STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CAVANAL HILL® FUNDS

DATED December 28, 2023

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

       

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

Government Securities Money Market Fund

     

Administrative:

APGXX

Administrative:

APCXX

     

Institutional:

APKXX

Institutional:

APHXX

     

Select:

APNXX

Select:

APSXX

     
   

Premier:

APPXX

     
               

BOND FUNDS

             

Limited Duration Fund

Bond Fund

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

A:

AASTX

A:

AABOX

A:

AAUSX

Investor:

APSTX

Investor:

APBDX

Investor:

APUSX

Institutional:

AISTX

Institutional:

AIBNX

Institutional:

AIUSX

               

Moderate Duration Fund

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

   

A:

AAIBX

A:

AAENX

     

Investor:

APFBX

Investor:

APENX

     

Institutional:

AIFBX

Institutional:

AIENX

     
               

EQUITY FUNDS

             

World Energy Fund

Hedged Income Fund

 

A:

AAWEX

A:

AALIX

   

C:

ACWEX

Investor:

APLIX

   

Investor:

APWEX

Institutional:

AILIX

   

Institutional:

AIWEX

   

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Cavanal Hill Funds dated December 28, 2023. This SAI is incorporated in its entirety into the Prospectus. A copy of the Prospectus for the Cavanal Hill Funds may be obtained by writing to the Cavanal Hill Funds at One Williams Center, 15th Floor, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74172, or by telephoning 1-800-762-7085.

The Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Financial Highlights, and Financial Statements included in the Cavanal Hill Funds’ Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, are incorporated by reference into this SAI. A copy of the Annual Report may be obtained without charge upon request by contacting the Distributor, Cavanal Hill Distributors, at One Williams Center, 15th Floor, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74172 or by telephoning toll-free at 1-800-762-7085.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

THE FUNDS

 

1

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE WORLD ENERGY FUND

 

1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS

 

2

THE MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

2

THE BOND FUNDS

 

2

THE EQUITY FUNDS

 

3

CONCENTRATION POLICY

 

5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FUND INSTRUMENTS

 

6

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES

 

6

BANK OBLIGATIONS

 

6

BONDS

 

7

CALLS

 

7

COMMERCIAL PAPER

 

8

COMMODITY EXPOSURE INSTRUMENTS

 

8

COMMON STOCK

 

8

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

 

8

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

 

9

EXCHANGE TRADED NOTES

 

9

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

 

10

FUTURES CONTRACTS

 

10

ILLIQUID SECURITIES — PRIVATE PLACEMENT AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES

 

11

INVERSE EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

 

11

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES

 

11

LOAN PARTICIPATION

 

12

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

 

12

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

 

12

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

 

13

OPTIONS — CALL and INDEX

 

15

OPTIONS — PUTS

 

15

PREFERRED STOCK

 

15

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

 

16

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

 

16

SECURITIES LENDING

 

16

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

 

16

VARIABLE RATE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES

 

17

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

 

17

ZERO-COUPON OBLIGATIONS

 

18

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS

 

18

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

18

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

 

18

NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

 

21

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

22

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FUNDS

 

22

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

 

22

QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

22

CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVERS

 

24

EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

24

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

24

EXEMPT-INTEREST DIVIDENDS

 

26

i

 

Page

SELLING SHARES

 

27

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SECURITIES LENDING

 

27

CERTAIN DEBT SECURITIES

 

27

OTHER INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

28

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

 

29

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

 

31

FOREIGN INVESTMENT, FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED SECURITIES AND RELATED HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

 

31

BACK-UP WITHHOLDING

 

32

TAX SHELTER REPORTING REGULATIONS

 

32

SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH TAX-QUALIFIED PLANS

 

33

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

33

VALUATION

 

33

BOND AND EQUITY FUNDS

 

33

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 

34

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

35

MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS OF THE FUNDS

 

39

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

39

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

43

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

43

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

 

43

SECURITIES OWNERSHIP

 

43

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES COMPENSATION

 

44

CODE OF ETHICS

 

45

MARKET TIMING POLICY

 

45

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

45

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

46

CURRENT PROXY VOTING ARRANGEMENTS

 

50

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

51

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

53

DISTRIBUTION

 

55

SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

 

57

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

58

ALLOCATION OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

 

60

ADMINISTRATOR

 

60

SUB-ADMINISTRATOR

 

61

DISTRIBUTOR

 

62

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTANT AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES

 

62

PAYMENTS TO BOKF (AND ITS AFFILIATES)

 

63

LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

 

63

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

63

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

63

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

64

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

64

SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY

 

64

MISCELLANEOUS

 

65

SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD

 

65

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

74

APPENDIX

 

75

 

ii

THE FUNDS

The Cavanal Hill Funds (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company established in 1987 as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust currently consists of nine series of units of beneficial interest (“Shares”), representing interests in the following portfolios:

Cavanal Hill U.S. Treasury Fund (the “U.S. Treasury Fund”) and Cavanal Hill Government Securities Money Market Fund (the “Government Securities Money Market Fund”), Cavanal Hill Limited Duration Fund (the “Limited Duration Fund”), Cavanal Hill Moderate Duration Fund (the “Moderate Duration Fund”), Cavanal Hill Bond Fund (the “Bond Fund”), Cavanal Hill Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund (the “Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund”), Cavanal Hill Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund (the “Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund”), Cavanal Hill World Energy Fund (“World Energy Fund”), Cavanal Hill Hedged Income Fund (“Hedged Income Fund”) (each a “Fund,” and together, the “Funds”).

Each Fund is diversified, with the exception of the Hedged Income Fund, which is non-diversified. The U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund are sometimes referred to as the “Money Market Funds.” The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, and the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund are sometimes referred to as the “Bond Funds,” and the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund are sometimes referred to as the “Equity Funds.” The Trust offers A Class, No-Load Investor Class (“Investor Class”) and Institutional Class Shares of the Bond and Equity Funds. The Equity Funds, other than the Hedged Income Fund, also offer C Class Shares. The Trust offers Administrative Class, Institutional Class and Select Class Shares of the Money Market Funds. The Government Securities Money Market Fund also offers Premier Class Shares. The information contained in this document expands upon subjects discussed in the Prospectus for the Funds. An investment in a Fund should not be made without first reading that Fund’s Prospectus.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE WORLD ENERGY FUND

Non-Affiliation

The Cavanal Hill World Energy Fund invests in energy related companies around the globe based on the advice of Cavanal Hill Investment Management®, Inc. (“Cavanal Hill Investment Management” or “Adviser”). The Adviser is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation (“BOK Financial”), a financial services company that is majority-owned by George B. Kaiser. Mr. Kaiser is an active trader of energy derivatives, and owns a wide range of oil and gas upstream, midstream and downstream assets located in a wide range of locations. Neither George B. Kaiser nor any affiliated entity or person is involved in the recommendation, selection or evaluation of World Energy Fund holdings, other than those Adviser personnel that are specifically charged with managing the Fund. BOK Financial has adopted strict policies to ensure that no energy related investment information is shared between Advisory personnel and Mr. Kaiser or affiliated entities and individuals.

1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS

THE MONEY MARKET FUNDS

All securities or instruments in which the Money Market Funds invest are valued based on the amortized cost valuation technique pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). All instruments in which the Money Market Funds invest will have remaining maturities of 397 days or less, though instruments subject to repurchase agreements and certain variable or floating rate obligations may bear longer maturities. The average dollar-weighted maturity of the securities in each of the Money Market Funds will not exceed 60 days and the dollar-weighted average portfolio life cannot exceed 120 days. Obligations purchased by the Money Market Funds are limited to U.S. dollar-denominated obligations which have been determined to present minimal credit risks.

The U.S. Treasury Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Government Securities, other U.S. Government Securities investment companies or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities and other U.S. Treasury investment companies. The Fund also invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. Treasury Obligations or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury Obligations. The Government Securities Money Market Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Government Securities, other U.S. Government Securities investment companies, or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities and other U.S. Government Security investment companies. The Fund also invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities. These policies will not be changed without at least 60 days prior notice to shareholders.

The Government Securities Money Market Fund will invest only in issuers or instruments that at the time of purchase (1) have received one of the two highest short-term ratings by at least two nationally recognized statistical ratings organizations (“NRSROs”); (2) are single rated and have received one of the two highest short-term ratings by a NRSRO; (3) are unrated, but are determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees and subject to the ratification of the Board of Trustees; or (4) are a government security or a U.S. Government Securities investment company.

For purposes of the Funds’ policies that specify 80% or 99.5%, the Funds will “look through” investments in investment companies and will include such investments, as appropriate, in their respective percentage totals.

As discussed below, there are a number of important differences among the government-sponsored entities and agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue Mortgage-backed securities and among the securities that they issue. The differences in levels of credit support result in different degrees of credit risk. The Government Securities Money Market Fund will invest in the obligations of such government-sponsored entities and agencies and instrumentalities only when the Adviser deems the credit risk with respect thereto to be minimal.

THE BOND FUNDS

The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund and the Bond Fund will invest in debt securities only if they are “investment grade,” carrying a rating within the four highest ratings categories assigned by a NRSRO at the time of purchase or, if unrated, are deemed by Cavanal Hill Investment Management under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees to present attractive opportunities and to be of comparable quality to the securities so rated. If the rating of a security is downgraded after purchase, the portfolio management team will determine whether it is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders to continue to hold the security. In making that determination, the factors considered at the time of purchase are reviewed. The Fund does not apply an automatic sale trigger. See “Appendix” for an explanation of these and other ratings used in this SAI. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund may invest a significant portion of its net assets in non-rated securities or securities that are rated below investment grade (“junk bonds” or high yield securities) and thus rated below Baa3 by Moody’s, BBB- by S&P or BBB- by Fitch Ratings Ltd. or unrated.

The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the Bond Fund, under normal market conditions, will each invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets in bonds.

2

Under normal market conditions at least 80% of the net assets of the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund will be invested in a diversified portfolio of obligations (such as bonds, notes, and debentures) issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and other political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities, the interest on which is both exempt from federal income taxes and not treated as a preference item for individuals for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Securities”). This is a fundamental policy for the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund and may only be changed by the vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.

The Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of municipal bonds and debentures. Such debt obligations are “investment grade” or better, rated within the four highest long-term or two highest short-term rating categories assigned by a NRSRO, with at least 65% of the Fund’s net assets invested in securities that are rated within the three highest long-term or highest short-term rating categories or, if not rated, found by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality. If the rating of a security is downgraded after purchase, the portfolio management team will determine whether it is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders to continue to hold the security. In making that determination, the factors considered at the time of purchase are reviewed. The Fund does not apply an automatic sale trigger. The Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity between 1 day to 1 year.

Bonds, notes, and debentures in which the Bond Funds may invest may differ in interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. The market value of the Bond Funds’ debt securities will change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. When market prices are unavailable or deemed to be inaccurate because of recent market developments, matrix pricing or fair value pricing will be utilized. During periods of falling interest rates, the value of outstanding debt securities generally rise. 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 price of longer maturity securities is also subject to greater fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Conversely, securities with shorter maturities generally have less price movement than securities of comparable quality with longer maturities. Changes by NRSROs in the rating of any debt security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal also affect the value of these investments. Except under conditions of default, changes in the value of a bond fund’s portfolio securities generally will not affect cash income derived from these securities but will affect a bond fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

Certain debt securities such as, but not limited to, Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (a “CMO”), as well as securities subject to prepayment of principal prior to the stated maturity date, are expected to be repaid prior to their stated maturity dates. The Adviser determines the “expected average life” of the securities based on the expected payment date (which is earlier than the stated maturity dates of the securities). For purposes of calculating the weighted average portfolio maturity, the expected average life of such securities, as determined by the Adviser, will be used.

THE EQUITY FUNDS

Under normal circumstances, the World Energy Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a wide range of energy-related financial instruments issued in the U.S. and markets around the world. Energy-related financial instruments may include foreign and domestic securities of issuers that derive more than 50% percent of their assets, revenue or income from activities related to the exploration, extraction, mining, research, development, conservation, refinement, production, transfer, transmission or transportation of conventional, alternative, renewable or sustainable energy sources, utilities, petrochemicals, plastics or suppliers or servicers to such industries. Investments typically include a combination of common stock, bonds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) but may also include other asset types that are related to energy industry activities. The World Energy Fund may also seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets by investing in derivative instruments, including options, futures and indexed securities. The World Energy Fund may also seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of commodities through investment in investment vehicles that exclusively invest in commodities such as ETFs that may hold commodities, commodity derivatives or both.

3

The World Energy Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

Under normal market conditions, the World Energy Fund will invest at least 40%, but may invest up to 100%, of its net assets in the securities of issuers organized or having their principal place of business outside the U.S. or doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S. The Fund will consider an issuer to be doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S. if it derives more than 50% percent of its assets, revenue or income outside of the U.S. or is an international focused ETF. Under normal market conditions, the World Energy Fund invests in issuers from at least three different countries. The Adviser invests the Fund’s assets based on its judgment about issuers, risk, prices of securities, market conditions and other economic factors in the U.S. and around the world.

The World Energy Fund may invest in long and short positions in securities of issuers of any market capitalization, emerging market securities, American depositary receipts (“ADRs”), European depositary receipts, (“EDRs”), global depositary receipts (“GDRs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). Sponsored and unsponsored ADRs and GDRs constitute a portion of the Fund’s energy-related instruments. The Fund may also invest in pooled investment vehicles, including other registered investment companies and ETFs, including leveraged and inverse ETFs.

The World Energy Fund may from time to time invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality and maturity, including those of defaulted/distressed issuers and bank loans. Fixed income investments may include foreign and domestic sovereign securities. These securities can be rated below investment grade (“junk bonds” or high yield securities) and thus rated below Baa3 by Moody’s, BBB- by S&P or BBB- by Fitch Ratings Ltd. or unrated and securities in default. The World Energy Fund may also engage in short sales when the Adviser believes that a security is overvalued or to hedge existing positions. At any time that a Fund has an open short sale position, the Fund is required to own or have the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short or to segregate with BOKF, NA (the “Custodian”) an amount of cash or liquid assets to cover the short position. The Funds do not intend to use leverage so proceeds from a short sale will be used as collateral.

Under normal market conditions, the Hedged Income Fund invests primarily in dividend paying equity securities, with at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities and equity-related instruments traded on U.S. exchanges. For purposes of this policy, the Fund includes common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of companies with any market capitalization and sponsored or unsponsored ADRs. Under normal circumstances, the fund will seek to generate current earnings from option premiums by writing (selling) call options on its portfolio securities, all of which will be covered calls. A covered call refers to a financial transaction in which the investor selling a call option owns an equivalent amount of the underlying security. The investor’s ownership of the long position in the asset is the “cover” because the seller can deliver the shares if the buyer of the call option chooses to exercise. The Fund seeks to produce current income from dividends and, to a lesser extent, from option writing premiums. The Fund will buy put options on indexes, ETFs, or individual securities in order to seek to both reduce volatility and provide downside protection for the portfolio.

The portfolio management team of the Hedged Income Fund selects equity securities that it believes will pay consistent and sustainable dividends, have a strong track record of and future ability to increase the dividend, proven history of predictable cash flows that increase over time, and with barriers to competition. At the time of initial investment selection, common stocks will have a minimum market cap of $1 billion. The portfolio will typically invest in 25 to 40 holdings across multiple economic sectors and will not invest more than 35% of the fund’s net assets in any one such sector to diversify risk.

The extent of the Hedged Income Fund option writing activity will depend on the portfolio management team’s judgment regarding perceived value associated with security prices, market conditions and attractiveness of writing call options on the fund’s stock holdings but under normal circumstances, the fund expects to write (sell) call options on 50% to 100% of the fund’s equity securities. Writing covered calls produces income from premiums, a portion of which will be used to purchase puts which helps to reduce the volatility (and risk profile) of the fund by providing downside protection.

The Hedged Income Fund is required to pledge collateral for the covered call option trades and will hold the security as collateral for all such covered call option trades. The fund’s Custodian will segregate such collateral for the benefit of the counterparty. High levels of new investment inflow can lead to periods of higher cash levels, as investment opportunities are identified. Similarly, during periods in which stock markets advance, the exercise of options may result in higher cash levels.

4

The Hedged Income Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may invest in fewer individual holdings than a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual security volatility than a diversified fund. Purchase and sale decisions are based on the Adviser’s judgment about issuers, risk, prices of securities, market conditions, potential returns, and other economic factors.

CONCENTRATION POLICY

With the exception of the World Energy Fund, in general, the Funds do not concentrate in any particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined or interpreted under the 1940 Act, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of such statute, rules or regulations. Under normal market conditions, the World Energy Fund will concentrate its investments in energy-related industries. Investments may include, but are not limited to: foreign and domestic securities related to the exploration, mining, development, refinement, production, transfer, transmission, and transportation of conventional, alternative, renewable and sustainable energy, utilities and suppliers to such industries. The World Energy Fund will not concentrate in any other industry or group of industries.

“Concentration” is generally interpreted under the 1940 Act to be investing more than 25% of total assets in an industry or group of industries. For purposes of determining concentration, the various Funds do not consider certain investments to constitute an “industry” or include them in the general limitation: (a) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (b) wholly owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents; (c) utilities will be divided according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric, and telephone will each be considered a separate industry); and (d) tax-exempt Municipal Securities or governmental guarantees of Municipal Securities. Also, the Funds do not consider investment companies to constitute an “industry” and will “look through” investments in investment companies to the underlying securities held by such investment companies when determining the Fund’s exposure to a particular industry.

5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FUND INSTRUMENTS

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES

The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Bond Fund, the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund may invest in securities backed by automobile receivables and credit card receivables and other securities backed by other types of receivables or other assets. Credit support for asset-backed securities may be based on the underlying assets and/or provided through credit enhancements by a third party. Credit enhancement techniques include letters of credit, insurance bonds, limited guarantees (which are generally provided by the issuer), senior-subordinated structures and over-collateralization. These Funds will only purchase an asset-backed security if it is rated at the time of purchase within the four highest ratings categories assigned by an NRSRO, with the exception of the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund, which may invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality. Some asset-backed securities, such as asset-backed commercial paper, often carry only short-term ratings. The World Energy Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, and the Government Securities Money Market Fund may purchase asset-based securities that carry only a short-term rating. Some types of asset-backed securities are considered to be illiquid.

BANK OBLIGATIONS

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may invest in obligations of the banking industry such as bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, loan participations, bearer deposit notes, promissory notes, floating or variable rate obligations, certificates of deposit, and demand and time deposits.

Bankers’ Acceptances:    Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. The Funds will invest in only those bankers’ acceptances guaranteed by U.S. and foreign banks having, at the time of investment, total assets in excess of $1 billion (as of the date of their most recently published financial statements).

Certificates of Deposit:    Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return or a floating rate of return based on an index, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate or “SOFR”. Certificates of deposit will be those of U.S and foreign commercial banks and their domestic and foreign branches. The Funds may also invest in Eurodollar certificates of deposit, which are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by branches of foreign and domestic banks located outside the United States and Yankee certificates of deposit, which are certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a foreign bank denominated in U.S. dollars and held in the United States.

In addition, the Funds may invest in bearer deposit notes, which are negotiable time deposits with a specific maturity date issued by a bank, and time deposits, which are interest bearing non-negotiable deposits at a bank that have a specific maturity date.

Commercial Paper:    Commercial paper consists of secured and unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Except as noted below with respect to variable rate master demand notes, issues of commercial paper normally have maturities of nine months or less and fixed rates of return or a floating rate of return based on an index, such as SOFR. The specified Funds may also invest in Canadian commercial paper which is commercial paper issued by a Canadian corporation or a Canadian counterpart of a U.S. corporation and in Europaper which is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of a foreign issuer.

With the exception of the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund, the Funds will only purchase commercial paper rated at the time of purchase within the four highest ratings categories assigned by an NRSRO or, if not rated, found by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality.

6

BONDS

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may invest in bonds and other debt securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, including obligations of industrial, utility, banking and other corporate issuers. All debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as fluctuation of market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.

CALLS

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may write (sell) “covered” call options and purchase options to close out options previously written by the Fund. Such options must be listed on a national securities exchange. The purpose of these Funds in writing covered call options is to generate additional premium income. This premium income will serve to enhance the Fund’s total return and will reduce the effect of any price decline of the security involved in the option.

A call option gives the holder (buyer) the “right to purchase” a security at a specified price (the exercise price) at any time until a certain date (the expiration date). So long as the obligation of the writer of a call option continues, the writer may be assigned an exercise notice by the broker-dealer, through whom such option was sold, requiring the writer to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. This obligation terminates upon the expiration of the call option, or such earlier time at which the writer effects a closing purchase transaction by purchasing an option identical to that previously sold. To secure the writer’s obligation to deliver the underlying security in the case of a call option, subject to the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation, a writer is required to deposit in escrow the underlying security or other assets in accordance with such rules. The Funds will write only covered call options. This means that a Fund will only write a call option on a security which a Fund already owns. With the exception of the Hedged Income Fund, a Fund will not write a covered call option if, as a result, the aggregate market value of all portfolio securities covering call options or currencies subject to put options exceeds 25% of the market value of the Fund’s net assets. The Hedged Income Fund may write covered call options on up to 100% of the equity securities it holds. When market prices are unavailable or deemed to be inaccurate due to recent market developments, matrix pricing or fair value pricing will be utilized.

Portfolio securities on which call options may be written will be purchased solely on the basis of investment considerations consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives. The writing of covered call options is a conservative investment technique believed to involve relatively little risk (in contrast to the writing of naked or uncovered options), but capable of enhancing a Fund’s total return. When writing a covered call option, a Fund, in return for the premium, gives up the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price, but conversely retains the risk of loss should the price of the security decline. Unlike one who owns securities not subject to an option, a Fund has no control over when it may be required to sell the underlying securities, as it may receive an exercise notice at any time prior to the expiration of its obligation as a writer. If a call option that a Fund has written expires, a Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, such gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If the call option is exercised, a Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security. The security covering the call will be maintained in a segregated account of the Fund’s Custodian. The Funds do not consider a security covered by a call to be “pledged” as that term is used in each Fund’s policy that limits the pledging or mortgaging of its net assets.

The premium each Fund will receive from writing a call option will reflect, among other things, the current market price of the underlying security, the relationship of the exercise price to such market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying security, and the length of the option period. The premium received is the fair market value of the option at the date written or purchased. Once the decision to write a covered call option has been made, the Adviser, in determining whether a particular call option should be written on a particular security, will consider the reasonableness of the anticipated premium and the likelihood that a liquid secondary market will exist for those options. The premium received by a Fund for writing covered call options will be recorded as a liability in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. This liability will be adjusted daily to the option’s current market value, which will be the latest sale price at the time at which the NAV per Share of the Fund is computed, or, in the absence of such sale, the latest asked price. The liability will be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the purchase of an identical option in a closing transaction, or delivery of the underlying security upon the exercise of the option.

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Closing transactions will be effected in order to realize a profit on an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security from being called, or to permit the sale of the underlying security. Furthermore, effecting a closing transaction will permit a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both. If a Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will seek to effect a closing transaction prior to, or concurrently with, the sale of the security. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to effect such closing transactions at a favorable price. If a Fund cannot enter into such a transaction, it may be required to hold a security that it might otherwise have sold, in which case it would continue to be at market risk on the security. This could result in higher transaction costs. A Fund will pay transaction costs in connection with the writing of options to close out previously written options. Such transaction costs are normally higher than those applicable to purchases and sales of portfolio securities.

Call options written by a Fund will normally have expiration dates of less than nine months from the date written. The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to, or above the current market values of the underlying securities at the time the options are written. From time to time, a Fund may purchase an underlying security for delivery in accordance with an exercise notice of a call option assigned to it, rather than delivering such security from its portfolio. In such cases, additional costs will be incurred.

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

COMMERCIAL PAPER

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may invest in commercial paper, which consists of secured and unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Except as noted below with respect to variable rate master demand notes, issues of commercial paper normally have maturities of nine months or less and fixed rates of return. The Funds may also invest in Canadian commercial paper which is commercial paper issued by a Canadian corporation or a Canadian counterpart of a U.S. corporation and in Europaper which is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of a foreign issuer. With the exception of the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund, the Funds will only purchase commercial paper rated at the time of purchase within the four highest ratings categories assigned by an NRSRO or, if not rated, found by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality and present minimal credit risk. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund may invest in commercial paper of any credit quality.

COMMODITY EXPOSURE INSTRUMENTS

The World Energy Fund may invest in commodity-focused ETFs. Commodity-focused ETFs may invest in futures contracts that track the price of a commodity, commodity options, or directly in physical commodities, such ETFs may include inverse ETFs.

COMMON STOCK

Common stock represents a share of ownership in a company and usually carries voting rights and may earn dividends. Unlike preferred stock, common stock dividends are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. As with all equity securities, the price of common stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities include any debt securities or preferred stock which may be converted into common stock or which carry the right to purchase common stock. Generally, convertible securities entitle the holder to exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of time.

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The terms of any convertible security determine its ranking in a company’s capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of other creditors, and are senior to the claims of preferred and common shareholders. In the case of convertible preferred stock, the holders’ claims on assets and earnings are subordinated to the claims of all creditors and are senior to the claims of common shareholders.

Convertible securities have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. Due to the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to move together with the market value of the underlying common stock. As a result, selection of convertible securities, to a great extent, is based on the potential for capital appreciation that may exist in the underlying stock. The value of convertible securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer, and any call provisions. In some cases, the issuer may cause a convertible security to convert to common stock. In other situations, it may be advantageous for a Fund to cause the conversion of convertible securities to common stock. If a convertible security converts to common stock, a Fund may hold such common stock in its portfolio even if it does not ordinarily invest in common stock.

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (“ETFs”)

ETFs are pooled investment vehicles whose ownership interests are purchased and sold in a securities exchange. ETFs may be structured investment companies, depositary receipts or other pooled investment vehicles. As shareholders of an ETF, the Funds will bear their pro rata portion of any fees and expenses of the ETFs.

The Bond and Equity Funds may each use ETFs to gain exposure to various asset classes and markets or types of strategies and investments. By way of example, ETFs may be structured as broad-based ETFs that invest in a broad group of stocks from different industries and market sectors or market ETFs that invest in debt securities from a select sector of the economy, a single industry or related industries; or ETFs that invest in foreign and emerging markets securities. Other types of ETFs continue to be developed and the Funds may invest in them to the extent consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions. The ETFs in which the Funds invest are subject to the risks applicable to the types of securities and investments used by the ETFs (e.g., debt securities are subject to risks like credit and interest rate risks; emerging markets securities are subject to risks like currency risks and foreign and emerging markets risks; derivatives are subject to leverage and counterparty risk).

ETFs may be actively managed or index-based. Actively managed ETFs are subject to management risk and may not achieve their objective if the ETF’s manager’s expectations regarding particular securities or markets are not met. An index-based ETF’s objective is to track the performance of a specified index. Index-based ETFs invest in a securities portfolio that includes substantially all of the securities (in substantially the same) amount as the securities included in the designated index. Because passively managed ETFs are designed to track an index, securities may be purchased, retained and sold at times when an actively managed ETF would not do so. As a result, shareholders of a Fund that invest in such an ETF can expect greater risk of loss (and a correspondingly greater prospect of gain) from changes in the value of securities that are heavily weighted in the index than would be the case if the ETF were not fully invested in such securities. This risk is increased if a few component securities represent a highly concentrated weighting in the designated index.

EXCHANGE TRADED NOTES (“ETNs”)

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by an underwriting bank and traded on securities exchanges. Similar to other debt securities, ETNs have a maturity date and are backed only by the credit of the issuer. ETNs typically do not pay any interest payments to investors. Instead, the issuer promises to pay the holder of the ETN an amount determined by the performance of the underlying index or benchmark on the ETN’s maturity date (typically 10, 30 or in some cases even 40 years from issuance), minus any specified fees. In addition, unlike traditional bonds, ETNs trade on exchanges throughout the day at prices determined by the market, similar to stocks or ETFs. But unlike ETFs, ETNs do not buy or hold assets to replicate or approximate the performance of the underlying index. Market prices of ETNs may fluctuate due to movements in the indexes they track, as well as other factors, including ETN issuances and redemption activity.

The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund may each use ETNs to gain exposure to various investment sectors from commodities to emerging markets.

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Because ETNs are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities, an investment in an ETN exposes the Fund to the risk that an ETN issuer’s credit rating may be downgraded or that the issuer may default. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying securities’ markets, changes in the applicable interest rates and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced index. In addition, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and its performance to be lower.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

The Bond and Equity Funds and the Money Market Funds may, subject to their investment objectives, restrictions and policies, invest in certain obligations or securities of foreign issuers. Permissible investments may include obligations of foreign branches, agencies or subsidiaries of U.S. banks and of foreign banks and investments in foreign securities. For the Bond and Equity Funds, investments may include European certificates of deposit, European time deposits, Canadian time deposits and Yankee certificates of deposit, Canadian commercial paper, and Europaper (U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of a foreign issuer). Securities of foreign issuers may include, but are not limited to, EDRs and GDRs. EDRs and GDRs are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain information about EDRs and GDRs. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Bond, Moderate Duration, Limited Duration and World Energy Funds may also invest in Canadian, Supra-national, and World Bank Bonds, Eurodollars, and similar instruments. In addition, the World Energy Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in foreign currencies.

The Equity Funds may also invest in foreign securities through the purchase of sponsored and unsponsored ADRs. Sponsored ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange; unsponsored ADRs are not. Therefore, there may be less information available about the issuers of unsponsored ADRs than the issuers of sponsored ADRs.

Under normal market conditions, the World Energy Fund will invest at least 40%, but could invest up to 100%, of its portfolio in securities issued by companies organized or having their principal place of business outside the U.S. or doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S. The World Energy Fund will consider an issuer to be doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S. if it derives more than 50% percent of its assets, revenue or income outside of the U.S. or is an internationally focused ETF. In the event that market conditions are not deemed favorable, the World Energy Fund would invest at least 30% in foreign securities or securities issued by companies doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S. Under normal market conditions, the World Energy Fund will invest in securities from at least three different countries.

These instruments may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions, which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply to a Fund’s foreign investments.

FUTURES CONTRACTS

The Bond and Equity Funds may (1) enter into contracts for the future delivery of securities and futures contracts based on a specific security, class of securities or an index, (2) purchase or sell options on any such futures contracts, and (3) engage in related closing transactions. When a Fund purchases a futures contract, it agrees to buy a specified quantity of the underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to make a cash payment based on the value of a securities index. When a Fund sells a futures contract, it agrees to sell a specified quantity of the underlying instrument at a specified future date or, in the case of an index futures contract, to receive a cash payment based on the value of the securities index.

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When interest rates are expected to rise or market values of portfolio securities are expected to fall, a Fund can seek, through the sale of futures contracts, to offset a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. When interest rates are expected to fall or market values are expected to rise, a Fund, through the purchase of such contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices for the Fund than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases.

The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will, respectively, give a Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase the underlying futures contract, upon exercise of the option, at any time during the option period.

Futures transactions involve brokerage costs and require a Fund to segregate assets to cover contracts that would require it to purchase securities. A Fund may lose the expected benefit of futures transactions if interest rates or securities prices move in an unanticipated manner. Such unanticipated changes may also result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions. In addition, the value of a Fund’s futures positions may not prove to be perfectly or even highly correlated with the value of its portfolio securities, limiting the Fund’s ability to hedge effectively against interest rate and/or market risk and giving rise to additional risks. There is no assurance of liquidity in the secondary market for purposes of closing out futures positions.

Aggregate initial margin deposits for futures contracts, and premiums paid for related options, may not exceed 5% of a Fund’s total assets, and the value of securities that are the subject of such futures and options (both for receipt and delivery) may not exceed one-third of the market value of a Fund’s total assets. Futures transactions will be limited to the extent necessary to maintain each Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”).

ILLIQUID SECURITIES — PRIVATE PLACEMENTS AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund, may invest in securities issued in reliance on the so-called “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Securities Act Rule 144A (“Section 4(a)(2) paper”). Section 4(a)(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally is sold to institutional investors, who agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. Section 4(a)(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) paper, thus providing liquidity. Section 4(a)(2) paper may also be resold to the issuer or certain broker-dealers. The Funds may purchase both liquid and illiquid Section 4(a)(2) paper; however, the Bond and Equity Funds will not invest more than 15% and the Money Market Funds will not invest more than 5% of their net assets in Section 4(a)(2) paper that is illiquid.

Because it is not possible to predict with assurance exactly how the market for Section 4(a)(2) paper will develop, the Adviser, with the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and pursuant to the guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees, will carefully monitor the Funds’ investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information. Investments in Section 4(a)(2) paper could have the effect of reducing a Fund’s liquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time not interested in purchasing these restricted securities.

INVERSE EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

An ETF that is constructed by using various derivatives for the purpose of profiting from a decline in the value of an underlying benchmark. An inverse ETF seeks to provide returns that are the opposite of the underlying referenced financial asset, index, or commodity’s returns. Due to daily rebalancing, leverage, and liquidity, inverse ETFs may perform worse that the inverse movement of the underlying reference financial asset, index, or commodity’s returns. Some inverse ETFs are leveraged, meaning that they attempt to mimic 200% or 300% positive or negative returns of an index.

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES

Subject to their respective investment restrictions, each of the Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, ETFs and other Cavanal Hill Funds. The Funds may invest in securities of any registered investment company to the extent permitted by the applicable statutory limits under the 1940 Act and rules, regulations and exemptive orders issued by the SEC thereunder. These investment companies

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typically pay an investment advisory fee out of their assets. Therefore, these investments may be subject to duplicate management, advisory and distribution fees. When a Fund invests in another Cavanal Hill Fund, Management Fees and Administrative Fees of the investing Fund are rebated but other fees are not.

LOAN PARTICIPATION

The World Energy Fund may purchase certain loan participation interests. Loan participation interests represent interests in bank loans made to corporations. The contractual arrangement with the bank transfers the cash stream of the underlying bank loan to the participating investor. Because the issuing bank does not guarantee the participations, they are subject to the credit risks generally associated with the underlying corporate borrower. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is extremely limited and any such participations purchased by the investor are regarded as illiquid. In addition, because it may be necessary under the terms of the loan participation for the investor to assert through the issuing bank such rights as may exist against the underlying corporate borrower, in the event the underlying corporate borrower fails to pay principal, and interest when due, the investor may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the investor had purchased a direct obligation (such as commercial paper) of such borrower. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the investor may be regarded as a creditor of the issuing bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the issuer may also be subject to the risk that the issuing bank may become insolvent. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, the loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such borrower as a result of improper conduct by the issuing bank.

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund and each of the Equity Funds may invest in MLPs in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies. Certain companies are organized as MLPs in which ownership interests are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or directly own interests) that are related to real estate development and oil and gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other projects or provide financial services. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like a Fund that invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. They are allocated income and capital gains associated with the partnership project in accordance with the terms established in the partnership agreement.

MLP investments are equity securities and are subject to the same risks as other equity securities. In addition, risks of investing in an MLP include those inherent in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be less protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Additional risks involved with investing in an MLP are risks associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in the oil and gas industry.

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

Each of the Funds, except the World Energy Fund, may, consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies, invest in Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

Mortgage-backed securities, for purposes of the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI, represent pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by various governmental agencies such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) and government-related organizations such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), as well as by nongovernmental issuers such as investment banks, commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, and private mortgage insurance companies. Although certain Mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of such securities, which may fluctuate, is not so secured. If a Fund purchases a Mortgage-backed security at a premium, that premium may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying mortgage collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However, though the value of a Mortgage-backed security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true as in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the securities are prone to prepayment. For this and other reasons, a Mortgage-backed security’s stated maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the

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underlying mortgages and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return to a Fund. In addition, regular payments received in respect of Mortgage-backed securities include both interest and principal. No assurance can be given as to the return a Fund will receive when these amounts are reinvested.

The mortgage market in the United States experienced difficulties after the 2008 financial downturn that may continue to adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s Mortgage-backed investments.

There are a number of important differences among the government-sponsored entities and agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue Mortgage-backed securities and among the securities that they issue. The differences in levels of credit support result in different degrees of credit risk.

Ginnie Maes — Mortgage-backed securities issued by the GNMA, including GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. Ginnie Maes are either direct obligations of GNMA or are guaranteed by it as to the timely payment of principal, interest, or both. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development and, as a result, Ginnie Maes are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

Fannie Maes — Mortgage-backed securities issued by the FNMA, including FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. Fannie Maes are either direct obligations of FNMA or are guaranteed by it as to the timely payment of principal, interest, or both. FNMA is a government-sponsored enterprise, but it is not a part of the U.S. government. As a result, Fannie Maes are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, nor is the U.S. government obligated to provide FNMA funds necessary to cover its obligations in respect of Fannie Maes.

Freddie Macs — Mortgage-backed securities issued by the FHLMC, including FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates. Freddie Macs are either direct obligations of FHLMC or are guaranteed by it as to the timely payment of principal, interest, or both. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. Freddie Macs are, however, not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, nor is the U.S. government obligated to provide FHLMC funds necessary to cover its obligations in respect of Freddie Macs.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) mandated that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cease issuing their own Mortgage-backed securities and begin issuing “Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities” or “UMBS” in 2019. Each UMBS will have a 55-day remittance cycle and can be used as collateral in either a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac security or held for investment. Investors may be approached to convert existing Mortgage-backed securities into UMBS, possibly with an inducement fee being offered to holders of Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.

The Government Securities Money Market Fund, the Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund also may invest in CMOs structured on pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. The Government Securities Money Market Fund will only invest in CMOs which meet the quality requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. CMOs will be purchased by the Government Securities Money Market Fund only if rated at the time of purchase in one of the three highest rating categories by an NRSRO or, if not rated, found by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund may invest in CMOs of any credit quality.

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

The Funds may, consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies, invest in Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, such as the construction of a wide range of public facilities, the refunding of outstanding obligations, the payment of general operating expenses, and the extension of loans to other public institutions and facilities.

The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Bond Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Limited Duration Fund, the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund, under normal market conditions, may invest in Municipal Securities the income from which is not exempt from federal income taxes.

Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the net assets of the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund will be invested in Municipal Securities, the income from which is both exempt from federal income taxes and not treated as a preference item for individuals for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax. This a fundamental policy for the

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Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund and will not be changed without at least 60 days’ prior written notice. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in Municipal Securities which pay interest that is not subject to federal alternative minimum tax for shareholders who are individuals.

The Funds may purchase short-term tax-exempt General Obligations Notes, Tax Anticipation Notes, Bond Anticipation Notes, Revenue Anticipation Notes, Project Notes, and other forms of short-term tax exempt loans. Such notes are issued with a short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements, or other revenues. Project Notes are issued by a state or local housing agency and are sold by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the issuing state or local housing agency has the primary obligation with respect to its Project Notes, they are also secured by the full faith and credit of the United States through agreements with the issuing authority which provide that, if required, the federal government will lend the issuer an amount equal to the principal of and interest on the Project Notes. In addition, the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund may invest in other types of tax-exempt investments, such as municipal bonds, private activity bonds, and pollution control bonds. The Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund may also purchase tax-exempt commercial paper.

The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities which may be held by the Funds are “general obligation” securities and “revenue” securities. General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source such as the user of the facility being financed. Private activity bonds held by the Funds are in most cases revenue securities and are not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. Consequently, the credit quality of private activity bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the corporate user of the facility involved.

The Funds may also invest in “moral obligation” securities, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation securities is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund, the restoration of which is a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.

The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality. The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund and the Bond Fund invest in Municipal Securities which are rated at the time of purchase within the four highest rating groups assigned by an NRSRO, in the case of bonds; rated within the four highest ratings category assigned by an NRSRO, in the case of notes; rated in the highest ratings category assigned by an NRSRO, in the case of tax-exempt commercial paper; or rated in the highest ratings category assigned by an NRSRO, in the case of variable rate demand obligations. The Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund invests at least 65% of its net assets in such securities. The Funds may also purchase Municipal Securities which are unrated at the time of purchase but are determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser pursuant to guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The applicable Municipal Securities ratings are described in the Appendix.

There are variations in the quality of Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, and the yields on Municipal Securities depend upon a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligations, and the rating of the issue. The ratings of NRSROs represent their opinions as to the quality of Municipal Securities. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality, and Municipal Securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different yields while Municipal Securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of Municipal Securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. The Adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold such securities.

Although a Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in (i) Municipal Securities whose issuers are in the same state, (ii) Municipal Securities the interest on which is paid solely from revenues of similar projects, and (iii) private activity bonds, they do not currently intend to do so on a regular basis. To the extent these Funds’ assets are concentrated in Municipal Securities that are payable from the revenues of similar projects or are issued by issuers located in the

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same state, or are concentrated in private activity bonds, the Funds will be subject to the specific risks presented by the laws and economic conditions relating to such states, projects and bonds to a greater extent than it would be if its assets were not so concentrated.

An issuer’s obligations under its Municipal Securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the federal bankruptcy code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon the enforcement of such obligations. The power or ability of an issuer to meet its obligations for the payment of interest on and principal of its Municipal Securities may be materially adversely affected by litigation or other conditions.

OPTIONS — CALL and INDEX

Each of the Funds, except the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund, may purchase call options. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and a writer has the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. Call options purchased by the Funds will be valued at the last sale price, or in the absence of such a price, at the mean between bid and asked price.

The Funds may also purchase index options. Index options (or options on securities indices) are similar in many respects to options on securities, except that an index option gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, cash instead of securities, if the closing value of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than the exercise price of the option.

Purchasing options is a specialized investment technique that entails a substantial risk of a complete loss of the amounts paid as premiums to writers of options. With the exception of the Hedged Income Fund, each of the Funds will purchase call options and index options only when its total investment in such options immediately after such purchase will not exceed 5% of its total assets.

OPTIONS — PUTS

Subject to investment restrictions set forth below, each of the Funds may acquire “puts.” The U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund may only acquire a put in association with the purchase of an extendable or evergreen types of repurchase agreements that have a put feature. A put is a right to sell a specified security (or securities) within a specified period of time at a specified exercise price. The amount payable to a Fund upon its exercise of a “put” on debt securities is normally (i) the Fund’s acquisition cost of the securities (excluding any accrued interest which the portfolio paid on their acquisition), less any amortized market premium or plus any amortized market or original issue discount during the period the Fund owned the securities, plus (ii) all interest accrued on the securities since the last interest payment date during that period.

Puts may be acquired by a Fund to facilitate the liquidity of its portfolio assets. Puts may also be used to facilitate the reinvestment of a Fund’s assets at a rate of return more favorable than that of the underlying security or to limit the potential losses involved in a decline in an equity security’s market value. The Hedged Income Fund buys puts to hedge the equity holdings. Put options purchased may include puts on individual securities, ETFs, and indices.

Each Fund intends to enter into puts only with dealers, banks, and broker-dealers which, in the Adviser’s opinion, present minimal credit risks.

PREFERRED STOCK

Preferred stock is a class of stock that generally pays dividends at a specified rate and has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry voting rights. As with all equity securities, the price of preferred stock fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.

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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Securities held by each of the Funds may be subject to repurchase agreements. Under the terms of a repurchase agreement, a Fund would acquire securities from a financial institution such as a member bank of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve system or a registered broker-dealer, which the Adviser deems creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase such securities at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The repurchase price would generally equal the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates, which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying portfolio securities. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of collateral held pursuant to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If the seller were to default on its repurchase obligation or become insolvent, a Fund would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying portfolio securities were less than the repurchase price under the agreement, or to the extent that the disposition of such securities by the Fund were delayed pending court action. There is also the risk that the collateral underlying a repurchase agreement will decline in value, and that counter-parties will not meet their obligation to provide additional or substituted collateral in those circumstances. Additionally, there is no controlling legal precedent confirming that a Fund would be entitled, as against a claim by such seller or its receiver or trustee in bankruptcy, to retain the underlying securities, although the Board of Trustees of the Trust believes that, under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of each Fund’s securities subject to repurchase agreements and under applicable federal laws, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of a Fund if presented with the question. Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held by each Fund’s Custodian, sub-custodian, or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by an investment company under the 1940 Act.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may borrow funds for temporary purposes by entering into reverse repurchase agreements in accordance with the investment restrictions described below. Pursuant to such agreements, a Fund would sell portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and agree to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will place in a segregated custodial account assets, such as liquid high quality debt securities, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective having a value not less than 100% of the repurchase price (including accrued interest), and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that such required value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which such Fund is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by an investment company under the 1940 Act.

SECURITIES LENDING

Each of the Funds may lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. A Fund must receive 100% collateral in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other high quality debt securities. This collateral must be valued daily by the Adviser and should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. Loans will be subject to termination by a Fund or the borrower at any time. While a Fund will not have the right to vote securities in loan, the Trust generally intends to terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that is considered material with respect to the investment. A Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with broker-dealers, banks or other institutions which the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Each Fund will limit securities loans to 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

The U.S. Treasury Fund invests exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. government, some or all of which may be subject to repurchase agreements. The other Funds may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, some of which may be subject to repurchase agreements. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government; others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the government; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would

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provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. A Fund will invest in the obligations of such agencies or instrumentalities only when the Adviser believes that the credit risk with respect thereto is minimal.

VARIABLE RATE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES

Debt instruments eligible for investment by the Funds may include variable rate and floating rate notes. The U.S. Treasury Fund may only invest in variable rate and floating rate notes that are direct obligations of the U.S. government. The Government Securities Money Market Fund may only invest in variable rate and floating rate notes that are obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. A variable rate note is one whose terms provide for the readjustment of its interest rate on set dates and which, upon such readjustment, can reasonably be expected to have a fair market value that approximates its par value. A floating rate note is one whose terms provide for the readjustment of its interest rate whenever a specified interest rate changes and which, at any time, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Variable and floating rate notes purchased by a Fund, other than the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund or the World Energy Fund, will be rated at the time of purchase in the four highest ratings categories assigned by an NRSRO or, if not rated, as determined by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the World Energy Fund may invest in variable and floating rate notes of any credit quality. An inactive secondary market with respect to a particular variable or floating rate note could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of the variable or floating rate note involved in the event the issuer of the note defaulted on its payment obligations, and the Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Variable or floating rate notes may be secured by bank letters of credit or drafts.

Coupon rates on floating rate notes are tied to a benchmark lending rate, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate or “SOFR” and the London Interbank Offered Rate or “LIBOR.” The Funds are actively transitioning from LIBOR to SOFR in preparation for the discontinuation of LIBOR in 2024.The unavailability of LIBOR presents risks, including the risk that any pricing adjustments to investments resulting from a substitute reference rate may adversely affect performance and/or NAV. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing the SOFR in April 2018. SOFR, which is a broad measure of the cost of overnight borrowing of cash collateralized by Treasury securities, is intended to serve as a reference rate for U.S. dollar-based debt and derivatives.

Variable rate master demand notes in which the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund may invest are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary, and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. Although the secondary market for the notes may be limited, the Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time. The period of time remaining until the principal amount can be recovered under a variable rate master demand note generally shall not exceed seven days. To the extent such maximum period were exceeded, the note in question would be considered illiquid. The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund may invest in variable rate master demand notes of any credit quality.

In determining average dollar-weighted portfolio maturity, a variable rate master demand note will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the longer of the period of time remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate or the period of time remaining until the principal amount can be recovered from the issuer through demand. Variable or floating rate notes with stated maturities of more than one year may, based on the amortized cost valuation technique pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, be deemed to have shorter maturities in accordance with such Rule.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery at an unknown or unspecified settlement date at a stated price and yield and thereby involve a risk that the yield obtained in the transaction will be less than those available in the market when delivery takes place. A Fund relies on the seller to consummate the trade and will generally not pay for such securities or start earning interest on them until they are received. When a Fund agrees to purchase such securities, its Custodian will set aside cash or liquid high grade securities equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account with the Custodian or a sub-custodian of the Fund. Failure of the seller to consummate the trade may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price considered to be advantageous. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are recorded as an asset and are subject to changes in value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates.

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Each Fund expects that commitments to purchase when-issued securities will not exceed 25% of the value of its total assets absent unusual market conditions. In the event that its commitments to purchase when-issued securities ever exceed 25% of the value of its total assets, a Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage it might be severely affected. No Fund intends to purchase when-issued securities for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objective.

ZERO-COUPON OBLIGATIONS

Each of the Funds may hold zero-coupon obligations, to the extent consistent with each Fund’s investment objectives, restrictions and policies. The U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund may only hold zero-coupon obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. government agencies. Zero-coupon obligations pay no current interest and are typically sold at prices greatly discounted from par value, with par value to be paid to the holder at maturity. The return on a zero-coupon obligation, when held to maturity, equals the difference between the par value and the original purchase price. Zero-coupon obligations have greater price volatility than coupon obligations and such obligations will be purchased only if, at the time of purchase, the yield spread, considered in light of the obligation’s duration, is considered advantageous.

Even though such bonds do not pay current interest in cash, a Fund nonetheless is required to accrue interest income on these investments and to distribute the interest income on a current basis. In order to generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Funds could be required at times to liquidate other investments in its portfolio that it otherwise would have continued to hold, including when it is not advantageous to liquidate such investments.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS

Each Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with such Fund’s principal investment strategy in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. In these and in other cases, a Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Without limiting the foregoing, during temporary defensive periods, as determined by the Adviser, each of the Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Bond Fund, the U.S. Treasury Fund, the Government Securities Money Market Fund and the Equity Funds may hold up to 100% of its respective total assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund may hold cash or invest in short-term Municipal Securities up to 100% of its assets during temporary defensive periods.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Unless otherwise specifically noted, the following investment restrictions are fundamental and, as such, may be changed with respect to a particular Fund only by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of that Fund. These restrictions supplement the investment objective and policies of the Funds as set forth in the Prospectus. The fundamental investment restrictions have been adopted to avoid wherever possible the necessity of shareholder meetings unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act. Except with respect to the Fund’s restrictions governing the borrowing of money, if a percentage restriction is satisfied at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from a change in asset value will not constitute a violation of such restriction.

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

1.      None of the Funds shall purchase securities on margin, except that the Funds may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions, and the Funds may make margin payments in connection with futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other financial instruments.

2.      None of the Funds shall sell securities short (unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short or has segregated with the Custodian an amount of cash or liquid assets to cover the short position), however, this policy does not prevent the Funds from entering into short positions in foreign currency, futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other financial instruments.

3.      None of the Funds shall write call options if the Fund does not own the underlying security.

4.      None of the Funds shall participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases of portfolio securities.

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5.      None of the Funds shall underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain securities laws in the disposition of “restricted securities.”

6.      None of the Funds shall purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that (i) the Bond Fund may invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts for commodities if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate initial margin deposits for futures contracts, and premium paid for related options, does not exceed 5% of such Fund’s total assets and the value of securities that are the subject of such futures and options (both for receipt and delivery) does not exceed one-third of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (ii) the World Energy Fund shall be limited to investments in commodity derivative instruments; provided, however, it may purchase ETFs that invest in commodities, commodity futures and options.

7.      None of the Funds shall purchase participations or other direct interests in oil, gas or mineral exploration or development programs or leases (however, investments by the Bond and Equity Funds in marketable securities of companies engaged in such activities are not precluded).

8.      None of the Funds shall invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management.

9.      None of the Funds shall purchase or retain securities of any issuer if the officers or Trustees of the Funds or the officers or directors of the Adviser owning beneficially more than one-half of 1% of the securities of such issuer together own beneficially more than 5% of such securities.

10.    None of the Funds shall invest more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in the securities of issuers which together with any predecessors have a record of less than three years of continuous operation.

11.    None of the Funds shall purchase or sell real estate, including real estate limited partnership interests (however, each Bond Fund and Equity Fund may, to the extent appropriate to its investment objective, purchase securities secured by real estate or interests therein or securities issued by companies investing in real estate or interests therein).

12.    Under the 1940 Act, and the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, a “diversified company,” as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government, its agencies or its instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or more than 10% of the issuer’s voting securities would be held by the fund. Each of the Funds, other than the Hedged Income Fund, is a “diversified company” and shall be subject to the foregoing limitations. In addition, though not a fundamental investment restriction (and therefore subject to change without a shareholder vote), to the extent required by rules of the SEC, the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund each generally apply the diversified company restriction with respect to 100% of their portfolios (rather than 75%). As a non-diversified fund, the Hedged Income Fund is not subject to the foregoing limitations.

13.    “Concentration” is generally interpreted under the 1940 Act to mean investing more than 25% of total assets in an industry or group of industries. With the exception of the World Energy Fund, none of the Funds may purchase a security if, as a result, more than 25% of the value of its total assets would be invested in securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (a) this limitation shall not apply to the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, or, for money market funds, in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, bank certificates of deposits, bankers’ acceptances, and repurchase agreements secured by bank instruments (such bank certificates of deposits, bankers’ acceptances, and repurchase agreements secured by bank instruments may be issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks); (b) wholly owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of their parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric, and telephone will each be considered a separate industry) and (d) this limitation shall not apply to tax-exempt Municipal Securities or governmental guarantees of Municipal Securities; and further, that for the purpose of this limitation only, private activity bonds that are backed only by the assets and revenues of a non-governmental user shall not be deemed to be Municipal Securities. The World Energy Fund shall not concentrate its investments in any industry or group of industries other than the energy industry or group of industries.

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14.    The 1940 Act limits a Fund’s ability to borrow money. A Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by such Fund. None of the Funds shall borrow money, except that (i) each Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio transactions and (ii) each Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to 10% of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing. Any mortgage, pledge, or hypothecation in connection with any such borrowing shall be in amounts not in excess of the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of such Fund’s total assets at the time of its borrowing. No Fund will purchase securities while its borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) exceed 5% of the total assets of such Fund.

15.    None of the Funds shall make loans, except that each Fund may purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, may lend portfolio securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies and may enter into repurchase agreements.

16.    None of the Funds may invest more than the applicable percentage of such Fund’s net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which no readily available market exists but exclude such securities if resaleable pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. For the Money Market Funds that percentage is 5%; for the other Funds, the percentage is 15%.

17.    None of the Funds shall enter into repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days if such investment, together with other instruments in such Fund that are not readily marketable, exceeds the percentage of such Fund’s net assets that are permitted to be invested in illiquid securities. For the Money Market Funds that percentage is 5%; for the other Funds, the percentage is 15%.

18.    The 1940 Act limits the amount that a Fund may invest in other investment companies, prohibiting a Fund from: (i) owning more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of a single other investment company; (ii) investing more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of a single other investment company; and (iii) investing more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all other investment companies. However, subject to the provisions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act and rules and regulations issued by the SEC thereunder, each of the Funds may invest in shares of affiliated or unaffiliated registered investment companies in excess of statutory limits, to the extent permitted by its investment strategy.

19.    The 1940 Act prohibits an open-end fund from issuing senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except under very limited circumstances. None of the Funds shall issue senior securities except as specifically permitted.

In addition, the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund:

1.      May not invest in private activity bonds where the payment of principal and interest are the responsibility of a company (including its predecessors) with less than three years of continuous operation.

2.      May not acquire a put, if, immediately after such acquisition, over 5% of the total value of the Fund’s total assets would be subject to puts from such issuer (except that the 5% limitation is inapplicable to puts that, by their terms, would be readily exercisable in the event of a default in payment of principal or interest on the underlying securities). For the purpose of this investment restriction and Investment Restriction No. 3 below, a put will be considered to be from the party to whom the Fund will look for payment of the exercise price.

3.      May not acquire a put that, by its terms, would be readily exercisable in the event of a default in payment of principal and interest on the underlying security or securities if, immediately after that acquisition, the value of the security or securities underlying that put, when aggregated with the value of any other securities issued or guaranteed by the issuer of the put, would exceed 10% of the total value of the Fund’s total assets.

4.      Will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in Municipal Securities, the income from which is both exempt from federal income tax and not treated as a preference item for individuals for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax.

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In addition, the U.S. Treasury Fund may not:

1.      Purchase securities other than U.S. Treasury bills, notes and other obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, some of which may be subject to repurchase agreements; provided, however, the U.S. Treasury Fund may purchase investment company securities that meet the qualifications necessary to be classified as a U.S. Treasury Fund.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The Funds have also adopted non-fundamental investment restrictions, set forth below. This recognizes the need to react quickly to changes in the law or new investment opportunities in the securities markets and the cost and time involved in obtaining shareholder approvals for diversely held investment companies. Any changes in the non-fundamental investment policies approved by the Trustees will be communicated to its Shareholders at least 60 days prior to effectiveness. The 80% investment requirements below will be based on net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes.

1.      The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund and the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund, under normal market conditions, will each invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets in bonds.

2.      The Moderate Duration Fund, under normal circumstances, maintains an average portfolio duration between 3 and 5 years.

3.      The Bond Fund, under normal circumstances, maintains an average portfolio maturity between 3 and 10 years.

4.      The Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and maintains the dollar-weighted average maturity of its portfolio between one day and one year.

5.      The Limited Duration Fund, under normal circumstances, maintains an average portfolio duration of less than three and one-half years.

6.      The U.S. Treasury Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities. The Fund also invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. Treasury Obligations or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury Obligations.

7.      The Government Securities Money Market Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities. The Fund also invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities.

8.      The World Energy Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 80% of its net assets in a wide range of energy-related financial instruments issued in the U.S. and markets around the world.

9.      The World Energy Fund, under normal circumstances, invests in securities of issuers from at least three different countries.

10.    The Hedged Income Fund, under normal circumstances, invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities and equity-related instruments.

11.    The Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund, the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund will not rely on the exception set forth in Fundamental Policy 13(a), which shall apply only to the Money Market Funds.

Any notice required to be delivered to shareholders of a Fund for the purpose of announcing an intended change in a non-fundamental policy of the Fund (as described in this SAI or in the Prospectus) will be provided in plain English in a separate written document. Each such notice will contain, in bold-face type and placed prominently in the document, the following statement: “Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy”. This statement will also appear on the envelope in which such notice is delivered.

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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The portfolio turnover rate for each Bond and Equity Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the year by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities, at the time of acquisition, were one year or less. Fund turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may also be affected by cash requirements for redemptions of Shares and by requirements that enable the Funds to receive certain favorable tax treatments. Fund turnover will not be a limiting factor in making portfolio decisions. High turnover rates will generally result in higher transaction costs to a Fund and may result in additional tax consequences to a Fund’s Shareholders, including an increase in short-term capital gains which are generally taxed to individual Shareholders at ordinary income tax rates.

The portfolio turnover rates for each of the Bond and Equity Funds in the subject fiscal years ended August 31 were as follows:

FUND

 

2023 (%)

 

2022 (%)

Limited Duration Fund

 

21

 

49

Moderate Duration Fund

 

61

 

29

Bond Fund

 

59

 

38

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

159

 

18

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

96

 

96

World Energy Fund

 

166

 

192

Hedged Income Fund

 

30

 

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ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FUNDS

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

The following discussion is a brief summary of some of the important federal (and, where noted, state and local) income tax consequences affecting each Fund and its shareholders. The discussion is very general, and prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors about the impact an investment in a Fund may have on their own tax situations and the possible application of foreign, federal, state, and local law.

The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Treasury Regulations as in effect on January 1, 2023. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of recent and proposed future changes to the tax laws.

Each Fund generally will be treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes, and thus the provisions of the Code, generally will be applied to each Fund separately. Net long-term and short-term capital gains, net income and operating expenses therefore will be determined separately for each Fund.

QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY

It is the policy of each Fund to elect to be treated as and to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. By following such policy, each Fund expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal income taxes to which such Fund may be subject.

In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, a Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) 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 (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (“QPTPs”, as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year (i) at least 50% of the market value of its total assets is represented by cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities, limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25%

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of the value of its total assets is invested, including through corporations in which a Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more QPTPs; and (c) each taxable year distribute at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid — generally taxable ordinary income, and the excess, if any, of its net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year.

In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized by the RIC. 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a QPTP (defined as a partnership interest traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (a)(i) above) will, however, be treated, in aggregate, as qualifying income. Although income from QPTPs is qualifying income, as discussed above, such investments cannot exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets. In addition, although the passive-loss rules of the Code generally do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP.

For purposes of the diversification requirements set forth in (b) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a QPTP. Also, for purposes of the diversification requirements set forth in (b) above, in the case of a Fund’s investments in loan participations, the Fund shall treat both the financial intermediary and the issuer of the underlying loan participation as an issuer.

Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign-currency options, foreign-currency futures and foreign-currency forward contracts) currently constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test. The Treasury Department does, however, have the authority to issue regulations (possibly with retroactive effect) that exclude a fund’s foreign-currency gains from the definition of “qualifying income” to the extent that such income is not directly related to the fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities.

If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxation on income that is distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends, including dividends that are properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends or exempt-interest dividends (as each is defined below). If a Fund should fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to taxation on its taxable income at the corporate income tax rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders), and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as dividends. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and qualified dividend income for non-corporate shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

A Fund will, however, not fail to qualify as a RIC if a failure to satisfy the annual 90% gross income test described in (a) above is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, provided the failure is reported to the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). In such cases, the Fund would be required to pay a tax equal to the excess of the non-qualifying gross income over 1/9 of the qualifying income.

A Fund will also not fail to qualify as a RIC if a failure to satisfy the asset test described in (b) above is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, provided the failure is reported to the IRS and the failure is timely cured by a disposition of assets or the asset test is otherwise timely satisfied. In such cases the Fund would be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the corporate income tax rate multiplied by the income generated by the assets that caused the failure. Failure of the asset test by a de minimis amount also will not cause a Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC, and in such cases no penalty tax would be due.

23

CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVERS

Capital loss carryovers may be used to offset current capital gains (whether short-term or long-term) indefinitely, and will retain their character as short-term or long-term capital losses.

Capital loss carryforwards not subject to expiration:

Fund

 

Short-Term
Amount

 

Long-Term
Amount

 

Total

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

(2,140

)

 

$

 

 

$

(2,140

)

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

$

(6,707

)

 

$

 

 

$

(6,707

)

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

(843,364

)

 

$

(5,531,167

)

 

$

(6,374,531

)

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

(1,275,254

)

 

$

(5,370,244

)

 

$

(6,645,498

)

Bond Fund

 

$

(4,634,832

)

 

$

(5,665,117

)

 

$

(10,299,949

)

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

(941,005

)

 

$

(1,684,129

)

 

$

(2,625,134

)

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

$

(332

)

 

$

(422

)

 

$

(754

)

World Energy Fund

 

$

(14,518,661

)

 

$

 

 

$

(14,518,661

)

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

(2,614,822

)

 

$

(370,879

)

 

$

(2,985,701

)

To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the gains that are offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES

If a Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for the year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 30 and any retained amount from the prior calendar year, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of this 4% excise tax, but each Fund reserves the right to pay an excise tax rather than make an additional distribution when circumstances warrant (e.g., the estimated excise tax amount is deemed by a Fund to be de minimis). Certain derivative instruments give rise to ordinary income and loss. As the Funds have a taxable year that begins in one calendar year and ends in the next calendar year, each Fund will be required to make this excise-tax distribution during its taxable year. There is a risk that a Fund could recognize income prior to making this excise-tax distribution and could recognize loss after making this distribution. As a result, an excise tax distribution could constitute, in whole or in part, a return of capital (see discussion below).

Each Fund expects to qualify to be taxed as a RIC and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes. The Funds may be subject to certain state or local tax laws depending upon the extent of their activities in the states and localities in which their offices are maintained, in which their agents or independent contractors are located, or in which they are otherwise deemed to be conducting business.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund will distribute, at least annually, its net investment income and net realized capital gain. Distributions of any net investment income (other than distributions properly designated as qualified dividend income and exempt-interest dividends, as discussed below) generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gain are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated the gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Shares. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for more than one year over net short-term capital loss), if any, that are properly designated by the Fund as capital-gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”), will be taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund Shares. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gain generally will be subject to a 20% tax rate in the hands of shareholders who are individuals, with lower rates applying to taxpayers in tax rate brackets lower than the highest rate bracket, and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions from capital gain are generally made after applying any capital loss carryover. Distributions are taxable to Fund shareholders whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund Shares.

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Dividends and distributions on a Fund’s Shares are generally subject to federal income taxation as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may represent economically a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of Shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s NAV reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not yet distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund’s NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

If a Fund makes a distribution in excess of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as ordinary dividend income (not eligible for tax-exempt treatment) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated “earnings and profits” (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, and also specifically including the amount of any non-deductible expenses arising in connection with such tax-exempt income). For Funds with taxable years other than the calendar year, if post-December 31 distributions exceed the amount of the excess distribution for the taxable year, the entire excess distribution will be allocated to post-December 31 distributions and will be treated as ordinary income. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis for tax purposes in Fund Shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it does reduce the shareholder’s basis in the Shares, which increases the gain (or reduces the loss) on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of those Shares.

A dividend paid to shareholders by a Fund in January generally is deemed to have been paid by the Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November or December of that preceding year. The Funds will provide federal tax information to its shareholders annually, including information about dividends and distributions paid during the preceding year.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be treated as qualified dividend income by a non-corporate shareholder provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s Shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. The Funds do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

In any event, if the aggregate qualified dividends received by a Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income, then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.

Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (1) if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed” (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (2) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (3) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its Shares of the Fund or (2) by application of the Code.

25

EXEMPT-INTEREST DIVIDENDS

The policy of the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund is to pay each year as dividends substantially all the Fund’s tax-exempt interest income net of certain deductions. The Fund will be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders only if, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the total value of the Fund’s assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxation. Such dividends will not exceed, in the aggregate, the net interest the Fund receives during the taxable year from Municipal Securities and other securities exempt from the regular federal income tax. An exempt-interest dividend is any dividend or part thereof (Other than a Capital Gain Dividend) paid by the Fund and reported by the Fund as an exempt-interest dividend in written statements furnished to its shareholders.

The tax-exempt portion of dividends paid will be reported to shareholders based upon the ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net investment income earned during the year. The percentage is applied uniformly to all distributions made during the year. Thus, the percentage of income designated as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be substantially different from the percentage of the Fund’s income that was tax-exempt during the period covered by the distribution. Accordingly, a shareholder who holds Shares for only part of the year may be allocated more or less tax-exempt interest dividends than would be the case if the allocation were based on the ratio of net tax-exempt income to total net investment income actually earned while a shareholder.

Generally, distributions that a Fund properly reports as exempt-interest dividends will be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, but may be taxable for federal alternative minimum tax purposes (for individual and shareholders) and for state and local tax purposes. Interest on certain tax-exempt bonds that are “private activity bonds” (as defined in the Code) is treated as a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Any such interest received by a Fund and distributed to shareholders will be treated as a tax preference item for purposes of any alternative minimum tax liability of shareholders. Additionally, exempt-interest dividends, if any, attributable to interest received on certain private-activity obligations and certain industrial-development bonds will not be tax-exempt to any shareholders who are “substantial users” of the facilities financed by such obligations or bonds or who are “related persons” of such substantial users. A “substantial user” is defined under U.S. Treasury Regulations to include any non-exempt person who regularly uses a part of such facilities in his or her trade or business and (a)(i) whose gross revenues derived with respect to the facilities financed by the issuance of bonds are more than 5% of the total revenues derived by all users of such facilities or (ii) who occupies more than 5% of the usable area of the facility or (b) for whom such facilities or a part thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. A lessee or sublessee of all or any portion of such facilities might also be a substantial user. “Related persons” include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a partnership and its partners, and an S corporation and its shareholders.

Interest on indebtedness, if any, incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry Shares of a Fund paying exempt-interest dividends is not deductible to the extent it relates to exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder from that Fund. Under rules used by the IRS to determine when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of Shares might be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though the funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Shares.

A Fund might acquire rights regarding specified portfolio securities under puts. The policy of each Fund is to limit its acquisition of puts to those under which such Fund will be treated for federal income tax purposes as the owner of the Municipal Securities acquired subject to the put and the interest on the Municipal Securities will be tax-exempt to such Fund. The IRS has issued a published ruling that provides some guidance regarding the tax consequences of the purchase of puts, but there is currently no definitive rule that establishes the tax consequences of many of the types of puts that the Fund is permitted to acquire under the 1940 Act. Therefore, a Fund will only acquire a put after concluding that it will have the tax consequences described above, but the IRS might reach a different conclusion from that of the Fund.

In certain instances, the portion of Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income taxation might be affected by the amount of tax-exempt interest income, including exempt-interest dividends, received by a shareholder. Shareholders who receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits should consult their tax advisors to determine what effect, if any, an investment in a Fund might have on the federal income taxation of their benefits. The exemption from federal income taxation for exempt-interest dividends does not necessarily result in exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local authority. You are advised to consult with your tax advisor about state and local tax matters.

26

Opinions relating to the validity of Municipal Securities and to the exemption of interest thereon from federal income tax are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuers at the time of issuance. Neither the Fund nor its Adviser will review the proceedings relating to the issuance of Municipal Securities or the basis for such opinions.

SELLING SHARES

Shareholders who sell, exchange or redeem Fund Shares generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax bases in the Fund Shares and the amount received. If Fund shareholders hold their Fund Shares as capital assets, the gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) any sale, exchange or redemption will be a capital gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than 12 months, and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have not been held for more than 12 months. The tax rate generally applicable to net capital gain recognized by individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers is (i) the same as the ordinary income tax rate for short-term capital gain or (ii) 20% for long-term capital gain (including Capital Gain Dividends) in the hands of shareholders who are individuals, with lower rates applicable to shareholders in tax rate brackets lower than the highest rated bracket.

If a shareholder receives an exempt-interest dividend with respect to any Share and such Share is held by the shareholder for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of such Share will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of such exempt-interest dividend, unless the Share was acquired from a Fund which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. In addition, any loss upon a taxable disposition of Fund Shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions (including Capital Gain Dividends) received (or deemed received) with respect to those Fund Shares. For purposes of determining whether Fund Shares have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which your risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through certain options or short sales.

All or a portion of any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares will be disallowed to the extent that a shareholder replaces the disposed-of Shares with other Shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition, which could, for example, occur as a result of automatic dividend reinvestment. In such an event, a shareholder’s basis in the replacement Shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SECURITIES LENDING

Each Fund’s participation in repurchase agreements and loans of securities may affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. If a Fund participates in a securities lending transaction, to the extent that a Fund makes a distribution of income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends (a “substitute payment”) with respect to securities on loan pursuant to such a securities lending transaction, such income will not constitute qualified dividend income and thus will not be eligible for taxation at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. Withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that any security was not directly held by a Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders. As noted above, the Funds do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

CERTAIN DEBT SECURITIES

Certain debt securities purchased by the Funds are acquired at a discount and periodic cash interest payments are not made on such securities. Similarly, zero-coupon bonds do not make periodic interest payments. A Fund will be required to include as part of its current income for tax purposes the imputed interest on such obligations even though the Fund has not received any interest payments on such obligations during that period. Because each Fund distributes annually substantially all of its net investment income to its shareholders (including such imputed interest), a Fund may have to sell portfolio securities in order to generate the cash necessary for the required distributions. Such sales might occur at a time when the Adviser would not otherwise have chosen to sell such securities and might result in a taxable gain or loss. Some of the Funds may invest in inflation-linked debt securities. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked debt security will be original issue discount, which is taxable as ordinary income and is required to be distributed, even though the Fund will not receive the principal, including any increase thereto, until

27

maturity. A Fund investing in such securities may be required to liquidate other investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements and eliminate any taxation at the Fund level.

Subject to their investment policies described in the Prospectus and this SAI, some of the Bond and Equity Funds may invest to a significant extent in debt obligations that are in the lowest-rated categories (or are unrated), including debt obligations of issuers that are not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of being in default (or are presently 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, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, 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 taxation or any excise tax.

OTHER INVESTMENT FUNDS

Special tax considerations apply if a Fund invests in investment companies that are taxable for federal income tax purposes as partnerships. In general, the Fund will not recognize income earned by such an investment company until the close of the investment company’s taxable year. The Fund will, however, recognize such income as it is earned by the investment company for purposes of determining whether it is subject to the 4% excise tax. Therefore, if the Fund and such an investment company have different taxable years, the Fund may be compelled to make distributions in excess of the income recognized from such an investment company in order to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax. A Fund’s receipt of a non-liquidating cash distribution from an investment company taxable as a partnership generally will result in recognized gain (but not loss) only to the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds the Fund’s adjusted basis in shares of such investment company before the distribution. A Fund that receives a liquidating cash distribution from an investment company taxable as a partnership will recognize capital gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received by the Fund and the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in shares of such investment company; however, the Fund will recognize ordinary income, rather than capital gain, to the extent that the Fund’s allocable share of “unrealized receivables” (including any accrued but untaxed market discount) exceeds the shareholder’s share of the basis in those unrealized receivables.

Some of the Bond and Equity Funds may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund’s investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes such amounts, such distribution could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income. “Qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) are eligible for a 20% deduction by non-corporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that are attributable to qualified REIT dividends received by the Fund and which the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” are treated as “qualified REIT dividends” in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying RIC shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.

Some of the REITs in which some of the Funds may invest are permitted to hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”). Under Treasury Regulations that have not yet been issued, but may apply with retroactive effect, a portion of a Fund’s income from a REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a REMIC (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income taxation in all events.

These regulations are also expected to provide that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as each of the Funds, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest directly.

28

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions). Any investment in residual interests of a CMO that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex tax problems, especially if the Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.

Under current law, the Fund serves to block unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder will recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in REMIC residual interests or taxable mortgage pools if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

A charitable remainder trust (“CRT”), as defined in section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Funds have not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.

If a Fund invests in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are taxable as RICs (collectively, “underlying funds”), its distributable income and gains will normally consist, in part, of distributions from the underlying funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of the underlying funds. To the extent that an underlying fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses (so as to offset distributions of net income or capital gains from other underlying funds) until it disposes of shares of the underlying fund. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as a short-term capital loss or an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of underlying fund shares against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gain realized by an underlying fund). In addition, in certain circumstances, the “wash sales” rule under section 1091 of the Code might apply to a Fund’s sale of underlying fund shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an underlying fund are sold by the Fund at a loss and the Fund acquires additional shares of that same underlying fund 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sales rule could defer losses in the Fund’s hands on sales of underlying fund shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.

As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, the amounts of net investment income and net capital gain that each Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders may be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund directly invested in the securities held by the underlying funds, rather than investing in shares of the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures contracts, foreign-currency-denominated securities, and certain other investment and hedging activities, will be subject to special tax rules (including “mark-to-market,” “straddle,” “wash sale,” “constructive sale” and “short sale” rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s assets, and otherwise affect the character of the Fund’s income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders and cause differences between a Fund’s book income and its taxable income.

29

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 as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options 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 futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. These provisions may also require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement and for avoiding the excise tax discussed above. Accordingly, to avoid certain income and excise taxes, a Fund may be required to liquidate its investments at a time when the investment adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so.

Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain derivative instruments, such as options, forwards, and futures, as well as its long and short positions in portfolio securities, may be considered to constitute “straddles” for federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and timing of a Fund’s gains and losses with respect to the straddle positions by requiring, among other things, that: (1) any loss realized on disposition of one position of a straddle may not be recognized to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains with respect to the other positions in straddle; (2) the Fund’s holding period in straddle positions be suspended while the straddle exists (possibly resulting in a gain being treated as short-term rather than long-term capital gain); (3) the losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that are part of a mixed straddle and are non-section 1256 contracts be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital loss; (4) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses be treated as long-term capital losses; and (5) the deduction of interest and carrying charges attributable to certain straddle positions may be deferred. Various elections are available to a Fund, which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to mixed straddles.

In general, the straddle rules described above do not apply to any straddles held by a Fund if all of the offsetting positions consist of contracts governed by section 1256 of the Code. The straddle rules described above also do not apply if all the offsetting positions making up a straddle consist of one or more “qualified covered call options” and the stock to be purchased under the options and the straddle is not part of a larger straddle. A qualified covered call option is generally any option granted by a Fund to purchase stock it holds (or stock it acquires in connection with granting the option) if, among other things, (1) the option is traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC or other market the IRS determined has rules adequate to carry out the purposes of the applicable Code provision, (2) the option is granted more than 30 days before it expires, (3) the option is not a “deep-in-the-money option,” (4) such option is not granted by an options dealer in connection with his activity of dealing in options, and (5) gain or loss with respect to the option is not ordinary income or loss. In addition, the straddle rules could cause distributions from a Fund that would otherwise constitute “qualified dividend income” or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the applicable holding period requirements.

To the extent a Fund writes options that are not subject to the rules of section 1256 of the Code, the amount of the premium received by the Fund for writing such options is likely to be entirely short-term capital gain to the Fund. In addition, if such an option is closed by the Fund, any gain or loss realized by the Fund as a result of closing the transaction will also generally be short-term capital gain or loss. If such an option is exercised any gain or loss realized by the Fund upon the sale of the underlying security pursuant to such exercise will generally be short-term or long-term capital gain or loss to the Fund depending on the Fund’s holding period for the underlying security.

If a Fund enters into a “constructive sale” of any appreciated financial position in its portfolio, such Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale of an appreciated financial position occurs when a Fund enters into certain offsetting transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property, including, but not limited to: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in future Treasury Regulations. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon a Fund’s holding period in the appreciated financial position. Losses realized from a sale of a position that was previously the subject of a constructive sale will be recognized when the position is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon a Fund’s holding period in the position beginning with the date the constructive sale was deemed to have occurred and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the Code. Constructive sale treatment does not

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apply to certain closed transactions, including if such a transaction is closed on or before the 30th day after the close of a Fund’s taxable year and such Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed.

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

A Fund’s investment in a master limited partnership (“MLP”) may qualify as an investment in a (1) QPTP, (2) a “regular” partnership, (3) a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”, as defined below), or (4) a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular MLPs for U.S. federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a Fund can invest in MLPs. Some amounts received by each Fund with respect to its investments in MLPs will likely be treated as a return of capital because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of such MLPs. On the disposition of an investment in such an MLP, a Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of economic gain with respect to that asset (or if the Fund does not dispose of the MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the Fund must take such income into account in determining whether the Fund has satisfied its distribution requirements. A Fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and to meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to sell securities or borrow money at such time. “Qualified publicly traded partnership income” within the meaning of Section 199A(e)(5) of the Code is eligible for a 20% deduction by non-corporate taxpayers. Qualified publicly traded partnership income is generally income of a “publicly traded partnership” that is not treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is effectively connected with such entity’s trade or business, but does not include certain investment income. A “publicly traded partnership” for purposes of this deduction is not necessarily the same as a QPTP (as described above in the section entitled “Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company”). This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). A RIC, such as the Funds, is not permitted to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. Currently, direct investors in entities that generate “qualified publicly traded partnership income” will enjoy the lower rate, but investors in RICs that invest in such entities will not. It is uncertain whether future technical corrections or administrative guidance will address this issue to enable the Funds to pass through the special character of “qualified publicly traded partnership income” to their shareholders.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT, FOREIGN CURRENCY-DENOMINATED SECURITIES AND RELATED HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

If a Fund invests in foreign securities, dividends and interest received by the Fund, if any, might 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 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. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to such foreign taxes imposed on the Fund. If, however, at the end of a Fund’s taxable year more than 50% of the value of its total assets represents securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to make an election permitted by the Code to treat any foreign taxes paid by it on securities it has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code as having been paid directly by the Fund’s shareholders in connection with the Fund’s dividends received by them. In such a case, shareholders generally will be required to include in U.S. taxable income their pro rata share of such taxes.

A shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Fund may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, as a result of which a shareholder may not get a full credit or deduction for the amount of such taxes. In particular, shareholders who hold Fund Shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 other days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date may be entitled to claim a foreign tax credit for their share of these taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but no deduction) for such foreign taxes.

Foreign tax credits, if any, received by a Fund as a result of an investment in another RIC (including an ETF which is taxable as a RIC) will not be passed through to you unless the Fund qualifies as a “qualified fund-of-funds” under the Code. If a Fund is a “qualified fund-of-funds” it will be eligible to file an election with the IRS that will enable the Fund to pass along these foreign tax credits to its shareholders. A Fund will be treated as a “qualified fund-of-funds” under the Code if at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year) is represented by interests in other RICs.

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A Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

A Fund’s investment in a PFIC is subject to special federal income tax rules. A PFIC is generally any foreign corporation if (i) 75% or more of the foreign corporation’s gross income for a taxable year is passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the average percentage of the foreign corporation’s total assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) produce or are held for the production of passive income. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gain over loss from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gain. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by a foreign corporation from an active business and certain income received from related persons. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”

Investment by a Fund in PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charges on distributions received from such a company or on the proceeds from the sale of its investment in such a company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders; however, this tax can be avoided by making an election to mark such investments to market annually or to treat the passive foreign investment company as a “qualified electing fund.” If a Fund is in a position to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), the Fund will be required to include in its income annually its share of the company’s income and net capital gain, regardless of whether it receives any distributions from the company. Alternately, a Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gain and loss is treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income without the receipt of cash and increasing the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require the Fund to liquidate other investments, including at times when it is not advantageous to do so, to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. A Fund that invests in PFICs by virtue of the Fund’s investments, if any, in other investment companies that qualify as “U.S. Persons” within the meaning of the Code may not make such elections; rather, the underlying investment companies directly investing in the PFICs would decide whether to make such elections. Amounts included in income each year by a Fund arising from a QEF election will be “qualifying income” under the annual 90% gross income test described in (a) above in the section titled “Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company” even if not distributed to the Fund, if the Fund derives such income from its business of investing in stock, securities or currencies.

BACK-UP WITHHOLDING

A Fund generally is required to back-up withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to, and proceeds of Share sales, exchanges or redemptions made by, any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not a United States person and is not subject to back-up withholding. The back-up withholding tax rate is 24%. Back-up withholding is not an additional tax. 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. In order for a foreign investor to qualify for an exemption from back-up withholding, the foreign investor must comply with special certification and filing requirements. Foreign investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisors in this regard.

TAX SHELTER REPORTING REGULATIONS

Under Treasury Regulations, if a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of the Fund’s Shares 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 are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. 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 advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

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SHARES PURCHASED THROUGH TAX-QUALIFIED PLANS

Special tax rules apply to investments made through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the suitability of Shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax considerations generally affecting purchasers of Shares of each Fund. This summary is based on tax laws and regulations which are in effect on January 1, 2023; such laws and regulations may be changed by legislative, judicial or administrative action, and such changes may have a retroactive effect.

No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal income tax treatment of each Fund or its shareholders, and this discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Accordingly, potential purchasers of Shares of a Fund are urged to consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations, including the potential application of foreign, federal, state and local taxes.

VALUATION

BOND AND EQUITY FUNDS

Securities for which market quotations are readily available will be valued on the basis of quotations provided by dealers in such securities or furnished through an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees. The following is an overview of how securities will be valued in the Funds:

         Domestic Equity Securities. Domestic equity securities are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded (including the NASDAQ official Closing Price for securities traded on NASDAQ). If there have been no sales for that day on any exchange or market, the security is valued at the latest available bid price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded.

         Foreign Equity Securities. Foreign equity securities will be priced at the closing price reported on the foreign exchange on which they are principally traded. If there have been no sales for that day, a security will be valued at the latest available bid price on the exchange where the security is principally traded. Prices of foreign securities denominated in foreign currency shall be converted into U.S. dollar equivalents using the daily rate of exchange.

         Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities will be valued using Board approved policies and procedures, including the use of pricing services. Short term fixed income securities (maturing in less than sixty-one days) of sufficient credit quality are valued at market value. Special valuation procedures (see below) apply with respect to “odd-lot” securities.

         Mutual Funds. Open ended mutual fund investments will be valued at the most recently calculated NAV. Closed end mutual funds are valued at their market values based upon the latest available sale price.

         Options on Securities, Indices and Futures Contracts. Options on securities, indices and futures contracts purchased by the Fund generally are valued at their last sale price prior to the time as of which the Fund determines its NAV or, if there was no sale on that day, at the last bid quote.

         Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements will be valued at original cost.

Other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available will be valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by the Fund’s Pricing Committee under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and may include yield equivalents or a price produced through use of a pricing matrix provided by a national pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees.

Notwithstanding the above, securities transferred in transactions subject to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act shall be priced on the day transferred pursuant to Rule 17a-7 and any currently effective procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees under that Rule.

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Odd Lot Securities. The following methodology will be used for fixed income positions which, due to their small size, may receive prices by automated pricing services which reflect a large block trade and not what actually could be obtained for the small bond position:

         For each position at or below $25,000 par value, Citi Fund Services will compare the actual purchase price of that position with the next day’s price received from the pricing service.

         Positions for which the next day’s price is 2% or greater than the purchase price (a “next day price jump”) will be subject to the application of an ongoing discount equal to that next day price jump.

         Within 10 business days of each fiscal quarter end, broker quotes will be ascertained for each position currently subject to the above described pricing methodology.

         The broker quotes will be used to calculate a revised discount which will then be applied to each position from that point forward. If by virtue of a broker quote, a position’s discount is revised below 2% then that position will no longer be subject to discount and will be valued in the same manner as other fixed income securities.

The Pricing Committee conducts its pricing activities in the manner established by the Security Valuation Procedures. The Security Valuation Procedures are reviewed and approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees at least annually.

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

The Money Market Funds have elected to use the amortized cost method of valuation pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. This involves valuing an instrument at its cost initially and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discounts or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. This method may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price each Money Market Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. The value of securities in the Money Market Funds can be expected to vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates.

Pursuant to Rule 2a-7, the Money Market Funds will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity appropriate to their objective of maintaining a stable net asset value per Share, provided that no Fund will purchase any security with a remaining maturity of more than 397 days (securities subject to maturity dates) nor maintain a dollar-weighted, average portfolio maturity which exceeds 60 days. The Board of Trustees has also undertaken to establish procedures reasonably designed, taking into account current market conditions and a Fund’s investment objective, to stabilize the net asset value per share of the Money Market Funds for purposes of sales and redemptions at $1.00. These procedures include review by the Board of Trustees, at such intervals as they deem appropriate, to determine the extent, if any, to which the net asset value per Share of each Fund calculated by using available market quotations deviates from $1.00 per Share (the “Mark to Market”). In performing the Mark to Market, securities for which market quotations are not readily available and other assets will be valued at fair value and may include yield equivalents or a price produced through use of a pricing matrix provided by a national pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees.

In the event such deviations exceed one half of one percent, Rule 2a-7 requires that the Board of Trustees promptly consider what action, if any, should be initiated. If the Board of Trustees believes that the extent of any deviation from a Money Market Fund’s $1.00 amortized cost price per Share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to new or existing investors, they will take such steps as they consider appropriate to eliminate or reduce to the extent reasonably practicable any such dilution or unfair results. These steps may include selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity, shortening the average portfolio maturity, withholding or reducing dividends, reducing the number of a Money Market Fund’s outstanding shares without monetary consideration, or utilizing a net asset value per share determined by using available market quotations.

The Pricing Committee conducts its pricing activities in the manner established by the Security Valuation Procedures. The Security Valuation Procedures are reviewed and approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees at least annually.

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ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Shares in each Fund are sold on a continuous basis by Cavanal Hill Distributors, Inc. (“CHD” or the “Distributor”), and the Distributor has agreed to use appropriate efforts to solicit all purchase orders. In addition to purchasing Shares directly from the Distributor, shares may be purchased through financial institutions and intermediaries, broker-dealers, or similar entities, including affiliates or subsidiaries of the Distributor (“Participating Organizations”) pursuant to contractual arrangements with the Distributor under the Funds’ Amended and Restated Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (the “Distribution Plan”). Customers purchasing Shares of the Funds may include officers, directors, or employees of the Adviser and its affiliates.

The Funds may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for Shares during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC or of the NYSE, (b) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC.

Regarding Shares purchased through a Participating Organization, the entity through which you are purchasing, selling or exchanging your Shares is responsible for transmitting orders to the Funds, and it may have an earlier cutoff time and different trading and exchanging policies. Consult that entity for specific information. Some policy differences may include minimum investment requirements, exchange policies, cutoff time for investments, and redemption fees.

The Funds may redeem shares involuntarily if redemption appears appropriate in light of the Funds’ responsibilities under the 1940 Act. (See “Your Account” — Involuntary Sale of Your Shares” in the Funds’ prospectus for further information.)

Each Fund will only accept new account applications and additional purchases of Fund shares from an established shareholder account that (1) reflects a residential address for an individual (or the principal place of business for an entity) located within the U.S. or its territories; or (2) reflects a U.S. military address; and (3) in every case, is associated with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS

To reduce expenses, we may only mail one copy of each of the Fund’s prospectus, annual report or semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts, unless we receive contrary instruction from you. If you are a direct shareholder and wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call us at 1-800-762-7085. If you are not a direct shareholder, please contact your financial institution to opt out of householding. We will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

INITIAL SALES CHARGE

The A Share Class of the Bond and Equity Funds are subject to an initial sales charge. The sales charge is used to compensate participating dealers for their expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of the A Shares. The amount of the initial sales charge is based upon the amount purchased:

Shareholder Fees For Bond and Equity Funds, except Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund A Shares
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Purchase Amount

 

Sales Charge
(Load) imposed
on Purchases
(as a percentage
of offering
price)

 

Sales Charge
(Load) imposed
on Purchases
(as a percentage
of net amount
invested)

 

Reallowance

 

Maximum
Contingent
Deferred Sales
Charge (Load)
(as a percentage
of the lesser
of the amount
redeemed or the
total original
cost, for shares
held less than
12 months)

Less than $200,000

 

2.00

%

 

2.04

%

 

2.00

%

 

None

 

Over $200,000

 

None

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

 

1.00

%

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Shareholder Fees For Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund A Shares (fees paid directly from your investment)

Purchase Amount

 

Sales Charge
(Load) imposed
on Purchases
(as a percentage
of offering
price)

 

Sales Charge
(Load) imposed
on Purchases
(as a percentage
of net amount
invested)

 

Reallowance

 

Maximum
Contingent
Deferred Sales
Charge (Load)
(as a percentage
of the lesser
of the amount
redeemed or the
total original
cost, for shares
held less than
12 months)

Less than $200,000

 

1.00

%

 

1.01

%

 

1.00

%

 

None

 

Over $200,000

 

None

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

 

1.00

%

You may qualify for reduced sales charges or sales charge exceptions. To qualify for these reductions or exceptions, you or your financial adviser must notify the transfer agent, FIS Investor Services, LLC (“FIS”), and provide the necessary documentation at the time of purchase that your purchase qualifies for such treatment.

No person or entity may distribute shares of the Funds without payment of the applicable sales charge other than to purchasers that qualify for the reductions or exceptions described below.

Purchases of the Money Market Funds will not be taken into account in determining whether a purchase qualifies for a reduction in initial sales charge.

         Rights of Accumulation.

         You may combine your new purchases of A Shares of a Fund with other Bond or Equity Fund shares currently owned for the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to purchasers of more than $200,000. The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the value of other Bond or Equity Fund shares owned based on their current public offering price.

         If a purchaser qualifies for a reduced sales charge, the reduced sales charge applies to the total amount of money being invested, even if only a portion of that amount exceeds the breakpoint for the reduced sales charge.

         No credit is available for prior investments made at a lower breakpoint subject to a higher fee.

         Accumulated purchases of $200,000 or more are subject to the CDSC described below.

         Letters of Intent.

         Under a Letter of Intent (LOI), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of A Shares of one or more Bond or Equity Funds during a 13-month period. If you agree to purchase over $200,000, you will not pay an initial sales charge. All subsequent purchases during the 13-month period count toward the completion of the LOI.

        By signing an LOI, a purchaser is not making a binding commitment to purchase additional shares. However, if the full amount committed to in the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period, your account will be assessed the higher initial sales charge that would normally be applicable to the amount actually invested.

      To assure compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, FIS will reserve, in escrow or similar arrangement, in the form of shares, an appropriate dollar amount to pay the sales charge that would normally be applicable to the amount actually invested. If the total investment is completed within the 13-month period, the reserve will be promptly released.

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        If at any time before completing the LOI the purchaser requests that the Transfer Agent liquidate or transfer his shares, the LOI will be automatically cancelled and the Transfer Agent will redeem an appropriate number of reserved shares equal to the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge that would have been paid if the total purchases would have been made on a single occasion.

         LOIs to purchase $200,000 or more of A Shares are subject to the CDSC described below.

         Persons and Entities

         Class A Series of the Funds may be purchased without an initial sales charge by the following persons (and their spouses and children under 21 years of age): (i) registered representatives and other employees of intermediaries that have selling agreements with the Distributor to sell Class A Shares; (ii) directors, officers, and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates; (iii) Trustees and officers of the Trust and (iv) investors that purchase directly from the Fund. In addition, the initial sales charge may be waived on purchases of Class A Shares through financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor that allows the waiver of the sales charge. The Funds do not currently have any such sales waiver agreements in place with financial intermediaries.

         Purchases of $200,000 or more by the persons or entities identified are subject to the CDSC described below.

         Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge exceptions and the initial sales charge exceptions available to other investors listed immediately above are not available to investors investing through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management brokerage account.

         Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans

         Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to MSSB’s account linking rules

         Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund

         Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account

         Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program

         Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days’ following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.

         Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSC — Class A and C only).

         Class A Shares.

Investors who purchase or own $200,000 or more of Bond or Equity Fund A Shares do not pay an initial sales charge. If, however, you redeem Class A Shares purchased without paying sales charge prior to 12 months after the date of purchase, the redemption will be subject to a CDSC of 1%. The CDSC on redemptions of shares is computed based on the lower of their original purchase price or current net asset value, net of reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions. In determining whether to charge a CDSC, shares are accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis, which means that you will redeem shares on which there is no CDSC first and, then, shares in the order of their purchase.

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The Distributor will pay dealer commissions on Class A Share trades of $200,000 or more, up to a maximum amount of $100,000. The amount available for such payments is:

Up to 1% of the first $4 million;
plus 0.50% on the next $6 million
plus 0.25% on purchases more than $10 million

By way of illustration, the Distributor would pay up to the following on purchases of $20 million:

         1% of the first $4 million = $40,000; plus

         0.5% on the next $6 million = $30,000; plus

         0.25% on the next $10 million = $25,000

For a total payment of up to $95,000 ($40,000 + $30,000 + $25,000)

         Class C Shares.

Class C Shares are not subject to an initial sales charge so you will invest the full amount of your purchase price. However, Class C Shares pay an annual 12b-1 Distribution/Service Fee of 1.00% (0.75% in asset-based sales charge and 0.25% in 12b-1 service fee) and a Shareholder Servicing Fee of 0.25% of average net assets. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets over time, they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than if you had purchased Class A Shares. Class C Shares of each Fund will automatically convert into Class A Shares of the same Fund after they have been held for ten years. This automatic conversion will be executed without any sales charge, fee or other charge. The IRS currently takes the position that such automatic conversions are not taxable. Should its position change, the automatic conversion feature may be replaced with a conversion option. If you sell your Class C Shares within 12 months after purchase, you may pay a 1.00% CDSC, which will be applied to the lesser of amount invested or redemption value of the shares redeemed.

Shareholders who are investing $200,000 or more through a sales charge reduction feature, including a shareholder eligible to purchase Class A Shares at no sales charge due to the breakpoints available on a purchase of $200,000 or more of Class A Shares, or through Rights of Accumulation, a LOI or grouping purchases by certain related persons may not purchase Class C Shares. In such case, requests to purchase Class C Shares will automatically be treated as a request to purchase Class A Shares. The Fund will not apply the limitation to Class C Share purchases made by shareholders whose Shares are held in an omnibus account on any of the Funds’ records, and it will be the selling broker-dealer’s responsibility to apply the limitation for such purchases.

38

MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS OF THE FUNDS

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Board Leadership Structure

The Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Board consists of three Trustees who supervise the business affairs of the Trust. The Board is responsible for the general oversight of the Funds’ business and for assuring that the Funds are managed in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. The Board periodically reviews the Funds’ investment performance as well as the quality of other services provided to the Funds by each of the Funds’ service providers. Subject to the provisions of the Funds’ Declaration of Trust and By-laws, and applicable provisions of Massachusetts law, the Trustees have all powers necessary and convenient to carry out this responsibility, including the election and removal of the Funds’ officers.

The Board is comprised of two-thirds of Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Funds (the “Independent Trustees”). In addition, the Chairman of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board holds regular quarterly meetings. The Chairman presides at meetings of the Trustees, and may call special meetings of the Board and any Board committee whenever he deems it necessary. The Board is involved in identifying information to be presented to the Board and matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Board engages in communication with each other, the Funds’ management, and service providers, as necessary, between meetings. The Board has designated a number of standing committees as further described below, each of which has a Chairman. The designation of a Trustee as Chairman does not generally impose on that Trustee any obligations or liability that is greater than any other Trustee.

The Board believes that the current Fund leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees with the effect of enhancing Fund oversight. The Board considers the facts that a majority of its members, and its Chairman, are Independent Trustees to be integral to promoting effective and independent oversight of the Funds’ operations, as well as meaningful representation of the shareholders’ interests. The Board also believes that having an interested person serve on the Board brings corporate and financial viewpoints that are important elements in its decision-making process. The Board size and leadership structure may be changed at any time at the discretion of the Board.

Risk Oversight

The Trustees play an active role, as a full Board and at the committee level, in overseeing risk management for the Funds. The Trustees delegate the day-to-day risk management of the Funds to various groups, including but not limited to, portfolio management, compliance, legal and fund accounting. These groups provide the Trustees with regular reports regarding investment, valuation, liquidity, and compliance, as well as the risks associated with each. The Trustees also oversee risk management for the Funds through interactions with the Funds’ external auditors. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Funds or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects.

The Funds’ compliance program covers the following broad areas of compliance: portfolio management, trading practices, code of ethics and protection of non-public information, accuracy of disclosures, safeguarding of fund assets, recordkeeping, marketing, selection and retention of service providers, fees, privacy, anti-money laundering, business continuity, valuation and pricing of funds shares, processing of fund shares, affiliated transactions, fund governance and market timing. The program seeks to identify and assess risk through various methods, including through regular interdisciplinary communications between compliance professionals, operational risk management and business personnel who participate on a daily basis in risk management on behalf of the Funds. The Funds’ chief compliance officer provides quarterly and annual compliance reports and other compliance related briefings to the Board in writing and in person.

39

Trustee Qualifications

The Board has not established specific qualifications that must be met by a member of the Board. The Board believes that all of the Trustees bring to the Board a wealth of executive leadership experience derived from their service as executives, board members, and leaders of companies, community and other organizations. The Board also believes that the different perspectives, viewpoints, professional experience, education, and individual qualities of each Trustee represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. In evaluating nominees, the Nominations Committee considers, among other things, an individual’s background, skills, education and experience; whether the individual is an “interested person;” and whether the individual could be deemed a “financial expert” within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. The Nominations Committee also considers whether the individual’s background, skills, and experience will complement, and add to the diversity of, the background, skills, and experience of other Trustees, and will contribute to the Board’s deliberations.

In addition to the information provided in the table that follows, below is certain additional information concerning each individual Trustee. The information provided below and in the table is not all-inclusive. Many of the Trustees’ qualifications to serve on the Board involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work ethic, the ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to exercise judgment, the ability to ask incisive questions, and commitment to shareholder interests.

William H. Wilson Jr. Mr. Wilson has served as an Independent Trustee since May 2008. Mr. Wilson has ownership interests and holds executive level positions at a variety of organizations with diverse interests. Mr. Wilson is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master in Business Administration degree from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School University of Pennsylvania. Through his employment, education and experience, Mr. Wilson brings financial, accounting, regulatory and investment skills to the Board.

Jennifer Wheeler Ms. Wheeler has served as an Independent Trustee since November 2016. Ms. Wheeler is legal counsel to the American Fidelity Insurance Company. Ms. Wheeler earned a J.D., with honors, from the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Wheeler previously provided legal representation to the Trust’s Independent Trustees as a partner at McAfee and Taft. Ms. Wheeler brings legal, financial, regulatory and investment skills to the Board.

Scott Grauer Mr. Grauer has served as an Interested Trustee since January 2010. Mr. Grauer currently serves as Executive Vice President, Wealth Management Division, BOK Financial Corporation (“BOK Financial”) and Chief Executive Officer of BOK Financial Securities, Inc. (“BOKFS”). Mr. Grauer is also Chairman of the Board of BOKFS, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and affiliated advisers, BOK Financial Asset Management and The Milestone Group, and serves as an officer or as a member of the board for other BOK Financial subsidiaries. Mr. Grauer earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baker University. Mr. Grauer is involved in community service organizations including Junior Achievement’s Investor Challenge. Through his employment, education and experience, Mr. Grauer brings financial, accounting, regulatory and investment skills to the Board.

The Trustees and officers of the Funds, their year of birth, the position they hold with the Funds, their term of office and length of time served, a description of their principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the fund complex that the Trustee oversees and any other directorships held by the Trustee are listed in the two tables immediately following. The business address of the persons listed below is One Williams Center, BOKF Tower — 10 SW, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

NAME AND AGE

 

POSITION(S)
HELD
WITH THE
FUNDS

 

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST 5
YEARS

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE

 

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS*

William H. Wilson Jr.
(1958) 

 

Trustee,
Chairman

 

Indefinite,
5/08 – Present

 

Ownership interest and/or executive positions with Sage Partners and Lonestar Ecology

 

9

 

N/A

Jennifer Wheeler
(1972)

 

Trustee

 

Indefinite,
11/16 – Present

 

Counsel to the American Fidelity Insurance Company

 

9

 

N/A

40

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

NAME AND AGE

 

POSITION(S)
HELD
WITH THE
FUNDS

 

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S) 
DURING THE PAST 5
YEARS

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS

IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE

 

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS

HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING THE
PAST 5 YEARS*

Scott Grauer**
(1964)

 

Trustee

 

Indefinite,
1/10 – Present

 

From July 2008 to present, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management Division, BOKF; from 1991 to present, CEO, BOK Financial Securities, Inc.

 

9

 

N/A

____________

*        Directorships held in (1) any other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, (2) any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or (3) any company subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

**      Mr. Grauer is treated by the Funds as an “interested person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Funds. Mr. Grauer is an “interested person” because he is an Executive Vice President of BOK Financial, the parent of CHD and the indirect parent of Cavanal Hill Investment Management. Mr. Grauer is also Chairman of the Board of BOKFS, CHD, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and affiliated advisers, BOK Financial Asset Management, Inc. and BOK Financial Private Wealth, and serves as an officer or as a member of the board for other BOK Financial subsidiaries.

OFFICERS

NAME AND AGE

 

POSITION(S)
HELD
WITH THE
FUNDS

 

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING THE PAST
5
YEARS

 

NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX

 

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

Bill King
(1959) 

 

President, Assistant Secretary

 

Indefinite,
5/20 – Present

 

From 2016 to present, President and CEO of Cavanal Hill Distributors, Inc. Since 2013, national sales manager of Cavanal Hill Investment Management, Inc.

 

N/A

 

N/A

Denise Lewis
(1963)

 

Treasurer

 

Indefinite
7/22 – Present

 

From 2020 to present, SVP of Citi Fund Services, Ohio, Inc.

 

N/A

 

N/A

Amy Siefer
(1977)

 

Chief Compliance Officer, Anti- Money Laundering Officer and Disaster Recovery Plan Business Operations Manager

 

Indefinite,
4/23 – Present

 

From 2018 to September 2023, Chief Compliance Officer and AML Officer for Boston Trust Walden Funds. From 2012 to present, Vice President at Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

N/A

 

N/A

Cheryl Briggs
(1960)

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

Indefinite,
4/15 – Present

 

From March 2015 to present, Officer, Cavanal Hill Funds Administrator.

 

N/A

 

N/A

Catherine Dunn
(1971)

 

Assistant Secretary

 

Indefinite,
4/23 – Present

 

From October 2022 to present, Senior Vice President, Cavanal Hill Fund Administration Manager. From April 2021 to September 2022, Manager, Global Fund Services at U.S. Bank. From October 2016 to April 2022, Vice President, Financial Reporting at State Street Bank & Trust.

 

N/A

 

N/A

41

For interested officers, Mr. King, Ms. Briggs and Ms. Dunn, positions held with affiliated persons or principal underwriters of the Trust are provided above. For interested Trustees, the information is listed in the following table:

NAME

 

POSITIONS HELD WITH AFFILIATED PERSONS OR PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITERS OF THE FUNDS

Scott Grauer
(1964)

 

BOK Financial, Executive Vice President, Wealth Management Division; BOKFS, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Grauer is also Chairman of the Board of BOKFS, CHD, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and affiliated advisers, BOK Financial Asset Management and BOK Financial Private Wealth, Inc., and serves as an officer or as a member of the board for other BOK Financial subsidiaries.

42

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The purposes of the Audit Committee are to oversee the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices; to oversee the quality and objectivity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; to consider the selection of independent registered public accountants for the Trust and the scope of the audit; and to act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accountants and the full Board. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Wheeler serve on this Committee. Mr. Wilson joined this Committee on June 23, 2008. Ms. Wheeler joined this Committee on November 1, 2016. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, there were five meetings of the Audit Committee.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Nominations Committee is to recommend qualified candidates to the Board in the event that a position is vacated or created. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Wheeler serve on this Committee; Mr. Wilson became a Committee member on May 1, 2008 and Ms. Wheeler joined the Committee on November 1, 2016. The Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Nominations Committee in care of the Cavanal Hill Funds. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, there were no meetings of the Nominations Committee.

SECURITIES OWNERSHIP

For each Trustee, the following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Fund indicated and, on an aggregate basis, in any registered investment companies overseen by the Trustee within the Fund’s family of investment companies as of December 31, 2022:

NAME OF TRUSTEE

 

DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
SECURITIES IN THE FUNDS

 

AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
EQUITY SECURITIES IN ALL
REGISTERED INVESTMENT
COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

William H. Wilson Jr.

 

World Energy Fund: $10,001 – $50,000

 

$10,001 – $50,000

The following table shows information for Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act:

NAME OF TRUSTEE

 

DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
SECURITIES IN THE FUNDS

 

AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
EQUITY SECURITIES IN ALL
REGISTERED INVESTMENT
COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Scott Grauer

 

Limited Duration Fund: $1 – $10,000
Government Securities MMF: $100,001 – $500,000
Bond Fund: $1 – $10,000
World Energy Fund: $50,001 – $100,000

 

$100,001 – $500,000*

____________

*        Under the definition of “beneficial ownership” used for purposes of the foregoing table, Mr. Grauer, who is an executive officer of BOK Financial, is not considered the beneficial owner of any Fund securities with respect to which BOK Financial or its affiliates has investment or voting discretion. Affiliates of BOK Financial have investment and voting discretion over a substantial majority of each Fund’s securities.

43

For independent Trustees and their immediate family members, the following table provides information regarding each class of securities owned beneficially in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, or a person (other than a RIC) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust as of December 31, 2022:

NAME OF TRUSTEE

 

NAME OF
OWNERS AND
RELATIONSHIPS
TO TRUSTEE

 

COMPANY

 

TITLE OF
CLASS

 

VALUE OF
SECURITIES

 

PERCENT OF
CLASS

William H. Wilson Jr.

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

Jennifer Wheeler

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

Cavanal Hill Investment Management provides advisory services to separately managed accounts, which may have the same or similar strategies as Cavanal Hill Funds. From time to time, Trustees, Officers and other individuals involved in the operation of the Funds may hold interests in such separately managed accounts.

The Trustees receive fees and are reimbursed for their expenses in connection with each meeting of the Board they attend. However, no officer or employee of an Adviser or the Administrator (as defined herein) of the Funds receives any compensation from the Funds for acting as a Trustee. The officers of the Funds receive no compensation directly from the Funds for performing the duties of their offices.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES’ COMPENSATION

NAME OF PERSON, POSITION

 

AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
FROM THE FUNDS
FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2023

 

PENSION OR
RETIREMENT

BENEFITS
ACCRUED
AS PART OF
FUND EXPENSES

 

ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
BENEFITS
UPON
RETIREMENT

 

TOTAL
COMPENSATION
FROM

FUNDS AND FUND
COMPLEX PAID TO
TRUSTEES FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2023

William H. Wilson Jr.,
Chairman of the Board

 

$

84,951

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

84,951

Jennifer Wheeler

 

$

74,960

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

74,960

44

CODE OF ETHICS

Each Fund, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and CHD have adopted codes of ethics (“Codes”) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, and these Codes permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by each Fund.

MARKET TIMING TRADING POLICY

The Bond and Equity Funds do not authorize, and use reasonable methods to discourage, short-term or excessive trading, often referred to as “market timing.” Market timing is an investment strategy using frequent purchases, redemptions and/or exchanges in an attempt to profit from short-term market movements. Market timing or excessive trading may result in dilution of the value of fund shares held by long-term shareholders, disrupt portfolio management, and increase fund expenses for all shareholders. The Funds will take reasonable steps to discourage excessive short-term trading and the Board has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to market timing. The Funds will monitor selected trades in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading. If a Fund has reason to believe that a shareholder has engaged in excessive short-term trading, the Fund may ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder’s accounts. In addition to rejecting purchase orders in connection with suspected market timing activities, The Funds can reject a purchase order for any reason. While the Funds cannot assure the prevention of all excessive trading and market timing, by making these judgments the Funds believe they are acting in a manner that is in the best interests of shareholders.

Market timers may disrupt portfolio management and harm fund performance. To the extent that the Funds are unable to identify market timers effectively, long-term investors may be adversely affected. Although the Funds use a variety of methods to detect and deter market timing, due to the complexity involved in identifying excessive trading there is no assurance that the Funds efforts will identify and eliminate all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive. In accordance with Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Trust has entered into information sharing agreements with certain financial intermediaries. Under these agreements, a financial intermediary is obligated to: (1) adopt and enforce during the term of the agreement, a market timing policy, the terms of which are acceptable to the Trust; (2) furnish the Trust, upon its request, with information regarding customer trading activities in shares of the Trust; and (3) enforce its market-timing policy with respect to customers identified by the Trust as having engaged in market timing. When information regarding transactions in the Trust’s shares is requested by the Trust and such information is in the possession of a person that is itself a financial intermediary to a financial intermediary (an “indirect intermediary”), any financial intermediary with whom the Trust has an information sharing agreement is obligated to obtain transaction information from the indirect intermediary or, if directed by the Trust, to restrict or prohibit the indirect intermediary from purchasing shares of the Trust on behalf of other persons. The Funds apply these policies and procedures to all shareholders believed to be engaged in market timing or excessive trading. The Funds have no arrangements to permit any investor to trade frequently in shares of the funds, nor will it enter into any such arrangements in the future. Because the Money Market Funds are designed to offer investors a liquid cash option that they may sell as often as they wish, they are not subject to the same policies and procedures. We reserve the right to modify our policies and procedures related to market timing at any time without prior notice as we deem in our sole discretion to be in the best interests of Fund shareholders, or to comply with state or Federal legal requirements.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Information regarding portfolio holdings may be made available to third parties in the following circumstances:

         Through disclosure in the Trust’s monthly reporting on Form N-PORT;

         In marketing materials, provided that the information regarding portfolio holdings contained therein is at least fifteen days old; or

         When a Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipients are subject to a confidentiality agreement which prohibits both disclosure of portfolio holdings to third parties and trading based on such information. Such disclosure shall be authorized by the Trust’s President or Treasurer and shall be reported annually to the Board.

In addition, the Adviser will post portfolio holdings information for the Cavanal Hill Funds on the Funds’ website at www.cavanalhillfunds.com. The website will contain each Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the last day of the most recent month end (except the Money Market Funds, which holdings are posted daily). Although

45

the Adviser will typically post this information approximately 16 days after a month’s end, and such information will remain accessible on the website until the information is filed with the SEC as part of the Trust’s Form N-MFP, N-CSR or Form N-PORT, as applicable, it may (but is not required to) post more current information regarding the holdings of one or more of the Funds on the Trust’s website. Such posted information may include all of a Fund’s holdings, or may be limited to more current information about select issuers or types of issuers, as determined by Trust management.

Except as disclosed above, it is the policy of the Funds not to disclose material information about their portfolio holdings, trading strategies implemented or to be implemented or pending transactions to other third parties. The Funds’ service providers are prohibited from disclosing to other third parties material information about the Funds’ portfolio holdings, trading strategies implemented or to be implemented or pending transactions. The Funds may, however, provide information regarding their portfolio holdings to their service providers where relevant to duties to be performed for the Funds. Such service providers include fund accountants, administrators, investment advisers, custodians, independent public accountants, and attorneys. The Funds’ fund accountants, administrators, investment advisers and custodians are provided with portfolio holdings information on a daily basis. The Fund’s independent public accountants and attorneys are provided with portfolio holdings information as issues may arise. In addition, portfolio holding information may be disclosed to facilitate the review of a Fund by certain mutual fund analysts and ratings agencies (such as Morningstar and Lipper Analytical Services) on an as-needed basis.

Other than the service provider arrangements discussed above, the Funds do not have in place any ongoing arrangements to provide information regarding portfolio holdings to any person. The Fund’s policies prohibit the receipt of compensation for the disclosure of portfolio holdings. Any violation of the Funds’ policies with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings is reported to the Board on a quarterly basis.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The following proxy voting policies and procedures apply to the Bond and Equity Funds and the Adviser:

Cavanal Hill Funds Proxy Voting Policy

General Provisions.    It is the policy of the Fund that, absent compelling reasons why a proxy should not be voted, all proxies relating to portfolio securities should be voted. Proxies are voted in the best interests of the Fund. The determination of the interest of the Fund in a proposal presented by proxy is the effect, if any, the proposal could have on the current or future value of the investment. Subject to the adoption of procedures or guidelines by the Fund’s Board, proxy voting shall be the responsibility of the investment adviser (“Adviser”). If it is appropriate to do so, an outside service provider may be employed by the Adviser to vote client proxies or to provide advice in the voting of a proxy.

Conflicts of Interest.    Proxy solicitations that might involve a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Fund will be considered by the Adviser’s Investment Policy Committee (IPC), which will determine, based on a review of the issues raised by the solicitation, the nature of the potential conflict and, most importantly, the Adviser’s commitment to vote proxies in the best interest of the Fund, how the proxy will be handled.

Disclosure.    The Adviser shall disclose to shareholders how they may obtain information about how the Adviser voted with respect to portfolio securities; and shall provide shareholders a description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, shall furnish a copy of the policies and procedures to the requesting shareholder.

Recordkeeping.    The Adviser will retain records relating to the voting of proxies, including:

        A copy of policies, procedures or guidelines relating to the voting of proxies.

        A copy of each proxy statement, written or electronic, that the Fund receives regarding portfolio securities. The Adviser may rely on a third party to make and retain, on its behalf, a copy of a proxy statement, which may be electronic, provided that the Adviser has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request or may rely on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.

        A record of each vote cast by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser may rely on a third party to make and retain, on its behalf, a record of the vote cast, provided that the Adviser has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the record upon request.

46

        A copy of any document created by the Adviser that was material to making a decision regarding how to vote proxies or that memorializes the basis for that decision.

        A copy of each written shareholder request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund, and a copy of any written response by the Adviser to any shareholder request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Fund.

These records will be retained for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the Adviser.

The following are the procedures adopted by the Board for the administration of this policy:

Fiduciary Duty

The right to vote a proxy with respect to portfolio securities held in portfolios of the Funds is an asset of the Funds. Based on its review of the proxy voting policy of the Adviser and the procedures and guidelines thereunder, the Board is satisfied that the Adviser acknowledges that it acts as a fiduciary of the Funds and has formally committed to policies and procedures designed to ensure that it will vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Funds and its shareholders.

Review of Policies and Procedures

The Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies at least annually and must notify the Board promptly of material changes to any of these documents.

Voting Record Reporting

With respect to those proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser must submit a separate report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy.

Revocation

The delegation of authority by the Board to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.

Information Regarding Proxy Votes

You may obtain information about how a Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 by visiting the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov or without charge, upon request, by contacting us by telephone at 1-800-762-7085 or in writing at Cavanal Hill Funds, 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219-3035.

Cavanal Hill Investment Management (referred to as “CHIM” or the “Firm” in the following Policy and Procedures)

Policy

CHIM, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best interests of the clients. The firm maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about the firm’s proxy policies and practices. The firm’s policy and practice include the responsibility to receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as making information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.

It is the policy of the Firm that, absent compelling reasons why a proxy should not be voted, all proxies relating to client securities should be voted. Proxies are voted in the best interests of the client accounts. The determination of the interest of a client account in a proposal presented by proxy is the anticipated effect the proposal could have on the current or future value of the investment. Subject to the adoption of procedures or guidelines by the Firm’s Board of Directors or specific written direction from a client, proxy voting shall be the responsibility of the President and the

47

Investment Policy Committee (IPC), both of whom may delegate such aspects of this responsibility as it may consider appropriate to designated officers or employees of the Firm. If it is appropriate to do so, an outside service provider may be employed to vote client proxies or to provide advice in the voting of a proxy.

Proxy solicitations that might involve a conflict of interest between the Firm and its client accounts will be considered by the IPC, which will determine, based on a review of the issues raised by the solicitation, the nature of the potential conflict and, most importantly, the Firm’s commitment to vote proxies in the best economic interest of client accounts, how the proxy will be handled.

Procedure

The Firm may utilize one or more outside service providers to facilitate the execution of and recordkeeping related to the execution of client proxy voting. Such service provider must adhere to the proxy voting policies, procedures, and guidelines adopted by the Firm.

The Firm will maintain a list of those companies, which issue publicly traded securities and with which the Firm or its affiliates have such a relationship that proxies presented with respect to those companies may give rise to a conflict of interest between the Firm and its clients.

Proxy Voting Guidelines

The key element underlying any evaluation of the interest of an advisory account in an issue presented to the shareholders of the company is the anticipated effect a proposal could have on the current or future value of the investment.

It is the practice of the Firm to vote with Management Proposals, unless it appears to conflicts with other Guidelines.

To the extent that management’s proposals do not appear to infringe on stockholder rights, the firm will support their position. Management sponsored resolutions can be grouped into five primary categories:

Standard Proposals (for example):

         Elect or re-elect members of the board of directors

         Select outside auditors

         Set the annual meeting date and location

         Eliminate preemptive rights or dual classes of stock

         Establish dividend reinvestment plans

         Provide cumulative voting for directors

         Indemnify directors, officers and employees

         Change the corporate name

Capitalization Proposals (for example):

         Increase the authorized number common shares

         Adjust of par value

         Establish flexible schedules of preferred dividends

         Repurchase shares

         Authorize stock splits or stock dividends

        Establish anti-greenmail measures

48

Non-Salary Compensation Programs (for example):

The Firm will support stock or other non-salary compensation plans that afford incentives based on performance, as opposed to risk-free rewards, including:

         Performance incentives

         Stock option plans

         Stock purchase or stock ownership plans

         Thrift/Profit Sharing plans

Miscellaneous Corporate Governance Matters (for example):

         Limit directors’ liability

         Authorize indemnification agreements

         Meet SEC/NASD quorum requirements

         Reorganize as a holding company

Shareholder Proposals:

The Firm recognizes that shareholders regularly make various proposals which they perceive as offering social (and, at times, economic) benefits to both the corporation and its shareholders. While the Firm acknowledges that economic and social considerations are often closely intertwined, the management group and elected directors are best positioned to make corporate decisions on these proposals. The Firm will generally support management’s position on shareholder proposals presented by proxy.

The Firm will not support Anti-Takeover Measures:

The Firm believes that charter and by-law amendments designed to thwart takeover attempts sometimes undermine the prospects for realizing maximum appreciation, and thus, are not in the best interest of shareholders. The Firm will oppose the following anti-takeover measures (for example):

         Fair pricing procedures

         Super majority rules

         Board classification

         Bars to written consent

         Incumbent-entrenchment measures

         Re-incorporation measures

         Control share measures

The Firm will retain records relating to the voting of proxies, including:

         A copy of policies, procedures or guidelines relating to the voting of proxies.

         A copy of each proxy statement, written or electronic, that the Firm receives regarding client securities. The Firm may rely on a third party to make and retain, on its behalf, a copy of a proxy statement, which may be electronic, provided that the Firm has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request or may rely on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system.

        A record of each vote cast by the Firm in the aggregate on behalf of all clients. The Firm may rely on a third party to make and retain, on its behalf, a record of the vote cast, provided that the adviser has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request.

49

        A copy of any document created by the Firm that was material to making a decision regarding how to vote proxies or that memorializes the basis for that decision.

         A copy of each written client request for information on how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by the Firm to any client request for information on how the adviser voted proxies in the aggregate and within the time frame requested by the client.

These records will be retained for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, with at least the first two years in an appropriate office of the Firm.

The Firm shall disclose, via website, how each client may obtain information about how the Firm voted with respect to their securities; and shall provide each client a description of the Firm’s proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, shall furnish a copy of the policies and procedures to the requesting client.

Background

Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.

Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act (17 CFR § 275.206(4)-6) to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser’s interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser’s proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.

Staff Legal Bulletin No. 20 was jointly published by the SEC’s Division of Investment Management and Division of Corporation Finance on June 30, 2014. The Division of Investment Management provided guidance about investment advisers’ responsibilities in voting client proxies and retaining proxy advisory firms, while the Division of Corporation Finance addressed the availability and requirements of two exemptions to the federal proxy rules that are often relied upon by proxy advisory firms.

CURRENT PROXY VOTING ARRANGEMENTS

In accordance with its proxy voting procedures, Cavanal Hill Investment Management has retained Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”), an unaffiliated third party, as its agent to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of Cavanal Hill Funds on behalf of Cavanal Hill Investment Management. ISS is providing three basic services to Cavanal Hill Investment Management:

         ISS has received Cavanal Hill Investment Management’s proxy voting guidelines (a copy of the current guidelines are attached);

         ISS will vote the proxies relating to portfolio securities in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines; and

         ISS will maintain records relating to the voting of proxies which will be used both to monitor proxy voting activity and to meet the reporting requirements of Cavanal Hill Investment Management’s proxy voting procedures and SEC rules and regulations.

Cavanal Hill Investment Management believes that this arrangement is reasonably designed to ensure that proxies relating to client securities will be voted in the best interest of the clients and, because the process is handled by a third party not affiliated with Cavanal Hill Investment Management, will avoid material conflicts between Cavanal Hill Investment Management and its clients.

50

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Investment advisory services are provided to each of the Funds by Cavanal Hill Investment Management pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement. Cavanal Hill Investment Management is a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary of BOKF, NA. It began serving as Investment Adviser to the Funds on May 12, 2001. Cavanal Hill Investment Management, subject to the general supervision of the Board, is responsible for providing research, investment decision making, strategizing and risk management, and day-to-day portfolio management. Cavanal Hill Investment Management is located at One Williams Center, 15th Floor, Tulsa, OK 74172-0172. As of September 30, 2023, Cavanal Hill Investment Management had approximately $10.9 billion in assets under management.

BOKF is a subsidiary of BOK Financial. BOK Financial is controlled by its principal shareholder, George B. Kaiser. Subsidiaries of BOK Financial provide an array of wealth management, trust, custody and administration, and commercial and retail banking services, as well as non-banking financial services. Non-banking subsidiaries provide various financial services, including mortgage banking, broker-dealer and investment advisory services, private equity and alternative investing, and credit life, accident, and health insurance on certain loans originated by its subsidiaries.

BOKF Financial subsidiaries maintain offices in Oklahoma, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas, and offer a variety of services for both corporate and individual customers. Individual financial trust services include personal trust management, administration of estates, and management of individual investments and custodial accounts. For corporate clients, the array of services includes management, administration and recordkeeping of pension plans, thrift plans, 401(k) plans and master trust plans. BOK Financial subsidiaries also provide investment banking services, serve as transfer agent and registrar for corporate securities, broker/dealer, paying agent for dividends and interest, and indenture trustee of bond issues. As of September 30, 2023, BOKF Financial and its subsidiaries had approximately $99.7 billion in assets under management or in custody.

Subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions of each of the Funds, Cavanal Hill Investment Management reviews, supervises, and provides general investment advice regarding each of the Funds’ investment programs. Subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions of each of the Funds, Cavanal Hill Investment Management makes all final decisions with respect to portfolio securities of each of the Funds, places orders for all purchases and sales of the portfolio securities of each of the Funds, and maintains each Fund’s records directly relating to such purchases and sales.

For the services provided and expenses assumed pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Funds, the Adviser is entitled to receive a fee from each of the Funds, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the lower of (1) such fee as may, from time to time, be agreed upon in writing by the Funds and the Adviser or (2) the average daily net assets of each such Fund as follows: the Money Market Funds — five one-hundredths of one percent (0.05%) annually; the Moderate Duration Fund and the Bond Fund — twenty one-hundredths of one percent (0.20%) annually; the Limited Duration Fund and the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund — fifteen one-hundredths of one percent (0.15%) annually; the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund — fifty one-hundredths of one percent (0.50%) annually; the World Energy Fund — sixty one-hundredths of one percent (0.60%) annually and the Hedged Income Fund — eighty one-hundredths of one percent (0.80%) annually. Cavanal Hill Investment Management may periodically waive all or a portion of its fee with respect to any Fund to increase the net income of such Fund available for distribution as dividends. The Funds paid Cavanal Hill Investment Management the following aggregate fees for investment advisory services for the following fiscal years ended:

 

AUGUST 31, 2023

 

AUGUST 31, 2022

 

AUGUST 31, 2021

   

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

642,938

 

$

 

$

478,346

 

$

3,702,097

 

$

542,512

 

$

6,181,377

Government Securities Money
Market Fund

 

$

1,216,647

 

$

 

$

1,046,613

 

$

3,340,403

 

$

980,437

 

$

4,720,089

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

58,621

 

$

1,144

 

$

98,006

 

$

1,728

 

$

133,864

 

$

2,023

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

31,778

 

$

114,765

 

$

45,140

 

$

126,155

 

$

57,402

 

$

86,395

Bond Fund

 

$

239,198

 

$

2,655

 

$

226,484

 

$

1,955

 

$

205,764

 

$

2,135

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

35,252

 

$

126,142

 

$

80,963

 

$

136,871

 

$

125,759

 

$

105,294

Ultra-Short Tax-Free Fund

 

$

32,271

 

$

109,157

 

$

43,959

 

$

126,491

 

$

54,583

 

$

81,296

World Energy Fund

 

$

505,188

 

$

108,709

 

$

330,480

 

$

141,041

 

$

132,029

 

$

130,592

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

283,203

 

$

71,917

 

$

246,007

 

$

106,375

 

$

77,145

 

$

65,702

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The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect as to a particular Fund for successive one-year terms, if such continuance is approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of such Fund and a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement, or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Investment Advisory Agreement by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The Investment Advisory Agreement is terminable as to a particular Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice without penalty by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of that Fund, or by the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the performance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the respective provider of services to the Funds in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of the Funds’ investment advisory contracts is included in the shareholder reports for the period during which the Board approved such contracts.

From time to time, advertisements, supplemental sales literature and information furnished to present or prospective Shareholders of the Funds may include descriptions of the Adviser including, but not limited to, (i) a description of the Adviser’s operations; (ii) descriptions of certain personnel and their functions; and (iii) statistics and rankings related to the Adviser’s operations.

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS

Investment sub-advisory services are provided to the Hedged Income Fund by Lavaca Capital, LLC (“Lavaca”) pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Cavanal Hill Investment Management and Lavaca, as approved by the Board (the “Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement”).

The Hedged Income Fund’s principal investment strategy involves purchasing dividend paying equity securities and hedging the fund’s stock holdings, including buying/selling puts and writing/buying back covered calls against the securities owned in the fund. Lavaca will provide the hedging portion of the strategy, utilizing its options and volatility-based hedging strategies, specializing in the use of U.S. listed equity options, seeking to (i) reduce risk, (ii) enhance income and (iii) provide an alternative source of absolute return for client portfolios.

Subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions of the Hedged Income Fund, Lavaca will formulate and implement a continuous hedging investment program as agreed between Lavaca and Cavanal Hill Investment Management. Lavaca will provide execution services in association with the buying/selling of protective puts and writing/buying back covered calls against securities owned in the Hedged Income Fund. For the services provided and expenses assumed pursuant to the Lavaca Sub-Advisory Agreement, Lavaca will receive a monthly fee equal to 50% of the monthly management fee payable to Cavanal Hill Investment Management by the Hedged Income Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the applicable month.

The Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect as to the Hedged Income Fund for successive one-year terms, if such continuance is approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of such Fund and a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable as to the Hedged Income Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice without penalty by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of that Fund, or by the Adviser or Lavaca. The Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

The Lavaca Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that Lavaca shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the performance of the Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the respective provider of services to the Funds in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

52

As of September 30, 2023, Lavaca had approximately $349 million in assets under management.

Investment sub-advisory services are provided to the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund by LM Capital Group, LLC (“LM Capital”) pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Cavanal Hill Investment Management and LM Capital, as approved by the Board (the “LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement”).

The Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund’s principal investment strategy involves investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, engaging in opportunistic trading among various sectors based on the perceived market anomalies and inefficiencies in an effort to actively enhance total return and minimize risk. LM Capital, subject to the general supervision of the Board, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund.

The LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in effect as to the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund for successive one-year terms, if such continuance is approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of such Fund and a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement is terminable as to the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund at any time on 60 days’ written notice without penalty by the Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of that Fund, or by the Adviser or LM Capital. The LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act.

The LM Capital Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that LM Capital shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the performance of the Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the respective provider of services to the Funds in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by it of its duties and obligations thereunder.

As of September 30, 2023, LM Capital had approximately $4.6 billion in assets under management.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The portfolio managers identified under “Investment Management” in the Prospectus are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. Each portfolio manager also has responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the Fund(s) for which he or she serves as portfolio manager. Information regarding these accounts is set forth below.

Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type as of August 31, 2023:

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

OTHER REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANIES

 

OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT
VEHICLES

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS

Brandon R. Barnes

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 897

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $571 million

Michael J. Kitchen

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: N/A

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

Russell Knox

 

Number: None

 

Number: 3

 

Number: 106

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $1.038 million

 

Assets: $2.260 billion

Michael P. Maurer

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

Michael Schloss

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 785

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $529 million

Matthew C. Stephani

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

Thomas W. Verdel

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

Richard A. Williams

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 578

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $1.053 billion

53

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

OTHER REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANIES

 

OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT
VEHICLES

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS

Scott Phillips

 

Number: None

 

Number: 4

 

Number: 68

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $91 million

 

Assets: $143 million

Jacob Johnson

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 33

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A million

 

Assets: $83 million

Luis Maizel

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

Mario Modiano

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 12

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $1.73 billion

Michael Chalker

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 9

   

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: N/A

 

Assets: $1.5 billion

As of August 31, 2023, the following portfolio managers managed the following numbers of accounts in each of the indicated categories, having the indicated total assets, with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account.

Performance Based Advisory Fees Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type as of August 31, 2023:

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

OTHER REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANIES

 

OTHER POOLED
INVESTMENT
VEHICLES

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS

Brandon R. Barnes

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Michael J. Kitchen

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Russell Knox

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Michael P. Maurer

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Michael Schloss

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Matthew C. Stephani

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Thomas W. Verdel

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Richard A. Williams

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Scott Phillips

 

Number: None

 

Number: 4

 

Number: 14

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $91

 

Assets: $64

Jacob Johnson

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: 11

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $63

Luis Maizel

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Mario Modiano

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

Michael Chalker

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

 

Number: None

   

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

 

Assets: $0

54

Conflicts of Interest

From time to time, potential conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of the investments of a Fund and the management of other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and other accounts (collectively, the “Managed Accounts”). The Managed Accounts might have similar investment objectives or strategies as a Fund, track the same indexes a Fund tracks or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by a Fund. The Managed Accounts might also have different investment objectives or strategies than a Fund.

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s management of a number of accounts with varying investment guidelines. Often, an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Fund and the Managed Accounts, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both a Fund and the Managed Accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Fund and another Managed Account. Cavanal Hill Investment Management has adopted policies and procedures designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Cavanal Hill Investment Management offers investment professionals a compensation plan which has two components: (i) base compensation, which is linked to job function, responsibilities and experience, and (ii) incentive compensation, which is a percentage of the base that varies based on investment performance. The majority of the total cash compensation is derived by the incentive compensation, which could ultimately make up more than half of the investment professional’s compensation. The incentive compensation is based on the pre-tax investment performance of investments on a calendar year basis in comparison to their respective Lipper peer group. Certain portfolio managers may receive non-cash incentives from BOKF, the parent company of Cavanal Hill Investment Management, in the form of stock options or restricted stock in connection with management responsibilities of such portfolio managers. These long-term non-cash incentives, which are used as a retention tool, facilitate long-term commitments from key investment professionals.

Securities Ownership

The following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities of each of the Funds beneficially owned by the portfolio managers as of August 31, 2023:

NAME OF PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN EACH FUND

Brandon R. Barnes

 

None

Michael Kitchen

 

Government Securities Money Market Fund: $10,001 – $50,000

Russell Knox

 

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund: Over $100,000

Michael P. Maurer

 

World Energy Fund: $50,001 – $100,000

Michael Schloss

 

None

Matthew C. Stephani

 

World Energy Fund: $50,001 – $100,000

Hedged Income Fund: $10,001 – $50,000

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund: Over $100,000

Government Securities Money Market Fund: Over $100,000

Thomas W. Verdel

 

None

Rich Williams

 

None

Scott Phillips

 

Hedged Income Fund: $50,001 – $100,000

Jacob Johnson

 

None

Luis Maizel

 

None

Mario Modiano

 

None

Michael Chalker

 

None

DISTRIBUTION

Shares of the Funds are sold on a continuous basis by the Distributor for the Funds. Under the Distribution Plan, the A Class, Investor Class and Administrative Class of Shares of each of the Funds will pay a monthly distribution fee to the Distributor as compensation for its services in connection with the Distribution Plan at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of its average daily net assets. Under the Distribution Plan, the Premier Class and the C Class Shares of each

55

of the Funds will pay a monthly distribution fee to the Distributor as compensation for its services in connection with the Distribution Plan. The annual rate for Premier Class Shares is equal to 0.50% of its average daily net assets and the annual rate for C Class Shares is equal to 1.00% of its average daily net assets (0.75% in asset-based sales charge and 0.25% in 12b-1 service fee). The Distributor may use the distribution fee to provide distribution assistance with respect to the Funds’ Shares or to provide Shareholder services to the holders of the Funds’ Shares. The Distributor may also use the distribution fee (i) to pay financial institutions and intermediaries (such as insurance companies and investment counselors, but not including banks), broker-dealers, and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance or (ii) to compensate banks, other financial institutions and intermediaries, broker-dealers, and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries for services or reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the provision of Shareholder services. All payments by the Distributor for distribution assistance or Shareholder services under the Distribution Plan will be made pursuant to an agreement between the Distributor and such bank, other financial institution or intermediary, broker-dealer, or affiliate or subsidiary of the Distributor (a “Servicing Agreement”). A Servicing Agreement will relate to the provision of distribution assistance in connection with the distribution of the Funds’ Shares to the Participating Organization’s customers on whose behalf the investment in such Shares is made and/or to the provision of Shareholder services rendered to the Participating Organization’s customers owning the Funds’ Shares. Under the Distribution Plan, a Participating Organization may include the Adviser or its affiliates. A Servicing Agreement entered into with a bank (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) will contain a representation that the bank (or subsidiary or affiliate) believes that it possesses the legal authority to perform the services contemplated by the Servicing Agreement without violation of applicable banking laws.

The distribution fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular year by the Distributor in connection with distribution assistance or Shareholder services rendered by the Distributor itself or incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Servicing Agreements entered into under the Distribution Plan. If the amount of the distribution fee is less than the Distributor’s actual expenses incurred in a particular year, the Distributor will realize a loss in that year under the Distribution Plan and will not recover from the Funds the excess of expenses for the year over the distribution fee, unless actual expenses incurred in a later year in which the Distribution Plan remains in effect were less than the distribution fee paid in that later year. The Distributor may periodically waive all or a portion of the distribution fee to increase the net income attributable to a Fund available for distribution as dividends to the Fund’s Shareholders. To lower operating expenses, the Distributor may voluntarily reduce its fees under the Distribution Plan.

The Distributor has contractually agreed to the fee waivers shown in the table below. Contractual waivers are in place for the period through December 31, 2024 and may only be terminated or modified with the approval of the Board.

 

Distribution Fee

 

Distribution Fee Waivers

Bond and Equity Funds

       

A Shares

 

0.25%

 

No Waiver

C Shares

 

1.00%

 

No Waiver

Investor Shares

 

0.25%

 

No Waiver

Institutional Shares

 

0.00%

 

N/A – No 12b-1 Fee

Money Market Funds

       

Administrative

 

0.25%

 

No Waiver

Institutional

 

0.00%

 

N/A – No 12b-1 Fee

Select

 

0.00%

 

N/A – No 12b-1 Fee

Premier

 

0.50%

 

No Waiver

The Adviser and the Distributor (and their affiliates) may finance, from their own resources, certain activities intended to result in the distribution and servicing of a Fund’s shares. These amounts may be in addition to amounts paid by the Funds under the Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan and may include payments to the Funds’ Adviser and its affiliates for such activities.

56

CHD became the Distributor of the Funds on January 1, 2017 and received the following amounts for the fiscal years ended:

 

AUGUST 31, 2023

 

AUGUST 31, 2022

 

AUGUST 31, 2021

   

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

2,888,988

 

$

77,245

 

$

2,216,774

 

$

73,610

 

$

2,478,927

 

$

46,805

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

$

4,181,342

 

$

2,545,813

 

$

3,257,801

 

$

2,306,692

 

$

2,979,037

 

$

2,126,250

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

10,906

 

$

 

$

13,808

 

$

 

$

13,591

 

$

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

7,526

 

$

 

$

8,887

 

$

 

$

10,932

 

$

Bond Fund

 

$

2,806

 

$

 

$

3,281

 

$

 

$

4,492

 

$

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

1,476

 

$

 

$

2,597

 

$

 

$

6,664

 

$

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

$

295

 

$

 

$

341

 

$

 

$

985

 

$

World Energy Fund

 

$

116,169

 

$

 

$

96,749

 

$

 

$

49,610

 

$

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

3,677

 

$

 

$

5,734

 

$

 

$

2,700

 

$

The entire amount received by CHD under the Distribution Plan during the period from September 1, 2022 until August 31, 2023 was spent on compensation to dealers.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

The Trust on behalf of each of the Funds has approved a Shareholder Servicing Plan that enables the Funds to obtain the services of one or more shareholder servicing agents (“Shareholder Servicing Agents”) under shareholder servicing agreements. Under the agreements, the Shareholder Servicing Agents will be responsible for performing shareholder account, administrative and servicing functions, which may include but are not limited to, establishing and maintaining records of shareholders accounts; processing purchase and redemption transactions; confirming shareholder transactions; answering routine shareholder inquiries regarding the Funds; providing assistance to shareholders in effecting changes to their dividend options, account designations and addresses; withholding taxes on non-resident alien accounts; disbursing income dividends and capital gains distributions; reinvesting dividends and distributions; arranging for bank wires; preparing and delivering to shareholders, and state and federal authorities including the IRS, such information respecting dividends and distributions paid by the Funds as may be required by law, rule or regulation; withholding on dividends and distributions as may be required by state or federal authorities from time to time; and such other services as the Funds may reasonably request. The Funds have entered into agreements under the Shareholder Servicing Plan with BOKF, the owner of the Adviser, BOKFS, a broker-dealer affiliate, and may enter into agreements with other banks that are affiliates of BOKF, to provide shareholder services to the Funds’ shareholders in exchange for payments by the Fund for such services under the Shareholder Servicing Plan.

Each of the Funds may pay the Shareholder Servicing Agents an annual fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the shares of each of the Funds, other than the A Shares of the Bond and Equity Funds, for which a fee of 0.10% of the daily net assets is available. BOKF and BOKFS have agreed to the contractual fee waivers shown in the table below for Shareholder Servicing Fees to which they are entitled. The BOKF and BOKFS waivers result in a reduction of the Shareholder Servicing fee paid by all purchasers of a class to the extent shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expense table. Contractual waivers are in place for the period through December 31, 2024 and may only be modified with the approval of the Board.

 

Shareholder Servicing Fee

 

Shareholder Servicing Fee
Waivers

Bond and Equity Funds

       

A Shares

 

0.10%

 

Waived in Full

C Shares

 

0.25%

 

Waived in Full

Investor Shares

 

0.25%

 

Waived in Full

Institutional Shares

 

0.25%

 

Waived in Full

Money Market Funds

       

Administrative

 

0.25%

 

No Waiver

Institutional

 

0.25%

 

0.17% Waived

Select

 

0.25%

 

Waived in Full

Premier

 

0.25%

 

Waived in Full

57

The table below sets forth the total Shareholder Servicing Fees paid by the shares of each Fund for fiscal years ended:

 

AUGUST 31, 2023

 

AUGUST 31, 2022

 

AUGUST 31, 2021

   

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

3,213,367

 

$

304,053

 

$

2,391,223

 

$

200,532

 

$

2,711,606

 

$

223,813

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

$

6,073,314

 

$

4,345,054

 

$

5,226,297

 

$

3,477,146

 

$

4,902,118

 

$

3,339,828

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

93,785

 

$

86,679

 

$

159,136

 

$

147,706

 

$

220,405

 

$

206,187

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

39,462

 

$

36,919

 

$

56,041

 

$

52,781

 

$

71,224

 

$

70,444

Bond Fund

 

$

298,913

 

$

296,740

 

$

282,990

 

$

280,770

 

$

257,073

 

$

257,073

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

17,403

 

$

12,471

 

$

40,087

 

$

33,341

 

$

61,498

 

$

59,598

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

$

53,679

 

$

52,672

 

$

73,215

 

$

71,886

 

$

90,945

 

$

88,550

World Energy Fund

 

$

206,371

 

$

148,233

 

$

131,441

 

$

93,737

 

$

50,529

 

$

42,788

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

86,654

 

$

83.085

 

$

74,255

 

$

70,745

 

$

23,268

 

$

21,901

Should further legislative, judicial or administrative action prohibit or restrict the activities of the Adviser, BOKF, their affiliates, or BOKF’s correspondent banks in connection with customer purchases of Shares of the Trust, any or all such entities might be required to alter materially or discontinue the services offered by them. It is not anticipated, however, that any change in the Trust’s method of operations would affect its NAV per Share or result in financial losses to any customer.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, the Adviser determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by each such Fund and which brokers are to be eligible to execute its portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities with respect to the Bond Funds and Money Market Funds usually are principal transactions in which portfolio securities are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers serving as market makers may include the spread between the bid and asked price. Transactions with respect to the Equity Funds on stock exchanges (other than certain foreign stock exchanges) involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Transactions in the over-the-counter market are generally principal transactions with dealers. With respect to the over-the-counter market, the Funds, where possible, will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better price and execution are available elsewhere. While the Adviser generally seeks competitive spreads or commissions, the Funds may not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available on each transaction, for reasons discussed below.

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Funds paid aggregate brokerage commissions as follows:

World Energy Fund

 

$

257,017

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

40,722

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Funds paid aggregate brokerage commissions as follows:

World Energy Fund

 

$

204,538

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

561

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

56,303

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds paid aggregate brokerage commissions as follows:

Bond Fund

 

$

77

World Energy Fund

 

$

87,495

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

125

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

29,948

58

The following table sets forth the value of securities owned by each of the Funds that were issued by a “regular” broker or dealer (or the parent company of a regular broker or dealer), as of August 31, 2023.

Fund

 

Regular Broker or Dealer (or Parent) Issuer

 

Value of Securities

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

Bank of Montreal

 

$

55,000,000

   

Credit Agricole CIB

 

$

75,000,000

   

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

 

$

530,000,000

   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

88,009,333

   

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust

 

$

117,169,036

   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

$

80,000,000

   

RBC Dominion Securities, Inc.

 

$

180,000,000

   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

 

$

310,000,000

   

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

 

$

115,000,000

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

Bank of Montreal

 

$

15,000,000

   

Credit Agricole CIB

 

$

5,000,000

   

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

 

$

950,000,000

   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

5,000,000

   

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust

 

$

212,779,647

   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

$

120,000,000

   

RBC Dominion Securities, Inc.

 

$

80,000,000

   

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

 

$

405,000,000

   

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

 

$

85,000,000

Limited Duration Fund

 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

1,048,723

   

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust

 

$

748,962

   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

$

172,104

Moderate Duration Fund

 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

131,580

   

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust

 

$

169,981

   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

$

266

Bond Fund

 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

1,503,770

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

$

3,144,721

   

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

$

2,603

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

$

88,627

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

$

146,188

Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various dealers is determined by the Adviser with respect to the Funds it serves based on its best judgment and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to Shareholders. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. Subject to this consideration, dealers who provide supplemental investment research to the Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the Funds. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of services required to be performed by the Adviser and does not reduce the advisory fees payable to the Adviser. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in serving both the Funds and other clients and, conversely, supplemental information obtained by the placement of business of other clients may be useful to such adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Funds.

The Funds will not execute portfolio transactions through, acquire portfolio securities issued by, make savings deposits in, or enter into repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements with the Adviser, the Distributor, or their affiliates except as may be permitted under the 1940 Act, and will not give preference to correspondents of an Adviser with respect to such transactions, securities, savings deposits, repurchase agreements, and reverse repurchase agreements.

Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those for the other Funds or any other investment company, trust fund or account managed by the Adviser. Any such other investment company or account may also invest in the same securities as the Funds. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of a given Fund and another Fund, investment company, trust fund or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price, and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which the Adviser believes to be

59

equitable to the Fund(s) and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained by a Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased by it for a Fund with those to be sold or purchased by it for other Funds or for other investment companies, trust funds or accounts in order to obtain best execution. As provided by the Investment Advisory Agreement, in making investment recommendations for the Funds, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Funds is a customer of the Adviser or their respective parents or subsidiaries or affiliates unless legally required to do so and, in dealing with its commercial customers, the Adviser and their respective parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers are held by the Funds.

ALLOCATION OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

Opportunities to invest in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) will be allocated to the Bond and Equity Funds in a fair and equitable manner pursuant to the following procedures. It is the policy of the Funds to participate in IPOs when deemed appropriate by the Adviser. The Adviser considers the suitability of the new holding for a particular strategy and the eligibility of the particular Fund. When an opportunity to participate in an IPO has been identified, the investment personnel of Cavanal Hill Investment Management will conduct an analysis to determine which strategies Cavanal Hill Investment Management manages, including which Funds, would benefit from the addition of the IPO to their portfolios. This analysis will take into account each Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations. Also considered will be each Fund’s liquidity and present portfolio, including risk/reward characteristics. When Cavanal Hill Investment Management investment personnel determine that an IPO opportunity is suitable for more than one strategy, the initial allocation among strategies, including the Funds, is determined by the Adviser based on a number of factors such as investment goals, current holdings, available cash, portfolio restrictions and the judgment of portfolio managers. Because the initial allocation is based on various factors, rather than strict mathematical formulas, allocation of any specific IPO offering may not result in proportional allocation across all strategies. Where the opportunity is determined to be suitable and desirable for only one Fund, the opportunity will be allocated solely to that Fund. The availability of opportunities to invest in IPOs is highly dependent on market conditions. Investing in IPOs may significantly affect the performance of a Fund.

Because an IPO is an equity security that is new to the public market, the value of IPOs may fluctuate dramatically. Therefore, IPOs have greater risks than other equity investments. Because of the cyclical nature of the IPO market, from time to time there may be limited or no IPOs in which a Fund can participate. Even when a Fund requests to participate in an IPO, there is no guarantee that a Fund will receive an allotment of shares in an IPO sufficient to satisfy a Fund’s desired participation. Due to the volatility of IPOs, these investments can have a significant impact on performance, which may be positive or negative.

ADMINISTRATOR

Cavanal Hill Investment Management serves as administrator (the “Administrator”) of each Fund pursuant to the Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), between the Trust and the Administrator. The Administrator assists in supervising all operations of each Fund.

Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator, directly or with the assistance of other service providers, has agreed to provide the Trust with regulatory reporting, to maintain office facilities for the Funds, to calculate contractual Trust expenses and control disbursements, to maintain the Funds’ financial accounts and records, and to furnish the Funds statistical and research data, data processing, clerical, accounting, and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Funds. The Administrator supervises the preparation of annual and semi-annual reports to the SEC, coordinates and supervises the preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns, prepares filings with state securities commissions, and generally assists in all aspects of the Funds’ operations other than those performed under the Investment Advisory, Custodian, Fund Accounting, and Transfer Agency Agreements. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities thereunder.

The Administrator receives a fee from each Fund for its services provided and expenses assumed pursuant to the Administration Agreement, calculated daily and paid monthly. Effective September 1, 2015, the fee was reduced from the annual rate of twenty one hundredths of one percent (0.20%) to eight one hundredths of one percent (0.08%) of each Bond and Equity Fund’s average daily net assets and from twelve one hundredths of one percent (0.12%) to five one hundredths of one percent (0.05%) of each Money Market Fund’s average daily net assets. The Administrator may periodically set its fees at less than the maximum allowable amount with respect to any Fund in order to increase the net income of one or more of the Funds available for distribution as dividends.

60

The following fees were paid to the Administrator by the Funds for management and administrative services for the fiscal years ended:

 

AUGUST 31, 2023

 

AUGUST 31, 2022

 

AUGUST 31, 2021

   

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

 

GROSS
FEES

 

AMOUNT
WAIVED/
REIMBURSED

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

642,938

 

$

 

$

478,346

 

$

 

$

542,512

 

$

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

$

1,216,647

 

$

714,508

 

$

1,046,613

 

$

 

$

980,437

 

$

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

31,265

 

$

1,144

 

$

52,270

 

$

1,728

 

$

71,394

 

$

2,023

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

12,711

 

$

456

 

$

18,056

 

$

491

 

$

22,961

 

$

642

Bond Fund

 

$

95,679

 

$

2,655

 

$

90,594

 

$

1,955

 

$

82,305

 

$

2,135

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

5,640

 

$

170

 

$

12,954

 

$

372

 

$

20,122

 

$

844

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

$

17,211

 

$

184

 

$

23,445

 

$

149

 

$

29,111

 

$

253

World Energy Fund

 

$

67,359

 

$

663

 

$

44,064

 

$

422

 

$

17,604

 

$

273

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

28,321

 

$

453

 

$

24,601

 

$

401

 

$

7,715

 

$

168

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

SUB-ADMINISTRATOR

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi Fund Services”) serves as Sub-Administrator to the Funds pursuant to an agreement between Cavanal Hill Investment Management and Citi Fund Services and performs certain administrative duties for the Trust. The fees paid to Citi Fund Services by the Adviser for such services come out of the Adviser’s administration fees and are not an additional charge to the Funds.

The Adviser pays Citi Fund Services the following annual fees:

Regulatory Administration Fee

 

$100,000 in the aggregate for all Funds

Financial Statements

 

$15,000 per Fund

Expense Payments

 

$7,500 per Fund

Tax Services

 

$7,500 per Fund

Portfolio Compliance (no manual processes)

   

First 5 Funds

 

$3,000 per Fund

Next 10 Funds

 

$2,500 per Fund

Treasurer Services

 

$75,000 in the aggregate for all Funds

PFO Services

 

$25,000 in the aggregate for all Funds

Form N-PORT

   

Tier 1

 

$11,500 per Fund

Tier 2

 

$14,000 per Fund

Tier 3

 

$18,000 per Fund

Sleeve Fee

 

$1,000 per sleeve

Liquidity Risk Management

   

Tier 1 (< 50 securities)

 

$2,000 per Fund

Tier 2 (50 – 500 securities)

 

$3,000 per Fund

Tier 3 (> 500 securities)

 

$4,000 per Fund

Money Market Fund Reporting

 

$5,000 per Money Market Fund

Daily Yield Support

 

$6,750 per Fund

Typesetting Fees

 

$1,500 per Fund

61

Under the Sub-Administration Agreement, the Adviser also pays out-of-pocket expenses and has the option to obtain optional services, including performance reporting services for specified fees.

The following fees were paid, after waivers, to the Sub-Administrator for the fiscal years ended:

 

AUGUST 31,
2023

 

AUGUST 31,
2022

 

AUGUST 31,
2021

U.S. Treasury Fund

 

$

230,954

 

$

214,017

 

$

240,843

Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

$

443,517

 

$

467,099

 

$

436,392

Limited Duration Fund

 

$

7,190

 

$

14,705

 

$

19,816

Moderate Duration Fund

 

$

2,931

 

$

5,058

 

$

6,371

Bond Fund

 

$

21,851

 

$

25,264

 

$

22,940

Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

$

1,309

 

$

3,647

 

$

5,602

Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund

 

$

3,984

 

$

6,562

 

$

8,089

World Energy Fund

 

$

15,448

 

$

12,226

 

$

4,958

Hedged Income Fund

 

$

6,491

 

$

6,852

 

$

2,216

DISTRIBUTOR

CHD serves as Distributor of each of the Funds pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Funds effective January 1, 2017, replacing BOKFS in such capacity. CHD is a subsidiary of BOK Financial and an affiliate of Cavanal Hill Investment Management, the Funds’ Adviser and Administrator, and BOKF, the Funds’ Custodian. CHD is located at One Williams Center, 15th Floor, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74172. Information regarding distribution services and compensation is provided in the section titled, “Distribution.”

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTANT AND COMPLIANCE SERVICES

Cash and securities owned by each of the Funds are held by BOKF as Custodian. BOKF’s principal business address is One Williams Center, Plaza SE, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74172. Under the Custodian Agreement, BOKF (i) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of each Fund; (ii) makes receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of each Fund; (iii) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Funds’ portfolio securities; (iv) responds to correspondence from security brokers and others relating to its duties; and (v) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the Funds’ operations. BOKF may, at its own expense, open and maintain a sub-custody account or accounts on behalf of the Funds, provided that it shall remain liable for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement.

Under the Custodian Agreement, the Funds have agreed to pay BOKF a custodian fee with respect to each Fund at an annual rate of one one-hundredths of one percent (0.01%) of such Fund’s average daily net assets. BOKF is also entitled to be reimbursed by the Funds for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of its duties under the Custodian Agreement. BOKF may periodically set its custodian fees at less than the maximum allowable amount with respect to a Fund to increase the Fund’s net income available for distribution as dividends. BOKF is a subsidiary of BOK Financial and an affiliate of Cavanal Hill Investment Management, the Funds’ Adviser and Administrator, and CHD, the Funds’ Distributor.

Effective March 15, 2016, FIS began serving as transfer agent to each of the Funds pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement with the Funds that was assigned to FIS’s predecessor by Citi Fund Services, with the Administrator’s consent. Under the Transfer Agency Agreement, FIS has agreed: (i) to issue and redeem Shares of the Funds; (ii) to address and mail all communications by the Funds to its Shareholders, including reports to Shareholders, dividend and distribution notices, and proxy material for its meetings of Shareholders; (iii) to respond to correspondence or inquiries by Shareholders and others relating to its duties; (iv) to maintain Shareholder accounts and certain sub-accounts; and (v) to make periodic reports to the Board concerning the Funds’ operations. FIS Investor Services LLC is located at 4249 Easton Way, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43219.

Under its Transfer Agency Agreement with the Trust, FIS receives an annual fee of $15,000 for each Class of the Funds (by CUSIP) and annual fees per account, including: $18 for Non-NSCC accounts, $11 for NSCC accounts, and $2 for closed accounts. FIS charges a monthly Profile II Services fee of $72 for each Class of the Funds (by CUSIP). FIS is also entitled to receive an annual per account fee of $15 for each IRA account. FIS is entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in providing services under the Transfer Agency Agreement.

62

Citi Fund Services serves as fund accountant and provides compliance services for each Fund pursuant to a Fund Accounting and Compliance Services Agreement with the Trust.

As fund accountant for the Funds, Citi Fund Services prices the Funds’ Shares, calculates the Funds’ NAV, and maintains the general ledger accounting records for each Fund. With respect to compliance services, Citi Fund Services provides infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund Compliance Program and makes available an employee to serve as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. Citi Fund Services pays the salary and other compensation earned by any such individuals as employees of Citi Fund Services.

The Funds pay Citi Fund Services a flat annual fee of $110,000 for compliance services and for accounting services, an annual fee based on the average daily net assets of the Trust as follows:

Assets

 

Rate

$0 to $2 Billion

 

0.0225

%

$2 to $4 Billion

 

0.0150

%

Over $4 Billion

 

0.0100

%

In addition, there is a $50,000 annual minimum fee applicable to each of the Funds and those Funds that are subject to fair value determinations pay an additional $5,000-$7,500 annually.

Citi Fund Services is also entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in providing services under the Fund Accounting Agreement. Citi Fund Services may periodically set its fund accounting fees at less than the maximum allowable amount with respect to a Fund in order to increase the Fund’s net income available for distribution as dividends.

PAYMENTS TO BOKF (AND ITS AFFILIATES)

The following is a summary of payments made to BOKF (and its affiliates) for the Cavanal Hill Funds for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023:

Payments to BOKF (and its affiliates)

 

Investment
Adviser

 

Administrator

 

Custodian

 

Shareholder
Servicing Fees

 

12b-1 Fees

Payments

 

$

3,309,047

 

$

2,142,614

 

$

403,867

 

$

10,159,039

 

$

7,220,263

Waivers

 

$

719,254

 

$

722,931

 

$

 

$

5,439,008

 

$

2,623,058

Net Payments (Reimbursements)

 

$

2,589,793

 

$

1,419,683

 

$

403,867

 

$

4,720,031

 

$

4,597,205

LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS   

None.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP, 191 W. Nationwide Blvd., Suite 500, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as independent registered public accountants for the Trust. KPMG LLP provides financial auditing services as well as certain tax return preparation services for the Trust.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers, PLLC 124 E. Fourth Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 are counsel to the Trust.

63

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Each Fund is a separate series of a Massachusetts business trust which was organized on October 1, 1987 and began active operations in August of 1990. The Declaration of Trust was filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 2, 1987 and authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of Shares, which are units of beneficial interest, with par value of $0.00001. The Trust currently comprises nine series of Shares, each Series represents interests in a Fund. The Trust offers A Class, Investor Class and Institutional Class Shares for the Limited Duration Fund, the Moderate Duration Fund, the Bond Fund, the Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund, the Ultra Short Tax-Free Income Fund, the World Energy Fund and the Hedged Income Fund. The Trust offers Administrative Class, Institutional Class, Select and Premier Class Shares for the U.S. Treasury Fund and the Government Securities Money Market Fund. The Trust also offers C Class Shares for the Equity Funds, other than the Hedged Income Fund. The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to divide or redivide any unissued Shares of the Trust into one or more additional series by setting or changing in any one or more respects their respective preferences, conversion or other rights, voting power, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption.

Shares have no subscription or preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, the Trust’s Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, Shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the Fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective series of the Trust, of any general assets not belonging to any particular Fund which are available for distribution.

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of each Fund affected by the matter. For purposes of determining whether the approval of a majority of the outstanding Shares of a Fund will be required in connection with a matter, a Fund will be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each Fund in the matter are identical (in which case the Shareholders of the Funds will vote in the aggregate), or that the matter does not affect any interest of the Fund (in which case no vote by the Shareholders of the Fund in question will be required). Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement or any change in investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a Fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding Shares of such Fund. Rule 18f-2, however, also provides that the ratification of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts, and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by Shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.

SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY

Under Massachusetts law, holders of units of beneficial interest in a business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides, however, that Shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the obligations of the Funds, and that every written agreement, obligation, instrument, or undertaking made by the Funds shall contain a provision to the effect that the Shareholders are not personally liable thereunder. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the trust property of any Shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Funds shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Funds, and shall satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of Shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Funds themselves would be unable to meet their obligations.

The Declaration of Trust states further that no Trustee, officer, or agent of the Funds shall be personally liable in connection with the administration or preservation of the assets of the Trust or the conduct of the Funds’ business; nor shall any Trustee, officer, or agent be personally liable to any person for any action or failure to act except for his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of his duties. The Declaration of Trust also provides that all persons having any claim against the Trustees or the Funds shall look solely to the assets of the Trust for payment.

64

MISCELLANEOUS

The Funds are not required to hold a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, except in circumstances where less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by Shareholders. Trustees may not, without Shareholder approval, appoint one or more Trustees if, following such appointment, less than two-thirds of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the Shareholders. In addition, the Funds have undertaken to hold a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any Trustee or Trustees when requested by the holders of Shares representing not less than 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust. A removal proposal at such a meeting would succeed if supported by the vote of the holders of (i) 67% or more of the Shares present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) 50% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, whichever is less. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that any action to be taken at a shareholder meeting may also be effected by a written consent. All actions with respect to the election and removal of Trustees are subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder. Except as set forth above, the Trustees may continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees.

The Trust is registered with the SEC as a management investment company. Such registration does not involve supervision by the SEC of the management or policies of the Trust.

The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be obtained from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.

The Prospectus and this SAI are not an offering of the securities herein described in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offering may not lawfully be made. No salesman, dealer, or other person is authorized to give any information or make any representation other than those contained in the Prospectus and SAI.

SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of the Funds. Further, a withdrawal of the investment of a control person could adversely affect the Funds.

65

As of December 1, 2023, BOKF, NA (Bank of Oklahoma Tower, One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102-2300) and its bank affiliates were the Shareholder of record of:

FUND

 

SHAREHOLDERS
OF RECORD (%)

Bond Funds

   

– Limited Duration Fund

   

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

10.73

Institutional Shares

 

46.23

– Moderate Duration Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

67.58

Institutional Shares

 

87.69

– Bond Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

72.20

Institutional Shares

 

89.05

– Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

44.13

– Ultra Short Tax Free Income Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

92.08

Equity Funds

 

– World Energy Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

C Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

24.59

– Hedged Income Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

81.67

Money Market Funds

 

– U.S. Treasury Fund

 

Administrative Shares

 

99.98

Institutional Shares

 

100.00

Select Shares

 

100.00

– Government Securities Money Market Fund

 

Administrative Shares

 

99.45

Institutional Shares

 

98.03

Premier Shares

 

0.00

Select Shares

 

93.74

66

As of December 1, 2023, BOKF, NA and its bank affiliates possessed, on behalf of its underlying accounts, voting or investment power with respect to:

FUND

 

SHAREHOLDERS
OF RECORD (%)

Bond Funds

   

– Limited Duration Fund

   

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

46.72

– Moderate Duration Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

79.58

– Bond Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

89.67

– Strategic Enhanced Yield Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

0.00

– Ultra Short Tax Free Income Fund

 

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

0.00

Equity Funds

 

– World Energy Fund

   

A Shares

 

0.00

C Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

24.40

– Hedged Income Fund

   

A Shares

 

0.00

Investor Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

82.78

Money Market Funds

   

– U.S. Treasury Fund

 

Administrative Shares

 

0.00

Institutional Shares

 

1.39

Select Shares

 

66.80

– Government Securities Money Market Fund

   

Administrative Shares

 

0.75

Institutional Shares

 

6.44

Premier Shares

 

0.00

Select Shares

 

62.30

     

67

As of December 1, 2023, the Trustees and Officers of the Funds, as a group, owned less than one percent of the Shares of each of the Funds.

The following table indicates each person known by the Funds to own beneficially five percent (5%) or more of the Shares of the Funds as of December 1, 2023:

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

LIMITED DURATION FUND — A SHARES

   

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

91.66%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

8.33%

LIMITED DURATION FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

54.48%

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
2000 WESTCHESTER AVE LD
PURCHASE, NY 10577-2530

 

12.61%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

12.22%

NABANK & CO

PO BOX 2180

TULSA, OK 74101

 

10.73%

LIMITED DURATION FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

46.23%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

38.06%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

13.90%

MODERATE DURATION FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

97.94%

68

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

MODERATE DURATION FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

67.58%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

12.17%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.

211 MAIN STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

6.82%

WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES, LLC
“HOLD AND REDEEM ONLY”
ONE NORTH JEFFERSON AVENUE
ST. LOUIS, MO 63103

 

5.07%

MODERATE DURATION FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO. 
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

87.69%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

7.73%

BOND FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

99.90%

BOND FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

72.20%

RUBYE BROWN
ROLLOVER IRA
1231 N. BOSTON AVE. 
TULSA, OK 74106

 

19.07%

BOND FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

89.05%

PERSHING, LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

9.61%

STRATEGIC ENHANCED YIELD FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

74.63%

69

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

25.32%

STRATEGIC ENHANCED YIELD FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

93.71%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

5.82%

STRATEGIC ENHANCED YIELD FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

44.13%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

29.16%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

13.04%

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY

C/O FIRST TENNESSEE BANK

ONE FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE

OAKS, PA 19456

 

7.52%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

5.33%

ULTRA SHORT TAX FREE INCOME FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING, LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

99.65%

ULTRA SHORT TAX FREE INCOME FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

82.70%

J.P MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
570 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310

 

16.04%

ULTRA SHORT TAX FREE INCOME FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NA BANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

92.08%

70

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

WORLD ENERGY FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING, LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

67.77%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

26.62%

WORLD ENERGY FUND — C SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

66.28%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

28.97%

WORLD ENERGY FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

44.22%

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

24.59%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

15.52%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

14.62%

WORLD ENERGY FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

83.52%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

5.25%

71

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

HEDGED INCOME FUND — A SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

95.90%

HEDGED INCOME FUND — INVESTOR SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

37.52%

CARL JAMES BODE IRA
918 W 86TH ST
TULSA, OK 74132-3543

 

30.45%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

29.13%

HEDGED INCOME FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

81.67%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

6.14%

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
2000 WESTCHESTER AVE LD
PURCHASE, NY 10577-2530

 

5.59%

LPL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
75 STATE STREET, 24TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02109

 

5.26%

U.S. TREASURY FUND — ADMINISTRATIVE SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

99.98%

U.S. TREASURY FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

100.00%

72

FUND CLASS

 

PERCENT OF THE CLASS
TOTAL ASSETS HELD BY THE
SHAREHOLDER

U.S. TREASURY FUND — SELECT SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

100.00%

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND — ADMINISTRATIVE SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

99.45%

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND — INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

   

NABANK & CO
PO BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

98.03%

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND — SELECT SHARES

   

NA BANK & CO
P.O. BOX 2180
TULSA, OK 74101

 

93.74%

PERSHING LLC

1 PERSHING PLAZA

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

6.26%

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES MONEY MARKET FUND — PREMIER SHARES

   

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07399

 

100.00%

73

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Financial Highlights, and Financial Statements included in the Cavanal Hill Funds’ Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, are incorporated by reference into this SAI. A copy of the Annual Report dated as of August 31, 2023 may be obtained without charge by contacting the Distributor, Cavanal Hill Distributors, Inc. at One Williams Center, 15th Floor, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74172, or by telephoning toll-free at 1-800-762-7085.

74

APPENDIX

The nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (individually, an “NRSRO”) that may be utilized by the Funds with regard to portfolio investments for the Funds include Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation Rating Services (“S&P”), Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), Morningstar, Kroll, and Dominion Bond Rating Service. Set forth below is a description of the relevant ratings of each NRSRO. The NRSROs that may be utilized by the Funds and the description of each NRSRO’s ratings is as of the date of this SAI, and may subsequently change.

LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS (may be assigned, for example, to corporate and municipal bonds)

Description of the Moody’s long-term debt ratings (Moody’s applies numerical modifiers (1, 2, and 3) to each rating classification to indicate the security’s ranking within the category. 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.):

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 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.

Description of the S&P long-term debt ratings (S&P may apply a plus (+) or minus (-) to a particular rating classification to show relative standing within that classification):

AAA

 

An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment 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 commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB

 

An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

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 which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

 

An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to adverse business, financial and economic conditions but currently has the capacity to meet financial commitments.

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CCC

 

An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable and dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet financial commitments.

CC

 

An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable.

C

 

An obligation rated “C” is subject to currently highly vulnerable obligations and other defined circumstances.

D

 

An obligation rated “D” is subject to payment default on financial commitments.

Description of the Fitch international long-term credit ratings (Fitch may apply a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” rating category.):

AAA

 

Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case 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 expectation 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 a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

 

Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default 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 default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B

 

Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC

 

Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC

 

Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C

 

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

RD

 

Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating.

D

 

Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Description of the Morningstar corporate credit ratings (Morningstar may apply a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative strength within rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” rating category.):

AAA

 

A rating of AAA is the highest letter-grade rating assigned by Morningstar. A rating of AAA indicates an extremely strong ability to make timely interest and principal payments.

AA

 

A rating of AA indicates a very strong ability to make timely interest and principal payments.

A

 

A rating of A indicates a strong ability to make timely interest and principal payments, but adverse changes in circumstances or conditions, such as adverse business or economic conditions, could influence that ability.

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BBB

 

A rating of BBB indicates the ability to make timely payments of interest and principal on or prior to a rated final distribution date, but adverse changes in circumstances or conditions, such as adverse business or economic conditions, could affect that ability.

BB

 

A rating of BB indicates the ability to make timely payments of interest and principal in the absence of various adverse circumstances or conditions such as adverse business or economic conditions. The vulnerability of securities rated BB to the previously mentioned conditions is greater than that of higher-rated issuers or securities.

B

 

A rating of B indicates a default has not yet occurred but the issuer or securities are vulnerable to challenging changes in environment, conditions, or circumstances. Issuers or securities rated B are more vulnerable to nonpayment of timely interest and principal than higher-rated issuers or securities.

CCC

 

A rating of CCC indicates a material likelihood of default and significant dependence on favorable business conditions to avoid default or capital restructuring. Forecast or actual losses may erode but have not yet eliminated available credit support.

CC

 

A rating of CC indicates a default has not yet occurred but the issuer or security is extremely dependent on favorable business conditions to avoid default or significant capital restructuring.

C

 

A rating of C indicates a default is expected in the very near term. Corporate issuers or securities will be rated C and placed on Watch Negative during a cure period for payments of interest and principal.

SD

 

A rating of SD indicates a selective default when an issuer has defaulted on one or more but not all of its debt obligations without entering bankruptcy.

D

 

A rating of D indicates that a default has occurred.

Description of the Kroll long-term credit ratings (Kroll may apply a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” rating category.):

AAA

 

Determined to have almost no risk of loss due to credit-related events. Assigned only to the very highest quality obligors and obligations able to survive extremely challenging economic events.

AA

 

Determined to have minimal risk of loss due to credit-related events. Such obligors and obligations are deemed very high quality.

A

 

Determined to be of high quality with a small risk of loss due to credit-related events. Issuers and obligations in this category are expected to weather difficult times with low credit losses.

BBB

 

Determined to be of medium quality with some risk of loss due to credit-related events. Such issuers and obligations may experience credit losses during stress environments.

BB

 

Determined to be of low quality with moderate risk of loss due to credit-related events. Such issuers and obligations have fundamental weaknesses that create moderate credit risk.

B

 

Determined to be of very low quality with high risk of loss due to credit-related events. These issuers and obligations contain many fundamental shortcomings that create significant credit risk.

CCC

 

Determined to be at substantial risk of loss due to credit-related events, or currently in default with high recovery expectations.

CC

 

Determined to be near default or in default with average recovery expectations.

C

 

Determined to be near default or in default with low recovery expectations.

D

 

KBRA defines default as occurring if:

1.      There is a missed interest or principal payment on a rated obligation which is unlikely to be recovered.

2.      The rated entity files for protection from creditors, is placed into receivership or is closed by regulators such that a missed payment is likely to result.

The rated entity seeks and completes a distressed exchange, where existing rated obligations are replaced by new obligations with a diminished economic value.

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Description of the Dominion Bond Rating Service long-term credit ratings (Dominion may apply a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” rating category.):

AAA

 

Highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

AA

 

Superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from AAA only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

A

 

Good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than AA. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

BBB

 

Adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

BB

 

Speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

B

 

Highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

CCC/
CC/C

 

Very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although CC and C ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default, or subordinated to obligations rated in the CCC to B range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the C category.

D

 

When the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS may also use SD (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”. See Default Definition for more information.

SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS (may be assigned, for example, to commercial paper, master demand notes, bank instruments, and letters of credit)

Moody’s description of its short-term debt 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 of short-term obligations.

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

S&P’s description of its 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 commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

 

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

A-3

 

A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

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B

 

A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of “B-1”, “B-2”, and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the “B” category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

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 commitment on the obligation.

D

 

A short-term obligation rated “D” is in payment default.

Description of the four highest international short-term credit ratings by Fitch (Fitch may apply a plus (+), or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to short-term ratings other than “F1”.):

F1

 

Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2

 

Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3

 

Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

B

 

Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

Description of the four highest short-term credit ratings by Kroll (Kroll may apply a plus (+), or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to short-term ratings other than “F1”.):

K1

 

Very strong ability to meet short-term obligations.

K2

 

Strong ability to meet short-term obligations.

K3

 

Adequate ability to meet short-term obligations.

B

 

Questionable ability to meet short-term obligations.

C

 

Little ability to meet short-term obligations.

D

 

KBRA defines default as occurring if:

1.    There is a missed interest or principal payment on a rated obligation which is unlikely to be recovered.

2.    The rated entity files for protection from creditors, is placed into receivership or is closed by regulators such that a missed payment is likely to result.

3.    The rated entity seeks and completes a distressed exchange, where existing rated obligations are replaced by new obligations with a diminished economic value.

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Description of the four highest short-term credit ratings by Dominion Bond Rating Service (Dominion may apply a plus (+), or minus (-) sign to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to short-term ratings other than “F1”.):

R-1
(high)

 

Highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

R-1
(mid)

 

Superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from R-1 (high) by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

R-1
(low)

 

Good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

R-2
(high)

 

Upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

R-2
(mid)

 

Adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

R-2
(low)

 

Lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

R-3

 

Lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

R-4

 

Speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

R-5

 

Highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

D

 

When the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods, a downgrade to D may occur. DBRS may also use SD (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”. See Default Definition for more information.

SHORT-TERM LOAN/MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS

Moody’s description of its two highest US Municipal short-term debt and demand obligations ratings:

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, though not as large as in the preceding group.

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 that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

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 that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

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