2.29.24 » Prospectus

 

WesMark Small Company Fund

»

WMKSX

WesMark Large Company Fund

»

WMKGX

WesMark Balanced Fund

»

WMBLX

WesMark Government Bond Fund

»

WMBDX

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

»

WMKMX

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

»

WMKTX

 

 

WesMark Funds (the “Trust”) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust has six separate investment portfolios (“Fund” or “Funds”). Each Fund offers its own shares and has a distinct investment program.

 

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Paper copies of the Fund shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from a Fund or from your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.wesmarkfunds.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with a Fund, you can call the Fund toll-free at 1-800-864-1013. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with a Fund.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you invest directly with a Fund, by enrolling at www.wesmarkfunds.com.

 

 

Table of Contents

 

February 29, 2024

 

   

Summary Sections:

 

WesMark Small Company Fund

2

WesMark Large Company Fund

6

WesMark Balanced Fund

10

WesMark Government Bond Fund

16

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

21

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

25

More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks:

 

What are the Funds’ Investment Strategies?

31

What are the Principal Securities in Which the Funds Invest?

37

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Funds?

42

Shareholder Information:

 

What do Shares Cost?

47

How are the Funds Sold?

48

How to Purchase Shares

49

How to Redeem and Exchange Shares

50

Account and Share Information

54

Who Manages the Funds?

57

Financial Highlights

58

 

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 1

 

 

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Small Company Fund

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark Small Company Fund (the Fund) seeks to achieve capital appreciation.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.75%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.22%

Acquired Fund Fees & Expenses

0.01%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.23%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$125

$390

$675

$1,487

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 48% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 80% of the value of its net assets in equity securities of small capitalization companies. In creating a diversified portfolio of investments in small-sized companies, WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), defines small companies as companies that do not exceed the market capitalizations of the Russell 2000® Index (Russell 2000), or the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600® Index (S&P 600) at the time of purchasing a security. As of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the Russell 2000 ranged from approximately $16.7 million to $27.93 billion, and as of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the S&P 600 ranged from approximately $219.85 million to $7.76 billion.

 

The Adviser seeks to select common stocks of companies with characteristics such as above-average earnings growth potential or where significant company or industry changes are taking place, such as new products, services, methods of distribution, or overall business restructuring. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies. The Fund may purchase exchange traded funds (ETFs) or other investment companies, in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets (which may include emerging markets) or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may also purchase American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies.

 

For additional information on the Fund’s investment strategies, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

» 2

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Small Company Fund

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Stock Market Risks:

The value of equity securities rise and fall. The portfolio of a Fund investing in equity securities will reflect changes in prices of individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio. Consequently, the Fund’s share price may decline.

Risks Related to Investing for Growth:

Growth stocks depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks.

Risks Related to Company Size:

The smaller the capitalization of a company, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price.

Liquidity Risks:

A Fund may not be able to sell a security when it wants. Liquidity risk may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

Sector Risks:

Certain market sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Risks of Foreign Investing:

Political, social, currency-rate fluctuations, and economic instability within foreign countries may cause the value of the Fund’s foreign investments to decline.

Risks of Emerging Markets:

Investments in emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing; however, these risks may be magnified in emerging markets. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Generally, countries are considered emerging markets if they are included in any one of the MSCI emerging markets indices.

Exchange-Traded Funds Risks:

ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds:

» the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below their net asset value;

» an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or

» trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate.

Investing in ETFs may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund, because the Fund and its shareholders will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s fees and expenses.

Risks of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers:

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies, and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, Inc., and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 3

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Small Company Fund

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information for the Fund is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

Year

 

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 30.78% (quarter ended 6/30/2020). Its lowest quarterly return was -22.28% (quarter ended 3/31/2020).

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark Small Company Fund

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Return Before Taxes

19.46%

13.96%

7.67%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

17.83%

11.71%

5.75%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

12.64%

11.10%

5.85%

Russell 2000® Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

16.93%

9.97%

7.16%

Lipper Small Cap Core Funds Average (LSCCFA)

15.68%

10.86%

7.11%

 

The Russell 2000® measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. The Russell 2000® is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses, or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

» 4

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Small Company Fund

 

The information presented for the LSCCFA is the average of the total returns of the 30 largest qualifying mutual funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Small-Cap classification. Lipper averages do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

An investment team led by Robert McGee, Senior Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. McGee has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2024.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling, WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of the Fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Fund are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 5

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Large Company Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark Large Company Fund (the Fund) seeks to achieve capital appreciation.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.75%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.12%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.12%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$114

$356

$617

$1,362

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 80% of the value of its net assets in equity securities of large capitalization companies. In creating a diversified portfolio of investments in large-sized companies, WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), defines large companies as companies within the market capitalization range of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (S&P 500), at the time of purchasing a security. As of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the S&P 500 ranged from approximately $4.89 billion to $2.95 trillion.

 

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), seeks to invest in companies that are expected to achieve higher than average profitability ratios such as operating profit margin or return on equity, have characteristics to generate above average sustainable growth while trading at reasonable valuations. The Adviser relies on fundamental analysis, which involves a bottom-up assessment of a company’s potential for success in light of factors including its financial condition, earnings outlook, strategy, management, industry position, and economic and market conditions. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks, and exchange traded funds (ETFs)and other investment companies. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies. The Fund may purchase ETFs or other investment companies in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets (which may include emerging markets) or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may also purchase American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and other

 

» 6

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Large Company Fund

 

domestically traded securities of foreign companies. The Adviser attempts to add value through security selection, industry allocation, and the research process while monitoring risk. For additional information on the Fund’s investment strategies, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Stock Market Risks:

The value of equity securities rise and fall. The portfolio of a Fund investing in equity securities will reflect changes in prices of individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio. Consequently, the Fund’s share price may decline.

Risks Related to Investing for Growth:

Growth stocks depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks.

Liquidity Risks:

A Fund may not be able to sell a security when it wants. Liquidity risk may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

Sector Risks:

Certain market sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Risks of Foreign Investing:

Political, social, currency-rate fluctuations, and economic instability within foreign countries may cause the value of the Fund’s foreign investments to decline.

Risks of Emerging Markets:

Investments in emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing; however, these risks may be magnified in emerging markets. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Generally, countries are considered emerging markets if they are included in any one of the MSCI emerging markets indices.

Exchange-Traded Funds Risks:

ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds:

» the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below their net asset value;

» an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or

» trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate.

Investing in ETFs may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund, because the Fund and its shareholders will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s fees and expenses

Risks of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers:

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies, and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

Risks of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

The Funds’ exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments, either directly or indirectly, through another investment company, may involve risks different from or possibly greater than the risk associated with investing directly in a security instead of the derivative. Risks include: 1) the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security or may correlate inversely; 2) any potential risk reduction may be offset with gain limitations; 3) derivatives may be difficult to price, thus involving additional payments by the Funds; 4) possible adverse tax consequences; and 5) other risks, such as but not limited to, stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity, and leverage risks.

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 7

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Large Company Fund

 

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, Inc., and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

 

Year

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 25.53% (quarter ended 6/30/2020). Its lowest quarterly return was -19.18% (quarter ended 3/31/2020).

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

» 8

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Large Company Fund

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark Large Company Fund

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Return Before Taxes

21.94%

14.06%

9.38%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

19.83%

11.93%

7.60%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

14.44%

11.04%

7.28%

S&P 500® Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

26.27%

15.68%

12.02%

Lipper Large- Cap Core Funds Average (LLCCFA)

24.34%

14.64%

10.86%

 

The S&P 500® measures the performance of 500 large-cap U.S. companies. The S&P 500 is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, it is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The information presented for the LLCCFA is the average of the total returns of the 30 largest qualifying mutual funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Large-Cap classification. Lipper averages do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

An investment team led by Robert McGee, Senior Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. McGee has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2024.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, c/o WesBanco Bank, Inc., One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether or not shares of the Fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Fund are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The Fund distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 9

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Balanced Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to achieve capital appreciation and income.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.75%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.24%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.24%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$126

$393

$681

$1,498

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in a mix of equity, fixed-income, and money market investments. The Fund’s portfolio is constructed by WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), using an asset allocation process. The Adviser first determines the percentage of the Fund’s portfolio to invest in equity securities, the percentage to invest in fixed-income securities, and the percentage to invest in money market investments. The percentage ranges of securities in each asset class are: equity securities 30-70%; fixed-income securities 30-70%; and money market investments 0-40%. The Adviser will then select securities for each asset class. Within the equity allocation, the Adviser may use a blend of styles in selecting stocks, i.e., stocks may be selected for their growth characteristics, or value characteristics, or both. In addition, the Adviser may consider the income potential of a security resulting in an equity allocation that may be overweight in sectors that pay dividends.

 

The Adviser anticipates investing the equity allocation primarily in the equity securities of domestic companies with large and medium market capitalizations. However, the Adviser may also invest a portion of the equity allocation in American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, exchange traded funds (ETFs) or other investment companies that invest in foreign securities (which may include emerging markets), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and equity securities of companies with small market capitalizations. Also, in an effort to increase the income of the Fund, the Fund may sell call options on equity securities held in the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may buy a put option on one or more securities held in the Fund in an effort to protect unrealized gains in such securities or to protect against downside losses in such securities. Within the fixed-income allocation, the Adviser primarily selects U.S. dollar denominated, primarily investment-grade, fixed income securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Balanced Fund

 

fixed income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive. The Adviser expects that, normally, no more than 15% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities that are rated below investment grade. However, the Fund may opportunistically invest up to 25% of its total assets in noninvestment-grade debt securities (e.g. “junk bonds”). Investment-grade fixed-income securities are rated in one of the four highest categories (BBB- or higher) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). Noninvestment-grade fixed-income securities are rated in one of the six lowest categories (BB or lower) by a NRSRO, or in either case if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser (e.g. “junk bonds”). The Adviser seeks to enhance the Fund’s performance by allocating relatively more of its fixed-income allocation to the sector that the Adviser expects to offer the best balance between total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential for return. The Adviser may lengthen or shorten duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but the Fund has no set duration parameters. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. Certain of the government securities in which the Fund invests are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. These entities are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund may also invest in government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”). Finally, the Fund may invest in government securities that are issued by entities whose activities are sponsored by the federal government but that have no explicit financial support. Within the money market allocation, the Adviser may invest in money market funds, repurchase agreements or other short-term, high-quality, fixed-income securities issued by banks, corporations and the U.S. government.

 

The Fund may purchase ETFs, or other investment companies, in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector to achieve exposure to foreign markets, or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices.

 

For additional information on the Fund’s investment strategies, please see the section “More about the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Principal Risks of the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Stock Market Risks:

The value of equity securities rise and fall. The portfolio of a Fund investing in equity securities will reflect changes in prices of individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio. Consequently, the Fund’s share price may decline.

Risks Related to Investing For Growth:

Growth stocks depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks.

Risks Related to Investing For Value:

Value stocks depend less on price changes for returns and may lag behind growth stocks in an up market.

Risks Related to Company Size:

The smaller the capitalization of a company, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price.

Credit Risks:

The possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due.

Interest Rate Risks:

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

 

Risk Related to Complex CMOs:

CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks.

Call Risks:

An issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity at a price below its current market price.

 

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WesMark Balanced Fund

 

Prepayment Risks:

The relative volatility of mortgage backed securities is due to the likelihood of prepayments which increase in a declining interest rate environment and decrease in a rising interest rate environment.

Currency Risks:

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.

Liquidity Risks:

A Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out of an investment when it wants. Liquidity risk may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

Sector Risks:

Certain market sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Risks of Foreign Investing:

Political, social, currency-rate fluctuations and economic instability within foreign countries may cause the value of the Fund’s foreign investments to decline.

Risks of Emerging Markets:

Investments in emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing; however, these risks may be magnified in emerging markets. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Generally, countries are considered emerging markets if they are included in any one of the MSCI emerging markets indices.

Exchange-Traded Funds Risks:

ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds:

» the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below their net asset value;

» an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or

» trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate.

Investing in ETFs may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund, because the Fund and its shareholders will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s fees and expenses.

Risks of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers:

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

Risks of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

The Funds’ exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments, either directly or indirectly through another investment company, may involve risks different from or possibly greater than the risk associated with investing directly in a security instead of the derivative. Risks include: 1) the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security or may correlate inversely; 2) any potential risk reduction may be offset with gain limitations; 3) derivatives may be difficult to price, thus involving additional payments by the Funds; 4) possible adverse tax consequences; and 5) other risks, such as but not limited to, stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity, and leverage risks.

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Balanced Fund

 

Risks of Investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Investments in REITs are subject to many of the same risks as direct investments in real estate. Generally, a REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns and on how well the REIT manages its properties. The value of a REIT may also be affected by changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates could cause the value of an equity REIT to decline. Additionally, a REIT may fail to qualify for tax-exempt status under the IRC.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, Inc., and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

Year

 

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 10.19% (quarter ended 6/30/2020). Its lowest quarterly return was -14.89% (quarter ended 3/31/2020).

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of any applicable state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

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WesMark Balanced Fund

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark Balanced Fund

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Returns Before Taxes

4.98%

7.36%

5.71%

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

3.76%

6.11%

4.52%

Returns after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

3.96%

5.68%

4.37%

S&P 500® Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

26.27%

15.68%

12.02%

Barclays Capital Intermediate U. S. Government/Credit Index (BCIGCI) (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

5.24%

1.59%

1.72%

Balanced Composite Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

17.86%

10.04%

7.90%

Lipper Balanced Funds Average (LBFA)

12.85%

7.20%

5.31%

 

The S&P 500® measures the performance of 500 large-cap U.S. companies. The S&P 500 is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, it is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index

 

The BCIGCI is an unmanaged market value weighted performance index for government and corporate fixed rate debt issues with maturities between one and ten years. The BCIGCI is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Balanced Composite Index is an unmanaged index, comprised 60% S&P 500® and 40% BCIGCI, and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. The Balanced Composite Index is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index or average.

 

The information presented for the LBFA is the average of the total returns of the 30 largest U.S. Balanced Funds. Lipper averages do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

An investment team led by Robert McGee, Senior Vice President of the Adviser, and including Steven Kellas, Executive Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. Kellas has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2013, and Mr. McGee has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2024.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Balanced Fund

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of the Fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Funds are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid monthly. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark Government Bond Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark Government Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to achieve high current income consistent with preservation of capital.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.60%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.16%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.01%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.02%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$104

$325

$563

$1,247

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 72% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury securities as well as securities of U.S. government sponsored entities, (GSE). The Fund’s portfolio may also include investment-grade corporate debt securities and certain taxable securities issued by municipal entities such as Build America Bonds. The Fund does not invest in noninvestment-grade corporate debt securities (e.g. “junk bonds”) as part of its principal investment strategy.

 

Certain GSE securities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. These entities are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund may also invest in GSE securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Finally, the Fund may invest in a few GSE securities that have no explicit financial support, but which are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. Such securities include those issued by the Farm Credit System and the Financing Corporation.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Government Bond Fund

 

The Fund may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) issued by U.S. governmental or government related enterprises. The Fund’s investment in CMO’s may be significant. CMOs have various call features and may be issued in multiple classes, with each class having a specific coupon rate and stated maturity or final distribution date. The Adviser invests in CMOs in an attempt to increase the Fund’s return by taking advantage of current and potential yield differentials existing from time to time between CMOs and other mortgage-backed or federal agency securities.

 

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), selects securities with longer or shorter durations based on its interest rate outlook, but does not target any specific duration for the Fund. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in securities with any maturity.

 

Because the Fund refers to U.S. government bonds in its name, it will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policies that would enable the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in U.S. government fixed-income securities.

 

For additional information on the Fund’s investment strategies, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Credit Risks:

The possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due.

Interest Rate Risks:

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

Risks Related to Complex CMOs:

CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms generally entail greater market, prepayment, and liquidity risks.

Call Risks:

An issue may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity at a price below its current market price.

Prepayment Risks:

The relative volatility of mortgage–backed securities is due to the likelihood of prepayments which increase in a declining interest rate environment and decrease in a rising interest rate environment.

Liquidity Risks:

A Fund may not be able to sell a security when it wants.

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark Government Bond Fund

 

Government Sponsored Entities Risk:

Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity (GSE) acting under federal authority. Some GSE securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. These include the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Small Business Administration, Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, Farmer’s Home Administration, Federal Financing Bank, General Services Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Bonds. Investors generally regard agency securities as having low credit risks, but not as low as Treasury securities.

 

Other GSE securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Tennessee Valley Authority in support of such obligations.

 

Since 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have operated under a conservatorship administered by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

LIBOR Risk:

Certain of the Fund’s underlying investments may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR. The London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, is a benchmark that serves as the interest rate on loans and financial instruments globally. Plans are underway to phase out the use of LIBOR. Currently LIBOR is anticipated to be discontinued on June 30, 2023. Any replacement rate chosen may be less favorable than the current LIBOR rates. Until it ceases publication, the Fund may continue to invest in assets that may reference LIBOR or otherwise use LIBOR. While it is not possible to predict the effect of any replacement rates or other reforms to LIBOR on the securities held by the Fund, the Adviser seeks to invest in securities where it believes there is a well-defined transition process to an alternative rate and believes that the transition to the alternative rate will not materially impair the value of the security.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, Inc., and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Government Bond Fund

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and show how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

Year

 

The Fund changed its investment strategy on May 31, 2006 and the prior performance shown is a result of the prior investment strategy which did not require the Fund to normally invest at least 80% of its assets in U.S. government fixed-income securities.

 

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 7.10% (quarter ended 9/30/2023). Its lowest quarterly return was -5.92% (quarter ended 3/31/2022).

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark Government Bond Fund

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Returns Before Taxes

2.71%

-1.86%

-0.11%

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

1.34%

-2.69%

-0.93%

Returns after Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

1.58%

-1.72%

-0.41%

Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index (BCIGCI) (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

5.24%

1.59%

1.72%

Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Average (LIGFA)

3.90%

0.35%

0.94%

Lipper General U.S. Government Funds Average (LGUSFA)

3.38%

0.03%

0.90%

 

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark Government Bond Fund

 

 

The BCIGCI is an unmanaged market value weighted performance index for government and corporate fixed rate debt issues with maturities between one and ten years. The BCIGCI is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The information presented for the LIGFA is the average of the total returns of funds designated by Lipper as falling into the category of funds that invest primarily in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities, with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. Lipper averages do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

The information presented for the LGUSFA is the average total returns of funds designated by Lipper as falling into the category of funds that invest primarily in U.S. government and agency issues. Lipper averages do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

An investment team led by Robert McGee, Senior Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. McGee has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2024.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of the Fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Fund are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and capital gains unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

» 20

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) seeks to achieve current income which is exempt from federal income tax and the income taxes imposed by the State of West Virginia.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.60%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.25%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.10%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$112

$350

$606

$1,339

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 6% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in a professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade securities issued by the State of West Virginia and its political subdivisions, agencies and authorities, and other issuers, such as possessions or territories of the United States, the interest of which is exempt from federal income tax, federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and West Virginia income tax. The Adviser may lengthen or shorten the Fund’s duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but the Fund has no set duration parameters. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in non-West Virginia municipal bonds, if in the judgment of the Adviser, the supply or yield of such securities would be beneficial to the Fund. For additional information on the Fund’s investment strategies, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Credit Risks:

The possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due.

Interest Rate Risks:

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes to interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

Call Risks:

An issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity at a price below its current market price.

Liquidity Risks:

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that are not widely held.

Credit Enhancement Risks:

Downgrading the credit quality of a credit enhancement provider, such as a bank or bond insurer, may adversely affect the Fund.

Sector Risks:

Certain market sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Tax Risks:

Changes in federal tax laws may cause the prices of tax-exempt securities to fall.

Non-Diversification Risks:

Compared to diversified mutual funds, a non-diversified fund may invest a higher percentage of its assets among fewer issuers of portfolio securities. This increases the Fund’s risk by magnifying the impact (positively or negatively) that any one issuer has on the Fund’s share price and performance.

West Virginia Risks:

The portfolio may include securities issued by issuers located in West Virginia. West Virginia’s economy is heavily dependent upon certain industries such as coal mining, natural gas, manufacturing, and tourism. Therefore, any downturn in these and other industries may adversely affect the economy of West Virginia and the issuers located in that state.

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

» 22

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

Year

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 8.46% (quarter ended 9/30/2023). Its lowest quarterly return was -5.13% (quarter ended 3/31/2022).

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Return Before Taxes

4.29%

0.93%

1.79%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

4.28%

0.91%

1.79%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

3.37%

1.14%

1.84%

Barclays Capital Municipal Bond 5 Year Total Return Index (BCM51) (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

4.31%

1.75%

1.87%

Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Funds Average (LIMDFA)

5.52%

1.93%

2.28%

 

The BCM5I is an unmanaged market value weighted performance index for major municipal bonds of all quality ratings with an average maturity of approximately five years. BCM5I is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses, or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 23

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

 

The LIMDFA is an unmanaged index of funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. These figures do not reflect sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an average.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

Steven Kellas, Executive Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. Kellas has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since September 2006.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of a particular fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Fund are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. It is anticipated that the Fund distributions will be primarily dividends that are exempt from federal income tax, although a portion of the Fund’s dividends may not be exempt. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The interest earned by the municipal securities owned by the Fund generally remains free from federal regular income tax and is often free from West Virginia income taxes as well. However, some of the Fund’s income may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax, state and/or local taxes.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

» 24

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund (the Fund) seeks to achieve capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

0.75%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

Shareholder Services Fee*

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.39%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.15%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursements

1.54%

 

*

The shareholder services fee will be paid to financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Adviser, for the provision of certain shareholder services.

 

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.

 

Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

 

$157

$468

$839

$1,832

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 39% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund pursues its investment objective by utilizing a tactical allocation strategy. The Fund primarily invests in a mix of equity and fixed income securities, and may also invest in commodity related investments. While the Adviser has wide latitude to adjust the equity and fixed income allocations of the Fund, it is expected that during normal market conditions that the Fund’s allocation to equities or fixed income investments will not exceed 85% of the Fund’s assets. Also, in an effort to increase the income of the Fund, the Fund may sell call options on securities held in the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may buy a put option on one or more securities held in the Fund in an effort to protect unrealized gains in such securities, or to protect against downside losses in such securities.

 

With respect to its investment in equity securities, the Fund may invest in large cap stocks, small- and mid-cap stocks and international equity securities (including emerging market equity securities). With respect to its investment in fixed income securities, the Fund may invest in domestic or foreign securities, corporate or sovereign, and of any quality or duration. The Adviser selects securities with longer or shorter durations based on its assessment of market conditions, but does not target any specific duration for the fixed-income portion of the Fund. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. The Fund anticipates that it will predominately invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in order to achieve exposure to the underlying investments. In selecting ETFs for purchase by a Fund, the Adviser considers the securities index in which the ETF seeks to track, the trading liquidity of the ETF, the securities in which the ETF invests, and whether or not the ETF permits investment companies to invest in ETFs to a greater extent than normally permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may also invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of financial institutions

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

which are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indices. The Fund will generally invest in ETNs which are linked to commodities indices; however, investing in ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself, and the Fund would be subject to the credit risk of the financial institution issuing the ETN.

 

The portfolio management team will determine the Fund’s asset allocation mix based upon the Adviser’s view of markets, economic cycles, and intermediate-term trends. The Adviser then implements its asset allocation mix by tactically selecting investments based upon a number of different factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic environment, business cycle, equity market fundamentals, and valuation and interest rates. Also, as market changes and fundamentals dictate the Adviser will make modifications to the overall allocations within the Fund. Such modifications to the Fund’s asset allocation mix may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than other mutual funds which can increase the transaction costs incurred by the Fund.

 

The Fund may be appropriate for investors with long-term time horizons who are not sensitive to short-term losses and seek to participate in the long-term growth of the financial markets.

 

The Adviser anticipates investing its cash balance in investments such as money market funds, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and short-term U.S. government agency and/or Treasury securities.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The loss of money is a risk of investing in this Fund. Other principal risks of investing in the Fund are below.

 

Stock Market Risks:

The value of equity securities rise and fall. The portfolio of a Fund investing in equity securities will reflect changes in prices of individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio. Consequently, the Fund’s share price may decline.

Risks Related to Investing For Growth:

Growth stocks depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks.

Risks Related to Investing For Value:

Value stocks depend less on price changes for returns and may lag behind growth stocks in an up market.

Risks Related to Company Size:

The smaller the capitalization of a company, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price.

Credit Risks:

The possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due.

Interest Rate Risks:

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

Risk Related to Complex CMOs:

CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks.

Call Risks:

An issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity at a price below its current market price.

 

Prepayment Risks:

The relative volatility of mortgage backed securities is due to the likelihood of prepayments which increase in a declining interest rate environment and decrease in a rising interest rate environment.

Currency Risks:

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.

Liquidity Risks:

A Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out of an investment when it wants. Liquidity risk may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

Sector Risks:

Certain market sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.

Risks of Foreign Investing:

Political, social, currency-rate fluctuations, and economic instability within foreign countries may cause the value of the Fund’s foreign investments to decline.

 

» 26

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

Risks of Emerging Markets:

Investments in emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing; however, these risks may be magnified in emerging markets. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Generally, countries are considered emerging markets if they are included in any one of the MSCI emerging markets indices.

Exchange-Traded Funds Risks:

ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds:

» the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below their net asset value;

» an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or

» trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate.

Investing in ETFs may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund, because the Fund and its shareholders will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s fees and expenses

Risks of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers:

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

Commodity Risk:

Because the Fund may invest in instruments (including ETFs or ETNs) whose performance is linked to the price of an underlying Commodity (including precious metals such as gold) or commodity index, the Fund may be subject to the risks of investing in physical commodities. These types of risks include regulatory, economic and political developments, weather events and natural disasters, pestilence, market disruptions, and the fact that commodity prices may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

 

The Fund’s investment in commodities could cause the Fund to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. It is the intent of the Fund to maintain its RIC status, and as such, the Fund will seek to manage its investment in commodities in an effort to continue to qualify as a RIC. However, there are no assurances it will be successful in doing so.

Manager Risk:

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

Market Risk:

The Fund may incur losses due to political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the market(s) generally. Local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health crises, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and market volatility. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts yet to unfold, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises that may arise in the future – could negatively affect economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen.

Risks of Investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Investments in REITs are subject to many of the same risks as direct investments in real estate. Generally, a REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns and on how well the REIT manages its properties. The value of a REIT may also be affected by changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates could cause the value of an equity REIT to decline. Additionally, a REIT may fail to qualify for tax-exempt status under the IRC.

 

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Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

Risks of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

The Funds’ exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments, either directly or indirectly, through another investment company, may involve risks different from or possibly greater than the risk associated with investing directly in a security instead of the derivative. Risks include: 1) the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security or may correlate inversely; 2) any potential risk reduction may be offset with gain limitations; 3) derivatives may be difficult to price, thus involving additional payments by the Funds; 4) possible adverse tax consequences; and 5) other risks, such as but not limited to, stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity, and leverage risks.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year, as well as within a given year. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term gains by the Fund, which, when distributed to common shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition, a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund.

 

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank, including WesBanco Bank, and is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

 

For more information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section “More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks” beginning on page 31 of this prospectus.

 

Fund Performance

The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The Risk/Return Bar Chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information is available at www.wesmarkfunds.com or by calling 1-800-864-1013.

 

Risk/Return Bar Chart

For the periods ended December 31:

Year

 

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 13.04% (quarter ended 6/30/2020). Its lowest quarterly return was -18.22% (quarter ended 3/31/2020).

 

» 28

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return After Taxes is shown to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. Actual after-tax returns depend on each investor’s personal tax situation, and are likely to differ from those shown. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of any applicable state and local taxes. Actual after tax returns depend on an investors tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors holding Fund shares through tax-deferred programs such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA.

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023:

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

1 Year

5 Year

Since Inception
2/28/2017

Return Before Taxes

7.10%

6.23%

4.93%

Return After Taxes on Distributions

6.91%

4.91%

3.28%

Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

4.37%

4.55%

3.56%

HFRI Fund of Funds Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s re-turns.)

6.35%

5.14%

3.25%

Balanced Composite Index (Does not reflect fees, expenses or taxes, which, if applied, would reduce the Index’s returns.)

12.85%

7.20%

5.31%

Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds

11.79%

6.65%

4.71%

 

The Hedge Fund Research, Inc. (HFRI) Fund of Funds Composite Index is an equal weighted index that consists of over 800 constituent hedge funds, including both domestic and offshore funds. The HFRI is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses, or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Balanced Composite Index is comprised of a combination of 60% of MSCI All World Index (“ACWI”) 30% Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index and 10% of HFRI Fund of Funds Index. The Balanced Composite Index is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses, or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds is an unmanaged index of funds that allocate their investments to both domestic and foreign securities across traditional asset classes with a focus on total return. The traditional asset classes utilized are common stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses, or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

Management

Investment Adviser

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc., serves as the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

An investment team led by Robert McGee, Senior Vice President of the Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. McGee has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2024.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 29

 

 

Summary Sections

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shareholders may purchase or redeem Fund shares on any business day by contacting 1-800-864-1013; by writing to WesMark Funds Shareholder Services, One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor, Wheeling WV 26003; or via the Fund’s website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. If you wish to purchase or redeem shares through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $1,000 unless your investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in the Fund must be in the amount of at least $100. Shares of the Fund are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of a particular fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com or call 1-800-864-1013 for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Fund are registered.

 

Tax Information

Dividends of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. The Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. The Fund distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

» 30

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

What are the Funds’ Investment Strategies?

 

WesMark Small Company Fund

Investment Objective

The WesMark Small Company Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Implementation of Investment Objectives

The Fund normally will invest at least 80%of its net assets in investments in small companies. The Adviser seeks to select common stocks of companies with characteristics such as above-average earnings growth potential or where significant company or industry changes are taking place, such as new products, services ,methods of distribution, or overall business restructuring. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or other investment companies, in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets (which may include emerging markets) or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may also purchase American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies.

 

Opportunities are identified in growth industries and more mature industries for investment by the Adviser. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies. The Fund may purchase shares of exchange traded funds (ETFs) or shares of other investment companies. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may invest in ETFs or in other investment companies in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets (including emerging markets), or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy.

 

The Adviser anticipates investing its cash balances in investments such as money market funds, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and short-term U.S. government agency and Treasury securities.

 

The Fund under normal circumstances will invest at least 80% of its net assets in investments in small companies. In creating a diversified portfolio of equity securities of small-sized companies, the Adviser will define small companies as companies that do not exceed the market capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2000® or the S&P SmallCap 600® (the “S&P 600”) at the time of purchasing a security. These indices are unmanaged, broad-based capitalization-weighted indexes representing all major industries in the small-cap sector of the U.S. stock market. As of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the Russell 2000 ranged from approximately $219.85 million to $7.76 billion, and as of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the S&P 600 ranged from approximately $219.85 million to $7.76 billion. The capitalization ranges of the indexes frequently change as the market value of the stocks that comprise the indexes change or as stocks are added or removed from the indices. If a company is within the capitalization range of an index at the time of investment, but subsequently falls outside the index range, the Fund will not be required to sell such company’s security.

 

Because the Fund refers to small company investments in its name, it will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policies that would permit the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in investments in small companies.

 

Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

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WESMARK LARGE COMPANY FUND

Investment Objective

The WesMark Large Company Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Implementation of Investment Objectives

The Fund pursues its investment objective primarily by selecting equity securities of large capitalization companies. In creating a diversified portfolio of investments in large-sized companies, WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), defines large companies as companies within the market capitalization range of the S&P 500, at the time of purchasing a security. As of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of the S&P 500 ranged from approximately $4.89 billion to $2.95 trillion.

 

WesBanco Investment Department, a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. (the Adviser), seeks to invest in companies that are expected to achieve higher than average profitability ratios such as operating profit margin or return on equity, have characteristics to generate above average sustainable growth while trading at reasonable valuations. The Adviser relies on fundamental analysis, which involves a bottom-up assessment of a company’s pot entail for success in light of factors including its financial condition, earnings outlook, strategy, management, industry position, and economic and market conditions. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks, and exchange traded funds (ETFs)and other investment companies. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies. The Fund may purchase ETFs or other investment companies in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets (which may include emerging markets) or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may also purchase American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies. The Adviser attempts to add value through security selection, industry allocation, and the research process while monitoring risk.

 

Most often, these companies will be considered as “large-” or “mid-” capitalization companies. The Adviser’s investment approach is based on its conviction that, over the long term, the economy will continue to expand and develop and that this economic growth will be reflected in the growth of the revenues and earnings of publicly held corporations. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks. The Fund will invest primarily in securities issued by domestic companies.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of ETFs or of other investments companies. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may invest in ETFs or in other investment companies in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets, or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy.

 

In an effort to increase the income of the Fund, the Fund may sell call options on equity securities held in the Fund. This would have the effect of limiting the upside of the equity securities subject to such call options in exchange for receipt of premium income. Additionally, the Fund may buy a put option on one or more securities held in the Fund in an effort to protect unrealized gains in such securities or to protect against downside losses in such securities. This would have the effect of limiting the downside of the equity securities subject to such put options in exchange for the payment of a premium.

 

The Adviser anticipates investing its cash balances in investments such as money market funds, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and short-term U.S. government agency and Treasury securities.

 

Because the Fund refers to large company investments in its name, it will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policies that would permit the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in investments in large companies.

 

Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

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WESMARK BALANCED FUND

Investment Objective

The WesMark Balanced Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation and income.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Implementation of Investment Strategies

The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in a mix of equity, fixed-income and money market investments. The Fund’s portfolio is constructed by the Adviser using an asset allocation process. The Adviser first determines the percentage of the Fund’s portfolio to invest in equity securities, the percentage to invest in fixed-income securities and the percentage to invest in money market investments based on its view of economic and market conditions. In making this determination, the Fund will stay within a percentage range for equity securities, fixed-income securities and money market instruments. The following table shows the percentage ranges for the Fund:

 

Equity

Fixed-Income

Money Market

30-70%

30-70%

0-40%

 

Within the equity allocation, the Adviser anticipates investing primarily in the equity securities of domestic companies with large and medium market capitalizations; however the Adviser may also invest in domestic companies with small capitalizations as well as foreign equity securities. The Adviser may use a blend of styles in selecting stocks, i.e., stocks may be selected for either their growth characteristics or value characteristics, or both. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, real estate investment trust (REIT), and securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks. In addition, the Adviser may consider the income potential of a security resulting in an equity position that may be overweight in sectors that pay dividends. Also, in an effort to increase the income of the Fund, the Fund may sell call options on equity securities held in the Fund. This would have the effect of limiting the upside of the equity securities subject to such call options in exchange for receipt of premium income. Additionally, the Fund may buy a put option on one or more securities held in the Fund in an effort to protect unrealized gains in such securities or to protect against downside losses in such securities. This would have the effect of limiting the downside of the equity securities subject to such put options in exchange for the payment of a premium.

 

Within the fixed-income allocation, the Adviser primarily selects U.S. dollar denominated, primarily investment-grade, fixed income securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield fixed income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive. The Adviser expects that, normally, no more than 15% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities that are rated below investment grade. However, the Fund may opportunistically invest up to 25% of its total assets in noninvestment-grade debt securities (e.g. “junk bonds”). Investment-grade fixed-income securities are rated in one of the four highest categories (BBB- or higher) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). Noninvestment-grade fixed-income securities (e.g. “junk bonds”) are rated in one of the six lowest categories (BB or lower) by a NRSRO, or in either case if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. The Adviser seeks to enhance the Fund’s performance by allocating relatively more of its fixed-income allocation to the sector that the Adviser expects to offer the best balance between total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential for return. The Adviser may lengthen or shorten duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but the Fund has no set duration parameters. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. Certain of the government securities in which the Fund invests are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. These entities are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund may also invest in government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”). Finally, the Fund may invest in government securities that are issued by entities whose activities are sponsored by the federal government but that have no explicit financial support. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity.

 

Within the money market allocation the Adviser anticipates investing in money market funds, repurchase agreements or in other short-term, high-quality, fixed-income securities issued by banks, corporations and the U.S. government.

 

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The Adviser seeks to limit the credit risk taken by the Fund with respect to its fixed-income securities by monitoring the credit condition of portfolio securities and by reviewing periodic financial data and ratings of NRSROs.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of ETFs or of other investment companies. The shares of ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges at market prices. The Fund may invest in ETFs or in other investment companies in order to achieve exposure to a specific market sector, to achieve exposure to foreign markets, or for other reasons consistent with its investment strategy.

 

By combining equity securities, fixed-income securities and money market instruments, the Fund seeks to dampen market volatility, while striving to achieve its investment objective.

 

Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

WESMARK GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

Investment Objective

The WesMark Government Bond Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve high current income consistent with preservation of capital.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Implementation of Investment Strategies

The Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of U.S. government securities. The Fund’s portfolio may also include investment-grade corporate debt securities. The Fund determines whether securities are investment-grade based on credit ratings issued by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). The Fund does not invest in non-investment grade corporate debt securities (e.g. “junk bonds”) as part of its principal investment strategy.

 

In addition to securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, the Fund may invest in the securities of U.S. government-sponsored entities (GSE), including GSE securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae or FNMA), and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. These entities are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund may also invest in GSE securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Finally, the Fund may invest in a few GSE securities that have no explicit financial support, but which are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. Such securities include those issued by the Farm Credit System and the Financing Corporation.

 

The Fund may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) issued by U.S. governmental or government related enterprises. The Fund’s investment in CMOs may be significant. CMOs have various call features and may be issued in multiple classes, with each class having a specific coupon rate and stated maturity or final distribution date. The Adviser invests in CMOs in an attempt to increase the Fund’s return by taking advantage of current and potential yield differentials existing from time to time between CMOs and other mortgage-backed or federal agency securities.

 

The Fund may buy mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery basis where a seller of the security agrees to deliver a To Be Announced (TBA) security at a future date. However, the seller generally does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets certain specified terms.

 

The Fund may invest in taxable securities issued by municipal entities such as Build America Bonds. Build America Bonds are taxable bonds issued by state and local governments where, at the election of the state or local government, the U.S. Treasury Department will make a direct payment to the issuer in an amount up to 35 percent of the interest payment on the Build America Bonds.

 

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The Fund’s investment adviser allocates the portfolio holdings between these types of securities based on its interest rate outlook. The Adviser selects securities with longer or shorter duration, but does not target any specific duration for the Fund, based on its assessment of market conditions by analyzing a variety of factors such as:

 

»

Current and expected economic growth and inflation;

»

Anticipated Federal Reserve monetary policy;

»

Trends in the value of the U.S. dollar in foreign exchange markets; and

»

Changes in the supply of, or demand for, U.S. government securities.

 

Duration measures the price sensitivity of a portfolio of fixed-income securities to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity.

 

Because the Fund refers to U.S. government bonds in its name, it will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policies that would enable the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in U.S. government fixed-income securities.

 

Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

WESMARK WEST VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Investment Objective

The WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve current income which is exempt from federal income tax and the income taxes imposed by the State of West Virginia.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing in a professionally managed portfolio consisting primarily of investment-grade securities issued by the State of West Virginia and its political subdivisions, agencies, and authorities, and other issuers (such as possessions or territories of the U.S.), the interest of which is exempt from federal and West Virginia income tax (West Virginia Municipal Securities). As a matter of fundamental investment policy, which may not be changed without shareholder approval, the Fund will invest its assets so that, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets are invested in obligations, the interest income from which is exempt from federal income tax and the income taxes imposed by the State of West Virginia. For purposes of this policy, the tax-free interest must not be a preference item for purposes of computing the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).

 

The Adviser may lengthen or shorten the Fund’s duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but the Fund has no set duration parameters. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. The Adviser may attempt to minimize market volatility by selecting intermediate term securities (securities with an average maturity generally between five and seven years). The Fund will buy and sell securities to take advantage of opportunities to enhance yield. These transactions may generate capital gains (losses) which have different tax treatment than tax-exempt interest income. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in non-West Virginia municipal bonds if, in the judgment of the Adviser, the supply and yield of such securities would be beneficial to the Fund.

 

The Fund may not be a suitable investment for retirement plans or for non-West Virginia taxpayers because it invests primarily in West Virginia tax-exempt securities.

 

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Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

WESMARK TACTICAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

Investment Objective

The WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund’s (the Fund) investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation.

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees may not change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

 

Implementation of Investment Strategies

The Fund pursues its investment objective by utilizing a tactical allocation strategy. The Fund primarily invests in mix of equity and fixed income securities and may also invest in commodity related investments. While the Adviser has wide latitude to adjust the equity and fixed income allocations of the Fund, it is expected that during normal market conditions that the Fund’s allocation to equities or fixed income investments will not exceed 85% of the Fund’s assets. With respect to its investment in equity securities the Fund may invest in large cap stocks, small- and mid-cap stocks and international equity securities (including emerging market equity securities). With respect to its investment in fixed income securities the Fund may invest in domestic or foreign securities, corporate or sovereign, and of any quality. The Adviser selects securities with longer or shorter durations based on its assessment of market conditions, but does not target any specific duration for the fixed-income portion of the Fund. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with any maturity. The Fund anticipates that it will predominately invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in order to achieve exposure to the underlying investments. In selecting ETFs for purchase by a Fund, the Adviser considers the securities index in which the ETF seeks to track, the trading liquidity of the ETF and of the securities in which the ETF invests, and whether or not the ETF permits investment companies to invest in ETFs to a greater extent than normally permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may also invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of financial institutions which are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indices. The Fund will generally invest in ETNs which are linked to commodities indices; however, investing in ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself, and the Fund would be subject to the credit risk of the financial institution issuing the ETN. Also, in an effort to increase the income of the Fund, the Fund may sell call options on securities held in the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may buy a put option on one or more securities held in the Fund in an effort to protect unrealized gains in such securities or to protect against downside losses in such securities.

 

The portfolio management team will determine the Fund’s asset allocation mix based upon the Adviser’s view of markets, economic cycles, and intermediate-term trends. The Adviser then implements its asset allocation mix by tactically selecting investments based upon a number of different factors, including but not limited to macroeconomic environment, business cycle, equity market fundamentals and valuation and interest rates. Also, as market changes and fundamentals dictate the Adviser will make modifications to the overall allocations within the Fund. Such modifications to the Fund’s asset allocation mix may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than other mutual funds which can increase the transaction costs incurred by the Fund.

 

The Fund may be appropriate for investors with long-term time horizons who are not sensitive to short-term losses and seek to participate in the long-term growth of the financial markets.

 

The Adviser anticipates investing its cash balance in investments such as money market funds, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and short-term U.S. government agency and/or Treasury securities.

 

Temporary Investments

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

 

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What are the Principal Securities in Which the Funds Invest?

 

In pursuing their investment strategy, the Funds may invest in the following securities for any purpose that is consistent with their investment objective. A list of securities in which a Fund may invest on a non-principal basis is located in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI), which is available upon request.

 

Securities

Small
Company
Fund

Large
Company
Fund

Balanced
Fund

Government
Bond Fund

West Virginia
Municipal
Bond Fund

Tactical
Opportunity
Fund

Common Stocks

X

X

X

   

X

Preferred Stocks

   

X

   

X

Foreign Securities

X

X

X

   

X

Real Estate Investment Trusts

   

X

   

X

Treasury Securities

   

X

X

 

X

Agency Securities

   

X

X

 

X

Corporate Debt Securities

   

X

X

 

X

Mortgage-Backed Securities

   

X

X

 

X

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

   

X

X

 

X

Asset-Backed Securities

   

X

X

 

X

Exchange-Traded Funds

X

X

X

   

X

Securities of Investment Companies

X

X

X

X

X

X

Credit Enhanced Securities

       

X

 

Tax-Exempt Securities

       

X

 

Taxable Municipal Securities

   

X

X

X

 

Tax Increment Financing Bonds

     

X

X

 

General Obligation Bonds

       

X

 

Special Revenue Bonds

       

X

 

To Be Announced Securities

     

X

   

Commodities

         

X

Options

 

X

X

   

X

 

EQUITY SECURITIES

Equity securities represent an ownership position in a corporation with a proportional claim on the corporation’s assets and profits, after all liabilities are accounted for. The Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because companies generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their value tends to increase directly with the value of the issuer’s business. The following describes different types of equity securities.

 

Common Stocks

Common stocks are the most prevalent type of equity security. Common stocks receive the issuer’s earnings after the issuer pays its creditors and any preferred stockholders. As a result, changes in an issuer’s earnings directly influence the value of its common stock.

 

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks have the right to receive specified dividends or distributions before the issuer makes payments on its common stock. Some preferred stocks also participate in dividends and distributions paid on common stock. Preferred stocks may also permit the issuer to redeem the stock. The Fund may also treat such redeemable preferred stock as a fixed-income security.

 

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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are companies that own, and usually operate income-producing real estate, or finance commercial real estate. Income is generally not taxed at the corporate level, but passed through to shareholders. Such tax requirements limit a REIT’s ability to respond to changes in the commercial real estate market. Distributions to shareholders may be taxable.

 

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. The Funds consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if:

 

»

its principal office is located in another country; or

»

the principal trading market for its securities is in another country.

 

Foreign securities are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

 

ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are traded in United States markets, represent interests in underlying securities issued by a foreign company and not traded in the United States. ADRs provide a way to buy shares of foreign based companies in the United States rather than in overseas markets. ADRs are also traded in U.S. dollars, eliminating the need for foreign exchange transactions. Depository receipts involve many of the same risks of investing directly in foreign securities, including currency risks and risks of foreign investing. A Fund may also invest in securities issued directly by foreign companies and traded in U.S. Dollars in United States markets.

 

FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES

Fixed-income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed-income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed-income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed-income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer’s earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed-income securities as compared to equity securities.

 

A security’s yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security’s yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

 

The following describes different types of fixed-income securities.

 

Treasury Securities

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having the lowest credit risks.

 

Agency Securities

Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity (GSE) acting under federal authority. Some GSE securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. These include the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Small Business Administration, Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, Farmer’s Home Administration, Federal Financing Bank, General Services Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Bonds. Investors generally regard agency securities as having low credit risks, but not as low as Treasury securities.

 

Other GSE securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Tennessee Valley Authority in support of such obligations.

 

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Since 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have operated under a conservatorship administered by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

 

A few GSE securities have no explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. These include the Farm Credit System, Financing Corporation and Resolution Funding Corporation.

 

A Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a GSE as if it was issued or guaranteed by a federal agency.

 

Although such a guarantee protects against credit risks, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce market prepayment, or other risks.

 

Corporate Debt Securities

Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.

 

In addition, the credit risk of an issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust preferred and capital securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.

 

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The mortgages that comprise a pool normally have similar interest rates, maturities and other terms. Mortgages may have fixed or adjustable interest rates. Interests in pools of adjustable rate mortgages are known as ARMs.

 

Mortgage-backed securities come in a variety of forms. Many have extremely complicated terms. The simplest mortgage-backed securities are pass-through certificates. An issuer of pass-through certificates gathers monthly payments from an underlying pool of mortgages. Then, the issuer deducts its fees and expenses and passes the balance of the payments on to the certificate holders once a month. Holders of pass-through certificates receive a pro rata share of all interest payments and principal pre-payments from the underlying mortgages. As a result, the holders assume all the prepayment risks of the underlying mortgages.

 

Mortgage-backed securities are most commonly issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government (or one of its agencies or instrumentalities), but also may be issued or guaranteed by private entities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO)

CMOs, including interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMIC), allocate payments and prepayments from an underlying pass-through certificate among holders of different classes of mortgage-backed securities. This creates different prepayment, credit, and interest rate risks for each CMO class. The degree of increased or decreased prepayment risks depends upon the structure of the CMOs. However, the actual returns on any type of mortgage-backed security depend upon the performance of the underlying pool of mortgages, which no one can predict, and will vary among pools.

 

CMOs may allocate interest payments to interest only (IO) class and principal payments to principal only (PO) classes. POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs tend to increase in value when interest rates rise (and prepayments decrease), making IOs a useful hedge against interest rate risks.

 

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are payable from pools of obligations other than mortgages. Most asset-backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with maturities of less than ten years. However, almost any type of fixed-income assets (including other fixed-income securities) may be used to create an asset-backed security. Asset-backed securities may take the form of commercial paper, notes, or pass through certificates. Asset-backed securities may have credit, interest rate, and prepayment risks. Like CMOs, asset-backed securities may be structured like IOs and POs or even more complex products.

 

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To Be Announced Securities (TBAs) (A type of Delayed Delivery Transaction)

As with other delayed delivery transactions, a seller agrees to deliver a TBA security at a future date. However, the seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed transaction, the Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. TBA mortgage-backed securities increase interest rate risks because the underlying mortgages may be less favorable than anticipated by the Fund.

 

TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES

Tax-exempt securities are fixed-income securities that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer or on the basis of another authority believed by the Adviser to be reliable, pay interest that is not subject to regular federal income taxes. Typically, states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities issue tax-exempt securities known as “Municipal Securities.” The market categorizes tax-exempt securities by their source of repayment.

 

General Obligation Bonds

General obligation bonds are supported by the issuer’s power to exact property or other taxes. The issuer must impose and collect taxes sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. However, the issuer’s authority to impose additional taxes may be limited by its charter or state law.

 

Special Revenue Bonds

Special revenue bonds are payable solely from specific revenues received by the issuer such as specific taxes, assessments, tolls, or fees. Bondholders may not collect from the municipality’s general taxes or revenues. For example, a municipality may issue bonds to build a toll road, and pledge the tolls to repay the bonds. Therefore, a shortfall in the tolls normally would result in a default on the bonds, or in certain cases, may result in a reduction in payments received in respect of the books.

 

OPTION CONTRACTS (A TYPE OF DERIVATIVE)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a security for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or writer) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of securities. The Fund may buy call options which gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the security from the seller (writer) of the option. The Fund may also write call options on a securities in order to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of a decrease or only limited increase in the value of the security. If the Fund writes a call option on a security that it owns and that call option is exercised, the Fund foregoes any possible profit from an increase in the market price of the security over the exercise price plus the premium received. The Fund also may purchase, by paying a premium, put options on a security in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the security.

 

CREDIT ENHANCED SECURITIES

Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company or municipality agrees to pay amounts due on a corporate or tax-exempt fixed-income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company or municipality providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed-income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.

 

TAXABLE MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

Although many Municipal Securities are exempt from federal income tax, the Funds may invest in taxable municipal securities, such as Build America Bonds. Build America Bonds are taxable bonds issued by state and local governments to fund capital projects for which they otherwise could issue tax-exempt bonds. Issuers of these bonds receive a direct federal subsidy payment for a portion of their borrowing costs equal to 35 percent of the coupon interest paid to investors.

 

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

 

 

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TAX INCREMENT FINANCING BONDS

Tax increment financing (TIF) bonds are payable from increases in taxes or other revenues attributable to projects within the TIF district. For example, a municipality may issue TIF bonds to redevelop a commercial area. The TIF bonds would be payable solely from any increase in sales taxes collected from the merchants in the area. The bonds could fail to pay principal or interest if merchants’ sales, and related tax collections, failed to increase as anticipated.

 

SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Funds may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of money market funds, as an efficient means of implementing its investment strategies and/or managing its uninvested cash. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and incur additional fees and/or expenses which would be borne indirectly by the Funds shareholders in connection with any such investment. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of this approach should outweigh the additional fees and/or expenses. The Funds may invest in money market securities directly.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

Certain of the Funds may also invest in ETFs. As with traditional mutual funds, ETFs generally charge asset-based fees, although these fees tend to be relatively low. ETFs are generally traded on a stock exchange. ETFs do not charge initial sales charges or redemption fees and investors pay only customary brokerage fees to buy and sell ETF shares.

 

INVESTMENT RATINGS FOR INVESTMENT-GRADE SECURITIES

The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment-grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organization or NRSRO. For example, Standard and Poor’s, a rating service, assigns ratings to investment-grade securities (AAA, AA, A, and BBB) based on their assessment of the issuer’s ability to pay interest or principal when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, a Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment-grade.

 

 

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What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Funds?

 

The principal risks of investing in the Funds are described below. Additional risks applicable to the Funds are described in the Funds’ SAI, which is available upon request.

 

Risks

Small
Company
Fund

Large
Company
Fund

Balanced
Fund

Government
Bond Fund

West Virginia
Municipal
Bond Fund

Tactical
Opportunity
Fund

Stock Market Risks

X

X

X

   

X

Credit Risks

   

X

X

X

X

Interest Rate Risks

   

X

X

X

X

Risks Related to Investing for Value

   

X

   

X

Risks Related to Investing for Growth

X

X

X

   

X

Risks Related to Company Size

X

 

X

   

X

Risks Related to Complex CMOs

   

X

X

 

X

Call Risks

   

X

X

X

X

Prepayment Risks

   

X

X

 

X

Liquidity Risks

X

X

X

X

X

X

Credit Enhancement Risks

   

X

 

X

X

Sector Risks

X

X

X

 

X

X

Risks of Foreign Investing

X

X

X

   

X

Risks of Emerging Markets

X

X

X

   

X

Currency Risks

X

X

X

   

X

Tax Risks

       

X

 

Diversification Risks

       

X

 

Exchange-Traded Funds Risks

X

X

X

   

X

Risks of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers

X

X

X

   

X

West Virginia Sector Risks

       

X

 

Manager Risk

X

X

X

X

X

X

Market Risk

X

X

X

X

X

X

Risks of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

 

X

X

   

X

Commodity Risk

         

X

Risk of Investing in Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs)

   

X

   

X

LIBOR Risk

     

X

   

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

         

X

 

STOCK MARKET RISKS

»

The value of equity securities will rise and fall, and these fluctuations could be a sustained trend or a drastic movement. The portfolio of a Fund investing in equity securities will reflect changes in prices of individual stocks held in the Fund portfolio or general changes in stock valuations. Consequently, the Fund’s share price may decline.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

 

 

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»

The Adviser attempts to manage market risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in each company’s equity securities. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against widespread or prolonged declines in the stock market.

 

CREDIT RISKS

»

Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, a Fund will lose money.

»

Many fixed-income securities receive credit ratings from services such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service. These services assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, a Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment.

»

Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a fixed income security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the spread) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security’s spread may also increase if the security’s rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline.

»

Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction (such as a repurchase agreement) involving a Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause a Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent a Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

 

INTEREST RATE RISKS

»

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. However, market factors, such as the lack of demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

»

Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed-income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

 

RISKS RELATED TO INVESTING FOR VALUE

»

Due to their relatively low valuations, value stocks are typically less volatile than growth stocks. For instance, the price of a value stock may experience a smaller increase on a forecast of higher earnings, a positive fundamental development, or positive market development. Further, value stocks tend to have higher dividends than growth stocks. This means they depend less on price changes for returns and may lag behind growth stocks in an up market.

 

RISKS RELATED TO INVESTING FOR GROWTH

»

Due to their relatively high valuations, growth stocks are typically more volatile than value stocks. For instance, the price of a growth stock may experience a larger decline on a forecast of lower earnings, a negative fundamental development, or an adverse market development. Further, growth stocks may not pay dividends or may pay lower dividends than value stocks. This means they depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks that pay higher dividends.

 

RISKS RELATED TO COMPANY SIZE

»

Generally, the smaller the market capitalization of a company, the fewer the number of shares traded daily, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the number of its outstanding shares by the current market price per share.

»

Companies with smaller market capitalizations also tend to have unproven track records, a limited product or service base and limited access to capital. These factors also increase risks and make these companies more likely to fail than larger, well capitalized companies.

 

RISKS RELATED TO COMPLEX CMOS

»

CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms, such as companion classes, IOs, POs, Inverse Floaters and residuals, generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks than other mortgage-backed securities. For example, their prices are more volatile and their trading market may be more limited.

 

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CALL RISKS

»

Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price.

»

If a fixed-income security is called, a Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks, or other less favorable characteristics.

 

PREPAYMENT RISKS

»

Generally, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages at any time without penalty. Homeowners frequently refinance high interest rate mortgages when mortgage rates fall. This results in the prepayment of mortgage-backed securities with higher interest rates. Conversely, prepayments due to refinancing decrease when mortgage rates increase. This extends the life of mortgage-backed securities with lower interest rates. As a result, increases in prepayments of high interest rate mortgage-backed securities, or decreases in prepayments of lower interest rate mortgage-backed securities, may reduce their yield and price. This relationship between interest rates and mortgage prepayments makes the price of mortgage-backed securities more volatile than most other types of fixed-income securities with comparable credit risks.

 

LIQUIDITY RISKS

»

These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.

»

Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that a Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out an investment when it wants to or make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. If this happens, a Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses.

»

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment-grade, have CMOs with complex terms or are not widely held.

 

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT RISKS

»

The securities in which the Fund invests may be subject to credit enhancement (for example, guarantees, letters of credit or bond insurance). If the credit quality of the credit enhancement provider (for example, a bank or bond insurer) is downgraded, the rating on a security credit enhanced by such credit enhancement provider also may be downgraded. Having multiple securities credit enhanced by the same credit enhancement provider will increase the adverse effects on the Fund that are likely to result from a downgrading of, or a default by, such an enhancement provider. Adverse developments in the banking or bond insurance industries also may negatively affect the Fund.

 

SECTOR RISKS

»

Companies in similar industries may be grouped together in broad categories called sectors. Sector risk is the possibility that a certain sector may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole. As the Adviser allocates more of a Fund’s portfolio holdings to a particular sector, a Fund’s performance will be more susceptible to any economic, business or other developments which generally affect that sector.

 

RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTING

»

Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.

»

Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than United States companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent a Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.

»

Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

 

 

More About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

 

»

Securities issued or traded in emerging markets generally entail greater risks than securities issued or traded in developed markets. For example, their prices may be significantly more volatile than prices in developed countries. Emerging market economies may also experience more severe downturns (with corresponding currency devaluations) than developed economies. Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies.

 

RISKS OF EMERGING MARKETS

»

Investments in emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing, however, these risks may be magnified in emerging markets.

»

Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Generally, countries are considered emerging markets if they are included in any one of the MSCI emerging markets indices.

 

CURRENCY RISKS

»

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risk tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the U.S.

 

TAX RISKS

»

In order to pay interest that is exempt from federal regular income tax, tax-exempt securities must meet certain legal requirements. Failure to meet such requirements may cause the interest received and distributed by the Fund to shareholders to be taxable.

»

Changes or proposed changes in federal or state tax laws may cause the prices of tax-exempt securities to fall and/or may affect the tax-exempt status of the securities in which the Fund invests.

 

DIVERSIFICATION RISKS

»

Compared to diversified mutual funds, a non-diversified fund may invest a higher percentage of its assets among fewer issuers of portfolio securities. This increases the West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund’s risk by magnifying the impact (positively or negatively) that any one issuer has on the West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund’s share price and performance.

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS RISKS

»

An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate up or down, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds: (i) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below the market value of the securities in the ETF’s portfolio; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

»

Investing in ETFs may result in higher fees and expenses for a Fund, because the Fund and its shareholders will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF’s fees and expenses

 

RISKS OF INVESTING IN DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND HYBRID INSTRUMENTS

»

The Funds’ exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments, either directly or indirectly through another investment company, may involve risks different from or possibly greater than the risk associated with investing directly in a security instead of the derivative. Risks include: 1) the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security or may correlate inversely; 2) any potential risk reduction may be offset with gain limitations; 3) derivatives may be difficult to price, thus involving additional payments by the Funds; 4) possible adverse tax consequences; and 5) other risks, such as but not limited to, stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity, and leverage risks.

 

RISKS OF INVESTING IN ADRS AND DOMESTICALLY TRADED SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS

»

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

 

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WEST VIRGINIA SECTOR RISKS

»

Because the West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund invests primarily in issuers from a single state, the Fund may be subject to additional risks compared to funds that invest in multiple states. West Virginia’s economy is heavily dependent upon certain industries, such as coal mining, natural gas, manufacturing and tourism. Any downturn in these and other industries may adversely affect the economy of the state. See the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (SAI) for more information on West Virginia Sector Risk.

 

COMMODITY RISK

»

Because a Fund may invest in instruments (including ETFs) whose performance is linked to the price of an underlying Commodity (including precious metals such as gold) or commodity index, the Fund may be subject to the risks of investing in physical commodities. These types of risks include regulatory, economic and political developments, weather events and natural disasters, pestilence, market disruptions and the fact that commodity prices may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

»

A Fund’s investment in commodities could cause the Fund to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. It is the intent of the Fund to maintain its RIC status, and as such, the Fund will seek to manage its investment in commodities in an effort to continue to qualify as a RIC. However, there are no assurances it will be successful in doing so.

 

MANAGER RISK

»

The Fund is actively managed and the investment techniques and security selection used by the Fund’s managers may not produce the desired results and may cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REITs)

»

Investments in REITs are subject to many of the same risks as direct investments in real estate. Generally, a REIT’s performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns and on how well the REIT manages its properties. The value of a REIT may also be affected by changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates could cause the value of an equity REIT to decline. Additionally, a REIT may fail to qualify for tax-exempt status under the IRC.

 

LIBOR RISK

»

Certain of the Fund’s underlying investments may be based on floating rates, such as LIBOR. The London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, is a benchmark that serves as the interest rate on loans and financial instruments globally. Plans are underway to phase out the use of LIBOR. Currently LIBOR is anticipated to be discontinued on June 30, 2023. Any replacement rate chosen may be less favorable than the current LIBOR rates. Until it ceases publication, the Fund may continue to invest in assets that may reference LIBOR or otherwise use LIBOR. The Fund’s floating rate securities tied to a LIBOR Index are issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). The GSEs are following the LIBOR transition protocol that has been established by the New York Federal Reserve Bank Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC). While it is not possible to predict the effect of any replacement rates or other reforms to LIBOR on the securities held by the Fund, the Adviser seeks to invest in securities where it believes there is a well-defined transition process to an alternative rate and believes that the transition to the alternative rate will not materially impair the value of the security.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Shareholder Information

 

 

What do Shares Cost?

 

You can purchase, redeem, or exchange Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Federal Reserve wire system are open. When a Fund receives your transaction request in proper form, (as described in this prospectus), it is processed at the next determined net asset value (NAV). From time to time a Fund may purchase fixed income or foreign securities that trade in foreign markets on days the NYSE is closed. The value of a Fund’s assets may change on days you cannot purchase or redeem Shares. NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open.

 

The Funds generally value equity securities according to the last sale price in the market in which they are primarily traded (either a national securities exchange or the over-the-counter market). The Funds generally value fixed-income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed-income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost. For other fixed-income securities, prices furnished by an independent pricing service are intended to be indicative of the mean between the bid and asked prices currently offered to institutional investors for the securities.

 

Where a last sale price or market quotation for a portfolio security is not readily available, and no independent pricing service furnishes a price, the value of the security used in computing NAV is its fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (the Board). Pursuant to such procedures and Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board has designated the Adviser as the Funds’ valuation designee to perform the fair value determinations for securities and other assets held by the Funds. The Adviser, acting through its “Valuation Committee,” is responsible for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Board the information it needs to oversee the Adviser’s fair value determinations. The Funds may use the fair value of a security to calculate its NAV when, for example, (1) a portfolio security is not traded in a public market or the principal market in which the security trades is closed, (2) trading in a portfolio security is suspended and not resumed prior to the normal market close, (3) a portfolio security is not traded in significant volume for a substantial period, or (4) the Funds’ Adviser determines that the quotation or price for a portfolio security provided by a dealer or independent pricing service is inaccurate.

 

Fair valuation procedures are also used where a significant event affecting the value of a portfolio security is determined to have occurred between the time as of which the price of the portfolio security is determined and the NYSE closing time as of which a Fund’s NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the security’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Significant events include significant general securities market movements occurring between the time as of which the price of the portfolio security is determined and the close of trading on the NYSE. For domestic fixed-income securities, such events may occur where the cut-off time for the market information used by the independent pricing service is earlier than the end of regular trading on the NYSE. In such cases, use of fair valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating a Fund’s NAV in advance of the time as of which NAV is calculated.

 

In some cases, events affecting the issuer of a portfolio security may be considered significant events. Announcements concerning earnings, acquisitions, new products, management changes, litigation developments, a strike or natural disaster affecting the company’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry occurring between the time as of which the price of the portfolio security is determined and the close of trading on the NYSE are examples of potentially significant events. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell a portfolio security at the price used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. In the case of fair valued portfolio securities, lack of information and uncertainty as to the significance of information may lead to a conclusion that a prior valuation is the best indication of a portfolio security’s present value. Fair valuations generally remain unchanged until new information becomes available. Consequently, changes in the fair valuation of portfolio securities may be less frequent and of greater magnitude than changes in the price of portfolio securities valued at their last sale price, by an independent pricing service, or based on market quotations.

 

Minimum Initial Investment

The required minimum initial investment in each Fund is $1,000, unless the investment is in an Individual Retirement Account, in which case the minimum initial investment is $500. Subsequent investments in each Fund must be in amounts of at least $100. A Fund may waive the initial minimum investment from time to time.

 

An institutional investor’s minimum investment is calculated by combining all accounts it maintains with the Trust. Accounts established through investment professionals may be subject to a smaller minimum investment amount. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.

 

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Shareholder Information

 

 

How are the Funds Sold?

 

The Funds distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Shares described in this prospectus. Under the Distributor’s contract with the Trust, the Distributor offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

 

Shares of the Funds are not qualified or registered for sale in all states or jurisdictions. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of a particular Fund are available for offer and sale in their state of residence. Shares of the Funds may not be offered or sold in any state unless registered or qualified in that jurisdiction or unless an exemption from registration or qualification is available. Also, Shares of the Funds have not been registered for sale outside the United States. The Funds do not sell shares to investors residing outside the United States, even if they are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.

 

See the WesMark Funds website located at www.wesmarkfunds.com, for further information on the states and jurisdictions where the shares of the Funds are registered.

 

The Funds and their affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below to financial intermediaries (such as broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers or third party administrators) whose customers are shareholders of the Fund.

 

Service Fees

The Funds may pay fees not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets (Service Fees) to investment professionals, financial intermediaries, including WesBanco Bank, Inc, for providing certain non-distribution related services to shareholders. These shareholder services can include, but are not limited to: (i) responding to customer inquiries regarding, among other things, share prices, account balances, dividend amounts and dividend payment dates; (ii) processing transactions including purchase, redemptions, and exchanges; (iii) establishing new customer accounts; (iv) maintaining separate accounts and records with respect to the Funds for each underlying customer; (v) reconciling amounts posted to each applicable customer account with the amount recorded for the account on the applicable Fund’s records; (vi) providing, upon request or pursuant to a schedule agreed to between the parties, a summary of the number of underlying customer accounts by Fund maintained by intermediary in connection with the applicable shareholder services agreement; (vii) maintaining files, i.e., processing change of addresses, adding/changing wiring instructions or systematic investment/withdrawal plans; (viii) maintaining and distributing current copies of prospectuses, shareholder reports, proxy statements and other required communications to current shareholders; (ix) responding to customers’ questions about the Funds and/or Classes; (x) preparing and transmitting to customers periodic consolidated account statements; (xi) distributing to customers dividends, capital gains or other payments authorized by each Fund; and (xii) providing other administrative services that the Funds reasonably may request, to the extent permitted by applicable statute, rule, or regulation.

 

Recordkeeping Fees

The Funds may pay Recordkeeping Fees on an average net assets basis or on a per account per year basis to financial intermediaries for providing recordkeeping services to the Funds and shareholders.

 

Additional Payments to Financial Institutions

The Adviser or its affiliates may pay out of its own resources amounts (including items of material value) to certain financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, that support the sale of Shares or provide services to Fund shareholders. The amounts of these payments could be significant, and may create an incentive for the financial institution or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell Shares of the Funds to you. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. In some cases, such payments may be made by or funded from the resources of companies affiliated with the Adviser. These payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Funds’ prospectus because they are not paid by the Funds. These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as the number or value of Shares that the financial institution sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; or the type and nature of services or support furnished by the financial institution. These payments may be in addition to payments made by the Funds to the financial institution under a Service Fee or Recordkeeping Fee arrangement. You can ask your financial institution for information about any payments it receives from the Adviser, Distributor or the Funds and any services provided. These payments can be made to affiliates of the Adviser, including WesBanco Securities, Inc.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Shareholder Information

 

 

How to Purchase Shares

 

You may purchase Shares directly from the Funds by calling WesMark Funds Shareholder Services at 1-800-864-1013, through WesBanco Securities, Inc. or through an investment professional. Some types of accounts can be opened online at www.wesmarkfunds.com. The Funds reserve the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares.

 

Directly From a Fund

You can open an account and make an initial purchase of shares of the Funds directly from the Funds or through a financial intermediary that has established an agreement with the Funds’ Distributor. Not all Funds may be available for purchase in your state of residence or outside the United States. Please check with the Funds or your financial intermediary to ensure your eligibility to purchase a Fund.

 

To open an account and make an initial purchase directly with the Funds, you can mail a check or other negotiable bank draft payable to WesMark Funds in the minimum amounts described above, along with a completed and signed Account Application, to:

 

WesMark Funds Shareholder Services
WesBanco Bank, Inc.
One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor
Wheeling, WV 26003

 

To obtain an Account Application, call 1-800-864-1013 or download one from www.wesmarkfunds.com. A completed Account Application must include your valid taxpayer identification number. You may be subject to penalties if you falsify information with respect to your tax identification number.

 

Make your check payable to “WesMark Funds” and note your account number on the check (for existing shareholders only). To invest via Automated Clearing House (ACH), please contact the Funds at 1-800-864-1013 for instructions.

 

Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. A Fund may reject any purchase request involving a check that is not made payable to the WesMark Funds, and will reject requests to purchase shares using third-party checks, or involving temporary checks, money orders, home equity line of credit checks or credit card checks.

 

You will become the owner of shares and your shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after a Fund receives your payment. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled, and you could be liable for any losses or fees a Fund or its transfer agent incurs.

 

After you have opened an account, you can make subsequent purchases of shares of the Funds through your financial intermediary or directly from the Funds. To purchase shares directly by mail, send your instruction and a check to the Funds at the address above.

 

Via Internet

You may open an account with the Funds via the Internet by completing the online application located at www.wesmarkfunds.com. Once your account is established, you also can make subsequent purchases through the Internet. To do so, you must be an existing shareholder of a Fund and your Fund account must be linked to your bank account in order to process the ACH transfer. You can establish a user ID and password to access your account at www.wesmarkfunds.com by selecting Account Login. Your user ID and password may allow you to receive your Fund statements or regulatory documents electronically if you have opted for electronic delivery of such documents. If you have questions or problems accessing your account, contact the Funds at 1-800-864-1013.

 

Automatic Investment Plan

The Funds offer an Automatic Investment Plan for current and prospective investors in which you may make monthly investments in one or more of the Funds. The minimum initial investment amount is $1,000 ($500 for IRAs) and minimum subsequent investments are $100 per Fund. Sums for investment will be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on the day you specify. If you do not specify a day, the transaction will occur on the 20th of each month or the next business day if the 20th is not a business day. Please call 1-800-864-1013 if you would like more information.

 

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Exchange

You can send a written instruction specifying your exchange or, if you have authorized telephone exchanges previously and we have a record of your authorization, you can call 1-800-864-1013 to execute your exchange. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange.

 

By Automated Clearing House (ACH)

Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the Account Application or an ACH Authorization Form. All account owners must sign the application or ACH authorization form and signatures must be Signature Guaranteed.

 

Retirement Investments

You may purchase shares as retirement investments (such as qualified plans and IRAs or transfer or rollover of assets). Call the Funds or your investment professional for information on retirement investments. Applications for traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs may be printed from the Funds’ website at www.wesmarkfunds.com. We suggest that you discuss retirement investments with your tax adviser. Retirement accounts may be subject to an annual administrative fee.

 

Through WesBanco Securities, Inc. (WSI)

Shares can be purchased through WSI, by visiting a WSI investment professional or by calling 1-800-368-3369. Once you have established your account with WSI, you may submit your purchase order to a WSI investment professional before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). You will receive the next calculated NAV if the investment professional forwards the order to a Fund on the same day and a Fund receives payment by settlement date. You will become the owner of Shares at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your payment.

 

WSI is an affiliate of the Adviser as they are under common control by WesBanco, Inc. WSI has entered into a selling agreement with the Distributor to transact business in the Funds.

 

Through an Investment Professional or Brokerage Account

You may purchases shares through an investment professional or brokerage account by submitting your purchase order to the investment professional before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). You will receive the next calculated NAV if the investment professional forwards the order to the Fund on the same day and the Fund receives payment by settlement date. You will become the owner of Shares at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your payment.

 

Investment professionals should be party to a selling agreement with the Distributor. Contact a Shareholder Service Representative for instructions at 1-800-864-1013.

 

How to Redeem and Exchange Shares

 

You may redeem or exchange shares directly from a Fund or through your investment professional.

 

Redeem Directly From a Fund

By Telephone

You may redeem or exchange shares by calling your account representative or WesMark Funds Shareholder Services at 1-800-864-1013 once you have completed the appropriate authorization form for telephone transactions. If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) you will receive a redemption amount based on that day’s NAV.

 

By Mail

You may redeem or exchange shares by mailing a written request to a Fund. You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after a Fund receives your written request in proper form.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Shareholder Information

 

 

Send requests by mail to:

 

WesMark Funds Shareholder Services
WesBanco Bank, Inc.
One Bank Plaza, Fourth Floor
Wheeling, WV 26003

 

All requests must include:

 

 

»

Fund Name, account number and account registration;

 

»

Amount to be redeemed or exchanged;

 

»

Signatures of all shareholders exactly as registered; and

 

»

If exchanging, the Fund Name, account number and account registration into which you are exchanging.

 

Call the Fund or your investment professional if you need special instructions.

 

Via Internet

You may also redeem your shares via the Internet. To do so, you must have selected this option on your Account Application. Redemption proceeds will be sent to the address of record on the account or may be sent via ACH to the bank of record on the account. If you have questions or problems accessing your account, contact the Funds at 1-800-864-1013.

 

Through WesBanco Securities, Inc. (WSI)

Shares can be redeemed or exchanged through WSI by visiting a WSI investment professional or by calling 1-800-368-3369. Once you have established your account with WSI, you may submit your redemption or exchange order to a WSI investment professional before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after a Fund receives the order from the investment professional.

 

Through an Investment Professional or Brokerage Account

Submit your redemption or exchange request to your investment professional or through your brokerage account by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after a Fund receives the order from your investment professional. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your share transactions.

 

Signature Guarantees

Your signature must be guaranteed by a financial institution which is a participant in a Medallion Signature Guarantee (“Signature Guarantee”) program if:

 

 

»

Your redemption will be sent to an address other than the address of record;

 

»

Your redemption will be sent to an address of record that was changed within the last 30 days;

 

»

Your redemption is payable to someone other than the shareholder(s) of record; or

 

»

You are exchanging (transferring) into another fund with a different shareholder registration.

 

A Signature Guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. You can obtain a Signature Guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a Signature Guarantee.

 

Customer Identification Program

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires each Fund or its agents to obtain certain personal information from you (or persons acting on your behalf) in order to verify your (or such person’s) identity when you open an account, including name, address, date of birth and other information (which may include certain documents) that will allow the Transfer Agent to verify your identity. If you are opening an account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., a partnership, business trust, limited liability company, corporation, etc.), you may be required to supply the identification information of the beneficial owner(s) or controlling person(s) of the legal entity prior to the opening of your account. If this information is not provided, the Transfer Agent may not be able to open your account. If the Transfer Agent is unable to verify your identity (or that of another person authorized to act on

 

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your behalf) shortly after your account is opened, or believes it has identified potential criminal activity, the Funds, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent each reserve the right to reject further purchase orders from you or to take such other action as they deem reasonable or required by law, including closing your account and redeeming your shares at their net asset value at the time of redemption.

 

Effective May 11, 2018, if you are opening an account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., a partnership, business trust, limited liability company, corporation, etc.), you may be required to supply the identity of the beneficial owner or controlling person(s) of the legal entity prior to the opening of your account. The Fund may request additional information about you (which may include certain documents, such as articles of incorporation for companies) to help the Transfer Agent verify your identity.

 

PAYMENT METHODS FOR REDEMPTIONS

Under normal market conditions, the Funds generally meet redemption requests through its holdings of cash or cash equivalents or by selling portfolio securities. However, as described below, the Funds reserve the right to honor certain redemptions with securities, rather than cash (e.g. a redemption-in-kind). The fund is more likely to use a redemption-in-kind to meet large redemption requests or during times of market stress.

 

Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record unless you have elected to establish other instructions. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the Account Application or ACH Authorization Form, or provide written authorization signed by all account owners. These payment options require a Signature Guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:

 

 

»

ACH Transfer – An electronic transfer to your account at a financial institution that is an ACH member. Payment is usually received within two to three days.

 

Redemption in Kind

Although the Funds intend to pay share redemptions in cash, they reserve the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of a Fund’s portfolio securities.

 

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption proceeds normally are ACH transferred or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed for up to seven days:

 

 

»

To allow your purchase to clear (as discussed below);

 

»

During periods of market volatility;

 

»

When a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or

 

»

During any period when the Automated Clearing House or applicable financial institutions are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

 

If you request a redemption of Fund shares recently purchased by check (including a cashier’s check or certified check), money order, bank draft or ACH, your redemption proceeds may not be available for up to seven calendar days to allow the Fund to collect payment on the instrument used to purchase such shares. If the purchase instrument does not clear, your purchase order will be cancelled and you will be responsible for any losses incurred by the Fund as a result of your cancelled order.

 

In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed, during any period:

 

 

»

When the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

 

»

When trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); or

 

»

In which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of a Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable.

 

You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed redemption checks from a Fund, including checks that are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Shareholder Information

 

 

REDEMPTIONS FROM RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

If your redemption is to be sent to an address other than the address on record (or to a recently changed address) or the payment is to be made to an alternate payee, the redemption request must be Signature Guaranteed. A notary cannot provide a Signature Guarantee. In the absence of your specific instructions, 10% of the value of your redemption from a retirement account in a Fund may be withheld for taxes. This withholding only applies to certain types of retirement accounts.

 

The Fund is not responsible for losses or fees resulting from posting delays or non-receipt of redemption payments at your bank when shareholder payment instructions are followed.

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES

You may exchange Shares of a Fund into Shares of another WesMark Fund. To do this, you must:

 

 

»

Ensure that the account registrations are identical;

 

»

Meet any minimum initial investment requirements; and

 

»

Receive a prospectus for the fund into which you wish to exchange.

 

An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction.

 

A Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. In addition, a Fund may terminate your exchange privilege if your exchange activity is found to be excessive under the Funds’ frequent trading policies. See “Frequent Trading Policies” below.

 

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL/ EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Complete the appropriate section of the Account Application or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Funds. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.

 

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

Verification of Shareholder Transaction Statements

You must contact the Fund in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies within 60 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. The Fund may deny your ability to refute a transaction if it does not hear from you within 60 days after the confirmation statement date.

 

Non-receipt of ACH transferred/ Insufficient Funds Policy

The Funds reserve the right to cancel a purchase if payment of the check or electronic funds transfer does not clear your bank, or if a ACH is not received by settlement date. A Fund may charge a fee for insufficient funds and you may be responsible for any fees imposed by your bank and any losses that the Fund may incur as a result of the canceled purchase.

 

Online Account Access

Shareholders can opt to access their account information online. You may select this option on your account application or call 1-800-864-1013 to register. You can also set up online access through the Funds’ website at www.wesmarkfunds.com and select Account Login to establish a user ID and password. If you have questions, or problems accessing your account, contact the Funds at 1-800-864-1013.

 

Telephone Transactions

The Funds may record your telephone instructions. If a Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.

 

Share Certificates

The Funds do not issue share certificates.

 

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Shareholder Information

 

 

Account and Share Information

 

CONFIRMATIONS AND ACCOUNT STATEMENTS

You will receive confirmation of purchases, redemptions and exchanges (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid. You may elect to receive your statements and other communications from the Funds electronically. Please see “eDelivery” below.

 

eDELIVERY

eDelivery allows you to receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations, year-end tax information, and other important information concerning your investment in the Funds online. Select this option on your Account Application to receive email notifications when quarterly statements and confirmations are available for you to view via secure online access. You will also receive emails whenever a new prospectus, semi-annual or annual fund report is available. To establish eDelivery, call 1-800-864-1013 or visit www.wesmarkfunds.com. You should notify the Funds at 1-800-864-1013 of any change to your eDELIVERY preferences.

 

DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS

Dividends, if any, are paid to all shareholders who own a Fund on the record date. The record date is the date on which a shareholder must officially own shares in order to be entitled to a dividend.

 

In addition, the Funds pay any capital gains, if any, at least annually. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares, unless you elect cash payments. If you purchase shares just before a Fund record date for a dividend or capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing shares shortly before a Fund record date for a dividend or capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Funds for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.

 

The Fund will send dividends and capital gain distributions elected to be received as cash to the address of record or bank of record on the applicable account. Distribution checks will only be issued for payments greater than $25.00. Distributions will automatically be reinvested in shares of the Fund(s) generating the distribution if under $25.00. Your outstanding checks may be canceled and proceeds reinvested, and distribution options will automatically be converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares if any of the following occur:

 

 

»

Postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to the address of record;

 

»

Dividends and capital gain distribution are not cashed within 180 days; or

 

»

Bank account of record is no longer valid.

 

Under the Federal securities laws, the Funds are required to provide a notice to shareholders regarding the source of distributions made by a Fund if such distributions are from sources other than ordinary investment income determined according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

 

ACCOUNTS WITH LOW BALANCES

Due to the high cost of maintaining accounts with low balances, accounts may be closed if redemptions or exchanges cause the account balance to fall below $1,000 or $500 for IRA accounts. Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed at least 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.

 

TAX INFORMATION

The Funds send an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. You can elect to receive your tax statement electronically. Please see “eDelivery” above.

 

Fund distributions of dividends and capital gains are ordinarily taxable to you whether paid in cash or reinvested in a Fund. However, the dividend income earned from the West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund generally remains free from federal income taxes and is often free from West Virginia state taxes. Dividends are taxable as ordinary income; capital gains are classified as long-term or short-term depending upon the length of time a Fund holds its assets. Consult your tax adviser for your specific tax liability.

 

Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state, and local tax liability.

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Shareholder Information

 

 

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

Frequent or short-term trading into and out of a Fund can have adverse consequences for a Fund and shareholders who use the Fund as a long-term investment vehicle. Such trading, in significant amounts, can disrupt a Fund’s investment strategies (e.g., by requiring the Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or maintain excessive short-term or cash positions to support redemptions), increase brokerage and administrative costs, and affect the timing and amount of taxable gains distributed by a Fund.

 

The Funds’ Board has approved policies and procedures intended to discourage excessive frequent or short-term trading of the Funds’ Shares. Trading in the Funds’ Shares is monitored in an effort to identify disruptive trading activity. Trades into and out of the Funds are monitored within a period of 30 days or less. If, based upon the monitoring, a shareholder is deemed to have engaged in potentially disruptive frequent or short term trading of the Funds’ shares, then the shareholder will receive a letter to that effect and may be precluded from making further purchases or exchanges of the Funds’ shares. No matter how the Fund defines its limits on frequent trading of the Funds Shares, other purchases and sales of the Funds’ Shares may have adverse effects on the management of a Fund’s portfolio and its performance.

 

It is anticipated that a significant number of shares of the WesMark Funds will be held by accounts established with WesBanco Trust and Investment Services (WTIS). Purchase and sale decisions in such accounts are primarily made by investment officers of WTIS. Such accounts will be monitored and any instances of disruptive frequent or short term trading will be researched and addressed with management of WTIS.

 

The Funds’ objective is that its restrictions on short-term trading should apply to all shareholders regardless of the number or type of accounts in which Shares are held. However, the Funds anticipate that limitations on their ability to identify trading activity to specific shareholders, including where shares are held through intermediaries in multiple or omnibus accounts, will mean that these restrictions may not be able to be applied uniformly in all cases.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The disclosure policy of the Funds and the Adviser prohibits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information to any investor or intermediary before the same information is made available to other investors. Employees of the Adviser or its affiliates who have access to nonpublic information concerning the Funds’ portfolio holdings are prohibited from trading securities on the basis of this information. Such persons must report all personal securities trades and obtain pre-clearance for all personal securities trades other than certain short term and U.S. Government securities and mutual fund shares (other than the WesMark Funds).

 

Firms that provide administrative, custody, financial, accounting, legal, or other services to the Funds may receive nonpublic information about Funds’ portfolio holdings for purposes relating to their services. The Funds may also provide portfolio holdings information to publications that rate, rank, or otherwise categorize investment companies. Traders or portfolio managers may provide “interest” lists to facilitate portfolio trading if the list reflects only that subset of the portfolio for which the trader or portfolio manager is seeking market interest. A list of service providers, publications, and other third parties who may receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information appears in the SAI.

 

The furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to any third party (other than authorized governmental or regulatory personnel) requires the prior approval of the Executive Vice President of the Adviser and of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds. The Executive Vice President of the Adviser and the Chief Compliance Officer will approve the furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to a third party only if they consider furnishing such information to be in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders. In that regard, and to address possible conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and those of the Adviser and its affiliates, the following procedures apply. No consideration may be received by each Fund, the Adviser, any affiliate of the Adviser, or any of their employees in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Before information is furnished, the third party must agree that it will safeguard the confidentiality of the information. Persons approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information will receive it as often as necessary for the purpose for which it is provided. Such information may be furnished as frequently as daily and often with no time lag between the date of the information and the date it is furnished. The Board receives and reviews annually a list of the persons who receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information and the purposes for which it is furnished.

 

The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports, which contain complete listings of the Funds’ portfolio holdings as of the end of the Funds’ second and fourth fiscal quarters, may be accessed by calling 1-800-864-1013 or on the internet at www.wesmarkfunds.com, and locate the section of the Home Page entitled “Recent Information” and select the appropriate document. Complete listings of the Funds’ portfolio holdings as of the end of the Funds’ first and third fiscal quarters may also be accessed by calling 1-800-864-1013 or on the Funds’ website at www.wesmarkfunds.com/Recent Information and select the appropriate document. Fiscal quarter information is made available on the

 

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Shareholder Information

 

 

website within 70 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. This information is also available in reports filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, summary portfolio information for each calendar quarter is posted on the Funds’ website within 30 days (or the next business day) after the end of the calendar quarter. The summary portfolio composition information may include, when applicable, identification of a Fund’s top ten holdings, a percentage breakdown of the portfolio by sector, or maturity range or credit quality. To access this information on the Funds’ website, locate the “Recent Information” section, then click on “Fact Sheets,” and click on the Fund name.

 

 

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February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Who Manages the Funds?

 

 

The Board of Trustees governs the Funds. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, WesBanco Investment Department, which is a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc. The Adviser manages the Funds’ assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser’s address is One Bank Plaza, Wheeling, WV 26003.

 

Adviser’s Background

The Adviser is a division of WesBanco Bank, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WesBanco, Inc. (Corporation), a registered bank holding company headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a broad range of financial services to individuals and businesses in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Maryland. The Adviser is a division of a state chartered bank, which offers financial services that include commercial and consumer loans, corporate, institutional and personal trust services, and demand and time deposit accounts. The Adviser employs an experienced staff of professional investment analysts, portfolio managers, and traders. The staff manages the bond portfolios for the Corporation that includes government, corporate, mortgage, and municipal securities. Persons affiliated with the Adviser provide investment management services to customers of WesBanco Trust and Investment Services. The total assets of WesBanco Trust and Investment Services are valued at approximately $5.36 billion.

 

Advisory Fees

The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets at the following rates: 0.75% of the Small Company Fund, Large Company Fund, Balanced Fund and Tactical Opportunity Fund, and 0.60% of the Government Bond Fund and West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse a Fund for certain operating expenses.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement for each of the Funds is available in the Funds’ June 30, 2023 semi-annual report.

 

Portfolio Managers

Steven Kellas

Steven Kellas has been a member of the investment team for the Large Company Fund, Balanced Fund, and Government Fund since January 2013. Mr. Kellas has served as the head of the portfolio management team for the West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund since September 2006. He has been employed by WesBanco Bank since 1989, serving as Executive Vice President since February 2021, and is responsible for providing investment research and portfolio management for the Trust and Investment Services department of WesBanco Bank. Mr. Kellas is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from West Liberty State College and an M.B.A. degree from Wheeling Jesuit University.

 

Robert McGee

Robert McGee has been a member of the investment team for the Balanced Fund, Government Bond Fund, Large Company Fund, Small Company Fund, and Tactical Opportunity Fund since June 2023, and began serving as the head of the portfolio management teams for these funds in March 2024. Mr. McGee has been employed as a Senior Vice President of WesBanco Bank since June 2023, and is responsible for providing investment research and portfolio management for the Trust and Investment Services department. Mr. McGee is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and received a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

 

The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts, and ownership of securities in the Funds.

 

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Financial Highlights

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past five years or periods. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Funds’ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

 

WesMark Small Company Fund

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 11.71     $ 15.66     $ 16.12     $ 12.79     $ 10.63  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income (Loss)     0.06       0.00 (1)      (0.07 )     (1.36 )     (0.05 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     2.20       (3.22 )     3.64       6.01       2.21  
Total from Investment Operations     2.26       (3.22 )     3.57       4.65       2.16  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.04 )                        
From Net Realized Gain on Investments     (0.74 )     (0.73 )     (4.03 )     (1.32 )      
Total Distributions     (0.78 )     0.73       (4.03 )     (1.32 )      
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 13.19     $ 11.71     $ 15.66     $ 16.12     $ 12.79  
                                         
Total Return     19.46 %     (20.56 )%     23.23 %     36.61 %     20.32 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses     1.22 %     1.24 %     1.23 %     1.27 %     1.26 %
Net Investment Income/(Loss)     0.34 %     (0.04 )%     (0.47 )%     (0.37 )%     (0.46 )%
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 109,656     $ 94,926     $ 119,737     $ 116,105     $ 96,185  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     48 %     52 %     42 %     52 %     50 %

 

(1) Less than $0.005 per share.

 

» 58

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

WESMARK LARGE COMPANY FUND

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 19.12     $ 27.41     $ 23.41     $ 19.95     $ 16.80  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income (Loss)     0.11       0.09       (0.02 )     (1.66 )     0.04  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     4.06       (5.93 )     6.08       6.89       4.40  
Total from Investment Operations     4.17       (5.84 )     6.06       5.23       4.44  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.10 )     (0.09 )     (0.00 )(1)      (0.02 )     (0.04 )
From Net Realized Gain on Investments     (1.56 )     (2.35 )     (2.06 )     (1.75 )     (1.25 )
From Tax Return of Capital           (0.01 )                  
Total Distributions     (1.66 )     (2.45 )     (2.06 )     (1.77 )     (1.29 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 21.63     $ 19.12     $ 27.41     $ 23.41     $ 19.95  
                                         
Total Return     21.94 %     (21.42 )%     26.06 %     26.31 %     26.53 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses     1.12 %     1.13 %     1.12 %     1.14 %     1.14 %
Net Investment Income/(Loss)     0.48 %     0.33 %     (0.09 )%     0.07 %     0.23 %
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 314,262     $ 288,629     $ 402,773     $ 364,086     $ 331,238  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     24 %     34 %     14 %     27 %     55 %

  

(1)

Less than $0.005 per share.

 

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 59

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

  

WESMARK BALANCED FUND

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 13.13     $ 14.68     $ 13.45     $ 13.31     $ 11.77  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income (Loss)     0.27       0.19       0.16       (0.08 )     0.23  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     0.37       (1.24 )     1.96       0.72       2.14  
Total from Investment Operations     0.64       (1.05 )     2.12       0.64       2.37  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.27 )     (0.22 )     (0.17 )     (0.22 )     (0.23 )
From Net Realized Gain on Investments     (0.35 )     (0.28 )     (0.72 )     (0.28 )     (0.60 )
Total Distributions     (0.62 )     (0.50 )     (0.89 )     (0.50 )     (0.83 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 13.15     $ 13.13     $ 14.68     $ 13.45     $ 13.31  
                                         
Total Return     4.98 %     (7.19 )%     15.85 %     5.05 %     20.30 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses     1.24 %     1.24 %     1.25 %     1.27 %     1.25 %
Net Investment Income     2.01 %     1.36 %     1.03 %     1.66 %     1.74 %
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 98,598     $ 99,470     $ 121,852     $ 114,766     $ 112,171  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     24 %     18 %     23 %     29 %     31 %

  

» 60

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

WESMARK GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 7.99     $ 9.81     $ 10.08     $ 9.93     $ 9.68  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income     0.25       0.13       0.07       0.11       0.19  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     (0.04 )     (1.80 )     (0.21 )     0.23       0.27  
Total from Investment Operations     0.21       (1.67 )     (0.14 )     0.34       0.46  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.26 )     (0.15 )     (0.13 )     (0.19 )     (0.21 )
Total Distributions     (0.26 )     (0.15 )     (0.13 )     (0.19 )     (0.21 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 7.94     $ 7.99     $ 9.81     $ 10.08     $ 9.93  
                                         
Total Return     2.71 %     (17.11 )%     (1.35 )%     3.46 %     4.75 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses     1.01 %     1.01 %     1.02 %     1.03 %     1.01 %
Net Investment Income     3.24 %     1.51 %     0.72 %     1.09 %     1.72 %
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 182,552     $ 187,501     $ 242,733     $ 232,565     $ 231,959  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     72 %     56 %     40 %     51 %     37 %

  

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 61

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

WESMARK WEST VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 9.67     $ 10.69     $ 10.84     $ 10.67     $ 10.38  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income     0.20       0.18       0.17       0.18       0.20  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     0.21       (1.02 )     (0.13 )     0.18       0.30  
Total from Investment Operations     0.41       (0.84 )     0.04       0.36       0.50  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.20 )     (0.18 )     (0.17 )     (0.19 )     (0.21 )
From Net Realized Gain on Investments           (0.00 )(1)      (0.02 )     (0.00 )(1)      (0.00 )(1) 
Total Distributions     (0.20 )     (0.18 )     (0.19 )     (0.19 )     (0.21 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 9.88     $ 9.67     $ 10.69     $ 10.84     $ 10.67  
                                         
Total Return     4.29 %     (7.84 )%     0.43 %     3.48 %     4.83 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses     1.10 %     1.10 %     1.11 %     1.10 %     1.08 %
Net Investment Income     2.05 %     1.84 %     1.61 %     1.81 %     1.94 %
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 89,582     $ 95,597     $ 114,698     $ 119,454     $ 117,868  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     6 %     9 %     15 %     10 %     9 %

 

(1)

Less than $0.005 per share.

 

» 62

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

WESMARK TACTICAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2023     For the Year Ended December 31, 2022     For the Year Ended December 31, 2021     For the Year Ended December 31, 2020     For the Year Ended December 31, 2019  
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE          
                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   $ 10.37     $ 12.16     $ 11.95     $ 11.25     $ 10.01  
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:                                        
Net Investment Income     0.16       0.14       0.19       0.04       0.10  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     0.57       (1.64 )     1.45       0.91       1.56  
Total from Investment Operations     0.73       (1.50 )     1.64       0.95       1.66  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS          
                                         
From Net Investment Income     (0.09 )     (0.02 )     (0.13 )     (0.04 )     (0.11 )
From Net Realized Gain on Investments           (0.07 )     (1.30 )     (0.21 )     (0.31 )
Total Distributions     (0.09 )     (0.29 )     (1.43 )     (0.25 )     (0.42 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year   $ 11.01     $ 10.37     $ 12.16     $ 11.95     $ 11.25  
                                         
Total Return     7.10 %     (12.38 )%     13.94 %     8.48 %     16.61 %
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS          
                                         
Net Expenses(1)     1.39 %     1.43 %     1.44 %     1.50 %     1.46 %
Net Investment Income(1)(2)     1.52 %     1.29 %     1.45 %     0.36 %     0.91 %
Net Assets Value End of Year (000 omitted)   $ 44,770     $ 41,132     $ 47,979     $ 45,762     $ 41,452  
Portfolio Turnover Rate     39 %     85 %     78 %     169 %     152 %

 

(1) The ratios shown do not include the Fund’s proportionate shares of the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(2) Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

  

www.wesmarkfunds.com

» 63

 

 

 

A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated February 29, 2024 is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional information about the Funds and their investments is contained in the Funds’ SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report’s Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during their last fiscal year. The SAI contains a description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of their portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Funds at 1-800-864-1013, or visit www.wesmarkfund.com. You can obtain information about the Funds (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC. You may also access fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at [email protected] or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room’s operations and copying fees.

 

WesMark Small Company Fund (WMKSX) Cusip 951025501

 

WesMark Large Company Fund (WMKGX) Cusip 951025204

 

WesMark Balanced Fund (WMBLX) Cusip 951025303

 

WesMark Government Bond Fund (WMBDX) Cusip 951025402

 

WesMark West Virginia Municipal Bond Fund (WMKMX) Cusip 951025105

 

WesMark Tactical Opportunity Fund (WMKTX) Cusip 951025600

WesMark Funds

One Bank Plaza

Wheeling, WV 26003

 

ALPS Distributors, Inc., Distributor

February 29, 2023

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-7925

 

» 64

February 29, 2024 » Prospectus

 

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Marketing Notice

 

Rev. 01/2023

 

 

FACTS

WHAT DO THE WESMARK FUNDS
DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

» Name and address

» Assets and account balances

» Transaction details

How?

All financial companies need to share customer personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customer personal information; the reasons the WesMark Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

       

Reasons we can share your personal information

Do The WesMark Funds
share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), and respond to court orders and legal investigations

Yes

No

For our marketing purposes –
to offer our products and services to you

Yes

Yes

For joint marketing with other financial companies

Yes

Yes

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your transactions and experiences

Yes

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your creditworthiness

No

We don’t share

For our affiliates to market to you

Yes

Yes

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

We don’t share

 

To limit our sharing

Mail the form below or contact us at 800-864-1013
Please note:

If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

If you have a joint account, your choice(s) will apply to everyone on your account unless you mark below. [ ]
Apply my choices only to me.

Mark any or all sharing you want to limit:

[ ] Do not use my personal information to market to me and do not share my information with affiliates or other institutions to market to me.

Name

Mail to:

WesMark Funds
1 Bank Plaza
Wheeling, WV 26003

Address

 
 

City, State, Zip

 

Account #(s)

 

Questions?

Call 1-800-864-1013

 

 

NOT PART OF THE PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Marketing Notice

 

 

 

Page 2

 

Who we are

 

Who is providing this notice?

WesMark Funds, WesBanco Bank, Inc., WesBanco Bank Community Development Corporation, WesBanco Securities, Inc., WesBanco Insurance Services, Inc., and WesBanco Title Agency, LLC

What we do

 

How do The WesMark Funds protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

How do The WesMark Funds collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

» Open an account

» Provide identifying information

» Execute securities transactions

We also collect your personal information from affiliates or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

» sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

» affiliates from using your information to market to you

» sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

What happens when I limit sharing for an account I hold jointly with someone else?

Your choices will apply to everyone on your account — unless you tell us otherwise.

   

Definitions

 

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

» Our affiliates include companies with a WesBanco name such as WesBanco Bank, Inc.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

» WesMark does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

» WesMark does not share with nonaffiliates so we can market to you.