Viking Mutual Funds

 

image_008.jpg November 30, 2022
 
Statement of Additional Information
 
VIKING MUTUAL FUNDS
Class A and Class I Shares
 
KANSAS MUNICIPAL FUND
Class A:KSMUX and Class I: KSITX
 
MAINE MUNICIPAL FUND
Class A:MEMUX and Class I: MEIMX
 
NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL FUND
Class A:NEMUX and Class I: NEITX
 
OKLAHOMA MUNICIPAL FUND
Class A:OKMUX and Class I: OKMIX
 
VIKING TAX-FREE FUND FOR MONTANA
Class A: VMTTX and Class I: VMTIX
 
VIKING TAX-FREE FUND FOR NORTH DAKOTA
Class A: VNDFX and Class I: VNDIX
 

 

PO Box 500
Minot, North Dakota 58702
701-852-5292
800-601-5593 • Transfer Agent
800-276-1262 • Marketing

 

The Kansas Municipal Fund, Maine Municipal Fund, Nebraska Municipal Fund, Oklahoma Municipal Fund, Viking Tax-Free Fund for Montana, and Viking Tax-Free Fund for North Dakota (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are mutual funds that offer shares pursuant to a prospectus dated November 30, 2022 (“Prospectus”). This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It contains information in addition to the information in the Funds’ Prospectus. The Funds’ Prospectus, which may be amended from time to time, contains the basic information you should know before investing in a Fund. You should read this SAI together with the Funds’ Prospectus.

 

The Funds’ audited financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year, including the notes thereto and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report, thereon, included in the annual report to shareholders (the “Annual Report”), are hereby incorporated into this SAI by reference.

 

For a free copy of the current Prospectus or annual report, contact your investment representative, call 800-276-1262, or you may access the Prospectus and the Funds’ semi-annual and annual reports from the Funds’ website at www.integrityvikingfunds.com.

 

Mutual funds:

· are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency;
· have no bank guarantees;
· may lose value, so an investor may lose money

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
HISTORY OF THE FUNDS B-1
   
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS B-1
   
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS B-3
   
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS B-7
   
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE B-12
   
MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES B-13
   
TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICE PROVIDER, AND ADMINISTRATOR B-16
   
CUSTODIANS B-17
   
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM B-1
   
COUNSEL B-17
   
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS B-17
   
TAXATION OF THE FUNDS B-18
   
ORGANIZATION, VOTING RIGHTS, AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS B-25
   
BUYING AND SELLING SHARES B-27
   
PRICING SHARES B-33
     
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS B-36
   
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS B-36
   
PROXY VOTING B-40
   
APPENDIX A—FACTORS PERTAINING TO STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES B-B-1

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY OF THE FUNDS

 

Viking Mutual Funds is an open-end investment company established under Delaware law by a Trust Instrument dated March 30, 1999. It is a series company as contemplated under Rule 18f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each of the Funds is a series of Viking Mutual Funds.

 

Effective after the close of business on October 31, 2017, the Kansas Municipal Fund (the “Kansas Fund”), Maine Municipal Fund (the “Maine Fund”), Nebraska Municipal Fund (the “Nebraska Fund”), and Oklahoma Municipal Fund (the “Oklahoma Fund”) each acquired the assets of the corresponding series of the same name, which was organized as a series of Integrity Managed Portfolios, in exchange for shares of the Fund and the assumption by the Fund of the liabilities of the predecessor series of Integrity Managed Portfolios (the “Reorganizations”). The purpose of the Reorganizations was to consolidate all of the municipal portfolios advised by Viking Fund Management, LLC under the Trust. References to the Kansas Fund, Maine Fund, Nebraska Fund, and Oklahoma Fund include each Fund and its corresponding predecessor fund under Integrity Managed Portfolios. The term “Integrity/Viking Funds” and “Fund Complex” refers to all of the mutual funds advised by Viking Fund Management, LLC, which includes the Funds and five series of The Integrity Funds known as the Integrity Dividend Harvest Fund, Integrity Growth & Income Fund, Integrity High Income Fund, Integrity Mid-North American Resources Fund, and Integrity Short Term Government Fund.

 

Viking Tax-Free Fund for Montana (the “Montana Fund”) commenced operations on August 3, 1999. Effective after the close of business on July 31, 2009, the Montana Fund acquired the stated assets of the Montana Tax-Free Fund, Inc., which was previously managed by Integrity Money Management, Inc. (the “Prior Integrity Montana Fund”), in exchange for shares of the Montana Fund and the assumption of the stated liabilities of the Prior Integrity Montana Fund.

 

Viking Tax-Free Fund for North Dakota (the “North Dakota Fund”) commenced operations on August 3, 1999. Effective after the close of business on July 31, 2009, the North Dakota Fund acquired the stated assets of the ND Tax-Free Fund, Inc., which was previously managed by Integrity Money Management, Inc. (the “Prior Integrity ND Fund”), in exchange for shares of the North Dakota Fund and the assumption of the stated liabilities of the Prior Integrity ND Fund.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

 

The Funds have adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies. This means that any restriction may be changed only if the change is approved, as set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) by (i) more than 50% of a Fund’s outstanding shares or (ii) 67% or more of a Fund’s shares present at a shareholder meeting if more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, whichever is less.

 

The Kansas Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and Kansas personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. To pursue its objective, the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from (a) federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax, and (b) Kansas personal income taxes.

 

The Maine Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and Maine personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. To pursue its objective, the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from (a) federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax, and (b) Maine personal income taxes.

 

The Nebraska Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and Nebraska personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. To pursue its objective, the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from (a) federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax, and (b) Nebraska personal income taxes.

 

The Oklahoma Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and Oklahoma personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. To pursue its objective, the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from (a) federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax, and (b) Oklahoma personal income taxes.

 

The Montana Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and Montana personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. In addition, the Fund has a fundamental policy pursuant to which it invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax.

 

B-1

 

 

The North Dakota Fund seeks the highest level of current income that is exempt from federal and North Dakota personal income taxes and is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental. In addition, the Fund has a fundamental policy pursuant to which it invests at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal securities that pay interest free from federal income taxes, including the federal alternative minimum tax.

 

The following fundamental restrictions apply to each Fund.

 

A Fund may not:

     
  (1) issue any senior securities, borrow money or mortgage or pledge any of the assets of the Fund, except that borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes may be made in an amount up to 5% of total assets.
     
  (2) buy any securities on margin or sell any securities short.
     
  (3) make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment policies.
     
  (4) underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the Fund may be technically deemed an underwriter under the federal securities laws in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.
     
  (5) purchase the securities of any issuer which would result in the Fund owning more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer.
     
  (6) purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase securities which are secured by or represent interests in real estate.
     
  (7) purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, financial future contracts, puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any combination thereof or derivative securities of any kind, or interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs.
     
  (8) invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
     
  (9) purchase any security if thereafter 25% or more of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry; this restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities, or instrumentalities, or to tax-exempt obligations issued or guaranteed by a U.S. territory or possession or a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing.
     
  (10) invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any single investment company, nor more than 10% of its total assets in securities of two or more investment companies, except as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets or invest in securities of any single investment company if as a result of such investment, the Fund owns more than 3% of the total voting stock of such investment company; except that the Fund may invest in money market mutual funds to the extent permitted by federal law, including the 1940 Act and rules promulgated thereunder.
     
  (11) invest in foreign securities.

 

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions

 

Each Fund has a non-fundamental policy restricting its investment in illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. Illiquid securities are any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.

 

If a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular security a Fund owns, the Fund may receive stock, real estate, or other investments that the Fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, the Fund intends to sell such investments as soon as practicable while maximizing the return to shareholders.

 

Excluding the Funds’ restrictions regarding borrowing and illiquid securities, any investment restriction or limitation which involves a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after an acquisition of securities and such excess results therefrom. If events subsequent to a transaction result in a Fund exceeding the percentage limitation on borrowing or illiquid securities, the investment manager will take appropriate steps to reduce the percentage of borrowings or the percentage held in illiquid securities, as may be required by law, within a reasonable amount of time. More specifically with respect to illiquid securities, the investment manager will take reasonable and appropriate steps to bring the Fund back into compliance with the 15% percentage limitation described above.

 

B-2

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS

 

The following is a description of the various types of securities the Funds may buy and certain of the accompanying risks. A more complete discussion of the principal investment strategies and principal risks of the Funds is set forth in the Prospectus. The Funds may not necessarily buy all of these securities or use all of these techniques.

 

Principal Investment Techniques and Risks

 

Municipal bonds meet longer-term capital needs and generally have maturities from one to 30 years when issued. They have two principal classifications: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.

 

General obligation bonds

 

Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including construction or improvement, of schools, highways, and roads. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.

 

Revenue bonds

 

The full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer do not secure revenue bonds. Instead, the principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenue derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects, including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security behind these bonds may vary. For example, housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Many bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund that may be used to make principal and interest payments. Some authorities have further security in the form of state assurances (although without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.

 

All of the municipal securities in which the Funds invest are rated investment grade (BBB- or higher), at the time of purchase by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization such as S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) or are of comparable quality as determined by the investment manager.

 

Ratings of municipal bonds represent the opinions of the rating services with respect to the securities and are not absolute standards of quality. Please see “Description of Bond Ratings” for a description of the ratings.

 

With respect to unrated securities, it is also the Funds’ intent to buy securities that, in the view of the investment manager, would be comparable in quality to the Funds’ rated securities and have been determined to be consistent with the Funds’ objectives without exposing the Funds to excessive risk. The Funds will not buy issues that are in default or that the investment manager believes involve excessive risk.

 

Tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds

 

The Funds may invest in industrial development revenue bonds the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax in the opinion of the bond issuer’s counsel. Tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately operated facilities for business, manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control, as well as public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, and parking. The payment of principal and interest is solely dependent on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of the facility or other property as security for payment.

 

Callable bonds

 

Each Fund may invest in callable bonds, which allow the issuer to repay some or all of the bonds ahead of schedule. If a bond is called, the Fund will receive the principal amount and accrued interest, and may receive a small additional payment as a call premium. The Fund may sell a callable bond before its call date, if it believes the bond is at its maximum premium potential. An issuer is more likely to call its bonds when interest rates are falling, because the issuer can issue new bonds with lower interest payments. If a bond is called, the Fund may have to replace it with a lower-yielding security. If the Fund originally paid a premium for the bond because it had appreciated in value from its original issue price, the Fund also may not be able to recover the full amount it paid for the bond. One way for the Fund to protect itself from call risk is to buy bonds with call protection. Call protection is an assurance that the bond will not be called for a specific time period, typically five to 10 years from when the bond is issued. In light of the Funds’ pricing policies and certain amortization procedures required by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the Funds do not expect to suffer any material adverse impact related to the value at which they carry bonds in connection with calls of bonds purchased at a premium. As with any investment strategy, however, there is no guarantee that a call may not have a more substantial impact than anticipated.

 

B-3

 

 

Escrow-secured or defeased bonds are created when an issuer refunds, before maturity, an outstanding bond issue that is not immediately callable (or pre-refunds), and sets aside funds for redemption of the bonds at a future date. The issuer uses the proceeds from a new bond issue to buy high grade, interest bearing debt securities, generally direct obligations of the U.S. government. These securities are then deposited in an irrevocable escrow account held by a trustee bank to secure all future payments of principal and interest on the pre-refunded bond. Escrow-secured bonds often receive a triple A or equivalent rating from Moodys, S&P, or Fitch.

 

Municipal securities and single-state considerations

 

Each Fund focuses its investments in the municipal securities of a single state and may also invest in the securities of issuers located in U.S. territories and possessions. The values of municipal securities held by the Fund may be adversely affected by local political and economic conditions and developments. Adverse conditions in an industry significant to a local economy could have a correspondingly adverse effect on the financial condition of local issuers. Other factors that could affect municipal securities include a change in the local, state or national economy, demographic factors, ecological or environmental concerns, statutory limitations on the issuer’s ability to increase taxes, and other developments generally affecting the revenue of issuers (for example, legislation or court decisions reducing state aid to local governments or mandating additional services).

 

To the extent that a Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in a given state or U.S. territory or possession, it will be disproportionately affected by political and economic conditions and developments in that state, territory or possession. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that state, territory or possession could adversely affect municipal bond issuers in that state or territory or possession and therefore the value of a Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

The Funds may invest in municipal securities of municipal issuers located in Puerto Rico. In recent years, municipal securities issued by Puerto Rico and its agencies and instrumentalities have been subject to multiple credit downgrades as a result of Puerto Rico’s ongoing fiscal challenges and uncertainty about the ability to make full repayment on these obligations. More recently, certain issuers of Puerto Rican municipal securities have failed to make payments on obligations that have come due, and additional missed payments or defaults may occur in the future.

 

Set forth in Appendix A are summaries of certain factors that bear upon the risk of investing in municipal securities issued by public authorities in the states of the Funds as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

Municipal market disruption risk

 

The value of municipal securities may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal market related to legislation or litigation involving the taxation of municipal securities or the rights of municipal securities holders in the event of a bankruptcy. As described below under “Tax risk,” proposals have been introduced to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal securities, and similar proposals may be introduced in the future. Proposed “flat tax” and “value added tax” proposals could also have the effect of eliminating the tax preference for municipal securities. Proposals also may be introduced before the state legislatures that would affect the state tax treatment of a municipal fund’s distributions. If such proposals were enacted, the availability of municipal securities and the value of a municipal fund’s holdings would be affected and the Trustees would reevaluate the Funds’ investment objectives and policies. Historically, municipal bankruptcies have been relatively rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear. Further, the application of state law to municipal issuers could produce varying results among the states or among municipal securities issuers within a state. These legal uncertainties could affect the municipal securities market generally, certain specific segments of the market, or the relative credit quality of particular securities. Any of these effects could have a significant impact on the prices of some or all of the municipal securities held by a Fund.

 

Tax risk

 

Income from municipal securities held by the Funds could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities, or noncompliant conduct of a bond issuer. Moreover, a portion of the Funds’ otherwise exempt-interest dividends may be taxable to those shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax. In addition, proposals have been made to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal securities, and similar proposals may be introduced in the future. Proposed “flat tax” and “value added tax” proposals could also have the effect of eliminating the tax preference for municipal securities. Some of these proposals would apply to interest on municipal securities issued before the date of enactment, which would adversely affect their value to a material degree. If such a proposal were enacted, the availability of municipal securities for investment by the Funds and the value of the Funds’ portfolios would be adversely affected.

 

B-4

 

 

Cybersecurity risk

 

As the use of technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the Funds have become potentially more susceptible to operational and financial risks through breaches in cybersecurity. These risks include theft, loss, misuse, improper release, corruption and destruction of, or unauthorized access to, confidential or highly restricted data relating to a Fund and its shareholders; and compromises or failures to systems, networks, devices and applications relating to the operations of a Fund and its service providers. Cybersecurity issues may result in, among other things, financial losses to a Fund and its shareholders; the inability of a Fund to transact business with its shareholders or to engage in portfolio transactions; delays or mistakes in the calculation of a Fund’s NAV or other materials provided to shareholders; the inability to process transactions with shareholders or other parties; violations of privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties and reputational damage; and compliance and remediation costs, legal fees and other expenses. A Fund’s service providers, financial intermediaries, entities in which a Fund invests and parties with which a Fund engages in portfolio or other transactions also may be adversely impacted by cybersecurity risks, resulting in losses to a Fund or its shareholders. There can be no guarantee that any risk management systems established to address to reduce cybersecurity risks will succeed, and the Funds cannot control such systems put in place by service providers, issuers or other third parties whose operations may affect the Funds and/or their shareholders.

 

Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that a Fund may not be able to sell a holding in a timely manner at a desired price. Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market, the reduced number of traditional market participants, or the reduced capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in securities. The secondary market for certain municipal securities tends to be less developed and liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to sell such municipal securities at attractive prices. Moreover, inventories of municipal securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease a Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds, and increase bond price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. As a result, a Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. If a Fund needed to sell large blocks of securities to raise cash (such as to meet heavy shareholder redemptions), those sales could further reduce the securities’ prices and hurt performance.

 

Valuation risk

 

The sales price a Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when a Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology.

 

Non-Principal Investment Techniques and Risks

 

Municipal lease obligations

 

The Funds may invest in municipal lease obligations, including certificates of participation. Since annual appropriations are required to make lease payments, municipal lease obligations generally are not subject to constitutional limitations on the issuance of debt and may allow an issuer to increase government liabilities beyond constitutional debt limits. When faced with increasingly tight budgets, local governments have more discretion to curtail lease payments under a municipal lease obligation than they do to curtail payments on other municipal securities. If not enough money is appropriated to make the lease payments, the leased property may be repossessed as security for holders of the municipal lease obligations. If this happens, there is no assurance that the property’s private sector or re-leasing value will be enough to make all outstanding payments on the municipal lease obligations or that the payments will continue to be tax-free. While cancellation risk is inherent to municipal lease obligations, the investment manager believes that this risk may be reduced, although not eliminated, by the Funds’ policies on the quality of securities in which they may invest.

 

Zero coupon securities

 

The Funds may invest in zero-coupon and delayed interest securities. Zero-coupon securities make no periodic interest payments, but are sold at a deep discount from their face value. The buyer recognizes a rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date. The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity, as well as market interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the issuer’s perceived credit quality. The discount, in the absence of financial difficulties of the issuer, typically decreases as the final maturity date approaches. If the issuer defaults, a Fund may not receive any return on its investment.

 

B-5

 

 

Because zero-coupon securities bear no interest, their value is generally more volatile than the value of other fixed-income securities. Since zero-coupon bondholders do not receive interest payments, zero-coupon securities fall more drastically than bonds paying interest on a current basis when interest rates rise. When interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities rise more rapidly in value, because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return.

 

An investment in zero-coupon and delayed interest securities may cause a Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on its investments. To generate cash to satisfy distribution requirements, a Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise would have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of Fund shares.

 

When-issued securities

 

Municipal securities are frequently offered on a when-issued basis. When so offered, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to buy is made, but delivery and payment take place at a later date. During the time between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Funds to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Funds. If the other party to the transaction fails to deliver the security, the Funds could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.

 

When a Fund makes the commitment to buy a municipal security on a when-issued basis, it records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in the determination of its Net Asset Value (“NAV”). The Funds believe that their NAVs or income will not be negatively affected by the purchase of municipal securities on a when-issued basis. The Funds will not engage in when-issued transactions for investment leverage purposes.

 

Although the Funds will generally buy municipal securities on a when-issued basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, they may sell the securities before the settlement date if it is considered advisable. If assets of the Funds are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Funds will not earn income on those assets.

 

U.S. government obligations

 

Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government obligations. U.S. Government obligations are issued by the U.S. Treasury or by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They include Treasury bills, notes, and bonds.

 

Other investment companies

 

The Funds may invest in the shares of other investment companies. Such investments may be the most practical manner in which the Funds can invest in certain securities because those securities themselves may not be available at the time a Fund is ready to make an investment.

 

As a shareholder in an investment company, a Fund would bear its pro rata share of that investment company’s expenses. Investment in other investment companies, such as closed-end funds, may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuers’ portfolio securities. A Fund does not intend to invest in such investment companies unless, in the judgment of the Fund’s investment manager, the potential benefits of such investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. See “Investment Restrictions” above.

 

Temporary investments

 

During unusual market or other conditions, each Fund may temporarily depart from its investment objective and invest up to 100% of its assets in short-term U.S. Government obligations, cash, and cash equivalents. These short-term investments may be taxable.

 

B-6

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

Viking Mutual Funds (the “Trust”) has a Board of Trustees (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board”). The Board is responsible for the overall management of the Funds, including general supervision and review of each Fund’s investment activities. The Board, in turn, elects the officers of the Funds who are responsible for administering each Fund’s day-to-day operations. Among other things, the Board of Trustees, generally oversees the portfolio management of each Fund and reviews and approves each Fund’s advisory contracts and other principal contracts.

 

The Trustees who are not “interested persons” (for regulatory purposes) of the Trust or an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds (the “Independent Trustees”) are charged with, among other functions, recommending to the full Board approval of the distribution, transfer agency and accounting services agreements and the investment advisory agreements. A Trustee who is an “interested person” (for regulatory purposes) of the Trust is referred to as an “Interested Trustee.”

 

The role of the Board

 

The Board provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. Like all mutual funds, the day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various service providers to the Trust, such as the Trust’s investment adviser, distributor, administrator, custodian, and transfer agent, each of which is discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and its service providers, including the agreements with Viking Fund Management, LLC (“Viking Management” or the “Investment Adviser”), the distributor, the administrator, the custodian and the transfer agent. The Board has appointed various officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trust’s day-to-day operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the Trust’s operations. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) who administers the Trust’s compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are provided as part of formal “Board Meetings” which are typically held quarterly, in person, and involve the Board’s review of recent Trust operations. From time to time one or more members of the Board may also meet with Trust officers in less formal settings, between formal “Board Meetings,” to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations, or activities.

 

Board leadership structure

 

The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. It has established two standing committees-an Audit Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee, which are discussed in greater detail under “Board Committees”, below. Seventy-five percent of the members of the Board are Independent Trustees, and each of the Audit Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees have engaged their own independent counsel to advise them on matters relating to their responsibilities in connection with the Trust.

 

Robert E. Walstad, the Chairman of the Board, is an Interested Trustee by virtue of his ownership of a membership interest in Corridor Investors, LLC (“Corridor”), the parent company of Viking Management, Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC. He is also a governor of Corridor. The Trust has appointed R. James Maxson as Lead Independent Trustee. As such, Mr. Maxson is responsible for: (i) coordinating activities of the Independent Trustees; (ii) working with the Investment Adviser, the Chairman of the Board, the committee chairmen, the CCO, and the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees, as applicable, to determine the agenda for Board and committee meetings; (iii) serving as the principal contact for and facilitating communication between the Independent Trustees and the Funds’ service providers, particularly the Investment Adviser; and (iv) any other duties that the Independent Trustees may delegate to the Lead Independent Trustee.

 

The same four persons on the Board of the Trust comprise the board of trustees of The Integrity Funds, which constitutes the other funds in the Fund Complex. Given that the funds in the Fund Complex are served by the same service providers and generally face the same issues, the Board believes that this “unitary” structure promotes efficiency and consistency in the governance and oversight of the funds in the Fund Complex, and may reduce the costs, administrative burdens and possible conflicts that may result from having multiple boards comprised of different individuals.

 

The Trust has determined that the Board’s leadership structure, taking into account, among other things, its committee structure, which permits certain areas of responsibility to be allocated to the Independent Trustees, the role of its Lead Independent Trustee described above and its “unitary” structure described above, is appropriate given the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust and the Fund Complex.

 

Board oversight of risk management

 

The Board’s oversight extends to the Trust’s risk management processes. As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various risk management reports and assessments and discusses related matters with appropriate management and other personnel. Because risk management is a broad concept comprised of many elements (including, for example, but not limited to, investment risks, issuer risks, compliance risks, valuation risks, counterparty risks, operational risks, business continuity risks, and legal, compliance, and regulatory risks) the oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways. For example, the full Board as well as the committees meet regularly with the CCO to discuss compliance and operational risks. The CCO also provides updates to the Board of Trustees on the operation of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and on how these procedures are designed to mitigate risk. The Audit Committee also meets with the Treasurer and the Trust’s independent public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Trust’s financial reporting function. The full Board receives reports from the Investment Adviser and portfolio managers on actual and possible risks affecting the Funds. They also report to the Board on various elements of risk, including investment, credit, liquidity, valuation, operational, and compliance risks, as well as other overall business risks that could impact the Funds. Finally, the CCO and/or other officers of the Trust report to the Board in the event that any material risk issues arise in between Board meetings.

 

B-7

 

 

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve each Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to certain limitations.

 

Information about each Trustee’s qualifications, experience, attributes or skills

 

The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite attributes and skills. In addition to the information provided in the table below, listed below for each Trustee is additional information concerning the experiences, qualifications and attributes that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each current Trustee should serve as a trustee.

 

Interested Trustee

 

Robert E. Walstad. Mr. Walstad has been engaged in the securities business since 1972. Currently, he is chairman of the board of the funds in the Fund Complex and, until May 1, 2013, was a co-portfolio manager of the Integrity Mid-North American Resources Fund and the Integrity Growth & Income Fund. He was the president of Integrity Money Management, Inc. from 1988 to 2007, and provided general direction and supervision in connection with the management of several funds in the Fund Complex. He has also previously served as president of several funds in the Fund Complex.

 

Independent Trustees

 

Wade A. Dokken. Mr. Dokken has extensive experience in the financial services business. He is currently a member of WealthVest Financial Partners, a broker-dealer focused, national annuity wholesaling firm, and is also the co-founder and co-president of WealthVest Marketing, a financial services marketing and distribution firm specializing in high quality fixed and fixed index annuities from insurance companies. From 1989 to 2000, he was an executive of American Skandia (and, from 2000 to 2003, its chief executive officer) where, among other things, he was chairman of the board of American Skandia Trust, overseeing the American Skandia mutual funds, and a member of the international board of Skandia Life, overseeing mutual fund and pension businesses throughout Europe, Asia and South America.

 

R. James Maxson. Mr. Maxson is currently the majority owner of Maxson Law Office, P.C. which primarily concentrates on estate planning, business planning, trusts and estates, and transactional law. Mr. Maxson currently serves on the board of directors of the Peoples State Bank of Velva, North Dakota. He was previously chair of the Minot Area Development Corporation and the Vincent United Methodist Foundation and on the board of directors of the Kennedy Memorial Foundation. In addition, he is a former North Dakota State Senator, a former President of the North Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, and a former Democratic National Committeeman for North Dakota, as well as a former member of the boards of directors of St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation, St. Joseph’s Foundation, and the Minot Community Land Trust.

 

Jerry M. Stai. Mr. Stai is on the faculty of Minot State University where he teaches accounting and finance courses, including corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions and markets.

 

Board committees

 

The Audit Committee consists of the three Independent Trustees of the Funds: Jerry M. Stai, R. James Maxson, and Wade A. Dokken. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the full Board of Trustees in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to the shareholders and the investment community relating to fund accounting, reporting practices and the quality and integrity of the financial reports. To satisfy these responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviews with the independent auditors the audit plan and results and recommendations following independent audits, reviews the performance of the independent auditors, and recommends engagement or discharge of the auditors to the full Board of Trustees, reviews the independence of the independent auditors, reviews the adequacy of the Funds’ internal controls, and prepares and submits Committee meeting minutes and supporting documentation to the full Board. During the Funds’ fiscal year ended July 31, 2022, the Audit Committee held two meetings.

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee consists of the three Independent Trustees of the Funds: Jerry M. Stai, R. James Maxson, and Wade A. Dokken. The primary function of the Governance and Nominating Committee is to identify individuals qualified to become Board members and recommend nominations for election to the Board of Trustees. The Governance and Nominating Committee also takes a leadership role in shaping the governance of the Funds. The Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a charter and meets at least quarterly. The Governance and Nominating Committee prepares and submits meeting minutes and supporting documentation to the full Board. During the Funds’ fiscal year ending of July 31, 2022, the Governance and Nominating Committee held five meetings.

 

B-8

 

 

When considering whether to add additional or substitute Trustees to the Board of Trustees, the Independent Trustees shall take into account any proposals for candidates that are properly submitted to the Trust’s Secretary. Shareholders wishing to present one or more candidates for Trustee consideration may do so by submitting a signed written request to the Trust’s Secretary at Viking Mutual Funds, Attention: Secretary, PO Box 500, Minot, North Dakota 58702. The request must include the following information:

     
  name and address of shareholder and, if applicable, name of broker or record holder;
     
  number of shares owned;
     
  name of fund(s) in the Integrity/Viking family of funds (“Integrity/Viking Funds”) in which shares are owned;
     
  whether the proposed candidate(s) consent to being identified in any proxy statement utilized in connecting with the election of Trustees;
     
  the name and background information of the proposed candidates; and
     
  a representation that the candidate or candidates are willing to provide additional information about themselves, including assurances as to their independence.

 

Additional information about Trustees and Officers

 

Pursuant to the Trust’s Trust Instrument, each Trustee shall hold office for life until his or her successor is elected or the Trust terminates; except that (a) any Trustee may resign by delivering a written resignation; (b) any Trustee may be removed with or without cause at any time by a written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the other Trustees; (c) any Trustee who requests to be retired, or who has become unable to serve, may be retired by a written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees; and (d) any Trustee may be removed at any shareholder meeting by a vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares. Pursuant to the by-laws of the Trust, each officer elected by the Trustees shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, inability to serve, or resignation. Officers serve at the pleasure of the Trustees and may be removed at any time with or without cause.

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth
  Position with
Trust
  Date
Service
Began
  Number
of Funds
Overseen
by Trustee
in Fund
Complex
  Principal Occupations for
Past Five Years
  Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
                     
Wade A. Dokken
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
March 3, 1960
  Trustee   February
2016
  11   Member, WealthVest Financial Partners (2009 to present); Co-President, WealthVest Marketing (2009 to present); Trustee: Integrity Managed Portfolios (2016 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2016 to present)   None
                     
                     
R. James Maxson
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
December 12, 1947
  Trustee   August 2009   11   Attorney: Maxson Law Office P.C. (2002 to 2019); Trustee: Integrity Managed Portfolios (1999 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2003 to present)   Peoples State Bank of Velva
                     
                     
Jerry M. Stai
2405 11th Ave NW
Minot, ND 58703
March 31, 1952
  Trustee   August 2009   11   Faculty: Minot State University (1999 to present); Trustee: Integrity Managed Portfolios (2006 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2006 to present)   None
                     
                           

 

B-9

 

 

Interested Trustee

 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth
  Position
with Trust
  Date
Service
Began
  Number
of Funds
Overseen
by Trustee
in Fund
Complex
  Principal Occupations for
Past Five Years
  Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
                   
                     
Robert E. Walstad(1)
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
August 16, 1944
  Trustee, Chairman   August
2009
  11   Governor (2009 to present): Corridor Investors, LLC; Trustee and Chairman: Integrity Managed Portfolios (1996 to 2018), and The Integrity Funds (2003 to present)   None
                     

 

Officers

 

Name, Address, and
Date of Birth
  Position
with Trust
  Date
Service
Began
  Principal Occupations for Past Five Years   Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
                 
                 
Shannon D. Radke(2)
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
September 7, 1966
  President   1999   Governor, CEO, and President (2009 to present): Corridor Investors, LLC; Governor and President (1998 to present) and Senior Portfolio Manager (1999 to present): Viking Fund Management, LLC; Governor and President (2009 to present): Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC; President: Integrity Managed Portfolios (2009 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2009 to present)   Minot Area Community Foundation
                 
                 
Peter A. Quist(2)
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
February 23, 1934
  Vice President   August 2009   Governor (2009 to present): Corridor Investors, LLC; Attorney (inactive); Vice President: Integrity Managed Portfolios (1996 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2003 to present)   N/A
                 
                 
Shelly Nahrstedt
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
August 31, 1961
  Treasurer   August 2020   Chief Operating Officer, Integrity Fund Services, LLC, and Treasurer, The Integrity Funds (2020 to present); Director of Financial Fund Administration, PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, and Treasurer, PNC Funds (2018-2019); Director, Cohen & Company (2003-2018).   N/A
                 
                 
Brent M. Wheeler(2)
1 N. Main St.
Minot, ND 58703
October 9, 1970
  Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer and  Secretary   August 2009 and October 2009   Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer: Integrity Managed Portfolios (2005 to 2018) and  The Integrity Funds (2005 to present); Secretary: Integrity Managed Portfolios (2009 to 2018) and The Integrity Funds (2009 to present)   N/A
                 
                 

(1) Trustee who is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Walstad is an interested person by virtue of his ownership of a membership interest in Corridor, the parent company of Viking Management, Integrity Fund Services, LLC, and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC. He is also a governor of Corridor.
   
(2) Shannon D. Radke, Peter A. Quist, , and Brent M. Wheeler each own membership interests in Corridor (the parent company of Viking Management, Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC). Mr. Radke and Mr. Quist are also governors of Corridor. In addition, Mr. Radke is an officer of Corridor, an officer and a governor of Viking Fund Management, LLC, and an officer and a governor of Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC.

 

In summarizing the above information, Messrs. Walstad, Dokken, Maxson, and Stai are Trustees of the two open-end investment companies that make up the Fund Complex. Mr. Radke serves as President, Mr. Quist serves as Vice President, Ms. Nahrstedt serves as Treasurer, and Mr. Wheeler serves as Secretary and Mutual Fund Chief Compliance Officer to the same two open-end investment companies that make up the Fund Complex.

 

B-10

 

 

The Trust’s Trust Instrument provides that the Trust will indemnify its trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust, unless it is adjudicated that they (a) engaged in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their offices, or (b) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that their action was in the best interest of the Trust. In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined (by court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, by a majority of disinterested trustees based upon a review of readily available facts, or in a written opinion of independent counsel) that such officers or trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their duties. In addition, the Trust has entered into a separate Indemnification Agreement with each of the Trustees and officers of the Trust whereby the Trust has generally agreed to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware. These Indemnification Agreements acknowledge, however, that, in certain instances, applicable law or public policy may prohibit the Trust from indemnifying its Trustees and officers.

 

Share Ownership in the Funds

 

For each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities in the Funds beneficially owned by the Trustee and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in all registered investment companies overseen by the Trustee in the same family of investment companies as the Trust are shown below as of December 31, 2021:

 

 

Interested Trustee

 

Independent Trustees

 

Robert E. Walstad

 

Wade A. Dokken

 

R. James Maxson

 

Jerry M. Stai

Kansas Fund None   None   None   None
Maine Fund None   None   None   None
Nebraska Fund None   None   None   None
Oklahoma Fund None   None   None   None
Montana Fund None   None   None   None
North Dakota Fund None   None   $10,001 – $50,000   None
All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies (Aggregate) $50,001 - $100,000   $10,001 - $50,000   over $100,000   $1 – $10,000

 

As of November 1, 2022, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, owned of record and beneficially less than 1% of the shares of each Fund.

 

As of December 31, 2021, no Independent Trustee or his immediate family members owned beneficially or of record securities in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds.

 

Compensation of the Board of Trustees

 

For the 2021 calendar year, Trustees who are not considered to be “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, of Viking Mutual Funds (previously defined as “Independent Trustees”), were paid an annual fee of $25,000 for service as trustee on the boards of the funds in the complex. The annual fee was $28,000 per Independent Trustee for the 2022 calendar year. Effective January 1, 2023, the annual fee will be $30,500. In addition, each Independent Trustee is entitled to receive a fee of $3,500 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Trustees (whether attendance is telephonic or in person) that is not on the regular Board of Trustees meeting schedule. Mr. Walstad, as an “interested person” of the Funds, receives no compensation from the funds for serving as Trustee; however, he does receive compensation from Corridor for serving in such capacity. The following table sets forth compensation paid by each Fund to each of the current Trustees of the Trust and total compensation paid to each current Trustee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022. The Funds do not have any retirement or pension plans for their Trustees.

 

 

Interested Trustee

Independent Trustees

Aggregate Compensation from each Fund

Robert E. Walstad

Wade A. Dokken

R. James Maxson

Jerry M. Stai

Kansas Fund $0 $2,529 $2,529 $2,529
Maine Fund $0 $   414 $  414 $   414
Nebraska Fund $0 $1,812 $1,812 $1,812
Oklahoma Fund $0 $2,562 $2,562 $2,562
Montana Fund $0 $2,996 $2,996 $2,996
North Dakota Fund $0 $1,037 $1,037 $1,037
Total Compensation from Funds and Fund Complex(1) $0 $26,250 $26,250 $26,250
         
(1) Based on the compensation paid by the Funds and the other funds in the complex to the Trustees during the period from August 1, 2021 through the Funds’ fiscal period end of July 31, 2022, for services as a trustee to the Funds and the five open-end series of The Integrity Funds that comprise the Fund Complex.

 

B-11

 

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

 

The Trust’s Board has adopted Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures (the “Policy”) to protect the interests of Fund shareholders and to address potential conflicts of interests that could arise between the interests of Fund shareholders and the interests of the Funds’ investment advisers, principal underwriters, or affiliated persons of the Funds’ investment advisers or principal underwriters. This Policy is applicable to Viking Management, which is the investment manager to the Funds (the “Adviser” for purposes of this section).

 

The Policy is intended to prevent the misuse of material non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of the Fund (“Holdings Information”). Holdings Information will be disclosed to select third parties only when the Funds have a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and the Recipients (as defined below) are subject to a duty of confidentiality that includes a duty not to trade based on the non-public information. Under the Policy, the receipt of compensation by a Fund, the Adviser, or an affiliate as consideration for disclosing Holdings Information will not be deemed a legitimate business purpose. Recipients will receive Holdings Information only after furnishing written assurances to the Adviser and/or the Funds that the Holdings Information will remain confidential, and Recipients and persons with access to the Holdings Information will be prohibited from trading based on the Holdings Information. In all instances, Holdings Information will be disclosed only when consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties, and with the Adviser’s and the Fund’s obligations to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information.

 

Pursuant to the Policy, the Funds, the Adviser, and their agents are obligated to:

     
  act in the best interests of Fund shareholders by protecting non-public and potentially material portfolio holdings information;
     
  ensure that Holdings Information is not provided to a favored group of clients or potential clients; and
     
  adopt such safeguards and controls around the release of Holdings Information so that no client or group of clients is unfairly disadvantaged as a result of such release.

 

The following policies and procedures will apply to the disclosure of listings of portfolio holdings for one or more of the Funds by the Adviser and the Funds:

 

Internet Site and Quarterly Advertisements

 

Pursuant to the Policy, the Funds may post up to the top 25 holdings for each Fund on the Internet at www.integrityvikingfunds.com. This Holdings Information may be updated daily. The Funds also may include up to the top 25 holdings quarterly through printed marketing material, which is also posted on the website. This printed material is updated as of the end of the calendar quarter and is available within fifteen days of each quarter end. The Holdings Information posted on the Internet and listed in the printed marketing material may list the securities in numeric order, beginning with the security constituting the largest percentage held by the Fund, and

     
  may include the name of the security, the CUSIP, SEDOL and/or ticker symbol, the number of shares held by the Fund, the percentage weight of such security within the Fund; and
     
  will contain appropriate disclaimers.

 

SEC Filings

 

The Funds must disclose their complete portfolio holdings quarterly to the SEC using Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the first and third quarter end of the Funds’ fiscal year and using Form N-CSR for the second and fourth quarter of the Funds’ fiscal year. The N-PORT report is not required to be mailed to shareholders, but is made public through the SEC electronic filings.

 

Other Disclosure

 

To the extent that this Policy would require the release of Holdings Information regarding a particular portfolio holding for a Fund, subject to applicable law, the portfolio manager for the Fund may request that the holding be withheld from the Holdings Information if the release of such Holdings Information would otherwise be sensitive or inappropriate due to liquidity and other market considerations, in each case as determined by the portfolio manager in consultation with the Investment Adviser Chief Compliance Officer (or his/her designee).

 

B-12

 

 

Each of the Investment Adviser’s officers (“Designated Persons”) may authorize providing non-public Holdings Information of the Funds that is current as of one business day after the month-end to only those financial advisers, registered accountholders, authorized consultants, authorized custodians or third-party data service providers (each a “Recipient”) who (i) specifically request the more current non-public Holdings Information for a legitimate business purpose which is not inconsistent with the Funds’ legitimate business purpose and (ii) execute a Use and Nondisclosure Agreement (each, a “Nondisclosure Agreement”), and abide by its trading restrictions. The disclosure may include additional information; however, any such additional information provided to a Recipient shall not include any material information about the Funds’ trading strategies or pending transactions. The following parties currently receive non-public Holdings Information regarding one or both of the Funds on an ongoing basis pursuant to a Nondisclosure Agreement: Bloomberg; FactSet; and Lipper.

 

Designated Persons may approve the distribution in an electronic format of Holdings Information posted on the public website of the Funds to Recipients and rating agencies upon request, and such Recipients and rating agencies will not be required to execute a Nondisclosure Agreement.

 

Occasions may arise where a Designated Person, the Investment Adviser, the Funds, or an affiliate may have a conflict of interest in connection with a Recipient’s request for disclosure of non-public Holdings Information. In order to protect the interests of shareholders and the Funds and to ensure no adverse effect on the shareholders or the Funds, in the limited instances where a Designated Person is considering releasing non-public Holdings Information, the Policy requires the Designated Person to disclose the conflict to the CCO of the Trust. If the CCO determines, to the best of his knowledge following appropriate due diligence, that the disclosure of non-public Holdings Information would be in the best interests to the Funds, and will not adversely affect the Funds, the CCO may approve the disclosure.

 

The Adviser and the Funds currently do not disclose Holdings Information except as noted above. The Funds and the Adviser will not enter into any arrangement providing for the disclosure of Holdings Information for the receipt of compensation or benefit of any kind in return for the disclosure of the Holdings Information.

 

MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

 

The Board has overall responsibility for the management of the Funds. Viking Management, P.O. Box 500, Minot, North Dakota 58702, is the Funds’ investment manager. Since July 31, 2009, Viking Management has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corridor, a North Dakota limited liability company that was organized in January 2009 by Robert E. Walstad and Shannon D. Radke. Corridor provides investment advisory, distribution and other services to the Funds, as well as to the other funds in the Fund Complex described above under “Trustees and Officers,” primarily through its subsidiaries.

 

As indicated above under “Trustees and Officers,” (i) Shannon D. Radke, an officer of the Trust, is also a governor, member and officer of Corridor and a governor and officer of Viking Management; (ii) Robert E. Walstad, a Trustee and Chairman of the Board of the Trust, is also a governor and member of Corridor; (iii) Peter A. Quist, an officer of the Trust, is also a governor and member of Corridor; and (iv) Brent M. Wheeler, an officer of the Trust, is also a member of Corridor.

 

The Funds have retained Viking Management to provide the Funds with investment advice and portfolio management. The portfolio management team for each Fund consists of Shannon D. Radke (Senior Portfolio Manager) and Josh Larson (Portfolio Manager). Since August 1, 2009, Viking Management has also acted as investment manager to the remaining Funds in Viking Mutual Funds and the five funds in The Integrity Funds.

 

The following table lists the number and types of other accounts managed by Mr. Radke and Mr. Larson, and assets under management in those accounts as of July 31, 2022:

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Number of Registered Investment Company Accounts (Other than the Funds) & Total Assets for Such Accounts Number of Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Managed and Total Assets for Such Accounts Number of Other Accounts Managed and Total Assets for Such Accounts Beneficial Ownership of Equity Securities in the Funds Managed
Shannon D. Radke 2 accounts with assets of $399 million None None None
Josh Larson 2 accounts with assets of $330 million None None None

 

The advisory fee is not based on the performance of the respective account for any of the registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or other accounts referred to above.

 

B-13

 

 

As compensation for the advisory services furnished to the Funds, each Fund is obligated under the investment advisory agreement to pay Viking Management monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rates of 0.50% to the Funds’ daily net assets. The investment management fee for each Fund is allocated proportionally between the Fund’s Class A and Class I shares.

 

For the three most recent fiscal years, the table below sets forth (i) the management fees (net of fee waivers and expense reimbursements, discussed below) paid by the Funds and (ii) the fees waived and expenses reimbursed by Viking Management for the specified periods.

 

Fund Date of Fiscal Year End $ Earned (Gross) Advisory Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements $ Paid Net of Fees Waived and Expense Reimbursements
Kansas Fund 7/31/2020 $322,177 $119,492 $202,685
7/31/2021 $380,074 $125,783 $254,291
7/31/2022 $388,683 $129,582 $259,101
Maine Fund 7/31/2020 $  77,512 $  65,977 $  11,535
7/31/2021 $  77,455 $  63,574 $  11,881
7/31/2022 $  64,413 $  62,715 $    1,698
Nebraska Fund 7/31/2020 $250,042 $106,753 $143,289
7/31/2021 $275,790 $109,033 $166,757
7/31/2022 $280,558 $107,280 $173,278
Oklahoma Fund 7/31/2020 $289,687 $109,709 $179,978
7/31/2021 $373,494 $122,886 $250,608
7/31/2022 $372,316 $128,239 $244,077
Montana Fund 7/31/2020 $386,201 $133,627 $252,574
7/31/2021 $463,318 $142,929 $320,389
7/31/2022 $451,208 $143,955 $307,253
North Dakota Fund 7/31/2020 $145,652 $  81,110 $  64,542
7/31/2021 $154,707 $  79,584 $  75,123
7/31/2022 $160,082 $  79,832 $  80,250

 

During each Fund’s most recent fiscal period reflected in the table above, Viking Management contractually agreed to waive its fees or reimburse each Fund for its expenses (excluding taxes, brokerage fees, commissions, extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, and the fees and expenses of acquired funds), so that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses did not exceed 0.98% for Class A Shares and 0.73% for Class I Shares of average daily net assets. Current contractual fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreements are described below under “Current contractual fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreements.” In addition, certain affiliated service providers, including Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC, may voluntarily waive from time to time all or a portion of their respective fees, which waiver may occur before Viking Management waives any of its fee or reimburses any expenses to satisfy its contractual expense limitation agreement.

 

Conflicts of interest

 

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds are presented with the following potential conflicts.

 

The management of multiple funds and accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund or account. The management of multiple funds and accounts, however, also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time, investment ideas, and investment opportunities across multiple funds and accounts.

     
  With respect to securities transactions for the Funds, Viking Management determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with the duty to seek best execution of the transaction. The portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Funds. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Funds may outperform the securities selected for the Funds.
     
  The appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Viking Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one fund or account but not all funds with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. The management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest; there is no assurance that the Funds’ code of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
     
  The Funds have adopted a code of ethics that, among other things, permits personal trading by employees, including the portfolio manager, under conditions where it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact client accounts. Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest and there is no assurance that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.

 

B-14

 

 

Viking Management and the Funds have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

Compensation

 

The portfolio managers for the Funds are paid a salary. Although the salary is subject to periodic adjustment, it is not based on Fund performance or the value of assets held in the Funds’ portfolio. In addition, Corridor sponsors a 401(k) plan for all its employees. This plan is funded by employee elective deferrals and a 4% match by Corridor of the employee’s gross pay as long as the employee has elected to contribute at least 4% of his or her gross pay. Mr. Radke also owns a membership interest in Corridor equal to approximately 9.8% of Corridor’s total membership interests. He initially received a membership interest in 2009 in exchange for, among other things, his contributions to Corridor of experience and his role in the operations of Corridor. Mr. Radke also purchased a portion of his membership interests in Corridor. In connection with his role, Mr. Larson also owns a membership interest in Corridor that is equal to less than 1% of Corridor’s total membership interests.

 

Ownership of securities

 

As of July 31, 2022, the Funds’ portfolio managers beneficially owned no shares in the Funds.

 

Current contractual fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreements

 

As described in the Funds’ Prospectus, Viking Management has contractually agreed to waive its fees or reimburse each Fund for its expenses through November 29, 2023, so that each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding taxes, brokerage fees, commissions, extraordinary and non-recurring expenses, and acquired fund fees and expenses) during this period do not exceed 0.98% for Class A Shares and 0.73% for Class I Shares of the average daily net assets. These contractual waivers may not be altered by the investment manager during the stated period. The terms of the expense limitation agreement provide that Viking Management is entitled to recoup from a Fund such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the date on which Viking Management waived fees or reimbursed expenses for the Fund. The Fund will make repayments to the Adviser only if such repayment does not cause the annual Fund operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both (1) the expense limitation in place when such amounts were waived and (2) the Fund’s current expense limitation. Amounts waived or reimbursed by the Adviser prior to November 28, 2018 are not eligible for repayment.

 

In addition, certain affiliated service providers, including Integrity Fund Services, LLC and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC, may voluntarily waive from time to time all or a portion of their respective fees, which waiver may occur before Viking Management waives any of its fee or reimburses any expenses to satisfy its contractual expense limitation agreement. Amounts voluntarily waived are not eligible for repayment.

 

Term of investment advisory agreement

 

For each Fund, the investment advisory agreement that is currently in effect between the Trust and Viking Management (the “Advisory Agreement”) must be approved each year by (1) a vote, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, of a majority of the Independent Trustees, and (2) the majority vote of either the full Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund.

 

Code of ethics

 

Viking Management, Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC and the Funds have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1(c) of the 1940 Act. The purpose of a code of ethics is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to prevent fraud, deception, or misconduct with respect to the Funds. Each code of ethics permits personnel covered by the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, subject to the restrictions of the code.

 

B-15

 

 

Manager-of-Managers

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, Viking Management is authorized, at its own cost and expense, to enter into a sub-advisory agreement with a sub-adviser with respect to the respective Fund. If an investment adviser delegates portfolio management duties to a sub-adviser, the 1940 Act generally requires that the sub-advisory agreement between the adviser and the sub-adviser be approved by the Board and by Fund shareholders. Specifically, Section 15 of the 1940 Act, in relevant part, makes it unlawful for any person to act as an investment adviser (including as a sub-adviser) to a mutual fund, except pursuant to a written contract that has been approved by shareholders.

 

In 2009, shareholders of each Fund approved a “manager-of-managers” structure for their Fund. The Funds have received an order from the SEC permitting the Funds to be managed under a “manager-of-managers” structure (the “SEC Order”). The SEC Order generally permits Viking Management to enter into and materially amend sub-advisory agreements with unaffiliated sub-advisers subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, but without obtaining shareholder approval. If a sub-adviser is hired to provide sub-advisory services to a Fund, the Fund will provide information concerning the sub-adviser to shareholders of the Fund concerned.

 

Under the “manager-of-managers” structure for a Fund, Viking Management would remain the primary provider of investment advisory services to the Fund, would be permitted to hire or change sub-advisers, as appropriate, and would have ultimate responsibility (subject to oversight by the Funds’ Board of Trustees) to oversee sub-advisers and recommend to the Board their hiring, termination and replacement. Viking Management would remain responsible for providing general management services to a Fund utilizing the manager-of-managers structure, including overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund’s assets, and, subject to review and approval of the Board of Trustees, would, among other things: (i) set the Fund’s overall investment strategies; (ii) evaluate, select, and recommend sub-advisers to manage all or a part of the Fund’s assets; (iii) when appropriate, allocate and reallocate the Fund’s assets among multiple sub-advisers; (iv) monitor and evaluate the performance of sub-advisers; and (v) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the sub-advisers comply with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions.

 

TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICE PROVIDER, AND ADMINISTRATOR

 

Prior to August 1, 2009, Viking Management provided administrative, accounting and transfer agent services to the Funds. Since August 1, 2009, Integrity Fund Services, LLC (“Integrity Fund Services” or the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corridor, a North Dakota limited liability company affiliated with Viking Management and Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC, provides each Fund with transfer agent, accounting, and administrative services. Integrity Fund Services is located at 1 Main Street North, Minot, North Dakota 58703.

 

Transfer Agent

 

As transfer agent, Integrity Fund Services performs many of the Funds’ clerical and administrative functions. For its transfer agency services, every month each Fund pays Integrity Fund Services an asset-based fee plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The Transfer Agent is responsible for (among other things) administering and/or performing transfer agent functions; for acting as service agent in connection with dividend and distribution functions; and for performing shareholder account information and administrative agent functions in connection with the issuance, transfer, and redemption or repurchase (including coordination with the custodian) of shares.

 

Accounting Service Provider and Administrator

 

Accounting services provided by Integrity Fund Services as accounting service provider to the Funds may include, but are not limited to, daily fee accruals, security valuation, calculation of daily net asset value, calculation of a daily dividend rate, and preparation of semi-annual and annual reports. As administrator for the Funds, Integrity Fund Services manages all aspects of a Fund’s operations except those provided by other service providers. For accounting and administrative services, each Fund pays to Integrity Fund Services at the end of each calendar month a flat fee plus an asset-based fee and reimburses Integrity Fund Services for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

For the fiscal year ends noted, the Funds paid to Integrity Fund Services the following amounts for services provided:

 

Fund Date of Fiscal
Year End
Combined Accounting Services
and Administrative Services Fees(1)
Transfer Agency Fee(1)
Kansas Fund 7/31/2020 $126,308 $  88,395
7/31/2021 $142,421 $102,557
7/31/2022 $144,831 $107,003
Maine Fund 7/31/2020 $  57,802 $  26,076
7/31/2021 $  57,127 $  25,759

 

B-16

 

 

Fund Date of Fiscal
Year End
Combined Accounting Services
and Administrative Services Fees(1)
Transfer Agency Fee(1)
  7/31/2022 $  54,036 $  23,528
Nebraska Fund 7/31/2020 $106,110 $  69,520
7/31/2021 $113,221 $  75,775
7/31/2022 $114,556 $  78,088
Oklahoma Fund 7/31/2020 $117,211 $  78,689
7/31/2021 $140,578 $  99,038
7/31/2022 $140,248 $  99,974
Montana Fund 7/31/2020 $144,234 $103,957
7/31/2021 $165,729 $122,547
7/31/2022 $162,338 $121,428
North Dakota Fund 7/31/2020 $  76,881 $  43,508
7/31/2021 $  79,318 $  45,513
7/31/2022 $  80,823 $  47,628

 

 

(1) After waivers and reimbursements, if any.

 

CUSTODIANS

 

UMB Bank, N.A., Institutional Custody, 928 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 serves as the custodian of the Funds and has custody of all securities and assets of the Funds other than cash. UMB Bank, N.A., among other things, attends to the collection of principal and income and payment for and collection of proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Funds.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is Cohen & Company, Ltd., 1350 Euclid Ave., Ste 800, Cleveland, OH 44115. Shareholders will receive annual financial statements, together with a report of the independent registered public accounting firm and semi-annual unaudited financial statements of the Funds. The independent registered public accounting firm will report on the Funds’ annual financial statements, review certain regulatory reports, and perform other professional accounting, auditing, and advisory services when engaged to do so by the Funds.

 

COUNSEL

 

Vedder Price P.C., 222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601 serves as counsel for the Trust.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

Viking Management places orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities on behalf of the Funds, and will do so in accordance with the policies described below.

 

For transactions in fixed-income securities, purchases, and sales of portfolio securities generally are transacted with issuers, underwriters, or dealers that serve as primary market-makers, who act as principals for the securities on a net basis. The Funds typically do not pay brokerage commissions for such purchases and sales. Instead, the price paid for newly issued securities usually includes a concession or discount paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and the prices quoted by market-makers reflect a spread between the bid and the asked prices from which the dealer derives a profit. In effecting securities transactions, each Fund seeks to obtain the best price and execution of orders. For transactions in fixed-income securities, selection of broker-dealers is generally based on the availability of a security and its price and on the overall quality of execution provided by the broker-dealer. In purchasing and selling portfolio securities other than as described above (for example, in the secondary market), each Fund seeks to obtain best execution at the most favorable prices through responsible broker-dealers and, in the case of agency transactions, at competitive commission rates. In selecting broker-dealers to execute transactions, Viking Management considers such factors as the price of the security, the rate of commission, the size and difficulty of the order, and the reliability, integrity, financial condition, and general execution and operational capabilities of competing broker-dealers. In agency transactions, Viking Management also may consider the brokerage and research services that broker-dealers provide to the Funds or Viking Management.

 

B-17

 

 

Each Fund may execute agency portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide research and execution services to the Fund or other investment accounts over which Viking Management exercises investment discretion. Such services may include advice concerning the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities; and the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities. In addition, such broker-dealers may furnish analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of investment accounts; and effect securities transactions and perform functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). Research may not solely or necessarily be for the benefit of a Fund.

 

Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the Funds may pay a broker-dealer commissions for agency transactions that are in excess of the amount of commissions charged by other broker-dealers in recognition of their research and execution services. In order to cause the Funds to pay such higher commissions, Viking Management must determine in good faith that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such executing broker-dealers. In reaching this determination, it will not attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and research services provided, or to determine what portion of the compensation should be related to those services. No Fund effects transactions with or through broker-dealers in accordance with any formula or for selling shares of a Fund. However, broker-dealers who effect or execute portfolio transactions may from time to time effect purchases of Fund shares for their customers.

 

Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those of other funds managed by Viking Management. It sometimes happens that the same security is held in the portfolio of more than one of these funds or investment accounts. Simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several funds and investment accounts are managed by the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objective of more than one fund or investment account.

 

When two or more Funds or accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with procedures believed to be appropriate and equitable for each Fund or account. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as each Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of the Funds to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices for the Funds.

 

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022 no agency transactions were executed by Viking Management on behalf of the Funds as transactions for these Funds were done on a principal basis. Therefore, no brokerage commissions were paid by the Funds during those periods.

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

Portfolio transactions will be undertaken principally to accomplish a Fund’s objective in relation to anticipated movements in the general level of interest rates, but a Fund may also engage in short-term trading consistent with its objective. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline (a rise in interest rates) or purchased in anticipation of a market rise (a decline in interest rates) and later sold. In addition, a security may be sold and another purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what the Investment Adviser believes to be a temporary disparity in the normal yield relationship between the two securities. Yield disparities may occur for reasons not directly related to the investment quality of particular issues or the general movement of interest rates, due to such factors as changes in the overall demand for or supply of various types of municipal securities or changes in the investment objectives of investors.

 

Each Fund’s investment policies may lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest rates. A change in securities held by a Fund is known as “portfolio turnover” and may involve the payment by the Fund of dealer mark-ups or underwriting commissions and other transaction costs, on the sale of securities, including municipal securities, as well as on the reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities. Each Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 75%. Portfolio turnover rate for a fiscal year is the ratio of the lesser of the dollar amount of the purchases or sales of portfolio securities to the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less. Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. Frequent changes in a Fund’s portfolio securities may result in higher transaction costs for the Fund.

 

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

 

This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning shares of a Fund. This section is current as of the date of this SAI. Tax laws and interpretations change frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do not describe your situation if you are a corporation, a non-U.S. person, a broker-dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In addition, this section does not describe your state, local, or foreign tax consequences.

 

B-18

 

 

This federal income tax summary is based in part on the advice of counsel to the Funds. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could disagree with any conclusions set forth in this section.

 

As with any investment, prospective investors should seek advice based on their individual circumstances from their own tax advisor.

 

Each Fund intends to qualify annually and to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer generally limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, taxable interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income each taxable year. There are certain exceptions for failure to qualify if the failure is for reasonable cause or is de minimis, and certain corrective action is taken and certain tax payments are made by the Fund.

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“Act”), funds are permitted to carry forward net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period of time. The short-term and long-term character of such losses are retained rather than being treated as short-term as under previous law. Pre-enactment losses are eligible to be carried forward for a maximum period of eight years. Pursuant to the Act, post-enactment net capital losses must be utilized before pre-enactment capital losses. As a result, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. The Funds’ capital loss carryforward amounts as of July 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

  Kansas
Fund
Maine
Fund
Nebraska
Fund
Oklahoma
Fund
Montana
Fund
North Dakota
Fund
Non-expiring short-term losses $1,163,223 $477,686 $1,123,609 $1,275,793 $3,008,580 $   871,960
Non-expiring long-term losses $   243,809 $  25,929 $   309,832 $  796,820 $2,038,834 $   245,474
Total Capital Loss Carryforwards $1,407,032 $503,615 $1,433,441 $2,072,613 $5,047,414 $1,117,434

 

As a RIC, each Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will generally be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. In addition, amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax unless, generally, the Fund distributes during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. In order to prevent application of the excise tax, each Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November, or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

 

Subject to certain reasonable cause and de minimis exceptions, if a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income, including any dividends attributable to tax-exempt interest income earned by the Fund.

 

B-19

 

 

Distributions

 

Exempt-interest dividends

 

If, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year of a Fund, at least 50% of the value of the respective Fund’s total assets consists of tax-exempt municipal securities, then such Fund is authorized to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders. An exempt-interest dividend is any dividend or part thereof (other than a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund and properly reported by the Fund as an exempt-interest dividend in written statements furnished to its shareholders. The maximum amount of dividends for a year that a Fund may designate as exempt-interest dividends is equal to its net tax-exempt interest earned from municipal securities for such year. Each Fund intends to invest in sufficient municipal securities so that it will qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders and to provide timely notice to its shareholders of the portion of its dividends that so qualify.

 

Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders generally are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes except in the case of certain substantial users of facilities financed with the proceeds of certain of the bonds owned by the Funds and related persons. Such exempt-interest dividends may be taken into account in determining the alternative minimum tax, as discussed hereinafter. The percentage of income that is tax-exempt is generally applied uniformly to all distributions made during each calendar year and thus is an annual average for a Fund rather than a day-by-day determination for each shareholder whether received in shares or in cash.

 

Insurance proceeds received by a Fund under any insurance policies which represent maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the Fund will be excludable from federal gross income if and to the same extent as such interest would have been so excludable if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligation, provided that at the time such policies are purchased, the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary, and consistent with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the obligation, rather than the insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.

 

If a Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, a Fund must distribute to shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and its net tax-exempt income, including such income it is required to accrue, to qualify as a RIC and (with respect to its ordinary income and capital gain) to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, a Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.

 

The market discount rules of the Code apply to tax-exempt municipal securities purchased after April 30, 1993. In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor’s purchase price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to original issue discount not yet accrued), subject to a statutory de minimis rule. Market discount can arise based on the price a Fund pays for municipal securities. Market discount is taxable as ordinary income. Market discount that accretes while a Fund holds a municipal security is recognized as ordinary income by the Fund when principal payments are received on the municipal security or upon sale or at redemption (including early redemption), unless the Fund elects to include market discount in taxable income as it accrues. Distributions to shareholders of a Fund, to the extent of any market discount that is included in the Fund’s taxable income, is taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

For individuals, interest paid on certain “private activity bonds” issued on or after August 8, 1986, will be treated as an item of tax preference and may, therefore, be subject to the alternative minimum tax. If such private activity bonds are held by a Fund, a proportionate share of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund will be treated as interest on private activity bonds. Such exempt-interest dividends constitute a tax preference item subject to the alternative minimum tax. Each Fund will annually supply shareholders with a report indicating the percentage of Fund income attributable to bonds subject to the alternative minimum tax.

 

Under Section 86 of the Code, up to 85% of a social security recipient’s benefits may be included in gross income for a benefit recipient if the sum of his modified adjusted gross income, which includes income from tax-exempt sources such as tax-exempt bonds and distributions made by a Fund, plus 50% of his social security benefits exceed certain base amounts. Exempt-interest dividends from the Funds are still excluded from gross income to the extent described above; they are however included in the calculation of whether a recipient’s income exceeds certain established amounts.

 

Interest on indebtedness which is incurred to purchase or carry shares of a mutual fund which distributes exempt-interest dividends during the year is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Further, a Fund may not be an appropriate investment for persons who are “substantial users” of facilities financed by industrial development bonds held by the respective Fund or are “related persons” to such users; such persons should consult their tax advisers before investing in the respective Fund.

 

B-20

 

 

Ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends

 

Dividends paid out of a Fund’s investment company taxable income are generally taxable to a shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Because the Funds invest in debt securities rather than stock of corporations, it is anticipated that none or only a small portion of the Fund’s distributions paid to individual and other non-corporate shareholders will be qualified dividend income eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain tax rates.

 

A corporation that owns shares generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to dividends received from the Funds.

 

Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, properly reported as capital gain dividends are taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares. Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather than cash, generally will have a tax basis in each such share equal to the value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. A distribution of an amount in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital for federal income tax purposes. If a Fund makes a return of capital distribution, the distribution will not be taxable to you to the extent of your basis in your shares and thereafter will be treated as a capital gain. Because a return of capital distribution reduces the basis of your shares, a return of capital distribution may result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when you sell your shares.

 

Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal income tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the value of those shares.

 

Income and gains from a Fund may also be subject to a 3.8 percent “medicare tax.” This tax generally applies to your net investment income if your adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts, which are $250,000 in the case of married couples filing joint returns and $200,000 in the case of single individuals. Interest that is excluded from gross income and exempt-interest dividends from a Fund are generally not included in your net investment income for purposes of this tax.

 

Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares

 

Upon the sale or other disposition of shares of a Fund, which a shareholder holds as a capital asset, such a shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year.

 

Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent that shares disposed of are replaced (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of shares or to the extent that the shareholder, during such period, acquires or enters into an option or contract to acquire, substantially identical stock or securities. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

If you hold a share in a Fund for six months or less, any loss incurred by you related to the disposition of such share will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends you received, except in the case of a regular dividend paid by the Fund if the Fund declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. To the extent, if any, it is not disallowed, it will be recharacterized as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividends received. In addition, a shareholder cannot take into account any sales or similar charge incurred in acquiring shares of a Fund (a “load charge”) in computing gain or loss on the sale of shares of a Fund if the shareholder sells such shares within 90 days of the date the shares are acquired and the shareholder obtains and subsequently exercises, by January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the sale, the right to reinvest in shares of any mutual fund without the payment of a load charge or with the payment of a reduced charge. (However, such charges shall be treated as incurred in connection with the reinvestment in the shares and will be included in the adjusted basis of such shares.)

 

Nature of Fund’s Investments

 

Certain of the Funds’ investment practices are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things:

     
  disallow, suspend, or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions;
     
  convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income;
     
  convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited);
     
  cause a Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash;
     
  adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur; and
     
  adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.

 

B-21

 

 

Buying Shares Close to a Record Date

 

Distributions by a Fund reduce the NAV of such Fund’s shares. Should a taxable distribution reduce the NAV below a shareholder’s cost basis, the distribution would be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. Specifically, investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a distribution by the Fund. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution, but the distribution will generally be taxable to them.

 

Backup Withholding

 

A Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all distributions and sale proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number, fail to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Special U.S. tax certification requirements apply to non-U.S. investors. This withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, a foreign corporation or foreign partnership (“non-U.S. shareholder”) depends on whether the income of a Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder.

 

In addition to the rules described in this section concerning the potential imposition of withholding on distributions to non-U.S. persons, distributions to non-U.S. persons that are “financial institutions” may be subject to a withholding tax of 30% unless an agreement is in place between the financial institution and the U.S. Treasury to collect and disclose information about accounts, equity investments, or debt interests in the financial institution held by one or more U.S. persons or the institution is resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury. For these purposes, a “financial institution” means any entity that (i) accepts deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business, (ii) holds financial assets for the account of others as a substantial portion of its business, or (iii) is engaged (or holds itself out as being engaged) primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, partnership interests, commodities or any interest (including a futures contract or option) in such securities, partnership interests, or commodities. Dispositions of shares and capital gain dividends received by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2019.

 

Distributions to non-financial non-U.S. entities (other than publicly traded foreign entities, entities owned by residents of U.S. possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, or foreign central banks) will also be subject to a withholding tax of 30% if the entity does not certify that the entity does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. Dispositions of shares and capital gain dividends received by such persons may be subject to such withholding after December 31, 2019.

 

Ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends

 

If the income from a Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income, generally not including exempt-interest dividends, will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions.

 

Capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by a Fund which are properly reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% U.S. tax. In the case of a non-U.S. shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the non-U.S. shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. If a non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual, any gain such shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of such shareholder’s shares of a Fund in the United States will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless the gain is U.S. source income and such shareholder is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements.

 

B-22

 

 

Distributions from a Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend attributable to certain interest income received by the Fund or as a short-term capital gain dividend attributable to certain net short-term capital gain income received by the Fund may not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, including withholding taxes when received by certain foreign investors, provided that the Fund makes certain elections and certain other conditions are met.

 

Income effectively connected

 

If the income from a Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income, generally not including exempt-interest dividends, and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by such Fund which are properly reported by the Fund as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Non-U.S. corporate shareholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code. The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund.

 

Other Taxation

 

Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local, and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

State Taxes

 

The treatment of certain dividends from each Fund under the tax laws of particular states is discussed below. It should be noted that this treatment may change if a Fund ever fails to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes or if the exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund are not excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The discussion also assumes that each Fund will meet certain reporting and filing requirements under the applicable state laws and regulations. This discussion is based on state laws as enacted and construed on the date of this SAI and in certain cases is based on administrative guidance from state revenue departments. These laws and interpretations can, of course, change at any time. Only certain specific taxes are discussed below and Fund shares and Fund distributions may be subject to other state and local taxes. In addition, the discussions below are generally limited to Fund distributions attributable to certain tax-exempt interest. Generally, other distributions from a Fund are subject to all state income taxes, except that under certain circumstances, many states do provide exemptions for distributions attributable to interest on certain United States government obligations. Additionally, you may be subject to state income tax to the extent you sell or exchange Fund shares and realize a capital gain on the transaction.

 

Generally, unlike the federal individual income tax, state income taxes do not provide beneficial treatment of long-term capital gains, including capital gain dividends from a Fund. Further, most states restrict deductions for capital losses.

 

Ownership of shares in a Fund could result in other state and local income tax consequences to certain taxpayers. For example, interest expense incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of a Fund, if the Fund distributes dividends exempt from a particular state income tax, generally is not deductible for purposes of that income tax.

 

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers with respect to all state and local tax issues related to the ownership of shares in a Fund and the receipt of distributions from a Fund.

 

Kansas Fund

 

Exempt interest dividends from the Kansas Fund that are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and that are attributable to interest received directly by the Kansas Fund on (i) obligations of the State of Kansas or its political subdivisions issued after December 31, 1987; (ii) obligations of the State of Kansas or its political subdivisions issued prior to January 1, 1988, the interest on which is expressly exempt from income tax under Kansas law; and (iii) obligations of possessions of the United States that are exempt from state taxation under federal law, are excluded from taxable income for purposes of the income tax imposed by the State of Kansas on individuals, fiduciaries, and corporations (other than insurance companies, national banking associations, banks, trust companies, federally chartered savings banks, and savings and loan associations). Distributions from the Kansas Fund, including exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to the taxes imposed by the State of Kansas on insurance companies, national banking associations, banks, trust companies, federally chartered savings banks, and savings and loan associations, when received by shareholders subject to such taxes.

 

B-23

 

 

Maine Fund

 

Exempt-interest dividends from the Maine Fund that are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and that are derived from interest received directly by the Maine Fund on: (i) certain obligations of the State of Maine and its political subdivisions that are exempt from Maine income taxation under Maine law; and (ii) obligations of United States possessions that are exempt from state taxation under federal law, are excluded from taxable income for purposes of the income tax imposed by the State of Maine on individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. However, dividends taken into account in determining a taxpayer’s federal alternative minimum tax liability may also be taken into account in determining the taxpayer’s state minimum tax that is imposed by the State of Maine on certain corporations. Shares of the Maine Fund and dividends from the Maine Fund may also be taken into account in determining the amount of the franchise tax imposed by the State of Maine on certain financial institutions.

 

Nebraska Fund

 

Exempt-interest dividends from the Nebraska Fund that are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and that are attributable to and are reported to an investor as being derived from, interest received directly by the Nebraska Fund on: (i) obligations of the State of Nebraska or its political subdivisions; and (ii) obligations of United States possessions that are exempt from state taxation under federal law are excluded from taxable income for purposes of the income tax imposed by the State of Nebraska on individuals and the income tax imposed by the State of Nebraska on certain corporations. Dividends from the Nebraska Fund could affect the maximum franchise tax rate imposed by the State of Nebraska on certain financial institutions.

 

Oklahoma Fund

 

Exempt-interest dividends from the Oklahoma Fund that are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and that are attributable to interest received directly by the Oklahoma Fund on: (i) obligations of the State of Oklahoma or its political subdivisions, to the extent that such interest is specifically exempt from income taxation under the laws of the State of Oklahoma; and (ii) obligations of possessions of the United States that are exempt from state taxation under federal law, are excluded from taxable income for purposes of the income tax imposed by the State of Oklahoma on individuals and corporations.

 

Montana Fund

 

You may exclude any exempt-interest dividends paid to you by the Montana Fund from your taxable income for purposes of the personal income tax imposed by the State of Montana on individuals, estates, and trusts, if the dividends can be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and if they are attributable to interest received directly by the Montana Fund on: (i) obligations of the State of Montana or its counties, municipalities, districts or other political subdivisions; or (ii) obligations of possessions of the United States that are exempt from state taxation under federal law.

 

Distributions from the Montana Fund, including exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to the Montana corporate income tax and the Montana alternative corporate income tax when paid to shareholders subject to those taxes.

 

North Dakota Fund

 

Individuals, estates and trusts may exclude exempt-interest dividends from the North Dakota Fund from taxable income for purposes of the North Dakota personal income tax if they can be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and are attributable to interest received directly by the North Dakota Fund.

 

Distributions from the North Dakota Fund, including exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to the North Dakota income tax imposed on corporations when paid to shareholders subject to such tax.

 

The tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Annually, shareholders of a Fund receive information as to the tax status of distributions made by the Fund in each calendar year. The foregoing relates to federal and state income taxation as in effect as of the date of this SAI. Investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of an investment in a Fund, including the effects of any change or any proposed change, in the tax laws.

 

B-24

 

 

ORGANIZATION, VOTING RIGHTS, AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

 

Each Fund is a separate operating series of the Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized pursuant to a Trust Instrument dated March 30, 1999. The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end management investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The Trust has six separate operating series, the Funds. Each Fund, except the Kansas Fund and Oklahoma Fund, is non-diversified. Each Fund invests all of its net investable assets in a separate portfolio of securities. Currently, each Fund offers Class A shares and Class I shares. Class A shares and Class I shares differ in certain respects, including with regard to sales charges and fees. The Trustees of the Trust may establish additional series or classes of shares without the approval of shareholders. The assets of each series belong only to that series, and the liabilities of each series are borne solely by that series and no other.

 

Description of Shares

 

Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001 per share). Shares of each Fund represent equal proportionate interests in the assets of that Fund only and have identical voting, dividend, redemption, liquidation, and other rights. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe to any additional shares.

 

Shareholder meetings

 

The Trustees of the Trust do not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of any Fund. The Trustees will call special meetings of shareholders of a Fund only if required under the 1940 Act or in their discretion or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote.

 

Central provisions of Trust Instrument

 

Under Delaware law, the shareholders of each Fund will not be personally liable for the obligations of that Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of a corporation. To guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states, the Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of the Trust or a Fund contain a statement that such obligation may be enforced only against the assets of the Trust or Fund and provides for indemnification out of Trust or Fund property of any shareholder nevertheless held personally liable for Trust or Fund obligations, respectively.

 

Principal shareholders

 

As of November 1, 2022, the Officers and Trustees of the Trust owned, as a group, less than 1% of the shares of each Fund. To the best knowledge of the respective Funds, as of November 1, 2022, except as set forth below, no persons owned, of record or beneficially, 5% or more, or a controlling interest (ownership of greater than 25%) of the outstanding shares of any of the Funds. In certain cases, the Funds do not have any knowledge of who the ultimate beneficiaries are of the respective shares. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or acknowledges the existence of control. A shareholder with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of proxy voting or the direction of management of the respective Fund.

 

Kansas Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Road
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
44.61%
Kansas Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
Fager & Co 3035 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66611
24.37%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
24.22%
RogCo 126 S Summit
PO Box 1047
Arkansas City, KS 67005
14.33%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
6.49%
Raymond James & Assoc Inc 3426 N Beach Club Cir
Wichita, KS 67205
6.11%
Kathleen Lynn Harper 3305 Turnberry Lane
Hays, KS 67601
5.10%

 

B-25

 

 

Maine Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
14.36%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
13.96%
NFS LLC FEBO 499 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310
8.40%
Timothy S Clifford Jr 187 Exeter Rd
Hampton Falls, NH 03844
6.39%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
5.44%
Maine Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
SEI Private Trust Company 1 Freedom Valley Drive
Oak, PA 19456
22.42%
Michael Monaghan 141 Falmouth St
Portland, ME 04102
15.84%
Lisa Salerno 19 York Ridge Way
York, ME 03909-6388
10.19%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
6.85%
Susan Schraft 5 Thornhurst Rd
Falmouth, ME 04105
6.23%
Richard Berne 5 Thornhurst Rd
Falmouth, ME 04105
6.23%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
5.99%
Nebraska Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
32.52%
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
30.55%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
7.50%
Nebraska Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
NFS 499 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310
28.28%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
26.45%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
24.03%
D.A. Davidson & Co. 8 Third Street North
Great Falls, MT 59401
7.97%
Oklahoma Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Road
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
73.49%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
6.05%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
5.69%
Oklahoma Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
RogCo 126 S Summit
PO Box 1047
Arkansas City, KS 67005
26.66%

 

B-26

 

 

Montana Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
55.29%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
7.32%
First Clearing, LLC 2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103
5.12%
Montana Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
Band & Co 1555 N Rivercenter Drive
Ste 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212
42.79%
LPL Financial 4707 Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
18.12%
Charles Schwab Co Inc 101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
11.66%
First Clearing, LLC 2801 Market St
Saint Louis, MO 63103
8.67%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
6.86%
North Dakota Fund, Class A
Name Address Percent Ownership
NFS LLC FEBO 499 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310
35.49%
Edward D Jones & Co 12555 Manchester Road
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
25.62%
North Dakota Fund, Class I
Name Address Percent Ownership
Charles Schwab Co Inc 101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
28.70%
West Brand & Co PO Box 1090
Minot, ND 58702-1090
24.05%
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
16.26%
Peter A. Quist 389 E Brandon Dr
Bismarck, ND 58503
7.95%

 

BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

 

Each Fund offers Class A shares and Class I shares. Class A shares and Class I shares are described below and in the Prospectus.

 

The Funds continuously offer their shares through securities dealers who have an agreement with Integrity Funds Distributor, LLC (“Integrity Funds Distributor” or the “Distributor”). A securities dealer includes any financial institution that, either directly or through affiliates, has an agreement with the Distributor to handle customer orders and accounts with the Funds. This reference is for convenience only and does not indicate a legal conclusion of capacity. Banks and financial institutions that sell shares of the Funds may be required by state law to register as securities dealers.

 

Class I shares may also be available on certain brokerage platforms. An investor transacting in Class I shares through a broker acting as an agent for the investor may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Fund shares are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.

 

All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell shares of the Funds must be denominated in U.S. dollars. The Funds may either (a) reject any order to buy or sell shares denominated in any other currency or (b) honor the transaction and make adjustments to your account for the transaction as of a date and with a foreign currency exchange factor determined by the drawee bank.

 

If you buy shares through the reinvestment of dividends, the shares will be purchased at the net asset value determined on the business day following the dividend record date (sometimes known as the ex-dividend date).

 

B-27

 

 

As described in the Prospectus, you can buy Class I shares of each Fund at the offering price, which is the net asset value per share. There is no sales charge or Rule 12b-1 fee that is charged on the Class I shares of any Fund. The minimum initial investment for each Fund per share class is $1,000 ($50 for the Monthomatic Investment Plan and $250 for an individual retirement account (IRA)), and the minimum subsequent investment is $50, but the Funds may accept investments of smaller amounts at their discretion and such minimum amounts may be changed at any time.

 

Class I shares are available for purchase by the following categories of investors:

     
  Ÿ investors who purchase through a fee-based advisory account with a financial intermediary;
     
  Ÿ employer sponsored retirement and benefit plans, endowments, or foundations;
     
  Ÿ banks or bank trust departments investing for their own account or for funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial, or similar capacity;
     
  Ÿ subject to applicable law and/or exemptive relief, any registered investment company that is not affiliated with the Integrity/Viking Funds and which invests in securities of other investment companies;
     
  Ÿ any plan organized under section 529 under the Code (i.e., a 529 plan);
     
  Ÿ any person who, for at least the last 90 days, has been an officer, director, or employee of any financial intermediary for themselves, their immediate family members (“immediate family members” are defined as spouses or domestic partners, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, siblings, a sibling’s spouse, and a spouse’s siblings), their IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs;
     
  Ÿ current, former, and retired trustees/directors, employees and officers of any Integrity/Viking Fund for themselves, their immediate family members, their IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs;
     
  Ÿ current, former, and retired officers, directors and governors of Corridor and its affiliates, for themselves, their immediate family members, their IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs;
     
  Ÿ current, former, and retired employees of Corridor and its affiliates for themselves, their immediate family members, their IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs, any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other business organization in which such persons own a 25% or greater stake; and
     
  Ÿ persons who retain an ownership interest in or who are the beneficial owners of an interest in Corridor for themselves, their immediate family members, their IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs, any corporation, sole proprietorship or other business organization in which such persons own a 25% or greater stake.

 

Unless otherwise noted, Class I shares are not available for IRAs or employer sponsored IRAs, unless purchased through a fee-based advisory account with a financial intermediary. Any shares purchased by investors falling within any of the last five categories listed above must be acquired for investment purposes and on the condition that they will not be transferred or resold except through redemption by a Fund.

 

Holders of Class I shares may purchase additional Class I shares using dividends and capital gains distributions on their shares.

 

If you are eligible to purchase either Class I shares at net asset value or Class A shares with or without the initial sales charge discussed below, you should be aware of the differences between these two classes of shares. Class A shares are subject to an annual service fee to compensate financial intermediaries for providing you with ongoing account services. Class I shares are not subject to a distribution or service fee and, consequently, holders of Class I shares may not receive the same types or levels of services from financial intermediaries. In choosing between Class A shares and Class I shares, you should weigh the benefits of the services to be provided by financial intermediaries against the annual service fee imposed upon the Class A shares.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to redeem Fund accounts that are reduced to a value of less than $1,000 for any reason, including market fluctuation. Should a Fund elect to exercise this right, the investor will be notified before such redemption is processed that the value of the investor’s account is less than $1,000 and that the investor will have sixty days to increase the account to at least the $1,000 minimum amount before the account is redeemed. The investor will not be assessed a contingent deferred sales charge if the account is redeemed.

 

Initial sales charges—Class A Shares

 

The maximum initial sales charge for the Funds is 2.50%. The initial sales charge may be reduced or waived, as described below. The Funds offer several ways for you to combine your purchases of shares of the Funds to take advantage of the lower sales charges for large purchases. Reduced sales charge amounts are shown in the Funds’ Prospectus under “The Shares Offered-Class A Shares.” However, you may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge when such shares are redeemed within 24 months of purchase.

 

B-28

 

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

Cumulative quantity discount—Class A Shares

 

For purposes of calculating the sales charge, you may combine the amount of your current purchase with the cost or current value, whichever is higher, of your existing shares in the Funds or the other funds in the Integrity/Viking Funds. You may also combine the shares of your spouse, children if they are under the age of 21 or grandchildren if they are under the age of 21. You may also add any partnership or corporation if you own a 25% or greater stake, and you may add any retirement plan accounts for which you or your spouse is the beneficial owner. Companies with one or more retirement plans may add together the total plan assets invested in the Integrity/Viking Funds to determine the sales charge that applies.

 

In order to be sure you obtain a sales charge discount, you should inform your investment representative or Integrity Fund Services, at the time of purchase, of the existence of other accounts in which there are holdings eligible to be aggregated to meet sales load breakpoints.

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

Letter of Intent (LOI)—Class A Shares

 

You may buy Class A shares at a reduced sales charge by completing the letter of intent section of your account application. A letter of intent is a commitment by you to invest a specified dollar amount in Class A shares of Integrity/Viking Funds during a 13-month period. The amount you agree to invest determines the sales charge you pay. By completing the letter of intent section of the application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

     
  * you authorize the Distributor to reserve 5% of your total intended purchase registered in your name until you fulfill your LOI. Your periodic statements will include the reserved shares in the total shares you own, and the Funds will pay or reinvest dividend and capital gain distributions on the reserved shares according to the distribution option you have chosen.
     
  * you give the Distributor a security interest in the reserved shares and appoint the Distributor as attorney-in-fact.
     
  * the Distributor may sell any or all of the reserved shares to cover any additional sales charge if you do not fulfill the terms of the LOI.
     
  * although you may exchange your shares, you may not sell reserved shares until you complete the LOI or pay the higher sales charge

 

After you file your LOI with a Fund, you may buy Class A shares at the sales charge applicable to the amount specified in your LOI. Sales charge reductions based on purchases in more than one Integrity/Viking Fund will be effective only after notification to the Distributor that the investment qualifies for a discount. It is the responsibility of the dealer of record and/or the investor to advise the Distributor about the LOI when placing purchase orders during the LOI period. Any purchases you made within 90 days before you filed your LOI may also qualify for a retroactive reduction in the sales charge. Accumulated holdings (as described in the discussion above entitled “Cumulative quantity discount”) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the LOI period may be credited towards satisfying the LOI. If you file your LOI with a Fund before a change in the Fund’s sales charge, you may complete your LOI at the lower of the new sales charge or the sales charge in effect when the LOI was filed.

 

Your holdings in the Integrity/Viking Funds acquired more than 90 days before you filed your LOI will be counted towards the completion of the LOI, but they will not be entitled to a retroactive reduction in the sales charge. Any redemptions you make during the 13-month period will be subtracted from the amount of the purchases for purposes of determining whether the terms of the LOI have been completed.

 

If the terms of your LOI are met, the reserved shares will be deposited to an account in your name or delivered to you as you direct. If the amount of your total purchases (including reinvested dividends), less redemptions, is more than the amount specified in your LOI and is an amount that would qualify for a further sales charge reduction, a retroactive price adjustment will be made by the Distributor and the securities dealer through whom purchases were made. The price adjustment will be made on purchases made within 90 days before and on those made after you filed your LOI and will be applied towards the purchase of additional shares at the offering price applicable to a single purchase on the dollar amount of the total purchases.

 

If the amount of your total purchases (including reinvested dividends), less redemptions, is less than the amount specified in your LOI, the sales charge will be adjusted upward, depending on the actual amount purchased (including reinvested dividends and less redemptions) during the period. You will need to send the Distributor an amount equal to the difference in the actual dollar amount of sales charge paid and the amount of sales charge that would have applied to the total purchases if the total of the purchases had been made at one time. Upon payment of this amount, the reserved shares held for your account will be deposited to an account in your name or delivered to you or as you direct. If within 20 days after written request the difference in sales charge is not paid, an appropriate number of reserved shares will be redeemed to realize the difference. If you redeem the total amount in your account before you fulfill your LOI, the additional sales charge due will be deducted from the sale proceeds and the balance will be forwarded to you.

 

B-29

 

 

For LOIs filed on behalf of retirement plans, the level and any reduction in sales charge for these plans will be based on actual plan participation and the projected investments in the Integrity/Viking Funds under the LOI. These plans are not subject to the requirement to reserve 5% of the total intended purchase or to the policy on upward adjustments in sales charges described above, or to any penalty as a result of the early termination of a plan, nor are these plans entitled to receive retroactive adjustments in price for investments made before executing the LOI.

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

Group purchases—Class A Shares

 

If you are a member of a qualified group, you may buy Class A shares at a reduced sales charge that applies to the group as a whole. The sales charge is based on the combined dollar value of the group members’ existing investments, plus the amount of the current purchase.

 

A qualified group is one that:

     
  was formed at least six months ago
     
  has a purpose other than buying fund shares at a discount
     
  has more than five members
     
  can arrange for meetings between the Distributor’s representatives and group members
     
  agrees to include the Fund’s sales and other materials in publications and mailings to its members at reduced or no cost to the Distributor

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

Sales charge waivers for certain investors—Class A Shares

 

Class A shares may be purchased without an initial sales charge by various individuals and institutions, including:

     
  current and former registered representatives and employees, including their immediate families, of broker-dealers having selling group agreements with Integrity Funds Distributor or any trust, pension, profit-sharing, or other benefit plan for such persons (immediate family is defined to include the individual, his/her spouse, and their children, their parents, and their siblings);
     
  current and former employees (including their spouses and dependent children) of banks and other financial services firms that provide advisory, custody, or administrative services related to the Fund pursuant to an agreement with the Fund, Corridor or one of its affiliates, or any trust, pension, profit-sharing, or other benefit plan for such persons;
     
  individuals and institutions purchasing shares in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with another investment company;
     
  investors purchasing through certain asset- or transaction-fee based investment advisers, broker-dealers, bank trust departments, and other financial services firms;
     
  401(k), 403(b), 457, profit-sharing, and defined benefit plans; excluded from this waiver are SEPs, SARSEPs, and SIMPLE IRAs; and
     
  foundations and endowments, provided the foundation or endowment has assets of $200,000 or more.

 

The elimination of the up-front sales charge for certain individuals and institutions is provided because of anticipated economies of scale and reduced sales-related efforts. A Fund must be notified in advance that you believe your investment qualifies for a sales charge reduction or waiver. The Funds make available, free of charge, more information about sales charge reductions and waivers through the Fund’s website at www.integrityvikingfunds.com, from the Prospectus, or from your financial adviser.

 

B-30

 

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

CDSC Waivers

 

For each Fund, a CDSC may not be assessed on redemptions of such Fund:

     
  following the death of the last surviving shareholder on the account or the post-purchase disability of all registered shareholders, as defined in Section 729(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the beneficiary on an account with a Transfer on Death registration is deemed the last surviving shareholder on the account);
     
  due to the termination of a trust following the death of the trustor/grantor or beneficiary, provided that the trust document specifically states that the trust is terminated upon death;
     
  representing minimum required distributions from an IRA or other retirement plan as required under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Dealer compensation

 

The Distributor or one or more of its affiliates, at their own expense, currently provide additional compensation to certain investment dealers that sell shares of the Integrity/Viking Funds. The level of payments made to a particular dealer in any given year will vary. A number of factors, as enumerated in the Prospectus, will be considered in determining the level of payments. The Distributor makes these payments to help defray marketing and distribution costs incurred by particular dealers in connection with the sale of Integrity/Viking Funds, including costs associated with educating a firm’s financial advisors about the features and benefits of the Integrity/Viking Funds. The Distributor will, on a regular basis, determine the advisability of continuing these payments. Additionally, the Distributor or one or more of its affiliates may also directly sponsor various meetings that facilitate educating financial advisors and shareholders about the Integrity/Viking Funds.

 

As of the date of this SAI, the Distributor expects that it will pay additional compensation to the following dealers:

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
UBS Financial Services, Inc.

 

Investors may wish to take intermediary payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund shares.

 

Monthomatic Investment Plan

 

A shareholder may purchase additional Fund shares through a monthomatic investment plan (minimum initial investment is $50). With the monthomatic investment plan, monthly investments (minimum $50) are made automatically from the shareholder’s account, at a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union into the shareholder’s Fund account. By enrolling in the monthomatic investment plan, the shareholder authorizes the Fund and its agents to either draw checks or initiate Automated Clearing House debits against the designated account at a bank or other financial institution. Such account must have check or draft writing privileges. A shareholder may terminate the monthomatic investment plan by sending written notice to the Transfer Agent. See “Automatic Investment Plan-the Monthomatic Investment Plan” in the Prospectus for additional information.

 

Exchange privilege and Share Class Conversions

 

As described in the Prospectus under “Investor Services-Exchanging Shares,” each Fund offers an exchange privilege. The exchange privilege permits a Class A shareholder in a Fund to exchange Class A shares between any Integrity/Viking Fund with an up front sales charge structure without paying any additional sales charges. Class I shareholders in a Fund may exchange Class I shares for Class I shares of another Integrity/Viking Fund that offers Class I shares. Exchange purchases are subject to eligibility requirements as well as the minimum investment requirements of the fund purchased. Exchange redemptions and purchases are processed simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is received.

 

B-31

 

 

As described in the Prospectus under “Investor Services-Share Class Conversions,” shares of certain classes of a Fund may be converted into shares of certain other classes of the same Fund, provided that you are eligible to buy the new share class. Investors who hold Fund shares through a financial intermediary that does not have an agreement to make certain share classes of the Funds available or that cannot systematically support the conversion may not be eligible to convert their shares. Furthermore, your financial intermediary may have discretion to effect a conversion on your behalf. Consult with your financial intermediary for details.

 

In general, the conversion of shares of one class of a Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund is not considered a taxable event for federal income tax purposes. Any CDSC associated with the shares being converted will be assessed immediately prior to the conversion into shares of the new share class. Shares redeemed to pay the CDSC would be considered a taxable redemption. Please consult your own tax advisor for further information.

 

The exchange privilege and conversion right may be changed or discontinued upon sixty days’ written notice to shareholders and are available only to shareholders where such exchanges or conversions may be legally made. A shareholder considering an exchange or conversion should obtain and read the prospectus of the applicable Integrity/Viking Fund and consider the differences between it and the fund whose shares he owns or class of shares he owns, as applicable, before making an exchange or conversion. For further information on how to exercise the exchange privilege or to effect conversions, contact the Transfer Agent.

 

Please see Appendix A - Intermediary-Specific Sales Charge Waivers and Discounts in the prospectus for a description of variations in sales charges and waivers for Fund shares purchased through Edward Jones, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

 

Systematic withdrawal plan

 

The systematic withdrawal plan allows you to sell your shares and receive regular payments from your account on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. The value of your account must be at least $5,000. There are no service charges for establishing or maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan.

 

Payments under the plan will be made from the redemption of an equivalent amount of shares in your account, on the 5th or 20th day of the month in which a payment is scheduled. If the 5th or 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the redemption will be processed on the next business day. When you sell your shares under a systematic withdrawal plan, it is a taxable transaction.

 

To avoid paying sales charges on money you plan to withdraw within a short period of time, you may not want to set up a systematic withdrawal plan if you plan to buy shares on a regular basis.

 

Redeeming shares through a systematic withdrawal plan may reduce or exhaust the shares in your account. This is especially likely to occur if there is a market decline. If a withdrawal amount exceeds the value of your account, your account will be closed and the remaining balance in your account will be sent to you.

 

You may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan or change the amount and schedule of withdrawal payments by notifying the Funds by mail or by phone at least seven business days before the end of the month preceding a scheduled payment. The Funds may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan by notifying you in writing and will automatically discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan if all shares in your account are withdrawn or if the Fund receives notification of the shareholder’s death or incapacity.

 

Share certificates

 

Shares will be credited to your Fund account. Share certificates will no longer be issued. This eliminates the costly problem of replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed certificates. If a certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, the holder may have to pay an insurance premium to replace it.

 

Any outstanding share certificates must be returned to the Fund if you want to sell or exchange those shares or if you would like to start a systematic withdrawal plan. The certificates should be properly endorsed. You can do this either by signing the back of the certificate or by completing a share assignment form. For your protection, you may prefer to complete a share assignment form and to send the certificate and assignment form in separate envelopes.

 

General information

 

Distribution or redemption checks sent to you do not earn interest or any other income during the time the checks remain uncashed. Neither the Funds nor their affiliates will be liable for any loss caused by your failure to cash such checks. The Funds are not responsible for tracking down uncashed checks, unless a check is returned as undeliverable.

 

B-32

 

 

In most cases, if mail is returned as undeliverable, the Funds are required to take certain steps to try to find you free of charge. If these attempts are unsuccessful, however, the costs of any additional efforts to find you may be deducted from your account. These costs may include a percentage of the account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for its location services.

 

The wiring of redemption proceeds is a special service that is made available whenever possible. By offering this service to you, the Funds are not bound to meet any redemption request in less than the seven day period prescribed by law. Neither the Funds nor their agents shall be liable to you or any other person if, for any reason, a redemption request by wire is not processed as described in the Prospectus.

 

Integrity Fund Services may pay certain financial institutions that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds on behalf of numerous beneficial owners for recordkeeping operations performed with respect to such owners. For each beneficial owner in the omnibus account, a Fund may reimburse Integrity Fund Services an amount not to exceed the per account fee that the Fund normally pays Integrity Fund Services for shareholder services. These financial institutions may also charge a fee for their services directly to their clients.

 

If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, your order will be processed based on the net asset value next calculated after we receive your request. Your securities dealer is responsible for promptly transmitting your order to the Fund. Any loss to you resulting from your dealer’s failure to transmit your order to the Fund in a timely fashion must be settled between you and your securities dealer.

 

In the event of disputes involving multiple claims of ownership or authority to control your account, each Fund has the right (but has no obligation) to: (a) freeze the account and require the written agreement of all persons deemed by the Fund to have a potential property interest in the account, before executing instructions regarding the account; (b) interplead disputed funds or accounts with a court of competent jurisdiction; or (c) surrender ownership of all or a portion of the account to the IRS in response to a notice of levy.

 

PRICING SHARES

 

When you buy shares, you pay the offering price. The offering price for Class A shares is the NAV per share plus any applicable sales charge. The offering price for Class I shares is the NAV per share. NAV per share is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV of the shares redeemed.

 

The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting the fund’s liabilities from the total assets of the portfolio. The NAV per share is determined by dividing the NAV of the fund by the number of shares outstanding.

 

Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of Class A shares of each of the Funds, including applicable sales charges. The example assumes a purchase of shares from a Fund aggregating less than $100,000 for each Fund, subject to the schedule of Class A sales charges set forth in the Prospectus at a price based upon the net asset value of the shares on July 31, 2022.

 

  Net Asset Value per Share Per Share Sales Charge Per Share Offering Price to the Public Shares Outstanding
Kansas Fund $10.17 $0.26 $10.43 5,980,020
Maine Fund $  9.87 $0.25 $10.12 1,105,613
Nebraska Fund $  9.81 $0.25 $10.06 5,074,010
Oklahoma Fund $11.02 $0.28 $11.30 5,572,025
Montana Fund $  9.51 $0.24 $  9.75 6,871,622
North Dakota Fund $  9.51 $0.24 $  9.75 2,887,731

 

The Funds calculate the NAV per share each business day at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 3:00 p.m. Central Time). The Funds do not calculate the NAV on days the NYSE is closed for trading.

 

The Underwriter

 

Prior to August 1, 2009, Viking Fund Distributors, LLC (“Viking Distributors”) acted as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. Currently, shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous basis through Integrity Funds Distributor, located at 1 Main Street North, Minot, North Dakota 58703, which has acted as the Funds’ distributor since August 2009.

 

Since July 31, 2009, Integrity Funds Distributor has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corridor. Prior to July 31, 2009, Integrity Funds Distributor was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Integrity Mutual Funds, Inc. Shannon D. Radke is an officer and governor of Corridor, an officer of the Funds, and an officer and governor of Integrity Funds Distributor. Peter A. Quist is a governor of Corridor and an officer of the Funds. Robert E. Walstad is a governor of Corridor and a Trustee and Chairman of the Board. Brent M. Wheeler, an officer of the Trust, is also a member of Corridor. See “Trustees and Officers” above. Mr. Radke, Mr. Walstad, Mr. Quist, and Mr. Wheeler are each members of Corridor and, accordingly, may indirectly benefit from the payment of 12b-1 fees described below under “Distribution and service (12b-1 fees)” (with respect to Class A shares) or brokerage commissions by the Funds to the Distributor.

 

B-33

 

 

Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with each Fund, Integrity Funds Distributor serves as principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds. Pursuant to this agreement, Integrity Funds Distributor purchases shares of the Funds for resale to the public, either directly or through securities brokers, dealers, banks, or other agents, and is obligated to purchase only those shares for which it has received purchase orders. Integrity Funds Distributor has agreed to use its best efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Funds’ shares. Integrity Funds Distributor receives for its services the applicable sales charge of a Fund’s Class A shares, and reallows a majority or all of such amount to the dealers who sold the shares; Integrity Funds Distributor may act as such a dealer. Integrity Funds Distributor does not receive any sales charge with respect to the Class I shares of a Fund.

 

The table below shows the aggregate dollar amount of underwriting commissions Integrity Funds Distributor received in connection with the offering of the Funds’ Class A shares and the net underwriting discounts and commissions Integrity Funds Distributor retained after allowances to dealers for the three most recent fiscal years.

 

Fiscal Year Ended: Aggregate
Underwriting
Commissions ($)
Amount Retained by
Integrity Funds
Distributor ($)
Kansas Fund    
  7/31/2020 83,299 14,121
  7/31/2021 91,742 15,616
  7/31/2022 36,354 9,043
Maine Fund    
  7/31/2020 7,817 1,365
  7/31/2021 6,376 1,392
  7/31/2022 3,940 724
Nebraska Fund    
  7/31/2020 24,791 4,269
  7/31/2021 51,390 8,586
  7/31/2022 18,996 3,234
Oklahoma Fund    
  7/31/2020 73,388 11,646
  7/31/2021 71,935 11,521
  7/31/2022 23,434 3,596
Montana Fund    
  7/31/2020 115,091 19,820
  7/31/2021 56,583 9,354
  7/31/2022 24,609 4,188
North Dakota Fund    
  7/31/2020 18,838 2,895
  7/31/2021 13,972 2,224
  7/31/2022 3,315 797

 

Integrity Funds Distributor may be entitled to compensation under the Rule 12b-1 plan, as discussed below. Except as noted, Integrity Funds Distributor receives no other compensation from the Funds for acting as underwriter.

 

Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the amount of underwriting commissions, brokerage commissions, compensation on redemptions, and any other compensation received by Integrity Funds Distributor from the respective Fund indicated below (with respect to Class A shares) during the most recent fiscal year.

 

  Net Underwriting Discounts
and Commissions
Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases Brokerage Commissions Other Compensation(1)
Kansas Fund $15,616 $ 4,754 $0 $166,790
Maine Fund $  1,392 $       0 $0 $  30,549
Nebraska Fund $  8,586 $ 9,031 $0 $134,228
Oklahoma Fund $11,521 $       0 $0 $175,899
Montana Fund $  9,354 $ 4,071 $0 $183,162
North Dakota Fund $  2,224 $ 2,501 $0 $  75,515
   
   
(1) Integrity Funds Distributor received this amount under the Rule 12b-1 plan of the respective Fund, net of waivers.
             

B-34

 

 

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

 

The Funds have adopted a distribution and service plan dated July 31, 2009 with respect to each Fund’s Class A shares (the “Plan”), in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and the requirements of the applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regarding asset-based sales charges.

 

Pursuant to the Plan, each Fund may compensate Integrity Funds Distributor for its expenditures in financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares and for maintenance and personal service provided to existing shareholders. The Plan authorizes payments to Integrity Funds Distributor of up to 0.25% annually of the average daily net assets of Class A shares of the Funds. All distribution expenses over this amount will be borne by those who have incurred them.

 

The Plan

 

The Plan provides for periodic payments by Integrity Funds Distributor to brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries for providing shareholder services and for promotional and other sales related costs. Expenditures under the Plan may also include, among others, a prorated portion of Integrity Funds Distributor’s overhead expenses; the expenses of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes; and preparing and distributing sales literature and advertisements. The portion of payments by a Fund’ for shareholder servicing may not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Fund’s Class A shares owned by clients of such broker, dealer or financial intermediary.

 

The fee is an expense. This means that all Class A shareholders, regardless of when they purchased their shares, will bear Rule 12b-1 expenses at the same rate. The fees shall be payable regardless of whether those fees exceed or are less than the actual expenses incurred by Integrity Funds Distributor with respect to each Fund in a particular year.

 

The Plan has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1. The Plan is renewable annually by a vote of the Board, including a majority vote of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the noninterested Board members or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution expenses without approval by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and all material amendments to the Plan shall be approved by a vote of the noninterested Board members, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.

 

Integrity Funds Distributor is required to report in writing to the Board at least quarterly on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the Plan.

 

The table below provides, for each Fund’s most recent fiscal year, the fees payable by the Funds’ Class A shares under the Plans, the fees paid by the Funds’ Class A shares under the Plans net of waivers, and the amount of fees waived by the Distributor.

 

  12b-1 Fees Payable for
the Fiscal Year Ended
July 31, 2022
12b-1 Fees
After Waivers
Fees Waived by Distributor
Kansas Fund $166,790 $166,790 $0
Maine Fund $  30,549 $  30,549 $0
Nebraska Fund $134,228 $134,228 $0
Oklahoma Fund $175,899 $175,899 $0
Montana Fund $183,162 $183,162 $0
North Dakota Fund $  75,515 $  75,515 $0

 

B-35

 

 

Expenditures

 

The 12b-1 fees paid by the Funds’ Class A shares during their most recent fiscal year were spent toward the following distribution-related expenses:

 

  Advertising & Promotion Compensation to Dealers (including commission and service fees) Compensation to Sales Personnel and Payroll Taxes Distribution Related Overhead Absorbed
by the Distributor
(1)
Kansas Fund $   941 $138,702 $104,393 $13,089 $  (90,335)
Maine Fund $   169 $  16,444 $  18,918 $  2,372 $    (7,354)
Nebraska Fund $   769 $132,637 $  84,361 $10,547 $  (94,086)
Oklahoma Fund $   966 $151,758 $107,853 $13,524 $  (98,202)
Montana Fund $1,015 $158,020 $113,037 $14,164 $(103,074)
North Dakota Fund $   432 $  66,555 $  47,647 $  5,950 $  (45,069)

 

 

(1) The difference between 12b-1 Fees paid by the Funds and Plan expenses incurred by the Distributor. Negative amounts represent unreimbursed expenses, that is, expenses that qualified for the Plan but that were paid by the Distributor.

           

As of July 31, 2022 the following unreimbursed Plan expenses had been incurred by the Distributor with respect to the Funds’ Class A shares in a previous year and carried over to future years:

 

  Dollar Amount Percentage of Fund Net Assets
Kansas Fund $ (991,756) 1.63%
Maine Fund $ (100,925) 0.93%
Nebraska Fund $ (1,390,008) 2.79%
Oklahoma Fund $ (1,848,170) 3.01%
Montana Fund $ (816,235) 1.25%
North Dakota Fund $ (307,806) 1.12%

 

You can ask your dealer for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor and any services provided.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The audited financial statements of the Funds for their most recent fiscal period ended July 31, 2022 appear in the Funds’ annual report, and are incorporated herein by reference. The Funds’ annual report is available without charge by calling 800-276-1262.

 

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

 

The following descriptions of ratings are based on information publicly available from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.

 

Moody’s Long-Term Obligation Ratings

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term rating scale are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. For certain structured finance, preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors’ expectations for timely payment, the ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment (as defined by Moody’s) and financial loss in the event of impairment.

 

Investment Grade
 
Aaa Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
   
Aa Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
   
A Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
   
Baa Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
   
Below Investment Grade
   
Ba Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
   
B Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
   
Caa Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

B-36

 

 

Ca Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
   
C Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
   
Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating category from “Aa” through “Caa”. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*
     
  * By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such a omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

 

S&P Long-Term Issue Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations:

     
  Ÿ The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
     
  Ÿ The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and
     
  Ÿ The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

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

 

Investment Grade
   
AAA An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.
   
AA An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
   
A An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
   
BBB An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
   
Below Investment Grade
   
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C Obligations rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC”, and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
   
BB An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
   
B An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

B-37

 

 

CCC An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
   
CC An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
   
C An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.
   
D An obligation rated “D” is in default or breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.
   
NR This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
   
Plus (+) or
Minus (-)
The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

Fitch’s Long-Term Ratings for Structured, Project and Public Finance Obligations

 

AAA:
Highest credit quality
‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
   
AA:
Very high credit quality
‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
   
A:
High credit quality
‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
   
BBB:
Good credit quality
‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
   
BB:
Speculative
‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.
   
B:
Highly speculative
‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
   
CCC:
Substantial credit risk
Default is a real possibility.
   
CC:
Very high levels of credit risk
Default of some kind appears probable.
   
C:
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk
Default appears imminent or inevitable.
   
D:
Default:
Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
   
Ÿ failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;
   
Ÿ bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or
   
Ÿ distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

 

B-38

 

 

Description of Municipal Short-Term Ratings

 

Moody’s Municipal Short-Term Obligation Ratings

 

MIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
   
MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
   
MIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
   
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

S&P’s Municipal Note Ratings

 

SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
   
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
   
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
   
D “D” is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Fitch’s Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance

 

F1:
Highest short-term credit quality
Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
   
F2:
Good short-term credit quality
Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
   
F3:
Fair short-term credit quality
The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
   
B:
Speculative short-term credit quality
Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
   
C:
High short-term default risk
Default is a real possibility.
   
RD:
Restricted default
Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
   
D:
Default
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

B-39

 

 

PROXY VOTING

 

Information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available by the following August 31 without charge, upon request, by calling 800-276-1262, on the Trust’s Internet site at www.integrityvikingfunds.com, and on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov.

 

To the extent a Fund invests in any voting securities, the Board of Trustees has delegated to the Investment Adviser the final authority and responsibility for voting proxies with respect to each Fund’s underlying securities holdings. In the event a Fund were to receive a proxy, the Investment Adviser may follow proxy voting guidelines developed by an independent third party such as Glass, Lewis & Co. The Trustees will review each Fund’s proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider revising its proxy voting policy.

 

The Investment Adviser may abstain from voting from time to time where it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote. The Investment Adviser will monitor situations that may result in a potential conflict of interest, in particular between a Fund’s shareholders and Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates or an affiliate of the Funds. If any such conflict is discovered, the issue will be examined in detail by the Investment Adviser and in such circumstances, the Investment Adviser generally will refrain from voting the proxies giving rise to conflict, until the Trustees, after consultation, instruct on an appropriate course of action to vote the proxies in the best interest of the relevant Fund.

 

B-40

 

 

APPENDIX A—FACTORS PERTAINING TO STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES

 

The information regarding states and U.S. territories was obtained from official statements of issuers located in the respective states and U.S. territories as well as from other publicly available official documents and statements. The Funds have not independently verified any of the information contained in such statements and documents. The information below is intended only as a general summary and is not intended as a discussion of any specific factor that may affect any particular obligation or issuer. While the following summarizes certain information currently available from the above sources, it does not reflect economic conditions or developments that may have occurred or trends that may have materialized since the dates indicated. Additionally, many factors including national economic, social and environmental policies and conditions, which are not within the control of issuers of municipal securities, could affect or could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of a state and its various agencies and political subdivisions or U.S. territories and possessions. Viking Management is unable to predict whether or to what extent such factors or other factors may affect issuers of municipal securities in which a Fund invests, the market value or marketability of these municipal securities or the ability of the respective issuers of the municipal securities acquired by a Fund to pay interest on or principal of the municipal securities.

 

Factors pertaining to Kansas

 

Since the Kansas Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Kansas municipal securities, the Kansas Fund is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of Kansas municipal obligations.

 

The Kansas economy has been recovering from the severe economic contraction of the spring of 2020 and is expected to continue a relatively robust recovery through fiscal year 2023. The forecasted rates of growth in the Kansas economy have been increased for calendar year 2021, 2022, and 2023 Nominal Gross State Product is now expected to increase by 11.1 percent in calendar year 2021, up from the previous projected increase of 6.9 percent. Nominal Gross State Product is expected to grow by 7.3 percent and 5.3 percent in calendar years 2022 and 2023, respectively. This represents increases from the previous estimates of 5.9 percent and 4.3 percent.

 

Current estimates indicate the overall Kansas unemployment rate, which was 5.9 percent in calendar year 2020, is expected to return to more normal levels in calendar year 2021 to 3.9 percent, which is slightly up from 3.8 percent at the April 2021 estimate. Kansas unemployment rates are now forecasted to drop to 3.5 percent in calendar year 2022, which is down from a forecast of 3.6 percent at the time of the previous estimate, and further recover to 3.4 percent in calendar year 2023. The Kansas unemployment rates are expected to remain below the National rates.

 

The economic forecast does retain significant concern for the economy as a whole due to uncertainty related to the progression of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the timing and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and recovery efforts made by local, state, and federal governments, as well as more typical concerns related to costs of health care, volatility in energy prices, tariffs or possible trade war effects on commodity prices, and consumer demand for products and services subject to sales taxation.

 

The combined net position of the State (government and business-type activities) totaled $13.7 billion at the end of 2021, compared to $11.9 billion at the end of the previous year, an increase of 15.58 percent.

 

The largest portion of net position reflects investment in capital assets such as land, buildings, equipment, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, and other immovable assets), less any related debt used to acquire those assets that are still outstanding. The State uses these capital assets to provide services to citizens; consequently, these assets are not available for future spending. Although investment in its capital assets is reported net of related debt, it should be noted that the resources needed to repay this debt must be provided from other sources, since the capital assets themselves cannot be used to liquidate these liabilities.

 

For fiscal year 2021, differences existed between the original budget, the revised budget, and the actual budget at the close of the fiscal year. Revenue estimates were revised upward by approximately $869.4 million over the original estimate. Fiscal year 2021 ended with revenues $744.7 million above the revised estimate.

 

Original estimates for expenditures for fiscal year 2021 were decreased by $582.8 million in the revised budget for the fiscal year. Fiscal year 2021 ended with expenditures $201.6 million below the revised estimates.

 

The original budget estimate provided for revenues less than expenditures of $879.7 million. The final budget provided for $572.4 million of revenues more than expenditures. Subsequently, fiscal year 2021 was closed with revenues greater than expenditures of $1.5 billion.

 

B-B-1

 

 

For fiscal year 2021, the governmental funds reported a combined ending fund balance of $3.8 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion in comparison with the prior year. Of the total amount, $824.0 million represents the fund balance of the Non-Major Governmental funds. The General Fund reported an unassigned fund balance for fiscal year 2021 of a positive $1.7 billion, as compared to the prior year unassigned balance of a positive $550.9 million.

 

The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the State. At the end of the current fiscal year, unassigned fund balance of the General Fund was a positive $1.739 billion, while the total fund balance was a positive $1.744 billion. During fiscal year 2021, the State experienced increased revenue in income and inheritance tax, sales and excise taxes and gross receipts tax. The cash and investment balance is approximately $1.5 billion higher in fiscal year 2021 than it was in fiscal year 2020.

 

The State does not have the statutory authority to issue general obligation bonds. The Legislature has authorized the issuance of specific purpose revenue bonds and other forms of long-term obligations.

 

The total long-term debt obligations increased by $42.5 million during the current fiscal year. This net increase was primarily due to net decreases of $303.3 million and $43.6 million in bonds outstanding and capital leases payable, respectively, offset by increases of $356.9 million and $33.0 million due to net pension liability and claims and judgements, respectively.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Kansas and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in Kansas or contained in Official Statements for various Kansas municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to Maine

 

Since the Maine Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Maine municipal securities, the Maine Fund is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of Maine municipal obligations.

 

The net position of Governmental Activities increased by $974.5 million, while net position of Business-Type Activities decreased by $88.5 million. The State’s assets and deferred outflows exceeded its liabilities and deferred inflows by $1.941 billion at the close of fiscal year 2021. Of this amount $2.368 billion was reported as negative “Unrestricted” net position. A negative balance means that it would be necessary to convert restricted assets (e.g., capital assets) to unrestricted assets if all ongoing obligations were immediately due and payable. Component units reported net position of $3.646 billion, an increase of $344.3 million (10.4 percent) from the previous year.

 

At the end of the fiscal year, the State’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $2.520 billion, an increase of $1.040 billion from the previous year. The General Fund’s total fund balance was $785.6 million, an increase of $561.8 million from the previous year. The Other Special Revenue Fund total fund balance was $1.370 billion, an increase of $418.1 million from the prior year.

 

The proprietary funds reported net position at year-end of $957.5 million, a decrease of $28.4 million from the previous year. The decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in the Employment Security Fund of $94.4 million and an increase in Employee Health Insurance and Retiree Health Insurance Funds, both Internal Service Funds, of $40.2 million and $15.7 million, respectively.

 

The State’s liability for general obligation bonds increased by $27.3 million during the fiscal year, which represents the difference between new issuances and payments of outstanding debt. During the year, the State issued $117.5 million in bonds and made principal payments of $90.2 million.

 

The Maine Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission (CEFC) convened on October 29, 2021, to review and revise its forecast through 2025. This meeting builds on the Commission’s forecast update of April 1, 2021, incorporating the most recent data available for all relevant baseline data.

 

As a critical part of the forecasting process, the Commission reviewed their key assumptions from the April 2021 forecast. Overall, the Commission continues to be optimistic about increased in-migration to Maine but remains concerned about the economic consequences of possible future COVID-19 variants.

 

Since the last forecast, the CEFC has seen its assumptions about federal stimulus and programs aiding the recovery confirmed, as poverty rates in 2020 decreased as a result of these supports. The fate of similar programs now pending in Congress, however, remain uncertain at this time. Inflation has spiked, led by supply chain challenges and oil price increases, and will accelerate the timing of increased interest rates. Regional variations across the state in vaccinations and social distancing measures will likely contribute to an uneven recovery in the coming months and years.

 

B-B-2

 

 

Total nonfarm employment is projected to increase by 3.7% in 2021, 2.3% in 2022, 1.0% in 2023 and 0.7% in both 2024 and 2025. Compared to the April 2021 forecast, this is revised down in 2021, unchanged in 2022, and revised up in all years from 2023-2025 (from 0.7%, 0.1% and 0.1%). The new forecast accounts for both a decelerating labor market recovery in 2021, in large part at the hands of the Delta variant, as well as an upside potential for increased migration into the state in the following years. The commission is also optimistic that other factors, such as the return of K-12 school and childcare accessibility and a growing willingness by employers both to train potential workers who may not currently possess the experience and skills they have transitionally expected and to be increasingly flexible in work hours and locations will aid in employment growth in coming years. The CEFC continues to monitor structural changes that may impact the long-term trajectory of employment, in-migration, and labor force participation trends.

 

The Commission is hopeful that this more optimistic medium-term forecast will be confirmed with future data. The revised forecast anticipates employment will reach pre-pandemic levels by 2023 and continue growing to 647.9 thousand in 2025. The April 1, 2021, forecast reached 640 thousand in 2025. The CEFC remains optimistic regarding the upside opportunity of increased migration into the state as COVID-19 has been a catalyst for remote work but is cautious of the constraints that may be caused by ongoing tight real estate markets.

 

The forecast for total personal income was revised up slightly to +5.2% in 2021, compared to 5.0% in the previous forecast. Personal

income was revised up in all remaining years, to 0.5% in 2022, 4.6% in 2023, 4.8% in 2024 and 4.6% in 2025, compared to 0.2%,

4.1%, 4.3% and 4.5% in 2022-2025, respectively. This revision accounts for higher wage growth in 2021-2024.

 

Growth in wages and salaries, the largest component of personal income, was revised up for 2021 by 0.5 percentage points compared to April’s forecast, from 5.0% to 5.5%. 2022-2024 were each revised up by 1.0 percentage point, from 4.0% to 5.0%, while 2025 was left unchanged.

 

Growth in supplements to wages and salaries was revised down in 2021 from 5.0% to 4.7%, while all remaining years were left unchanged, at 4.0%.

 

Finally, the forecast for corporate profits was revised up in 2021, from 15.0% to 30.0%. The forecast was revised down for 2022 and

2023, to 2.0% and 3.0% compared to 4.7% in both years in the previous forecast. Additionally, the CEFC made upward revisions to its forecast for 2024 and 2025 to 6.0% annually, compared to 4.7% annually in the April forecast.

 

At June 30, 2021, the State of Maine reported an ending fund balance of $785.6 million in the General Fund on a GAAP basis, an increase of more than $561.8 million since the end of fiscal year 2020. The General Fund “unassigned” fund balance on a GAAP basis at June 30, 2021 was $338.3 million.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Maine and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in Maine or contained in Official Statements for various Maine municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to Nebraska

 

Since the Nebraska Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Nebraska municipal securities, the Nebraska Fund is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of Nebraska municipal obligations.

 

The General Fund operations of the State are almost entirely dependent upon the income and sales taxes the State receives each year. Such taxes represent 96 percent of all General Fund revenues. Net revenue from income taxes and sales taxes for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 increased $1,118 million from the prior year.

 

The current forecast for fiscal year 2022 anticipates net receipts in the General Fund to decrease about $234 million, a

3.9% decrease over fiscal year 2021.

 

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 the State’s General Fund ended the fiscal year with a cash and investments balance of $2,440 million. The balance had exceeded $1 billion dollars for the prior two years.

 

Long-term liabilities shown on the government-wide financial statements totaled $1,115 million at June 30, 2021, which is a $159 million increase from the prior year, primarily due to an increase in the State’s pension liability. The remaining liabilities consist of Medicaid liability, claims payable for workers’ compensation, medical excess liability, capital lease obligations, unemployment insurance and employee health insurance, in addition to the calculated amount for accrued vacation and vested sick leave due to employees when they retire. After a retired employee reaches the age of 65, the State has no further obligation for other post-employment benefits, except for a very small number of employees.

 

B-B-3

 

 

The focus of the State’s Governmental Funds is to provide information on near-term inflows and outflows and the availability of spendable resources. At June 30, 2021, the State’s Governmental Funds reported combined ending fund balances of $7,328 million. Of this amount, $659 million is non-spendable, either due to its form or legal constraints, and $4,255 million is restricted for specific programs by external constraints, constitutional provisions or contractual obligations. Revenue restricted by enabling legislation and public school land lease revenues are included in restricted fund balance. An additional $488 million of total fund balance has been committed to specific purposes. Committed amounts cannot be used for any other purpose unless approved by the Legislature. An additional $33 million of total fund balance has been assigned to specific purposes, as expressed by legislative intent. The remaining $1,893 million is unassigned and available for appropriations.

 

The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the State. The major General Fund liability is the estimated tax refunds payable of $480 million. However, such refunds payable are $113 million less than the expected taxes owed the State. Other assets of the General Fund available to pay non tax-refund liabilities exceed such liabilities by $2,346 million.

 

On June 30, 2020, the General Fund had a positive fund balance of $1,183 million. For 2021, expenditures increased $66 million from 2020 and revenues increase by $922 million. The revenues were $1,098 million more than expenditures for 2021 while revenues were $242 million more than expenditures in 2020. The General Fund balance in 2021 increased by $1,181 million, after adjusting for transfers in and out of the General Fund, ending with a fund balance of $2,364 million on June 30, 2021.

 

Revenues increased during 2021 finishing $922 million up from 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase in income tax revenue of $778 million (a 27.04% increase) from 2020, an increase in sales and use tax revenue of $184 million (a 9.90% increase) over 2020, an increase in business and franchise taxes of $6.1 million (a 6.07% increase) and a decrease in investment income of $53 million (a 71% decrease) from 2020. Expenditures increased during 2021 by $66 million over 2020 due to increases in General Government spending of $16 million, an increase for Higher Education – Colleges and University of $25 million, and an increase in Health and Social Services of $67 million. These increases were offset by a spending decrease from 2020 for Public Safety of $40 million. Overall expenditures were less than budgeted due to continued efforts by agency heads to be conservative in spending.

 

To compensate for downturns in revenues, the State has maintained a budgetary basis Cash Reserve Fund. While this Cash Reserve Fund is commingled with General Fund cash in the General Fund financial statements, it is separate and distinct in that, by State Statute, it can only be used (1) when the cash balance of the General Fund is insufficient to meet General Fund current obligations and (2) for legislatively mandated transfers to other funds. Any money transferred in accordance with item one above must be repaid as soon as there is sufficient cash in the General Fund cash account to do so. No such need existed in 2021.

 

The Cash Reserve Fund balance was $334 million at the beginning of 2020. In 2020, there were net transfers in of $93 million leaving a Cash Reserve Fund balance at June 30, 2020 of $426 million. In 2021, there were statutory transfers to the Fund of $71 million and other statutory transfers out equaling $30 million leaving a Fund balance of $467 million at June 30, 2021. The Cash Reserve Fund is reflected as committed to economic stabilization on the governmental funds balance sheet.

 

Article XIII of the State's Constitution prohibits the State from incurring debt in excess of one hundred thousand dollars. However, there is a provision in the State’s Constitution that permits the issuance of revenue bonds for: (1) construction of highways; and (2) construction of water conservation and management structures. At June 30, 2021, there was no outstanding debt for either of these purposes.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Nebraska and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in Nebraska or contained in Official Statements for various Nebraska municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to Oklahoma

 

Since the Oklahoma Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Oklahoma municipal securities, the Oklahoma Fund is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of Oklahoma municipal obligations.

 

Oklahoma experienced a remarkable recovery after a challenging second half of Fiscal Year 2020. The state economy was one of the earliest to have restrictions lifted and open back for business in June 2020, before the start of the new fiscal year. Consumer demand and employment drove stronger than expected gains in the economy. Additionally, expanded unemployment benefits and federal stimulus money replaced some revenues lost to the COVID-19 impacted economy. In May 2021, Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order to end the COVID-19 state of emergency. Oklahoma continues to strengthen its financial position with an encouraging state economy outlook.

 

B-B-4

 

 

The FY 2021 state budget was crafted with an outlook that 2020 losses could extend into the new fiscal year. The Legislature appropriated $1.3 billion, or 15.5%, less than their spending authority, but held cuts to agency appropriations at an average of 4% from the prior year by utilizing emergency state reserves, special cash, and other apportionment adjustments to fill the expected budget gap.

 

Income tax deadlines were extended to July 15, which was the first month of the fiscal year. The abnormal influx of income tax payments strengthened the cash flow position of the state and relieved the pressure of a potential revenue failure early in the fiscal year. This combined with enhanced unemployment benefits and employment recovery led to income revenues outperforming expectations.

 

Unemployment rates continued to fall to near pre-pandemic levels to 3.7% at year-end from a high of 13.0% in April 2020. The unemployment rate is currently at the pre-pandemic low of 3% as of September 2021. However, total nonfarm employment improvement has not made a full recovery since the initial lockdown. It is 50,000 less than pre-pandemic levels, which poses considerable challenges as businesses seek to fill staffing needs.

 

Strong consumer demand as well as stimulus funds accelerated spending in the state’s economy. Two major stimulus and relief packages were signed into law by the federal government. The omnibus passed in December 2020 included $900 billion towards aid. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act was signed into law in March 2021.

 

After a slow start in the oil and gas market recovery, pricing began to pick up in the second half of the year. Gas production was boosted by higher demand for natural gas and a cold winter nationwide. The first half of the year only added a handful of rigs to the state count. Climbing natural gas and oil pricing accelerated drilling activity and ended the year with 28 rigs. Drilling operations continue to expand and tallied 42 in October 2021 for the state, indicating that the state’s gross oil and gas production will grow in the near future.

 

State government funding has benefited from Oklahoma’s economic strengthening. As a result of an unexpectedly strong recovery, a surplus of $282 million was realized from General Revenue Fund collections. The state restocked much of its reserves and on-hand cash going into FY 2022. Additionally, as of October, the state is more than 10% above the year-to-date collections estimate for the General Revenue Fund. Oklahoma’s current fiscal position is on good footing for favorable performance in fiscal year 2022. Concerns going forward include rising inflation which will put strain on personal and institutional budgets. Inflation was reported at a 13-year high of 5.4% in September and remains under pressure.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Oklahoma and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various state and local agencies in Oklahoma or contained in Official Statements for various Oklahoma municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to Montana

 

Since the Viking Tax-Free Fund for Montana invests a significant portion of its assets in Montana municipal securities, the Viking Tax-Free Fund for Montana is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of Montana municipal obligations.

 

Montana’s economic output, measured by real gross state product (GSP), is sourced primarily from service-providing industries (e.g., healthcare, trade/transportation/utilities, financial services, professional and business services). In 2020, service-providing industries produced 77% of the state’s real economic output. Montana's four largest industries by share of real GSP are trade/transportation/utilities services, financial activity services, education and health services, and professional and business services. Other important industries for Montana include manufacturing, agriculture/forestry, and leisure/hospitality (driven by nonresident travel). These four industries each account for between 4% to 8% of real GSP.

 

Like GSP, Montana’s employment is concentrated in the service-providing sector. Industries in this sector account for about 88% of total nonfarm (payroll) employment in the state. Montana experienced a 20,600 increase in nonfarm employment (seasonally adjusted) over the 12 months from June 2020 to June 2021. There were approximately 481.1 thousand people employed in June of 2021, as compared to 460,500 people employed in June of 2020. Payroll employment growth in Montana averaged 1.0% per year from 2010 to 2020. Over the same ten-year period, Montana’s labor force expanded at an annual rate of 0.6%. The statewide unemployment rate hit a 14-year low of 3.5% in August 2021. The national unemployment rate for August was 5.2%.

 

B-B-5

 

 

Per the 2021 Labor Day Report issued by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Montana had real wage gains of 6.6% in 2020. Over the two years ending June 2021, hourly wages have increased by 8.7% while the price level has increased by 6.1%, resulting in a 2.6% increase in the real hourly wage. Montana’s tight labor market has pushed wage growth higher over the past few years as firms compete for qualified workers. Montana ranked 8th in the nation for growth in average annual wages over the last ten years. Including more than just wages, Montana is ranked 1st among states for personal income growth in 2020, growing 8.4% to $57.6 billion.

 

The General Fund is the chief operating fund of the State. For fiscal year 2021, the total fund balance of the General Fund was reported at approximately $856.3 million. Of this balance, $5.2 million is non-spendable. The remaining $851.1 million is spendable with $114.2 million committed, $95.4 million assigned, and $641.5 million unassigned. This spendable fund balance of the General Fund represents 23.1% of the $3.7 billion spendable governmental fund balances for all governmental funds. Of the assigned fund balance, $75.0 million pertains to the projected general fund spend down of fund balance in fiscal year 2022 and $20.4 million relates to outstanding encumbrances at the end of the fiscal year. The committed fund balance of $114.2 million relates to the balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, which is combined with the General Fund for financial statement presentation.

 

Total fund balance increased by $263.5 million when compared to the previously reported fund balance of $592.8 million. Changes in both expenditures and revenues are discussed in detail below. The 2021 legislative session projected $408.6 million of unassigned fund balance for fiscal year 2021, without regard to a fund balance spend down. The difference was primarily the result of a larger than anticipated beginning fund balance and smaller than anticipated expenditures.

 

Montana continues to receive excellent general obligation bond ratings from Moody’s Investor Service (Aa1), Standard and Poor’s Corporation (AA), and Fitch Ratings (AA+), which remain unchanged from 2020.

 

State debt may be authorized either by a two-thirds vote of the members of each house of the Legislature or by a favorable vote of a majority of the State’s electors voting thereon. There is no constitutional limit on the amount of debt that may be incurred by the State. The Montana Constitution does, however, prohibit the incurring of debt to cover deficits caused by appropriations exceeding anticipated revenue.

 

The State of Montana’s general obligation debt increased from $90.3 million at June 30, 2020, to $127.6 million at June 30, 2021. There is cash available, of $6.7 million at the end of fiscal year 2021, in debt service funds to service general obligation debt.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Montana and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in Montana or contained in Official Statements for various Montana municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to North Dakota

 

Since the Viking Tax-Free Fund for North Dakota invests a significant portion of its assets in North Dakota municipal securities, the Viking Tax-Free Fund for North Dakota is susceptible to political, economic or regulatory factors affecting issuers of North Dakota municipal obligations.

 

Although North Dakota’s economy is increasingly diversified, the agricultural industry continues to play a key role in the state’s economy. The North Dakota Agricultural Statistics report states: North Dakota led the nation in the production of all wheat, spring wheat, Durum wheat, all dry edible beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, all sunflowers, non-oil sunflowers, rye and honey for 2020. North Dakota also ranked second in the production of black beans, navy beans, pink beans, small red beans, lentils and all dry edible peas.

 

The energy industry plays an important role in the state’s economy. The development of wind and coal resources, the production of ethanol and bio diesel, and oil and natural gas extraction all contribute to the state’s economy. North Dakota reached an all-time high for oil production which averaged over 1.52 million barrels of oil produced per day in November 2019. North Dakota’s current crude oil production ranks third in the nation, behind first-ranked Texas and second-ranked New Mexico. Oil prices have rebounded since the crash at the end of fiscal year 2020 when North Dakota producers were receiving prices below $15 per barrel. Prices are averaging around $65 per barrel to start off the 2021-23 biennium which is above the estimated price of $50 used for budgeting purposes.

 

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the state’s resident population for 2020 was approximately 779,000 people, which is an all-time high. Health care and social assistance jobs account for the highest percent of employment in the state. Other leading areas of employment are retail trade, accommodation and food services, educational services, construction and manufacturing. The unemployment rate for the state in September 2021 was 2.6%, compared to 4.6% for the U.S.

 

A listing of the state’s 20 largest employers demonstrates the diversity of the economy. Top employers include: health care providers, educational services, social assistance, the U.S military, manufacturers, financial and banking companies, U.S. postal service and retail companies.

Uncertainty within international markets, resulted in a decrease in exporting in North Dakota in 2020. The United States Census Bureau showed that North Dakota’s exports were down overall by about $1.8 billion for a total of $5.2 billion in 2020. This represents a decrease of 25.6% over 2019.

 

Long-term Debt: Article X, Section 13 of the Constitution of North Dakota provides that the state may issue or guarantee the payment of bonds provided that all bonds in excess of $2 million are: secured by first mortgage upon property and no further indebtedness may be incurred by the state unless evidenced by a bond issue; authorized by law, for a certain purpose; provisioned to pay the interest semiannually, and pay the principal within 30 years. The law authorized the bond issue must specifically appropriate the provisions to the payment of the principal and interest of the bond. The State has no general obligation bonds outstanding at June 30, 2021.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in North Dakota and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in North Dakota or contained in Official Statements for various North Dakota municipal obligations.

 

Factors pertaining to Guam

 

Each Fund may invest in Guam municipal bonds and, therefore, may be impacted by political, economic, or regulatory developments that affect issuers in Guam and their ability to pay principal and interest on their obligations.

 

The Government of Guam (GovGuam) ended its Fiscal Year 2021 with total revenues of $2,031,847,014. This exclude totals from the Component Units. The largest source of revenue was from Federal Grants and Contributions which accounted for 55.5% or $1,128,066,710 of the total revenue. The second largest source of income was Income Taxes at $352,818,156 or 17.4%. Gross Receipts Taxes was third at $296,805,879 or 14.6%.

 

GovGuam expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 totaled $2,068,816,132. The largest expense was Public Health at $487,821,377 or 22.1%. The second and third largest expenses were Public Education and Welfare at 21.3% or $441,078,039 and 20.5% or $424,737,770 respectively. General Government was the fourth largest expense with $201,144,071 or 9.7%. While Protection of Life & Property was fifth with $149,766,388 or 7.2% of expenses.

 

Total expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 increased $254,766,388, or 147.9%, from Fiscal Year 2020. The largest increase was Individual and Collective Rights at 96.9% or $60,564,363.

 

A surplus was reported in Governmental Funds of $46.3 million, reducing the General Fund deficit to $1.5 million, representing a significant reduction in the deficit of 196.8% from Fiscal Year 2019.

 

According to the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Fiscal Year 2021 September Summary report, Guam counted 61,607 visitors at the end of fiscal year 2021, a decline of 91.9% from Fiscal Year 2020. The decline is due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Recovery of Guam's tourism industry is not expected to reach pre-pandemic arrival numbers before 2024 and is highly dependent on how the countries of our primary visitor markets manage their respective COVID-19 problems. Other areas of tourism are being considered, such as "vaccination tourism". And with the "Guam Safe Certified" stamp, in conjunction with "Safe Travels" stamp from The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travelers recognize the Guam has adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Guam and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in Guam or contained in Official Statements for various Guam municipal obligations.

 

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Factors pertaining to Puerto Rico

 

Each Fund may invest in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and, therefore, may be impacted by political, economic, or regulatory developments that affect issuers in Puerto Rico and their ability to pay principal and interest on their obligations.

 

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has a population of almost 3.3 million. The San Juan-Caguas area is the largest of the island’s seven metropolitan areas, representing roughly 75 percent of the island’s economy. Puerto Rico had suffered from a severe and prolonged economic slump from 2006-17 with GDP, population, and employment all on a downward trend. That downturn was punctuated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, followed by the most extensive power outage in U.S. history, which caused a further, but short-lived, drop-off in the economy. Since then, the economy has been growing interrupted only briefly by a steep drop early in the pandemic. However, the economy bounced back strongly, and as of mid-2022, private-sector employment was at a fifteen-year high. The medical manufacturing cluster remains a key part of the island’s economy, though employment in this industry is well below its peak levels of 2005. Puerto Rico’s tourism sector is still relatively small, but it has been one of the Commonwealth’s strongest job creators in recent years. In addition, a fledgling aerospace industry has emerged around Aguadilla and Arecibo. Wages in Puerto Rico tend to be about half the level of the mainland, and income inequality is considerably higher. However, educational attainment is only modestly lower than on the mainland. The island has made great progress in resolving and rebounding from its extensive fiscal crisis.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in Puerto Rico and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in Puerto Rico or contained in Official Statements for various municipal obligations of Puerto Rico.

 

Factors pertaining to U.S. Virgin Islands

 

Each Fund may invest in U.S. Virgin Islands (“USVI”) municipal bonds and, therefore, may be impacted by political, economic, or regulatory developments that affect issuers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and their ability to pay principal and interest on their obligations.

 

Situated just east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory that includes the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Its population fell by a striking 18 percent over the last decade to 87,000 in 2021—the lowest level since the 1970s. Its economy has been weakened by a series of blows—the closure in 2012 of the Hovensa oil refinery, a major employer; Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, which caused extensive damage and disruptions; and the pandemic in 2020, which devastated its key tourism industry, which is highly dependent on cruise ship visits. Like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands have been under fiscal stress, but unlike its neighbor to the west, this territory has not resolved the issue. While the U.S. Virgin Islands have not defaulted on debt payments, public debt is high and market access for borrowing is limited.

 

The above information provided is only a brief summary of the complex factors affecting the financial situation in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is derived from sources that are generally available to investors and are believed to be accurate. No independent verification has been made of the accuracy or completeness of any of the preceding information. It is based in part on information obtained from various agencies in the U.S. Virgin Islands or contained in Official Statements for various municipal obligations of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

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