CRF Cornerstone Total Return Fund New

	PREMIUM BILL
	Date: March 1, 2024

 

Insured:	CORNERSTONE ADVISORS, LLC
Producer:	ALLIANT INSURANCE SERVICES INC
	32 OLD SLIP FLOOR 29
	NEW YORK, NY 100053504
Company:	Federal Insurance Company

 

THIS BILLING IS TO BE ATTACHED TO AND FORM A PART OF THE POLICY REFERENCED BELOW.

 

Policy Number:	J06193638
Policy Period:	03-23-2024 to 03-23-2025

 

NOTE: PLEASE RETURN THIS BILL WITH REMITTANCE AND NOTE HEREON ANY CHANGES. BILL WILL BE RECEIPTED AND RETURNED TO YOU PROMPTLY UPON REQUEST.

 

PLEASE REMIT TO PRODUCER INDICATED ABOVE. PLEASE REFER TO J06193638

 

Product	Effective Date	Premium
Financial Institution Bond for Investment Companies	03-23-2024	$4,400.00

 

TOTAL POLICY PREMIUM

$4,400.00

 

WHEN REMITTING PLEASE INDICATE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE NUMBER

 

Form 26-10-0426 (Ed. 2/98)

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

DECLARATIONS   Name of Assured: CORNERSTONE ADVISORS, LLC   Address of Assured: 225 PICTORIA DRIVE, SUITE 450 CINCINNATI, OH 45246		FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY   Incorporated under the laws of Indiana, a stock insurance company, herein called the Company   One American Square 202 N Illinois Street, Suite 2600 Indianapolis, IN 46282   Bond Number: J06193638

 

Item 1.	Bond Period:	From:	March 23, 2024
		To:	March 23, 2025
		At 12:01 A.M. local time at the Address of Assured.

 

Item 2.

Single Loss Limits Of Liability – Deductible Amounts:

 

	Insuring Clause	Single Loss Limit Of Liability	Deductible Amount
1.	Employee	$3,000,000	$0
2.	On Premises	$3,000,000	$10,000
3.	In Transit	$3,000,000	$10,000
4.	Forgery Or Alteration	$3,000,000	$10,000
5.	Extended Forgery	$3,000,000	$10,000
6.	Counterfeit Money	$3,000,000	$10,000
7.	Computer System Fraud	$3,000,000	$10,000
8.	Claims Expense	Not Covered	Not Covered
9.	Audit Expense	$100,000	$10,000
10.	Uncollectible Items Of Deposit	$100,000	$10,000
11.	Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction	$3,000,000	$10,000

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Bond to be signed by its Authorized Officers, but it shall not be valid unless also signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company.

 

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY

 

Secretary		President
March 1, 2024
Date		Authorized Representative

	Important Notice

 

The SEC Requires Proof of Your Fidelity Insurance Policy

 

Your company is now required to file an electronic copy of your fidelity insurance coverage (Chubb’s ICAP Bond policy) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to rules adopted by the SEC on June 12, 2006.

 

Chubb is in the process of providing your agent/broker with an electronic copy of your insurance policy as well as instructions on how to submit this proof of fidelity insurance coverage to the SEC. You can expect to receive this information from your agent/broker shortly.

 

The electronic copy of your policy is provided by Chubb solely as a convenience and does not affect the terms and conditions of coverage as set forth in the paper policy you receive by mail. The terms and conditions of the policy mailed to you, which are the same as those set forth in the electronic copy, constitute the entire agreement between your company and Chubb.

 

If you have any questions, please contact your agent or broker.

Notice of Loss Control Services

 

Insuring Company: Federal Insurance Company

 

As a Chubb policyholder, you have loss prevention information and/or services available to you, as listed in this Notice. You may order any brochure by email to formsordering@chubb.com and to view our full suite of loss prevention brochures/services go to www.chubb.com/us/fl-lossprevention

 

Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Loss Prevention Services

 

●

Directors and Officers Liability Loss Prevention Manuals:

 

Directors and Officers Liability Loss Preventions – #14-01-0035

Directors and Officers Securities Litigation Loss Preventions – #14-01-0448

Director Liability Loss Prevention in Mergers and Acquisitions – #14-01-1099

Directors and Officers Liability Loss Prevention for Not-for-Profit- -#14-01-0036

Cyber Loss Mitigation for Directors -#14-01-1199

 

Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Loss Prevention Services

 

●

Toll-free Hot Line

 

Have a question on how to handle an employment situation? Simply call 1.888.249.8425 to access the nationally known employment law firm of Jackson Lewis P.C. We offer customers an unlimited number of calls to the hot line at no additional charge.

 

●

ChubbWorks.com

 

ChubbWorks.com is a web-based platform that offers multiple services including overviews of employment laws, sample employment policies and procedures, and on-line training. To gain immediate access to ChubbWorks go to www.chubbworks.com and register using your policy number.

 

●

Employment Practices Loss Prevention Guidelines Manual

 

Employment Practices Loss Prevention Guidelines - #14-01-0061

 

●

Loss Prevention Consultant Services

 

Chubb has developed a network of more than 120 law firms, human resources consulting firms, and labor economist/statistical firms that offer specialized services for employment issues.

 

●

Public Company EPL Customers

 

Employment Practices Loss Prevention Guidelines – Written by Seyfarth Shaw exclusively for Chubb this manual provides an overview of key employment issues faced by for-profit companies and offers proactive idea for avoiding employment lawsuits.

 

●

Private Company EPL Customers

 

Employment Practices Loss Prevention Guidelines – Written by Seyfarth Shaw exclusively for Chubb this manual provides an overview of key employment issues for –profit companies and offers proactive idea for avoiding employment lawsuits.

Fiduciary Liability Loss Prevention Services

 

●

Fiduciary Liability Loss Prevention Manual

 

Who May Sue You and Why: How to Reduce Your ERISA Risks and the Role of Fiduciary Liability Insurance #14-01-1019

 

Crime Loss Prevention Services

 

●

Crime/Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion Loss Prevention Manual

 

Preventing Fraud: How Anonymous Hotlines Can Help #14-01-1090

 

Cyber Security Loss Prevention Services

 

Visit: https://www2.chubb.com/us-en/business-insurance/cyber-security.aspx to learn more about Chubb’s Cyber Services for our policyholders.

 

Health Care Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Loss Prevention Services

 

●

Readings in Health Care Governance Manual

 

Readings in Health Care Governance -#14-01-0788

 

●

ChubbWorks.com

 

ChubbWorks.com for Health Care Organizations – The Health Care Zone is a free online resource containing health care specific loss prevention information for employment practices liability, directors and officers (D&O) liability, and fiduciary liability exposures. To gain immediate access to ChubbWorks go to www.chubbworks.com and register using your policy number.

 

●

Health Care D&O Loss Prevention Consultant Services

 

Health Care D& O Loss Prevention Consultant Services- #14-01-1164

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

The services provided are advisory in nature. While this program is offered as a resource in developing or maintaining a loss prevention program, you should consult competent legal counsel to design and implement your own program. No liability is assumed by reason of the services, access or information provided. All services are subject to change without notice.

	Notice to Policyholders

 

Insuring Company: Federal Insurance Company

 

Enclosed is your commercial insurance policy from Chubb. The bill that corresponds with this policy has been mailed separately. When you receive the bill, please pay the amount due by the date indicated. Payment should be made directly to Chubb. As always, prompt payment will keep your coverage in place.

 

If you have any questions about the attached policy or need assistance with additional insurance, contact your agent or broker. For questions about billing, call our Premium Accounting Service Center at 1-800-372-4822. Thank you for insuring through Chubb.

 

Chubb Producer Compensation
Practices & Policies

 

Chubb believes that policyholders should have access to information about Chubb’s practices and policies related to the payment of compensation to brokers and independent agents. You can obtain that information by accessing our website at http://www.chubbproducercompensation.com or by calling the following toll-free telephone number:

 

1-866-512-2862.

	Trade or Economic Sanctions Notice

 

TRADE OR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS NOTICE

 

This insurance does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions or other laws or regulations prohibit us from providing insurance, including, but not limited to, the payment of claims. All other terms and conditions of the policy remain unchanged.

	IMPORTANT NOTICE TO POLICYHOLDERS

 

Social Engineering Tips Please read!

 

HAVE YOU BEEN TRICKED INTO WIRE FRAUD? TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!

 

If you believe you have transferred funds to a criminal posing as a legitimate business associate, you should act quickly:

 

1.

Immediately contact the originating bank and request a recall of the wire transfer and confirm that recall in writing.

 

2.

Immediately file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov. This reporting triggers the FBI’s Recovery Asset Team and the FBI’s assistance seeking return of the wire transfer.

 

3.

Preserve records of the incident, including emails sent and received in their original electronic state. Correspondence and forensic information contained in these electronic files help investigators shed light on the perpetrator(s), and parties responsible for the incident.

 

4.

Once the above steps are complete, contact Chubb per the instructions in your policy.

 

While neither recalling the wire transfer nor reporting to the FBI guarantees the return of your funds, these steps maximize the opportunity to mitigate your loss, assist the FBI in tracing the funds and help establish any insurance claim.

 

Simple Steps to Prevent Fraudulently Induced Wire Transfers

 

Email communication is efficient, but it is not a secure method of communication. Regardless of your familiarity with a contact, that contact’s email may be intercepted, altered and fabricated. You may reduce the chances of fraud by following these best practices:

 

1.

Verify Email Requests by Telephone: Require those responsible for paying invoices or changing bank routing information to verify payment details over the phone, rather than by email or documents sent electronically. Making a phone call to a known, pre-existing telephone number remains the single best protection against fraud.

 

2.

Segregate Wire Transfer Responsibilities: Establish a standing policy that requires at least three people to review and approve wire transfer requests, pay an invoice or change a business partner’s bank account information. Such requests should be entered by the initiator of the wire and verified by two independent signatories.

 

3.

Turn on MFA for Cloud Email: Multifactor Authentication is available from all major email providers. It provides a layer of security to email accounts beyond a user’s account name and password, making it harder for criminals to impersonate you, your executives and your employees.

 

This document is for information only. It is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisers in maintaining a loss prevention program. No liability is assumed by reason of the information this document contains.

	U.S. Treasury Department’s Office Of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) Advisory Notice to Policyholders

 

This Policyholder Notice shall not be construed as part of your policy and no coverage is provided by this Policyholder Notice nor can it be construed to replace any provisions of your policy. You should read your policy and review your Declarations page for complete information on the coverages you are provided.

 

This Notice provides information concerning possible impact on your insurance coverage due to directives issued by OFAC. Please read this Notice carefully.

 

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces sanctions policy, based on Presidential declarations of “national emergency”. OFAC has identified and listed numerous:

 

●

Foreign agents;

 

●

Front organizations;

 

●

Terrorists;

 

●

Terrorist organizations; and

 

●

Narcotics traffickers;

 

as “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons”. This list can be located on the United States Treasury’s web site – http//www.treas.gov/ofac.

 

In accordance with OFAC regulations, if it is determined that you or any other insured, or any person or entity claiming the benefits of this insurance has violated U.S. sanctions law or is a Specially Designated National and Blocked Person, as identified by OFAC, this insurance will be considered a blocked or frozen contract and all provisions of this insurance are immediately subject to OFAC. When an insurance policy is considered to be such a blocked or frozen contract, no payments nor premium refunds may be made without authorization from OFAC. Other limitations on the premiums and payments also apply.

 

PF-17914a (04/16)

Reprinted, in part, with permission of ISO Properties, Inc.

Page 1 of 1

	Notice to Policyholders

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR INSURANCE?

 

Answers to questions about your insurance, coverage information, or assistance in resolving complaints can be obtained by contacting:

 

CHUBB

Customer Support Service Department

436 Walnut Street

PO Box 1000

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3703

1-800-352-4462

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

 

The Company, in consideration of the premium paid, and in reliance on the Application and all other statements made and information furnished to the Company by the Assured, and subject to the Declarations made part of this Bond and to all other terms, conditions, and limitations of this Bond, agrees to pay the Assured for:

 

 

I.

INSURING CLAUSES

 

1.

Employee

 

Loss resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any Employee acting alone or in collusion with others.

 

2.

On Premises

 

Loss of Property resulting directly from:

 

a.

robbery, burglary, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage or destruction; or

 

b.

false pretenses, or common law or statutory larceny, committed by a natural person while on the premises of the Assured,

 

while the Property is lodged or deposited at premises located anywhere.

 

For the purpose of coverage under this Insuring Clause 2, the premises of securities depositories shall be deemed to be premises of the Assured, but only with respect to the loss of Certificated Securities. Certificated Securities held by such depositories shall be deemed to be Property, but only to the extent of the Assured’s interest therein as detailed in the books and records of such depositories.

 

3.

In Transit

 

Loss of Property resulting directly from common law or statutory larceny, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage or destruction, while the Property is in transit anywhere in:

 

a.

an armored motor vehicle, including loading and unloading thereof;

 

b.

the custody of a natural person acting as a messenger of the Assured; or

 

c.

the custody of a Transportation Company and being transported in a conveyance other than an armored motor vehicle, provided that covered Property transported in such manner is limited to the following:

 

(1)

Written records;

 

(2)

Certificated Securities issued in registered form, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed; or

 

(3)

Negotiable Instruments not payable to bearer, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed.

 

Coverage under this Insuring Clause 3 begins immediately on the receipt of such Property by the armored motor vehicle, natural person messenger, or Transportation Company and ends immediately on delivery to the premises of the addressee or to any representative of the addressee located anywhere.

 

4.

Forgery Or Alteration

 

Loss resulting directly from the Assured having, in good faith:

 

a.

transferred, paid, or delivered any Property; or

 

b.

established any credit or given any value,

 

in reliance on any Written and Original:

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

(1)

Negotiable Instrument (other than an Evidence of Debt);

 

(2)

Acceptance;

 

(3)

Withdrawal Order or receipt for the withdrawal of Property;

 

(4)

Certificate of Deposit;

 

(5)

Letter of Credit; or

 

(6)

instruction or advice directed to the Assured and purportedly signed by any Customer, any financial institution, or any Employee,

 

which

 

i.

bears a Forgery; or

 

ii.

is fraudulently materially altered.

 

For the purpose of this Insuring Clause 4, a reproduction of a handwritten signature is treated the same as the handwritten signature. An electronic or digital signature is not treated as a reproduction of a handwritten signature.

 

5.

Extended Forgery

 

Loss resulting directly from the Assured having, in good faith, for its own account or the account of others:

 

a.

acquired, sold or delivered, given value, extended credit or assumed liability in reliance on any Written and Original:

 

(1)

Certificated Security;

 

(2)

deed, mortgage or other instrument conveying title to, or creating or discharging a lien on, real property;

 

(3)

Evidence of Debt; or

 

(4)

Instruction, which

 

i.

bears a Forgery, but only to the extent the Forgery directly causes the loss;

 

ii.

is fraudulently materially altered, but only to the extent the alteration directly causes the loss; or

 

iii.

is lost or stolen;

 

b.

guaranteed in writing or witnessed any signature on any:

 

(1)

transfer;

 

(2)

assignment;

 

(3)

bill of sale;

 

(4)

power of attorney; or

 

(5)

endorsement upon any item listed in a.(1) through a.(4) above,

 

but only to the extent that such guarantee or signature directly causes the loss; or

 

c.

acquired, sold or delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability in reliance on any item listed in a.(1) or a.(2) above which is a Counterfeit Original, but only to the extent the Counterfeit Original directly causes the loss.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

Actual physical possession, and continued actual physical possession if taken as collateral, of the items listed in a.(1) through a.(4) above by an Employee, Custodian, or a federal or state chartered deposit institution of the Assured is a condition precedent to the Assured having relied on such items. Release or return of such collateral is an acknowledgment by the Assured that it no longer relies on such collateral.

 

For the purpose of this Insuring Clause 5, a reproduction of a handwritten signature is treated the same as the handwritten signature. An electronic or digital signature is not treated as a reproduction of a handwritten signature.

 

6.

Counterfeit Money

 

Loss resulting directly from the receipt by the Assured in good faith of counterfeit Money.

 

7.

Computer System Fraud

 

Loss resulting directly from the:

 

a.

withdrawal, transfer, payment, or delivery of Property; or

 

b.

creation, deletion, debiting, or crediting of an account of the Assured or Customer, which results directly from a Network Intrusion.

 

8.

Claims Expense

 

Claims Expenses incurred by the Assured in determining the amount of covered loss under this Bond in excess of the applicable Deductible Amount.

 

9.

Audit Expense

 

Audit Expenses incurred by the Assured by reason of the discovery of loss covered under Insuring Clause 1.

 

10.

Uncollectible Items Of Deposit

 

Loss resulting directly from the Assured having credited an account of a customer, shareholder, or subscriber on the faith of any Items of Deposit which prove to be uncollectible, provided that the crediting of such account causes:

 

a.

redemptions or withdrawals to be permitted;

 

b.

shares to be issued; or

 

c.

dividends to be paid,

 

from an account of an Assured.

 

As a condition precedent to coverage under this Insuring Clause 10, the Assured must hold Items of Deposit for the minimum number of days stated in the Application before permitting any redemptions or withdrawals, issuing any shares, or paying any dividends with respect to such Items of Deposit.

 

Items of Deposit shall not be deemed uncollectible until the Assured’s standard collection procedures have failed.

 

11.

Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction

 

Loss resulting directly from the Assured having, in good faith, transferred, paid, or delivered Money or Securities in reliance upon any Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction that purports, and reasonably appears, to have originated from:

 

a.

the Customer;

 

b.

an Employee acting on instructions of such Customer; or

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

c.

a financial institution acting on behalf of such Customer with authority to make such instructions,

 

but which Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction was, in fact, fraudulently issued without the knowledge of the Assured, Employee, or Customer.

 

As a condition precedent to coverage under this Insuring Clause 11, the Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction must be received and processed in accordance with the Designated Procedures as outlined in the Application furnished to the Company.

 

 

II.

GENERAL AGREEMENTS

 

1.

Automatic Increase – Limit Of Liability

 

If, during the Bond Period, an increase in the minimum amount of the Single Loss Limit Of Liability applicable to Insuring Clause 1 is required pursuant to Rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as a result of:

 

a.

the creation of a new Investment Company; or

 

b.

an increase in the gross assets of Investment Companies covered under the Bond,

 

then the minimum required increase in the amount of the Single Loss Limit Of Liability applicable to Insuring Clause 1 shall take place automatically for the remainder of the Bond Period without payment of an additional premium.

 

2.

Joint Assured

 

The first named Assured shall be deemed to be the sole agent of the other Assureds for all purposes under this Bond, including but not limited to the giving or receiving of any notice or proof required to be given and for the purpose of effecting or accepting any amendments to or termination of this Bond.

 

If the first named Assured ceases for any reason to be covered under this Bond, then the Assured next named on the Application shall thereafter be considered as the first named Assured for the purposes of this Bond.

 

The Company shall furnish each Assured with a copy of the Bond and with any amendment thereto, together with a copy of each formal filing of claim by any other Assured and notification of the terms of the settlement of each such claim prior to the execution of such settlement.

 

Knowledge possessed or discovery made by any Assured shall constitute knowledge possessed or discovery made by all of the Assureds for the purposes of this Bond.

 

All loss and other payments, if any, payable by the Company, shall be payable to the first named Assured without regard to such Assured’s obligations to others, and the Company shall not be responsible for the application by the first named Assured of any payment made by the Company. If the Company agrees to and makes payment to any Assured other than the first named Assured, such payment shall be treated as though made to the first named Assured.

 

The Company shall not be liable for loss sustained by one Assured to the advantage of any other Assured.

 

3.

Notice To Company Of Legal Proceedings Against Assured – Election To Defend

 

The Assured shall promptly give notice to the Company of any legal proceeding brought to determine the Assured’s liability for any loss, claim or damage which, if established, would constitute a collectible loss under this Bond. Concurrent with such notice, and as requested thereafter, the Assured shall furnish copies of all pleadings and pertinent papers to the Company.

 

The Company may, at its sole option, elect to conduct the defense of all or part of such legal proceeding. The defense by the Company shall be in the name of the Assured through attorneys selected by the Company. The Assured shall provide all reasonable information and assistance as required by the Company for such defense.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

If the Company elects to defend all or part of any legal proceeding, the court costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by the Company and any settlement or judgment on that part defended by the Company shall be a loss under the applicable Insuring Clause of this Bond. In addition, if the amount demanded in the legal proceeding is greater than the amount recoverable under this Bond, or if a Deductible Amount is applicable, or both, the Company’s liability for court costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in defending all or part of such legal proceeding is limited to the proportion of such court costs and attorneys’ fees incurred that the amount recoverable under this Bond bears to the total of the amount demanded in such legal proceeding.

 

If the Company declines to defend the Assured, no settlement without the prior written consent of the Company or judgment against the Assured shall determine the existence, extent or amount of coverage under this Bond, and the Company shall not be liable for any costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Assured.

 

4.

Representations Made By Assured

 

The Assured represents that all information it has furnished in the Application for this Bond or otherwise is complete, true and correct. Such Application and other information constitute part of this Bond. Any intentional misrepresentation, omission, concealment or incorrect statement of a material fact, in the Application or otherwise, shall be grounds for rescission of this Bond.

 

 

III.

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Bond:

 

Acceptance means a draft which the drawee has, by signature written on it, engaged to honor as presented.

 

Assured means:

 

(1)

the Investment Company listed under Name of Assured in the Declarations (the “first named Assured”); or

 

(2)

any other Investment Company listed in the Application.

 

Assured does not include any entity or organization that is not an Investment Company.

 

Assured’s Network means:

 

(1)

the Assured’s Computer System; or

 

(2)

an Electronic Communication System.

 

Audit Expenses means reasonable expenses incurred by the Assured with the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, for audits or examinations required by any governmental regulatory authority or self-regulatory organization to be conducted by such authority, organization, or their appointee. Audit Expense shall not include the Assured’s internal corporate costs (such as salaries), attorneys’ fees, or expenses incurred by any customer.

 

Certificate of Deposit means an acknowledgment in writing by a financial institution of receipt of Money with an engagement to repay it.

 

Certificated Security means a share, participation or other interest in property of the issuer, or an enterprise of the issuer, or an obligation of the issuer, which is:

 

(1)

represented by an instrument issued in bearer or registered form;

 

(2)

of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets or commonly recognized in any area in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment; and

 

(3)

either one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests or obligations.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

Claims Expenses means reasonable expenses incurred by the Assured with the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, solely for independent firms or individuals retained to determine the amount of a covered loss. Claims Expenses shall not include the Assured’s internal corporate costs (such as salaries), attorneys’ fees, or expenses incurred by any customer.

 

Computer System means a device or group of devices and all input, output, processing, storage, off-line media libraries (including third-party hosted computing services accessed across the internet, including infrastructure, platform, and software services), and communication facilities, including related communications networks, which are connected directly or indirectly to such device or group of devices.

 

Counterfeit Original means an imitation of an actual valid Original which is intended to deceive and be taken as the Original.

 

Cryptocurrency means a digital or electronic medium of exchange, operating independently of a central bank, in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units and to verify the transfer of such units.

 

Custodian means the institution designated by an Assured to maintain possession and control of its assets.

 

Customer means any shareholder of an Assured which has a written agreement with the Assured to transfer such shareholder’s Money or Securities through a Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction.

 

Customer Communication System means an:

 

(1)

online portal or mobile application provided by the Assured for purposes of accessing a Customer’s account; or

 

(2)

electronic mailing system hosted by the Assured or by a third party cloud service provider.

 

Director means any natural person duly elected or appointed:

 

(1)

as an officer of the Assured;

 

(2)

to the Assured’s board of directors; or

 

(3)

as a trustee of the Assured.

 

Electronic Communication System means:

 

(1)

Fedwire, Clearing House Interbank Payment System (CHIPS), Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), and similar automated interbank communication systems in which the Assured participates;

 

(2)

Customer Communication System; or

 

(3)

any communication system similar to those set forth in (1) and (2) of this definition in which the Assured participates,

 

allowing for the input, output, examination, or transfer of electronic instructions into or from the Assured’s Computer System.

 

Employee means any natural person:

 

(1)

while in the regular service of an Assured in the ordinary course of such Assured’s business, whom such Assured compensates directly by salary or wage and has the right to control and direct in the performance of such service;

 

(2)

Director while in the regular service of an Assured in the ordinary course of such Assured’s business, or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to Property of the Assured;

 

(3)

intern while in the regular service of an Assured in the ordinary course of such Assured’s business;

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

(4)

provided by an employment contractor while in the regular service of an Assured in the ordinary course of such Assured’s business under the Assured’s supervision at any of the Assured’s premises;

 

(5)

employee of the Assured’s contracted:

 

a.

investment advisor;

 

b.

underwriter (distributor);

 

c.

transfer agent;

 

d.

shareholder accounting record-keeper; or

 

e.

fund administrator,

 

while performing acts for the Assured in the capacity of an Employee;

 

(6)

attorney of a law firm retained by the Assured while performing legal services for the Assured; or

 

(7)

Processor, but only while such Processor is performing services and not:

 

a.

creating, preparing, modifying, or maintaining the Assured’s computer applications or software programs; or

 

b.

acting as a transfer agent or in any other agency capacity in issuing checks, drafts, or securities for the Assured.

 

Each employer of persons as set forth in (6) and (7) of this definition and the partners, officers, and other employees of such employers shall collectively be deemed to be one person for the purpose of the definition of Single Loss and in the event of payment under this Bond, the Company shall be subrogated to the Assured’s rights of recovery, as stated in Section 12., Subrogation – Assignment – Recovery, of the Conditions and Limitations, against any such employer.

 

Employee does not include:

 

(1)

any employee of a fund administrator for any employee benefit plan; or

 

(2)

any employee of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting record-keeper, or fund administrator which is:

 

a.

not an “affiliated person” (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of an Assured or of the investment advisor or underwriter (distributor) of such Assured; or

 

b.

a “bank” (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940).

 

Evidence of Debt means an instrument, including a Negotiable Instrument, executed by a Customer and held by the Assured, which in the regular course of business is treated as evidencing the Customer’s debt to the Assured.

 

Forgery means:

 

(1)

affixing the handwritten signature, or a reproduction of the handwritten signature, of another natural person without authorization and with the intent to deceive; or

 

(2)

affixing the name of an organization as an endorsement to a check without authority and with the intent to deceive,

 

provided that a signature which consists in whole or in part of one’s own name signed with or without authority, in any capacity, for any purpose is not a Forgery.

 

Initial Transaction Statement means the first written statement signed by or on behalf of the issuer of an Uncertificated Security sent to the registered owner or registered pledgee containing:

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

(1)

a description of the issue of which the Uncertificated Security is a part;

 

(2)

the number of shares or units transferred to the registered owner, pledged by the registered owner to the registered pledgee, or released from pledge by the registered pledgee;

 

(3)

the name, address and taxpayer identification number, if any, of the registered owner and registered pledgee; and

 

(4)

the date the transfer, pledge or release was registered.

 

Instruction means a written order to the issuer of an Uncertificated Security requesting that the transfer, pledge or release from pledge of the specified Uncertificated Security be registered.

 

Investment Company means any entity registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Items of Deposit means one or more checks or drafts drawn upon a financial institution in the United States of America.

 

Larceny or Embezzlement means larceny and embezzlement as defined under Section 37 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Letter of Credit means an engagement in writing by a bank or other person made at the request of a customer that the bank or other person will honor drafts or other demands for payment in compliance with the conditions specified in the engagement.

 

Money means a medium of exchange in current use authorized or adopted by a domestic or foreign government as part of its currency.

 

Negotiable Instrument means any writing:

 

(1)

signed by the maker or drawer;

 

(2)

containing an unconditional promise or order to pay a sum certain in Money and no other promise, order, obligation or power given by the maker or drawer;

 

(3)

payable on demand or at a definite time; and

 

(4)

payable to order or bearer.

 

Negotiable Instrument includes a substitute check as defined in the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, and shall be treated the same as the Original it replaced.

 

Network Intrusion means the:

 

(1)

unauthorized access; or

 

(2)

entry of an unauthorized application or software program,

 

into the Assured’s Network, by any entity or natural person, except an Employee or any authorized representative of the Assured.

 

Original means the first rendering or archetype and does not include photocopies or electronic transmissions even if received and printed.

 

Processor means an employee of any entity authorized by the Assured to perform data processing of the Assured’s checks and accounting records related to such checks. Processor does not include any employee of a Federal Reserve Bank or clearing house.

 

Property means Money; Securities; Initial Transaction Statement; Negotiable Instrument; Certificate of Deposit; Acceptance; Evidence of Debt; Withdrawal Order; Letter of Credit; insurance policy; abstract of title, deed and mortgage on real estate; revenue and other stamps; precious metals in any form; and books of accounts and other Written records, but not electronic data processing records or media.

 

Property does not include electronic data or Cryptocurrency.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

Securities means either Certificated Securities or Uncertificated Securities.

 

Single Loss means all covered loss, court costs, and attorneys’ fees resulting from:

 

(1)

any one act of burglary, robbery or attempt at either, in which no Employee is implicated;

 

(2)

any one act or series of related acts on the part of any natural person resulting in the damage, destruction, or misplacement of Property;

 

(3)

all acts other than those specified in (1) and (2) of this definition, caused by any natural person or in which such natural person is implicated; or

 

(4)

any one event not specified in (1), (2) or (3) of this definition.

 

Transportation Company means any organization which provides its own or its leased vehicles for transportation or which provides freight forwarding or air express services.

 

Uncertificated Security means a share, participation or other interest in property of the issuer, or an enterprise of the issuer, or an obligation of the issuer, which is:

 

(1)

not represented by an instrument and the transfer of which is registered on books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer;

 

(2)

of a type commonly dealt in on securities exchanges or markets; and

 

(3)

either one of a class or series or by its terms divisible into a class or series of shares, participations, interests or obligations.

 

Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction means those oral instructions which authorize the transfer of Money in a Customer’s account, or of a Customer’s Securities, and which are:

 

(1)

made over a telecommunications device; and

 

(2)

directed to those natural persons specifically authorized to receive such instructions by such telecommunications device.

 

Withdrawal Order means a non-negotiable instrument, other than an Instruction, signed by a Customer authorizing the Assured to debit the Customer’s account in the amount of funds stated therein.

 

Written means expressed through letters or marks placed upon paper and visible to the eye.

 

For the purposes of these definitions, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, unless otherwise indicated.

 

 

IV.

EXCLUSIONS

 

1.

General Exclusions – Applicable To All Insuring Clauses

 

This Bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from:

 

a.

riot or civil commotion outside the United States of America and Canada, or any loss due to military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection. This Exclusion 1.a., however, shall not apply to loss which occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in Insuring Clause 3, provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge on the part of any person acting for the Assured of such riot, civil commotion, military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection;

 

b.

the effects of nuclear fission or fusion, radioactivity, or chemical or biological contamination;

 

c.

the loss of potential income. This Exclusion 1.c., however, shall not apply to interest and dividends accrued to the benefit of the Assured or any Customer prior to the discovery of a covered loss, whether or not such accrued interest or dividends have been paid into the account of such Assured or Customer as of the discovery of such covered loss;

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

d.

damages of any type for which the Assured is legally liable, except compensatory damages, but not multiples thereof, arising from a loss covered under this Bond;

 

e.

all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Assured:

 

(1)

in establishing the existence of or amount of loss covered under this Bond, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 8 or 9; or

 

(2)

as a party to any legal proceeding, even if such legal proceeding results in a loss covered by this Bond;

 

f.

indirect or consequential loss of any nature, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 8 or 9. This Exclusion 1.f., however, shall not apply to interest and dividends accrued to the benefit of the Assured or any Customer prior to the discovery of a covered loss, whether or not such accrued interest or dividends have been paid into the account of such Assured or Customer as of the discovery of such covered loss;

 

g.

any violation by the Assured or by any Employee:

 

(1)

of any law regulating:

 

i.

the issuance, purchase or sale of securities;

 

ii.

securities transactions on security or commodity exchanges or the over the counter market;

 

iii.

investment companies; or

 

iv.

investment advisors; or

 

(2)

of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law;

 

h.

the loss or disclosure of confidential information, material or data, while in the care, custody or control of the Assured, including but not limited to patents, trade secrets, processing methods, customer lists, financial information, credit card information, health information, retirement or health savings account information, or any similar type of non-public information. This Exclusion 1.h., however, shall not apply when such information, material or data is used to support or facilitate the commission of any act otherwise covered under this Bond;

 

i.

fees, costs, fines, penalties or any other expenses incurred by an Assured which result, directly or indirectly, from the access to or disclosure of an Assured’s or another entity’s or person’s confidential or personal information, including but not limited to patents, trade secrets, processing methods, customer lists, financial information, credit card information, health information, retirement or health savings account information, or any similar type of non-public information;

 

j.

liability resulting from disclosure of or acting on material nonpublic information;

 

k.

liability assumed by the Assured by agreement under any contract, unless loss under this Bond would be covered in the absence of such agreement;

 

l.

the dishonest acts of any Director who is not an Employee, acting alone or in collusion with others;

 

m.

any modification, damage, destruction, deletion, or corruption of any application or software program within the Assured’s Network, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 7;

 

n.

a threat or series of threats to:

 

(1)

gain access to the Assured’s Computer System and sell or disclose confidential information stored within the Assured’s Computer System; or

 

(2)

modify, damage, destroy, delete, or corrupt any application or software program within the Assured’s Computer System;

 

o.

costs or expenses of any independent forensic analysts or network security consultants engaged to investigate or assess any actual or alleged threat;

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

p.

costs or expenses incurred to identify or remediate application or software program errors or vulnerabilities, or costs to update, replace, restore, upgrade, maintain, or improve a Computer System;

 

q.

costs or expenses incurred to replace, restore, recreate, collect, or recover any application or software program; or

 

r.

Cryptocurrency.

 

2.

Specific Exclusions – Applicable To All Insuring Clauses Except Insuring Clause 1 This Bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from:

 

a.

the acts of an Employee, except for loss covered under:

 

(1)

Insuring Clause 2 or 3 which results directly from misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, or damage or destruction of Property; or

 

(2)

Insuring Clause 11;

 

b.

the surrender of a ransom or extortion payment away from the Assured’s premises as a result of a threat to do bodily harm to any person, or to do damage to the premises or Property of the Assured, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 3.b.;

 

c.

payments made or withdrawals from any account involving erroneous credits to such account, unless such payments or withdrawals are physically received by such depositor or representative of such depositor who is within the premises of the Assured at the time of such payment or withdrawal;

 

d.

any Uncertificated Security, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 7;

 

e.

the loss of Property while:

 

(1)

in the mail;

 

(2)

in the custody of a Transportation Company, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 3; or

 

(3)

located on the premises of an armored motor vehicle operator;

 

f.

damages resulting from any civil, criminal or other legal proceeding in which the Assured is adjudicated to have engaged in Racketeering activity;

 

g.

the failure for any reason of a financial or depository institution, its receiver or other liquidator to pay or deliver funds or Property to the Assured, except for loss of Securities covered under Insuring Clause 2;

 

h.

instructions issued by a Customer to the Assured when such instructions are made, sent, or originated by a natural person authorized by the Customer to make, send, or originate any instructions;

 

i.

the use of credit, debit, charge, access, convenience, identification, cash management, or other cards whether such cards were issued, or purport to have been issued, by the Assured or by any entity other than the Assured;

 

j.

Items of Deposit which are not finally paid for any reason including, but not limited to, Forgery or any other fraud, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 10;

 

k.

the acts of any agent, broker, factor, commission merchant, independent contractor, intermediary, finder, or other representative of the same general character of the Assured; or

 

l.

the acts of any employee, agent, broker, factor, commission merchant, independent contractor, intermediary, finder, or other representative of the same general character of any third party, while conducting business with the Assured on behalf of such third party.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

3.

Specific Exclusions – Applicable To All Insuring Clauses Except Insuring Clauses 1, 4, and 5 This Bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from:

 

a.

the complete or partial non-payment of or default on any loan whether such loan was procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, fraud, or false pretenses, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 7;

 

b.

any Forgery or any alteration, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 7; or

 

c.

any counterfeit, except for loss covered under Insuring Clause 6.

 

4.

Specific Exclusions – Applicable To Insuring Clause 7

 

This Bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from:

 

a.

any transfer, payment, or delivery of Money or Securities:

 

(1)

authorized by an Employee; or

 

(2)

arising out of any misrepresentation received by any Employee, agent, broker, factor, commission merchant, independent contractor, intermediary, finder, or other representative of the same general character of the Assured,

 

whether such transfer, payment, or delivery was made in good faith or as a result of trick, artifice, fraud, or false pretenses;

 

b.

forged, altered or fraudulent Negotiable Instruments, Securities, documents or written instruments used as source documentation for input into a Computer System;

 

c.

any investment in Securities, or ownership in any corporation, partnership, real property, commodity or similar instrument, whether or not such investment is genuine or fraudulent;

 

d.

mechanical failure, faulty construction, error in design, latent defect, wear and tear, gradual deterioration, electrical disturbance, the Assured’s Network failure or breakdown, any malfunction or error in programming, or error or omission in processing;

 

e.

entries or changes made by a natural person with authorized access to the Assured’s Network who acts in good faith on instructions, unless such instructions are given to that person by a software contractor or its partner, officer, or employee authorized to design, develop, prepare, supply, service, write or implement programs for the Assured’s Network; or

 

f.

entries or changes made at an Electronic Funds Transfer System or a Customer Communication System by a:

 

(1)

Customer; or

 

(2)

natural person with authorized access to the Customer’s authentication credentials or mechanism.

 

5.

Specific Exclusions – Applicable To Insuring Clause 11

 

This Bond does not cover loss resulting directly or indirectly from any Voice Initiated Transfer Instruction from a:

 

(1)

Customer; or

 

(2)

natural person with authorized access to the Customer’s verification credentials or mechanism.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

V.

CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

 

1.

Anti-Bundling

 

If any Insuring Clause requires that an enumerated type of document be fraudulently materially altered or a Counterfeit Original, or contain a signature which is a Forgery or obtained through trick, artifice, fraud, or false pretenses, the material alteration or Counterfeit Original or fraudulent signature must be on or of the enumerated document itself not on or of some other document submitted with, accompanying or incorporated by reference into the enumerated document.

 

2.

Change Or Modification

 

No change in or modification of this Bond shall be effective except when made by written endorsement to this Bond signed by an authorized representative of the Company.

 

If this Bond is for a sole Assured, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the Assured shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished by the acting party to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

If this Bond is for joint Assureds, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of any Assured shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished by the Company to all Assureds and to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3.

Conformity

 

If any time period limitation within this Bond is prohibited by any law controlling this Bond’s construction, such limitation shall be deemed to be amended so as to equal the minimum period of limitation provided by such law.

 

4.

Cooperation Of Assured

 

At the Company’s request and at reasonable times and places designated by the Company, the Assured shall:

 

a.

submit to examination by the Company and subscribe to the same under oath;

 

b.

produce for the Company’s examination all pertinent records; and

 

c.

cooperate with the Company in all matters pertaining to the loss.

 

The Assured shall execute all papers and render all assistance to secure to the Company the rights and causes of action provided for under this Bond. The Assured shall do nothing after discovery of any loss to prejudice such rights or causes of action.

 

5.

Covered Property

 

This Bond shall apply to loss of Property:

 

a.

owned by the Assured;

 

b.

held by the Assured in any capacity; or

 

c.

for which the Assured is legally liable.

 

This Bond shall be for the sole use and benefit of the Assured.

 

6.

Deductible Amount

 

The Company shall be liable under this Bond only for the amount by which any Single Loss is greater than the applicable Deductible Amount as stated in Item 2 of the Declarations.

 

There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss sustained by any Assured and covered under Insuring Clause 1.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

7.

Discovery

 

This Bond applies only to loss first discovered by a Director during the Bond Period. Discovery occurs at the earlier of a Director learning of:

 

a.

facts which may subsequently result in a loss of a type covered by this Bond; or

 

b.

an actual or potential claim in which it is alleged that the Assured is liable to a third party,

 

regardless of when the act or acts causing or contributing to such loss occurred, even though the amount of loss does not exceed the applicable Deductible Amount, or the exact amount or details of loss may not then be known.

 

8.

Limit Of Liability

 

The payment of any loss under this Bond shall not reduce the liability of the Company for other losses whenever sustained, provided that:

 

a.

the Company’s liability for each Single Loss shall not exceed the applicable Single Loss Limit Of Liability as stated in Item 2 of the Declarations or as set forth under General Agreement 1, and shall not be cumulative in amounts from year to year or from Bond Period to Bond Period;

 

b.

if a Single Loss is covered under more than one Insuring Clause, the maximum payable shall not exceed the largest applicable Single Loss Limit Of Liability; and

 

c.

the Company’s liability for loss or losses sustained by more than one Assureds, or all Assureds, shall not exceed the total amount for which the Company would be liable under this Bond if such loss or losses were sustained by any one Assured.

 

9.

Notice To Company – Proof – Legal Proceedings Against Company

 

a.

The Assured shall give the Company notice at the earliest practicable moment, not to exceed sixty (60) days after discovery of a loss, in an amount that is in excess of 50% of the applicable Deductible Amount, as stated in Item 2 of the Declarations.

 

b.

The Assured shall furnish to the Company proof of loss, duly sworn to, with full particulars, within six (6) months after such discovery.

 

c.

Certificated Securities listed in a proof of loss shall be identified by certificate or bond numbers, if issued with them.

 

d.

Legal proceedings for the recovery of any loss under this Bond shall not be brought prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days after the proof of loss is filed with the Company or after the expiration of twenty-four (24) months from the discovery of such loss.

 

e.

This Bond affords coverage only in favor of the Assured. No claim, suit, action or legal proceeding shall be brought under the Bond by anyone other than the Assured.

 

f.

All such notices shall be given in writing to one of the following addresses:

 

(1)

ChubbClaimsFirstNotice@chubb.com; or

 

(2)

Attn: Chubb Claims Department Chubb P.O. Box 5122 Scranton, PA 18505

 

g.

All other notices to the Company under this Bond shall be given in writing to the following address:

 

(1)

NA.FinancialLines@chubb.com; or

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

(2)

Attn: Chubb Underwriting Department Chubb

202B Hall’s Mill Road Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

 

All notices described above shall be effective on the date of receipt by the Company.

 

10.

Other Insurance

 

a.

Coverage under this Bond shall apply only as excess over any other valid and collectible insurance, indemnity or suretyship obtained by or on behalf of:

 

(1)

the Assured;

 

(2)

a Transportation Company; or

 

(3)

another entity on whose premises the loss occurred or which employed the person causing the loss or engaged the messenger conveying the Property involved.

 

b.

Solely with respect to Insuring Clause 7, in the event of a loss covered under this Bond and also covered under other valid and collectible insurance issued by the Company, or a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to the Assured, the Single Loss Limit Of Liability under this Bond shall be reduced by any payment under any other such valid and collectible insurance and only the remainder, if any, shall be applicable to such loss covered hereunder.

 

11.

Securities Settlement

 

In the event of a loss of Securities covered under this Bond, the Company may, at its sole discretion, purchase replacement Securities, tender the value of the Securities in Money, or issue its indemnity to effect replacement Securities.

 

The indemnity required from the Assured under the terms of this Section against all loss, cost or expense arising from the replacement of Securities by the Company’s indemnity shall be:

 

a.

for Securities having a value less than or equal to the applicable Deductible Amount – one hundred (100%) percent;

 

b.

for Securities having a value in excess of the applicable Deductible Amount but within the Single Loss Limit Of Liability – the percentage that the Deductible Amount bears to the value of the Securities; or

 

c.

for Securities having a value greater than the applicable Single Loss Limit Of Liability – the percentage that the Deductible Amount and portion in excess of the Single Loss Limit Of Liability bears to the value of the Securities.

 

The value referred to in Sections 11.a., b., and c. is the value in accordance with Section 14., Valuation, regardless of the value of such Securities at the time the loss under the Company’s indemnity is sustained.

 

The Company is not required to issue its indemnity for any portion of a loss of Securities which is not covered by this Bond, however, the Company may do so as a courtesy to the Assured in its sole discretion.

 

The Assured shall pay the proportion of the Company’s premium charge for the Company’s indemnity as set forth in Sections 11.a., b., and c. No portion of the Single Loss Limit Of Liability shall be used as payment of premium for any indemnity purchased by the Assured to obtain replacement Securities.

 

12.

Subrogation – Assignment – Recovery

 

In the event of a payment under this Bond, the Company shall be subrogated to all of the Assured’s rights of recovery against any person or entity to the extent of such payment. On request, the Assured shall deliver to the Company an assignment of the Assured’s rights, title and interest and causes of action against any person or entity to the extent of such payment.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

Recoveries, whether effected by the Company or by the Assured, shall be applied net of the expense of such recovery, in the following order:

 

a.

first, to the satisfaction of the Assured’s covered loss which would otherwise have been paid but for the fact that it is in excess of the Single Loss Limit Of Liability;

 

b.

second, to the Company in satisfaction of amounts paid in settlement of the Assured’s claim;

 

c.

third, to the Assured in satisfaction of the applicable Deductible Amount; and

 

d.

fourth, to the Assured in satisfaction of any loss suffered by the Assured which was not covered under this Bond.

 

Recovery from reinsurance or indemnity of the Company shall not be deemed a recovery under this Section.

 

13.

Termination

 

a.

If the Bond is for a sole Assured, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party and to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination.

 

b.

If the Bond is for a joint Assured, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party, and by the Company to all Assureds and to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination.

 

c.

If any Director, not acting in collusion with an Employee, discovers any dishonest or fraudulent act committed by such Employee, whether in the employment of the Assured or otherwise, and whether against the Assured or any other person or entity, the Assured:

 

i.

shall immediately remove such Employee from a position that would enable such Employee to cause the Assured to suffer a loss covered by this Bond; and

 

ii.

within forty-eight (48) hours of discovering an Employee has committed any dishonest or fraudulent act, shall notify the Company of such action and provide full particulars of such dishonest or fraudulent act.

 

d.

This Bond terminates as to any Employee sixty (60) days after receipt by each Assured and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of written notice from the Company of its decision to terminate this Bond as to any Employee.

 

14.

Valuation

 

a.

Books Of Account Or Other Records

 

The value of any loss of Property consisting of books of account or other records used by the Assured in the conduct of its business shall be the amount paid by the Assured for blank books, blank pages, or other materials which replace the lost books of account or other records, plus the cost of labor paid by the Assured for the actual transcription or copying of data to reproduce such books of account or other records.

 

b.

Money

 

Any loss of Money, or loss payable in Money, shall be paid in the Money of the United States of America or the dollar equivalent of it, determined by the free market rate of exchange in effect at the time of discovery of such loss.

 

c.

Other Property

 

The value of any loss of Property, except as otherwise provided for in this Section 14., shall be the actual cash value or the cost of repairing or replacing such Property with Property of like quality and value, whichever is less.

	Financial Institution Bond For Investment Companies

 

d.

Securities

 

The value of any loss of Securities shall be the average market value of such Securities on the business day immediately preceding discovery of such loss, provided that the value of any Securities replaced by the Assured, with the consent of the Company and prior to the settlement of any claim for them, shall be the actual market value at the time of replacement. In the case of a loss of interim certificates, warrants, rights or other Securities, the production of which is necessary to the exercise of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges, the value of them shall be the market value of such privileges immediately preceding their expiration if the loss is not discovered until after their expiration. If no market price is quoted for such Securities or for such privileges, the value shall be fixed by agreement of the parties.

 

 

VI.

COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE TRADE SANCTION LAWS

 

This Bond does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions law or other similar laws or regulations prohibit the Company from providing insurance.

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (“CRF”)
Cornerstone Strategic Return Fund, Inc. (“CLM”)
(collectively the “Funds”)

 

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE

 

I, Hoyt M Peters, Secretary of the Funds, each a closed-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Maryland for CLM and the State of New York for CRF, hereby certify that the following resolutions were duly and unanimously adopted by the Directors, including a majority of the non-interested Directors, at a meeting held on February 9, 2024 and such resolutions are in full force and effect as of the date hereof:

 

Agreement of Joint Insureds

 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of each Fund hereby approves the continuance of the Agreement of the Joint Insured, as last amended.

 

Approval of Joint Fidelity Bond

 

RESOLVED, that it is the finding of the Board of Directors of each Fund that the fidelity bond for the Funds, written by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (the “Bond”) which is in the amount of $3,000,000 to cover, among others, officers and employees of the Funds, in accordance with Rule 17g-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, is reasonable in form and amount, after having given due consideration to, among other things, the value of the aggregate gross assets of the Funds to which any person covered under the Bond may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of assets of the Funds and the nature of the securities of the Funds; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the allocation and payment of the premium by each Fund under the Bond in the amount presented at this Meeting is hereby ratified by the Board of Directors of each Fund, including a majority of the disinterested Directors, after having given due consideration to, among other things, the number of other parties insured under the Bond, the nature of the business activities of those other parties, the amount of the Bond and the amount of the premium, the ratable allocation of the premium among all parties names as insured, and the extent to which the share of the premium allocated to each Fund under the Bond is less than the premium that the Funds would have had to pay had they maintained a single insured Bond; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Funds have entered into a joint agreement with all parties named as joint insured providing that in the event recovery is received under the Bond as a result of a loss sustained by the Funds and one or more other named insured, the Funds shall receive an equitable and proportionate share of the recovery; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Bond is hereby ratified by the Board of Directors of each Fund, including a majority of the disinterested Directors; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the officers of each Fund are hereby authorized to execute and deliver such documents as may be required to effect the foregoing resolutions, to pay any premium as may from time to time be required and to take such further action as may be required by applicable laws, rules or regulations in connection with implementing the foregoing resolutions.

 

Date: March 11, 2024	/s/ Hoyt M. Peters
	Hoyt M. Peters
	Secretary of each Fund

CORNERSTONE FAMILY OF CLOSED-END FUNDS

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.

Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.

		Joint Fidelity Bond
		Rule 17g-1
		Gross Assets (1)				Individual				Allocated
Fund		12/31/2023				Bond (2)				Premium
Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.		$	713,917,173			$	900,000			$	1,368
Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc.			1,582,487,001				1,250,000				3,032
Total Coverage Required						$	2,150,000
Actual Coverage Obtained						$	3,000,000
Premium										$	4,400

 

(1)

In accordance with Rule 17g-1, amount of registered management investment company gross assets should be at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter (December 31, 2023) prior to date of expiration (March 23, 2024).

 

(2)

For illustration purposes based on actual coverage obtained by Funds. CLM and CRF required levels are lower than those shown.

 

(3)

The allocated premium is higher than the stand-alone premium because the actual coverage obtained is higher than the coverage required at the current asset level.

CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

March 11, 2024

 

The invoice for the premium due on the joint fidelity bond, covering the period March 23, 2024 to March 23, 2025 covering both Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. and Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. has been paid in full.

 

	/s/ Brian J, Lutes
	Brian J. Lutes
	Treasurer

AGREEMENT OF THE JOINT INSUREDS

 

THIS AGREEMENT dated April 20, 2001, as amended and restated as of December 27, 2002, February 21, 2003, February 16, 2007 and September 26, 2007 is hereby entered into by and among CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. and CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC. (hereinafter referred to singularly as the “Fund” or collectively as the “Funds”)(the Funds are sometimes referred to individually herein as the “Insured Party” or collectively the “Insured Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Insured Parties are management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act requires each Fund to provide and maintain in effect a bond against larceny and embezzlement by its officers and employees; and

 

WHEREAS, Rule 17g-1 authorizes each Fund, by virtue of its affiliated status, to secure a joint insured bond naming each of them as insureds; and

 

WHEREAS, Rule 17g-1 also requires that each investment company named as an insured in a joint bond enter into an agreement with the other named insureds containing certain provisions regarding the respective shares to be received by said insureds in the event recovery is received under the joint insured bond as a result of a loss sustained by them; and

 

WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of each Fund, including a majority of the Directors of such Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined by Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, have given due consideration to all factors relevant to the form, amount and ratable allocation of premiums of such a joint insured bond and have determined that this joint insured bond is in the best interest of each Insured Party and their respective shareholders, and, accordingly, the majority of such Directors have approved the amount, type, form and coverage of the joint insured bond and the portion of the premium payable by each such Insured Party hereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Directors of each Fund have determined, with respect to each Insured Party, that the allocation of the proceeds payable under the joint insured bond as set forth herein, which takes into account the minimum amount of coverage required for each Fund by Rule 17g-1, is equitable.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Joint Insured Bond. The Insured Parties shall maintain in effect a joint fidelity insurance bond (the “Bond”) from a reputable fidelity insurance company authorized to do business in the place where the Bond is issued, insuring each Insured Party against larceny and embezzlement and covering such of their respective officers and employees who may, singly or jointly with others, have access, directly or indirectly, to the particular Insured Party’s securities or other assets. The Bond shall name each Insured Party as an insured and shall comply with the requirements for such bonds established by Rule 17g-1.

2.            Amount. The Bond shall be in at least the minimum amount required by Rule 17g-1(d) to be maintained by the Insured Parties, in accordance with the policies of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3.            Ratable Allocation of Premiums. The Insured Parties shall divide the initial premium and any additional premiums which may become due under the Bond among them based upon their relative net assets at the time of payment of the premium involved.

 

4.            Ratable Allocation of Proceeds.

 

(a)           If more than one of the Insured Parties sustains a single loss (including a loss sustained before the date hereof), for which recovery is received under the Bond, each such Insured Party shall receive that portion of the recovery that is sufficient in amount to indemnify that Insured Party in full for the loss sustained by it, unless the recovery is inadequate to fully indemnify all such Insured Parties sustaining a single loss.

 

(b)          If the recovery is inadequate to fully indemnify all Insured Parties sustaining a single loss, the recovery shall be allocated among such Funds as follows:

 

(i)           Each of the Insured Parties, to the extent it sustains a loss, shall be allocated an amount equal to the lesser of its actual loss or the minimum amount of the fidelity bond that it would be required to maintain under a single insured bond (determined as of the time of the loss in accordance with the provisions of Rule 17g-1).

 

(ii)          The remainder, if any, shall be allocated among the other Insured Parties based upon their relative net assets at the time of the loss (provided that, if such allocation would result in any Insured Party receiving a portion of the recovery in excess of the loss actually sustained by it, the aggregate of such excess among such other Insured Parties shall be reallocated among the remaining Insured Parties not fully indemnified as a result of the foregoing allocations, in proportion to the allocation percentages set forth in this sub-provision).

 

5.            Claims and Settlements. Each Insured Party shall, within five (5) days after the making of any claim under the Bond, provide the other Insured Parties with written notice of the amount and nature of such claim. Each Insured Party shall, within five (5) days of the receipt thereof, provide the other Insured Parties with written notice of the terms of settlement of any claim made under the Bond by such Insured Party. In the event that two (2) or more Insured Parties shall agree to a settlement of a claim made under the Bond with respect to a single loss, notice of the settlement shall also include calculation of the amounts to be received under Paragraph 4 hereof. The officers of each Insured Party designated as responsible for filing notices required by paragraph (g) of Rule 17g-1 under the Act shall give and receive any notices required hereby with respect to such Insured Party.

6.            Modifications and Amendments. Any Insured Party may increase the amount of the Bond. Such Insured Party must give written notice thereof to the other Insured Parties to this Agreement and to the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Rule 17g-1. If, pursuant to Rule 17g-1, any Fund shall determine that the coverage provided pursuant to this Agreement should otherwise be modified, it shall so notify the other Insured Parties hereto and indicate the nature of the modification (including the treatment of any increase or return premium) which it believes to be appropriate. If within sixty (60) days of such notice any necessary amendments to this Agreement shall not have been made and the request for modification shall not have been withdrawn, this Agreement shall terminate (except with respect to losses occurring prior to such termination). Any Insured Party may withdraw from this Agreement at any time and cease to be an Insured Party hereto (except with respect to losses occurring prior to such withdrawal) by giving not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other parties of such withdrawal. Upon withdrawal, a withdrawing Insured Party shall be entitled to receive such portion of any premium rebated by the fidelity company with respect to such withdrawal. Upon termination of the Bond, each Insured Party shall receive any premium rebated by the fidelity company with respect to such termination in proportion to the premium paid by such insured, less any premium previously refunded with respect to such insured.

 

7.            Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

8.            No Assignment. This Agreement is not assignable.

 

9.            Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be addressed to the appropriate Insured Party, at: c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, Attention: Ms. Theresa M. Bridge.

 

10.          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more parts which together shall constitute a single agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

	CORNERSTONE TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
	By:	/s/ Ralph W. Bradshaw
	Name:	Ralph W. Bradshaw
	Title:	President
	CORNERSTONE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND, INC.
	By:	/s/ Ralph W. Bradshaw
	Name:	Ralph W. Bradshaw
	Title:	President

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