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Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc.
411 Borel Avenue, Suite 300
San Mateo, CA 94402
Tel: (650) 931-1500
www.fullerthaler.com
March 27, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Fuller
& Thaler Asset Management, Inc. (“FullerThaler”). If you have any questions about the
contents of this brochure, please contact Ms. Hanna W. Zanoni, Chief Compliance Officer, at
(650) 931-1500 or hzanoni@fullerthaler.com. The information in this brochure has not
been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by
any state securities authority.
FullerThaler is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an investment adviser does
not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written communications of an adviser
provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser.
information about FullerThaler
is available on the SEC’s website at
Additional
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
i
Item 2 – Material Changes
This brochure dated March 27, 2025 notes the following changes since our last annual
brochure dated March 25, 2024 that is or may be considered material:
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
– This section has been updated with new fee
information related to the FullerThaler behavioral strategies and funds.
We encourage all recipients of this brochure to read it carefully in its entirety.
We will provide clients with a summary of any material changes to this and subsequent
brochures within 120 days of the close of our business’s fiscal year. We will provide clients
with other ongoing disclosures about any material changes as necessary.
Our brochure can be requested by contacting Ms. Hanna W. Zanoni, Chief Compliance Officer,
at (650) 931-1500 or hzanoni@fullerthaler.com.
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Item 3 -Table of Contents
................................................................................................................................... i
...................................................................................................................... ii
Item 1 – Cover Page
...................................................................................................................... iii
Item 2 – Material Changes
.................................................................................................................... 1
Item 3 - Table of Contents
.......................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 – Advisory Business
............................................... 5
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
6
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
........................................ 7
Item 7 – Types of Clients ....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................... 14
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
..................................................... 14
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
...................................................................................................................................................... 15
............................................................................................................ 18
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
............................................................................................................. 22
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
...................................................................... 23
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
23
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
......................................................................................................... 23
Item 15 – Custody ...............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................... 24
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
.......................................................................................................... 24
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
25
Item 18 – Financial Information
Additional Disclosures ......................................................................................................................................
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Item 4 – Advisory Business
Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc. ("FullerThaler") was organized as a California
corporation in April 1993. It has been registered with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission as an investment adviser since May 1993. FullerThaler is 100%
owned by employees. Actual control and management of FullerThaler is effected solely
through a management group comprised of the senior partners of FullerThaler (the
“Management Group”). The Management Group’s primary function is to oversee the
business affairs and day-to-day operations of FullerThaler.
FullerThaler provides specialized investment management services, primarily on a
discretionary basis, that focus on exploiting market inefficiencies drawn from insights
from behavioral finance. The firm’s strategies include a variety of U.S. equity strategies. It
offers primarily behavioral-based strategies as opposed to quantitative or traditional
fundamental strategies. Strategies are managed primarily in a long-only format.
FullerThaler works with clients to tailor its investment strategies to meet the individual
needs of each client such as by imposing restrictions on investing in certain securities or
types of securities or by expanding the universe of securities or types of securities. Clients
are encouraged to discuss their specific needs with FullerThaler.
FullerThaler provides non-discretionary and discretionary model-delivery portfolio
management services to wrap fee programs where FullerThaler provides ongoing
investment recommendations in the form of one or more “model” portfolios, and the wrap
program sponsor, rather than FullerThaler, executes trades on behalf of its underlying
clients. In a non-discretionary model-delivery arrangement, the wrap program sponsor,
and not FullerThaler, is the investment adviser for the accounts in the model-delivery
programs. In a discretionary model-delivery arrangement, FullerThaler, is an investment
adviser for the accounts of clients in the model-delivery programs. FullerThaler also
provides discretionary portfolio management services to traditional wrap fee programs.
Such discretionary wrap fee programs are managed similar to the typical FullerThaler
separate account whereby FullerThaler is an investment adviser for the account, makes
the investment decisions, and executes the trades. However, FullerThaler typically has no
contact with the underlying wrap fee program clients and communicates only with the
intermediary sponsor. FullerThaler does not serve as a sponsor to any wrap or similar
managed account programs and receives a portion of the wrap fee from the sponsor for its
services. The wrap programs to which FullerThaler is a portfolio manager are identified
under Item 5 of its Form ADV, Part 1A.
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As of December 31, 2024, FullerThaler managed the following net assets on a discretionary
and non-discretionary basis:
U.S. Dollar Amount
Discretionary
$27,112,656,000
Non-Discretionary* $ 2,173,659,000
Total Net Assets
$29,286,315,000
*Includes assets not treated as Regulatory Assets Under Management (“RAUM”) in
Item 5.F. of its Form ADV Part 1A
FullerThaler is a brand name of Fuller & Thaler Asset Management, Inc.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
Advisory fees are dependent upon the strategy managed. Management fees are typically
payable quarterly and calculated on the value of assets under management as of the end of
a calendar quarter, after adjusting for contributions and withdrawals of capital. Fees are
pro-rated depending upon the date of contribution and/or withdrawal. Normal policy is
that such fees are billed and paid in arrears. However, fees may be paid in advance at the
client’s request (up to one quarter in advance). In the event of termination, any
management fees paid in advance are prorated to the date of termination and any
unearned fees are returned to the client. In general, FullerThaler does not deduct fees
directly from separately managed accounts, rather, most separately managed account
clients remit fees after an invoice is presented by FullerThaler.
In some circumstances, fees are negotiable under any specific or combined strategy. The
fee will depend upon, among other things, the size of the assets, number of accounts, type
of client or account, whether a client is seeding a new strategy, and the complexity (for
example, if hedging or leverage is involved) or level of service provided. FullerThaler will
consider performance-based fees if a client prefers them. Performance fees are based on
absolute performance or performance relative to an agreed upon benchmark subject to a
high watermark. The performance-based fee includes realized capital gains less realized
capital losses, unrealized capital appreciation less unrealized capital depreciation, and
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interest and dividend income for all portfolio assets for typically an annual calendar period.
FullerThaler, in its discretion, may waive or reduce all or part of the fees of a client account.
FullerThaler waives the fees charged affiliated accounts.
Provided below is FullerThaler's current standard fee schedule by strategy for direct
accounts.
BEHAVIORAL SMALL-CAP GROWTH, BEHAVIORAL SMALL-CAP VALUE, BEHAVIORAL
Minimum Account Size: $5,000,000
SMALL-CAP CORE, BEHAVIORAL SMALL-CAP EQUITY, and BEHAVIORAL SMALL-MID
Minimum Fees: $55,000
CAP VALUE:
1.10%
1.00%
0.90%
0.70%
Account Market Value Annual Management Fee Rate
First $5,000,000
Next $10,000,000
Next $10,000,000
Amounts over $25,000,000
Minimum Account Size: $10,000,000
Minimum Fees: $95,000
BEHAVIORAL SMALL-MID CORE EQUITY:
0.95%
0.85%
Account Market Value Annual Management Fee Rate
First $25,000,000
Amounts over $25,000,000
Minimum Account Size: $10,000,000
BEHAVIORAL MID-CAP VALUE, BEHAVIORAL MID-CAP EQUITY, and BEHAVIORAL ALL-
Minimum Fees: $85,000
CAP EQUITY:
0.85%
0.75%
Account Market Value Annual Management Fee Rate
First $25,000,000
Amounts over $25,000,000
Minimum Account Size: $10,000,000
Minimum Fees: $99,000
BEHAVIORAL UNCONSTRAINED EQUITY:
0.99%
0.89%
Account Market Value Annual Management Fee Rate
First $25,000,000
Amounts over $25,000,000
Minimum Account Size: $5,000,000
Minimum Fees: $65,000
BEHAVIORAL MICRO-CAP:
Account Market Value Annual Management Fee Rate
First $5,000,000
Next $10,000,000
Amounts over $15,000,000
1.30%
1.15%
1.05%
Should a client maintain less than the minimum account size in assets under FullerThaler’s
management, the client’s fee rate for investment advisory services would likely be more
than the above stated fee schedule.
For direct client accounts that are not allowed to participate in soft dollars, we impose a
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surcharge of up to 1 basis point which varies by strategy.
Mutual Funds
FullerThaler is the sub-adviser to the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund and
is the investment adviser of the FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund, the
FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund, the FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap
Value Fund, the FullerThaler Behavioral Unconstrained Equity Fund, the FullerThaler
Behavioral Small-Mid Core Equity Fund, the FullerThaler Behavioral Micro-Cap Equity
Fund, and the FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund. J.P. Morgan Investment
Management Inc. is the investment adviser of the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral
Value Fund.
Fund Annual Management Fee Rate*
Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Equity Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Value Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Unconstrained Equity Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Small-Mid Core Equity Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Micro-Cap Equity Fund
FullerThaler Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity Fund
0.75%
0.60%
0.85%
0.75%
0.85%
0.80%
1.45%
0.75%
* the fees listed above are the fees without temporary waivers but some fees are
temporarily lower as a result of contractual fee waivers through January 31, 2026, as of
the date of this document; please refer to the funds’ prospectuses for the latest fee
rates
FullerThaler receives a management fee based on a percent of each fund’s average daily
net assets. The fees above represent the aggregate management fees charged by a fund. In
the case of the Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund, FullerThaler receives a
portion of the above fee from the investment adviser. FullerThaler waives certain of the
fees it receives from the funds to assist the funds in maintaining their expense caps at the
levels disclosed in the funds’ prospectuses. Please refer to the funds’ prospectuses for
more information.
Collective Investment Fund
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FullerThaler is the sub-adviser to the FullerThaler Behavioral Small Cap Core Equity Fund.
Comerica Bank & Trust, N.A. is the sponsor. FullerThaler’s fee depends on the share class
in which one invests and is based on a percent of the fund’s average daily net assets sub-
advised by FullerThaler. FullerThaler’s management fee is paid by the sponsor. Fee
information will be in an investor’s Participation Agreement.
Wrap and Managed Account Programs
FullerThaler’s fee is determined by an agreement between a wrap or managed account
program sponsor and FullerThaler and is based on a percent of the net assets sub-advised
by FullerThaler. FullerThaler’s management fee is paid directly by a sponsor. FullerThaler
does not serve as a sponsor to any wrap or managed account programs. Each program
sponsor has prepared a brochure which contains detailed information about its wrap fee
program, including the wrap fee charged. Please refer to the sponsors’ disclosures for more
information. The wrap programs to which FullerThaler is a portfolio manager are
identified under Item 5 of its Form ADV, Part 1A.
Other Fees and Expenses
FullerThaler’s fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other
related costs and expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may also incur
custodial fees, odd-lot differentials, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, transfer agent,
investment
fund accounting and administration, 12b-1, shareholder servicing,
management fees and other expenses associated with any third-party fund, and other fees,
expenses, and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Please refer to Item
12 for information regarding FullerThaler’s brokerage practices.
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
FullerThaler will consider performance-based fees if a client prefers them and structure
any performance or incentive fee arrangement in accordance with the requirements of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Performance fees are based on absolute
performance or performance relative to an agreed upon benchmark subject to a high
watermark. The performance-based fee includes realized capital gains less realized capital
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losses, unrealized capital appreciation less unrealized capital depreciation, and interest
and dividend income for all portfolio assets for typically an annual calendar period.
A performance-based fee arrangement may create an incentive to make investments that
are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of a performance-
based fee and in some circumstances FullerThaler may receive increased compensation
with regard to unrealized appreciation as well as realized gains in a client's account. Such
fee arrangements also create an incentive to favor performance-based fee-paying accounts
over other accounts in the allocation of investment opportunities. FullerThaler has
procedures designed and implemented to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and
equally, and to prevent this conflict from influencing the allocation of investment
opportunities among clients.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
FullerThaler provides portfolio management services directly to mutual funds, collective
investment funds, financial intermediaries, corporate and public pension plans, Taft-
Hartley plans, corporations and other businesses, unions, charitable institutions,
foundations, endowments, individuals, family offices, and other U.S. and international
entities.
FullerThaler has established the following minimum dollar values to open and maintain
client accounts:
•
•
Direct separately managed accounts (“SMA”) require $5,000,000 or $10,000,000
depending on the strategy. Please refer to the fee schedule in Item 5.
Indirect SMA accounts through financial intermediary platforms require between
$75,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the platform and strategy.
The size of the minimum investment may be reduced or waived at the discretion of
FullerThaler.
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Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
FullerThaler uses both fundamental and quantitative research as methods of analysis for
its investment strategies, however, its investment approach does not fall into either the
fundamental or quantitative categories. The market anomalies and
traditional
inefficiencies the firm is trying to capture are based on principles of behavioral finance,
which explore how fundamental human psychology sometimes cause market participants
to behave differently than what classical economics models predict. FullerThaler believes
that while stock markets are efficient most of the time, behavioral anomalies can arise
under certain circumstances, resulting in exploitable mis-pricing opportunities.
®
®
FullerThaler’s investment philosophy draws upon a large body of academic and applied
research in the field of behavioral finance, including the works of scholars such as the 2002
Winner, Dr. Daniel Kahneman (former Director on FullerThaler’s Board of
Nobel Prize
Winner, Dr. Richard Thaler (co-founder and principal of
Directors), the 2017 Nobel Prize
FullerThaler), and Dr. Russell J. Fuller, CFA (co-founder, emeritus, of FullerThaler). We
actively monitor new findings from academics in psychology, economics, and finance, as
well as produce our own proprietary research in devising new strategies and in the
ongoing management of existing strategies.
®
Nobel Prize
is a trademark of the Nobel Foundation.
Investment Strategies
FullerThaler’s strategies primarily invest in US listed companies and are long only in stocks
that FullerThaler believes, based on its analysis, are undervalued. When taking positions,
FullerThaler will apply principles based on behavioral finance. In order to take advantage
of behavioral biases, FullerThaler generally focuses on certain markers of possible under-
and over-reaction. Information from these and other variables are combined with
measures of expectations and valuation, which ultimately lead to the selection of long
positions. FullerThaler strategies may employ futures, ETFs, and leverage. FullerThaler’s
investment strategies are listed below.
•
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Behavioral Small-Cap Growth primarily invests in the equities of growth-oriented
U.S. companies with market capitalizations generally in the lowest 10% of US
®
market capitalizations or smaller than or equal to the largest company in the Russell
2000® Index at the time of purchase. The benchmark is the Russell 2000
Growth
Index.
•
®
Index at the time of purchase. The benchmark is the Russell 2000
Behavioral Small-Cap Value primarily invests in the equities of value-oriented U.S.
®
companies with market capitalizations generally in the range of companies in the
Russell 2000
Value Index.
•
®
Behavioral Small-Cap Core is a combination of the Behavioral Small-Cap Growth
and Behavioral Small-Cap Value strategies and its benchmark is the Russell 2000
Index.
•
®
Behavioral Small-Cap Equity primarily invests in the equities of U.S. companies
generally in the lowest 10% of US market capitalizations or smaller than or equal
Index, at the time of
to the largest company in its benchmark, the Russell 2000
purchase.
•
®
®
Behavioral Mid-Cap Value primarily invests in the equities of value-oriented U.S.
companies with market capitalizations generally between 3% and 40% of total US
market capitalization or in the range of companies in the Russell Midcap
Index at
Value Index.
the time of purchase. The benchmark is the Russell Midcap
•
th
Behavioral Micro-Cap primarily invests in the equities of U.S. companies with
market capitalizations generally in the lowest 5% of US market capitalizations or
®
largest US company or smaller than or equal to
smaller than or equal to the 1,500
the largest stock in its benchmark, the Russell Microcap
Index, at the time of
purchase.
•
®
Behavioral Unconstrained Equity is a concentrated, non-diversified strategy that
primarily invests in the equities of U.S. companies with all market capitalizations.
The benchmark is the Russell 3000
Index.
•
Behavioral Small-Mid Core Equity primarily invests in the equities of U.S.
companies with market capitalizations generally in the bottom 30% of total US
8
TM
market capitalization or smaller than or equal to the largest company in its
benchmark, the Russell 2500
Index, at the time of purchase.
•
®
Behavioral All-Cap Equity is a diversified strategy that primarily invests in the
equities of U.S. companies with all market capitalizations. The benchmark is the
Russell 3000
Index.
•
®
®
Index, at the time of purchase. The benchmark is the Russell 2500
Behavioral Small-Mid Cap Value primarily invests in the equities of U.S. companies
with market capitalizations generally between 3% and 40% of total US market
TM
Index and the
capitalization or in the range of companies in the Russell 2000
Russell Midcap
Value Index.
•
®
®
Behavioral Mid-Cap Equity primarily invests in the equities of U.S. companies with
market capitalizations generally between 3% and 40% of total US market
Index at the time
capitalization or in the range of companies in the Russell Midcap
of purchase. The benchmark is the Russell Midcap
Index.
The Russell Index marks are owned by FTSE Russell.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves the risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. An
investment in any FullerThaler strategy is suitable only for those who can afford
fluctuations in the value of their investments and the potential loss of their entire
investment and who have limited need for liquidity in their investment. An investment in
any FullerThaler strategy is not intended as a complete investment program. There can be
no assurance that the investment objective of any FullerThaler strategy will be successful.
Unless otherwise stated, each of the risks discussed below apply to all FullerThaler
strategies.
General Investment Risks.
The prices of the securities and other instruments in any
FullerThaler strategy may be volatile. Market movements are difficult to predict and are
influenced by, among other matters, government trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange rate
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and control programs and policies; changing supply and demand relationships; national
and international political, economic, and other geopolitical events, such as wars,
government shutdowns, and debt crises; inflation or expectations of inflation; changes in
interest rates; natural and environmental disasters or events; pandemics; terrorism; and
the inherent volatility of the marketplace. In addition, governments from time to time
intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, often with the intent to influence
prices directly. The effects of governmental intervention may be particularly significant at
certain times in the financial instrument and currency markets, and such intervention (as
well as other factors) may cause these markets and related investments to move rapidly.
No assurance can be given that the investment strategies will be successful under all or any
market conditions.
Equity Securities.
The value of the equity securities held by a FullerThaler strategy are
subject to market risk, including changes in economic conditions, growth rates, profits,
interest rates and the market’s perception of these securities. While offering greater
potential for long-term growth, equity securities are more volatile and riskier than some
other forms of investment.
Behavioral Strategy Risk
. When taking investment positions, FullerThaler will apply
principles based on behavioral finance. FullerThaler seeks to capitalize on behavioral
biases that may cause the market to over-react or under-react. Securities identified using
this type of strategy may perform differently from the market as a whole as a result of the
factors used in the analysis, the weight placed on each factor, and changes in the factor’s
historical trends. The factors used in implementing this strategy and the weight placed on
those factors may not be predictive of a security exposure’s value, and the effectiveness of
the factors can change over time. These changes may not be reflected in the current
analytical approach used to implement a behavioral strategy.
Growth Investing Risk.
To the extent that a strategy invests in growth-oriented securities,
FullerThaler’s perception of the underlying companies’ growth potentials may be wrong,
or the securities purchased may not perform as expected.
Value Investing Risk.
The determination that a security is undervalued is subjective. The
market may not agree with FullerThaler’s determination and the security’s price may not
rise to what FullerThaler believes is its full fair value.
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Issuer Risk.
A strategy will be affected by factors specific to the issuers of securities and
other instruments in which the strategy invests, including actual or perceived changes in
the financial condition or business prospects of such issuers.
Management Risk.
A strategy will be affected by the allocation determinations, investment
decisions and techniques of FullerThaler’s management.
Regulatory Risk.
Changes in government regulations may adversely affect the operations
and value of a strategy or the companies in which it invests. Industries and markets that
are not adequately regulated may be susceptible to the initiation of inappropriate practices
that adversely affect the strategy or the companies in which it invests.
Potential Impact of a Limited Number of Investments.
A FullerThaler strategy may invest in
a limited number of securities and other instruments. Accordingly, a strategy could
become highly concentrated in certain securities and other instruments at any given time,
particularly at inception and immediately prior to liquidation. As a result of the foregoing,
the aggregate return of a strategy could be derived from a relatively undiversified, limited
number of securities and other instruments.
Investments in Companies with Smaller Capitalizations or Limited Coverage
. A FullerThaler
strategy may invest in the securities of companies with smaller capitalizations or that are
the subject of little or no analysis or coverage by Wall Street or similar overseas firms.
Investments in such companies may involve greater risk than is customarily associated
with investments in the securities of companies with larger capitalizations or with greater
Wall Street or similar coverage. For example, smaller companies often have limited
product lines, markets, and/or financial resources, may be dependent on management
with one or a few key persons, may lack substantial capital reserves, may not have
established performance records and may be more susceptible to losses. Also, the
securities of companies with smaller capitalizations or limited Wall Street or similar
coverage may be thinly traded (and therefore may have to be sold at a discount from then-
current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time) and may be subject
to wider and more abrupt price swings, thus creating the potential for greater losses than
investments in the securities of companies with larger capitalizations or greater Wall
Street or similar coverage. In addition, in connection with such reduced liquidity,
transaction costs incurred by a FullerThaler strategy with respect to investments in the
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securities of companies with smaller capitalizations or limited Wall Street, analyst or
similar coverage may be higher than the transaction costs the FullerThaler strategy would
have incurred if it had invested only in the securities of larger capitalization companies or
companies with greater Wall Street, analyst or similar coverage.
Potentially High Transaction Costs.
A FullerThaler strategy’s investment program may
involve active management of a strategy’s portfolio. This could result in a strategy taking
frequent trading positions. Consequently, a FullerThaler strategy’s portfolio turnover and
brokerage commission expenses could be higher than a strategy of comparable size and
may ultimately affect the return achieved by a FullerThaler strategy. In addition, to the
extent that a strategy holds its investments for only a short period of time, a strategy is
unlikely to be eligible for long-term capital gains treatment with respect to such
investments.
Securities Lending Risk.
An account may make secured loans of its portfolio securities, with
client approval. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit,
consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities and possible loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower fail financially, including possible impairment of an
account’s ability to vote the securities on loan. If a loan is collateralized by cash, an account
typically will invest the cash collateral and may pay a fee to the borrower that normally
represents a portion of an account’s earnings on the collateral. Because an account may
invest collateral in any investments in accordance with its investment objective, an
account’s securities lending transactions will result in investment leverage. An account
Derivatives Risk.
bears the risk that the value of the investments made with collateral may decline.
An account may use derivatives, such as put options, in connection with
its investment strategies, with client approval. Derivatives may be riskier than other types
of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market
conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly
exceed an account’s original investment. Derivatives are subject to the risk that changes in
the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or
index. The use of derivatives may not be successful, resulting in losses to an account and
the cost of such strategies may reduce an account’s returns. Certain derivatives also expose
an account to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its
contractual obligations), including credit risk of the derivative counterparty. In addition,
an account may use derivatives for non-hedging purposes, which increases an account’s
potential for loss. Certain derivatives are synthetic instruments that attempt to replicate
12
the performance of certain reference assets. With regard to such derivatives, an account
does not have a claim on the reference assets and is subject to enhanced counterparty risk.
Investments in ETFs.
Investments in equity ETFs are generally subject to the risks
described above. The value of an ETF can fluctuate based on the prices of the securities
owned by the ETF, and ETFs are also subject to the following additional risks: (i) the ETF’s
market price may be less than its net asset value; (ii) an active market for the ETF may not
develop; and (iii) market trading in the ETF may be halted under certain circumstances.
Such investments will also increase the fees and expenses payable by a FullerThaler
strategy, since an ETF also generally bears fees and expenses in connection with its
operations and investment activities in addition to the fees and expenses borne by a
FullerThaler strategy.
REIT and Real Estate-Related Investment Risk.
Adverse changes in the real estate markets
may affect the value of REIT investments.
Turnover Risk.
High levels of portfolio turnover increase transaction costs and taxes and
may lower investment performance.
Liquidity Risk.
The lack of an active market for investments may cause delay in disposition
or force a sale below fair value.
Concentration Risk.
A large percentage of a portfolio’s total assets may be exposed to a
particular sector, industry or group of industries. By concentrating its investments in a
sector, industry or group of industries, a portfolio may face more risks than if it were
diversified broadly over numerous industries or sectors. An inherent risk associated with
a sector- or industry-concentrated portfolio is that the portfolio may be adversely affected
if a small number of its investments in the concentrated sector, industry or group of
industries perform poorly.
Cyber Security Risk.
With the increased use of technologies and the dependence on
computer systems to perform necessary business functions, FullerThaler, its products, and
its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting
from cyber-attacks and/or other technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are
deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among
13
others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate
users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential
information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-
attacks against, or security breakdowns of, the firm, its products, a custodian, transfer
agent, or other third-party service provider may adversely affect the firm or its clients. For
instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of client transactions, affect the
firm’s ability to calculate the performance of its strategies, cause the release of private
client information or confidential firm information, impede trading, cause reputational
damage, and subject the firm to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses,
reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. While the
firm has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent cyber-
attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility
that certain risks have not been identified. Similar types of cyber security risks also are
present for issuers of securities in which the firm invests, which could result in material
adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause a strategy’s investment in such
securities to lose value.
The above represents only material risks of FullerThaler’s significant investment
strategies and methods of analysis. There are other risks that clients should
consider. With respect to a mutual fund, see the risk factors set out in such mutual
fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information. With respect to a wrap
or managed account program, see the risk factors set out in such wrap or managed
account program sponsor’s disclosures.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any
legal or disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of FullerThaler or the
integrity of FullerThaler’s management. FullerThaler has no information applicable to this
item.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
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FullerThaler has no information applicable to this Item.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and
Personal Trading
FullerThaler has adopted a Code of Ethics for all supervised persons of the firm describing
its high standard of business conduct and fiduciary duty to its clients. Its supervised
persons generally include its directors, officers, and employees. The Code of Ethics
includes provisions relating to the prohibition on insider trading, restrictions on the
acceptance and giving of gifts and the reporting of certain gifts and business entertainment,
restrictions and the reporting of charitable and political contributions, and personal
securities trading procedures, among other things. All supervised persons at FullerThaler
must acknowledge and abide by the terms of the Code of Ethics.
FullerThaler strictly prohibits any supervised persons from trading based on material non-
public information or tipping others so that they can trade on material non-public
information. The Code describes what constitutes material non-public information and
outlines the procedures to be followed in the event a supervised person comes into
possession of material non-public information.
Employees are allowed to trade securities for their personal accounts, subject to certain
restrictions. However, prior to entering an order for certain personal securities
transactions, each access person must obtain the pre-approval of the Chief Compliance
Officer or another designee in the Code.
Generally, no employee of FullerThaler shall be permitted to:
Purchase or short publicly traded stocks, domestic corporate bonds, and derivatives
(such as options, futures, forwards, swaps) of the aforementioned
Sell a stock within three (3) trading days before a client account sells the same
security
Sell a stock within three (3) trading days after a client account purchases that security
FullerThaler anticipates that, in appropriate circumstances, consistent with clients’
investment objectives, it will cause accounts over which FullerThaler has management
authority to effect, and will recommend to investment advisory clients or prospective
clients, the purchase or sale of securities (including affiliated mutual funds) in which
15
FullerThaler, its affiliates and/or clients, directly or indirectly, have a position of interest.
FullerThaler’s employees and persons associated with FullerThaler are required to follow
FullerThaler’s Code of Ethics. Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers,
directors and employees of FullerThaler and its affiliates are allowed to trade for their own
accounts in securities which are recommended to and/or purchased for FullerThaler’s
clients. The Code of Ethics is designed to assure that the personal securities transactions,
activities and interests of the employees of FullerThaler will not interfere with (i) making
decisions in the best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions while,
at the same time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts. In addition to being
able to transact in individual securities held in client accounts in limited instances,
FullerThaler employees are permitted to invest in FullerThaler products and strategies.
Mixed Accounts
A “Mixed Account” is a pooled investment vehicle (such as a collective investment fund)
advised by FullerThaler (and of which FullerThaler may be the managing member, general
partner, investment manager, investment adviser, sub-adviser, or the like) in which
employees of FullerThaler and/or members of their family/household own or hold
beneficial interests along with interests owned by
unaffiliated clients or investors. Because
securities traded for Mixed Accounts may also be suitable for unaffiliated client accounts,
FullerThaler must take special care to prevent transactions on behalf of Mixed Accounts
from unfairly advantaging employees over clients. To manage those potential conflicts,
Mixed Accounts are treated as client accounts and their activities are subject to the full
supervision and procedures applicable in the ordinary course of FullerThaler's business to
all client accounts, including FullerThaler’s Trade Allocation Policy. Mixed Accounts,
therefore, generally will not be subject to the regular pre-clearance process and other
securities trading restrictions applicable to the trading of personal accounts. The Chief
Compliance Officer, in consultation with senior management, may determine otherwise in
certain circumstances (such as, for example, if perceived conflicts are not efficiently
mitigated by regular client account procedures). Employees' (and members of their
family/households') beneficial interests in Mixed Accounts are covered by regulatory
reporting requirements set forth in Reporting, below.
Incubated Accounts
An “Incubated Account” is a proprietary account used to test and incubate a new firm
strategy before it is made available to unaffiliated investors and clients. Incubated
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strategies are initially operated and managed with one or more employees of FullerThaler
and/or members of his/her family/household as the owners of beneficial interests in the
account. However, Incubated Accounts are treated as client accounts to allow for seamless
transition to offering the strategy to unaffiliated investors and clients. These accounts are
required to enter into a client investment advisory agreement with FullerThaler and to
execute all trades through FullerThaler’s trading desk in accordance with FullerThaler’s
Trade Allocation Policy. Because (among other factors) Incubated Account activities are
subject to the full supervision and procedures applicable in the ordinary course of
FullerThaler's business to all client accounts, Incubated Accounts generally will not be
However, Incubated Accounts must pre-
subject to the regular pre-clearance process and other securities trading restrictions
clear any transactions in IPOs and private placements (a.k.a. limited offerings).
applicable to the trading of personal accounts.
FullerThaler has concluded that it would significantly hinder the effective implementation
of a new strategy if, during the incubation process, they were not generally treated as a
client account. However, the Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with senior
management, may determine otherwise in certain circumstances (such as, for example, if
perceived conflicts are not efficiently mitigated by regular client account
procedures). Employees' (and members of their family/households') beneficial interests
in Incubated Accounts are covered by regulatory reporting requirements set forth in
Reporting, below.
Reporting
All access persons of FullerThaler must submit quarterly transactions and annual holdings
reports which are reviewed by the Chief Compliance Officer. Transactions and holdings of
members of employees’ family/households' beneficial interests in Reportable Securities
are covered by these regulatory reporting requirements. Employee trading is monitored
under the Code of Ethics.
A complete copy of FullerThaler’s Code of Ethics is available upon request.
Principal Transactions and Agency Cross Transactions
FullerThaler does not effect any principal transactions with client accounts. Principal
transactions are generally defined as transactions where an adviser, acting as principal for
17
its own account, buys from or sells a security to an advisory client. A principal transaction
can also occur if a security is bought/sold between an affiliated (proprietary) account and
a client account.
FullerThaler does not effect agency cross transactions between client accounts. An agency
cross transaction is defined as a transaction where an investment adviser, or any person
controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser, acts as broker for
both the advisory client and for another person on the other side of the transaction.
FullerThaler has no broker-dealer affiliates.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
Selection of Brokers
Typically, FullerThaler will determine the broker to be used and the commission rates at
which transactions for client accounts will be effected, with the objective of attaining the
most favorable price and market execution for each transaction.
In most cases, FullerThaler uses brokers as "agents" and pays commissions. FullerThaler,
however, may also cause clients to buy or sell securities from or to dealers acting as
principal at prices that include markups or markdowns, and may buy securities from
underwriters or dealers in public offerings at prices that include compensation to the
underwriters or dealers. The following discussion summarizes the material aspects of
FullerThaler's practices in selecting brokers and dealers to execute client transactions.
In cases where FullerThaler has complete discretion over the selection of brokers or
dealers, FullerThaler makes those selections on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
FullerThaler usually causes transactions to be effected by brokers on an agency basis for a
commission but may also cause transactions to be effected directly with market makers
acting as principals on a net basis.
FullerThaler will seek "best execution" in light of the circumstances involved in each
transaction. In evaluating a broker's or dealer's ability to provide "best execution,"
historical net prices (after commissions or other transaction-related compensation) will
be a principal factor, but FullerThaler may also consider, among other factors, the
execution, clearance, error resolution and settlement capabilities of the broker or dealer
in connection with securities of the type to be bought or sold; the broker’s or dealer's
18
reliability, integrity, and financial stability; the size of the transaction; and the market for
the security. FullerThaler will not obligate itself to obtain the lowest commission or best
net price for an account on any particular transaction.
FullerThaler employees involved in trading monitor transaction results as orders are
executed to evaluate the quality of execution provided by the various brokers and dealers
it uses, to determine that compensation rates are competitive and otherwise to evaluate
the reasonableness of the compensation paid to those brokers and dealers in light of all the
factors described above.
In the last fiscal year, FullerThaler reviewed the execution performance of broker-dealers
executing client transactions on a periodic basis. A review consisted of looking at a number
of factors including identifying the broker-dealers utilized most and reviewing the soft
dollar benefits received from such broker-dealers during the relevant period. All things
being similar, FullerThaler directed client brokerage to a broker-dealer that offered soft
dollars.
The Role of Research and Brokerage Products and Services
In addition to execution quality, FullerThaler considers the value of various products and
services a broker-dealer provides. Selecting a broker-dealer in recognition of services or
products other than simply transaction execution is known as paying for those services or
products with "soft dollars". Research and brokerage products and services benefit
FullerThaler by reducing its cost of managing client accounts. Because many of those
services could be considered to provide some benefit to FullerThaler, and because the "soft
dollars" used to acquire them will be assets of FullerThaler's clients, FullerThaler could be
considered to have a conflict of interest in allocating client brokerage business. That is,
FullerThaler could receive valuable benefits by selecting a particular broker or dealer to
execute client transactions and the transaction compensation charged by that broker or
dealer might not be the lowest compensation FullerThaler might otherwise be able to
negotiate. In addition, FullerThaler could have an incentive to cause clients to engage in
more securities transactions than would otherwise be optimal in order to generate
brokerage compensation with which to acquire products and services.
FullerThaler will make decisions involving "soft dollars" in a manner that satisfies the
requirements of the safe harbor provided by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. Before placing orders with a particular broker-dealer, FullerThaler
will determine, in addition to considering all the factors described above under the heading
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Selection of Brokers
, that the commissions to be paid are reasonable in relation to the value
of all the brokerage and research services and products provided by that broker-dealer. In
making that determination, FullerThaler considers not only the value of the brokerage and
research services and products to a particular client, but also the value of those services in
FullerThaler's performance of its overall responsibilities to all of its clients. In some cases,
the commissions charged by a particular broker-dealer for a particular transaction or set
of transactions are greater than the amounts another broker-dealer who did not provide
research services and products might charge. And in some cases, a client's transactions
are executed by a broker-dealer in recognition of services or products that are not used in
managing that client's account.
Research and brokerage products and services provided to FullerThaler are typically from
third party vendors and may include research reports on, or recommendations or other
information about, particular companies or industries; economic surveys, data and
analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database software
and services; computerized news and pricing services; order management system; trade
analytics; quantitative analytical software; market research on optimal execution venues
and trading strategies; post trade matching services and other products and services that
provide lawful and appropriate assistance to FullerThaler in the performance of its
investment decision making responsibilities. FullerThaler also receives some proprietary
research. Any particular research and brokerage product or service that is obtained
through soft dollars will assist FullerThaler in managing some or all of its client accounts.
Soft dollar benefits are not limited to those clients who have generated a particular benefit
and soft dollar benefits are not proportionally allocated to accounts according to the
amounts of soft dollar credits they generate. In the last fiscal year, FullerThaler received
about half of the research and brokerage products and services enumerated above with
client brokerage commissions.
Should a particular service or product that a broker or dealer is willing to provide for soft
dollars have both eligible and non-eligible components under the safe harbor, FullerThaler
allocates the cost of the product or service between its eligible and non-eligible uses and
pays only the eligible portion with soft dollars. FullerThaler has an incentive to designate
as great a portion of the cost as eligible as possible in order to permit payment with soft
dollars.
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Directed Brokerage
FullerThaler permits clients to instruct it to use one or more particular brokers or dealers
in managing their accounts. A client may specify that a particular amount of business
should be sent to a broker or dealer, that all business should be sent to a broker or a dealer,
or merely that the broker or dealer should be used when all other considerations are equal.
In some cases, the broker-dealer serves as custodian of the assets in the account and/or
consultant to the client. Clients should understand that giving such directions may prevent
FullerThaler from effectively negotiating brokerage commissions on their behalf or
aggregating orders with other clients. These directions may even prevent FullerThaler
from obtaining the most favorable net price and execution. Thus, in directing brokerage
business, those clients may lose possible advantages that other clients may have and they
should consider whether the commission expenses, and execution, clearance, and
settlement capabilities, they will obtain through their direction are adequately favorable
in comparison to those that FullerThaler otherwise attains for its clients to justify their
direction of their brokerage business. Furthermore, under these circumstances a disparity
in prices may exist between the prices paid by clients who direct FullerThaler to use a
particular broker or dealer and other clients who do not direct FullerThaler to use a
particular broker or dealer. For each such account, FullerThaler targets 10% of all
commission dollars for directed brokerage during any year, but may be more or less, and
will be subject to best execution.
Trade Allocation
FullerThaler performs investment management services for various clients. There are
occasions on which portfolio transactions are executed as part of concurrent
authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for numerous accounts served by
FullerThaler, some of which accounts have similar investment objectives. Although such
concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or disadvantageous to
any one or more particular accounts, they will be effected only when FullerThaler believes
that to do so will be in the overall best interest of the affected accounts. When such
concurrent authorizations occur, the objective will be to allocate the executions in a
manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts involved.
Where FullerThaler buys or sells the same security for two or more clients, FullerThaler
typically places concurrent orders with a single broker, to be executed together as a single
“block” in order to facilitate orderly and efficient execution. When FullerThaler does so,
21
each account on whose behalf an order was placed, will receive a proportionate share of
the securities purchased or the sales proceeds, based on the size of the account’s order, at
the average price for the “block” transaction. Clients will bear a proportionate share of all
transaction costs in such transactions, although if such a transaction is effected with a
broker-dealer with which a particular client has directly negotiated a special commission
arrangement, that client’s transaction costs may differ from the costs borne by other clients
participating in the block. For private placements (a.k.a. limited offerings) and IPOs, to the
extent an investment opportunity is too limited for all accounts to participate, client
accounts will participate before incubated accounts.
When the amount of wrap, directed, non-discretionary, and/or discretionary assets in a
particular investment product could each potentially cause significant market impact
and/or security liquidity issues if traded simultaneously, we will employ a simple rotation
of trades among the different types of accounts where the trade priority is rotated
generally weekly. Incubated accounts may be part of a trade rotation. We may also use a
different rotation frequency that is reasonable and equitable to clients. In the case of
model-delivery programs, models are sent by a method designated by the wrap account
sponsor as part of the rotation described above. The decision to employ a rotation for an
investment product is made in good faith by the Trader. We note that when employing a
trade rotation, there may be an incentive to allocate to the larger or more profitable clients
first. FullerThaler believes it has procedures designed and implemented to ensure that all
clients are treated fairly and equally, and to prevent this conflict from influencing the
allocation of investment opportunities among clients.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
The lead portfolio manager for any given strategy has day-to-day responsibilities with
respect to all of the client accounts in such strategy. In addition, client accounts are
reviewed periodically by the risk management team for overall adherence with the
investment philosophy employed by the firm and any specific requirements of the strategy.
Additionally, account holdings may be reviewed at any time changing market conditions
warrant.
Written investment reports are provided to direct clients at least quarterly and contain
22
information on current investment holdings, transaction summaries, and market values,
as well as performance measured over various historical time periods. These reports may
also be produced on a monthly or other basis, upon request by the client and agreement
by FullerThaler.
If requested, direct clients may also receive an automated electronic confirmation of each
securities transaction on the day following the execution of a trade. These reports contain
a complete breakdown of each transaction, including principal amount, commission, taxes,
etc.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
FullerThaler has no information applicable to this Item.
Item 15 – Custody
FullerThaler does not have custody of any separately managed account, collective
investment fund, or mutual fund assets.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
FullerThaler usually receives discretionary authority from the client at the outset of an
advisory relationship to select the identity and amount of securities to be bought or sold.
Clients generally grant FullerThaler a power of attorney to invest the assets in a separate
account through an investment advisory agreement. FullerThaler manages only the
portion of each client’s assets for which an investment advisory agreement has been signed
and will not provide advice on a client’s other assets. In all cases, such discretion is to be
exercised in a manner consistent with the stated investment objectives, investment
policies, limitations, and restrictions for the particular client account. Investment
guidelines and restrictions must be provided to FullerThaler in writing.
For registered investment companies, FullerThaler’s authority to trade securities are
limited by certain federal securities and tax laws.
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Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
FullerThaler exercises its voting authority in a manner that will maintain or enhance
shareholder value of the companies in which it has invested client assets. Unless a client
specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies, FullerThaler will vote all
proxies in accordance with this policy.
FullerThaler maintains guidelines on how to vote proxies and has hired an independent
third-party vendor, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), to assist it in fulfilling its
proxy voting obligations.
All proxies are voted solely in the best interests of our clients. Shareholders and employees
of FullerThaler will not be unduly influenced by outside sources nor be affected by any
conflict of interest regarding the vote on any proxy. Where a proxy proposal raises a material
conflict between our interests and a client’s interests, FullerThaler will rely on the
recommendation of ISS to vote the proxy.
Clients can obtain a copy of FullerThaler’s complete proxy voting policies and procedures
upon request. Clients can also obtain information from FullerThaler about how FullerThaler
voted any proxies on behalf of their account(s).
Clients for which FullerThaler does not have the authority to vote securities generally will
receive their proxies or other solicitations directly from their custodian. Clients can contact
FullerThaler with questions about a particular solicitation.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Registered investment advisers are required in this Item to provide you with certain
financial information or disclosures about FullerThaler’s financial condition. FullerThaler
has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary
commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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Additional Disclosures
Trade Error Policy
Should FullerThaler cause a trading error in a client account, FullerThaler will seek to place
the client in the same position that it would have been in had the error not occurred.
Prime Broker/Custodian Recommendation
Upon client request, FullerThaler can recommend a prime broker/custodian it or another
client uses. There is no requirement that a client use the prime broker/custodian
FullerThaler recommends. Such recommendations do not take into account factors such as
transaction fees, custodial fees charged by the broker for holding securities for the client,
commission rates, interest charges on debit balances and interest credits on credit balances,
quality of execution, record-keeping and reporting capabilities, financial stability, and
research services. It may be the case that the recommended prime broker/custodian
charges a higher fee than can be obtained from another prime broker/custodian.
Class Actions
FullerThaler will file a class action settlement claim on behalf of any eligible client accounts
unless directed otherwise by a client. Should a client account be eligible for participation in
a class action, FullerThaler will file a claim so long as the recognized loss is greater than a de
minimis amount as determined in FullerThaler’s sole discretion. The recognized loss is
calculated pursuant to the plan of allocation formula contained in a class action notice.
FullerThaler does not assess the merits of a claim nor does it consider objections to, or
exclusions from, a class action.
FullerThaler will file a claim for eligible limited partnerships and other pooled investment
vehicles it sponsored that have been liquidated. Other than limited partnerships and other
pooled investment vehicles it previously sponsored, FullerThaler does not file claims on
behalf of former clients as it no longer has any authority to act on behalf of such former
clients.
Upon receipt of settlement proceeds in connection with filed claims, FullerThaler will
forward them to the appropriate custodian for deposit into a client account. For former
clients, FullerThaler will use commercially reasonable efforts to forward them to the former
client. For closed funds, FullerThaler will use commercially reasonable efforts to allocate
and distribute the proceeds that are greater than a de minimis amount to the investors of
record as of the liquidation date. A determination of whether an amount is greater than a de
minimis amount will be made at FullerThaler’s sole discretion and is subject to change at any
25
time. In the event FullerThaler is unable to contact or locate a former client or investor or
determines the proceeds constitute a de minimis amount, FullerThaler will retain the
proceeds.
Global Investment Performance Standards
®
FullerThaler claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS
).
FullerThaler has been independently verified for the periods 1/1/92 through 12/31/23. The
verification report and a complete list and description of firm composites and/or policies for
valuing portfolios, calculating performance, and preparing compliant presentations are
available upon request by clients and prospective clients.
®
®
®
®
standards must establish policies and
A firm that claims compliance with the GIPS
standards.
procedures for complying with all the applicable requirements of the GIPS
Verification provides assurance on whether the firm’s policies and procedures related to
composite and pooled fund maintenance, as well as the calculation, presentation, and
distribution of performance, have been designed in compliance with the GIPS
standards
and have been implemented on a firm-wide basis. Verification does not provide assurance
on the accuracy of any specific performance report. GIPS
is a registered trademark of CFA
Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant
the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.
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