Unified Series Trust updates fund service contracts
Unified Series Trust filed Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 to its registration statement on Form N-1A. The filing becomes effective immediately under Rule 462(d) and is stated to be made solely to file and update exhibits, without modifying any other part of the registration statement.
The amendment adds or updates key contracts, including new distribution agreements with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, amendments to consulting and master services agreements with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, and a consent of the independent registered public accounting firm. It also restates information on advisory, sub-advisory and custody arrangements, indemnification provisions, books and records locations, and control relationships among certain advisers and funds.
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Securities Act File No. 333-100654
Investment Company Act File No. 811-21237
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
| THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. | o | |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 | x |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
| THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | |
| Amendment No. 611 | x |
Unified Series Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified In Charter)
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (513) 587-3400
Elisabeth Dahl
Secretary
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
JoAnn Strasser, Esq.
Thompson Hine LLP
41 South High Street, 17th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6101
(614) 469-3265
It is proposed that this filing will become effective immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-100654 and 811-21237) of Unified Series Trust (the Registration Statement) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), solely for the purpose of filing exhibits to the Registration Statement. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 consists only of a facing page, this explanatory note, and Part C of the Registration Statement setting forth the exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 610 does not modify any other part of the Registration Statement.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 28. | Exhibits |
| (a) | Articles of Incorporation | ||
| 1. | Agreement and Declaration of Trust as filed with the State of Ohio on October 17, 2002 – Filed with Registrants initial registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 21, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 2. | Amendment No. 51 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as filed with the State of Ohio on October 8, 2024 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (b) | By-laws. Bylaws of the Registrant, as adopted on October 14, 2002 – Filed with Registrants initial registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 21, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. None. | ||
| (d) | Investment Advisory Contracts. | ||
| 1. | (a) | Registrants Amended and Restated Management Agreement with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. with regard to the Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 2, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Registrants Amended and Restated Management Agreement with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. with regard to the Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund, and the Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 2. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. with regard to the Crawford Multi-Asset Income Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | .Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Crawford Multi-Asset Income Fund - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 3. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Channel Investment Partners LLC with regard to the Channel Short Duration Income Fund dated August 1, 2020 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Assignment and Assumption Agreement among Financial Counselors, Inc., Channel Investment Partners LLC and Unified Series Trust regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Channel Short Duration Income Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Channel Investment Partners LLC regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Channel Short Duration Income Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 4. | (a) | Registrants Amended and Restated Management Agreement with Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. with regard to Appleseed Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 28, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Appleseed Fund - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 5. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Dean Investment Associates, LLC with regard to the Dean Mid Cap Value Fund dated February 1, 2024 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Registrants Management Agreement with Dean Investment Associates, LLC with regard to the Dean Small Cap Value Fund dated February 1, 2024 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| . | (c) | Registrants Management Agreement with Dean Investment Associates, LLC with regard to the Dean Equity Income Fund dated February 1, 2024 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (d) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Dean Investment Associates, LLC regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Dean Funds dated October 24, 2023 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (e) | Investment Subadvisory Agreement between Dean Investment Associates, LLC and Dean Capital Management, LLC with regard to the Dean Mid Cap Value Fund, Dean Small Cap Value Fund, and Dean Equity Income Fund dated January 1, 2024 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 26, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 6. | Registrants Management Agreement with SBAuer Funds, LLC with regard to the Auer Growth Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 7. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Fisher Asset Management, LLC with regard to the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Fisher Asset Management, LLC regarding fee waiver and expense reimbursement with respect to the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 27, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 8. | Registrants Management Agreement with Fisher Asset Management, LLC with regard to the FI Institutional Group Stock Fund for Retirement Plans, the FI Institutional Group ESG Stock Fund for Retirement Plans, the FI Institutional Group Fixed Income Fund for Retirement Plans, and the FI Institutional Group ESG Fixed Income Fund for Retirement Plans – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 9. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Standpoint Asset Management, LLC with regard to the Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Standpoint Asset Management, LLC regarding Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 27, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Standpoint Asset Management, LLC and Standpoint Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 10. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Select Value ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Select Value ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Registrants Management Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (d) | Registrants Management Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (e) | Registrants Management Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Flexible Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (f) | Registrants Management Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute CEF Opportunities – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (g) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund, Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund, Absolute Flexible Fund, and Absolute Strategies Fund (now Absolute CEF Opportunities) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 15, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (h) | Assignment and Assumption Agreement among Absolute Investment Advisers LLC, Forum Funds, and Unified Series Trust with regard to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund, Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund, Absolute Flexible Fund, and Absolute Strategies Fund (now Absolute CEF Opportunities) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (i) | Subadvisory Agreement between Absolute Investment Advisers LLC and St. James Investment Company, LLC with regard to the Absolute Select Value ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (j) | Subadvisory Agreement between Absolute Investment Advisers LLC and Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC with regard to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (k) | Amended and Restated Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Absolute Investment Advisers LLC with regard to Absolute CEF Opportunities (formerly Absolute Strategies Fund) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 21, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 11. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Ballast Asset Management, LP with regard to the Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 20, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Ballast Asset Management, LP with regard to the Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 20, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 12. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Large Cap Core ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 5, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Large Cap Core ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Registrants Management Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 14, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (d) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 14, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (e) | Sub-Advisory Agreement between OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC and Teachers Advisors, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 14, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (f) | Registrants Management Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent International Equity ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated August 15, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (g) | Registrants Management Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated August 15, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (h) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent International Equity ETF and the OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated August 15, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (i) | Registrants Management Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Small Cap Core ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (j) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC with regard to the OneAscent Small Cap Core ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 13. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Efficient Capital Management LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Efficient Capital Management LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (d) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and AlphaSimplex Group, LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (e) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and AQR Capital Management, LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (f) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Aspect Capital Limited with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (g) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (h) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Crabel Capital Management, LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. |
| (i) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Welton Investment Partners LLC with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (j) | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Efficient Capital Management LLC and Winton Capital Management Limited with regard to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund and the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset (Cayman) Fund, Ltd. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 14. | (a) | Registrants Management Agreement with Quantum Advisors Private Limited with regard to the Q India Equity Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Operating Expense Limitation Agreement with Quantum Advisors Private Limited with regard to the Q India Equity Fund - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (e) | Underwriting Contracts. | ||
| 1. | (a) | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC dated July 1, 2025 – Filed herewith. Redacted proprietary. | |
| (b) | Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC – Filed herewith. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 2. | (a) | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC – Filed herewith. Redacted proprietary. | |
| (f) | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None. |
| (g) | Custodian Agreements. | ||
| 1. | Registrants Custodian Agreement with Huntington National Bank dated October 15, 2010 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 2. | (a) | Registrants Custodian Agreement with U.S. Bank, N.A. dated September 23, 2005 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 28, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | |
| (b) | Amendment to Registrants Custodian Agreement with U.S. Bank, N.A. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 3. | (a) | Registrants Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Eighth Amendment to Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. reflecting current schedule of ETFs – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 4. | (a) | Registrants Custodian Agreement with MUFG Union Bank, N.A. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 26, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | U.S. Bank National Association Acknowledgement of Assumption of Custodial Duties – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 27, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 5. | Registrants Custodian Agreement with Fifth Third Bank, National Association – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 9, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (h) | Other Material Contracts. | ||
| 1. | (a) | Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated August 24, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | |
| (b) | Amendment to Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (Notices) – Filed herewith. | ||
| (c) | Amendment to Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (Schedule A) – Filed herewith. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 2. | (a) | Registrants Investor Class Administrative Services Plan for the Appleseed Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (b) | Side Letter Agreement with Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. regarding agreement to waive receipt of payments under the administrative services plan relating to the Funds Investor Class until January 31, 2026 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 28, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 3. | (a) | Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | |
| (b) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (N-CEN N-PORT) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (c) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (ETF Accounting) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (d) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (ETF Administration) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (e) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Derivatives) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated February 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (f) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Tax Provisioning) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 13 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| (g) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Shareholder Servicing Fees) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 13 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| (h) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Notices) – Filed herewith. | ||
| (i) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Schedule A) – Filed herewith. | ||
| (j) | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Tailored Shareholder Reports) – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. Redacted proprietary. | ||
| 4. | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement for ETFs – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 20, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
| 5. | Registrants Investment Agreement with Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. and Simplify Exchange Traded Funds for Appleseed Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 6. | Registrants Investment Agreement with 360 Funds for Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 7. | Registrants Fund of Funds Investment Agreement with Fidelity Rutland Square Trust II for Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 15, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 8. | Registrants Administrative Services Plan for the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 9. | Registrants Fund of Funds Investment Agreement with The Advisors Inner Circle Fund and The Advisors Inner Circle Fund II for Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 27, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (i) | Legal Opinion and Consent. | |
| 1. | Legal opinion and consent – The Legal Opinion of Thompson Hine was filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 21, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. The legal consent is not applicable. | |
| (j) | Other Opinions. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Not applicable. The Consent of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to Post-Effective Amendment No. 607 is filed herewith. | |
| (k) | Omitted Financial Statements. None. | |
| (l) | Initial Capital Agreements. Letter of Investment Intent from Unified Fund Services, Inc., dated December 30, 2002 – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| (m) | Rule 12b-1 Plans. | |
| 1. | Revised Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated May 2, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 2. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan for Channel Short Duration Income Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated August 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 3. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Appleseed Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 2, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 4. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Auer Growth Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 21, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 5. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Investor Class Shares of the Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 6. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Investor Class Shares of the Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 7. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Class A Shares of the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 8. | Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan with respect to the Investor Class Shares of the Q India Equity Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (n) | Rule 18f-3 Plans. | |
| 1. | Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan for Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund, and Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 28, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 2. | Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Appleseed Fund –Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 3. | Rule 18f-3 Plan for Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 4. | Rule 18f-3 Plan for Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 5. | Rule 18f-3 Plan for Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 6. | Rule 18f-3 Plan for Q India Equity Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (o) | Reserved. | |
| (p) | Codes of Ethics. | |
| 1. | Registrants Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 21, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 2. | Code of Ethics for Senior Executive Officers – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 3. | Code of Ethics adopted by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, as distributors to Registrant – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 13 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 4. | Dean Investment Associates, LLC and Dean Financial Services, LLC Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 5. | Dean Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 6. | Fisher Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 27, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 7. | Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. Code of Ethics - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated January 28, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 8. | Channel Investment Partners LLC Code of Ethics - Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 31, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 9. | SBAuer Funds, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 10. | Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 11. | Standpoint Asset Management, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration on Form N-1A dated February 27, 2025 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 12. | Absolute Investment Advisers LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 13. | St. James Investment Company, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 27, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 14. | Ballast Asset Management, LP Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 20, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 15. | OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 5, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 16. | Teachers Advisors, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 27, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 17. | Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 18. | Efficient Capital Management LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 19. | AlphaSimplex Group, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 20. | AQR Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 21. | Aspect Capital Limited Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 22. | Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 23. | Crabel Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 24. | Welton Investment Partners LLC Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 25. | Winton Capital Management Limited Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 26. | Quantum Advisors Private Limited Code of Ethics – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| (q) | Proxy Voting Policies. | |
| 1. | Registrants Revised Proxy Voting Policy – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 1, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 2. | Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures adopted by Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 3. | Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures adopted by Channel Investment Partners LLC – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 31, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 4. | Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures adopted by Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. as adviser to Appleseed Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 2, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 5. | Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures adopted by Dean Investment Associates, LLC as adviser to the Dean Funds – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated March 7, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 6. | Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures adopted by SBAuer Funds, LLC as adviser to the Auer Growth Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 21, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 7. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Fisher Asset Management, LLC as adviser to the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund and each of the FI Institutional Group Funds – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated December 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 8. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Standpoint Asset Management, LLC as adviser to Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 28, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 9. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Absolute Investment Advisers, LLC as adviser to Absolute Select Value ETF, Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund, Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund, Absolute CEF Opportunities and Absolute Flexible Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 10. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Ballast Asset Management, LP as adviser to the Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 20, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 11. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC as adviser to OneAscent Large Cap Core ETF, the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF, the OneAscent Small Cap Core ETF, the OneAscent International Equity ETF and the OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated April 29, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 12. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Dean Capital Management, LLC as sub-adviser to each of the Dean Funds – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 18, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 13. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC as sub-adviser to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated September 5, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 14. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by St. James Investment Company, LLC as sub-adviser to the Absolute Select Value ETF – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 27, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 15. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Efficient Capital Management, LLC as adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 16. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by AlphaSimplex Group, LLC as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 17. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by AQR Capital Management, LLC as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 18. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Aspect Capital Limited as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 19. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 20. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Welton Investment Partners LLC as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 21. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Winton Capital Management Limited as a sub-adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| 22. | Proxy Voting Policy adopted by Quantum Advisors Private Limited as adviser to the Q India Equity Fund – Filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated October 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
| Item 29. | Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant | |
The Dean Funds investment adviser, Dean Investment Associates LLC, is wholly owned and controlled by C.H. Dean, LLC. The C.H. Dean Companies, LLC holds the controlling interest in C.H. Dean, LLC. The Funds sub-adviser, Dean Capital Management, LLC, is controlled, by virtue of a 30% ownership in the sub-adviser, by C.H. Dean LLC. As of June 30, 2025, Dennis D. Dean Trust dated 7/25/23 and Terence M. Dean Trust dated 2/24/16 were deemed to control The C.H. Dean
Companies, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary, C.H. Dean, LLC by virtue of their controlling ownership interest in the companies. As of June 30, 2025, The C.H. Dean Companies, LLC owned 1.58%, the Dennis D. Dean Trust owned 1.33% and the Terence M. Dean Trust owned 1.60% of the Dean Mid Cap Fund. Further, as of June 30, 2025, the Dennis D. Dean Trust owned 0.40% and the Terence M. Dean Trust owned 0.34% of the Dean Small Cap Fund. As of June 30, 2025, the Terence M Dean Trust owned 0.76% of the Dean Equity Income Fund. As a result, the Dean Mid Cap Fund, Dean Small Cap Fund, and Dean Equity Income Fund may be deemed to be under common control with its investment adviser and sub-adviser. Each of the above-named companies is organized under the laws of Ohio.
Fisher Asset Management, LLC, d/b/a Fisher Investments is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company Fisher Investments, Inc. Mr. Fisher is the founder, Chairman, and Co-Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, and is the majority shareholder of Fisher Investments, Inc. As such, he controls the Adviser. As of December 28, 2024 the Adviser owned 100% of the shares of the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund, and it is anticipated that substantially all of the shares of the Fund will be owned either by the Adviser or by clients of the Adviser as to whose accounts the Adviser has discretionary investment and voting authority. As a result, the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund may be deemed to be under common control with its investment adviser. As of December 28, 2024 the Adviser owned 100% of the shares of the FI Institutional Group Stock Fund for Retirement Plans, the FI Institutional Group ESG Stock Fund for Retirement Plans, the FI Institutional Group Fixed Income Fund for Retirement Plans, the FI Institutional Group ESG Fixed Income Fund for Retirement Plans. As a result, each of these Funds may be deemed to be under common control with its investment adviser. Fisher Asset Management, LLC is organized under the laws of Delaware and Fisher Investments, Inc. is organized under the laws of California.
Mr. John H. Crawford, III, Mr. John H. Crawford, IV, and Mr. David B. Crawford each own more than 25% of the Crawford Funds investment adviser, Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. As such, they control the Adviser. As of March 31, 2024, more than 25% of the shares of the Funds were owned either by the Adviser or by clients of the Adviser as to whose accounts the Adviser has discretionary investment and voting authority and it is anticipated that this will be the case in the future. As a result, the Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund, the Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund, and the Crawford Multi-Asset Income Fund may be deemed to be under common control with Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc., which is organized under the laws of Georgia.
Mr. Robert C. Auer owns 70% of the Auer Growth Funds investment adviser, SBAuer Funds, LLC, and, as of February 28, 2025, owned 4.16% of Auer Growth Fund (the Auer Fund). As a result, the Auer Fund may be deemed to be under common control with SBAuer Funds, LLC, which is organized under the laws of Indiana.
| Item 30. | Indemnification. |
Article VI, Section 6.4 of the Declaration of Trust of Unified Series Trust, an Ohio business trust, provides that:
Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc. Subject to and except as otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trusts request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Persons office.
The Distribution Agreement with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC provides that the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Distributor and each person who has been, is, or may hereafter be a director, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of Distributor against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from the failure of Distributor or any such other person to comply with applicable law or the terms of this Agreement, or from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, including clerical errors and mechanical failures, on the part of any of such persons in the performance of Distributors duties or from the reckless disregard by any of such persons of Distributors obligations and duties under this Agreement, for all of which exceptions Distributor shall be liable to the Trust.
The Distribution Agreement with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC further provides that the Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each person who has been, is, or may hereafter be a Trustee, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of the Trust against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises out of or is alleged to arise out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary to make the statements not misleading, on the part of Distributor or any agent or employee of Distributor or any other person for whose acts Distributor is responsible, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished by the Trust; (ii) Distributors failure to exercise reasonable care
and diligence with respect to its services, if any, rendered in connection with investment, reinvestment, automatic withdrawal and other plans for Shares; and (iii) Distributors failure to comply with applicable laws and the Rules of FINRA.
The Distribution Agreement with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC provides that the Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its managers and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares or Creation Units, based upon (i) the ground that the registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements made not misleading, (ii) the Trusts failure to maintain an effective registration statement and prospectus with respect to Shares of the Fund that are the subject of the claim or demand, (iii) the Trusts failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, (iv) instructions given by the Trust, the Trusts failure to perform its duties hereunder or any inaccuracy of its representations, (v) any claim brought under Section 11 of the 1933 Act, or (vi) all actions taken by Distributor hereunder resulting from Distributors reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or approved service provider of the Trust.
The Distribution Agreement with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC further provides that the Distributor covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages, claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith) arising out of or based upon any Disqualifying Conduct by Distributor in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares.
The Registrant may maintain a standard trustees and officers liability policy. The policy, if maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its trustees and officers, and may cover the advisers and their affiliates, among others. Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
| Item 31. | Business and Other Connections of the Investment Advisers. |
| 1. | Crawford Investment Counsel, Inc. (Crawford) serves as the investment adviser for the Crawford Large Cap Dividend Fund, the Crawford Small Cap Dividend Fund, and Crawford Multi-Asset Income Fund, each a series of the Trust. John H. Crawford III serves as Founder, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager of Crawford. Further information about Crawford can be obtained from the Form ADV Part 1 available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (IAPD). | |
| 2. | Dean Investment Associates, LLC (Dean), serves as investment adviser to the Dean Funds. Stephen M. Miller serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Dean, and each of Debra E. Rindler and Pamela Miller are executive officers. Further information about Dean can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 3. | Dean Capital Management, LLC (DCM), serves as sub-adviser to the Dean Funds. Douglas Leach, Steven Roth and Kevin Laub serve as portfolio managers and are owners and members of Dean Capital Management, LLC. Further information about DCM can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 4. | Channel Investment Partners LLC (Channel) serves as the investment adviser to the Channel Short Duration Income Fund. Mr. Matthew Duch is the sole owner, Managing Member, President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Channel. Further information about Channel can be obtained from the Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 5. | Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc. (Pekin) serves as investment adviser to the Appleseed Fund. Brandon Hardy, William Pekin, Adam Strauss, and Joshua Strauss all are executive officers. Further information about Pekin can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 6. | SBAuer Funds, LLC (SBA) serves as investment adviser to the Auer Growth Fund. Mr. Ronald Brock is an executive officer of SBA. Mr. Robert Auer and Sheaff Brock Capital Management, LLC are owners of SBA. Mr. David Gilreath and Mr. Ronald Brock are members of Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors, LLC (Sheaff Brock). Further information about SBA and Sheaff Brock can be obtained from their respective Forms ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 7. | Fisher Asset Management, LLC d/b/a Fisher Investments, the adviser to the Tactical Multi-Purpose Fund and each of the FI Institutional Group Funds, provides investment advisory services for large corporations, pension plans, endowments, foundations, governmental agencies and individuals. To the knowledge of Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Fisher Investments is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature. Further information about Fisher Asset Management can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. |
| 8. | Standpoint Asset Management, LLC (Standpoint) serves as the adviser to the Standpoint Multi-Asset Fund. Standpoint Group, LLC is the majority owner of Standpoint. Eric Crittenden, William Bologna, Courtney Stover, Shawn Serikov, and Matthew Kaplan, who are operators and employees of Standpoint, own Standpoint Group, LLC. Further information about Standpoint can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 9. | Absolute Investment Advisers LLC (Absolute) serves as the adviser to the Absolute Select Value ETF, the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund, the Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund, the Absolute Flexible Fund, and Absolute CEF Opportunities. Absolute is owned and controlled by James Compson and Brian Hlidek, who are employees of Absolute. Further information about Absolute can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 10. | St. James Investment Company, LLC (St. James) serves as the subadviser to the Absolute Select Value ETF. St. James is owned and controlled by Robert Mark through Sibelius Holdings, LLC of which he is the sole controlling member, and Larry Redell. Further information about St. James can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 11. | Ballast Asset Management, LP (Ballast) serves as the adviser to the Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF. Ballast is owned and controlled by Inverdale Capital Management, LLC, which is owned and controlled by Ryan Martin and William Hardy. Further information about Ballast can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 12. | OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC (OAIS) serves as the adviser to the OneAscent Large Cap Core ETF, the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF, the OneAscent Small Cap Core ETF the OneAscent International Equity ETF and the OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF. OAIS is owned and controlled by OneAscent Holdings, LLC (OAH). Harry N. Pearson is the majority owner of OAH. Further information about OAIS can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 13. | Teachers Advisors, LLC (TAL) serves as the subadviser to the OneAscent Core Plus Bond ETF. TAL is owned and controlled by Nuveen Finance, LLC which is a subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC (Nuveen). Nuveen is a subsidiary, and represents the asset management division, of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). TIAA is the ultimate principal owner of TA. Further information about TAL can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 14. | Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (Kovitz) serves as the subadviser to the Absolute Capital Opportunities Fund. Kovitz is owned and controlled by Focus Operating, LLC which is owned and controlled by Focus Financial Partners, LLC, which is owned and controlled by Focus Financial Partners Inc. Further information about Kovitz can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 15. | Efficient Capital Management LLC (Efficient) serves as the adviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. Efficient is owned and controlled by Efficient Capital Holdings, LLC (ECH). ECH is owned and controlled by Jaffarian Management Company, LLC, which is in turn controlled by Ernest Lee Jaffarian, and Trula Madsen Jaffarian. Further information about Efficient can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 16. | AlphaSimplex Group, LLC (AlphaSimplex) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. AlphaSimplex is owned and controlled by Virtus Partners, Inc. (VPI). VPI is owned and controlled by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Further information about AlphaSimplex can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 17. | AQR Capital Management, LLC (AQR) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. AQR is owned and controlled by AQR Capital Management Holdings, LLC (AQR Holdings). AQR Holdings is owned by AQR Capital Management Group, L.P. (AQR Group) and Topspin Acquisition, LLC, and is controlled by AQR Group. AQR Group is controlled directly and indirectly by Clifford Scott Asness. Further information about AQR can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 18. | Aspect Capital Limited (Aspect) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. Anthony Todd James owns a controlling interest in Aspect. Further information about Aspect can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 19. | Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (CMIA) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. CMIA is owned and controlled by Ameriprise Financial, Inc., a publicly traded company. Further information about CMIA can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 20. | Crabel Capital Management, LLC (Crabel) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. Crabel Investments Group, LLC (CIG) owns a controlling interest in Crabel. CIG is owned and controlled by Crabel Holdings |
| LLC which is in turn owned and controlled by William Harrison Crabel. Further information about Crabel can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | ||
| 21. | Welton Investment Partners LLC (Welton) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. Welton Investment Corporation (WIC) owns a controlling interest in Welton. WIC is owned and controlled by The Welton Family Trust Dated January 28, 1992. Further information about Welton can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 22. | Winton Capital Management Limited (Winton) serves as a subadviser to the Efficient Enhanced Multi-Asset Fund. Winton Group Limited (WGL) owns a controlling interest in Winton. WGL is owned and controlled by David Winton Harding. Further information about Winton can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. | |
| 23. | Quantum Advisors Private Limited (Quantum) serves as the adviser to the Q India Equity Fund. Quantum is owned and controlled by HWIC Asia Fund Class Q Shares (HWC Asia) and Ajit Dayal. HWC Asia is owned and controlled by United States Fire Insurance Company, which is in turn controlled by Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. Further information about Quantum can be obtained from its Form ADV Part 1 available on the IAPD. |
| Item 32. | Principal Underwriters. |
| 1. | (a) | Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC is the principal underwriter for some series of the Trust. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC serves as a principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: |
Axxes Private Markets Fund Beacon Pointe Multi-Alternative Fund Booster Income Opportunities Fund Bruce
Fund, Inc. Cantor Select Portfolios Trust Cantor
Fitzgerald Infrastructure Fund CAZ
Strategic Opportunities Fund Connors Funds Dynamic Alternatives Fund Eubel Brady & Suttman Mutual Fund Trust Exchange Place Advisors Trust Fairway Private Equity & Venture Capital Opportunities Fund Fairway
Private Markets Fund HC Capital Trust Hussman Investment Trust James Advantage Funds Johnson Mutual Funds
|
Lind
Capital Partners Municipal Credit Income Fund MSS Series Trust New Age Alpha Funds Trust New Age Alpha Variable Funds Trust Oak Associates Funds OneAscent Capital Opportunities Fund OneFund Trust Papp Investment Trust Peachtree Alternative Strategies Fund Private Debt & Income Fund RM Opportunity Trust Schwartz
Investment Trust VELA Funds Volumetric Fund Waycross
Independent Trust Yorktown Funds 83 Investment Group Income Fund |
| (b) | The officers of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC are as follows: |
| Name | Position with Distributor | Position with Registrant |
| Kevin M. Guerette | President | None |
| Douglas K. Jones | Vice President | None |
| Stephen L. Preston | Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, Financial Operations Principal and AML Compliance Officer | None |
| Melvin Van Cleave | Chief Information Security Officer | None |
The address of the Distributor and each of the above-named persons is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.
| (c) | Not applicable. |
| 2. | (a) | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is the principal underwriter for some series of the Trust. Northern Lights Distributors serves as a principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Atlas U.S. Tactical Income Fund, Boyar Value Fund Inc., Copeland Trust, DGI Investment Trust, Grandeur Peak Global Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, CIM Real Assets & Credit Fund, Princeton Everest Fund, Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust (ETF), The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Texas Capital Funds Trust, THOR Financial Technologies Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, Zacks Trust, Ultimus Managers Trust (ETF), Capitol Series Trust (ETF), Valued Advisers Trust (ETF), and Unified Series Trust (ETF). |
| (b) | The officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC are as follows: |
| Name | Position with Distributor | Position with Registrant |
| Kevin Guerette | President | None |
| Bill Strait | Secretary, General Counsel, and Manager | None |
| Stephen Preston | Treasurer, FINOP, CCO and AML Officer | None |
| David James | Manager | None |
| Melvin Van Cleave | Chief Information Security Officer | None |
The address of the Distributor and each of the above-named persons is 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474.
| (c) | Not applicable. |
| Item 33. | Location of Accounts and Records. |
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
50 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02110
Will maintain physical possession of the accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Rule 31a-(b)(1), 31a-1(b) (2), and 31a-1(b)(4) through 31a-1(b)(11).
Huntington National Bank
41 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
U.S. Bank, National Association
1555 N. Rivercenter Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
50 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02110
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
38 Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263
Will maintain physical possession of accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Rule 31(b)(3) for each separate series for which the entity acts as custodian.
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, NE 68022
Will maintain physical possession of the accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by a principal underwriter by Rule 31a-1(d) for each separate series for which the entity acts as principal underwriter.
Pekin Hardy Strauss, Inc.
227 West Monroe Street
Suite 3625
Chicago, IL 60606
SBAuer
Funds, LLC
580 E Carmel Dr, Ste 350
Carmel, IN 46032
Crawford
Investment Counsel, Inc.
600 Galleria Parkway SE
Suite 1650
Atlanta, GA 30339
Dean
Investment Associates, LLC
3500 Pentagon Blvd., Suite 200
Beavercreek, OH 45431
Dean
Capital Management, LLC
7400 West 130th Street, Suite 350
Overland Park, KS 66213
Channel Investment Partners LLC
3101 Wilson Blvd., Ste 500
Arlington, VA 22201
Fisher Asset Management, LLC
6504 International Pkwy, Suite 1200
Plano, TX 75093
Standpoint Asset Management, LLC
4250 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Suite 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Absolute Investment Advisers LLC
82 S. Barrett Square, Unit 2G
Rosemary Beach, FL 32461
St. James Investment Company, LLC
535 S. Kimball Avenue, Suite 140
Southlake, TX 76092
Ballast Asset Management, LP
3879 Maple Avenue, Suite 300
Oaklawn Building
Dallas, TX 75201
OneAscent Investment Solutions, LLC
23 Inverness Center Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242
Teachers Advisors, LLC
730 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC
71 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1860
Chicago, IL 60606
Efficient Capital Management LLC
4355 Weaver Parkway, Suite 200
Warrenville, IL 60555
AlphaSimplex Group, LLC
200 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
AQR Capital Management, LLC
One Greenwich Plaza, Suite 130
3rd Floor
Greenwich, CT 06830
Aspect Capital Limited
10 Portman Square
London
United KingdomW1H 6AZ
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Crabel Capital Management, LLC
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2550
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Welton Investment Partners LLC
Eastwood Building
San Carlos Between 5th and 6th
Carmel, CA 93921
Winton Capital Management Ltd.
1 Hoopers Court
Knightsbridge, London
United Kingdom SW3 1AF
Quantum Advisors Private Limited
1st Floor, Apeejay House,
3 Dinshaw Vachha Road, Backbay Reclamation,
Churchgate, Mumbai, India 400020
Each adviser (or sub-adviser) will maintain physical possession of the accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(f) at the address listed above for each separate series of the Trust that the adviser manages.
| Item 34. | Management Services - None. |
| Item 35. | Undertakings |
Registrant hereby undertakes, if requested by the holders of at least 10% of the Registrants outstanding shares, to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a trustee(s) and to assist in communications with other shareholders in accordance with Section 16(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as though Section 16(c) applied.
Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of its latest annual report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.
Registrant hereby undertakes to carry out all indemnification provisions of its Declaration of Trust in accordance with Investment Company Act Release No. 11330 (Sept. 4, 1980) and successor releases.
Insofar as indemnifications for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling person of the Registrant pursuant to the provision under Item 30 herein, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio on August 20, 2025.
| UNIFIED SERIES TRUST | |||
| By: | /s/ Martin R. Dean** | ||
| Martin R. Dean, President | |||
Attest:
| By: | /s/ Zachary Richmond*+ | |
| Zachary
Richmond, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | |
| /s/ David R. Carson** | Interested Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| David R. Carson | |||
| /s/ Martin R. Dean** | President | August 20, 2025 | |
| Martin R. Dean | |||
| /s/ Zachary Richmond*+ | Treasurer and CFO | August 20, 2025 | |
| Zachary Richmond | |||
| /s/ Daniel Condon* | Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| Daniel Condon | |||
| /s/ Ronald Tritschler* | Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| Ronald Tritschler | |||
| /s/ Kenneth Grant* | Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| Kenneth Grant | |||
| /s/ Catharine B. McGauley*** | Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| Catharine B. McGauley | |||
| /s/ Freddie Jacobs, Jr.**** | Trustee | August 20, 2025 | |
| Freddie Jacobs, Jr. | |||
| /s/ Elisabeth A. Dahl | |||
| Elisabeth A. Dahl, Attorney in Fact |
| * | Signed pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated May 14, 2018 (+and May 17, 2018) and filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| ** | Signed pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated November 16, 2021 and filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| *** | Signed pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated October 25, 2022 and filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 18, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| **** | Signed pursuant to a Power of Attorney dated October 18, 2022 and filed with Registrants registration statement on Form N-1A dated November 18, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit Number | Description |
| EX.28.e.1.a. | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC dated July 1, 2025 – Redacted proprietary. |
| EX.28.e.1.b. | Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC – Redacted proprietary. |
| EX.28.e.2.a. | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC – Redacted proprietary. |
| EX.28.h.1.b | Amendment to Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (Notices) |
| EX.28.h.1.c. | Amendment to Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (Schedule A) – Redacted proprietary. |
| EX.28.h.3.h. | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Notices) |
| EX.28.h.3.i. | Amendment to Master Services Agreement between Registrant and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Schedule A) |
| EX.28.j. | The Consent of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to Post-Effective Amendment No. 607. |