UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a−101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [  ]

Check the appropriate box:

[  ]Preliminary proxy statement
[  ]Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).
[X]Definitive proxy statement.
[  ]Definitive additional materials.
[  ]Soliciting material under Rule 14a-12.

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Names of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):

 

 [X]No fee required.
[  ]Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5)

Total fee paid:

[  ]

Fee paid previously with materials.

[  ]Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing..
1)Amount Previously Paid:
2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3)Filing Party:
4)Date Filed:

Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF

 

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

May 22, 2023April 25, 2024

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

The enclosed Proxy Statement contains information about a proposal to approve Videnta new investment advisory agreement (the “New Advisory LLC,Agreement”) between Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Sub-Adviser”“Trust”) an affiliate, on behalf of Vident Investment Advisory, LLC, (the “Current Sub-Adviser), to serve as the trading sub-adviser to the FMC ExcelsiorSterling Capital Focus Equity ETF (the “Fund”), a series of Northern Lightsthe Trust, and Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to the Fund. The shareholders of the Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”). To do this, shareholders are being asked to approve a new investment sub-advisory agreement (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between First Manhattan Co. LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Sub-Adviserproposal at meeting (the “Meeting”) scheduled to be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time on June 30, 2023,24, 2024, at the offices of Thompson Hine, LLP, the Trust’s Counsel, at 41 S. High St. #1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215.Sterling Capital Management LLC, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601. Please take the time to carefully read the enclosed Proxy Statement and cast your vote by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy ballot.

 

The proposal is required because the current Sub-Advisory Agreementformer advisory agreement (the “Current Sub-Advisory Agreement”"Former Advisory Agreement") between the Current Sub-AdviserTrust and the Adviser will terminate automatically terminate as a result of a contemplated change in ownership of the Current Sub-Adviser.

Enclosed you will findAdviser as more fully described in the enclosed proxy statement. On or around June 30, 2024, a noticemajority controlling interest in the Adviser is expected to be acquired by Guardian Capital Group Limited, which pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and in accordance with the terms of the SpecialFormer Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, will result in an assignment and termination of the Former Advisory Agreement. In the event the transaction is completed before the Meeting, a Proxy Statement with additional information aboutor the Proposal, and a proxy card with instructions for voting. Following this letter, you will find questions and answers regardingMeeting is postponed until after June 30, 2024, the Proxy Statement that are designed to help you understand the Proxy Statement and how to cast your vote. These questions and answers are being provided as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the Proxy Statement, which we urge you to review carefully.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust believes that(the “Board”) approved an interim investment advisory agreement between the Proposal is in the best interestTrust, on behalf of the Fund, and itsthe Adviser (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) to take effect upon the change in ownership. The Interim Advisory Agreement will be effective for a period of up to 150 days after the change in ownership. As a result, shareholders and recommends that you vote “FOR” the Proposal. Importantly, approval of the Proposal will not resultFund are being asked to approve the New Advisory Agreement for the Adviser to continue managing the Fund beyond the term of the Interim Advisory Agreement.

Information on the Interim Advisory Agreement, Former Advisory Agreement and New Advisory Agreement is set forth in any increase in shareholder fees or expenses.the enclosed Proxy Statement. In addition, information on the Adviser and its expected change of ownership is included as well.

 

It is important to note that, whilealthough the Current Sub-Adviser expects toAdviser will undergo a change in ownership, the day-to-day services to the Fund will not change. In addition, no changes are being proposed to the advisory fees charged to the Fund.

We think that this proposal is in the best interest of the shareholders of the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees has unanimously recommended that shareholders of the Fund vote “FOR” the proposal.

 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1-866-839-1852.(888) 637-7798. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. For voting instructions, including a toll-free number and website for voting, please refer to the enclosed proxy ballot.

 

Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. To assure your representation at the Meeting, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy ballot whether or not you expect to be present at the Meeting. If you attend the Meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.

 

Sincerely,

 

Wendy Wang

President

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

 

 

Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF

 

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held June 30, 202324, 2024

Dear Shareholders:

 

The Board of Trustees of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”), an open-end registered management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust, has called a special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders of the FMC ExcelsiorSterling Capital Focus Equity ETF (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, to be held at the offices of Thompson Hine, LLP, 41 S. High St. #1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215,Sterling Capital Management LLC, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, on June 30, 202324, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the purpose of considering and approving the following proposals:

 

1.To approve a new investment sub-advisoryadvisory agreement by and between First Manhattan Co.the Trust and Sterling Capital Management LLC and Vident(the “New Advisory LLC. Agreement”), the investment adviser to the Fund. No fee increase in shareholder fees or expenses is being proposed.;proposed; and

2.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on MayApril 15, 20232024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on June 30, 2023.24, 2024.

 

A copy of the Notice of Shareholder Meeting, the Proxy Statement (including the proposed New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement) and Proxy Voting Ballot are available at https://proxyvotinginfo.com/p/fmc2023.www.ProxyVote.com.

 

By Order of the Board of Trustees

 

Jennifer Farrell

Secretary

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

May 22, 2023April 25, 2024

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

 

TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY BALLOT WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL

 

While we strongly encourage you to read the full text of the enclosed Proxy Statement, we are also providing you with a brief overview of the subject of the shareholder vote. Your vote is important.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Q. What proposal am I being asked to vote on?

 

A. At the Meeting, you will be asked to vote on the proposal below, and to transact any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof:

 

  1. To approve a new investment sub-advisory agreement by and between First Manhattan Co. LLC (the “Adviser”) and Vident Advisory, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”). No increase in shareholder fees or expenses is being proposed.
1.To approve a new investment advisory agreement by and between the Trust and Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “New Advisory Agreement”), the investment adviser to the Fund. No fee increase is proposed.

 

Q. Why am I being asked to approve the Proposal?

 

PursuantAs more fully described in the attached Notice and Proxy Statement, on February 2, 2024, Guardian Capital Group Limited, through its wholly owned-subsidiary Guardian Capital LLC (collectively, “Guardian Capital”), entered into an agreement to purchase all or a purchase agreement signed on March 24, 2023, Vident Capital Holdings, LLC, a subsidiaryportion of MM VAM, LLC (“VA Holdings”), is expected to acquire a majoritythe ownership interest in the Sub-AdviserAdviser held by Truist Financial Corporation (the “Transaction”). Guardian Capital is a global asset management business headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 1962, Guardian Capital is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and has a long history of stable and consistent growth, as well as successful strategic transactions and organic business building. Guardian Capital plans to operate the Adviser as a standalone entity, led by the adviser’s current team of management and senior professionals, providing continuity and stability for the Fund.

Prior to the close of the Transaction expected to occur on or around June 30, 20232024 (the “Transaction”“Closing”). MM VAM, LLC is an entity controlled by Casey Crawford. As, Truist Financial Corporation owned 100% of the voting and capital interests of the Adviser. No other shareholders owned any of the Adviser’s voting interest. Following the Closing, Date, Mr. CrawfordGuardian Capital will effectively controlown 100% of the Sub-Adviser. The Transaction is expected to be completed on or around June 30, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), subject tovoting and capital interests of the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including obtaining necessary approvals of a certain amount client consents and receipt of customary regulatory approvals. The Transaction will constitute an “assignment” underAdviser. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which and pursuant to the terms of the Former Advisory Agreement, management believes the Closing will result in a “change in control” of the Adviser and thus cause the automatic termination of the current investment sub-advisory agreement between First Manhattan Co. LLC (the “Adviser”)Former Advisory Agreement. If the Closing takes place before the Meeting, in order to avoid a lapse in advisory services to the Fund, the Adviser and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (the “Current Sub-Adviser”). As partthe Trust, on behalf of the TransactionFund, will enter into the Current Sub-Adviser’s operationsInterim Advisory Agreement, which will be assumed bybecome effective on the Sub-Adviser.

To enable the Sub-Adviser to serve as investment sub-adviser, at a meetingdate of the Board held on April 24, 2023,Closing. However, for the Board, including a majorityAdviser to continue to provide investment management services to the Fund beyond the term of the Trustees whoInterim Advisory Agreement (maximum term of 150 days after the date of the Closing), shareholders of the Fund are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined inrequired by the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), approved a new investment sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser (“New Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Under the 1940 Act, the approval of the Fund’s new Sub-Advisory Agreement also requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund.

If the Fund’s shareholdersto approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will serve as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser effective upon the later of the closing of the Transaction or shareholders approval.Advisory Agreement.

 

Q. Why are you sending me this information?

 

A. You are receiving these proxy materials because you own shares inof the Fund and have the right to vote on this very important proposal concerning your investment.

 

Q. How will the Transaction or the approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement affect me as thea Fund shareholder?

 

A. It is not anticipated thatNeither the TransactionFund nor its investment objective will change as a result of the Closing or the approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, and you will impact Fund shareholders.still own the same shares in the Fund. The terms of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement are identical to the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement except for date of execution, effectiveness term and the fact that the new entity is VA.term. The advisory fee raterates charged to the Fund will remain the same as under the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement and the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement. If approved by shareholders, the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will have an initial two-year term and will be subject to annual renewal thereafter.

 

Senior management of the Adviser and the portfolio managers of the Fund will remain unchanged. There will be no changes to the Fund’s investment strategies or the investment processes used by the Adviser as a result of the Transaction. The composition of the Board will not be changed as a direct result of the New Advisory Agreement, and the Board will continue to make decisions regarding the independent accountants, custodian, administrator, distributor, and transfer agent of the Fund. No changes are being proposed to these existing service providers at this time.

Q. What will happen if shareholders do not approve the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement?

 

A. The Trustees also approved an interim investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. Pursuant to Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act, the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement will allow the Fund an additional 150 days to obtain shareholder approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The terms of the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement are substantially identical to the terms of the Current Sub-Advisory Agreement, except for the term. If the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is not approved beforeby shareholders, the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement expireswill continue in effect until its expiration and the Board will take such action as it deems necessary and in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, which may include solicitation of theconsider other alternatives, including a new or modified request for shareholder approval of a different proposal.new advisory agreement with the Adviser, retaining a new investment adviser for the Fund (which also would need to be approved by shareholders of the Fund), or the possible liquidation and closing of the Fund.

 

 

Q. Has the Board of Trustees approved the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and how do the Trustees of the Fund recommend that I vote?

 

A. The Board unanimously approved the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement at a meeting held on April 24, 2023,March 14, 2024, and recommends that you vote FOR the proposal.

 

Q. Who will bear the costs related to this proxy solicitation?

 

A. The Sub-Adviser or its affiliate will pay for theAll costs of this proxy solicitation, includingwill be paid by the printingAdviser and mailing ofnot by the Proxy Statement and related materials. Under the terms of the Transaction, VA Holdings has agreed to reimburse the Sub-Adviser for certain expenses related to obtaining a new sub-advisory agreement for the Fund.Fund or its shareholders.

 

Q. Who is entitled to vote?

 

A. If you owned shares of the Fund as of the close of business on MayApril 15, 20232024 (the “Record Date”), you are entitled to vote.

 

Q. When and where will the Meeting be held?

 

A. The Meeting will be held at the offices of Thompson Hine, LLP, the Trust’s Counsel, at 41 S. High St. #1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215, the Fund’sSterling Capital Management LLC, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 on June 30, 202324, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time.

 

Q. How do I vote my shares?

 

A. For your convenience, there are several ways you can vote:

 

By Mail: Vote, sign and return the enclosed proxy card(s) in the enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope;

By Telephone: Call the number printed on the enclosed proxy card(s);

Via Internet: If you choose to submit a proxy via the Internet, follow the instructions provided on the proxy card; or

In Person: Attend the Meeting as described in the Proxy Statement.

 

If you submit your proxy by telephone or via the Internet, you do not need to return a proxy card by mail. Internet proxy submission is available 24 hours a day. Shareholders can vote by telephone Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by 10:11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 202324, 2024 for direct shareholders and 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 202323, 2024 for beneficial shareholders.

 

Q. What vote is required to approve the proposal?

 

A. Approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of thea Fund, which, under the 1940 Act, means an affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund present at the Meeting or represented by proxy if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares.

 

Q. What happens if I sign and return my proxy card but do not mark my vote?

 

A. Your proxy will be voted in favor of the proposal.

 

Q. May I revoke my proxy?

 

A. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by giving notice of your revocation to the Fund in writing or by phone. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the Meeting, requesting the return of your proxy and voting in person.

 

Q. How can I obtain a copy of the Fund’s annual or semi-annual report?

 

A. If you would like to receive a copy of the latest annual or semi-annual report(s) for the Fund, please call the Fund (toll-free) 1-855-907-3233,at -(888) 637-7798, or write to 4221 North 203rdStreet,225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022.450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. The reports will be furnished free of charge.

 

Q. Whom should I call for additional information about this Proxy Statement?

 

A. If you need any assistance, or have any questions regarding the proposal or how to vote, your shares, please call (toll-free) 1-866-839-1852.Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s proxy solicitor (toll free) at (888) 596-1876.

Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF

 

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE, 68022225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

PROXY STATEMENT

SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

This Proxy Statement is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with its principal office located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. The proxies are to be used at a special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders of the FMC ExcelsiorSterling Capital Focus Equity ETF (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, at the offices of Thompson Hine, LLP, the Trust’s Counsel, at 41 S. High St. #1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215Sterling Capital Management LLC, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 on June 30, 202324, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournment of the Meeting. The primary purpose of the Meeting is for shareholders of the Fund to consider and approve the following proposals:

 

1.To approve a new investment sub-advisoryadvisory agreement by and between First Manhattan Co.the Trust and Sterling Capital Management LLC and Vident(the “New Advisory LLC. Agreement”), the investment adviser to the Fund. No fee increase in shareholder fees or expenses is being proposed.;proposed; and

2.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

The date of the first mailing of this Proxy Statement will be on or about May 23, 2023.April 25, 2024. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on MayApril 15, 20232024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for

the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on June 30, 2023:24, 2024:

 

This proxy statement is available at https://proxyvotinginfo.com/p/fmc2023,www.ProxyVote.com, or by contacting the Fund at 1-855-907-3233.1-888-637-7798. To obtain directions to attend the Meeting, please call the Fund at 1-855-907-3233.1-888-637-7798. For a free copy of the Fund’s latest annual and/or semi-annual report, call (toll-free) at 1-855-907-32331-888-637-7798 or write to:

 

FMC ExcelsiorSterling Capital Focus Equity ETF

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions LLC

4221 North 203rdStreet,225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 100450

Elkhorn, NE 68022Cincinnati, OH 45246

 
4 

 

SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSAL

 

APPROVAL OF A NEW SUB-ADVISORYADVISORY AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TRUST AND

FIRST MANHATTAN CO.STERLING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC AND VIDENT ADVISORY, LLC

 

Background

 

The primary purpose of this proposal is to approve Vident Advisory,Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”“Adviser”) an affiliate of Vident Investment Advisory, LLC the current trading-sub-adviser,to continue to serve as the trading sub-adviserinvestment adviser to the FMC ExcelsiorSterling Capital Focus Equity ETF (the “Fund”), a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”). To do so, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) are requesting that shareholders approve a new sub-advisoryadvisory agreement between First Manhattan Co. LLC (the “Adviser”)the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Sub-AdviserAdviser (the “New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement”). Approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will not raise the fees paid by the Fund. The New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is materially identical to the Fund’s currentformer investment sub-advisoryadvisory agreement with Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (the “Current Sub-Adviser”),the Adviser, except for date of execution, effectiveness and term. The effective date of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will be the later of (x) the date of the Closing (as defined below), expected to be on or around June 30, 2023, or such other2024, and (y) the date that the Fund’s shareholders approve the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement.

Pursuant

On February 2, 2024, the Truist Financial Corporation entered into a purchase agreement (the “Transaction”) to sell all of its ownership interest in the Adviser to Guardian Capital LLC, a sub-advisory agreementwholly owned subsidiary of Guardian Capital Group Limited (collectively, “Guardian Capital”). Guardian Capital is a global asset management business headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 1962, Guardian Capital is listed on the Current Sub-Adviser, located at 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009, is responsibleToronto Stock Exchange and has a long history of stable and consistent growth, as well as successful strategic transactions and organic business building. Guardian Capital plans to operate the Adviser as a standalone entity, led by the adviser’s current team of management and senior professionals, providing continuity and stability for trading portfolio securities on behalfthe Fund. Because there are no changes contemplated to the staff and structure of the Fund, including selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale transactions as instructed by the Adviser or in connection with any rebalancing or reconstitution of a Fund’s respective Index, subjectadviser, there are no expected disruptions to the supervisionnature of quality of services that the Adviser andFund’s shareholders have come to expect from the Board. The Current Sub-Adviser was formed in 2014 and provides investment advisory services to ETFs, including the Fund. The Current Sub-Adviser has provided investment advisory servicesAdviser. There are no changes to the Fund since April 22, 2022. The Current Sub-Advisory Agreement was most recently approved,advisory fee being proposed as part of the Fund’s inception, by the Board, including a majorityTransaction.

The closing of the Independent Trustees, on October 21, 2021,Transaction will effect a “change in control” of the Adviser for purposes of the 1940 Act (the “Closing”). Under the 1940 Act, a party owning, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to control the company, and by the Fund’s initial shareholders on April 21, 2022.

The Sub-Adviser was formedany transaction that results in 2016 and commenced operations and registered with the SEC assuch owner reducing its interest to less than 25% is presumed to constitute a change in control of an investment adviser in 2019, and isadviser. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vident Financial, LLC (“Vident Financial”). Vident Financial was formed in 2013 to develop and license investment market solutions (indices and funds) based on strategies that combine sophisticated risk-balancing methodologies, economic freedom metrics, valuation, and investor behavior. Vident Financial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vident Investors’ Oversight Trust. Vince L. Birley, Mohammad Baki, and W. Baker Crow serve as the trustees of the Vident Investors’ Oversight Trust.

Pursuant to a purchase agreement signed on March 24, 2023, Vident Capital Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of MM VAM, LLC (“VA Holdings”) is expected to acquire a majority interest in the Sub-Adviser on or around June 30, 2023 (the “Transaction”). MM VAM, LLC is an entity controlled by Casey Crawford. Asresult of the Closing, Date Mr. Crawford will effectively control the Sub-Adviser. Upon the close of the Transaction, pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the investment sub-advisoryformer advisory agreement between the Adviser and Current Sub-Adviserthe Trust (the “Current Sub-Advisory“Former Advisory Agreement”) will automatically terminate. As part of the Transaction the Sub-Adviser will assume the entirety of the Current Sub-Adviser’s operations. For this reason, the New Sub-Advisory Agreement is with the Sub-Adviser and not the Current Sub-Adviser. The Transaction is expected to be completed on or around June 30, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including obtaining certain fund and client consents and receipt of customary regulatory approvals.

 

At a meeting held on March 14, 2024 (the "Board Meeting"), in anticipation of the Board, held on April 24, 2023 (the “Meeting”),completion of the Transaction, the Board including a majority ofapproved the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined by the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Trustees”), approved (i) a new investment sub-advisory agreement between the AdviserNew Advisory Agreement, and VA (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreement”); and an (ii) interim advisory agreement between the Adviser and VAthe Trust (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”). The New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will not be effective with respect to the Fund until approved by a majority vote of the outstanding shares of such Fund in accordance with the Fund. VIA1940 Act. The Adviser will continue to manage the Fund pursuant to the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement which will become effective upon closing of the Transaction,Closing for up to 150 days from the date of the TransactionClosing or until the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is approved by shareholders

Under the 1940 Act, the approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund. The “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of the vote of shareholders holding (i) 67% or more of the voting

securities of a Fund present at the Special Meeting or represented by proxy if holders of more than 50% of such Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. Shareholders will have equal voting rights (i.e., one vote per share). Abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner or the persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) will have the same effect as votes against the Proposal. Accordingly, you are being asked to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The Board believes the Proposal is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and recommends that you vote “FOR” the Proposal. Importantly, approval of the Proposal will not result in any increase in shareholder fees or expenses.shareholders.

 

The TransactionClosing will not result in any change in the Fund’s investment objectives and strategies. Nor will it result in any change inUpon the Fund’s portfolio manager. The Sub-Adviser is an affiliateClosing, the senior management of the Current Sub-Adviser. Other thanAdviser will remain unchanged and the change in ownership theAdviser's personnel from the Current Sub-Adviser who currently service the Fund, including the portfolio managers, will remain the same. Approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will not increase the advisory fees paid by the Fund or its shareholders. The effective date of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement with respect to the Fund will be the later of (x) the date of the closing, expected to be on or around June 30, 2024, and (y) the date it is approved by the Fund’s shareholders orshareholders. There will be no changes to the closing dateFund’s investment processes used by the Adviser as a result of the Transaction.Closing. The composition of the Board will not be changed as a direct result of the New Advisory Agreement, and the Board will continue to make decisions regarding the independent accountants, custodian, administrator, distributor, and transfer agent of the Fund. No changes are being proposed to these existing service providers at this time.

 

Please see the section below entitled “Evaluation by the Board of Trustees” for a detailed discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that form the basis for the recommendation of the Board that the shareholders approve the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement.

5

 

Information Concerning the Sub-AdviserAdviser

 

Vident Advisory,The Adviser is a DelawareNorth Carolina limited liability company iswith its headquarters located at 1125 Sanctuary Parkway,4350 Congress Street, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 and1000, Charlotte, NC 28209. The Adviser is a registeredan investment adviser that provides portfolio management services to separately managed accounts, ETFs,registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Fund. As the trading sub-adviser Vident Advisory will be responsible for trading portfolio securities on behalfInvestment Advisers Act of the Fund, including selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale, subject to the supervision of the Adviser. Currently, VA is a limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vident Financial. Vident Financial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vident Investors’ Oversight Trust. Vince L. Birley, Mohammad Baki, and W. Baker Crow serve1940, as the trustees of the Vident Investors’ Oversight Trust. Vident Financial and the Vident Investors’ Oversight Trust are located at the same address as VA. After the close of the Transaction, Casey Crawford, through VA Holdings, will control the Sub-Adviser. VA Holdings is located at 8024 Calvin Hall Road, Fort Mill, South Carolina 29707.amended (“Advisers Act”). As of April 30, 2023,March 31, 2024, the Sub-AdviserAdviser had in aggregate approximately $1.37$67.6 billion in assets under management.

 

Information regardingUpon the Closing, Guardian Capital will own 100% of the voting interest of the Adviser. No other shareholder will own any voting interest in the Adviser.

The names and titles and principal occupations of the current principal executive officers and directors of the Sub-Adviser isAdviser are set forth below. After the Closing, Mr. Dowhower will no longer serve on the board of the Adviser. No other changes are anticipated as a result of the Closing. The address of the Sub-Adviser and its executive officers and directorseach is 1125 Sanctuary Parkway,4350 Congress Street, Suite 515, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. The following individuals are the executive officers and directors of VA:1000, Charlotte, NC 28209.

 

NamePosition with VATitle
Deborah KimeryRobert BridgesSenior Managing Director and Board Member
Scott HaenniSenior Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
Erik OlsenAlexander McAlisterSenior Managing Director, President Emeritus, and Board Member
Mark MontgomerySenior Managing Director and Board Member
Charles DurhamExecutive Director and Chief Compliance Officer
Casey McIntyreManaging Director and Chief Operating Officer
Brian DowhowerBoard Member

 

No Trustee or officer of the Trust currently holds any position with the Sub-Adviser or its affiliated persons. No Trustee or officer of the Trust holds any position with VA Holdings or its affiliated persons.

The New Investment Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement

 

The terms of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement are identical in all material respects to those of the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement, except for the date of commencement, term and renewal. Under the terms of both the Current

Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, the sub-adviserAdviser is entitled to receive an annual fee from the Advisereach Fund equal to 0.06% on AUM up to $250,000,000, 0.055% on AUM between $250,000,000 and $500,000,000, and 0.05% on AUM in excess of $500,000,000 0.59% of the FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF’sFund’s average daily net assets. SubjectFor such compensation, the Adviser, at its expense, furnishes a continuing investment program for the Fund, makes investment decisions on behalf of the Fund, and places all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, subject to an annual minimum of $25,000.the Fund’s investment objective, policies, and restrictions and such policies as the Board may determine. Under the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement, the fees paid to the Current Sub-AdviserAdviser for the fiscal periodyear ended February 28,May 31, 2023, were $36,505.$320,278.

As adviser to the Fund, subject to the Board's oversight, the Adviser supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others. The Adviser also ensures compliance with the Fund's investment policies and guidelines. The Former Advisory Agreement, dated July 14, 2020, was initially approved by the Fund’s then sole shareholder on August 25, 2020. At the time of this Proxy Statement, the Former Advisory Agreement was most recently renewed by the Board at a meeting held on April 24, 2023.

 

The Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement provide that the sub-adviserAdviser shall not be subject to any liability in connection with the performance of its services thereunder in the absence of willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith, or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.

 

The New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will continue in force for an initial period of two years, and from year to year thereafter with respect to theeach Fund, but only so long as its continuance is approved at least annually with respect to such by the Board at a meeting called for that purpose or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund.Fund in accordance with the 1940 Act. The New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will automatically terminate on its assignment (as such term is used for purposes of the 1940 Act) and is terminable upon notice by the Sub-AdviserAdviser or the Board on not more than sixty days’days' notice.

6

The form of New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is attached as Exhibit A. You should read the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement. The description in this Proxy Statement of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is only a summary.

 

Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement

 

If the closeAs a result of the Transaction should occurClosing potentially occurring prior to shareholder approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, the Trust faced the potential that the Trust would not, after the Closing, have an investment sub-advisoryadvisory agreement in place for the Fund that has been approved by shareholders of the Fund in accordance with the 1940 Act. In order forto ensure that the Sub-Adviser toAdviser would continue as the Fund’s trading sub-adviser should that occur,investment adviser after the Closing, the Board, of Trustees, including all the Independent Trustees, by a vote on April 24, 2023,March 14, 2024, unanimously approved the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement with the Sub-AdviserAdviser pursuant to Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act.Act and in accordance with SEC Release No. 33897 with respect to in-person voting requirements. The Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement will becomeis effective on the closeas of the Transaction if shareholder approval has not already been obtained.date of the Closing, and would replace the Former Advisory Agreement as of such date. 

 

The Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is substantially similar to the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, except that it includes certain provisions required by Rule 15a-4 under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement has a maximum term of 150 days. Further, the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement provides that, with respect to the Fund, the TrusteesBoard or a majority of such Fund’sthe Fund's outstanding voting securities may terminate the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement with respect to that Fund at any time without penalty on not more than 10 days’days' written notice, and that the compensation earned by the Sub-AdviserAdviser under the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is being held in an escrow account until such Fund shareholders approve the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, after which the amount in the escrow account with respect to such Fund, plus any interest, will be paid to the Sub-Adviser.Adviser. If shareholders of the FundFund’s shareholders do not approve the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, the Sub-AdviserAdviser will be paid the lesser of the costs incurred, plus any interest earned on such amount, in performing its obligations under the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement or the total amount in the escrow account with respect to the Fund, plus any interest.

 

TheFrom and after the Closing, the Fund will continue to be managed by the Sub-AdviserAdviser under the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement until such time as the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is approved by shareholders or the term of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement has expired.expired (unless the Interim Advisory Agreement is otherwise earlier terminated in accordance with its terms). If the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement with the Adviser is not approved by the Fund’s shareholders in accordance with the 1940 Act, the Board and the Adviser will consider other options, including a new or modified request for shareholder approval of a New Sub-Advisory Agreement,new advisory agreement with the Adviser, retaining a new sub-adviserinvestment adviser for the Fund which(which also would need to be approved by shareholders of the Fund,Fund), or the possible liquidation and closing of the Fund.

 

Evaluation by the Board of Trustees

 

At a meeting of the Board on April 24, 2023,March 14, 2024, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met to consider the approval of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement between the AdviserTrust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser.Adviser.

 

In advance of the April 24, 2023March 14, 2024 meeting, the Board requested and received materials to assist them in considering the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement. The materials provided contained information with respect to the factors enumerated below, including the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, a memorandum prepared by the Independent Trustee’sTrustees’ independent legal counsel discussing in detail the Board’s fiduciary obligations and the factors they should assess in considering the approval of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and comparative information relating to the advisory fee and other expenses of the Fund. The materials also included materials relating to the Sub-AdviserAdviser (including a memorandum from the Adviser describing the Transaction, the Sub-Adviser’sAdviser’s Form ADV, select financial information of the Sub-Adviser,Adviser, bibliographic information regarding the Sub-Adviser’sAdviser’s key management, and investment advisory personnel, and comparative fee, expense and performance information relating to the Fund) and other pertinent information. The Board also engaged in conversations directly with senior officersrepresentatives of the Sub-AdviserAdviser at the April 24, 2023March 14, 2024 meeting discussing, among other things, the terms, conditions, and expected timing of the TransactionClosing and the reasons that the Sub-Adviser wasAdviser and Guardian Capital were undergoing the Transaction. Based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Sub-Adviser,Adviser, in conjunction with information provided by the Fund’s other service providers, the Board, by a unanimous vote (including a separate vote of the Independent Trustees), approved the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement with respect to the Fund. The Independent Trustees were advised by counsel that is experienced in 1940 Act matters and that is independent of fund management and met with such counsel separately from fund management.

7

In considering the approval of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and reaching their conclusions, the Board reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors enumerated below. The Board relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached by the Board were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided, both in written and verbal form, and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement. The following summarizes the Board’s review process and the information on which their conclusions were based:

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. As toThe Board reviewed the nature, extent,experience and qualitycredentials of the services provided by the Sub-Adviser tokey professionals servicing the Fund noting there had been no changes over the Board first discussedpersonnel servicing the Transaction and its impact onFund in the Sub-Adviser, including its key personnel.past year. The Board also noted that it met with representatives of the Sub-Adviser and approved the Current Sub-Advisory Agreement at its meeting on October 20, 2021. The Board then reviewed materials provided by the Sub-Adviser related to the Transaction as well as the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement and New Sub-Advisory Agreement to be entered into with the Trust. The Board also reviewed other materials provided by the Sub-Adviser, updated as necessary from the October 20, 2021 meeting where it approved the Current Sub-Advisory Agreement, including a description of the limited services performed as trading sub-adviser and executed and a review of the professional personnel that would perform servicesportfolio manager for the Fund including the individuals that would be primarily responsible for monitoring and executing the investment process.had extensive asset management experience. The Board then discussedobserved that the extent ofAdviser managed the Sub-Adviser’sFund’s investments, conducted investment research, capabilities,placed trade orders, and provided related administrative services and facilities for the quality of its compliance infrastructure and the experience of its fund management personnel. The Board considered the Sub-Adviser’s specific responsibilities in all aspects of the day-to-day managementoperation of the Fund. The Board notedreviewed the measures and controls the Adviser had in place for monitoring and mitigating risk and for ensuring compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations. The Board reviewed the factors considered by the Adviser in selecting broker-dealers for portfolio transactions. It remarked that none of the Sub-Adviser’s personnel responsible for servicing or managing the Fund would change, and thatreported no cybersecurity incidents, material compliance issues, regulatory examinations or investigations, or any litigation or administrative actions in the investment process and day-to-day operations of the Fund are not expected to change. The Board was advised by the Trust’s CCO that the Sub-Adviser had adequate compliance policies and procedures which, in his opinion, were reasonably designed to protect the Sub-Adviser and the Fund from violations of the federal securities laws. Additionally, the Board received satisfactory responses from representatives of the Sub-Adviser with respect to a series of important questions, including questions related to any lawsuits or pending regulatory actions involving the Sub-Adviser, Vident Capital Holdings, LLC and Mr. Crawford that might materially impact the management of the Fund; whether the management of other accounts would conflict with its management of the Fund; and the procedures the Sub-Adviser has in place to fairly allocate trades among its respective clients. The Board considered that, under the terms of the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement and New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser, subject to oversight by the Board, would continue to provide the Fund with same level of investment services and would continuously furnish an investment trading program for the Fund consistent with the respective investment objective and policies of the Fund. The Board then reviewed the capitalization of the Sub-Adviser based on financial information and other materials provided by the Sub-Adviser and discussed the financial condition of Vident Capital Holdings, LLC.past year. The Board concluded that it could expect the Sub-Adviser and its anticipated parent were sufficiently well-capitalized in order

for the Sub-AdviserAdviser to meet its obligationscontinue providing satisfactory service to the Fund noting the financial strength ofand its immediate and indirect parent companies.shareholders.

Performance. The Board took into accountnoted that Fund has had positive returns over the additional capital1-year, 3-year and since inception periods, and that will be providedFund’s performance was equal to the Sub-Adviser from its parent after the close of the Transaction.peer group median over all periods. The Board also concludedcommented that the Sub-Adviser had sufficient qualityannualized return for the 1-year period ended January 31, 2024 was 27.94%, compared to the benchmark index of 34.99% and depththe Morningstar category median of personnel, resources, investment methods and compliance policies and procedures necessary to perform its duties under the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement and New Sub-Advisory Agreement and that the nature, overall quality and extent of the management services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser after the Transaction were satisfactory.32.02%. The Board concluded that the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Current Sub-Advisory Agreement was satisfactory and reliable and they did not expect them to change under the Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement and New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board additionally noted that the Sub-Adviser will have access to the greater financial resources of its Parent, which is expected to allow the Sub-Adviser to grow the research and investment management capabilities it provides to the Fund.

Performance.  The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark. The Board noted the limited performance history given the recent inception of the Fund. The Trustees considered the Fund’s performance since inception periods and noted that while it underperformed the period was too short of a period for any meaningful analysis. Based on this, the Trustees concluded the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

 

The Board also noted that the Transaction will not result in adjustments to the strategy or investment process.

Fees and Expenses. As to the costs of the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser, theThe Board reviewed and discussed the sub-advisoryFund’s advisory fee to be paid to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser. The Board also considered the totaland net expense ratio against its peer group and Morningstar category. The Board noted that Fund was charged a unitary advisory fee of 0.59%, which was lower than the averages of the Fund.peer group and Morningstar category. The Board concluded that the advisory fee charged to Fund was not unreasonable.

Profitability.Profitability. The Board considered Adviser’s profitability analysis with regards to Fund, noting that the levelanalysis reflected the Adviser’s operation of profits that could be expected to accrue to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund based on reports and analyses reviewed by the Board, the selected financial information of the Sub-Adviser provided by the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser’s representation that it didwas not expect any material changes to the firm’s profitability post-Transaction.

After review and discussion, theprofitable. The Board concluded that based onexcessive profitability was not an issue for the services provided by the Sub-Adviser, the current assets of the Fund and the projected growth of the Fund, profits from the Sub-Adviser’s relationship with the Fund were not excessive.Adviser at this time.

 

Economies of Scale. As toThe Board reviewed whether the extent to which the Fund will realizeAdviser had achieved economies of scale as it grows,with respect to its management of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s assets under management of approximately $65 million was not conducive to achieving economies of scale. The Board acknowledged the Adviser’s plan to increase its assets under management and whetheragreed to revisit the fee levels reflect thesetopic of economies of scale for the benefit of investors, the Board discussed the current size of the Fund and the expectations for growth of the Fund.After discussion, the Board concluded that significant economies of scale would likely not be achieved in the near term.at a later date.

 

Conclusion. Having requested and received such information from the Sub-AdviserAdviser as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees voting separately, determined with respect to the Fund separately that (a) the terms of the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement are reasonable; (b) the investment advisory fees payable pursuant to the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement are reasonable;not unreasonable; and (c) the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Based on the Trustees’ deliberations and their evaluation of the information described above and other factors and information they believed relevant, the Board, by separate vote of the Independent Trustees and the entire Board, unanimously approved both the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and voted to recommend the Interim Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement and New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement to shareholders for approval.

8

Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act

 

Because the TransactionClosing may be considered to result in a change of control of the Sub-AdviserAdviser under the 1940 Act resulting in the assignmenttermination (due to a deemed assignment) of the Current Sub-AdvisoryFormer Advisory Agreement, the Sub-AdviserAdviser intends for the TransactionClosing to come within the safe harbor provided by Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act, which permits an investment Sub-Adviseradviser of a registered investment company (or any affiliated persons of the investment Sub-Adviser)adviser) to receive any amount or

benefit in connection with a sale of an interest in the investment Sub-Adviseradviser that results in an assignment of an investment advisory contract, provided that the following two conditions are satisfied.

 

First, an “unfair burden” may not be imposed on the investment company as a result of the sale of the interest, or any express or implied terms, conditions or understandings applicable to the sale of the interest. The term “unfair burden,” as defined in the 1940 Act, includes any arrangement during the two-year period following the transaction whereby the investment adviser (or predecessor or successor adviser), or any “interested person” of the adviser (as defined in the 1940 Act), receives or is entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, from the investment company or its security holders (other than fees for bona fide investment advisory or other services), or from any person in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other property to, from or on behalf of the investment company (other than ordinary fees for bona fide principal underwriting services). The Sub-AdviserAdviser has confirmed for the Board that the TransactionClosing will not impose an unfair burden on anythe Fund within the meaning of Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act.

 

Second, during the three-year period following the Transaction,Closing, at least 75% of the members of the investment company’s board of trustees cannot be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the sub-adviserinvestment adviser (or predecessor sub-adviser)adviser). At the present time, 100% of the Trustees are classified as Independent Trustees; i.e., not interested persons of the Trust. The Board has committed to ensuring that at least 75% of the Trustees would not be “interested persons” of the Sub-AdviserAdviser for a period of three years after the Transaction.Closing.

 

Accordingly, the Board, including theall of whom are Independent Trustees, unanimously recommends that shareholders of the Fund vote “FOR” approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

OPERATION OF THE FUND

 

The Fund is a diversified series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, an open-end investment management company organized as a Delaware statutory trust and formed by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Trust’s principal executive offices are located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. The Board oversees the business activities of the Fund. Like other mutual funds,series of the Trust, the Fund retains various firms to perform specialized services. The Sub-AdviserAdviser currently serves as the Fund’s trading sub-adviser.investment adviser.

 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, serves as principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund. Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, provides the Fund with transfer agent,fund accounting and administrative services. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. serves as the Fund’s transfer agent.

 

The most recent annual report of the Fund, including audited financial statements for the fiscal periodyear ended February 28,May 31, 2023, has been mailed previously to shareholders. If you have not received this report or would like to receive additional copies of the Annual Report or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders, Prospectus and/or SAI, free of charge, please contact the Fund at the address set forth on the first page of this Proxy Statement or by calling (toll-free) 1-855-907-3233(888) 637-7798 and they will be sent to you by first class mail.

 

THE PROXY

 

The Board solicits proxies so that each shareholder has the opportunity to vote on the proposals to be considered at the Meeting. A proxy for voting your shares at the Meeting is enclosed. The shares represented by each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the Meeting as specified. If no specification is made, the shares represented by a duly executed proxy will be voted: for approval of the New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement; and at the discretion of the holders of the proxy, on any other matter that may come before the Meeting that the Trust did not have notice of a reasonable time prior to the mailing of this Proxy Statement. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (1) submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, (2) submitting a written notice to the President of the Trust revoking the proxy, or (3) attending and voting in person at the Meeting.

79 

 

VOTING INFORMATION

 

As of the Record Date, the Fund had the following number ofthere were 2,375,000 shares of beneficial interest of the Fund issued and outstanding:outstanding.

FundShares of Beneficial Interest Issued and Outstanding
FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF3,165,000

 

All shareholders of record of the Fund on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Meeting on the Proposal. Each shareholder is entitled to one (1) vote per share held.

 

An affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund is required for the approval of the proposed New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement. As defined in the 1940 Act, a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funda fund means the vote of (1) 67% or more of the voting shares of the fund present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the fund, whichever is less.

 

Thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the shares of the Fund present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at the Meeting.

 

Broker non-votes and abstentions will be considered present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum and the number of shares of the Fund represented at the Meeting, but they are not affirmative votes for any proposal.

As a result, with respect to approval of the proposed New Sub-AdvisoryAdvisory Agreement, non-votes and abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal because the required vote is a percentage of the shares present or outstanding.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

 

To the best knowledge of the Trust, except as listed below, there were no Trustees or officers of the Trust or other shareholders who were the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund on the Record Date. As of the Record Date, the Trust knows of no other person (including any “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.

 

Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares.

 

Although the Trust does not have information concerning its beneficial ownership held in the names of DTC Participants, the following table lists each DTC Participant that owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of anythe Fund as of the Record Date:

 

FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETFName & Address

Percentage of

Shares Owned

Type of Ownership Fund

Pershing LLC

One Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NY 07399

88.19%Record

Charles Schwab & Co.

2423 E Lincoln Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85016

42.07%

National Financial Services LLC

499 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

8.91%Record47.18%

10

 

Shareholders owning more than 25% of the shares of the Fund are considered to “control” the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. Persons controlling the Fund can determine the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval. As a group, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned 0% of the outstanding shares of the Fund as of the Record Date. As a result, the Trustees and officers as a group are not deemed to control the Fund due to their ownership of share of the Fund.

 

As of the Record Date, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1.00% of the Fund’s outstanding shares. As of the Record Date, the Independent Trustees, and their respective immediate family members, did not own any securities beneficially or of record in the Sub-AdviserAdviser or its parents or subsidiaries of either, or any of their respective affiliates.

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

The Trust is generally not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and the Trust generally does not hold a meeting of shareholders in any year, unless certain specified shareholder actions, such as the election of trustees or the approval of a New Sub-Advisory Agreement,new advisory agreement, are required to be taken under state law or the 1940 Act.

 

The Trust has not received any shareholder proposals to be considered for presentation at the Meeting. Under the proxy rules of the SEC, shareholder proposals may, under certain conditions, be included in the Trust’s Proxy Statement and proxy for a particular meeting. Under these rules, proposals submitted for inclusion in the Trust’s proxy materials must be received by the Trust within a reasonable time before the solicitation is made. The fact that the Trust receives a shareholder proposal in a timely manner does not ensure its inclusion in its proxy materials, because there are other requirements in the proxy rules relating to such inclusion. You should be aware that annual meetings of shareholders are not required as long as there is no particular requirement under the 1940 Act, which must be met by convening such a shareholder meeting. Any shareholder proposal should be sent to Wendy Wang, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, 4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022.

 

COST OF SOLICITATION

 

The Board is making this solicitation of proxies. The Trust has engaged Morrow Sodali FundBroadridge Financial Solutions, LLCInc. (“MSFS”Broadridge”), a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation. The estimated fees anticipated to be paid to MSFSBroadridge are approximately $6,000.between $19,832 and $22,765. The cost of preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting and proxy and any additional materials relating to the Meeting and the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Sub-Adviser.Adviser. In addition to solicitation by mail, the Trust will request banks, brokers and other custodial nominees and fiduciaries, to supply proxy materials to the respective beneficial owners of shares of theeach Fund of whom they have knowledge, and the Sub-AdviserAdviser will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing. Certain officers, employees and agents of the Trust and the Sub-AdviserAdviser may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, facsimile transmission, or mail, for which they will not receive any special compensation.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board knows of no other matters to be presented at the Meeting other than as set forth above. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting that the Trust did not have notice of a reasonable time prior to the mailing of this Proxy Statement, the holders of the proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment, and discretionary authority to do so is included in the proxy.

 

REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

 

The presence of a shareholder at the Meeting will not automatically revoke such shareholder’s proxy. A shareholder may, however, revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing a written notice of revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to: FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETFto the Fund c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788, by calling 1-855-907-32331-888-637-7798 or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. All valid, unrevoked proxies will be voted at Meeting.

11

 

PROXY DELIVERY

 

If you and another shareholder share the same address, the Trust may only send one Proxy Statement unless you or the other shareholder(s) request otherwise. Call or write to the Fund if you wish to receive a separate copy of the Proxy Statement, and the Fund will promptly mail a copy to you. You may also call or write to the Fund if you wish to receive a separate proxy in the future or if you are receiving multiple copies now and wish to receive a single copy in the future. For such requests, call the Fund at 1-855-907-3233,(888) 637-7798, or write the Fund at 4221 North 203rdStreet, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022

10 

 12

EXHIBITS:

Appendix A

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTNORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IV

withand

Vident Advisory,STERLING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

 

This INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORYADVISORY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 24th day of April, 2023 by and among First Manhattan Co., LLC a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of New York, with its principal place of business at 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the “Adviser”), and Vident Advisory, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business located at 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515, Alpharetta, GA 30009 (the “Sub-Adviser”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Northern Lights Fund Trust[ ], 2024, between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Sterling Capital Management LLC, a North Carolina limited liability Company (the “Adviser”), located at 4350 Congress Street, Suite 1000, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”“Act”);

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;

WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a “Fund,” and collectively as the “Funds”);

WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”);1940; and

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 20, 2022, as amendedTrust desires to add additional series, with the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, Sub-Adviser and its personnel are duly registered to conduct their business in the jurisdictions in which the Sub-Adviser conducts business and Sub-Adviser is engaged in the business of supplying investment advice as an independent contractor; and

WHEREAS, the Investment Advisory Agreement contemplates thatretain the Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform some or all of the services for which the Adviser is responsible; and

WHEREAS, the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish suchrender investment advisory services to the Adviser andTrust with respect to the Fund listed in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Services of the Adviser.

1.1 Schedule AInvestment Advisory Services. Subject to this Agreementthe supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Fund”“Board”), as such Schedule may be amendedthe Adviser shall regularly provide the Fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision and shall furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio of securities and other investments. The Adviser shall determine from time to time upon mutual agreementwhat securities and other investments and instruments will be purchased, retained, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion of the parties.

A G R E E M E N T

NOW, THEREFORE, in considerationassets of the mutual covenantsFund’s portfolio will be held in the various securities and benefits set forth herein,other investments in which the parties do hereby agreeFund invests, and shall implement those decisions (including the execution of investment documentation and agreements), all subject to the provisions of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), the Act and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and interpretive guidance issued thereunder by the SEC staff and any other applicable federal and state law, as follows:

11 
1.Dutieswell as the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Sub-Adviser. Subject to supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall manage all of the securities and other investment assets of the Fund entrusted to it hereunder (the “Assets”), including the purchase, retention and disposition of the Assets, subject to the provisions of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-Laws and in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, guidelines, policies and restrictions as stated in each Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) and all portions of and exhibits to the related registration statement on Form N-1A (together, the “Fund Registration Statement”), as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, and subject to the following:
(a)The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to subparagraph (b), determine from time to time what Assets will be purchased, retained or sold by the Fund, and what portion of the Assets will be invested or held uninvested in cash or cash equivalent instruments as is permissible.
(b)In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, the SAI, the written instructions and directions of the Adviser and of the Board, the terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust as amended from time to time and provided to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust’s policies and procedures provided to the Sub-Adviser and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Commodity Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and case law that relate to the services and relationships described hereunder and to the conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s business as a registered investment adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain compliance procedures that are adequate to ensure the compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity undertaken by the Adviser or by the Board shall limit the Sub-Adviser’s full responsibility for any of the foregoing.
(c)The Sub-Adviser shall determine the Assets to be purchased or sold by the Fund as provided in subparagraph (a) and consistent with instructions from the Adviser (if any) and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers or dealers to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage set forth in the Fund’s Registration Statement or as the Board or the Adviser may direct in writing from time to time, in conformity with all federal securities laws. In executing Fund transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Fund the best execution and overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant, including but not limited to the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the speed of execution, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on
12 

a continuing basis. Consistent with any guidelines establishedother specific policies adopted by the Board and disclosed to the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized as the agent of the Trust to give instructions to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and other investments and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. Subject to applicable provisions of the Act and direction from the Board, the investment program to be provided hereunder may entail the investment of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund in one or more investment companies.

Page 1 of 10

The Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) to the Sub-AdviserFund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Adviser is authorized to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if but only if, the Sub-AdviserAdviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission wasis reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealerdealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities which the Adviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Board may adopt policies and procedures that modify and restrict the Adviser’s authority regarding the execution of the Sub-Adviser to its discretionary clients, including the Fund. In addition, the Sub-Adviser is authorized to allocate purchase and sale orders for securities to brokersFund’s portfolio transactions provided herein.

The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or dealers (including brokers and dealers that are affiliatedperson associated with the Adviser Sub-Adviseror any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv) provided the transaction complies with the Trust’s Rule 17e-1 policies and procedures.

1.2 Administrative Services. The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator. The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:

1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities. Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are, in the Adviser’s sole discretion, reasonably adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.

1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions, which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.

1.2.3 Agents. Provide reasonable assistance to the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust’s shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.

Page 2 of 10

1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser’s directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.

1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Provide reasonable assistance in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by the Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Fund and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund, under federal and state securities and tax laws.

1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement (“Additional Series”), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Trust’s principal underwriter) ifAdviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.

1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser believesTrust of any material change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act. The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

2.    Expenses. The Adviser shall pay all of the expenses of the Fund, except for: (i) the fee payment under this Agreement, (ii) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (iii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iv) any Rule 12b-l fees, (v) acquired fund fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); (vii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (viii) taxes; and (ix) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).

3.Advisory Fee

As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to the Fund’s average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to the Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 1.3 of this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to the Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for the Fund.

4.Proxy Voting

The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. The Adviser agrees to provide a copy of its proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.

Page 3 of 10

5.Records

5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats the Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.

5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the qualityAdviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what they would be with other qualified firms. In no instance, however, will the Assets be purchased fromany such records.

6.Reports to Adviser

The Trust shall furnish or soldotherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of the Fund's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.

7.Reports to the Trust

The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.

8.Code of Ethics

The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. The Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust at least annually or as more frequently reasonably requested by the Trust a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent “access persons” (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.

9.Retention of Sub-Adviser

Subject to the Trust’s principal underwriter,obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser’s own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of the Fund. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s duties hereunder.

Page 4 of 10

10.Services to Other Clients

Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Trust, Adviser the Sub-Adviserto render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or the principal underwriter, acting as principalinvestment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in the transaction, except to the extent permitted by the SEC and the 1940 Act.other business activities.

(d)11.The Sub-Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to transactions involving the Assets required by subparagraphs (b)(1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) and paragraph (f)Limitation of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser shall keep the books and records relating to the Assets required to be maintained by the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement and shall timely furnish to the Adviser all information relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement needed by the Adviser to keep the other books and recordsLiability of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, as requested by the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains on behalf of the Fund are property of the Fund and the Sub-Adviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such records. In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer said records to any successor sub-adviser (approved in accordance with applicable law) upon the termination of this Agreement (or, if there is no successor sub-adviser, to the Adviser).
(e)The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Fund’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Assets and shall provide the Adviser with such information upon request of the Adviser and shall otherwise cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust.its Personnel
(f)The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser performs investment advisory services for various other clients in addition to the Fund and, to the extent it is
13 

consistent

Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with applicablethe Adviser’s discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Sub-Adviser’s fiduciary obligations,Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Sub-Adviser may giveTrustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice and take action with respect to anyor recommendation of those other clients that may differ from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken for the Fund.

(g)The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any financial condition that is reasonably and foreseeably likely to impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement.
(h)The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for reviewing proxy solicitation materials and voting and handling proxies. The Sub-Adviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of the Adviser, the Fund or the Assets in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies) relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter. Sub-Adviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Assets or any other matter, but will promptly notify the Adviser, the Fund or the Trust’s custodian of any class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Assets of which it becomes aware.
(i)In performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or a sub-adviser to a portfolio that is under common control with the Fund concerning the Assets, except as permitted by the policies and procedures of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall not provide investment advice to any assets of the Fund other than the Assets, which it sub-advises.
(j)On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in a manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients under the circumstances.
(k)The Sub-Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Fund’s securities transactions and keep the Board and the Adviser fully informed on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser of all material facts concerning the Sub-Adviser and its key investment personnel providing services with respect to the Fund and the investment and the reinvestment of the Assets of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Adviser or the Board such reasonably requested regular, periodic and special reports, balance sheets or financial information, and such other information with regard to its affairs as the Adviser or Board may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser will attend meetings with the Adviser and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing. Upon the request of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser shall also furnish to the Adviser any other information relating to the Assets that is required to be filed by the Adviser or the Trust with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the
14 

1940 Act (including the rules adopted thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust obtains fromor its shareholders to which the SEC.

(l)The fair valuation of securitiesAdviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the Fund may be required when the Adviser becomes aware of significant events that may affect the pricing of all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide assistance in determining the fair value of the Assets, as necessary and reasonably requested by the Adviser or its agent and shall implement the valuations provided by the Advisor (if any). .
2.Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Sub-Adviser’s performance of the Adviser’s duties, or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with its management of the Assets, nothing herein shall be construed to relieve the Sub-Adviser of responsibility for compliance with the Prospectus, the SAI, the written instructions and directions of the Board, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable laws and regulations, as each is amended from time to time.
3.Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Sub-Adviser with copies of each of the following documents:

(a)               The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (such Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and as amended from timeor (ii) to time, herein calledprotect any director, manager, officer or employee of the “Declaration of Trust”);

(b)               Amended and Restated By-LawsAdviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust (such By-Laws, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as amended from time to time, are herein called the “By-Laws”);

(c)               The Fund Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and SAIagainst any liability of the Fund, as amended from timeTrust or its shareholders to time;

(d)               Resolutionswhich such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Board approvingduties involved in the engagementconduct of such person's office with the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser toTrust. Without limiting the Fund;

(e)               Resolutions, policiesfiduciary and procedures adopted by the Board with respect to the Assets to the extent such resolutions, policies and procedures may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser hereunder;

(f)                A list of the Trust’s principal underwriter and each affiliated personcontractual responsibilities of the Adviser, the Trust or the principal underwriter;acknowledges and

(g)               The terms and conditions of exemptive and no-action relief granted to the Trust, as amended from time to time.

The Adviser shall promptly furnish the Sub-Adviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing. Until so provided, the Sub-Adviser may continue to rely on those documents previously provided. The Adviser shall not, and shall not permit the Fund to use the Sub-Adviser’s name or make representations regarding Sub-Adviser or its affiliates without prior written consent of Sub-Adviser, such consent not to be unreasonably conditioned, delayed, or withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser’s approval is not required when the information regarding the Sub-Adviser

15 

used by agrees that the Adviser ordoes not guarantee the Fund is limited to information disclosed in materials provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing specifically for use in the Fund’s registration statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or in Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements and the information is used (a) as required by applicable law, rule or regulation, in the Prospectus or SAIfuture performance of the Fund or any specific level of performance, the success of any investment decision or strategy that the Adviser may use, or the success of the Adviser’s overall management of the Fund. The federal securities laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith, and therefore nothing herein shall in any way constitute a waiver or limitation of such rights which the Trust or the Fund shareholder reports or proxy statements; or (b) as may be otherwise specifically approved in writing by the Sub-Adviser prior to use.have under federal securities laws.

4.12.Compensation to the Sub-Adviser. For the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to accept as full compensation therefore, a sub-advisory fee at the rate specified in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made partEffect of this Agreement. The fee will be calculated based on the daily value of the Assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management (as calculated as described in the Fund’s registration statement), shall be computed daily, and will be paid to the Sub-Adviser not less than monthly in arrears. Except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation (including any then current SEC staff interpretations), the Sub-Adviser may, in its sole discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.Agreement

In

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the eventTrust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of terminationTrust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.

13.Term of Agreement

With respect to the Fund, the term of this Agreement the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basisbegin as of the period ending on the last business day on whichdate first written above, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement isshall remain in effect; provided, however that any minimum annual feeeffect for any Fund (as noted on Schedule A) will not be prorated ifa period of two (2) years. Thereafter, this Agreement is terminatedshall continue in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to the Fund within twelve (12) monthsis approved at least annually by vote of its inception underthe holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement but, rather,or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such minimum annual fee shallinformation as may reasonably be paid bynecessary to evaluate the Adviser in full (minusterms of this Agreement or any investment management fees already paid during such period) at the time of termination.extension, renewal or amendment thereof.

5.Expenses. The Sub-Adviser will furnish, at its expense, all necessary facilities and personnel, including personnel compensation, expenses and fees required for the Sub-Adviser to perform its duties under this Agreement; administrative facilities, including operations and bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Sub-Adviser’s duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser may enter into an agreement with the Fund to limit the operating expenses of the Fund.
6.Indemnification. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, “Trust Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) incurred by the Trust Indemnitees in any action or proceeding between the Trust Indemnitee and any third party and arising from or in connection with the performance of the Sub-Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement to the extent resulting from or relating to Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Adviser, the Trust, all affiliated persons thereof and all controlling persons thereof, is caused by or is otherwise directly related to the Adviser’s
16 

 Page 5 of 10

own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence,

14.Entire Agreement; Amendment or Assignment of Agreement

This Agreement supersedes any other agreement between the parties with respect to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

The Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmlesssubject matter contained herein. This Agreement contains the Sub-Adviser and all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act) and all controlling persons (as described in Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, the “Sub-Adviser Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees and other related expenses) however incurred by the Sub-Adviser Indemnitees in any action or proceedingentire understanding between the Sub-Adviser Indemnitee and any third party and arising from or in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser’s obligation under this Section 6 shall be reduced to the extent that the claim against, or the loss, liability or damage experienced by the Sub-Adviser Indemnitee, is caused by or is otherwise related directly to the Sub-Adviser’s own willful misfeasance, fraud, bad faith or gross negligence, or to the reckless disregard of its duties under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no partyparties. Any amendment to this Agreement shall be responsiblein writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or liable for its failurewritten consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to perform under this Agreement or for any losses tointerested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Assets resulting from anyoutstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such amendment if required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event beyond the reasonable control of such party or its agents, including, but not limited to, nationalization, expropriation, devaluation, seizure or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Assets; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or acts or war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God, or any other similar event. In no event, shall any party be responsible for incidental, consequential or punitive damages hereunder.assignment.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

7.15.Representations and WarrantiesTermination of Sub-Adviser.Agreement The Sub-Adviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

a.       The Sub-Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered so long as this Agreement remains in effect;

b.      The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would substantially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to fulfill its commitment under this Agreement or disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser will also promptly notify the Trust and the Adviser if it, or any of its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, government agency, self-regulatory organization, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Fund or relating to the investment advisory services of the Sub-Adviser provided pursuant to this Agreement (other than any routine regulatory examinations);

17 

c.       The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser promptly upon detection of (a) any material failure to manage the Fund(s) in accordance with the Fund(s)’ stated investment objectives, guidelines and policies or any applicable law or regulation; or (b) any material breach of any of the Fund’s or the Sub-Adviser’s policies, guidelines or procedures relating to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser agrees to correct any such failure or breach promptly and to take remedial action deemed reasonable by the Sub-Adviser in connection with any said failure or breach.

d.      The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of any anticipated change in the ownership of the Sub-Adviser that could: (i) materially impact the services provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Fund; or (ii) result in an “assignment” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act);

e.       The Sub-Adviser is fully authorized under all applicable law and regulation to enter into this Agreement and serve as Sub-Adviser to the Fund and to perform the services described under this Agreement;

f.        The Sub-Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted;

g.      The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its corporate members or board, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub-Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Sub-Adviser;

h.      This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Sub-Adviser;

i.        The Form ADV of the Sub-Adviser previously provided to the Adviser is a true and complete copy of the form filed with the SEC and the information contained therein is accurate, current and complete in all material respects as of its filing date, and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

j.        The Sub-Adviser shall not divert any of the Fund’s portfolio securities transactions to a broker or dealer in consideration of such broker or dealer’s promotion or sales of shares of the Fund, any other series of the Trust, or any other registered investment company.

k.      The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain an appropriate level of fidelity bonding, errors and omissions and professional liability insurance coverage as determined by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall provide prompt written notice to the Adviser and the Trust: (i) of any material changes in the Sub-Adviser’s insurance policies or insurance coverage (including fidelity bonds); or (ii) if any material claims related to the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement shall be made on the Sub-Adviser’s insurance

18 

policies. Furthermore, the Sub-Adviser, upon reasonable request, shall provide the Adviser and the Trust with any information concerning the amount of or scope of said insurance, including, without limitation fidelity bonds.

8.Duration and Termination. The effectiveness and termination dates of this Agreement shall be determined separately for each Fund as described below.
a.Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund upon the latest of (i) the approval by a vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; (ii) the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, if required by the 1940 Act; and (iii) the commencement of the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund. This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two (2) years from the effective date described in this sub-paragraph, subject thereafter to being continued in force and effect from year to year if specifically approved each year by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. In addition to the foregoing, each renewal of this Agreement must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Prior to voting on the renewal of this Agreement, the Board may request and evaluate, and the Sub-Adviser shall furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Board to evaluate the terms of this Agreement.

a.                   Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to theone or more Fund, without payment of any penalty:

i.

(i)       By vote of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Board, or by vote of a majorityTrustees of the outstanding voting securitiesTrust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of the Fund,either party hereto, or by the Adviser, in each case, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser;

ii. By the Adviser upon breach by the Sub-Adviser of any representation or warranty contained in Section 7 or Section 9 hereof, which shall not have been cured within twenty (20) days of the Sub-Adviser’s receipt of written notice of such breach;

iii. By the Adviser immediately upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser if the Sub-Adviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement; or

iv. By the Sub-Adviser upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Board.

This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment, or in the event of a termination of the Advisory Agreement with the Trust upon notice to the Sub-Adviser. As used in this Section 8, the terms “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund (as defined in the Act), in each case, upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser;

(ii)       By any party hereto upon written notice to the other party in the event of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party if the breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of the breach; or

(iii)      By the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.

16.Use of Name

16.1       The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust IV and the Fund may be identified, in part, by the name “Northern Lights IV.”

16.2       The Fund may use the name “Sterling,” “Sterling Capital” or any variant thereof in connection with the name of the Fund, only for so long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remains in effect. At such time as this Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Fund shall cease to use such a name or any other similar name. In no event shall the Fund use the name “Sterling,” “Sterling Capital” or any variant thereof if Adviser’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company over which Adviser does not have control or with which it is not affiliated. In the respective meaningsevent that this Agreement shall no longer be in effect or Adviser’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company over which Adviser does not have control or with which it is not affiliated, the Fund shall use its best efforts to legally change its name by filing the required documentation with appropriate state and federal agencies.

17.Declaration of Trust

The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the 1940 ActTrust’s Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or the Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or the Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the rulesAdviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and regulations thereunder, subject to such exceptions as may be granted by the SECobligations of any Fund under the 1940 Act.Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.

19 

 Page 6 of 10

9.18.Regulatory Compliance Program of the Sub-Adviser.Confidentiality The Sub-Adviser hereby represents and warrants that:
a.in accordance with Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by the Sub-Adviser and its supervised persons (as such term is defined in the Advisers Act) of the Advisers Act and the rules the SEC has adopted under the Advisers Act;

b.

All records and other information relating to the Sub-Adviser has adoptedTrust and implemented and will maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violationthe securities holdings of the “federal securities laws” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Fund, and all communications between the Sub-Adviser applicableTrust and the Adviser shall be treated as confidential and shall not be used by the receiving party or disclosed to any other person except as necessary for the Sub-Adviser’s services provided underreceiving party to carry out its responsibilities set forth in this Agreement including policiesor except as (i) the disclosing party has approved the disclosure by the receiving party or (ii) such disclosure by the receiving party is required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing will prevent or preclude either party from using or disclosing confidential information to its representatives, consultants, advisers or other agents (“Representatives”) for legal, regulatory and procedures reasonably designedrisk management purposes (including but not limited to prevent violationinternal or external audits, exams or reviews that may be conducted by such party, its affiliates or an applicable regulatory agency), provided that the disclosing party shall make any Representatives aware of the “federal securities laws” (the policies and procedures referred to in this Section 9(b), along with the policies and procedures referred to in Section 9(a), are referred to herein as the Sub-Adviser’s “Compliance Program”); and

c.       the Sub-Adviser has adopted a written codeobligations of ethics that the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 17j-1”), which the Sub-Adviser has provided to the Adviser and the Trust. The Sub-Adviser shall ensure that the Sub-Adviser’s “Access Persons” (as that term is defined in the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics) are subject to compliance with the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser and the Trust with (i) a copy of the Sub-Adviser’s current Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) a certification that the Sub-Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably designed to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics. Annually, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish a written report to the Adviser and the Trust’s Board concerning the Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics, which annual report shall comply with the requirements of Rule 17j-1. The Sub-Adviser shall respond to requests for information from the Adviser and the Trust as to violations of the Code by Access Persons and the sanctions imposed by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of any material violation of the Code, whether or not said violation relates to a security held by the Fund.

10.Confidentiality. Subject to the duty of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to comply with applicable law and regulation, including any demand or request of any regulatory, governmental or tax authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential all non-public information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund in respect thereof. It is understood that any information or recommendation supplied by the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Adviser, the Fund, the Board, or such persons as the Adviser may reasonably designate in connection with the Fund. It is also understood that any information supplied to the Sub-Adviser in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder is to be regarded as confidential and for use only by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates and agents in connection with its obligation to provide investment advice and other services to the Funds and to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s and the Fund’s overall relationship with the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates. The parties acknowledge and agree
20 

that all nonpublic personal information with regard to shareholders in the Fund shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Adviser, and that the Sub-Adviser shall use that information solely in the performance of its duties and obligationsconfidentiality under this Agreement and shall take reasonable steps to safeguard the confidentiality of that information. Further, the Sub-Adviser shall maintain and enforce adequate security and oversight proceduresensure compliance by such Representatives with respect to all materials, records, documents and data relating to any of its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement including all means for the effecting of investment transactions. The Sub-Adviser’s security and oversight procedures shall be reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to, the Trust’s, Fund’s and Adviser’s records, documents and data maintained by the Sub-Adviser, which safeguards are no less protective than those that the Sub-Adviser uses to protect the confidentiality and integrity of its own confidential information of like kind. If Sub-Adviser is required by law, rule, or regulation, or requested in any judicial or administrative proceeding or by any governmental or regulatory authority, to disclose the Trust’s, Fund’s and Adviser’s records, documents and data, the Sub-Adviser will giveSection 18.

In addition, the Adviser prompt written noticeand the Adviser’s officers, directors, members and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of such request to the extent permitted by applicable law and any governamental or regulatory authorityFund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Adviser agrees that, consistent with juruisdiction so thatthe Adviser’s code of ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser’s officers, directors, members or employees may seek an appropriate protective order or similar protective measure and will use reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of anyengage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information so disclosed.about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

11.       Reporting of Compliance Matters.

a.       The Sub-Adviser shall promptly provide to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) the following:

(i)19.a report of any material violations of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program or any “material compliance matters” (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that have occurred with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;
(ii)on a quarterly basis, a report of any material changes to the policies and procedures that compose the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program;
(iii)a copy of the summary of the Sub-Adviser’s chief compliance officer’s report (or similar document(s) which serve the same purpose) regarding his or her annual review of the Sub-Adviser’s Compliance Program, as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act;
(iv)an annual (or more frequently as the Trust’s CCO may reasonably request) representation regarding the Sub-Adviser’s compliance with Section 7Governing Law and Section 9 of this Agreement; and
(v)upon request, supporting certifications relating to the Sub-Adviser’s services in connection with such certifications of Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

b.      The Sub-Adviser shall also provide the Trust’s CCO with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the Sub-Adviser’s facilities for the purpose of conducting

21 

pre-arranged on-site compliance related due diligence meetings with personnel of the Sub-Adviser.

11.              Governing Law.This Agreement shall be governed byand construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,New York, without regard to conflict of law principles; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as being inconsistent with the 1940 Act.laws principles.

12.              Severability. Should

20.Interpretation and Definition of Terms

Any question of interpretation of any partterm or provision of this Agreement be held invalid byhaving a court decision, statute, regulation, rulecounterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the remainderAct shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefitis modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the parties heretoSecurities and their respective successors.

13.              Notice. Any notice, advice, document, reportExchange Commission, whether of special or other client communication to be given pursuant to this Agreementof general application, such provision shall be deemed sufficient if deliveredto incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or mailed by registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid or electronically addressed by the party giving notice to the other party at the last address furnished by the other party. By consenting to the electronic delivery of any notice, advice, document, report or other client communication in respect of this Agreement or as required pursuant to applicable law, the Adviser authorizes the Sub-Adviser to deliver all communications by email or other electronic means.order.

To the Adviser at:

First Manhattan Co. LLC

399 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Andrew Aspen

Email: aaspen@firstmanhattan.com

Page 7 of 10

To the Trust at:

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474

Attention: Wendy Wang, President

To the Sub-Adviser at:

21.

Vident Advisory, LLC

1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515

Alpharetta, Georgia, 30009

Attention: Amrita Nandakumar

Email: anandakumar@videntam.com

Captions

 

14.              Non-Hire/Non-Solicitation.The parties hereby agree that, during the term ofcaptions in this Agreement neither party shall,are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any reason, directlyof the provisions hereof or indirectly, on its own behalfotherwise affect their construction or on behalf of others, knowingly hire any person employed by the other party (a “Restricted Person”), whether or not such Restricted Person is a full-time employee or whether or not any Restricted Person’s employment is pursuant to a written agreement or is at-will. The parties further agree that, to the extent that a party breaches the covenant described in this paragraph, the other party shall be entitled to pursue all appropriate remedies in law or equity.effect.

15.              Amendment of Agreement.

22.Execution in Counterparts

This Agreement may be amended only by written agreementexecuted simultaneously in counterparts, each of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviserwhich shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the Trust,same instrument, and only in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.any signatures may be delivered electronically via fax or email (in .pdf or other readable format).

22 

16.              Representations and Warranties of the Adviser.

a.The Adviser is not registered with the National Futures Association as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading adviser because it does not engage in any activities requiring such registration or is otherwise exempt from such registration;
b.The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser and the Fund of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Adviser and the Board (including full authority to bind the Fund to the terms of this Agreement); and
c.The Adviser will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser if any of the above representations in this Section are no longer true and accurate.
17.Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to this Agreement’s subject matter. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
18.Interpretation. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act will be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment,” and “affiliated persons,” as used herein will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or of general application, such provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
19.Headings. The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not constitute a part hereof.
20.Miscellaneous.

 

a.23.A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and notice is hereby given that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Fund or the Trust.Force Majeure

 

b.Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act or Advisers Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is altered by a rule, regulation or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

23 

PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH ACCOUNTS OF QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE PERSONS, THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE, AND HAS NOT BEEN, FILED WITH THE COMMISSION. THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A TRADING PROGRAM OR UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR DISCLOSURE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED OR APPROVED THIS TRADING PROGRAM OR THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT.In the event any party is unable to perform its obligations or duties under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, riots, acts of war, equipment failures, power or other utility failures or damage or other cause beyond its reasonable control, such party shall not be liable for any and all losses, damage, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses or liability to any other party (whether or not a party to this Agreement) resulting from such failure to perform its obligations or duties under this Agreement or otherwise from such causes. This provision shall in no way excuse any party from any liability that results from the party’s failure to have in place appropriate and reasonable disaster recovery plans or business continuity plans designed to enable that party to perform its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

[Signature page followsPage Follows]

Page 8 of 10

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executedsigned by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the daydate and year first set forth above.

FIRST MANHATTAN CO. LLC

By: ______________________________

Name: BEN CLAMMER

Title: MANAGING DIRECTOR

VIDENT ADVISORY, LLC

By:

Name: DEBORAH KIMERY

Title: COO

24 

above written.

 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Dated April 24, 2023 by and among

FIRST MANHATTAN CO. LLC

and

VIDENT INVESTMENT ADVISORY, LLC

The Adviser will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the greater of (1) the minimum fee or (2) the daily net assets of the respective Fund in accordance with the following fee schedule:

FundNORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IVMinimum FeeRate
FMC Excelsior Focus Equity ETF$25,0000.06% on AUM up to $250,000,000, 0.055% on AUM between $250,000,000 and $500,000,000, and 0.05% on AUM in excess of $500,000,000
   
By:
Name:Wendy Wang
Title:President
STERLING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
By:
Name:  
Title:  
Page 9 of 10

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IV

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

APPENDIX A

FUNDS OF THE TRUST

NAME OF FUND

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF0.59%

 
Page 10 of 10

 

Appendix B