (iii) evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the security is purchased and sold, (iv) the liquidity of the security, (v) the size of the holding in the Funds or (vi) any other appropriate information.

The Valuation Designee is responsible for selecting and applying, in a consistent manner, the appropriate methodologies for determining and calculating the fair value of holdings of the Funds, including specifying the key inputs and assumptions specific to each asset class or holding.

The determination of a security's fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security's value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

It is currently the Trust's policy to pay for all redemptions in cash. The Trust retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities held by a Fund in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges in connection with the sale of any such securities. A gain or loss for federal income tax purposes would be realized by a shareholder subject to taxation upon an in-kind redemption depending upon the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Fund redeemed.

The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is restricted, or during the existence of an emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of which disposal or evaluation of the portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit. The Trust also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares of a Fund for any period during which the NYSE, the Administrator, SIMC or Funds' Sub-Advisers, the Distributor and/or the custodian are not open for business.

Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Short-Duration Government, GNMA and Ultra Short Duration Bond Funds may be made on any day the NYSE is open for business. Purchases and redemptions of shares of the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds may be made on any day the NYSE and the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve") are open for business. Currently, the following holidays are observed by the Trust: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In addition, the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds observe Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

Each of the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds may operate on any day that the NYSE is closed for business, but the Federal Reserve is open for business, for such time as sufficient liquidity exists in a Fund's principal trading markets, based on the determination of the officers of the Trust, acting in consultation with SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable.


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The Administrator or Distributor will not accept securities as payment for shares of the GNMA Fund unless: (i) such securities meet the investment objective and policies of the Fund; (ii) the securities are acquired for investment and not for resale; (iii) such securities are liquid securities that are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market; and (iv) such securities have a value that is readily ascertainable (and not established only by evaluation).

Fund securities may be traded on foreign markets on days other than a Business Day or the NAV of a Fund may be computed on days when such foreign markets are closed. In addition, foreign markets may close at times other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. As a consequence, the NAV of a share of a Fund may not reflect all events that may affect the value of the Fund's foreign securities unless the Adviser determines that such events materially affect NAV, in which case NAV will be determined by consideration of other factors.

Certain shareholders in one or more of the Funds may obtain asset allocation services from SIMC and other financial intermediaries with respect to their investments in such Funds. If a sufficient amount of a Fund's assets are subject to such asset allocation services, the Fund may incur higher transaction costs and a higher portfolio turnover rate than would otherwise be anticipated as a result of redemptions and purchases of Fund shares pursuant to such services. Further, to the extent that SIMC is providing asset allocation services and providing investment advice to the Funds, it may face conflicts of interest in fulfilling its responsibilities because of the possible differences between the interests of its asset allocation clients and the interest of the Funds.

TAXES

The following is only a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that is intended to supplement the discussion contained in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders and the discussion here and in the Prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Except as expressly discussed below, this summary does not address investors subject to special rules, such as non-U.S. investors and investors who hold shares through an individual retirement account, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged account. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor with specific reference to your own tax situation, including your state, local and foreign tax liabilities.

This discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code, and the regulations issued thereunder, as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding your investment in the Funds.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. By following such a policy, each Fund expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal taxes to which it may be subject. If a Fund qualifies as a RIC, it will generally not be subject to federal income taxes on the net investment income and net realized capital gains that it timely distributes to its shareholders.

In order to qualify as a RIC under the Code, each Fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its net investment income (which includes dividends, taxable interest and the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, less operating expenses) and at least 90% of its net tax exempt interest income, for each tax year, if any (the "Distribution Requirement") and also must meet certain additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of each Fund's gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, 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 an interest in a QPTP (the "Qualifying Income Test"); and (ii) at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year: (A) at least 50% of the value of each Fund's total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities,


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securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of each Fund's total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, including the equity securities of a QPTP, and (B) not more than 25% of the value of each Fund's total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or the securities (other than the securities of another RIC) of two or more issuers that a Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more QPTPs (the "Asset Test").

Although the Funds intend to distribute substantially all of their net investment income and may distribute their capital gains for any taxable year, the Funds will be subject to federal income taxation to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. A Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein. Losses in one Fund do not offset gains in another and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying RIC status are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level.

If a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income or Asset Tests in any taxable year, such Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where a Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. If these relief provisions are not available to a Fund for any year in which it fails to qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at the regular corporate rate (currently 21%) without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) generally will be taxable as ordinary income dividends to its shareholders, subject to the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders (subject to certain limitations) and lower tax rates on qualified dividend income for individual shareholders. In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of each Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund's taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A "qualified late year loss" generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as "post-October losses") and certain other late-year losses.

The treatment of capital loss carryovers for the Funds is similar to the rules that apply to capital loss carryovers of individuals, which provide that such losses are carried over indefinitely. If a Fund has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess of the Fund's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. The carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if a Fund experiences an ownership change as defined in the Code.

Federal Excise Tax

Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, which generally requires a Fund to distribute at least 90% of its annual investment company taxable income and the excess of its exempt interest


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income (but does not require any minimum distribution of net capital gain), a Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute, by the end of any calendar year, at least 98% of its ordinary income for that year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short- and long-term capital gains over short- and long-term capital losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (including any retained amount from the prior calendar year on which the Fund paid no federal income tax). The Funds intend to make sufficient distributions to avoid liability for federal excise tax, but can make no assurances that such tax will be completely eliminated. The Funds may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate Fund investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid federal excise tax liability at a time when the investment adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of the Funds to satisfy the requirement for qualification as a RIC.

Fund Distributions

The Funds receive income generally in the form of interest on their investments. This income, plus net short-term capital gains, if any, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Funds, constitutes the Funds' net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. Any distributions by a Fund from such income will be taxable to you as ordinary income, whether you take them in cash or additional shares. A Fund may derive capital gains and losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio of securities. Distributions of net short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have held your shares. Long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Because the Funds' income is expected to be derived primarily from interest rather than dividends, no portion of a Fund's distributions is expected to be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction or for the lower tax rates on qualified dividend income.

A RIC that receives business interest income may pass through its net business interest income for purposes of the tax rules applicable to the interest expense limitations under Section 163(j) of the Code. A RIC's total "Section 163(j) Interest Dividend" for a tax year is limited to the excess of the RIC's business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and its other deductions properly allocable to its business interest income. A RIC may, in its discretion, designate all or a portion of ordinary dividends as Section 163(j) Interest Dividends, which would allow the recipient shareholder to treat the designated portion of such dividends as interest income for purposes of determining such shareholder's interest expense deduction limitation under Section 163(j). This can potentially increase the amount of a shareholder's interest expense deductible under Section 163(j). In general, to be eligible to treat a Section 163(j) Interest Dividend as interest income, you must have held your shares in a Fund for more than 180 days during the 361-day period beginning on the date that is 180 days before the date on which the share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend. Section 163(j) Interest Dividends, if so designated by a Fund, will be reported to your financial intermediary or otherwise in accordance with the requirements specified by the IRS.

A dividend or distribution received shortly after the purchase of shares reduces the net asset value of the shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution and, although in effect a return of capital, will be taxable to the shareholder. If the net asset value of shares were reduced below the shareholder's cost by dividends or distributions representing gains realized on sales of securities, such dividends or distributions would be a return of investment though taxable to the shareholder in the same manner as other dividends or distributions.

If a Fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in a Fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared to shareholders of record in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared. Under this rule, therefore,


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a shareholder may be taxed in one year on dividends or distributions actually received in January of the following year.

A Fund (or its administrative agent) will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at the time they are paid and will advise you of its tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Fund shares for a full year, a Fund may designate and distribute to you, as ordinary income or capital gain, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Fund.

Sales, Redemptions or Exchanges of Fund Shares

Any gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange, or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder who holds such shares as a capital asset will generally, for individual shareholders, be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than twelve months and otherwise will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. However, if shares on which a shareholder has received a net capital gain distribution are subsequently sold, exchanged, or redeemed and such shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the net capital gain distribution. In addition, the loss realized on a sale or other disposition of shares will be disallowed to the extent a shareholder repurchases (or enters into a contract to or option to repurchase) shares within a period of 61 days (beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares). This loss disallowance rule will apply to shares received through the reinvestment of dividends during the 61-day period. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy. For tax purposes, an exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different fund is the same as a sale.

The Funds (or their administrative agents) must report to the IRS and furnish to Fund shareholders the cost basis information for purchases of Fund shares. In addition to reporting the gross proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, each Fund (or its administrative agent) is also required to report the cost basis information for such shares and indicate whether these shares have a short-term or long-term holding period. For each sale of its shares, each Fund will permit its shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods, including the average cost basis method. In the absence of an election, each Fund will use a default cost basis method. The cost basis method elected by shareholders (or the cost basis method applied by default) for each sale of a Fund's shares may not be changed after the settlement date of each such sale of a Fund's shares. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about cost basis reporting. Shareholders also should carefully review any cost basis information provided to them and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns.

Net Investment Income Tax

U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly) are subject to a 3.8% tax on their "net investment income," including interest, dividends, and capital gains (including capital gains realized on the sale or exchange of Fund shares).

Taxation of Fund Investments

A Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to complex tax rules that, among other things, may affect a Fund's ability to qualify as a RIC, affect the character of gains and losses recognized by a Fund (e.g., may affect whether gains or losses are treated as ordinary or capital), accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund and defer a Fund's ability to recognize losses. In turn, those rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by a Fund and may require the Funds to sell securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of a Fund as a RIC at a time when the Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

Each Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures and options contracts subject to section 1256


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of the Code ("Section 1256 Contracts") as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from Section 1256 Contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on Section 1256 Contracts to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. These provisions may also require the Funds to mark-to-market certain types of positions in their portfolios (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause a Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and for avoiding the excise tax discussed above. Accordingly, in order to avoid certain income and excise taxes, a Fund may be required to liquidate its investments at a time when the Adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

Investments by a Fund in STRIPS, TRs, zero coupon or other discount securities will result in income to the Fund equal to a portion of the excess face value of the securities over their issue price (the "original issue discount" or "OID") each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund receives no cash interest payments. In other circumstances, whether pursuant to the terms of a security or as a result of other factors outside the control of a Fund, such Fund may recognize income without receiving a commensurate amount of cash. Such income is included in determining the amount of income that the Fund must distribute to maintain its status as a RIC and to avoid the payment of federal income tax, including the nondeductible excise tax. Because such income may not be matched by a corresponding cash distribution to a Fund, any such Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities to be able to make distributions to its shareholders.

Any market discount recognized on a bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or adjusted issue price if issued with original issue discount. Absent an election by a Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on the Fund's disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount.

Special rules apply if a Fund holds inflation-indexed bonds. Generally, all stated interest on such bonds is recorded as income by a Fund under its regular method of accounting for interest income. The amount of positive inflation adjustment, which results in an increase in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, is treated as OID. The OID is included in a Fund's gross income ratably during the period ending with the maturity of the bond, under the general OID inclusion rules. The amount of a Fund's OID in a taxable year with respect to a bond will increase the Fund's taxable income for such year without a corresponding receipt of cash, until the bond matures. As a result, a Fund may need to use other sources of cash to satisfy its distributions for such year. The amount of negative inflation adjustments, which results in a decrease in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, reduces the amount of interest (including stated interest, OID, and market discount, if any) otherwise includible in a Fund's income with respect to the bond for the taxable year.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, whether or to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as, and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

If a Fund owns shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to as "passive foreign investment companies" or "PFICs", the Fund will generally be subject to one of the following special tax regimes: (i) the Fund may be liable for U.S. federal income tax, and an additional interest charge, on a portion of any "excess distribution" from such foreign entity or any gain from the disposition of such shares, even if the entire distribution or gain is paid out by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders; (ii) if the Fund were able and elected to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" or "QEF," the Fund would be required each year to include in income, and distribute to shareholders in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above, the Fund's pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the PFIC, whether or not such earnings


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or gains are distributed to the Fund; or (iii) the Fund may be entitled to mark-to-market annually shares of the PFIC, and in such event would be required to distribute to shareholders any such mark-to-market gains in accordance with the distribution requirements set forth above. Such Fund intends to make the appropriate tax elections, if possible, and take any additional steps that are necessary to mitigate the effect of these rules. Amounts included in income each year by a Fund arising from a QEF election will be "qualifying income" under the Qualifying Income Test (as described above) even if not distributed to the Fund, if the Fund derives such income from its business of investing in stock, securities or currencies.

A U.S. person, including a Fund, that owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a "U.S. Shareholder" for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation ("CFC") provisions of the Code. A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50% of the voting power or value of its stock is owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by "U.S. Shareholders." If a Fund is a "U.S. Shareholder" of a CFC, the Fund will be required to include in its gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the CFCs Subpart F income and any global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") for the CFC's taxable year ending within the Fund's taxable year, whether or not such income is actually distributed by the CFC.

Subpart F income generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. Subpart F income also includes the excess of gains over losses from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in any commodities. GILTI generally includes the active operating profits of the CFC, reduced by a deemed return on the tax basis of the CFC's depreciable tangible assets.

Subpart F income and GILTI are treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the CFC's underlying income. Net losses incurred by a CFC during a tax year do not flow through to a Fund and thus will not be available to offset income or capital gain generated from the Fund's other investments. In addition, net losses incurred by a CFC during a tax year generally cannot be carried forward by the CFC to offset gains realized by it in subsequent taxable years. To the extent a Fund invests in a CFC and recognizes Subpart F income or GILTI in excess of actual cash distributions from the CFC, if any, it may be required to sell assets (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to generate the cash necessary to distribute as dividends to its shareholders all of its income and gains and therefore to eliminate any tax liability at the Fund level.

A Fund's recognition of Subpart F income or GILTI will increase the Fund's tax basis in the CFC. Distributions by a CFC to a Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed Subpart F income or GILTI, and will correspondingly reduce the Fund's tax basis in the CFC. Any losses with respect a Fund's shares of a CFC will not be currently recognized.

Backup Withholding

By law, a Fund must withhold at a withholding rate of 24% and remit to the U.S. Treasury, any amounts subject to withholding on your taxable distributions and proceeds if: (i) you do not provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number; (ii) you are subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends; (iii) you have failed to certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or (iv) you have failed to certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC such as a Fund are not


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excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Foreign Tax Issues

Interest received by a Fund may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on the Fund's stock or securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate these taxes. Foreign countries generally do not impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k)s and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). Tax-exempt entities are not permitted to offset losses from one trade or business against the income or gain of another trade or business. Certain net losses incurred prior to January 1, 2018 are permitted to offset gain and income created by an unrelated trade or business, if otherwise available. The Funds serve to block UBTI from being realized by their tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of an investment in a Fund where, for example: (i) the Fund invests in residual interests of REMICs; (ii) the Fund invests in a REIT that is a taxable mortgage pool ("TMP") or that has a subsidiary that is TMP or that invests in the residual interest of a REMIC; or (iii) shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisors. The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding these issues.

The Funds' shares held in a tax-qualified retirement account will generally not be subject to federal taxation on income and capital gains distributions from a Fund until a shareholder begins receiving payments from their retirement account.

State Taxes

It is expected that each Fund will not be liable for any corporate excise, income or franchise tax in Massachusetts if it qualifies as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Distributions by a Fund to shareholders and the ownership of shares may be subject to state and local taxes.

Rules of state and local taxation of dividend and capital gains distributions from RICs often differ from the rules for federal income taxation described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting an investment in Fund shares.

Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligation of the U.S. Government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by a Fund. Investment in GNMA or Fannie Mae securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities do not generally qualify for such tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Fund shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such shares, including under state, local and other tax laws.


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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's mark-down. Money market securities and other debt securities are usually bought and sold directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Generally, the Funds will not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases. When a debt security is bought from an underwriter, the purchase price will usually include an underwriting commission or concession. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's mark-down. When a Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

Brokerage Selection. The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of brokers or dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policies established by the Trustees, SIMC and the Funds' Sub-Advisers are responsible for placing orders to execute Fund transactions. In placing brokerage orders, it is the Trust's policy to seek to obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread), size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operational facilities and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While SIMC and the Sub-Advisers generally seek reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Trust will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The Trust's policy of investing in securities with short term maturities may result in high portfolio turnover. The Trust will not purchase portfolio securities from any affiliated person acting as principal except in conformity with the regulations of the SEC.

The money market securities in which certain of the Funds invest are traded primarily in the OTC market. Bonds and debentures are usually traded over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers will deal directly with the broker-dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such broker-dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Money market securities are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve brokerage commissions, dealer spreads or underwriting discounts, or transfer taxes or other direct transaction expenses.

It is expected that certain Funds may execute a substantial portion of their brokerage or other agency transactions through the Distributor, a registered broker-dealer, for a commission, in conformity with the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and rules of the SEC. In such trades, the Distributor receives a commission as the introducing broker on such trades. An unaffiliated third-party broker selected by SIMC or the relevant Sub-Adviser provides execution and clearing services with respect to such trade and is compensated for such services from the commission paid on the trade. More specifically, SIMC requests, but does not require, that certain Sub-Advisers execute up to 30% of trades with the Distributor as introducing broker. In addition, SIMC will, from time to time, execute trades with the Distributor as introducing broker, primarily in connection with the trading associated with the transition of portfolios when there is a change in sub-advisers in a Fund or a reallocation of assets among Sub-Advisers. In addition, a Fund may direct commission business to one or more designated broker-dealers, including the Distributor, in connection with such broker-dealer's payment of certain of the Fund's expenses. The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to the Distributor and will review these procedures periodically. The Funds do not direct brokerage to brokers in recognition of, or as compensation for, the sale of Fund shares.


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For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Funds paid the following brokerage fees:

    Total $ Amount
of Brokerage
Commissions
Paid
(000)
  Total $ Amount
of Brokerage
Commissions
Paid to
Affiliated Brokers
(000)
  % of Total
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid to
Affiliated
Brokers
  % of Total
Brokerage
Transactions
Effected Through
Affiliated Brokers
 

Fund

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

 

2021

 

2022

 

2023

 

2023

 

2023

 
Ultra Short Duration
Bond Fund
 

$

1

   

$

1

   

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0

%

   

0

%

 
Short-Duration Government
Fund
 

$

48

   

$

39

   

$

47

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0

%

   

0

%

 
GNMA Fund  

$

2

   

$

2

   

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0

%

   

0

%

 

The Trust does not expect to use one particular dealer, but, subject to the Trust's policy of seeking the best net results, dealers who provide supplemental investment research to the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the Trust. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser under its respective advisory or sub-advisory agreement, and the expenses of SIMC or a Sub-Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information.

The research services received from a broker-dealer may be complicated by MiFID II, which places restrictions on the receipt of research services by EU authorized investment firms and certain affiliated US asset managers.

The Trust is required to identify any securities of its "regular brokers or dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) that the Trust has acquired during its most recent fiscal year. As of January 31, 2023, the Trust held the following securities:

Fund

 

Name of Issuer

 

Type of Security

 

Amount (000)

 

Government Fund

 

BNP PARIBAS

 

Fixed Income

 

$

150,921,000

   
   

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO

 

Fixed Income

 

$

150,605,000

   
   

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS

 

Fixed Income

 

$

140,942,804

   
   

BARCLAYS CAPITAL (DMA)

 

Fixed Income

 

$

138,307,000

   
   

NATIXIS SECURITIES AMERICAS LLC

 

Fixed Income

 

$

135,427,000

   

Government II Fund

 

NOMURA SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 
   

INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

23,240,734

   
   

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

117,967

   
   

ACADEMY SECURITIES INC

 

Fixed Income

 

$

49,988

   

Treasury II Fund

 

NOMURA SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 
   

INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

5,696,628

   
   

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

593

   

Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund

 

BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES BOND

 

Fixed Income

 

$

154,201

   
   

JPM CHASE

 

Fixed Income

 

$

63,092

   
   

RBC CAPITAL

 

Fixed Income

 

$

48,329

   
   

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS

 

Fixed Income

 

$

36,845

   
   

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

29,987

   

Short-Duration Government Fund

 

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO

 

Fixed Income

 

$

319,623

   
   

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

Fixed Income

 

$

299,510

   
   

MORGAN STANLEY & CO, INC

 

Fixed Income

 

$

294,461

   
   

BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES BOND

 

Fixed Income

 

$

294,201

   
   

JP MORGAN

 

Fixed Income

 

$

288,486

   

GNMA Fund

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS

 

Fixed Income

 

$

72,923

   
   

BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES BOND

 

Fixed Income

 

$

64,916

   
   

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO

 

Fixed Income

 

$

48,245

   
   

MORGAN STANLEY & CO, INC

 

Fixed Income

 

$

46,472

   
   

BANK OF AMERICA

 

Fixed Income

 

$

23,860

   


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The portfolio turnover rate for each fixed income Fund for the fiscal years ending January 31, 2022 and 2023 was as follows:

   

Turnover Rate

 

Fund

 

2022

 

2023

 
Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund    

70

%

   

52

%

 
Short-Duration Government Fund    

132

%

   

139

%

 
GNMA Fund    

405

%

   

235

%

 

A portfolio's turnover rate will exceed 100% if all of its securities, exclusive of U.S. Government securities and other securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less, are replaced in the period of one year. Turnover rates may vary from year to year and may be affected by cash requirements for redemptions and by requirements that enable a Fund to receive favorable tax treatment.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Funds' portfolio holdings can be obtained on the Internet at the following address: http://www.seic.com/holdings (the "Portfolio Holdings Website"). The Board has approved a policy that provides that portfolio holdings may not be made available to any third party until after such information has been posted on the Portfolio Holdings Website, with limited exceptions noted below. This policy seeks to ensure that the disclosure of information regarding the Funds' portfolio securities is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, and includes procedures to address conflicts of interest.

Five calendar days after the end of each month, a list of all portfolio holdings in each Fund as of the end of such month and other information regarding each Fund's portfolio and its portfolio holdings shall be made available on the Portfolio Holdings Website. This information shall remain on the Portfolio Holdings Website until the fifth calendar day of the thirteenth calendar month after the date to which the data relates, at which time it will be permanently removed from the site.

On the Monday following each week end, a list of all portfolio holdings in the Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds as of the end of such week shall be made available on the Portfolio Holdings Website. This information shall remain on the Portfolio Holdings Website until the following Monday at which time it will be permanently removed from the site.

Beginning on the day after any portfolio holdings information is posted on the Portfolio Holdings Website, such information will be delivered directly to any person that requests it, through electronic or other means. In addition to a list of all the Funds' portfolio holdings, the Portfolio Holdings Website may include certain attributes of (a) a Fund's portfolio holdings, such as CUSIP, yield, maturity date, a general category of the instrument, amortized cost value and principal amount, and (b) a Fund's portfolio, such as the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity and dollar-weighted average life.

Portfolio holdings information may be provided to independent third-party fund reporting services (e.g., Broadridge, Lipper or Morningstar) for a legitimate business purpose, but will be delivered no earlier than the date such information is posted on the Portfolio Holdings Website, unless the reporting service executes a confidentiality agreement with the Trust that is satisfactory to the Trust's officers and that provides that the reporting service will keep the information confidential and will not trade on the information.

Portfolio holdings information may also be provided at any time and as frequently as daily to the Funds' Trustees, SIMC, the Sub-Advisers, the Distributor, the Administrator and certain other service providers, as well as additional contractors and vendors that may include, but are not limited to: the custodian and sub-custodian, the transfer agent, attorneys, independent auditors, securities lending agents, tax filing and reclamation vendors, class-action monitoring and filing vendors, printing and filing vendors, proxy vendors and providers of portfolio monitoring and analytical tools. Service providers will be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to any portfolio holdings information, whether imposed by a confidentiality agreement, the provisions of the service provider's contract with the Trust, or by the nature of its relationship with the Trust, and such service providers will be prohibited from trading on the information.


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Portfolio holdings of a Fund may also be provided to a prospective service provider for that Fund, so long as the prospective service provider executes a confidentiality agreement with the Fund in such form as deemed acceptable by an officer of the Fund. Additionally, a Sub-Adviser may provide portfolio holdings information to third-party service providers in connection with its duties as a Sub-Adviser, provided that the Sub-Adviser is responsible for such third-party's confidential treatment of such data. The Sub-Adviser is also obligated, pursuant to its fiduciary duty to the relevant Fund, to ensure that any third-party service provider will keep the information confidential and has a duty not to trade on any portfolio holdings information it receives other than subject to the Sub-Adviser's instruction.

The Board exercises on-going oversight of the disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings by overseeing the implementation of the Funds' policies and procedures by the Chief Compliance Officer.

Neither the Funds, SIMC, nor any other service provider to the Funds may receive compensation or other consideration for providing portfolio holdings information.

The Trust files a complete schedule of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government, and GNMA Funds' investments within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter pursuant to Form N-PORT and/or as part of the Ultra Short Duration Bond, Short-Duration Government, and GNMA Funds' annual or semi-annual shareholder report. The Government, Government II and Treasury II Funds also file a complete schedule of their portfolio holdings with the SEC monthly, within 5 business days after the end of each month, on Form N-MFP. Complete schedules of investments filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP, Form N-CSR, and as exhibits to Form N-PORT, are not distributed to Fund shareholders, unless requested, but are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the Funds' website.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of each Fund, each of which represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund. Each share of a Fund upon liquidation of that Fund entitles a shareholder to a pro rata share in the net assets of that Fund after taking into account certain distribution expenses. Shareholders have no preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees may create additional portfolios of shares or classes of portfolios. Any consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional portfolio and all assets in which such consideration is invested would belong to that portfolio and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Share certificates representing the shares will not be issued.

LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY

The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for his or her own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the selection of officers, agents, employees or administrators, shall not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust unless it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

CODES OF ETHICS

The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, SIMC, the Sub-Advisers and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees ("access persons"). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are reasonably designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons at most Sub-Advisers are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, including securities that may be purchased or held by


S-69


the Funds, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in IPOs or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Access persons at certain Sub-Advisers may be prohibited from engaging in personal securities transactions entirely. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC and are available to the public.

VOTING

Where the Prospectuses for the Funds or SAI state that an investment limitation or a fundamental policy may not be changed without shareholder approval, such approval means the vote of: (i) 67% or more of a Fund's shares present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is less.

SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY

The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of the Trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the Trust. Even if, however, the Trust were held to be a partnership, the possibility of the shareholders incurring financial loss for that reason appears remote because the Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees, and because the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Trust property for any shareholders held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of Thursday, May 4, 2023, the following persons were the only persons who were record owners (or, to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% and 25% or more of the shares of the Funds. Persons who owned of record or beneficially more than 25% of a Fund's outstanding shares may be deemed to control the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Shareholders controlling a Fund could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the Fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of the Fund. The Trust believes that most of the shares referred to below were held by the following persons in accounts for their fiduciary, agency or custodial customers.

Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent of Fund/Class

 

Government Fund—Institutional Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O Newport Trust Company   
Attn: Mutual Fund Administrator   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  309,454,043.800
  8.21

%

 
Band & Co C/O of US BANK
PO BOX 1787   
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1787
  1,270,149,726.610
  33.69

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  574,466,454.535
  15.24

%

 


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Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent of Fund/Class

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O Private Wealth Management   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  202,359,074.760
  5.37

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O PA Trust Company   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  188,806,623.090
  5.01

%

 
SEI Investments Company
Attn: Corporate Finance   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  198,257,989.060
  5.26

%

 

Government Fund—Class CAA Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  21,242,143.020
  100.00

%

 

Government Fund—Sweep Class Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  4,618,118,608.280
  100.00

%

 

Government II Fund—Class F Shares

 
Naidot & Co
C/O Bessemer Trust Company   
Attn: Peter Scully   
630 Fifth Avenue, 38th Floor   
New York, NY 10111-3399
  775,197,446.110
  41.60

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O Houston Trust   
Attn: Mutual Fund Admin   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  568,217,657.480
  30.49

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
Attn: Mutual Fund Admin   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  209,455,250.930
  11.24

%

 


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Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent of Fund/Class

 
SEI Private Trust Company
Mutual Funds Administrator   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  148,593,717.600
  7.97

%

 

Treasury Fund II—Class F Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
FBO 601 Banks   
Attn: Mutual Fund Admin   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  238,476,918.450
  53.18

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
Attn: Mutual Fund Admin   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  120,748,037.130
  26.92

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
Attn: Mutual Fund Admin   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  47,838,022.490
  10.67

%

 

Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund—Class F Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  18,032,006.870
  79.06

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  3,647,331.476
  15.99

%

 

Ultra Short Duration Bond Fund—Class Y Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWS US ADVISORS Y Shares   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  6,015,975.540
  91.32

%

 

Short-Duration Government Fund—Class F Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  42,778,995.881
  70.96

%

 


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Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent of Fund/Class

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  13,832,086.889
  22.94

%

 

Short-Duration Government Fund—Class Y Shares

 
SEI Asset Allocation Moderate Strategy Fund
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  752,788.657
  24.72

%

 
SEI Asset Allocation Conservative Strategy Fund
SEI Investment Management Unit   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  677,643.658
  22.26

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWS US ADVISORS Y Shares   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  540,983.052
  17.77

%

 
SEI Asset Allocation Defensive Strategy Fund
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  358,230.231
  11.77

%

 
Charles Schwab & Co Inc
Special Custody A/C FBO Customers   
Attn: Mutual Funds   
211 Main Street   
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
  324,191.921
  10.65

%

 

GNMA Fund—Class F Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  3,961,037.274
  72.31

%

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWP US ADVISORS   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  374,665.689
  6.84

%

 
Pershing Division of DLJ
Attn: Mutual Funds   
P.O. Box 2052   
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
  457,734.452
  8.36

%

 


S-73


Name and Address

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent of Fund/Class

 
Charles Schwab & Co Inc
Special Custody A/C FBO Customers   
Attn: Mutual Funds   
211 Main Street   
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
  326,705.093
  5.96

%

 

GNMA Fund—Class Y Shares

 
SEI Private Trust Company
C/O GWS US ADVISORS Y Shares   
One Freedom Valley Drive   
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
  147,138.603
  96.81

%

 

CUSTODIAN

U.S. Bank National Association ("U.S. Bank"), located at 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, serves as custodian and acts as wire agent of the assets of the Funds. U.S. Bank holds cash, securities and other assets of the Trust as required by the 1940 Act.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP, located at 1601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.


S-74


APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

Description of Ratings

The following descriptions of securities ratings have been published by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), S&P Global Ratings ("S&P"), and Fitch Ratings ("Fitch"), respectively.

Description of Moody's Global Ratings

Ratings assigned on Moody's global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of eleven months or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

Description of Moody's Global Long-Term Ratings

Aaa  Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa  Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A  Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa  Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba  Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B  Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa  Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca  Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C  Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

Hybrid Indicator (hyb)

The hybrid indicator (hyb) is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.


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Description of Moody's Global Short-Term Ratings

P-1  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Description of Moody's U.S. Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings

The Municipal Investment Grade ("MIG") scale is used to rate U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale is used to rate bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

Moody's U.S. municipal short-term obligation ratings are as follows:

MIG 1  This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2  This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3  This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG  This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Description of Moody's Demand Obligation Ratings

In the case of variable rate demand obligations ("VRDOs"), Moody's assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer's ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders ("on demand") and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the Variable Municipal Investment Grade ("VMIG") scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term counterparty risk assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer's long-term rating drops below investment grade. For VRDOs, Moody's typically assigns a VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years, but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as "NR".

Moody's demand obligation ratings are as follows:

VMIG 1  This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

VMIG 2  This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.


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VMIG 3  This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

SG  This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections.

Description of S&P's Issue Credit Ratings

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P's view of the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. S&P would typically assign a long-term issue credit rating to an obligation with an original maturity of greater than 365 days. However, the ratings S&P assigns to certain instruments may diverge from these guidelines based on market practices. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P's analysis of the following considerations:

•  The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

•  The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise S&P imputes; and

•  The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

NR indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

Description of S&P's Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

AAA  An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA  An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

A  An obligation rated 'A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.


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BBB  An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB; B; CCC;  Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' are regarded as having significant speculative
CC; and C  characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB  An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B  An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated 'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CCC  An obligation rated 'CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CC  An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C  An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D  An obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

*Ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

Description of S&P's Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

A-1  A short-term obligation rated 'A-1' is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2  A short-term obligation rated 'A-2' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.


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A-3  A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B  A short-term obligation rated 'B' is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C  A short-term obligation rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D  A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

Description of S&P's Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P's opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P's analysis will review the following considerations:

•  Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

•  Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

S&P's municipal short-term note ratings are as follows:

SP-1  Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3  Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

D  'D' is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

Description of Fitch's Credit Ratings

Fitch's credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Credit ratings relating to securities and obligations of an issuer can include a recovery expectation. Credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they invested.


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Fitch's credit rating scale for issuers and issues is expressed using the categories 'AAA' to 'BBB' (investment grade) and 'BB' to 'D' (speculative grade) with an additional +/- for AA through CCC levels indicating relative differences of probability of default or recovery for issues. The terms "investment grade" and "speculative grade" are market conventions and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. Investment grade categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the speculative categories signal either a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.

Fitch may also disclose issues relating to a rated issuer that are not and have not been rated. Such issues are also denoted as 'NR' on its web page.

Fitch's credit ratings do not directly address any risk other than credit risk. Credit ratings do not deal with the risk of market value loss due to changes in interest rates, liquidity and/or other market considerations. However, market risk may be considered to the extent that it influences the ability of an issuer to pay or refinance a financial commitment.

Ratings nonetheless do not reflect market risk to the extent that they influence the size or other conditionality of the obligation to pay upon a commitment (for example, in the case of payments linked to performance of an index).

In the default components of ratings assigned to individual obligations or instruments, the agency typically rates to the likelihood of non-payment or default in accordance with the terms of that instrument's documentation. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e. rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligation's documentation).

Description of Fitch's Long-Term Corporate Finance Obligations Ratings

AAA  Highest credit quality. 'AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA  Very high credit quality. 'AA' ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A  High credit quality. 'A' ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB  Good credit quality. 'BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB  Speculative. 'BB' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

B  Highly speculative. 'B' ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

CCC  Substantial credit risk. 'CCC' ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

CC  Very high levels of credit risk. 'CC' ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

C  Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. 'C' ratings indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Ratings in the categories of 'CCC', 'CC' and 'C' can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only.


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Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned 'RD' or 'D' ratings, but are instead rated in the 'CCC' to 'C' rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

Description of Fitch's Short-Term Ratings

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as "short term" based on market convention (a long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity). Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

Fitch's short-term ratings are as follows:

F1  Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2  Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3  Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B  Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C  High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

RD  Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

D  Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.


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