Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

06/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2026 15:27

Post-Effective Amendment to Registration Statement by Investment Company (Form 486BPOS)

1933 Act File No. 333-225814
1940 Act File No. 811-22987
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2026
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No. __
Post-Effective Amendment No. 9*

and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. 15

(Check appropriate box or boxes)
VICTORY PIONEER ILS INTERVAL FUND
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
(866) 689-6999
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Copies to:
Thomas Dusenberry
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund
15935 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, Texas 78256
(Name and Address of Agent of Service)
Matthew J. Kutner
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
__________________________

Check box if the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans.

Check box if any securities being registered on the Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.

Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto.

Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act.

Check box if this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486.

on March 1, 2026 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 486.

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486.

on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 486.
If appropriate, check the following box:

This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].

This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______.

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______.

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: ______.
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act")).

Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act).

Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).

A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).

Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).

Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act").

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.

New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).
* This Post-Effective Amendment is being filed solely to include certain required Interactive Data File (Inline XBRL) information in the Registrant's registration statement on Form N-2 filed on February 27, 2026. No changes have been made to the disclosure contained in the Registrant's registration statement other than the inclusion of such Interactive Data File (Inline XBRL) information and any conforming changes associated with this filing.
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund
(FORMERLY PIONEER ILS INTERVAL FUND)
Prospectus
Common Shares
March 1, 2026
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund (the "Fund") is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.
Investment Objective. The Fund's investment objective is total return. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund invests primarily in insurance-linked securities ("ILS"). ILS may include event-linked bonds (also known as insurance-linked bonds or catastrophe bonds), quota share instruments (also known as "reinsurance sidecars"), collateralized reinsurance investments, industry loss warranties, event-linked swaps, securities of companies in the insurance or reinsurance industries, and other insurance- and reinsurance-related securities.
Because ILS are typically rated below investment grade or unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade (high yield) debt securities. Investment in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," involves substantial risk of loss.
Investment Adviser. Victory Capital Management Inc. (the "Adviser") serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement and oversees the operations of the Fund according to investment policies and procedures adopted by the Board. The Adviser is a New York corporation that is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As of December 31, 2025, the Adviser managed and advised assets totaling in excess of $313.8 billion for individual and institutional clients. The Adviser's principal address is 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256.
Interval Fund. The Fund is operated as an interval fund. Pursuant to the Fund's interval fund structure, the Fund will conduct quarterly repurchase offers of no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the Fund's outstanding shares at net asset value ("NAV"). Typically, the Fund will seek to conduct such quarterly repurchase offers for 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares at NAV. Even though the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers, investors should consider the Fund's shares illiquid. Repurchase offers in excess of 5% are made solely at the discretion of the Fund's Board of Trustees and investors should not rely on any expectation of repurchase offers in excess of 5%. It is also possible that a repurchase offer may be oversubscribed, with the result that shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their shares repurchased.
The Fund's shares are sold at a price equal to their NAV per share and are not subject to any sales charge as of the date of this registration statement. See "Summary of Fund Expenses" and "Purchase of Shares."
The Fund's shares are not listed and the Fund does not currently intend to list its shares for trading on any national securities exchange. There is not expected to be any secondary market for the Fund's shares. The shares are, therefore, not readily marketable. Even if such a market were to develop, shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at prices lower than their net asset value. Even though the Fund will make periodic repurchase offers to repurchase a portion of its shares to provide some liquidity to shareholders, you should consider the shares to be an illiquid investment. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for long-term investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the shares.
You should carefully consider the Fund's risks and investment objective, as an investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors and is not designed to be a complete investment program. An investment in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. The insurance-linked securities in which the Fund invests are considered "high yield securities" or "junk bonds." It is possible that investing in the Fund may result in a loss of some or all of the amount invested. Before making an investment/allocation decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and individual situation and (ii) consider factors such as your net worth, income, age, and risk tolerance. You should not invest if you have a short-term investing horizon and/or cannot bear the loss of some or all of your investment.
Before buying shares of the Fund, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in the Fund under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 24. Certain of these risks are summarized in "Prospectus Summary - Risk Considerations" beginning on page 3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
THE FUND'S SHARES DO NOT REPRESENT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR OTHER INSURED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
Please read this Prospectus carefully before investing and keep it for future reference. It contains important information that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in the Fund. A Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), dated March 1, 2026, containing additional information about the Fund has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. A copy of the SAI can be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, by calling 866-689-6999, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the Fund's Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report may be obtained upon request by writing to the Fund, by calling 866-689-6999, or by visiting the Fund's website at pioneerinvestments.com.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus and the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus. The Fund's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date of this Prospectus. Subsequent to the date of this Prospectus, the Fund will amend this Prospectus if, during the period this Prospectus is required to be delivered, any material information herein becomes materially inaccurate.
Table of Contents
Prospectus Summary
1
Summary of Fund Expenses
12
Financial Highlights
13
The Fund
15
Use of Proceeds
15
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
16
Risk Factors
24
Management of the Fund
38
Dividends and Distributions
40
Purchase of Shares
42
Periodic Repurchase Offers
43
Federal Income Tax Matters
45
Net Asset Value
54
Certain Provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
56
Prospectus Summary
This is only a summary. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund's shares, especially the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors." You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the Statement of Additional Information.
THE FUND
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is an interval fund that will offer to make quarterly repurchases of shares at net asset value ("NAV").
Victory Capital Management Inc. ("Victory Capital" or the "Adviser") serves as the Fund's investment adviser.
THE OFFERING
Shares of beneficial interest in the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share. The Fund generally expects to accept orders to purchase shares at their NAV per share on any regular business day. Shares are generally available for purchase by registered investment advisers acting on behalf of their clients and by or through other qualified intermediaries and programs sponsored by such financial intermediaries. Shares are also available to certain direct investors, which may be individuals, trusts, foundations and other institutional investors. Initial investments in the Fund by or through a registered investment adviser or other financial intermediary are subject to a $1,000,000 minimum per registered investment adviser or intermediary. Initial investments in the Fund by direct investors are subject to a $1,000,000 minimum. Registered investment advisers and other financial intermediaries may impose different or additional minimum investment and eligibility requirements from those of the Fund. Please contact your registered investment adviser or financial intermediary for more information. Victory Capital or the Fund's Distributor, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (the "Distributor"), may waive these minimum investment requirements. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject a purchase order for any reason.
The shares are not listed on any securities exchange and the Fund does not expect there to be any secondary market for the Fund's shares. Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their shares. However, as described below, in order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund will conduct periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding shares.
INTERVAL FUND; PERIODIC REPURCHASE OFFERS
As an interval fund, the Fund will make periodic offers to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares at their NAV. The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, to make repurchase offers every three months. Quarterly repurchase offers occur in the months of January, April, July and October.
Subject to applicable law and the approval of the Board of Trustees, the Fund will seek to conduct such quarterly repurchase offers typically for 10% of the Fund's outstanding shares at NAV. In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding shares. There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell shares in an amount or at the time that you desire. The procedures that will apply to the Fund's repurchase offers are described in "Periodic Repurchase Offers" below. Proceeds from the repurchase of shares will be paid in cash (in U.S. dollars).
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is total return. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in insurance-linked securities ("ILS"). ILS may include event-linked bonds (also known as insurance-linked bonds or catastrophe bonds), quota share instruments (also known as "reinsurance sidecars"), collateralized reinsurance investments, industry loss warranties, event-linked swaps, securities of companies in the insurance or reinsurance industries, and other insurance- and reinsurance-related securities.
Because ILS are typically rated below investment grade or unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade (high yield) debt securities. Investment in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," involves substantial risk of loss. Securities in which the Fund may invest may also be subordinated or "junior" to more senior securities of the issuer.
1
Victory Capital serves as the Fund's investment adviser. In selecting ILS for investment, Victory Capital considers their relative return potential in view of their expected relative risk, using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Victory Capital's analysis may consider various factors, such as expected loss, probability of occurrence or loss, trigger term (measurement of loss event specific to an instrument) or other terms of an instrument, sponsor quality, deal structure, alignment of interests between the Fund and the sponsoring insurance company, and model accuracy. Victory Capital's analysis guides Victory Capital in determining the desired allocation of reinsurance-related securities by issuer, peril and geographic exposure. Victory Capital also may consider the financial condition and risks associated with the sponsoring insurance company. Victory Capital may rely on information and analysis obtained from brokers, dealers and ratings organizations, among other sources.
Victory Capital may sell a portfolio security when it believes the security no longer will contribute to meeting the Fund's investment objective. Victory Capital makes that determination based on the same criteria it uses to select portfolio securities.
Portfolio Investments
Normally, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in ILS. Derivative instruments that provide exposure to such ILS or have similar economic characteristics may be used to satisfy the Fund's 80% policy. ILS include event-linked bonds (also known as insurance-linked bonds or catastrophe bonds), structured reinsurance investments such as quota share instruments (a form of proportional reinsurance whereby an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer's portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies, sometimes referred to as "reinsurance sidecars") and collateralized reinsurance investments, industry loss warranties, event-linked swaps, securities of companies in the insurance or reinsurance industries, and other insurance- and reinsurance-related securities.
Reinsurance-related securities are typically below investment grade, or unrated, and may be referred to as "junk bonds."
The Fund has no limit as to the maturity of the securities in which it invests. Event-linked bonds typically have maturities between three and five years, while quota shares, collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties typically have maturities that generally do not exceed two years. Maturity is a measure of the time remaining until final payment on the security is due.
The Fund will provide written notice to shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change to the requirement that it invest at least 80% of its assets in ILS.
The Fund may invest in ILS issued by non-U.S. issuers.
The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as currency forward contracts and bond and interest rate futures. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market price of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities; to seek event-linked exposure; to attempt to increase the Fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative; to manage portfolio characteristics; and as a cash flow management technique. The Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations. The Fund also may hold cash or other short-term investments.
To the extent consistent with the repurchase liquidity requirement of an interval fund, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities.
The Fund may consider various non-financial ratings or factors, where applicable, through quantitative models or qualitative assessment. The significance these considerations have on security selection varies widely, as the analysis is inherently subjective. Further, the consideration of such factors may not apply to certain instruments and the consideration of such factors is only a part of the investment process.
2
Prospectus Summary
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. You should read the fuller discussion in this Prospectus under "Risk Factors" on page 24.
General. The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading tool. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as an addition to an investor's existing portfolio of investments. Because the Fund invests predominantly in ILS of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, which are high yield debt securities, an investment in the Fund's shares is speculative in that it involves a high degree of risk. Due to uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. ILS in which the Fund invests may only have limited liquidity, or may be illiquid. In addition, even though the Fund will make periodic offers to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares to provide some liquidity to shareholders, shareholders should consider the Fund to be an illiquid investment.
Risks of investing in insurance-linked securities. The Fund could lose a portion or all of the principal it has invested in an ILS, and the right to additional interest and/or dividend payments with respect to the security, upon the occurrence of one or more trigger events, as defined within the terms of the ILS. Trigger events may include natural or other perils of a specific size or magnitude that occur in a designated geographic region during a specified time period, and/or that involve losses or other metrics that exceed a specific amount. Natural perils include disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, windstorms, fires, floods and other weather-related occurrences, as well as mortality or longevity events. Non-natural perils include disasters resulting from human-related activity such as commercial and industrial accidents or business interruptions. Major natural disasters (such as in the cases of Super Typhoon Goni in the Philippines in 2020, monsoon flooding in China in 2020, Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean in 2017, Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022, Palisades and Eaton fires in 2025 and Central Texas floods in 2025) or commercial and industrial accidents (such as aviation disasters and oil spills) can result in significant losses, and investors in ILS with exposure to such natural or other disasters may also experience substantial losses. If the likelihood and severity of natural and other large disasters increase, the risk of significant losses to reinsurers may increase. Typically, one significant triggering event (even in a major metropolitan area) will not result in financial failure to a reinsurer. However, a series of major triggering events could cause the failure of a reinsurer. Similarly, to the extent the Fund invests in ILS for which a triggering event occurs, losses associated with such event will result in losses to the Fund and a series of major triggering events affecting a large portion of the ILS held by the Fund will result in substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may also invest in ILS that are subject to "indemnity triggers." An indemnity trigger is a trigger based on the actual losses of the ceding sponsor (i.e., the party seeking reinsurance). ILS subject to indemnity triggers are often regarded as being subject to potential moral hazard, since such ILS are triggered by actual losses of the ceding sponsor and the ceding sponsor may have an incentive to take actions and/or risks that would have an adverse effect on the Fund. For example, a ceding sponsor might inflate its total claims paid above the ILS trigger level in order to share its losses with investors in the ILS. Thus, bonds with indemnity triggers may be subject to moral hazard, because the trigger depends on the ceding sponsor to properly identify and calculate losses that do and do not apply in determining whether the trigger amount has been reached. In short, "moral hazard" refers to this potential for the sponsor to influence bond performance, as payouts are based on the individual policy claims against the sponsor and the way the sponsor settles those claims. There is no way to accurately predict whether a trigger event will occur and, accordingly, ILS carry significant risks. In addition to the specified trigger events, ILS may expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences.
Risks of investing in structured reinsurance investments. The Fund invests in ILS that are special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer's catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Quota shares instruments and other structured reinsurance investments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund. Structured reinsurance investments are typically more customizable but less liquid investments than event-linked bonds. Like event-linked bonds, an investor in structured reinsurance investments participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts.
3
Structured reinsurance investments are subject to the same risks as event-linked bonds and other ILS. In addition, because quota share instruments represent an interest in a basket of underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the individual underlying contracts and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the insurer and/or reinsurer. Structured reinsurance investments may be difficult to value.
ILS market and reinvestment risk. The size of the ILS market may change over time, which may limit the availability of ILS for investment by the Fund. The original issuance of ILS in general, including ILS with desired instrument or risk characteristics, may fluctuate depending on the capital and capacity needs of reinsurers as well as the demand for ILS by institutional investors. The availability of ILS in the secondary market also may be limited by supply and demand dynamics and prevailing economic conditions. To the extent ILS held by the Fund mature, or the Fund must sell securities in connection with share repurchases, the Fund may be required to hold more cash or short-term instruments than it normally would until attractive ILS becomes available. Holding excess cash and/or reinvestment in securities that are lower yielding or less desirable than securities sold may negatively affect performance.
Market risk. The market prices of securities or other assets held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, political instability, recessions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, weather or climate events, armed conflict, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes, sanctions or other government actions, or other factors or adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the Fund's securities and assets fall, the value of your investment will go down. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole.
In the past decade, financial markets throughout the world have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to, major cybersecurity events; geopolitical events (including wars, terror attacks and economic sanctions); measures to address budget deficits; downgrading of sovereign debt; changes in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; global pandemics; and public sentiment. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced or may experience particularly large losses. Periods of extreme volatility in the financial markets, reduced liquidity of many instruments, increased government debt, inflation, and disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability, may continue for some time.
Raising the ceiling on U.S. government debt has become increasingly politicized. Any failure to increase the total amount that the U.S. government is authorized to borrow could lead to a default on U.S. government obligations, with unpredictable consequences for economies and markets in the U.S. and elsewhere. Inflation and interest rates may increase. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments and negatively impact the Fund's performance. In addition, inflation, rising interest rates, global supply chain disruptions and other market events could adversely affect the companies or issuers in which the Fund invests. Following the commencement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future political, geopolitical or other events or conditions.
Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the United States. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time. U.S. Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including increases or decreases in interest rates, or contrary actions by different governments, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and these and other events affecting global markets, such as the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (commonly known as "Brexit"), potential trade imbalances with China or other countries or sanctions or other government actions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies (or their countermeasures), may contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
4
Prospectus Summary
The United States and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs (or the threat of tariffs), investment restrictions and adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. For example, the United States has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on exports from other countries, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to other countries, and has established barriers to investments in other countries. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. The U.S. government has prohibited U.S. persons, such as the Fund, from investing in Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. These and possible future restrictions could limit the Fund's opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. Moreover, China's long-running conflict over Taiwan's sovereignty, border disputes with many neighbors and historically strained relations with other Asian countries could result in military conflict. If the political climate between the U.S. and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China enters into military conflict with Taiwan, the Philippines or another neighbor, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund's assets may go down.
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, armed conflict such as between Russia and Ukraine or in the Middle East, terrorism, natural disasters, infectious illness or public health issues, cybersecurity events, supply chain disruptions, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on other countries or regions and on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or regions directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any security or derivative position.
High yield or "junk" bond risk. Debt securities that are below investment grade, called "junk bonds," are speculative, have a higher risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and are more difficult to value than higher grade securities. Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments. These risks are more pronounced for securities that are already in default.
Interest rate risk. The market prices of the Fund's fixed income securities may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration securities. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the value of a Fund's portfolio with a portfolio duration of ten years would be expected to decrease by 10%, all other things being equal. A general rise in interest rates could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities. The maturity of a security may be significantly longer than its effective duration. A security's maturity and other features may be more relevant than its effective duration in determining the security's sensitivity to other factors affecting the issuer or markets generally, such as changes in credit quality or in the yield premium that the market may establish for certain types of securities (sometimes called "credit spread"). In general, the longer its maturity the more a security may be susceptible to these factors. When the credit spread for a fixed income security goes up or "widens," the value of the security will generally go down.
Rising interest rates can lead to increased default rates, as issuers of floating rate securities find themselves faced with higher payments. Unlike fixed rate securities, floating rate securities generally will not increase in value if interest rates decline. Changes in interest rates also will affect the amount of interest income the Fund earns on its floating rate investments.
Credit risk. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults on its obligation to pay principal and/or interest, has its credit rating downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your investment will decline. In addition, the Fund may incur expenses and suffer delays in an effort to protect the Fund's interest in securities experiencing these events. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness may occur quickly. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. A security may change in price for a variety of reasons. For example, floating rate securities may have final maturities of ten or more years, but their effective durations will tend to be very short. If there is an adverse credit event, or a perceived change in the issuer's creditworthiness, these securities could experience a far greater negative price movement than would be predicted by the change in the security's yield in relation to their effective duration. The Fund evaluates the credit quality of issuers and counterparties
5
prior to investing in securities. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the securities in which the Fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the companies issuing them and are not guarantees as to quality. Securities rated in the lowest category of investment grade (Baa/BBB) may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Prepayment or call risk. Many issuers have a right to prepay their securities. If interest rates fall, an issuer may exercise this right. If this happens, the Fund will not benefit from the rise in market price that normally accompanies a decline in interest rates, and will be forced to reinvest prepayment proceeds at a time when yields on securities available in the market are lower than the yield on the prepaid security. The Fund also may lose any premium it paid on the security.
Risk of illiquid investments. Certain securities and derivatives held by the Fund may be or become impossible or difficult to purchase, sell or unwind. Illiquid securities and derivatives also may be difficult to value. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset or unwind a derivatives position, the Fund may suffer a substantial loss or may not be able to sell at all.
Risks of non-U.S. investments. Investing in non-U.S. issuers, or in U.S. issuers that have significant exposure to foreign markets, may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks are more pronounced for issuers in emerging markets or to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in one region or country. These risks may include different financial reporting practices and regulatory standards, less liquid trading markets, extreme price volatility, currency risks, changes in economic, political, regulatory and social conditions, military conflicts and sanctions, terrorism, sustained economic downturns, financial instability, reduction of government or central bank support, inadequate accounting standards, auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements, tariffs, tax disputes or other tax burdens, nationalization or expropriation of assets, arbitrary application of laws and regulations or lack of rule of law, and investment and repatriation restrictions. Investors in foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims. Lack of information and less market regulation also may affect the value of these securities. Dividends and interest received by the Fund and capital gains recognized by the Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries and may decrease the Fund's return. Non-U.S. issuers may be located in parts of the world that have historically been prone to natural disasters. Emerging market economies tend to be less diversified than those of more developed countries. They typically have fewer medical and economic resources than more developed countries and thus they may be less able to control or mitigate the effects of a pandemic. Investing in depositary receipts is subject to many of the same risks as investing directly in non-U.S. issuers. Depositary receipts may involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security.
A number of countries in the European Union (EU) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. In addition, the United Kingdom has withdrawn from the EU (commonly known as "Brexit"). The range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes of Brexit cannot be fully known but could be significant, potentially resulting in increased volatility, illiquidity and potentially lower economic growth in the affected markets, which will adversely affect the Fund's investments.
If one or more stockholders of a supranational entity such as the World Bank fail to make necessary additional capital contributions, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities.
Sanctions or other government actions against certain countries could negatively impact the Fund's investments in securities that have exposure to those countries. Circumstances that impact one country could have profound impacts on other countries and on global economies or markets. China and other developing market countries may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. The U.S. government has imposed restrictions on U.S. investor participation in certain Chinese investments. These matters could adversely affect China's economy. In addition, China's long-running conflict over Taiwan's sovereignty, border disputes with many neighbors and historically strained relations with other Asian countries could result in military conflict that could adversely impact the economies of China and other Asian countries, disrupt supply chains, and severely affect global economies and markets.
In response to the military action in Ukraine commencing in 2022, the United States and other countries, issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus and certain companies and individuals. Russia has taken retaliatory actions, including preventing repatriation of capital by Unites States and other investors. Since then, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value, and many other issuers, securities and markets have been adversely affected. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant market disruptions, including in certain markets, industries and sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and negatively affected global supply chains, food supplies, inflation and global
6
Prospectus Summary
growth. The United States and other countries may impose sanctions on other countries, companies and individuals in light of Russia's military invasion. The extent and duration of the military action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted. These and any related events could have a significant impact on the value and liquidity of certain Fund investments, on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund.
Derivatives risk. Using swaps, futures, forwards and other derivatives exposes the Fund to special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund, even when used for hedging purposes. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce opportunities for gain when market prices, interest rates or currencies, or the derivative instruments themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund, especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives can have a leveraging effect (which may increase investment losses) and increase the Fund's volatility, which is the degree to which the Fund's share price may fluctuate within a short time period. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund's initial investment. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the Fund's other investments or do not correlate well with the underlying assets, rate or index, the Fund may not fully benefit from, or could lose money on, or could experience unusually high expenses as a result of, the derivative position. The other parties to certain derivative transactions present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives also tend to involve greater liquidity risk and they may be difficult to value. The Fund may be unable to terminate or sell its derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations. Use of derivatives or similar instruments may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The Fund's use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that an increased portion of the Fund's assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.
The U.S. government and foreign governments have adopted and implemented or are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility or otherwise adversely affect their performance, or may disrupt markets. The Fund may be exposed to additional risks as a result of the additional regulations. The extent and impact of the regulations are not yet fully known and may not be for some time.
The Fund will be required to maintain its positions with a clearing organization through one or more clearing brokers. The clearing organization will require the Fund to post margin and the broker may require the Fund to post additional margin to secure the Fund's obligations. The amount of margin required may change from time to time. In addition, cleared transactions may be more expensive to maintain than over-the-counter transactions and may require the Fund to deposit larger amounts of margin. The Fund may not be able to recover margin amounts if the broker has financial difficulties. Also, the broker may require the Fund to terminate a derivatives position under certain circumstances. This may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund's ability to use certain derivative instruments currently is limited by Commodity Futures Trading Commission rules.
Forward foreign currency transactions risk. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on forward foreign currency transactions if changes in currency rates do not occur as anticipated or do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund's holdings, or if the counterparty defaults. Such transactions may also prevent the Fund from realizing profits on favorable movements in exchange rates. Risk of counterparty default is greater for counterparties located in emerging markets.
Leveraging risk. The value of your investment may be more volatile and other risks tend to be compounded if the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund's underlying assets and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of all assets. Engaging in such transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations.
7
New derivatives regulations require the Fund, to the extent it uses derivatives to a material extent, to, among other things, comply with certain overall limits on leverage. These regulations may limit the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategies and may not be effective to mitigate the Fund's risk of loss from derivatives.
Tax and regulated investment company qualification risk. As described in more detail in the SAI, in order for the Fund to qualify for the favorable tax treatment generally available to regulated investment companies, at least 90% of the Fund's gross income each taxable year must consist of qualifying income, the Fund must meet certain asset diversification tests at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the Fund must meet certain distribution requirements for each taxable year.
The tax treatment of certain ILS is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund's investments (including, potentially, certain ILS) may generate income that is not qualifying income. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the qualifying income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the qualifying income test.
Certain investments made by the Fund (including certain ILS) may be treated as equity in passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs") for federal income tax purposes. In general, a PFIC is a foreign corporation (i) that receives at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of its assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income. If the Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC and does not make a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF") election or mark-to-market election with respect to the equity interest in the PFIC, the Fund generally would, be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, and the Fund cannot avoid such tax and interest charges by timely distributing the excess distributions and gain to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax paid by the Fund. A QEF election or a "mark to market" election may be available with respect to a PFIC that would ameliorate the adverse tax consequences under the default rule described above, but such an election could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash (i.e., "phantom income"). In order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid being subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. If the Fund makes a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, any mark-to-market gain or loss (to the extent permitted) will be considered ordinary. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or "phantom income" from the recognition of taxable income or gain without the current receipt of cash or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
If a sufficient portion of the equity interests for federal income tax purposes in a foreign issuer (including certain ILS issuers) is held or deemed held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a "controlled foreign corporation" (a "CFC") with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund would be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer's "subpart F income" and "tested income", whether or not such amounts are distributed. Generally, if an entity is both a CFC and a PFIC with respect to the Fund, the rules applicable to CFCs override those applicable to PFICs with respect to the Fund. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid being subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. In addition, some Fund gains on the disposition of interests in a CFC may be treated as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit its tax liability or "phantom income" from the recognition of income without the current receipt of cash or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
8
Prospectus Summary
If the Fund were to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it would generally be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders generally would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to meet the qualifying income test or the diversification test if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, but in order to do so the Fund may incur a significant penalty tax that would reduce (and potentially could eliminate) the Fund's returns.
Valuation risk. Nearly all of the Fund's investments are valued using a fair value methodology. The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund's valuation of the investment, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in thin or volatile markets. These differences may increase significantly and affect Fund investments more broadly during periods of market volatility. Investors who purchase or submit repurchase requests for Fund shares may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher repurchase requests proceeds than they would have received if the securities had not been fair-valued or if a different valuation methodology had been used. The ability to value the Fund's investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.
Concentration risk. A Fund that invests a significant percentage of its assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse economic, regulatory or other events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a Fund that does not concentrate in an industry.
Industries in the financial segment, such as insurance companies, may be sensitive to changes in interest rates, credit rating downgrades, decreased liquidity in credit markets, and general economic activity and are generally subject to extensive government regulation.
Non-diversification risk. The Fund is not diversified, which means that it can invest a higher percentage of its assets in the securities of any one or more issuers than a diversified fund. Being non-diversified may magnify the Fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity failures by and breaches of the Adviser, transfer agent, distributor, custodian, fund accounting agent or other service providers may disrupt Fund operations, interfere with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, prevent Fund shareholders from purchasing shares, submitting repurchase requests, or receiving distributions or receiving timely information regarding the Fund or their investment in the Fund, cause loss of or unauthorized access to private shareholder information, and result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. New ways to carry out cyber attacks continue to develop. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack.
Expense risk. Your actual costs of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in "Annual Fund operating expenses" for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if overall net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.
Portfolio selection risk. The Adviser's judgment about the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security, industry or about interest rates or other market factors may prove to be incorrect or may not produce the desired results, or there may be imperfections, errors or limitations in the models, tools and information used by the Adviser.
Repurchase offers risk. The risk that the Fund's repurchases of shares may hurt investment performance by forcing the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments or to liquidate certain investments when it is not desirable to do so. Repurchases may be oversubscribed, preventing shareholders from selling some or all of their shares back to the Fund.
Anti-takeover provisions. The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status.
To learn more about the Fund's investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement of additional information. Please note that there are many other factors that could adversely affect your investment and that could prevent the Fund from achieving its goals.
9
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Victory Capital serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is responsible on a day-to-day basis for investment of the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objective and principal investment strategies. The Adviser's principal address is 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256.
Victory Capital is a New York corporation that is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As of December 31, 2025, the Adviser managed and advised assets totaling in excess of $313.8 billion for individual and institutional clients.
Under the terms of the advisory agreement, the Fund will pay to the Adviser monthly, as compensation for the services rendered and expenses paid by it, a fee equal on an annual basis to 1.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 1.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets over $1 billion. This fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. See "Management of the Fund."
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee, and it does not currently expect to impose a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.0%, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase (such as bid to ask spreads) incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if the Adviser determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Victory Capital serves as the Fund's administrator. Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") serves as the custodian of the Fund. Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi Fund Services") performs certain sub-fund accounting and sub-fund administration services for the Fund. FIS Investor Services LLC ("FIS") serves as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund.
UNLISTED CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE
The Fund's shares have very limited liquidity. The Fund's shares will not be listed on a stock exchange, and the Fund does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its shares. The Fund will offer to repurchase a limited amount of shares quarterly, which is discussed in more detail below.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders all or a portion of its net investment income annually and realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. After the first year of operations, the Fund may pay dividends twice annually. Unless shareholders specify otherwise, dividends will be reinvested in shares of the Fund.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
You will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any state or local taxes, on the dividends and other distributions you receive from the Fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions from the Fund's net capital gains (the excess, if any, of its net long-term capital gains over its net short-term capital losses) are considered long-term capital gains and are generally taxable to noncorporate shareholders at reduced rates. Distributions from the Fund's net short-term capital gains are generally taxable as ordinary income. Other dividends are generally taxable as ordinary income or, in general, if paid from the Fund's "qualified dividend income" and if certain conditions, including holding period requirements, are met by the Fund and the shareholder, as qualified dividend income taxable to individual and certain other noncorporate shareholders at reduced U.S. federal income tax rates. "Qualified dividend income" generally is income derived from dividends paid by U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a U.S. possession or eligible for tax benefits under certain U.S. income tax treaties. In addition, dividends that the Fund receives in respect of stock of certain foreign corporations may be qualified dividend income if that stock is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market. A portion of dividends received from the Fund (but none of the Fund's capital gain distributions) may qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.
The Fund will report to shareholders annually the U.S. federal income tax status of all Fund distributions.
10
Prospectus Summary
If the Fund declares a dividend in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record in such a month, and pays it in January of the following year, you will be taxed on the dividend as if you received it in the year in which it was declared.
You should consult a tax adviser about state, local and foreign taxes on your distributions from the Fund.
See "Dividends and Distributions" and "Federal Income Tax Matters."
11
Summary of Fund Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Repurchase Fee1
2.00%
Sales Load
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
As a Percentage
of Net Assets
Attributable to
the Common Shares
Management Fee
1.75%
Other Expenses
0.18%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.01%
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement2
0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.94%
Example
The following examples illustrate the expenses that you would pay on an investment in the Fund's shares, assuming (1) the Fund's total annual operating expenses attributable to Common shares remain the same and (2) a 5% annual return*:
Without a repurchase
at the end of the period
With a repurchase
at the end of the period1
Number of years you own your shares
1
3
5
10
1
3
5
10
Total expenses incurred
on a $1,000 investment
$20
$61
$105
$226
$41
$83
$128
$254
Total expenses incurred
on a $1,000,000 investment
$19,697
$60,917
$104,699
$226,427
$40,606
$83,125
$128,287
$253,852
The foregoing fee table and examples are intended to assist investors in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly.
* The Examples should not be considered representations of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those assumed for purposes of the Examples. The Examples assume that the other expenses set forth in the fee table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Moreover, the Fund's actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.
1.
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may in the future charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00%, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase.
2.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses so that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding certain items such as acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, capitalized expenses, and other extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.93% through at least April 1, 2028. The Adviser is permitted to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to three years after the date of the waiver or reimbursement, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limits in effect at the time of (a) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (b) the recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment amount. This agreement may only be terminated by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board").
12
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the Fund's financial performance since the Fund's inception.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned or lost on an investment in shares of the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2025, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the Fund's annual report along with the Fund's financial statements. The information below for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 through October 31, 2023 was audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. The Fund's annual report is incorporated by reference in the statement of additional information and is available upon request.
Year
Ended
10/31/25
Year
Ended
10/31/24
Year
Ended
10/31/23
Year
Ended
10/31/22
Year
Ended
10/31/21
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.75
$9.40
$8.10
$8.43
$8.88
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)(a)
$1.47
$1.92
$0.58
$0.28
$0.30
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
0.16
(0.48
)
0.94
(0.44
)
(0.31
)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
$1.63
$1.44
$1.52
$(0.16
)
$(0.01
)
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income
$(1.17
)
$(1.09
)
$(0.22
)
$(0.17
)
$(0.44
)(b)
Total distributions
$(1.17
)
$(1.09
)
$(0.22
)
$(0.17
)
$(0.44
)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
$0.46
$0.35
$1.30
$(0.33
)
$(0.45
)
Net asset value, end of period
$10.21
$9.75
$9.40
$8.10
$8.43
Total return at net asset value(c)
18.66
%
17.29
%
19.22
%
(1.97
)%
(0.11
)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
1.91
%
1.93
%
1.94
%
1.88
%
1.91
%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
15.83
%
21.18
%
6.78
%
3.41
%
3.46
%
Portfolio turnover rate
34
%
29
%
41
%
45
%
70
%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$746,560
$700,687
$682,317
$806,152
$982,923
(a)
The per-share data presented above is based on the average shares outstanding for the periods presented.
(b)
The amount of distributions made to shareowners during the year was in excess of the net investment income earned by the Fund during the year.
(c)
Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each period, reinvestment of all distributions and the complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of each period.
13
Year
Ended
10/31/20
Year
Ended
10/31/19
Year
Ended
10/31/18
Year
Ended
10/31/17
Year
Ended
10/31/16
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.79
$9.93
$9.59
$11.09
$10.59
Increase (decrease) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)(a)
$0.33
$0.06
$0.31
$0.25
$0.63
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
0.31
(0.65
)
0.17
(0.74
)
0.51
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations
$0.64
$(0.59
)
$0.48
$(0.49
)
$1.14
Distributions to shareholders:
Net investment income
$(0.55
)
$(0.55
)
$(0.14
)
$(1.01
)(b)
$(0.64
)
Total distributions
$(0.55
)
$(0.55
)
$(0.14
)
$(1.01
)
$(0.64
)
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
$0.09
$(1.14
)
$0.34
$(1.50
)
$0.50
Net asset value, end of period
$8.88
$8.79
$9.93
$9.59
$11.09
Total return at net asset value(c)
7.77
%
(5.85
)%
5.04
%
(4.95
)%
11.23
%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
1.93
%
1.96
%
1.95
%
2.00
%
2.10
%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
3.92
%
0.68
%
3.19
%
2.38
%
5.93
%
Portfolio turnover rate
60
%
50
%
42
%
34
%
29
%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$876,126
$831,640
$991,447
$359,114
$161,667
Ratios with no waiver of fees and assumption of expenses by the Adviser and no
reduction for fees paid indirectly:
Total expenses to average net assets
1.93
%
1.96
%
1.95
%
2.00
%
2.17
%
Net investment income (loss) to average net assets
3.92
%
0.68
%
3.19
%
2.38
%
5.86
%
(a)
The per-share data presented above is based on the average shares outstanding for the periods presented.
(b)
The amount of distributions made to shareowners during the year was in excess of the net investment income earned by the Fund during the year.
(c)
Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each period, reinvestment of all distributions and the complete redemption of the investment at net asset value at the end of each period.
14
The Fund
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on July 15, 2014, and has registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund's principal office is located at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and its telephone number is 866-689-6999.
Use of Proceeds
The Fund will invest the proceeds of the offering of shares in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and principal investment strategies as stated below. It is presently anticipated that the Fund will be able to fully invest all of the proceeds according to its investment objective and policies within approximately three months after the receipt of proceeds, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund as well as the availability of securities consistent with the Fund's investment objective and strategies. Pending investment, all or a portion of the proceeds may be invested in U.S. government securities or high grade, short-term money market instruments. See "Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies."
15
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is total return. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide 30 days' written notice prior to implementing any change to its investment objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in insurance-linked securities ("ILS"). ILS include event-linked bonds (also known as insurance-linked bonds or catastrophe bonds), quota share instruments (also known as "reinsurance sidecars"), collateralized reinsurance investments, industry loss warranties, event-linked swaps, securities of companies in the insurance or reinsurance industries, and other insurance- and reinsurance-related securities.
Because ILS are typically rated below investment grade or unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade (high yield) debt securities. Investment in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," involves substantial risk of loss. Securities in which the Fund may invest may also be subordinated or "junior" to more senior securities of the issuer.
In selecting ILS for investment, Victory Capital uses quantitative and qualitative analysis. Victory Capital utilizes quantitative analysis in an effort to model portfolio risk and attribution. This modeling process is supported by use of a risk analytic system that is used by the insurance industry. The risk analytic system contains a database of historical and hypothetical catastrophic events and property structures that assists Victory Capital in its efforts to model peril exposures at both the security and portfolio level. Among the factors considered in this process are expected loss and the probabilities of loss and maximum loss. Victory Capital's qualitative analysis may consider various factors, such as trigger term (measurement of loss event specific to an instrument) or other terms of an instrument, sponsor quality, deal structure, alignment of interest between the Fund and the sponsoring insurance company, and model accuracy. Victory Capital's analysis guides Victory Capital in determining the desired allocation of reinsurance-related securities by issuer, peril and geographic exposure. The Fund seeks to participate broadly in the spectrum of natural catastrophe risks within the global reinsurance market, while seeking to reduce exposure to reinsurers where there is not an alignment of interest. However, there are no limits on the Fund's potential investment in a particular issue, peril or geographic exposure. Victory Capital may rely on information and analysis obtained from brokers, dealers and ratings organizations, among other sources.
In selecting investments other than ILS, Victory Capital also considers both broad economic and issuer specific factors. Victory Capital selects individual securities based upon the terms of the securities, liquidity and rating, sector and exposure to particular issuers and sectors. Victory Capital also employs fundamental research to assess an issuer's credit quality, taking into account financial condition and profitability, future capital needs, potential for change in rating, industry outlook, the competitive environment and management ability. In making these portfolio decisions, Victory Capital relies on the knowledge, experience and judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates who have access to a wide variety of research.
Victory Capital may sell a portfolio security when it believes the security no longer will contribute to meeting the Fund's investment objective. Victory Capital makes that determination based on the same criteria it uses to select portfolio securities.
Portfolio investments
Normally, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in insurance-linked securities ("ILS"). Derivative instruments that provide exposure to such ILS or have similar economic characteristics may be used to satisfy the Fund's 80% policy. ILS include event-linked bonds (also known as insurance-linked bonds or catastrophe bonds), structured reinsurance investments such as quota share instruments (a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer's portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies, sometimes referred to as "reinsurance sidecars") and collateralized reinsurance investments, industry loss warranties, event-linked swaps, securities of companies in the insurance or reinsurance industries, and other insurance- and reinsurance-related securities.
Reinsurance-related securities are typically below investment grade, or unrated, and may be referred to as "junk bonds."
16
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has no limit as to the maturity of the securities in which it invests. Event-linked bonds typically have maturities between three and five years, while quota shares, collateralized reinsurance investments and industry loss warranties typically have maturities that generally do not exceed two years. Maturity is a measure of the time remaining until final payment on the security is due.
The Fund will provide written notice to shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change to the requirement that it invest at least 80% of its assets in ILS.
In addition to ILS, the Fund may invest in in a broad range of issuers and segments of the debt securities market. Debt securities may include instruments and obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and other non-governmental entities, those of U.S. and non-U.S. governmental entities (including government agencies and instrumentalities), floating rate loans and other floating rate securities, subordinated debt securities, certificates of deposit, money market securities, funds that invest primarily in debt securities, and cash, cash equivalents and other short term holdings.
The Fund's investments may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, floating rate, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features.
The Fund may invest in ILS issued by non-U.S. issuers.
The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives, such as currency forward contracts and bond and interest rate futures. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market price of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities; to seek event-linked exposure; to attempt to increase the Fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative; and to manage portfolio characteristics. The Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations. The Fund also may hold cash or other short-term investments.
To the extent consistent with the repurchase liquidity requirement of an interval fund, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities.
The Fund may consider various non-financial ratings or factors, where applicable, through quantitative models or qualitative assessment. The significance these considerations have on security selection varies widely, as the analysis is inherently subjective. Further, the consideration of such factors may not apply to certain instruments and the consideration of such factors is only a part of the investment process.
The Fund's investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in this prospectus or in the statement of additional information.
Insurance-linked securities
Event-linked bonds
The Fund may invest in "event-linked" bonds, which sometimes are referred to as "insurance-linked" or "catastrophe" bonds. Event-linked bonds are floating rate debt obligations for which the return of principal and the payment of interest are contingent on the non-occurrence of a pre-defined "trigger" event, such as a hurricane or an earthquake of a specific magnitude. The trigger event's magnitude may be based on losses to a company or industry, industry indexes or readings of scientific instruments, or may be based on specified actual losses. If a trigger event, as defined within the terms of an event-linked bond occurs, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its accrued interest and/or principal invested in such event-linked bond. The Fund is entitled to receive principal and interest payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the instrument.
Event-linked bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other U.S. or non-U.S. entities. Event-linked bonds are typically rated below investment grade or may be unrated. The rating for an event-linked bond primarily reflects the rating agency's calculated probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur, which will cause a loss of principal. This rating may also assess the credit risk of the bond's collateral pool, if any, and the reliability of the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event.
17
The Fund's investments in event-linked bonds may have trigger events related to a broad range of insurance risks, which can be broken down into three major categories: natural risks, weather risks and non-natural events. Investments in event-linked bonds with trigger events related to natural risks will represent the largest portion of the Fund's event-linked bond investments. The events covered are natural catastrophes, such as hurricanes, other windstorms, earthquakes and fires. Investments in event-linked bonds linked to weather risks provide insurance to companies, or insurers of companies, whose sales depend on the weather and provide a hedge on the impact of weather-related risks. For example, a weather event-linked bond could provide coverage based on the average temperature in a region over a given period. Investments in event-linked bonds linked to non-natural risks could cover a much broader array of insurable risks, such as aerospace and shipping catastrophes.
The Fund may invest in other types of event-linked bonds where the trigger event may be based on company-wide losses ("indemnity triggers"), index-based losses ("index triggers") or a combination of triggers ("hybrid triggers").
Indemnity triggers. Indemnity triggers are based on losses of the insurance company or other entity issuing the event-linked bond. The trigger event would be considered to have occurred if a company's losses on catastrophic insurance claims exceeded a certain aggregate amount of insured claims. If the company's losses were less than the pre-determined aggregate amount, then the trigger event would not be considered to have occurred and the Fund would be entitled to recover its principal plus accrued but unpaid interest. Indemnity triggers require investors and rating agencies to understand the risks of the insurance and reinsurance policies underwritten by the company, which may be difficult to obtain and ascertain, particularly in the case of complex commercial insurance and reinsurance policies. In addition, event-linked bond investors are dependent upon the company's ability to settle catastrophe claims in a manner that would not be disadvantageous to investors' interests.
Index triggers. Index triggers follow one of three broad approaches: parametric, industry-loss and modeled-loss, or a combination thereof, which is discussed below as "hybrid triggers." Index triggers are based on pre-defined formulas, which eliminate the risks relating to a company's insurance claims-handling practices and potential information barriers. However, index triggers are generally riskier than indemnity triggers, since investors in event-linked bonds that have index triggers are dependent upon the accuracy of the models and reporting services used to calculate the formulas.
- Parametric. Parametric index triggers are based upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event with certain defined physical parameters (e.g., wind speed and location of a hurricane or magnitude and location of an earthquake).
- Industry-loss. Industry loss index triggers are based upon the estimated loss for the insurance industry as a whole from a particular catastrophe. Estimates are derived from a reporting service, such as Property Claim Services.
- Modeled-loss. Modeled-loss index triggers are based upon a catastrophe-modeling firm's database estimate of an industry loss, or a company's losses compared to a modeling firm's industry estimate of losses.
Hybrid triggers. Hybrid triggers involve more than one trigger type in a single transaction or tranche of an event-linked bond. For example, a hybrid trigger could involve the occurrence of both a U.S. hurricane and a Japanese earthquake with a different kind of index trigger for each. Another example of a hybrid trigger involves different trigger types occurring in a particular sequence. For example, after the occurrence of a qualifying U.S. earthquake, a modeled-loss index is used to establish a company's overall market share, and then applied to the industry loss index associated with the qualifying event to determine any principal reduction. Hybrid triggers may be more complicated and difficult to understand for investors, and involve the applicable risks associated with the types of triggers described above.
Structured reinsurance investments
ILS include special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer's catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Quota share instruments and other structured reinsurance investments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund. The Fund may invest substantially in illiquid securities.
Structured reinsurance investments developed along with event-linked bonds as a mechanism to facilitate risk-transfer from insurance markets to capital markets investors. These instruments are typically more customizable but less liquid investments than event-linked bonds. Like event-linked bonds, an investor in structured reinsurance investments participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts. Where the instruments are
18
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
based on the performance of underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the underlying insurance policies and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the insurer and/or reinsurer. The instruments typically mature in one year.
The Fund invests indirectly in reinsurance contracts, by holding notes or preferred shares issued by a SPV or similar instrument whose performance is tied to an underlying reinsurance transaction, including quota share instruments. Quota share instruments are a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer's portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies, according to a pre-defined percentage. For example, under a 10% quota share agreement, the SPV would be entitled to 10% of all premiums associated with a defined portfolio and be responsible for 10% of all related claims. The Fund, as a holder of a quota share issued by an SPV would be entitled to its pro rata share of premiums received by the SPV and would be responsible for its pro rata share of the claims, up to the total amount invested.
Collateralized reinsurance investments, are privately structured securities or derivatives utilized to gain exposure to the reinsurance market. Collateralized reinsurance entails an SPV entering into a reinsurance arrangement that is then collateralized by invested capital and premiums related to the insurance coverage. The collateral is designed to cover in full the potential claims that could arise from the underlying reinsurance contract.
Structured reinsurance investments may include industry loss warranties ("ILWs"). ILWs are insurance-linked securities used to finance peak, non-recurrent insurance risks, such as hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes. ILWs feature an industry loss index trigger, and, in some cases, a dual trigger design that includes a protection buyer indemnity trigger. A traditional ILW takes the form of a bilateral reinsurance contract, but there are also index products that take the form of derivatives, collateralized structures or exchange traded instruments. The common feature among these forms is that the payout trigger is based on an industry loss index or a parametric index. County-weighted industry loss warranties are variations of ILWs that provide reinsurance protection at a county level rather than state-wide or industry-wide losses.
The reinsurance market is highly cyclical, with coverage being written at the beginning of the year and midyear for coverage for the following 12 months. The pricing of reinsurance is also highly cyclical as premiums for reinsurance coverage are driven, in large part, by insurers' recent loss experience.
Liquidity and Restricted Securities
A significant percentage of the ILS in which the Fund invests are legally restricted as to resale pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Certain Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may be determined to be liquid securities and most or all of the event-linked bonds in which the Fund invests will be considered liquid securities. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of Rule 144A securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them. Other ILS, including quota share instruments, generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund. The Fund may invest substantially in illiquid securities.
Credit management
The Fund may invest in securities and other obligations of any credit quality, including those that are rated below investment grade (debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds") or are unrated but determined by the Adviser to be of equivalent credit quality, and those that are in default or in bankruptcy. Because ILS typically are rated below investment grade or are unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade securities. An investor can still lose significant amounts when investing in investment grade securities. The Fund does not have a policy of maintaining a specific average credit quality of its portfolio. The Adviser monitors the credit quality and price of the securities and other instruments held by the Fund.
Although the Adviser considers ratings when making investment decisions, it performs its own credit and investment analysis and does not rely primarily on ratings assigned by rating services. In evaluating the attractiveness of a particular obligation, whether rated or unrated, the Adviser generally gives equal weight to the obligation's yield and the issuer's creditworthiness and will normally take into consideration, among other things, the issuer's financial resources and operating history, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the availability of its management, its debt maturity schedules and borrowing requirements, and relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest and asset coverage and earnings prospects.
19
Below investment grade securities
The Fund may invest in debt securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser. Because ILS typically are rated below investment grade or are unrated, a substantial portion of the Fund's assets ordinarily will consist of below investment grade securities. A debt security is below investment grade if it is rated Ba/BB or lower or the equivalent rating by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization or determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered speculative. Below investment grade debt securities involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility and are less liquid, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change, than higher quality debt securities. Below investment grade securities also may be more difficult to value. With respect to event-linked bonds, the rating reflects the probability that a pre-defined trigger event will occur, rather than the bond's credit rating. The rating also assesses the model used to calculate the probability of the trigger event.
If a security receives different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Fund will use the rating chosen by the portfolio manager as most representative of the security's credit quality. The ratings of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake to rate and may not accurately describe the risks of the securities. A rating organization may have a conflict of interest with respect to a security for which it assigns a quality rating. In addition, there may be a delay between a change in the credit quality of a security or other asset and a change in the quality rating assigned to the security or other asset by a rating organization. If a rating organization changes the quality rating assigned to one or more of the Fund's portfolio securities, the Adviser will consider if any action is appropriate in light of the Fund's investment objective and policies. An investor can still lose significant amounts when investing in investment grade securities.
Floating rate investments
Floating rate investments are securities and other instruments with interest rates that adjust or "float" periodically based on a specified interest rate or other reference and include floating rate loans, repurchase agreements, money market securities and shares of money market and short-term bond funds. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the Fund considers as floating rate instruments adjustable rate securities, fixed rate securities with durations of less than or equal to one year, funds that invest primarily in floating rate instruments, and fixed rate securities with respect to which the Fund has entered into derivative instruments to effectively convert the fixed rate interest payments into floating rate interest payments.
Floating rate loans
Floating rate loans are provided by banks and other financial institutions to large corporate customers. These loans are rated below investment grade, but typically are secured with specific collateral and have a senior position in the capital structure of the borrower. These loans typically have rates of interest that are reset periodically by reference to a base lending rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus a premium.
Second lien loans and other subordinated debt obligations
The Fund may invest in loans and other debt securities that have the same characteristics as senior floating rate loans except that such loans are second in lien property rather than first. Such "second lien" loans and securities, like senior floating rate loans, typically have adjustable or floating rate interest payments. The risks associated with "second lien" loans are higher than the risk of loans with first priority over the collateral. In the event of default on a "second lien" loan, the first priority lien holder has first claim to the underlying collateral of the loan. It is possible that no collateral value would remain for the second priority lien holder and therefore result in a loss of investment to the Fund.
U.S. government securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government, its agencies or government-sponsored entities. U.S. government securities include obligations: directly issued by or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, like Treasury bills, notes and bonds and Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) certificates; supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, like those of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs); supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's securities, like those of the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA); or supported only by the credit of the issuer itself, like the Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities include issues by non-governmental entities (like financial institutions) that carry direct guarantees from U.S. government
20
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
agencies. U.S. government securities include zero coupon securities that make payments of interest and principal only upon maturity and which therefore tend to be subject to greater volatility than interest-bearing securities with comparable maturities.
Although the U.S. government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities issued by the U.S. government and some of its agencies, such as securities issued by GNMA, this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities. Some of the U.S. government securities that the Fund may hold are not guaranteed or backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by FNMA and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC).
Non-U.S. investments
The Fund may invest without limit in securities of non-U.S. issuers, including securities of emerging market issuers. Non-U.S. issuers are issuers that are organized and have their principal offices outside of the United States. Non-U.S. securities may be issued by non-U.S. governments, banks or corporations, or private issuers, and certain supranational organizations, such as the World Bank and the European Union. The Fund considers emerging market issuers to include issuers organized under the laws of an emerging market country, issuers with a principal office in an emerging market country, issuers that derive at least 50% of their gross revenues or profits from goods or services produced in emerging markets or sales made in emerging market countries, or issuers that have at least 50% of their assets in emerging market countries. Emerging markets will generally include, but not be limited to, countries included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging + Frontier Markets Index.
Derivatives
The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity, fixed income and interest rate indices, and other financial instruments, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars and enter into various currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures or credit transactions and credit default swaps. The Fund also may purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market price of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities; to seek event-linked exposure; to attempt to increase the Fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative; to manage portfolio characteristics, and as a cash flow management technique. The Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations. The Fund also may hold cash or other short-term investments.
Structured securities
The Fund may invest in structured securities. The value of the principal and/or interest on such securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators ("Reference") or the relative change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances that no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in a loss of the Fund's investment. Changes in the interest rate or principal payable at maturity may be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of fixed income securities.
Credit-linked notes
The Fund may invest in credit-linked notes ("CLNs"). A CLN is a derivative instrument. It is a synthetic obligation between two or more parties where the payment of principal and/or interest is based on the performance of some obligation (a reference obligation). In addition to credit risk of the reference obligations and interest rate risk, the buyer/seller of the CLN is subject to counterparty risk.
21
Credit default swaps
The Fund may enter into credit default swaps, which are a type of derivative transaction. In a credit default swap, the credit default protection buyer makes periodic payments, known as premiums, to the credit default protection seller. In return, the credit default protection seller will make a payment to the credit default protection buyer upon the occurrence of a specified credit event. A credit default swap can refer to a single issuer or asset, a basket of issuers or assets, or an index of assets, each known as the "reference obligation."
A credit default swap is designed as a means to purchase (or sell) a hedge against the risk of default on the reference obligation. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the par value (i.e., full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference obligation, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled.
The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of the reference obligation, the value of which may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally would receive an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Event-linked swaps
The Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in event-linked swaps, which are similar to credit default swaps but typically are contingent, or formulaically related to defined trigger events. Trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes and weather-related phenomena, including statistics relating to such events. If a trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose the swap's notional amount. As derivative instruments, event-linked swaps are subject to risks in addition to the risks of investing in event-linked bonds, including counterparty risk and leverage risk.
Inverse floating rate obligations
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate obligations (a type of derivative instrument). The interest rate on inverse floating rate obligations will generally decrease as short-term interest rates increase, and increase as short-term rates decrease. Due to their leveraged structure, the sensitivity of the market value of an inverse floating rate obligation to changes in interest rates is generally greater than a comparable long-term bond issued by the same issuer and with similar credit quality, redemption and maturity provisions. Inverse floating rate obligations may be volatile and involve leverage risk.
Other investment companies
The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and money market funds, to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act. The Fund may also invest without limit in money market funds. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies' expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses will be in addition to the direct expenses incurred by the Fund.
Exchange-traded Funds
Subject to the Fund's limitations on investment in other investment companies, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). ETFs are funds whose shares are traded on an exchange. ETFs may be based on underlying equity or fixed income securities. ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as "creation units" to "authorized participants" ("APs). The AP purchasing a creation unit may sell the individual shares on a secondary market to individual investors. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF's investment objective will be achieved. ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of the ETF, will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund's own operations.
22
Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
Money market instruments
The Fund may invest in money market instruments or a money market fund that invests in money market instruments. Money market instruments include short-term U.S. government securities, U.S. dollar-denominated, high quality commercial paper (unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance their short-term credit needs), certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and repurchase agreements relating to any of the foregoing.
Reverse repurchase agreements and borrowing
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements pursuant to which the Fund transfers securities to a counterparty in return for cash, and the Fund agrees to repurchase the securities at a later date and for a higher price. Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings by the Fund, are a form of leverage and may make the value of an investment in the Fund more volatile and increase the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund also may borrow money from banks or other lenders, including to finance repurchase requests. The Fund may borrow up to 33 13% of its total assets. Entering into reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowing transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.
Repurchase agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase agreements are arrangements under which the Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the Fund's purchase price, with the difference being income to the Fund. A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan by the Fund collateralized by securities. The Adviser reviews and monitors the creditworthiness of any institution which enters into a repurchase agreement with the Fund. All repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund shall be fully collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or agency obligations at all times during the period of the agreement in that the value of the collateral shall be at least equal to an amount of the loan, including interest thereon. Collateral is held by the Fund's custodian in a segregated safekeeping account for the benefit of the Fund. Repurchase agreements afford the Fund an opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the collateral, the Fund may be required to return the collateral to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.
Cash management and temporary investments
Normally, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its investment objective. The Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in money market funds, securities with remaining maturities of less than one year or cash equivalents, including overnight repurchase agreements, or may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, including during periods of unusual cash flows, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or may hold cash. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when the Adviser believes securities in which the Fund normally invests have special or unusual risks or are less attractive due to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such periods, it may be more difficult for the Fund to achieve its investment objective.
Short-term trading
The Fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The Fund will sell an investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no longer meets the Fund's investment criteria. If the Fund does a lot of trading, it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital gains.
23
Risk Factors
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. Therefore, before purchasing shares, you should consider carefully the following risks that you assume when you invest in the Fund.
General. The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading tool. The Fund is not a complete investment program and should be considered only as an addition to an investor's existing portfolio of investments. Because the Fund invests predominantly in ILS of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, floating rate loans, and high yield debt securities, an investment in the Fund's shares is speculative in that it involves a high degree of risk. Due to uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. ILS in which the Fund invests may only have limited liquidity, or may be illiquid. In addition, even though the Fund will make periodic offers to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares to provide some liquidity to shareholders, shareholders should consider the Fund to be an illiquid investment.
Risks of investing in insurance-linked securities. The Fund could lose a portion or all of the principal it has invested in an ILS, and the right to additional interest and/or dividend payments with respect to the security, upon the occurrence of one or more trigger events, as defined within the terms of the ILS. Trigger events may include natural or other perils of a specific size or magnitude that occur in a designated geographic region during a specified time period, and/or that involve losses or other metrics that exceed a specific amount. Natural perils include disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, windstorms, fires, floods and other weather-related occurrences, as well as mortality or longevity events. Non-natural perils include disasters resulting from human-related activity such as commercial and industrial accidents or business interruptions. Major natural disasters (such as in the cases of Super Typhoon Goni in the Philippines in 2020, monsoon flooding in China in 2020, Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean in 2017, Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Ian in Florida in 2022, Palisades and Eaton fires in 2025 and Central Texas floods in 2025) or commercial and industrial accidents (such as aviation disasters and oil spills) can result in significant losses, and investors in ILS with exposure to such natural or other disasters may also experience substantial losses. If the likelihood and severity of natural and other large disasters increase, the risk of significant losses to reinsurers may increase. Typically, one significant triggering event (even in a major metropolitan area) will not result in financial failure to a reinsurer. However, a series of major triggering events could cause the failure of a reinsurer. Similarly, to the extent the Fund invests in ILS for which a triggering event occurs, losses associated with such event will result in losses to the Fund and a series of major triggering events affecting a large portion of the ILS held by the Fund will result in substantial losses to the Fund. The Fund may also invest in ILS that are subject to "indemnity triggers." An indemnity trigger is a trigger based on the actual losses of the ceding sponsor (i.e., the party seeking reinsurance). ILS subject to indemnity triggers are often regarded as being subject to potential moral hazard, since such ILS are triggered by actual losses of the ceding sponsor and the ceding sponsor may have an incentive to take actions and/or risks that would have an adverse effect on the Fund. For example, a ceding sponsor might inflate its total claims paid above the ILS trigger level in order to share its losses with investors in the ILS. Thus, bonds with indemnity triggers may be subject to moral hazard, because the trigger depends on the ceding sponsor to properly identify and calculate losses that do and do not apply in determining whether the trigger amount has been reached. In short, "moral hazard" refers to this potential for the sponsor to influence bond performance, as payouts are based on the individual policy claims against the sponsor and the way the sponsor settles those claims. There is no way to accurately predict whether a trigger event will occur and, accordingly, ILS carry significant risks. In addition to the specified trigger events, ILS may expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. ILS are also subject to the risk that the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event was not accurate and underestimated the likelihood of a trigger event. ILS may provide for extensions of maturity in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases when a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. Certain ILS may have limited liquidity, or may be illiquid. Upon the occurrence or possible occurrence of a trigger event, and until the completion of the processing and auditing of applicable loss claims, the Fund's investment in an ILS may be priced using fair value methods. Lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher transaction costs and the possibility that the Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so.
24
Risk Factors
Risks of investing in structured reinsurance investments. The Fund invests in ILS that are special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer's catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Quota shares instruments and other structured reinsurance investments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund.
Structured reinsurance investments are typically more customizable but less liquid investments than event-linked bonds. Like event-linked bonds, an investor in structured reinsurance investments participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts.
Structured reinsurance investments are subject to the same risks as event-linked bonds and other ILS. In addition, because quota share instruments represent an interest in a basket of underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the individual underlying contracts and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the insurer and/or reinsurer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund's investment in quota share instruments and therefore place the Fund's assets at greater risk of loss than if the Adviser had more complete information. Structured reinsurance investments may be difficult to value.
Since ILS issuers typically are structured so as to be bankruptcy remote SPVs or similar structures, it is unlikely that the Fund could lose its investment if the applicable trigger event never occurs. However, there can be no assurance that ILS in which the Fund may invest in the future will be structured in a similar manner or that a court would uphold the intended bankruptcy remote characterization of the structure. If ILS issued in the future is structured in a different manner, it may be possible that the Fund would lose its entire investment in an event-linked bond even though the applicable trigger event never occurs.
ILS market and reinvestment risk. The size of the ILS market may change over time, which may limit the availability of ILS for investment by the Fund. The original issuance of ILS in general, including ILS with desired instrument or risk characteristics, may fluctuate depending on the capital and capacity needs of reinsurers as well as the demand for ILS by institutional investors. The availability of ILS in the secondary market also may be limited by supply and demand dynamics and prevailing economic conditions. To the extent ILS held by the Fund mature, or the Fund must sell securities in connection with share repurchases, the Fund may be required to hold more cash or short-term investments than it normally would until attractive ILS becomes available. Holding excess cash and/or reinvestment in securities that are lower yielding or less desirable than securities sold may negatively affect performance.
There are relatively few market participants that market reinsurance arrangements, create SPVs and similar structures, and otherwise facilitate the participation in the reinsurance industry by funds and other capital market investors. Withdrawal from the industry by key market participants may affect negatively the liquidity of the ILS market or the operation or value of ILS structures that rely on these market participants.
Market risk. The market prices of securities or other assets held by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, political instability, recessions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, weather or climate events, armed conflict, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes, sanctions or other government actions, or other factors or adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the Fund's securities and assets fall, the value of your investment will go down. A change in financial condition or other event affecting a single issuer or market may adversely impact securities markets as a whole.
Changes in market conditions may not have the same impact on all types of securities. The value of securities may also fall due to specific conditions that affect a particular sector of the securities market or a particular issuer. In the past decade, financial markets throughout the world have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to, major cybersecurity events; geopolitical events (including wars, terror attacks and economic sanctions); measures to address budget deficits; downgrading of sovereign debt; changes in oil and
25
commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; global pandemics; and public sentiment. The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent variants on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, is not known. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced or may experience particularly large losses. Periods of extreme volatility in the financial markets, reduced liquidity of many instruments, increased government debt, inflation, and disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and employee availability, may continue for some time.
Raising the ceiling on U.S. government debt has become increasingly politicized. Any failure to increase the total amount that the U.S. government is authorized to borrow could lead to a default on U.S. government obligations, with unpredictable consequences for economies and markets in the United States and elsewhere. Inflation and interest rates may increase. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments and negatively impact the Fund's performance. In addition, inflation, rising interest rates, global supply chain disruptions and other market events could adversely affect the companies or issuers in which the Fund invests. Following the commencement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future political, geopolitical or other events or conditions.
Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the United States. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time. U.S. Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including increases or decreases in interest rates, or contrary actions by different governments, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the Fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and these and other events affecting global markets, such as the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (commonly known as "Brexit"), potential trade imbalances with China or other countries, or sanctions or other government actions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies (or their countermeasures), may contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
The United States and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs (or the threat of tariffs), investment restrictions and adverse impacts on affected companies and securities potentially leading to significant losses for the Fund. For example, the United States has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on exports from other countries, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to other countries, and has established barriers to investments in other countries. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. The U.S. government has prohibited U.S. persons, such as the Fund, from investing in Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. These and possible future restrictions could limit the Fund's opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. Moreover, China's long-running conflict over Taiwan's sovereignty, border disputes with many neighbors and historically strained relations with other Asian countries could result in military conflict. If the political climate between the United States and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China enters into military conflict with Taiwan, the Philippines or another neighbor, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund's assets may go down.
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, armed conflicts such as between Russia and Ukraine or in the Middle East, terrorism, natural disasters, infectious illness or public health issues, cybersecurity events, supply chain disruptions, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, and other circumstances in one country or region, could have profound impacts on other countries or regions and on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or regions directly affected, the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on any security or derivative position.
26
Risk Factors
High yield or "junk" bond risk. Debt securities that are below investment grade, called "junk bonds," are speculative, have a higher risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and are more difficult to value than higher grade securities and may involve major risk of exposure to adverse conditions and negative sentiments. These securities have a higher risk of issuer default because, among other reasons, issuers of junk bonds often have more debt in relation to total capitalization than issuers of investment grade securities. Junk bonds tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative sentiments. These risks are more pronounced for securities that are already in default. The Fund may not receive interest payments on defaulted securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, defaulted securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. Changes in economic conditions or developments regarding the individual issuer are more likely to cause price volatility and weaken the capacity of such securities to make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher grade debt securities. The value of lower-quality debt securities often changes in response to company, political, or economic developments and can decline significantly over short as well as long periods of time or during periods of general or regional economic difficulty. Junk bonds may also be less liquid than higher-rated securities, which means that the Fund may have difficulty selling them at times, and it may have to apply a greater degree of judgment in establishing a price for purposes of valuing Fund shares. Junk bonds generally are issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt securities relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer's bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income.
Interest rate risk. The market prices of the Fund's fixed income securities may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities and therefore the value of your investment in the Fund, generally falls. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the value of a Fund's portfolio with a portfolio duration of ten years would be expected to decrease by 10%, all other things being equal.
A general rise in interest rates could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities. A change in interest rates will not have the same impact on all fixed income securities. Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed income security, the greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the security's value. The maturity of a security may be significantly longer than its effective duration. A security's maturity and other features may be more relevant than its effective duration in determining the security's sensitivity to other factors affecting the issuer or markets generally, such as changes in credit quality or in the yield premium that the market may establish for certain types of securities (sometimes called "credit spread"). In general, the longer its maturity the more a security may be susceptible to these factors. When the credit spread for a fixed income security goes up or "widens," the value of the security will generally go down. Calculations of duration and maturity may be based on estimates and may not reliably predict a security's price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Moreover, securities can change in value in response to other factors, such as credit risk. In addition, different interest rate measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and foreign interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount or in the same direction. When interest rates go down, the income received by the Fund, and the Fund's yield, may decline. Also, when interest rates decline, investments made by the Fund may pay a lower interest rate, which would reduce the income received and distributed by the Fund.
Certain fixed income securities pay interest at variable or floating rates. Variable rate securities tend to reset at specified intervals, while floating rate securities may reset whenever there is a change in a specified index rate. In most cases, these reset provisions reduce the impact of changes in market interest rates on the value of the security. However, some securities do not track the underlying index directly, but reset based on formulas that may produce a leveraging effect; others may also provide for interest payments that vary inversely with market rates. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Yield generated by the Fund may decline due to a decrease in market interest rates.
The values of securities with floating interest rates generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as prevailing interest rates. In addition, rising interest rates can also lead to increased default rates, as issuers of floating rate securities find themselves faced with higher payments. Further, in the case of some instruments, if the underlying reference interest rate does not move by at least a prescribed
27
increment, no adjustment will occur in the floating rate instrument's interest rate. This means that, when prevailing interest rates increase, a corresponding increase in the instrument's interest rate may not result and the instrument may decline in value. Similarly, certain floating rate obligations have an interest rate floor feature, which prevents the interest rate payable by the security from dropping below a specified level as compared to a reference interest rate. Such a floor protects the Fund from losses resulting from a decrease in the reference interest rate below the specified level. However, if the reference interest rate is below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference interest rate and a rise in the interest rate payable by the obligation, and the Fund may not benefit from increasing interest rates for a significant amount of time. Unlike fixed rate securities, floating rate securities generally will not increase in value if interest rates decline. Changes in interest rates also will affect the amount of interest income the Fund earns on its floating rate investments. Unlike fixed rate securities, when prevailing interest rates decrease, the interest rate payable on floating rate investments will decrease.
The interest rates of some floating rate obligations adjust only periodically. Between the times that interest rates on floating rate obligations adjust, the interest rate on those obligations may not correlate to prevailing rates, which will affect the value of the loans and may cause the net asset values of the Fund's shares to fluctuate.
Credit Risk. If an obligor (such as the issuer itself or a party offering credit enhancement) for a security held by the Fund fails to pay, otherwise defaults, is perceived to be less creditworthy, becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, a security's credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or value of an underlying asset declines, the value of your investment could decline. The values of lower-quality debt securities tend to be particularly sensitive to these changes. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness may occur quickly. The values of securities also may decline for a number of other reasons that relate directly to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. If the Fund enters into financial contracts (such as certain derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions), the Fund will be subject to the credit risk presented by the counterparty. In addition, the Fund may incur expenses and suffer delays in an effort to protect the Fund's interests or to enforce its rights. The Fund evaluates the credit quality of issuers and counterparties prior to investing in securities. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the securities in which the Fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the companies issuing them and are not guarantees as to quality. Securities rated in the lowest category of investment grade (Baa/BBB) may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Prepayment or call risk. Many fixed income securities give the issuer the option to prepay or call the security prior to its maturity date. Issuers often exercise this right when interest rates fall. Accordingly, if the Fund holds a fixed income security that can be prepaid or called prior to its maturity date, it will not benefit fully from the increase in value that other fixed income securities generally experience when interest rates fall. Upon prepayment of the security, the Fund also would be forced to reinvest the proceeds at then current yields, which would be lower than the yield of the security that was prepaid or called. In addition, if the Fund purchases a fixed income security at a premium (at a price that exceeds its stated par or principal value), the Fund may lose the amount of the premium paid in the event of prepayment.
Risk of illiquid investments. Certain securities or derivatives held by the Fund may be or become impossible or difficult to purchase or dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are also more difficult to value and the Adviser's judgment may play a greater role in the valuation process. Investment of the Fund's assets in illiquid securities may restrict the Fund's ability to take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquid securities may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund's operations require cash and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet its short-term needs or incurring losses on the sale of illiquid securities. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities or when dealer market-making capacity is otherwise reduced. During times of market turmoil, there have been, and may be, no buyers for securities in entire asset classes, including U.S. Treasury securities.
Risks of investing in loans. Floating rate loans and similar investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments and difficult to value. Market quotations for these securities may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices. No active trading market may exist for many floating rate loans, and many loans are subject
28
Risk Factors
to restrictions on resale. Any secondary market may be subject to irregular trading activity and extended trade settlement periods. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a loan may lose significant value before a default occurs.
When the Fund invests in a loan participation, the Fund does not have a direct claim against the borrower and must rely upon an intermediate participant to enforce any rights against the borrower. As a result, the Fund is subject to the risk that an intermediate participant between the Fund and the borrower will fail to meet its obligations to the Fund, in addition to the risk that the issuer of the loan will default on its obligations. Also the Fund may be regarded as the creditor of the agent lender (rather than the borrower), subjecting the Fund to the creditworthiness of the lender as well as the borrower.
There is less readily available, reliable information about most senior loans than is the case for many other types of securities. Although the features of senior loans, including being secured by collateral and having priority over other obligations of the issuer, reduce some of the risks of investment in below investment grade securities, the loans are subject to significant risks. Victory Capital believes, based on its experience, that senior floating rate loans generally have more favorable loss recovery rates than most other types of below investment grade obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund's actual loss recovery experience will be consistent with Victory Capital's prior experience or that the senior loans in which the Fund invests will achieve any specific loss recovery rate.
Loans may take longer than seven days to settle, potentially leading to the sale proceeds of loans not being available to meet repurchase requests for a substantial period of time after the sale of the loans. To the extent that sale proceeds of loans are not available, the Fund may sell securities that have shorter settlement periods or may access other sources of liquidity to meet repurchase requests. During periods of distressed market conditions, the Fund may seek to obtain expedited trade settlement, which will generally incur additional costs (although expedited trade settlement will not always be available).
The types of covenants included in loan agreements generally vary depending on market conditions, the creditworthiness of the issuer, the nature of the collateral securing the loan, and other factors. Loans may have restrictive covenants that limit the ability of a borrower to further encumber its assets. If a borrower fails to comply with the covenants included in a loan agreement, the borrower may default in payment of the loan.
Some of the loans in which the Fund may invest may be "covenant lite." Covenant lite loans contain fewer maintenance covenants, or no maintenance covenants at all, than traditional loans and may not include terms that allow the lender to monitor the financial performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. This may expose the Fund to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce the Fund's ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result the Fund's exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
Second lien loans generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with senior loans. Because second lien loans are subordinated or unsecured and thus lower in priority on payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien loans generally have greater price volatility than senior loans and may be less liquid.
Certain floating rate loans and other corporate debt securities involve refinancings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions, and other financings for general corporate purposes. Other loans are incurred in restructuring or "work-out" scenarios, including debtor-in-possession facilities in bankruptcy. Loans in restructuring or similar scenarios may be especially vulnerable to the inherent uncertainties in restructuring processes. In addition, the highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in any of these transactions, whether acquisition financing or restructuring, may make the loans especially vulnerable to adverse economic or market conditions and the risk of default.
Loans to entities located outside of the U.S. may have substantially different lender protections and covenants as compared to loans to U.S. entities and may involve greater risks. The Fund may have difficulties and incur expense enforcing its rights with respect to non-U.S. loans and such loans could be subject to bankruptcy laws that are materially different than in the U.S.
29
Loans may not be considered "securities," and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections afforded by federal securities laws.
Collateral risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a floating rate loan can decline, and may be insufficient to meet the issuer's obligations or may be difficult to liquidate. In addition, the Fund's access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. These laws may be less developed and more cumbersome with respect to the Fund's non-U.S. floating rate investments. Floating rate loans may not be fully collateralized or may be uncollateralized. Uncollateralized loans involve a greater risk of loss. In the event of a default, the Fund may have difficulty collecting on any collateral and would not have the ability to collect on any collateral for an uncollateralized loan. In addition, the lender's security interest or their enforcement of their security interest under the loan agreement may be found by a court to be invalid or the collateral may be used to pay other outstanding obligations of the borrower. Further, the Fund's access to collateral, if any, may be limited by bankruptcy law. To the extent that a loan is collateralized by stock of the borrower or its affiliates, this stock may lose all or substantially all of its value in the event of bankruptcy of the borrower. Loans that are obligations of a holding company are subject to the risk that, in a bankruptcy of a subsidiary operating company, creditors of the subsidiary may recover from the subsidiary's assets before the lenders to the holding company would receive any amount on account of the holding company's interest in the subsidiary.
Risk of disadvantaged access to confidential information. The issuer of a floating rate loan may offer to provide material, non-public information about the issuer to investors, such as the Fund. Normally, Victory Capital will seek to avoid receiving this type of information about the issuer of a loan either held by, or considered for investment by, the Fund. Victory Capital's decision not to receive the information may place it at a disadvantage, relative to other loan investors, in assessing a loan or the loan's issuer. For example, in instances where holders of floating rate loans are asked to grant amendments, waivers or consents, Victory Capital's inability to assess the impact of these actions may adversely affect the value of the portfolio. For this and other reasons, it is possible that Victory Capital's decision not to receive material, non-public information under normal circumstances could adversely affect the Fund's investment performance.
Risks of subordinated securities. A holder of securities that are subordinated or "junior" to more senior securities of an issuer is entitled to payment after holders of more senior securities of the issuer. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take more time. If there is a default, bankruptcy or liquidation of the issuer, most subordinated securities are paid only if sufficient assets remain after payment of the issuer's non-subordinated securities. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater impact on subordinated securities than more senior securities.
U.S. Treasury obligations risk. The market value of direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury may vary due to changes in interest rates. In addition, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund's investments in obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury to decline.
U.S. government agency obligations risk. The Fund invests in obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. Government-sponsored entities such as FNMA, FHLMC and the FHLBs, although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by them are neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. government. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government obligations may greatly exceed their current resources, including any legal right to support from the U.S. government. Such debt and mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk of default on the payment of interest and/or principal, similar to debt of private issuers. Although the U.S. government has provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored entities in the future.
Risks of non-U.S. investments. Investing in non-U.S. issuers, or in U.S. issuers that have significant exposure to foreign markets, may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks are more pronounced for issuers in emerging markets or to the extent that the Fund invests significantly in one region or country. These risks may include:
Less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards and auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements, or regulatory practices
Many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile. In a changing market, the Adviser may not be able to sell the Fund's securities at times, in amounts and at prices it considers reasonable
30
Risk Factors
Adverse effect of currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund's investments, or its ability to convert non-U.S. currencies to U.S. dollars
The economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession
Economic, political, regulatory and social developments such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support, terrorism, armed conflicts and other geopolitical events, and the impact of tariffs and other restrictions on trade or economic sanctions, nationalization or expropriation of assets, arbitrary application of laws and regulations, or lack of rule of law, may adversely affect the securities markets
There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against issuers located in or operating in certain foreign markets, particularly emerging market countries, and shareholders may have limited legal remedies. It may be difficult for the Fund to pursue claims or enforce judgments against a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their agents, in the courts of a foreign country
The value of the Fund's foreign investments may also be affected by foreign tax laws, special U.S. tax considerations and restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Dividends and interest received by the Fund and capital gains recognized by the Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries and may decrease the Fund's return
Some markets in which the Fund may invest are located in parts of the world that have historically been prone to natural disasters that could result in a significant adverse impact on the economies of those countries and investments made in those countries
It is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the U.S.
A governmental entity may delay, or refuse or be unable to pay, interest or principal on its sovereign debt due to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity's debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms
Investing in depositary receipts is subject to many of the same risks as investing directly in non-U.S. issuers. Depositary receipts may involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security. In addition, depositary receipts may not pass through voting and other shareholder rights, and may be less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange
A number of countries in the European Union (EU) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional EU member countries may also fall subject to such difficulties. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. In addition, the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes of Brexit cannot be fully known but could be significant, potentially resulting in increased volatility, illiquidity and potentially lower economic growth in the affected markets, which will adversely affect the Fund's investments, particularly in euro-denominated securities and derivative contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries
China and other developing market countries are potentially subject to heightened degrees of economic, political and social instability. Markets in China and other Asian countries are relatively new and undeveloped. China's economic health is largely dependent upon exports, and may be dependent upon the economies of other Asian countries. Investments in Chinese and other Asian issuers could be adversely affected by changes in government policies, or trade or political disputes with major trading partners, including the U.S. China's growing trade surplus with the U.S. has given rise to trade disputes and the imposition of tariffs. The U.S. has also restricted the sale of certain goods to China. In addition, the U.S. government has imposed restrictions on U.S. investor participation in certain Chinese investments. These matters could adversely affect China's economy. China's central government exercises significant control over China's economy and may intervene in the financial markets, such as by imposing trading restrictions, and investments in Chinese issuers could be adversely affected by changes in government policies. The Chinese economy could be adversely affected by supply chain disruptions. An economic slowdown in China could adversely affect economies of other emerging market countries that trade with China, as well as companies operating in those countries. Economies of Asian countries and Asian issuers could be adversely affected by regional security threats. In addition, China's long-running conflict over Taiwan's sovereignty, border disputes with many neighbors and historically strained relations with other Asian countries could result in military conflict that could adversely impact the economies of China and other Asian countries, disrupt supply chains, and severely affect global economies and markets
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, may, from time to time, be unable to inspect audit work papers in certain foreign or emerging market countries. Investors in
31
foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign issuers or foreign persons is limited
If one or more stockholders of a supranational entity such as the World Bank fail to make necessary additional capital contributions, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities
Sanctions or other government actions against certain countries could negatively impact the Fund's investments in securities that have exposure to those countries
In response to military action in Ukraine, commencing in 2022, the United States and other countries issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia and Belarus and certain companies and individuals. Russia has taken retaliatory actions, including preventing repatriation of capital by U.S. and other investors. Since then, Russian securities lost all, or nearly all, their market value, and many other issuers, securities and markets have been adversely affected. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant market disruptions, including in certain markets, industries and sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and negatively affected global supply chains, food supplies, inflation and global growth. The U.S. and other countries may impose sanctions on other countries, companies and individuals in light of Russia's military invasion. The extent and duration of the military action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted. These and any related events could have a significant impact on the value and liquidity of certain Fund investments, on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund
Circumstances that impact one country could have profound impacts on other countries and on global economies or markets
Additional risks of investing in emerging markets include:
The extent of economic development, political stability, market depth, infrastructure, capitalization and regulatory oversight can be less than in more developed markets. Emerging market economies tend to be less diversified than those of more developed countries. They typically have fewer medical and economic resources than more developed countries and thus they may be less able to control or mitigate the effects of a pandemic
Emerging market countries may experience rising interest rates, or, more significantly, rapid inflation or hyperinflation
The Fund could experience a loss from settlement and custody practices in some emerging markets. Less developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories. Settlement of trades in these markets can take longer than in other markets and the Fund may not receive its proceeds from the sale of certain securities for an extended period (possibly several weeks or even longer)
The possibility that a counterparty may not complete a currency or securities transaction
Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility
Risks of investment in other funds. Investing in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and closed-end funds, subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities or assets held by those funds. When investing in another fund, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the underlying fund's expenses, including management fees, in addition to its own expenses. ETFs and closed-end funds are bought and sold based on market prices and can trade at a premium or a discount to the ETF's or closed-end fund's net asset value. Such funds may trade at a discount for an extended period and may not ever realize their net asset value.
Derivatives risk. Using futures, options and other derivatives exposes the Fund to special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund, even when used for hedging purposes. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce opportunities for gain when market prices, interest rates or currencies, or the derivative instruments themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund, especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives can have a leveraging effect (which may increase investment losses) and increase the Fund's volatility, which is the degree to which the Fund's share price may fluctuate within a short time period. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund's initial investment. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. If changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the Fund's other investments or do not correlate well with the underlying assets, rate or index, the Fund may not fully benefit from, or could lose money on, or could experience unusually high expenses as a result of, the derivative position. The other parties to certain derivative transactions present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives also tend to involve greater liquidity risk and they may be difficult to value. The Fund
32
Risk Factors
may be unable to terminate or sell its derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations. Use of derivatives or similar instruments may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The Fund's use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that an increased portion of the Fund's assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.
The U.S. government and foreign governments have adopted and implemented or are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivative markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or utility or otherwise adversely affect their performance, or may disrupt markets. The Fund may be exposed to additional risks as a result of the additional regulations. The extent and impact of the regulations are not yet fully known and may not be for some time. In addition, the SEC has proposed a new rule that would change the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. If the proposed rule takes effect, it could limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives.
There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and futures options. A purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. While the Fund may enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, the use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts might result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. There may be an imperfect correlation between the Fund's portfolio holdings and futures contracts or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund, which may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in market demand for futures, futures options and the related securities, including technical influences in futures and futures options trading, and differences between the securities markets and the securities underlying the standard contracts available for trading. Further, the Fund's use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to the Adviser's ability to predict correctly changes in interest rate relationships or other factors.
Under an interest rate swap agreement, the payment obligations, if any, of the Fund and the counterparty are netted against each other, resulting in a net payment due either from the Fund or the counterparty. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive payments from the counterparty on a swap or cap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at that point in time, a default by a counterparty could negatively impact the Fund's overall performance. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement would not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund's performance.
The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Fund's use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or harm the Fund's overall performance. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the Fund's net asset value. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Fund's fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce the Fund's net earnings. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates are higher than the fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will enhance the Fund's net earnings. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the Fund's performance by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the Fund's net earnings in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount the Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement.
Interest rate swaps and caps do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make and any termination payments potentially owed by the Fund. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap or cap to offset interest payments on
33
borrowings. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive payments from the counterparty on the swap or cap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at that point in time, such a default could negatively impact the Fund's performance.
The Fund will be required to maintain its positions with a clearing organization through one or more clearing brokers. The clearing organization will require the Fund to post margin and the broker may require the Fund to post additional margin to secure the Fund's obligations. The amount of margin required may change from time to time. In addition, cleared transactions may be more expensive to maintain than over-the-counter transactions and may require the Fund to deposit larger amounts of margin. The Fund may not be able to recover margin amounts if the broker has financial difficulties. Also, the broker may require the Fund to terminate a derivatives position under certain circumstances. This may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund's ability to use certain derivative instruments currently is limited by Commodity Futures Trading Commission rules.
Credit default swap risk. Credit default swap contracts, a type of derivative instrument, involve heightened risks and may result in losses to the Fund. Credit default swaps may in some cases be illiquid and difficult to value, and they increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation and the counterparty to the credit default swap. If the Fund buys a credit default swap, it will be subject to the risk that the credit default swap may expire worthless, as the credit default swap would only generate income in the event of a default on the underlying debt security or other specified event. As a buyer, the Fund would also be subject to credit risk relating to the seller's payment of its obligations in the event of a default (or similar event). If the Fund sells a credit default swap, it will be exposed to the credit risk of the issuer of the obligation to which the credit default swap relates. As a seller, the Fund would also be subject to leverage risk, because it would be liable for the full notional amount of the swap in the event of default (or similar event). Swaps may be difficult to unwind or terminate. Certain index-based credit default swaps are structured in tranches, whereby junior tranches assume greater default risk than senior tranches. The absence of a central exchange or market for swap transactions may lead, in some instances, to difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. Relatively recent legislation requires certain swaps to be executed through a centralized exchange or regulated facility and be cleared through a regulated clearinghouse. Although this clearing mechanism is generally expected to reduce counterparty credit risk, it may disrupt or limit the swap market and may not result in swaps being easier to trade or value. As swaps become more standardized, the Fund may not be able to enter into swaps that meet its investment needs. The Fund also may not be able to find a clearinghouse willing to accept the swaps for clearing. In a cleared swap, a central clearing organization will be the counterparty to the transaction. The Fund will assume the risk that the clearinghouse may be unable to perform its obligations.
Forward foreign currency transactions risk. To the extent that the Fund enters into forward foreign currency transactions, it may not fully benefit from or may lose money on the transactions if changes in currency rates do not occur as anticipated or do not correspond accurately to changes in the value of the Fund's holdings, or if the counterparty defaults. Such transactions may also prevent the Fund from realizing profits on favorable movements in exchange rates. Risk of counterparty default is greater for counterparties located in emerging markets. The Fund's ability to use forward foreign currency transactions successfully depends on a number of factors, including the forward foreign currency transactions being available at prices that are not too costly, the availability of liquid markets, and Victory Capital's judgment regarding the direction of changes in currency exchange rates.
Risks of investing in inverse floating rate obligations. The interest rate on inverse floating rate obligations will generally decrease as short-term interest rates increase, and increase as short-term rates decrease. Due to their leveraged structure, the sensitivity of the market value of an inverse floating rate obligation to changes in interest rates is generally greater than a comparable long-term bond issued by the same issuer and with similar credit quality, redemption and maturity provisions. Inverse floating rate obligations may be volatile and involve leverage risk.
Leveraging risk. The value of your investment may be more volatile and other risks tend to be compounded if the Fund borrows or uses derivatives or other investments that have embedded leverage. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund's underlying assets and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of all assets. Engaging in such transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations.
34
Risk Factors
New derivatives regulations require the Fund, to the extent it uses derivatives to a material extent, to, among other things, comply with certain overall limits on leverage. These regulations may limit the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategies and may not be effective to mitigate the Fund's risk of loss from derivatives.
Mortgage dollar roll transactions risk. The benefits to the Fund from mortgage dollar roll transactions depend upon the Adviser's ability to forecast mortgage prepayment patterns on different mortgage pools. The Fund may lose money if, during the period between the time it agrees to the forward purchase of the mortgage securities and the settlement date, these securities decline in value due to market conditions or prepayments on the underlying mortgages.
Risks of zero coupon bonds, payment in kind, deferred and contingent payment securities. Zero coupon bonds (which do not pay interest until maturity) and payment in kind securities (which pay interest in the form of additional securities) may be more speculative and may fluctuate more in value than securities which pay income periodically and in cash. Payment in kind securities are usually less volatile than zero coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities. These securities are more likely to respond to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality. The higher interest rates of payment in kind securities reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and payment in kind instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon bonds. These securities are more sensitive to the credit quality of the underlying issuer. Payment in kind securities may be difficult to value because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. Deferred interest securities are obligations that generally provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins and are issued at a significant discount from face value. The interest rate on contingent payment securities is determined by the outcome of an event, such as the performance of a financial index. If the financial index does not increase by a prescribed amount, the Fund may receive no interest.
Unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the period to maturity, the Fund generally will realize no cash until maturity and, if the issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. In addition, although the Fund receives no periodic cash payments on such securities, the Fund is deemed for tax purposes to receive income from such securities, which applicable tax rules require the Fund to distribute to shareholders. Such distributions may be taxable when distributed to shareholders and, in addition, could reduce the Fund's reserve position and require the Fund to sell securities and incur a gain or loss at a time it may not otherwise want in order to provide the cash necessary for these distributions.
Tax and regulated investment company qualification risk. As described in more detail in the SAI, in order for the Fund to qualify for the favorable tax treatment generally available to regulated investment companies, at least 90% of the Fund's gross income each taxable year must consist of qualifying income, the Fund must meet certain asset diversification tests at the end of each fiscal quarter, and the Fund must meet certain distribution requirements for each taxable year.
The tax treatment of certain ILS is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund's investments (including, potentially, certain ILS) may generate income that is not qualifying income. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the qualifying income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the qualifying income test.
Certain investments made by the Fund (including certain ILS) may be treated as equity in passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs") for federal income tax purposes. In general, a PFIC is a foreign corporation (i) that receives at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of its assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income. If the Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC and does not make a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF") election or mark-to-market election with respect to the equity interest in the PFIC, the Fund generally would, be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, and the Fund cannot avoid such tax and interest charges by timely distributing the excess distributions and gain to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax paid by the Fund. A QEF election or a "mark to market" election
35
may be available with respect to a PFIC that would ameliorate the adverse tax consequences under the default rule described above, but such an election could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash (i.e., "phantom income"). In order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid being subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. If the Fund makes a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, any mark-to-market gain or loss (to the extent permitted) will be considered ordinary. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or "phantom income" from the recognition of taxable income or gain without the current receipt of cash or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
If a sufficient portion of the equity interests for federal income tax purposes in a foreign issuer (including certain ILS issuers) is held or deemed held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a "controlled foreign corporation" (a "CFC") with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund would be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer's "subpart F income" and "tested income", whether or not such amounts are distributed. Generally, if an entity is both a CFC and a PFIC with respect to the Fund, the rules applicable to CFCs override those applicable to PFICs with respect to the Fund. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid being subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. In addition, some Fund gains on the disposition of interests in a CFC may be treated as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to limit its tax liability or "phantom income" from the recognition of income without the current receipt of cash or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
If the Fund were to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it would generally be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders generally would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to meet the qualifying income test or the diversification test if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, but in order to do so the Fund may incur a significant penalty tax that would reduce (and potentially could eliminate) the Fund's returns.
Valuation risk. Many factors may influence the price at which the Fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differ - higher or lower - from the Fund's valuation of the investment, and such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. These differences may increase significantly and affect Fund investments more broadly during periods of market volatility. Nearly all of the Fund's investments are valued using fair value methodologies. Investors who purchase or submit repurchase requests for Fund shares may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher repurchase requests proceeds, than they would have received if the securities had not been fair-valued or if a different valuation methodology had been used. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the Fund determines its net asset value. The ability to value the Fund's investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.
Concentration risk. A Fund that invests a significant percentage of its assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse economic, regulatory or other events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a Fund that does not concentrate in an industry.
Industries in the financial segment, such as insurance companies, may be sensitive to changes in interest rates, credit rating downgrades, decreased liquidity in credit markets, and general economic activity and are generally subject to extensive government regulation.
36
Risk Factors
Non-diversification risk. The Fund is not diversified, which means that it can invest a higher percentage of its assets in the securities of any one or more issuers than a diversified fund. Being non-diversified may magnify the Fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity failures by and breaches of the Fund's Adviser, transfer agent, distributor, custodian, fund accounting agent or other service providers may disrupt Fund operations, interfere with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, prevent Fund shareholders from purchasing shares, submitting repurchase requests, or receiving distributions or receiving timely information regarding the Fund or their investment in the Fund, cause loss of or unauthorized access to private shareholder information, and result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. Substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. New ways to carry out cyber attacks continue to develop. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack.
Expense risk. Your actual costs of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in "Annual Fund operating expenses" for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if overall net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.
Portfolio selection risk. The Adviser's judgment about the quality, relative yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region, market segment, security, industry or about interest rates or other market factors may prove to be incorrect or may not produce the desired results, or there may be imperfections, errors or limitations in the models, tools and information used by the Adviser.
Repurchase offers risk. The Fund is an "interval fund" and, in order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, will make periodic offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund's shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund's investment performance. Moreover, reduction in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. The Fund does not anticipate employing investment leverage, but if it were to do so in the future, repurchases of shares may compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows money to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not request that their shares be repurchased by increasing Fund expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed and the Fund determines not to repurchase additional shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholder repurchase requests are in an amount of shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase shares on a pro rata basis, and shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund at NAV during a particular repurchase offer. Some shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may submit more shares for repurchase than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV of shares submitted for repurchase in a repurchase offer may decline to the extent there is any delay between the repurchase request deadline and the date on which the NAV for such shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to shareholders.
Anti-takeover provisions. The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status.
To learn more about the Fund's investments and risks, you should obtain and read the statement of additional information. Please note that there are many other factors that could adversely affect your investment and that could prevent the Fund from achieving its goals.
37
Management of the Fund
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Fund's Board provides broad supervision over the affairs of the Fund. The officers of the Fund are responsible for the Fund's operations. The Trustees and officers of the Fund, together with their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, are listed in the Statement of Additional Information. Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee of other U.S. registered investment portfolios for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Victory Capital (the "Adviser") serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement and oversees the operations of the Fund according to investment policies and procedures adopted by the Board. The Adviser is a New York corporation that is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As of December 31, 2025, the Adviser managed and advised assets totaling in excess of $313.8 billion for individual and institutional clients. The Adviser's principal address is 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Board's approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser is available in the Financial Statements filed with the SEC on Form N-CSRS for the financial reporting period in which the Advisory Agreement was acted upon by the Board. The Adviser is a diversified global asset manager comprised of multiple investment teams, referred to as investment franchises, each of which utilizes an independent approach to investing. Pioneer Investments, a Victory Capital investment franchise, is responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund.
The Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund's overall investment program, supervising the Fund's overall compliance program and providing for the general management of the business affairs of the Fund.
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Under the terms of the advisory agreement, the Fund will pay to the Adviser monthly, as compensation for the services rendered and expenses paid by it, a fee equal on an annual basis to 1.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 1.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets over $1 billion. This fee is accrued daily and paid monthly. For the year ended October 31, 2025, the effective management fee was equivalent to 1.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
The Fund entered into an administration agreement with Victory Capital (the "Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement"), pursuant to which Victory Capital acts as the Fund's administrator, performing certain accounting and administration services for the Fund. Victory Capital is reimbursed for its costs of providing such services. The costs of providing these services are based on direct costs and costs of overhead, subject to the Board. In addition, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. performs certain sub-fund accounting and sub-fund administration services for the Fund pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, for the administration and fund accounting services that Victory Capital provides, the Fund pays Victory Capital an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates based on the aggregate average daily net assets of all Companies and Funds (as defined in the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement) together with all other registered investment companies for which Victory Capital acts as administrator (the Companies, the Funds and all such other registered investment companies are referred to herein as the "Clients"), and allocating to each Fund on a pro rata basis calculated based on the Fund's average daily net assets: 0.08% of the first $15 billion in aggregate Client net assets; plus 0.05% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $15 billion to $30 billion; plus 0.04% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $30 billion to $85 billion; plus 0.03% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $85 billion. Victory Capital may periodically waive all or a portion of the amount of its fee that is allocated to any Fund in order to increase the Fund's net income available for distribution to shareholders.
In addition, the Fund reimburses Victory Capital for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of providing the services under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, including costs associated with implementing new reports required by new rules adopted by the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act").
38
Management of the Fund
Except as otherwise provided in the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, Victory Capital pays all expenses that it incurs in performing its services and duties as administrator. Unless sooner terminated, the Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement continues in effect for a period of two years and for consecutive one-year terms thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each Fund and, in either case, by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement provides that Victory Capital shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, Victory Capital, among other things, coordinates the preparation, filing and distribution of amendments to the Fund's registration statement, supplements to prospectuses and SAIs, and proxy materials in connection with shareholder meetings; drafts shareholder communications, including annual and semi-annual reports; administers the Fund's other service provider contracts; monitors compliance with investment restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund's investment objective, investment policies, and restrictions, tax diversification, and distribution and income requirements; coordinates the Fund's service arrangements with financial institutions that make the Fund's shares available to its customers; assists with regulatory compliance; supplies individuals to serve as fund officers; prepares Board meeting materials; and annually determines whether the services that it provides are adequate and complete.
Victory Capital also performs fund accounting services for the Fund. As fund accountant, Victory Capital calculates or oversees the calculation of the Fund's NAV, its dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, and its yield. As fund accountant, Victory Capital also provides a current security position report, a summary report of transactions and pending maturities, a current cash position report, and maintains the general ledger accounting records for the Fund.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio is the responsibility of Chin Liu. The portfolio manager is supported by the Adviser's fixed income team. Members of this team manage other Victory Funds investing primarily in fixed income securities. The portfolio manager and the team also may draw upon the research and investment management expertise of the global research teams at Pioneer Investments, which provide fundamental and quantitative research for the Victory Funds.
Chin Liu, Managing Director, Director of Insurance-Linked Securities and Fixed Income Solutions at Pioneer Investments, joined the Adviser following the integration of Amundi US into the Adviser. He joined Pioneer Investments in 2007 and has been an investment professional since 2005. Mr. Liu has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since 2014.
The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio manager's ownership of securities in the Fund.
39
Dividends and Distributions
The Fund expects to declare and pay dividends of net investment income annually and realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. Unless shareholders specify otherwise, dividends will be reinvested in shares of the Fund. You may notify the Transfer Agent in writing to:
choose to receive dividends or distributions (or both) in cash; or
change the way you currently receive distributions
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Victory Capital Services, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Victory Capital is the principal underwriter of shares of the Fund. Shares may be purchased only through the Distributor. The Distributor acts as the distributor of the shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of a distributor's contract with the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Fund. The Distributor will also act as agent for the Fund in connection with repurchases of shares.
Shares of the Fund will be continuously offered through the Distributor, as the exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares. The Fund has authorized one or more intermediaries (e.g., brokers, investment advisers, etc.) (collectively, "intermediaries") to receive orders on its behalf. Such intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive orders on the Fund's behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received an order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, receives the order. Orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after they are received by an authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.
The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.
Victory Capital Services, Inc. or the Distributor may waive the Fund's minimum investment requirements (see "Purchase of Shares").
Additional conditions may apply to investments in the Fund made by shareholders investing through financial intermediaries, programs sponsored by financial intermediaries and retirement plans. The investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based, administrative or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the Fund and its affiliates. You should ask your investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any applicable fees. In addition, when you invest through an account that is not in your name, you generally may buy and sell shares and complete other transactions only through the account. Ask your investment professional or financial intermediary for more information.
No market currently exists for the fund's shares. The fund's shares are not listed and the fund does not currently intend to list its shares for trading on any securities exchange, and does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its shares. Neither Victory Capital, nor the Distributor, intends to make a market in the fund's shares.
The Distributor is not obligated to buy any of the shares and does not intend to make a market in the shares.
Payments to financial intermediaries
Your financial intermediary may receive compensation from Victory Capital and its affiliates for the sale of fund shares and related services, including administrative services and transaction processing.
Victory Capital and its affiliates may make additional payments to your financial intermediary. These payments may provide your financial intermediary with an incentive to favor the Victory Funds over other mutual funds or assist the Distributor in its efforts to promote the sale of the Fund's shares. Financial intermediaries include broker-dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators and other types of intermediaries.
Victory Capital makes these additional payments (sometimes referred to as "revenue sharing") to financial intermediaries out of its own assets, which may include profits derived from services provided to the Fund or service fees. Victory Capital may base these payments on a variety of criteria, including the amount of sales or assets of the Victory Funds attributable to the financial intermediary or as a per transaction fee.
40
Dividends and Distributions
Not all financial intermediaries receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation paid varies for each financial intermediary. In certain cases, these payments may be significant. Victory Capital determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make, generally choosing firms that have a strong capability to effectively distribute shares of the Victory Funds and that are willing to cooperate with Victory Capital's promotional efforts. Victory Capital also may compensate financial intermediaries (in addition to amounts that may be paid by the Fund) for providing certain administrative services and transaction processing services.
Victory Capital may benefit from revenue sharing if the intermediary features the Victory Funds in its sales system (such as by placing certain Victory Funds on its preferred fund list or giving access on a preferential basis to members of the financial intermediary's sales force or management). In addition, the financial intermediary may agree to participate in the Distributor's marketing efforts (such as by helping to facilitate or provide financial assistance for conferences, seminars or other programs at which Victory Capital personnel may make presentations on the Victory Funds to the intermediary's sales force). To the extent intermediaries sell more shares of the Victory Funds or retain shares of the Victory Funds in their clients' accounts, Victory Capital receives greater management and other fees due to the increase in the Victory Funds' assets. The intermediary may earn a profit on these payments if the amount of the payment to the intermediary exceeds the intermediary's costs.
Your intermediary may charge you additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in this prospectus. Intermediaries may categorize and disclose these arrangements differently than in the discussion above and in the statement of additional information. You can ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Victory Capital or the Victory Funds, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
Victory Capital and its affiliates may have other relationships with your financial intermediary relating to the provision of services to the Victory Funds, such as providing omnibus account services or effecting portfolio transactions for the Victory Funds. If your intermediary provides these services, Victory Capital or the Victory Funds may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other relationships with Victory Capital or its affiliates that are not related to the Victory Funds.
41
Purchase of Shares
Shares of beneficial interest in the Fund are being offered on a continuous basis at their NAV per share. During any continuous offering, shares may be purchased through the Fund's Distributor.
Any continuous offering may be discontinued at any time. The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.
The Fund generally accepts orders to purchase shares at their NAV per share on any regular business day.
Shares are generally available for purchase by registered investment advisers acting on behalf of their clients and by or through other financial intermediaries and programs sponsored by such financial intermediaries. Shares are also available to certain direct investors, which may be individuals, trusts, foundations and other institutional investors. Initial investments in the Fund by or through a registered investment adviser or other financial intermediary are subject to a $1,000,000 minimum per registered investment adviser or intermediary. Initial investments in the Fund by direct investors are subject to a $1,000,000 minimum. There is no minimum investment requirement for the following groups of direct investors: (i) current or former trustees and officers of the Fund; (ii) partners and employees of legal counsel to the Fund (at the time of initial share purchase); and (iii) certain employees of Victory Capital and its affiliates (at the time of initial share purchase) who are qualified to invest in the Fund. Registered investment advisers and other financial intermediaries may impose different or additional minimum investment and eligibility requirements from those of the Fund. Please contact the Fund's Distributor or your registered investment adviser or other financial intermediary for more information. Victory Capital or the Distributor may waive these minimum investment requirements.
The Fund does not offer share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
42
Periodic Repurchase Offers
The Fund is a closed-end "interval" fund and, to provide some liquidity and the ability to receive NAV on a disposition of at least a portion of your shares, makes periodic offers to repurchase shares. Except as permitted by the Fund's interval structure, no shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its shares. No public market for shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. Consequently, shareholders generally will not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of their shares by the Fund.
The Fund has adopted, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, requiring the Fund to offer to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its shares at NAV on a regular schedule. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Fund's outstanding shares, for each repurchase offer, the Fund expects to offer to repurchase 10% of its outstanding shares unless the Fund's Board of Trustees has approved a higher or lower amount for that repurchase offer.
The Fund is required to make repurchase offers every three months. The date on which the repurchase price for shares is determined will occur no later than the 14th day after the repurchase request deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day).
When a repurchase offer commences, the Fund sends, at least 21 days before the repurchase request deadline, written notice to each shareholder setting forth, among other things:
The percentage of outstanding shares that the Fund is offering to repurchase and how the Fund will purchase shares on a pro rata basis if the offer is oversubscribed.
The date on which a shareholder's repurchase request is due (the repurchase deadline).
The date that will be used to determine the Fund's NAV applicable to the repurchase offer (the "repurchase date"). See "Net Asset Value" above.
The date by which the Fund will pay to shareholders the proceeds from their shares accepted for repurchase.
The NAV of the shares as of a date no more than seven days before the date of the written notice and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV.
The procedures by which shareholders may request that their shares be repurchased and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their repurchase requests before the repurchase request deadline.
The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone the repurchase offer.
This notice may be included in a shareholder report or other fund document. The repurchase request deadline will be strictly observed. A repurchase request is received in good order if it is properly completed and signed. If a shareholder fails to submit a repurchase request in good order by the repurchase request deadline, the shareholder will be unable to liquidate shares until a subsequent repurchase offer, and will have to resubmit a request in the next repurchase offer. Shareholders may withdraw or change a repurchase request with a proper instruction submitted in good order at any point before the repurchase request deadline.
Determination of Repurchase Price and Payment for Shares. The repurchase price payable in respect of a share is equal to the share's NAV as determined no later than the 14th day (or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day) (the "repurchase pricing date") following the repurchase request deadline, and payment for all shares repurchased pursuant to these offers is made not later than seven days after the repurchase pricing date. Under normal circumstances, the repurchase pricing date falls ten days after the repurchase request deadline. The Fund's NAV per share may change materially between the date a repurchase offer is mailed and the repurchase request deadline, and it may also change materially between the repurchase request deadline and repurchase pricing date. The method by which the Fund calculates NAV is discussed above under "Net Asset Value." During the period an offer to repurchase is open, shareholders may obtain the current NAV by calling the Fund's transfer agent at 866-689-6999.
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee, and it does not currently expect to impose a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.0%, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase (such as bid to ask spreads) incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose shares are being
43
repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if the Adviser determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase of fund shares or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers. The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer in limited circumstances set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as described below, but only with the approval of a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (1) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (2) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the shares that are subject to the offer that are either listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association to be neither listed on any national securities exchange nor quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association; (3) for any period during which the NYSE or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (4) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (5) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Oversubscribed Repurchase Offers. There is no minimum number of shares that must be submitted for repurchase before the Fund will honor repurchase requests. However, the Fund's Trustees set for each repurchase offer a maximum percentage of shares that may be repurchased by the Fund. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. If the Fund determines not to repurchase additional shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders submit for repurchase an amount of shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the shares submitted for repurchase on a pro rata basis.
If any shares that you wish to have repurchased by the Fund are not repurchased because of proration, you will have to wait until the next repurchase offer and resubmit your repurchase request, and your repurchase request will not be given any priority over other shareholders' requests. Thus, there is a risk that the Fund may not purchase all of the shares you wish to have repurchased in a given repurchase offer or in any subsequent repurchase offer. In anticipation of the possibility of proration, some shareholders may submit for repurchase more shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, increasing the likelihood of proration.
There is no assurance that you will be able to have your shares repurchased by the Fund when or in the amount that you desire.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers. From the time the Fund distributes or publishes each repurchase offer notification until the repurchase pricing date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, "liquid assets" means assets that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the repurchase request deadline and the repurchase payment date, or which mature by the repurchase payment date. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.
If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not submit their shares for repurchase by increasing the Fund's expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional shares so as to mitigate these effects.
The repurchase of shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders, potentially even to those shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see "Federal Income Tax Matters" below and "TAXES" in the SAI.
44
Federal Income Tax Matters
The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder acquiring, holding or disposing of shares of the Fund. This discussion addresses only U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, other regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, foreign shareholders, shareholders who hold their shares as or in a hedge, a constructive sale, or a conversion transaction, S corporations, shareholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax, shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or governments or their agencies or instrumentalities. In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or non-U.S. or non-income tax consequences, and it does not address the effect of any treaty. The discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United States as of the date of this Prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the specific tax consequences to them of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares in the Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them and the effect of possible changes in tax laws.
The Fund has elected to be treated, and has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year, as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so that it will not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code) (the "90% income test") and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (subject to certain exceptions and special rules): (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets is represented by (1) cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and (2) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets is invested in (1) the securities (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, (2) the securities (other than securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (3) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
For purposes of the 90% income test, the character of income earned by any entities in which the Fund may invest that are not treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., partnerships other than certain publicly traded partnerships or trusts that have not elected to be classified as corporations under the "check-the-box" regulations) will generally pass through to the Fund. Consequently, in order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to limit its equity investments in such entities that earn fee income, rental income, insurance income or other non-qualifying income.
If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and properly distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its "investment company taxable income" as that term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), distributed to shareholders. However, if the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain some portion of its taxable income or gains, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the applicable corporate rate on the amount retained. The Fund may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by
45
the Fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction), net tax-exempt interest income, and net capital gain.
The tax treatment of certain ILS is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund's investments (including, potentially, certain ILS) may generate income that is not qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the 90% income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the 90% income test.
If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company or does not satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, it will be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, thereby subjecting any income earned by the Fund to tax at the corporate level and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so, the Fund may incur significant fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets.
Under the Code, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year and year ending October 31, respectively. The Fund intends to make distributions in a timely manner and accordingly does not expect to be subject to the excise tax.
The Fund expects to declare and pay dividends of net investment income and net realized capital gains annually. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such other times as may be necessary for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Unless a shareholder specifies otherwise, all distributions from the Fund to that shareholder will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends generally are taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
In general, assuming that the Fund has sufficient earnings and profits, dividends from net investment income and net short-term capital gains are taxable either as ordinary income or, if certain conditions are met, as "qualified dividend income," taxable to individual and certain other noncorporate shareholders at reduced U.S. federal income tax rates.
In general, dividends may be reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income generally means dividend income received from the Fund's investments, if any, in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and the shareholders. The Fund is permitted to acquire stock of corporations, and it is therefore possible that a portion of the Fund's distributions may be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States or it is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the United States and meets certain additional requirements. Certain foreign corporations that are not otherwise qualified foreign corporations will be treated as qualified foreign corporations with respect to dividends paid by them if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. PFICs (including certain PFICs issuing ILS) are not qualified foreign corporations for this purpose. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs generally are not expected to qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.
A dividend that is attributable to qualified dividend income of the Fund that is paid by the Fund to a shareholder will not be taxable as qualified dividend income to such shareholder (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of the Fund held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date
46
Federal Income Tax Matters
on which such share became ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) if the shareholder elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. The "ex-dividend" date is the date on which the owner of the share at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such share even if the share is sold by the owner on that date or thereafter.
Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in its shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below.
Certain dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations (generally, dividends received by the Fund in respect of any share of stock (1) with a tax holding period of at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend and (2) that is held in an unleveraged position) and distributed and appropriately so reported by the Fund may be eligible for the 50% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under the Code. Certain preferred stock must have a holding period of at least 91 days during the 181-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend in order to be eligible. Capital gain dividends distributed to the Fund from other regulated investment companies are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. The Fund is permitted to acquire stock of U.S. domestic corporations, and it is therefore possible that a portion of the Fund's distributions may qualify for this deduction. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to their Fund shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their Fund shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise incur debt attributable to Fund shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction with respect to those shares. Any corporate shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding the possibility that its tax basis in its shares may be reduced, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by reason of "extraordinary dividends" received with respect to the shares and, to the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, current recognition of income may be required.
Distributions from net capital gains, if any, that are reported as capital gain dividends by the Fund are taxable as long-term capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the shareholder has held shares of the Fund. Capital gain dividends distributed by the Fund to individual and certain other noncorporate shareholders will be taxed as long-term capital gains, which are generally taxable to noncorporate taxpayers at reduced U.S. federal income tax rates. A shareholder should also be aware that the benefits of the favorable tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be affected by the application of the alternative minimum tax.
The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a "surviving spouse" for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes, interest, dividends and certain capital gains (among other categories of income) are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income.
Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to a 1.4% tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends and capital gain distributions, and certain gains from the disposition of Fund shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December and payable to shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared. In addition, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be "spilled back" and treated for certain purposes as paid by the Fund during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made. For
47
purposes of calculating the amount of a regulated investment company's undistributed income and gain subject to the 4% excise tax described above, such "spilled back" dividends are treated as paid by the regulated investment company when they are actually paid.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward indefinitely a net capital loss from any taxable year to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the Fund and may not be distributed as capital gains to shareholders. Generally, the Fund may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to treat certain losses as though they were incurred on the first day of the taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which they were actually incurred.
Under Section 163(j) of the Code, a taxpayer's business interest expense is generally deductible to the extent of its business interest income plus certain other amounts. If the Fund earns business interest income, it may report a portion of its dividends as "Section 163(j) interest dividends," which its shareholders may be able to treat as business interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) of the Code. The Fund's "Section 163(j) interest dividend" for a tax year will be limited to the excess of its business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and other deductions properly allocable to its business interest income. In general, the Fund's shareholders may treat a distribution reported as a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income only to the extent the distribution exceeds the sum of the portions of the distribution reported as other types of tax-favored income. To be eligible to treat a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income, a shareholder may need to meet certain holding period requirements in respect of the shares and must not have hedged its position in the shares in certain ways.
At the time of an investor's purchase of Fund shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable to unrealized appreciation in the Fund's portfolio or to undistributed capital gains of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions by the Fund with respect to these shares from such appreciation or gains may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor's shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor's cost for such shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the investment.
A repurchase by the Fund of its shares from a shareholder generally is expected to be treated as a sale of the shares by the shareholder. If, however, the shareholder continues to own shares of the Fund after the repurchase (including shares owned by attribution), some or all of the amounts received by a shareholder in the repurchase may be recharacterized either as a distribution of net investment income or as a capital gain dividend rather than as a sale of the shares. There is also a risk that shareholders who do not participate in the repurchase may be deemed to have received such a distribution as a result of their proportionate increase in the ownership of the Fund. The Fund will use its judgment in reporting repurchases as sales or deemed distributions, but the IRS may disagree with the Fund's reporting. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in Fund shares (including a repurchase) is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and to ascertain the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions.
In general, if Fund shares are sold, the shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted basis in the shares. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and otherwise generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss recognized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains).
The Fund may report to the IRS the amount of proceeds that a shareholder receives from a repurchase of Fund shares. The Fund may also report the shareholder's basis in those shares and whether any gain or loss that the shareholder realizes on the repurchase is short-term or long-term gain or loss. If a shareholder has a different basis for different shares of the Fund in the same account (e.g., if a shareholder purchased Fund shares in the same account at different times for different prices, including as the result of reinvestment of dividends), the Fund will calculate the basis of the shares using its default method unless the shareholder has properly elected to use a different method. The Fund's default method for calculating basis will be the average basis method, under which the basis per share is reported as the average of the bases of all of the shareholder's Fund shares in the account. A shareholder may elect, on an account-by-account basis, to use a method other than average basis by following procedures established by the Fund. If such an election is
48
Federal Income Tax Matters
made on or prior to the date of the first repurchase of shares in the account and on or prior to the date that is one year after the shareholder receives notice of the Fund's default method, the new election will generally apply as if the average basis method had never been in effect for such account. If such an election is not made on or prior to such dates, the shares in the account at the time of the election will generally retain their averaged bases. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of applying the average basis method or electing another method of basis calculation.
Losses on repurchases of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the Fund (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a repurchase or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal tax basis of the shares acquired in the other investments.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholders that are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, such as retirement plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Code, generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on Fund dividends or distributions, or on repurchases of Fund shares unless the Fund shares are "debt-financed property" within the meaning of the Code. However, in the case of Fund shares held through a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, Fund dividends and distributions received by the plan and gains from repurchases of Fund shares by the plan generally are taxable to the employer sponsoring such plan in accordance with the U.S. federal income tax laws that are generally applicable to shareholders receiving such dividends or distributions from regulated investment companies such as the Fund.
A plan participant whose retirement plan invests in the Fund, whether such plan is qualified or not, generally is not taxed on Fund dividends or distributions received by the plan or on gains from repurchases of Fund shares by the plan for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, distributions to plan participants from a retirement plan account generally are taxable as ordinary income, and different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future, any gains from such transactions that are not directly related to the Fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% income test.
Certain investments made by the Fund (including certain ILS) may be treated as equity in PFICs for federal income tax purposes. In general, a PFIC is a foreign corporation (i) that receives at least 75% of its annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of its assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income. If the Fund acquires any equity interest (under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future, generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. Gains from the sale of stock of PFICs may also be treated as ordinary income.
49
A "qualified electing fund" election or a "mark to market" election may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold (potentially resulting in taxable gain or loss to the Fund and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), or the Fund may be required to borrow cash. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. If the Fund makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the Fund will include in its income each year its pro rata share of the PFIC's net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), whether or not any amounts are distributed from the PFIC to the Fund. If the qualified electing fund election is made, actual cash distributions by the PFIC paid out of earnings and profits already included in taxable income will not be taken into account in determining the taxable income of the Fund. Any gain or loss recognized by the Fund on a disposition of a PFIC for which the Fund has made a qualified electing fund election will generally be treated as a capital gain or loss. If the Fund makes a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, the Fund generally will include as ordinary income each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its stock in the PFIC at the end of the year over its adjusted tax basis in that stock, and the Fund generally will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted tax basis in that stock over the fair market value of that stock at the end of the year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included by the Fund as a result of the mark-to-market election). If the Fund makes a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, then any gain recognized by the Fund on a disposition of the PFIC will generally be treated as ordinary income, and any loss so recognized will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount of income previously included by the Fund as a result of the mark-to-market election. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
If a sufficient portion of the interests in a foreign issuer (including certain ILS issuers) is held or deemed held by the Fund, independently or together with certain other U.S. persons, that issuer may be treated as a "CFC" with respect to the Fund, in which case the Fund will be required to take into account each year, as ordinary income, its share of certain portions of that issuer's income, whether or not such amounts are distributed. The Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to meet its distribution requirements and avoid fund-level taxes. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in issuers that could be treated as controlled foreign corporations in order to limit its tax liability or maximize its after-tax return from these investments.
A different definition of CFC applies to non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for tax purposes that earn "related person insurance income" ("RPII"). RPII is, in general, any insurance income attributable to policies of insurance or reinsurance with respect to which the person (directly or indirectly) insured or reinsured is an RPII Shareholder (as defined in the following paragraph) of the non-U.S. entity or a related person (described below) to such an RPII Shareholder. In general, and subject to certain limitations, insurance income is income (including premium and investment income) attributable to the issuing of any insurance or reinsurance contract that would be taxed under subchapter L of the Code if the income were earned by a domestic insurance company.
For purposes only of taking into account RPII, and subject to the exceptions described below, a foreign entity in which the Fund invests that is treated as a corporation will be treated as a CFC under the RPII rules (an "RPII CFC") if RPII Shareholders (defined below) collectively own, directly or indirectly through non-U.S. entities or constructively, 25% or more of the total combined voting power or value of such entity on any day during a taxable year. If an entity is an RPII CFC at any time during any taxable year, then a United States person who owns, directly or indirectly through non-U.S. entities, an equity interest in such entity on the last day of any such taxable year must include in its gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of RPII of such entity for the entire taxable year, subject to certain modifications. An RPII Shareholder is a United States person who owns, directly or indirectly through non-U.S. entities, any amount (rather than 10% or more) of an RPII CFC's equity (an "RPII Shareholder"). Generally, for purposes of the
50
Federal Income Tax Matters
RPII rules, a related person is someone who controls or is controlled by the RPII Shareholder or someone who is controlled by the same person or persons which control the RPII shareholder. For these purposes, control is measured by stock ownership of either more than 50% in value or more than 50% in voting power after applying certain constructive ownership rules.
The special RPII rules do not apply to a non-U.S. insurance company if (i) the direct and indirect insureds and persons related to such insureds, whether or not United States persons, are treated at all times during the taxable year as owning, directly or indirectly, less than 20% of the voting power and less than 20% of the value of the stock of the non-U.S. insurance company; (ii) the RPII of the non-U.S. insurance company, determined on a gross basis, is less than 20% of the company's gross insurance income for such taxable year; (iii) the non-U.S. insurance company elects to be taxed on its RPII as if it were engaged in a trade or business within the United States and waives all treaty benefits to which it would otherwise be entitled; or (iv) the non-U.S. insurance company elects to be treated as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If no exception applies, each United States person who owns, directly or indirectly through non-U.S. entities, shares of an RPII CFC on the last day of such entity's taxable year will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes its allocable share of RPII for the entire taxable year, but only to the extent of its share of the RPII CFC's earnings and profits. The amount includible will be determined as if all such RPII were distributed proportionately only to such United States persons at that date. Amounts distributed out of previously taxed RPII would be excluded from the U.S. shareholder's income.
If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund generally must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such accrued income, to qualify to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities, potentially under disadvantageous circumstances, to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements. Such a disposition of securities may potentially result in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund.
The Fund may invest to a significant extent in, or hold, debt obligations that are below investment grade or that are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and interest and whether certain exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, in the event it invests in or holds such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the Fund on certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain forward foreign currency contracts, may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed or been closed out or exercised, or such futures or forward contracts may not have been performed or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the characterization of some capital gains and losses realized by the Fund as long-term or short-term. Certain options, futures and forward contracts relating to foreign currency may be subject to Section 988 of the Code, as described above, and accordingly may produce ordinary income or loss. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain if an option, futures contract, forward contract, short sale or other transaction that is not subject to the mark-to-market rules is treated as a "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position" held by the Fund under Section 1259 of the Code. Any net mark-to-market gains and/or gains from constructive sales may also have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution requirements referred to above even though the Fund may receive no corresponding cash amounts, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Such a disposition of securities may potentially result in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund. Losses on certain options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities or other positions with respect to which the Fund's risk of loss is substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward contracts) may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of
51
the Code, which may also affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax elections may be available that would enable the Fund to ameliorate some adverse effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules applicable to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect the amount, timing and character of the Fund's income and gains or losses and hence of its distributions to shareholders.
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries. Any such taxes would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. If more than 50% of the Fund's total assets at the close of any taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund for that taxable year. If the Fund so elects, shareholders would be required to include such taxes in their gross incomes (in addition to the dividends and distributions they actually receive), would treat such taxes as foreign taxes paid by them, and as described below may be entitled to a tax deduction for such taxes or a tax credit, subject to a holding period requirement and other limitations under the Code.
Qualified foreign taxes generally include taxes that would be treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations but do not include most other taxes, such as stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes. If the Fund qualifies to make, and makes, the election described above, shareholders may deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund for that taxable year in computing their income subject to U.S. federal income taxation or, alternatively, claim them as credits, subject to applicable limitations under the Code, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their shares of such taxes in gross income if the Fund makes the election described above. No deduction for such taxes will be permitted to individuals in computing their alternative minimum tax liability.
If the Fund makes this election and a shareholder chooses to take a credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken that the shareholder's taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder's entire taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, long-term and short-term capital gains the Fund realizes and distributes to shareholders will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources in their hands, nor will distributions of certain foreign currency gains subject to Section 988 of the Code or of any other income realized by the Fund that is deemed, under the Code, to be U.S.-source income in the hands of the Fund. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which may have different effects depending upon each shareholder's particular tax situation, certain shareholders may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including tax-exempt shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from this election. If the Fund does make the election, it will provide required tax information to shareholders. The Fund generally may deduct any foreign taxes that are not passed through to its shareholders in computing its income available for distribution to shareholders to satisfy applicable tax distribution requirements. Under certain circumstances, if the Fund receives a refund of foreign taxes paid in respect of a prior year, the value of the Fund's shares could be reduced, or any foreign tax credits or deductions passed through to shareholders in respect of the Fund's foreign taxes for the current year could be reduced.
The Fund is required to withhold (as "backup withholding") a portion of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of repurchases of Fund shares, paid to shareholders who have not complied with certain IRS regulations. The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must generally certify that the Social Security Number or other Taxpayer Identification Number they provide is their correct number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.
52
Federal Income Tax Matters
Investors other than U.S. persons may be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment, including a non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% or any lower applicable treaty rate on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the Fund (other than certain dividends reported by the Fund as (i) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund's "qualified net interest income," or (ii) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund's "qualified short-term gain") or, in certain circumstances, unless an effective IRS Form W-8BEN or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain other payments from the Fund. "Qualified net interest income" is the Fund's net income derived from U.S. source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. "Qualified short-term gain" generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of the Fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax described in this paragraph.
Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on these matters and on state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws.
If, as anticipated, the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income, corporate excise or franchise taxes or any Delaware corporation income tax.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax exemption is generally available to the extent the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, to the extent the value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. government obligations, provided, in some states, that certain thresholds for holdings of such obligations and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The Fund will not seek to satisfy any threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in particular taxing jurisdictions, although the Fund may in its sole discretion provide relevant information to shareholders.
53
Net Asset Value
The Fund calculates a net asset value for its shares every day the New York Stock Exchange is open as of the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). On days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading, including certain holidays listed in the statement of additional information, a net asset value is not calculated. The Fund's most recent net asset value is available on the Fund's website, pioneerinvestments.com. For purposes of determining the net asset value of a common share, the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses and indebtedness) is divided by the total number of shares outstanding at such time. Expenses, including the fees payable to the Adviser, are accrued daily.
Debt securities and certain derivative instruments are generally valued by using the prices supplied by independent third-party pricing services. A pricing service may use market prices or quotations from one or more brokers or other sources, or may use a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the security or instrument. A pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current market prices for other debt securities, historical trading patterns in the market for fixed income securities and/or other factors. Non-U.S. debt securities that are listed on an exchange will be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third-party pricing service.
Senior loans are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices for one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from an independent third-party pricing service. Senior loans for which no reliable price quotes are available will be valued by an independent third-party pricing service through the use of a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques. Event linked bonds are valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third-party pricing service. Other ILS may be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third-party pricing service, or through a third-party using a pricing matrix, insurance industry valuation models, or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the instrument.
Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are generally valued using the last sale price on the principal exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities that are not traded on the date of valuation, or securities for which no last sale prices are available, are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices or, if both last bid and asked prices are not available, at the last quoted bid price. Last sale, bid and asked prices are provided by independent third-party pricing services. In the case of equity securities not traded on an exchange, prices are typically determined by independent third-party pricing services using a variety of techniques and methods. The Adviser, the Fund's valuation designee, may use a fair value model developed by an independent pricing service to value non-U.S. equity securities.
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, such shares are valued at their net asset values as provided by those funds. The prospectuses for those funds explain the circumstances under which those funds will use fair value pricing methods and the effects of using fair value pricing methods.
The valuations of securities traded in non-U.S. markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time). Non-U.S. markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when the Fund does not price its shares. Therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or submit repurchase requests for Fund shares.
The Adviser has been designated as the Fund's valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund's Board of Trustees. When independent third-party pricing services are unable to supply prices for an investment, or when prices or market quotations are considered by the Adviser to be unreliable, the value of that security may be determined using quotations from one or more broker-dealers. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when they are considered by the Adviser to be unreliable, the Adviser uses other fair value methods to value the Fund's securities. The Adviser has been designated as the Fund's valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Fund also may use fair value methods if it is determined that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a price is determined and the time at which the Fund's net asset value is calculated. Because the Fund may invest in securities rated below investment grade - some of which may be thinly traded and for which prices may not be readily available or may be unreliable - the Adviser may use fair value
54
Net Asset Value
methods more frequently with respect to the Fund's investments than funds that primarily invest in securities that are more widely traded. Valuing securities using fair value methods may cause the net asset value of the Fund's shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated only using market prices.
The prices used by the Adviser to value the Fund's securities may differ from the amounts that would be realized if these securities were sold and these differences may be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility.
Description of Shares
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par value. All shares have equal rights to the payment of dividends and other distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Shares, when issued and outstanding, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to common shareholders upon liquidation of the Fund. Common shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held.
As of January 31, 2026, the following number of shares were outstanding:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Title of class
Amount Authorized
Amount Held by
the Fund for its
own Account
Amount of
Outstanding
Shares Exclusive
of Amount shown
under (3)
Common Shares
Unlimited
0
77,373,626.286
As of January 31, 2026, the following person owned more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A person may be deemed to control the Fund if such person owns more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Record Holder
Share Class
Number of
Shares
% of Class
Charles Schwab & Co Inc.
Special Custody A/C FBO Customers ATTN Mutual Funds
211 Main Street
San Francisco CA 94105-1905-1901
Common
37,775,110.762
48.82%
55
Certain Provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
The Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees and could have the effect of depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund.
Although the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of its shareholders, shareholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote have the right, under certain circumstances, to call a meeting for any purpose requiring action by the shareholders as provided in the Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws.
A Trustee may be removed from office only (i) by action of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the outstanding shares, or (ii) by the action of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the remaining Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective.
The Declaration of Trust provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws but otherwise permits, consistent with Delaware law, actions by the Trustees without seeking the consent of shareholders. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, where approval of shareholders is not otherwise required under the 1940 Act, merge or consolidate the Fund into other entities, reorganize the Fund into another trust or entity or a series or class of another entity, sell the assets of the Fund to another entity, or terminate the Fund.
The Fund may be converted to an open-end investment company at any time by a vote of the outstanding shares. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company would require the favorable vote of the holders of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the Fund's outstanding shares (or a majority of such shares if the action was previously approved by three-quarters (3/4) of the Trustees). Such a vote also would satisfy a separate requirement in the 1940 Act that the change be approved by the shareholders. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares of common stock at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, or net asset value per share less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. All such redemptions generally will be made in cash. If the Fund is converted to an open-end investment company, it could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to meet requests for redemption.
Conversion to an open-end investment company would also require changes in certain of the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, such as those relating to leverage and the purchase of illiquid securities.
The Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of the holders of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the outstanding shares of the Fund to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions with 5% or greater holders of a class of shares and their associates. For purposes of these provisions, a 5% or greater holder of a class or series of shares (a "Principal Shareholder") refers to any person who, whether directly or indirectly and whether alone or together with its affiliates and associates, beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. The 5% holder transactions subject to these special approval requirements are:
the merger or consolidation of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund with or into any Principal Shareholder;
the issuance of any securities of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder for cash, other than pursuant to any automatic dividend reinvestment plan;
the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder, except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a 12-month period; and
the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any Principal Shareholder, except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for purposes of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a 12-month period.
The Declaration of Trust provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative or direct actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on the Fund's trustees. The Declaration of Trust details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included
56
Certain Provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Fund, the trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders owning shares representing at least 10% of the voting power of the affected fund must join in bringing the derivative action. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the Fund in connection with the consideration of the demand, if a court determines that the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the Declaration of Trust, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the Fund's costs, including attorneys' fees, if a court determines that the action was brought without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a shareholder of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust or by the Trust on behalf of a series or class, unless the shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the shareholders of the Trust, or the series or class, generally. Under the Declaration of Trust, a shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a shareholder of the series or class with respect to which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a shareholder at that time.
The Declaration of Trust also provides that shareholders have no rights, privileges, claims or remedies under any contract or agreement entered into by the Trust with any service provider or other agent or contract with the Trust, including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights, except as may be expressly provided in any service contract or agreement.
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accounting Agent, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent
Victory Capital Management Inc. serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accounting agent.
The Fund's securities and cash are held under a custodian agreement with Citibank, N.A., 388 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10013. Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. performs certain sub-fund accounting and sub-fund administration services for the Fund. FIS Investor Services LLC, c/o FIS TA Operations, 4249 Easton Way, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43219, is the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund's shares.
57
Notes
58
Notes
59
Notes
60
Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund
PROSPECTUS
March 1, 2026
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.
All dealers that buy, sell, or trade the Fund's shares, whether or not participating in the offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus when acting on behalf of the Distributor.
28062-14 (03/26)


VICTORY PIONEER ILS INTERVAL FUND

(FORMERLY PIONEER ILS INTERVAL FUND) STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMMON SHARES

MARCH 1, 2026

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund (the "Fund") is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. This statement of additional information (the "SAI") related to the shares does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus relating thereto, dated March 1, 2026 (the "prospectus"). This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing shares, and investors should obtain and read the prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling 866-689-6999 or by written request to the Fund at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. You may also obtain a copy of the prospectus from our website at: pioneerinvestments.com.

Reports to shareholders and other information, such as Fund financial statements, is available, without charge, at pioneerinvestments.com by writing to the address or calling the phone number noted above.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION .....................................................................................................................

3

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES, AND LIMITATIONS.....................................................................

3

INVESTMENT PRACTICES, INSTRUMENTS AND RISKS ..........................................................................

6

DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE ("NAV") AND VALUING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES ............................

31

PURCHASE AND REPURCHASE INFORMATION ....................................................................................

32

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST ............................................................................................................

33

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS ...................................................................................................................

33

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS ........................................................................

42

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS ..................................................................

43

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS ......................................................................................................................

46

CODE OF ETHICS .................................................................................................................................

47

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES......................................................................................

48

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........................................................

48

DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS..............................................................................

50

TAXES ................................................................................................................................................

50

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ...............................................................................................................

59

APPENDIX A........................................................................................................................................

65

APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................................

73

2

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 15, 2014.

Victory Capital Management Inc. (the "Adviser" or "Victory Capital") is the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's investment objective, restrictions, and policies are more fully described below and in the Fund's Prospectus.

Much of the information contained in this SAI expands on subjects discussed in the Fund's Prospectus. Capitalized terms not defined herein are used as defined in the Prospectus. No investment in shares of the Fund should be made without first reading the Fund's Prospectus.

Use of Proceeds

The Fund will invest the proceeds of the offering of shares in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and principal investment strategies. It is presently anticipated that the Fund will be able to fully invest all of the proceeds according to its investment objective and policies within approximately three months after the receipt of proceeds, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund as well as the availability of securities consistent with the Fund's investment objective and strategies. Pending investment, all or a portion of the proceeds may be invested in U.S. government securities or high grade, short-term money market instruments.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES, AND LIMITATIONS

The prospectus presents the investment objective and the principal investment strategies and risks of the Fund. This section supplements the disclosure in the Fund's prospectus and provides additional information on the Fund's investment policies or restrictions. Restrictions or policies stated as a maximum percentage of the Fund's assets are only applied immediately after a portfolio investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable (other than the limitation on borrowing). Accordingly, any later increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether the investment complies with the Fund's restrictions and policies.

Fundamental Investment Policies and Limitations of the Fund

The Fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. For this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the vote of the lesser of:

(1)67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy; or

(2)more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

The Fund's fundamental policies are as follows:

(1)The Fund may not borrow money except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(2)The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(3)The Fund may lend money or other assets to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(4)The Fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(5)The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(6)The Fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to commodities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.

(7)Except the financial services group of industries or as permitted by exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC,

3

SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the Fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the Fund's investments will be concentrated in any one industry.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund's total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the Fund's total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (the Fund's total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain at all times an "asset coverage" of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Fund's total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Borrowing money to increase the Fund's investment portfolio is known as "leveraging." Borrowing, especially when used for leverage, may cause the value of the Fund's shares to be more volatile than if the Fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but also greater losses. To repay borrowings, the Fund may have to sell securities at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the Fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate the Fund's net investment income in any given period. Currently, the Fund does not contemplate borrowing for leverage, but if the Fund does so, it will not likely do so to a substantial degree. The policy in (1) above will be interpreted to permit the Fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a type of borrowing. If considered as such, the Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, provided that the Fund maintains asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to such transactions and any other borrowings in the aggregate in accordance with Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. Such trading practices may include futures, options on futures, forward contracts and other derivative investments.

The Fund may pledge its assets and guarantee the securities of another company without limitation, subject to the Fund's investment policies (including the Fund's fundamental policy regarding borrowing) and applicable laws and interpretations. Pledges of assets and guarantees of obligations of others are subject to many of the same risks associated with borrowings and, in addition, are subject to the credit risk of the obligor for the underlying obligations. To the extent that pledging or guaranteeing assets may be considered the issuance of senior securities, the issuance of senior securities is governed by the Fund's policies on senior securities. If the Fund were to pledge its assets, the Fund would take into account any then-applicable legal guidance, including any applicable SEC staff position, would be guided by the judgment of the Fund's Board and Victory Capital regarding the terms of any credit facility or arrangement, including any collateral required, and would not pledge more collateral than, in their judgment, is necessary for the Fund to obtain the credit sought. Shareholders should note that in 1973, the SEC staff took the position in a no-action letter that a mutual fund could not pledge 100% of its assets without a compelling business reason. In more recent no-action letters, including letters that address the same statutory provision of the 1940 Act (Section 17) addressed in the 1973 letter, the SEC staff has not mentioned any limitation on the amount of collateral that may be pledged to support credit obtained. This does not mean that the staff's position on this issue has changed.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the Fund from engaging in the underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, the 1940 Act permits the Fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are that the amount of the Fund's underwriting commitments, when added to the value of the Fund's investments in issuers where the Fund owns more th an 10% of the outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. The Fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act. Under the 1933 Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer's registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted securities. There may be a limited market for these securities. If these securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter liability. These risks could apply to the Fund investing in restricted securities. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act provisions described above would cause the Fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the Fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.) While lending securities may be a source of income to a fund, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the underlying securities should the borrower fail financially. However, loans would be made only when the Adviser or a subadviser believes the income justifies the attendant risks. The Fund also will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other funds. The Fund has obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to make short-term loans to other Victory funds through a credit facility in order to satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls; as discussed in this SAI under "Interfund Lending." The conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting

4

interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending, however no lending activity is without risk. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs. The policy in (3) above will be interpreted not to prevent the Fund from purchasing or investing in debt obligations and loans. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative instruments, as well as delays in the settlement of securities transactions, will not be considered loans.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (4) above, "senior securities" are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over the Fund's shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits the Fund from issuing senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund's total assets from banks for any purpose. The Fund also may borrow up to 5% of the Fund's total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by the Fund can increase the speculative character of the Fund's outstanding shares through leveraging. Leveraging of the Fund's portfolio through the issuance of senior securities magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the Fund's net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased. The Fund may enter into swaps, security-based swaps, futures contracts, forward contracts, options and similar instruments, under which the Fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund complies with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. See "Derivatives" below. The policy in (4) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the Fund from owning real estate. Investing in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. Owners of real estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental liabilities. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent the Fund from investing in real estate-related companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing in real estate, instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the Fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). If the Fund were to invest in a physical commodity or a physical commodity-related instrument, the Fund would be subject to the additional risks of the particular physical commodity and its related market. The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There also may be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities. The policy in (6) above will be interpreted to permit investments in exchange traded funds that invest in physical and/or financial commodities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in (7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes "concentration" in an industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of the Fund's total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future. A Fund that invests a significant percentage of its total assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a Fund that does not concentrate in an industry.

The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any industry. The policy also will be interpreted to give broad authority to the Fund as to how to classify issuers within or among industries. When identifying industries for purposes of its concentration policy, the Fund may rely upon available industry classifications. As of the date of the SAI, the Fund relies primarily on the Bloomberg L.P. ("Bloomberg") classifications, and, with respect to securities for which no industry classification under Bloomberg is available or for which the Bloomberg classification is determined not to be appropriate, the Fund may use industry classifications published by another source, which, as of the date of the SAI, is MSCI Global Industry Classification Standard. As of the date of the SAI, the Fund's adviser may assign an industry classification for an exchange-traded fund in which the Fund invests based on the constituents of the index on which the exchange-traded fund is based. The Fund may change any source used for determining industry classifications without shareholder approval.

Pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has also adopted the following fundamental investment policies relating to periodic repurchase offers, which may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities:

(i)the Fund will make repurchase offers at periodic intervals pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as that Rule may be amended from time to time, and as it is interpreted by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, and in accordance with any exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction;

5

(ii)the periodic interval between repurchase request deadlines will be three months;

(iii)the repurchase request deadline (as defined in Rule 23c-3) for each repurchase offer will be no earlier than the 21st day after the issuance of notification of the repurchase offer (or the next business day if the 21st day is not a business day); and

(iv)each repurchase pricing date (as defined in Rule 23c-3) will be not later than the 14th day after the preceding repurchase request deadline (or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day).

The Fund's fundamental policies are written and will be interpreted broadly. For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction as they are given from time to time. When a policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the policy will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.

Non-Diversification

The Fund is currently classified as a non-diversified fund under the 1940 Act. A non-diversified fund can invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer or a limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund. As a consequence, a non-diversified fund is subject to greater risk than a diversified fund. A diversified fund may not purchase securities of an issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies), if, with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, (a) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may change its classification from non- diversified to diversified without shareholder approval.

Non-Fundamental Investment Policy

All other investment policies of the Fund are considered non-fundamental and, along with the Fund's investment objective, which is also non-fundamental, may be changed by the Board of Trustees without prior approval of the Fund's outstanding voting shares upon at least 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund has not adopted a fundamental policy prohibiting or limiting the Fund's use of short sales, purchases on margin and the writing of put and call options. The Fund is subject, however, to the limitations on its use of these investments under the 1940 Act and the rules and interpretive positions of the SEC under the 1940 Act. Under current law, the Fund may not purchase securities on margin. As discussed above under "Short Sales Against the Box," the Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy to engage in short sales of securities against the box. Certain other non-fundamental investment policies are included in the prospectus under "Investment objective and Principal investment strategies" and this SAI under "Investment Objective, Policies and Limitations."

INVESTMENT PRACTICES, INSTRUMENTS AND RISKS

In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Fund described in the Prospectus, the Fund may, but will not necessarily, employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks which are described further below.

Debt Securities and Related Investments

Insurance-Linked Securities

The Fund may invest in insurance-linked securities ("ILS"). The Fund could lose a portion or all of the principal it has invested in an ILS, and the right to additional interest or dividend payments with respect to the security, upon the occurrence of one or more trigger events, as defined within the terms of an insurance-linked security. Trigger events, generally, are hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural events of a specific size or magnitude that occur in a designated geographic region during a specified time period, and/or that involve losses or other metrics that exceed a specific amount. There is no way to accurately predict whether a trigger event will occur, and accordingly, ILS carry significant risk. The Fund is entitled to receive principal and interest and/or dividend payments so long as no trigger event occurs of the description and magnitude specified by the instrument. In addition to the specified trigger events, ILS may expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences.

The Fund's investments in ILS may include event-linked bonds. Event-linked bonds may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked bonds may also expose the Fund to other risks, including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked bonds are subject to the risk that the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event was not accurate and underestimated the likelihood of a trigger event. This may result in more frequent and greater than expected loss of principal and/or interest, which would adversely impact the Fund's total returns. Further, to the extent there are events that involve losses or other metrics, as applicable, that are at, or near, the threshold for a trigger event, there may be some delay in the return of principal and/or interest until it is determined whether a trigger event has occurred. Finally, to the extent there is a dispute concerning the definition of the trigger event relative to the specific manifestation of a catastrophe, there may be losses or delays in the payment of principal and/or interest on the event-linked bond. Lack of a liquid market for these instruments may impose

6

the risk of higher transactions costs and the possibility that the Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so.

Event-linked bonds typically are rated below investment grade or may be unrated. Securities rated BB or lower are considered to be below investment grade. The rating for an event-linked bond primarily reflects the rating agency's calculated probability that a pre- defined trigger event will occur, which will cause a loss of principal. This rating may also assess the credit risk of the bond's collateral pool, if any, and the reliability of the model used to calculate the probability of a trigger event.

In addition to event-linked bonds, the Fund also may invest in other insurance-linked securities, including notes or preferred shares issued by special purpose vehicles structured to comprise a portion of an reinsurer's or insurer's catastrophe-oriented business, known as sidecars, or to provide reinsurance to reinsurers or insurers, known as collateralized reinsurance ("Reinsurance Notes"). An investor in Reinsurance Notes participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance Notes are subject to the same risks discussed herein for event-linked bonds. In addition, because Reinsurance Notes represent an interest in underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the underlying insurance policies and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the reinsurer and/or insurer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the Adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund's investment in Reinsurance Notes and therefore place the Fund's assets at greater risk of loss than if the Adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of Reinsurance Notes more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. Reinsurance Notes are also subject to extension risk. The sponsor of such an investment might have the right to extend the maturity of the notes to verify that the trigger event did occur or to process and audit insurance claims. In certain circumstances, the extension may exceed two years.

Event-linked bonds and other insurance-linked securities typically are restricted to qualified institutional buyers and, therefore, are not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or any state securities commission and are not listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to event-linked bonds and other insurance- linked securities is generally less extensive than that available for issuers of registered or exchange listed securities. Event-linked bonds may be subject to the risks of adverse regulatory or jurisdictional determinations. There can be no assurance that future regulatory determinations will not adversely affect the overall market for event-linked bonds.

Event-Linked Swaps

The Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in event-linked swaps, which typically are contingent, or formulaically related to defined trigger events, or by pursuing similar event-linked derivative strategies. Trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes and weather-related phenomena. If a trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose the swap's notional amount. As derivative instruments, event- linked swaps are subject to risks in addition to the risks of investing in event-linked bonds, including counterparty risk and leverage risk.

Structured Reinsurance Investments

Insurance-linked securities ("ILS") may include special purpose vehicles ("SPVs") or similar instruments structured to comprise a portion of a reinsurer's catastrophe-oriented business, known as quota share instruments (sometimes referred to as reinsurance sidecars), or to provide reinsurance relating to specific risks to insurance or reinsurance companies through a collateralized instrument, known as collateralized reinsurance. Quota share instruments and other structured reinsurance investments generally will be considered illiquid securities by the Fund. The Fund may invest substantially in illiquid securities.

Structured reinsurance investments developed along with event-linked bonds as a mechanism to facilitate risk-transfer from insurance markets to capital markets investors. These instruments are typically more customizable but less liquid investments than event-linked bonds. The instruments typically mature in one year. Like event-linked bonds, an investor in structured reinsurance investments participates in the premiums and losses associated with underlying reinsurance contracts. Structured reinsurance investments are subject to the same risks as event-linked bonds. In cases where structured reinsurance investments represent an interest in underlying reinsurance contracts, the Fund has limited transparency into the underlying insurance policies and therefore must rely upon the risk assessment and sound underwriting practices of the reinsurer and/or insurer. Accordingly, it may be more difficult for the investment adviser to fully evaluate the underlying risk profile of the Fund's investment in structured reinsurance investments and therefore place the Fund's assets at greater risk of loss than if the adviser had more complete information. The lack of transparency may also make the valuation of structured reinsurance investments more difficult and potentially result in mispricing that could result in losses to the Fund. Structured reinsurance investments are also subject to extension risk. The sponsor of such an investment might have the right to extend the maturity of the notes to verify that the trigger event did occur or to process and audit insurance claims. In certain circumstances, the extension may exceed two years.

The Fund may invest indirectly in reinsurance contracts, by holding notes or preferred shares issued by a SPV whose performance is tied to an underlying reinsurance transaction, including quota share instruments. Quota shares are a form of proportional reinsurance in which an investor participates in the premiums and losses of a reinsurer's portfolio of catastrophe-oriented policies, according to a pre-defined percentage. For example, under a 10% quota share agreement, the SPV be entitled to 10% of all premiums associated with a defined portfolio and be responsible for 10% of all related claims.

Collateralized reinsurance investments, are privately structured securities or derivatives utilized to gain exposure to the reinsurance market. Collateralized reinsurance entails an SPV entering into a reinsurance arrangement that is then collateralized by invested capital

7

and premiums related to the insurance coverage. The collateral is designed to cover in full the potential claims that could arise from the underlying reinsurance contract.

Industry loss warranties ("ILWs") are a form of insurance-linked security used to finance peak, non-recurrent insurance risks, such as hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes. ILWs feature an industry loss index trigger, and, in some cases, a dual trigger design that includes a protection buyer indemnity trigger. A traditional ILW takes the form of a bilateral reinsurance contract, but there are also index products that take the form of derivatives or exchange traded instruments. The common feature among these forms is that the payout trigger is based on an industry loss index or a parametric index.

The reinsurance market is highly cyclical, with coverage being written at the beginning of the year and midyear for coverage for the following 12 months. The pricing of reinsurance is also highly cyclical as premiums for reinsurance coverage are driven, in large part, by insurers' recent loss experience.

Since ILS are typically structured so as to be bankruptcy remote SPVs or similar structures it is unlikely that the Fund could lose its investment if the applicable trigger event never occurs, However, there can be no assurance that ILS in which the Fund may invest in the future will be structured in a similar manner or that a court would uphold the intended bankruptcy remote characterization of the structure. If ILS issued in the future is structured in a different manner, it may be possible that the Fund would lose its entire investment in an event- linked bond even though the applicable trigger event never occurs.

Floating Rate Loans

A floating rate loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution for a group of investors. The financial institution typically acts as an agent for the investors, administering and enforcing the loan on their behalf. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the investors.

The interest rates are adjusted based on a base rate plus a premium or spread or minus a discount. Generally, the base rate is a U.S. dollar-based interest-rate benchmark such as the Federal Funds Rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate, or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"). The yields on these securities are reset on a periodic basis (for example, daily, weekly, or quarterly) or upon a change in the benchmark interest rate. The yields are closely correlated to changes in money market interest rates.

Floating rate loans include loans to corporations and institutionally traded floating rate debt obligations issued by an asset-backed pool, and interests therein. The Fund may invest in loans in different ways. The Fund may: (i) make a direct investment in a loan by participating as one of the lenders; (ii) purchase an assignment of a loan; or (iii) purchase a participation interest in a loan.

Direct Investment in Loans

It can be advantageous to the Fund to make a direct investment in a loan as one of the lenders. When a new issue is purchased, such an investment is typically made at par. This means that the Fund receives a return at the full interest rate for the loan. Secondary purchases of loans may be made at par, at a premium from par or at a discount from par. When the Fund invests in an assignment of, or a participation interest in, a loan, the Fund may pay a fee or forgo a portion of the interest payment. Consequently, the Fund' s return on such an investment may be lower than it would have been if the Fund had made a direct investment in the underlying corporate loan.

The Fund may be able, however, to invest in corporate loans only through assignments or participation interests at certain times when reduced direct investment opportunities in corporate loans may exist. At other times, however, such as recently, assignments or participation interests may trade at significant discounts from par.

Assignments

An assignment represents a portion of a loan previously attributable to a different lender. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning investor and becomes an investor under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning investor.

Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning investor.

Participation Interests

Participation interests are interests issued by a lender or other financial institution, which represent a fractional interest in a corporate loan. The Fund may acquire participation interests from the financial institution or from another investor. The Fund typically will have a contractual relationship only with the financial institution that issued the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the financial institution and only upon receipt by such entity of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation interest, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other investors through set-off against the borrower and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation interest. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the financial

8

institution issuing the participation interest. In the event of the insolvency of the financial institution issuing a participation interest, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such entity.

Other Information About Floating Rate Loans

Loans typically have a senior position in a borrower's capital structure. The capital structure of a borrower may include loans, senior unsecured loans, senior and junior subordinated debt, preferred stock and common stock, typically in descending order of seniority with respect to claims on the borrower's assets. Although loans typically have the most senior position in a borrower's capital structure, they remain subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a loan would satisfy a borrower's obligation in the event of non -payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a loan. Although a loan may be senior to equity and other debt securities in an issuer's capital structure, such obligations may be structurally subordinated to obligations of the issuer's subsidiaries. For example, if a holding company were to issue a loan, even if that issuer pledges the capital stock of its subsidiaries to secure the obligations under the loan, the assets of the operating companies are available to the direct creditors of an operating company before they would be available to the holders of the loan issued by the holding company.

In order to borrow money pursuant to a loan, a borrower will frequently, for the term of the loan, pledge collateral, including but not limited to, (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights (but excluding goodwill); and (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates. In the case of loans made to non-public companies, the company's shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or security interests in assets that they own. In many instances, a loan may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries. Collateral may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower's obligations under a loan.

In the process of buying, selling and holding loans, the Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. Any fees received are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When the Fund buys a loan it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, the Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a loan. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a loan by a borrower. Other fees received by the Fund may include covenant waiver fees and covenant modification fees.

A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of the loan. Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to stockholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios, and limits on total debt.

In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement. In such cases, the agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. The Fund will generally rely upon the agent or an intermediate participant to receive and forward to the Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the loan. Furthermore, unless the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund will rely on the agent and the other investors to use appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.

For some loans, such as revolving credit facility loans ("revolvers"), an investor may have certain obligations pursuant to the loan agreement that may include the obligation to make additional loans in certain circumstances. The Fund generally will reserve against these contingent obligations by segregating or otherwise designating a sufficient amount of permissible liquid assets. Delayed draw term loans are similar to revolvers, except that once drawn upon by the borrower during the commitment period, they remain permanently drawn and become term loans. A prefunded L/C term loan is a facility created by the borrower in conjunction with an agent, with the loan proceeds acting as collateral for the borrower's obligations in respect of the letters of credit. Each participan t in a prefunded L/C term loan fully funds its commitment amount to the agent for the facility.

The Fund may acquire interests in loans that are designed to provide temporary or "bridge" financing to a borrower pending th e sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. Bridge loans often are unrated. The Fund may also invest in loans of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower's use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower's perceived creditworthiness.

From time to time, Victory Capital and its affiliates may borrow money from various banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell interests in loans to or acquire them from the Fund or may be intermediate participants with respect to loans in which the Fund owns interests. Such banks may also act as agents for loans held by the Fund.

Reorganizational Financings

The Fund may invest in restructurings and similar financings, including debtor-in-possession financings (commonly called "DIP financings"). In such transactions, the borrower may be assuming large amounts of debt in order to have the financial resources to attempt

9

to achieve its business objectives. Such business objectives may include but are not limited to: management's taking over control of a company (leveraged buy-out); reorganizing the assets and liabilities of a company (leveraged recapitalization); or acquiring another company. Loans or securities that are part of highly leveraged transactions involve a greater risk (including default and bankruptcy) than other investments. DIP financings are arranged when an entity seeks the protections of the bankruptcy court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. These financings allow the entity to continue its business operations while reorganizing under Chapter 11. Such financings provide senior liens on unencumbered security (i.e., security not subject to other creditors' claims). There is a risk that the entity will not emerge from Chapter 11 and be forced to liquidate its assets under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. In such event, the Fund's only recourse will be against the property securing the DIP financing.

Reference Rate Transition Risk

The London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") had historically been the principal floating rate benchmark in the financial mark ets. However, LIBOR has been discontinued as a floating rate benchmark. As an alternative to LIBOR, the market has generally coalesced around the use of the SOFR as a replacement for U.S. dollar LIBOR. Various SOFR-based rates, including SOFR-based term rates, and various non-SOFR-based rates have developed in response to the discontinuation of U.S. dollar LIBOR, which may create various risks for the Fund and the financial markets more generally. There are non-LIBOR forward-looking floating rates that are not based on SOFR and that may be considered by participants in the financial markets as LIBOR alternatives. Unlike forward-looking SOFR-based term rates, such rates are intended to reflect a bank credit spread component.

Non-LIBOR floating rate obligations, including obligations based on the SOFR, may have returns and values that fluctuate more than those of floating rate debt obligations that were based on LIBOR or other rates. Also, because SOFR and some alternative floating rates are relatively new market indexes, markets for certain non-LIBOR obligations may never develop or may not be liquid. Market terms for non-LIBOR floating rate obligations, such as the spread over the index reflected in interest rate provisions, may evolve over time, and prices of non-LIBOR floating rate obligations may be different depending on when they are issued and changing views about correct spread levels.

It is not clear how replacement rates for LIBOR-including SOFR-based rates and non-SOFR-based rates-will continue to develop and to what extent they will be used. There is no assurance that these replacement rates will be suitable substitutes for LIBOR, and thus the substitution of such rates for LIBOR could have an adverse effect on the Fund and the financial markets more generally. Concerns about market depth and stability could affect the development of non-SOFR-based term rates, and such rates may create various risks, which may or may not be similar to the risks relating to SOFR.

Inverse Floating Rate Securities

The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate obligations. The interest on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values.

Debt Securities Rating Information

Investment grade debt securities are those rated "BBB" or higher by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's") or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. Debt securities rated BBB are considered medium grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal.

Below investment grade debt securities are those rated "BB" and below by Standard & Poor's or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. See "Appendix A" for a description of rating categories. The Fund may invest in debt securities rated "D" or better, or comparable unrated securities as determined by Victory Capital.

Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are commonly referred to as high yield bonds or "junk bonds" and are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments. Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal payments and interest payments. The issuers of high yield securities also may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated securities by specific corporate or governmental developments. Such securities may also be impacted by the issuers' inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. The amount of high yield securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of issuers have used high yield securities for corporate financing. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities will have an adverse effect on th e Fund's net asset value to the extent that it invests in such securities. In addition, the Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings or to take other steps to protect its investment in an issuer.

The secondary market for high yield securities is not usually as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, such as those recently prevailing, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded.

10

Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these and other circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund's net asset value.

Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with high yield debt securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the debt securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers' creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

High yield and comparable unrated debt securities end to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. However, high yield securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities.

For purposes of the Fund's credit quality policies, if a security receives different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, the Fund will use the rating chosen by the portfolio manager as most representative of the security's credit quality. The ratings of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake to rate and may not accurately describe the risk of the security. If a rating organization changes the quality rating assigned to one or more of the Fund's portfolio securities, Victory Capital will consider if any action is appropriate in light of the Fund's investment objective and policies. These ratings are used as criteria for the selection of portfolio securities, in addition to Victory Capital's own assessment of the credit quality of potential investments.

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. government securities in which the Fund invests include debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an agency, authority or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the Federal Housing Administration, Federal Financing Bank, Farm Service Agency, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration, National Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks ("FHLBs"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and various institutions that previously were or currently are part of the Farm Credit System (which has been undergoing reorganization since 1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury notes and Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the FHLBs; (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations, such as securities of FNMA; or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. Such debt securities are subject to the risk of default on the payment of interest and/or principal, similar to debt of private issuers. The maximum potential liability of some U.S. government securities may greatly exceed their current resources, including any legal right to support from the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support in the future to these or other U.S. government agencies, authorities or instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed. The secondary market for certain loan participations described above is limited and, therefore, the participations may be regarded as illiquid.

U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may be purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity. Zero coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations that are issued or purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of interest. These investments may experience greater volatility in market value than U.S. government securities that make regular payments of interest. The Fund accrues income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Fund's distribution obligations, in which case the Fund will forgo the purchase of additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero coupon U.S. government securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by the U.S. Treasury as component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent scheduled interest and principal payments on the bonds.

Convertible Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in convertible debt securities which are debt obligations convertible at a stated exchange rate or formula into common stock or other equity securities. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure and consequently may be of higher quality and entail less risk than the issuer's common stock. As with all debt securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to increase when interest rates decline and, conversely, tend to decline when interest rates increase. Depending on the relationship of the conversion price to the market value of the underlying securities, convertible securities may trade more like equity securities than debt securities.

11

A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued until the convertible security matures, or is redeemed, converted, or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security's governing instruments. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could result in losses to the Fund.

Fixed Income Securities

In addition to corporate debt securities, which include corporate bonds, debentures and notes, fixed-income securities also include preferred, preference and convertible securities, equipment lease certificates, equipment trust certificates and conditional sales contracts. Preference stocks are stocks that have many characteristics of preferred stocks, but are typically junior to an existing class of preferred stocks. Equipment lease certificates are debt obligations secured by leases on equipment (such as railroad cars, airplanes or office equipment), with the issuer of the certificate being the owner and lessor of the equipment. Equipment trust certificates are debt obligations secured by an interest in property (such as railroad cars or airplanes), the title of which is held by a trustee while the property is being used by the borrower.

Conditional sales contracts are agreements under which the seller of property continues to hold title to the property until the purchase price is fully paid or other conditions are met by the buyer.

Fixed-rate bonds may have a demand feature allowing the holder to redeem the bonds at specified times. These bonds are more defensive than conventional long-term bonds (protecting to some degree against a rise in interest rates) while providing greater opportunity than comparable intermediate term bonds, since they may be retained if interest rates decline. Acquiring these kinds of bonds provides the contractual right to require the issuer of the bonds to purchase the security at an agreed upon price, which right is contained in the obligation itself rather than in a separate agreement or instrument. Since this right is assignable only with the bond, it will not be assigned any separate value. Floating or variable rate obligations may be acquired as short-term investments pending longer-term investment of funds.

Certain securities may permit the issuer at its option to "call," or redeem, the securities. If an issuer were to redeem securities during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as the securities redeemed.

The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.

Subordinated Securities

The Fund may also invest in other types of fixed income securities which are subordinated or "junior" to more senior securities of the issuer, or which represent interests in pools of such subordinated or junior securities. Such securities may include so-called "high yield" or "junk" bonds (i.e., bonds that are rated below investment grade by a rating agency or that are of equivalent quality) and preferred stock. Under the terms of subordinated securities, payments that would otherwise be made to their holders may be required to be made to the holders of more senior securities, and/or the subordinated or junior securities may have junior liens, if they have any rights at all, in any collateral (meaning proceeds of the collateral are required to be paid first to the holders of more senior securities) . As a result, subordinated or junior securities will be disproportionately adversely affected by a default or even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer.

Structured Securities

The Fund may invest in structured securities. The value of the principal and/or interest on such securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the "Reference") or the relative change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances that no principal is due at maturity and therefore may result in a loss of the Fund's investment. Changes in the interest rate or principal payable at maturity may be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Structured securities are a type of derivative instrument and the payment and credit qualities from these securities derive from the assets embedded in the structure from which they are issued. Structured securities may entail a greater degree of risk than other types of fixed income securities.

Zero Coupon, Pay-in-Kind, Deferred and Contingent Payment Securities

The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities, which are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and on which interest payments are not made during the life of the security. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the par value of the security. Pay- in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. The Fund accrues income with respect to zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. Deferred payment securities are securities that remain zero coupon securities until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals. The interest rate on contingent

12

payment securities is determined by the outcome of an event, such as the performance of a financial index. If the financial index does not increase by a prescribed amount, the Fund may receive no interest.

Non-U.S. Investments

Equity Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers

The Fund may invest in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other similar instruments.

Debt Obligations of Non-U.S. Governments

The Fund may invest in all types of debt obligations of non-U.S. governments. An investment in debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions (sovereign debt) involves special risks that are not present in corporate debt obligations. The non-U.S. issuer of the sovereign debt or the non-U.S. governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. As a sovereign entity, the issuing government may be immune from lawsuits in the event of its failure or refusal to pay the obligations when due. During periods of economic uncertainty, the values of sovereign debt and of securities of issuers that purchase sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of debt obligations of U.S. issuers. In the past, certain non-U.S. countries have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest, declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debt, or restructured their debt to effectively eliminate portions of it, and similar occurrences may happen in the future. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.

A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor's policy toward its principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on disbursements or assistance from non-U.S. governments, multinational agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. Assistance may be dependent on a country's implementation of austerity measures and reforms, which measures may limit or be perceived to limit economic growth and recovery. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts.

Eurodollar Instruments and Samurai and Yankee Bonds

The Fund may invest in Eurodollar instruments and Samurai and Yankee bonds. Eurodollar instruments are bonds of corporate and government issuers that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars but are issued in markets outside the United States, primarily in Europe. Samurai bonds are yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-Japanese issuers. Yankee bonds are U.S. dollar denominated bonds typically issued in the United States by non-U.S. governments and their agencies and non-U.S. banks and corporations. The Fund may also invest in Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit ("ECDs"), Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs") and Yankee Certificates of Depo sit ("Yankee CDs"). ECDs are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by non-U.S. branches of domestic banks; ETDs are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in a non-U.S. branch of a U.S. bank or in a non-U.S. bank; and Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar- denominated certificates of deposit issued by a U.S. branch of a non-U.S. bank and held in the United States. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, including potential unfavorable political and economic developments, non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, seizure of non-U.S. deposits, currency controls, interest limitations or other governmental restrictions which might affect payment of principal or interest.

Investments in Emerging Markets

The Fund may invest in securities of issuers in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. The Fund considers emerging market issuers to include issuers organized under the laws of an emerging market country, issuers with a principal office in an emerging market country, issuers that derive at least 50% of their gross revenues or profits from goods or services produced in emerging market countries or sales made in emerging market countries, or issuers that have at least 50% of their assets in emerging market countries. Emerging markets will generally include, but not be limited to, countries included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging + Frontier Markets Index. The Fund will generally focus on emerging markets that do not impose unusual trading requirements which tend to restrict the flow of investments. In addition, the Fund may invest in unquoted securities of emerging market issuers.

Risks of Non-U.S. Investments

Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in the securities of issuers in the United States. These risks are heightened with respect to investments in countries with emerging markets and economies. The risks of investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers generally, or in issuers with significant exposure to non-U.S. markets, may be related, among other things, to (i) differences in size, liquidity and volatility of, and the degree and manner of regulation of, the securities markets of certain non-U.S. markets compared to the securities markets in the United States; (ii) economic, political and social factors; and (iii) foreign exchange matters, such as restrictions on the repatriation of capital, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, exchange control regulations and costs associated with currency exchange. The political and economic structures in certain countries, particularly emerging markets, may undergo

13

significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries.

Non-U.S. Securities Markets and Regulations

There may be less publicly available information about non-U.S. markets and issuers than is available with respect to U.S. securities and issuers. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The trading markets for most non-U.S. securities are generally less liquid and subject to greater price volatility than the markets for comparable securities in the United States. The markets for securities in certain emerging markets are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in certain non-U.S. markets, including emerging market countries, may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the United States. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity. The less liquid a market, the more difficult it may be for the Fund to accurately price its portfolio securities or to dispose of such securities at the times determined by Victory Capital to be appropriate. The risks associated with reduced liquidity may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund's operations require cash, such as in order to meet redemptions and to pay its expenses.

Economic, Political, and Social Factors

Certain countries, including emerging markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than in the United States and Western European countries. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations. In addition, it may be difficult for the Fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Investing in emerging market countries also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the Fund could lose its entire investment in that country.

Sanctions or other government actions against certain countries could negatively impact the Fund's investments in securities that have exposure to those countries.

Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the Fund's investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain markets is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the Fund's operation.

Economies in individual countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries.

Unanticipated political or social developments may affect the values of the Fund's investments and the availability to the Fund of additional investments in such countries. In the past, the economies, securities and currency markets of many emerging markets have experienced significant disruption and declines. There can be no assurance that these economic and market disruptions might not occur again.

Economies in emerging market countries generally are dependent heavily upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, affected adversely and significantly by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.

A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and beyond Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union, commonly referred to as "Brexit." Following a transition period, the United Kingdom's post-Brexit trade

14

agreement with the European Union passed into law in December 2020 and went into effect on January 1, 2021. The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached an agreement on the terms of their future trading relationship, which principally relates to the trading of goods rather than services, including financial services. Notwithstanding this agreement, uncertainty remains in the market regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. The impact on the United Kingdom and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in increased volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, impacts on arrangements for trading and on other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements, and in potentially lower growth for companies in the United Kingdom, Europe and globally, which could have an adverse effect on the value of the Fund 's investments. Moreover, other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. Whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments due to the interconnected nature of the global economy and capital markets.

Risks Related to Invasion of Ukraine by Russia

Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 resulted in the United States, other countries and certain international organizations levying broad economic sanctions against Russia. These sanctions froze certain Russian assets and prohibited, among other things, trading in certain Russian securities and doing business with specific Russian corporate entities, large financial institutions, officials and oligarchs. The sanctions also included the removal of some Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications ("SWIFT"), the electronic network that connects banks globally, and imposed restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. The United States and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and may impose sanctions on other countries that support Russia's military invasion. A number of large corporations and U.S. states have divested interests or otherwise curtailed business dealings with certain Russian businesses. In addition, certain index providers have removed Russian securities from their indices. These actions and any additional sanctions or other intergovernmental actions that may be undertaken against Russia or other countries that support Russia's military invasion in the future may result in the devaluation of Russian or other affected currencies, a downgrade in the sanctioned country's credit rating, and a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities and securities of issuers in other countries that support the invasion. In response to sanctions, the Russian Central Bank raised its interest rates and banned sales of local securities by foreigners. In response to decisions of third parties to divest from or curtail doing business with Russian interests, Russia has taken and may continue to take retaliatory actions and enact countermeasures, including cyberattacks and espionage against other countries and companies, which may negatively impact such countries and companies in which the Fund invests. Accordingly, there may be heightened risk of cyberattacks which may result in, among other things, disruptions in the functioning and operations of industries or companies around the World, including the U.S. and Europe. Russia may take additional countermeasures or retaliatory actions, which may also impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities and Fund investments. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant market disruptions, including in certain markets, industries and sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and negatively affected global supply chains, food supplies, inflation and global growth. In addition, the ability to price, buy, sell, receive, or deliver such securities is also affected due to these measures. For example, the Fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, the sanctions and/or countermeasures taken by Russia in response to the sanctions may require the Fund to freeze its existing investments in companies operating in or having dealings with Russia or other sanctioned countries, which would prevent the Fund from selling these investments, and the value of such investments held by the Fund could be significantly impacted, which could lead to such investments being valued at zero. Any exposure that the Fund may have to Russian counterparties or counterparties in other sanctioned countries also could negatively impact the Fund's portfolio. The extent and duration of Russia's military actions and the repercussions of such actions, including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by Russia or others subject to sanctions (such as cyberattacks on other governments, corporations or individuals, restricting natural gas or other exports to other countries, seizure of U.S. and European residents' assets, or undertaking or provoking other military conflict elsewhere in Europe) are impossible to predict. These and any related events could significantly impact the Fund's performance and the value of an investment in the Fund even beyond any direct exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion.

Investments in China

Risks of investments in securities of Chinese issuers include market volatility, heavy dependence on exports, which may decrease, sometimes significantly, when the world economy weakens, and the continuing importance of the role of the Chinese Government, which may take actions that affect economic and market practices. These actions may include regulatory measures, which may be adopted with little or no warning, that can severely restrict a company's business operations, with potentially dramatic adverse impacts on the market values of its securities. While the Chinese economy has grown rapidly in recent years, the rate of growth has been declining, and there can be no assurance that China's economy will continue to grow in the future. The Chinese economy could be adversely affected by supply chain disruptions. Trade disputes between China and its trading counterparties, including the United States, have arisen and may continue to arise. Such disputes have resulted in trade tariffs and may potentially result in future trade tariffs, as well as embargoes, trade limitations, trade wars and other negative consequences. The U.S. has also restricted the sale of certain goods to China. These consequences could trigger, among other things, a substantial reduction in international trade and adverse effects on, and potential failure of, individual companies and/or large segments of China's export industry, which could have potentially significant

15

negative effects on the Chinese economy as well as the global economy. In addition, the political climate between the United States and China has recently deteriorated. The United States government has acted to prohibit U.S. persons, such as the Fund, from owning, and required them to divest, certain Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. There is no assurance that more such companies will not be so designated in the future, which could limit the Fund's opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. If the political climate between the United States and China continues to deteriorate, economies and markets may be adversely affected. Further, Chinese companies are subject to the risk of de-listing on U.S. exchanges, if the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") is unable to obtain access to inspect audit firms in China that are PCAOB-registered. While the PCAOB has recently obtained such access, there is no assurance that it will continue. If that access is discontinued, Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges may be required to de-list, which could materially adversely affect the markets for their securities.

Taiwan and Hong Kong do not exercise the same level of control over their economies as does the People's Republic of China, but changes to their political and economic relationships with the People's Republic of China could adversely impact investments in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949, the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations incurred by China's predecessor governments, which obligations remain in default, and expropriated assets without compensation. There can be no assurance that the Chinese government will not take similar action in the future. An investment in the Fund involves risk of a total loss. The potential political reunification of China and Taiwan is a highly problematic issue and could negatively affect Taiwan's economy and stock market. Hong Kong is closely tied to China, economically and through China's 1997 acquisition of the country as a Special Autonomous Region. China has committed by treaty to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms until 2047. However, China has in recent years curtailed Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms, which has led to political unrest and eroded investor and business confidence in Hong Kong.

Military conflicts, either in response to internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries, could disrupt economic development. The Chinese economy is vulnerable to the long-running disagreements with Hong Kong related to integration and religious and nationalist disputes with Tibet and the Xinjiang region. China has a complex territorial dispute regarding the sovereignty of Taiwan that has included threats of invasion; Taiwan-based companies and individuals are significant investors in China. Military conflict between China and Taiwan may adversely affect securities of Chinese, Taiwan-based and other issuers both in and outside the region, adversely impact the economies of China and other Asian countries, disrupt supply chains, and severely affect global economies and markets. Risks of investments in issuers based in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, include heavy reliance on the U.S. economy and regional economies, particularly the Chinese economy, which makes these investments vulnerable to changes in these economies. These and related factors may result in adverse effects on investments in China and Hong Kong and have a negative impact on the performance of the Fund.

The Fund may invest in China A shares of certain Chinese companies listed and traded through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs ("Stock Connect"). Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing program established by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited, which seeks to provide mutual stock market access between Mainland China and Hong Kong. The Fund may also invest in Chinese interbank bonds traded on the China Interbank Bond Market through the China- Hong Kong Bond Connect program ("Bond Connect"). In China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Central Money Markets Unit holds Bond Connect securities on behalf of the ultimate investors (such as the Fund) in accounts maintained with a China-based custodian (either the China Central Depository & Clearing Co. or the Shanghai Clearing House). This recordkeeping system subjects the Fund to numerous risks, including the risk that the Fund may have a limited ability to enforce its rights as a bondholder and the risks of settlement delays and counterparty default of the Hong Kong sub-custodian. Furthermore, courts in China have limited experience in applying the concept of beneficial ownership.

Trading through Stock Connect or Bond Connect is subject to a number of restrictions and risks that could impair the Fund's ability to invest in or sell China A shares or Chinese interbank bonds, respectively, and affect investment returns, including limitations on trading and possible imposition of trading suspensions. For example, Stock Connect is subject to quotas that limit aggregate net purchases on an exchange on a particular day, and an investor cannot purchase and sell the same security through Stock Connect on the same trading day. In addition, both Stock Connect and Bond Connect are generally only available on business days when both the China and Hong Kong markets are open, which may limit the Fund's ability to trade when it would be otherwise attractive to do so. In addition, uncertainties in China's tax rules related to the taxation of income and gains from investments in China A shares or Chinese interbank bonds could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Investing in China A shares and Chinese interbank bonds is also subject to the clearance and settlement procedures associated with Stock Connect and Bond Connect, which could pose risks to the Fund.

All transactions in Stock Connect or Bond Connect securities will be made in renminbi, and accordingly the Fund will be exposed to renminbi currency risks. The ability to hedge renminbi currency risks may be limited. In addition, given the renminbi is subject to exchange control restrictions, the Fund could be adversely affected by delays in converting other currencies into renminbi and vice versa and at times when there are unfavorable market conditions. Securities purchased through Bond Connect generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Bond Connect in accordance with applicable rules.

16

Both Stock Connect and Bond Connect are relatively new programs to the market and are subject to regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities and implementation rules made by the stock exchanges, with respect to Stock Connect, in China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, new regulations may be promulgated from time to time by the regulators in connection with operations and cross-border legal enforcement under Stock Connect and Bond Connect.

The Fund may invest in Chinese companies through a structure known as a variable interest entity ("VIE"), which is designed to provide foreign investors, such as the Fund, with exposure to Chinese companies in sectors in which foreign investment is not permitted. Under this structure, the Chinese operating company is the VIE and establishes a shell company in a foreign jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, which is then listed on a foreign exchange. The shell company has no equity ownership in the VIE but has exposure to the VIE through contractual arrangements.

However, the Fund is not a VIE owner or shareholder and cannot exert influence on the VIE through proxy voting. Until recently, the VIE structure was not formally recognized under Chinese law; while China has recently proposed rules that would recognize this structure, there is significant uncertainty as to how these rules would operate. The inability to enforce the contracts through which the shell company derives its value could result in permanent loss of the Fund's investment.

Currency Risks

The value of the securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange control regulations. The Fund's investment performance may be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the Fund's investments are quoted or denominated. Further, the Fund's investment performance may be significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities quoted or denominated in another currency will increase or decrease in response to changes in the value of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar.

Custodian Services and Related Investment Costs

Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in the United States. In certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the portfolio security or could result in possible liability to the Fund. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging countries may not fully protect the Fund against loss or theft of its assets.

Withholding and Other Taxes

The Fund may be subject to taxes, including withholding taxes, on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) that are or may be imposed by certain countries with respect to the Fund's investments in such countries. These taxes may reduce the return achieved by the Fund. Treaties between the United States and such countries may not be available to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates.

Investments in Depositary Receipts

The Fund may hold securities of non-U.S. issuers in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and other similar instruments. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S. securities markets, and EDRs and GDRs and other similar global instruments in bearer form are designed for use in non-U.S. securities markets.

ADRs are denominated in U.S. dollars and represent an interest in the right to receive securities of non-U.S. issuers deposited in a U.S. bank or correspondent bank. ADRs do not eliminate all the risk inherent in investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, the Fund will avoid currency risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities which they represent.

For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, investments in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and similar instruments will be deemed to be investments in the underlying equity securities of non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may acquire depositary receipts from banks that do not have a contractual relationship with the issuer of the security underlying the depositary receipt to issue and secure such depositary receipt. To the extent the Fund invests in such unsponsored depositary receipts there may be an increased possibility that the Fund may not become aware of events affecting the underlying security and thus the value of the related depositary receipt. In addition, voting rights or other shareholder rights or benefits (i.e., rights offerings) which may be associated with the security underlying the depositary receipt may not inure to the benefit of the holder of such depositary receipt. The prices of unsponsored depositary receipts may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Unsponsored depositary receipts may involve higher expenses and may be less liquid.

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions. These transactions may be conducted at the prevailing spot rate for purchasing or selling currency in the foreign exchange market. The Fund also may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, which are contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract.

17

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts involving currencies of the different countries in which the Fund invests as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund, accrued in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities quoted in foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such foreign currencies. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be engaged in hedging activities when adverse exchange rate movements occur or that its hedging activities will be successful. The Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by Victory Capital.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates.

The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency, if Victory Capital determines that there is a pattern of correlation between the two currencies. Cross-hedging may also include entering into a forward transaction involving two foreign currencies, using one foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar to hedge against variations in the other foreign currency.

The Fund may use forward currency exchange contracts to reduce or gain exposure to a currency. To the extent the Fund gains exposure to a currency through these instruments, the resulting exposure may exceed the value of securities denominated in that currency held by the Fund. For example, where the Fund's security selection has resulted in an overweight or underweight exposure to a particular currency relative to the Fund's benchmark, the Fund may seek to adjust currency exposure using forward currency exchange contracts.

The cost to the Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the size of the contract, the length of the contract period, differences in interest rates between the two currencies and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign currency and forward contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The Fund may close out a forward position in a currency by selling the forward contract or by entering into an offsetting forward contract.

The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of the portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which the Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the Fund's foreign assets.

While the Fund may benefit from foreign currency transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between the portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause the Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.

Over-the-counter markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits or force the Fund to cover its commitments for purchase or resale, if any, at the current market price.

Options on Foreign Currencies

The Fund may purchase options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that of transactions in forward contracts. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are quoted or denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In an attempt to protect against such decreases in the value of portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency declines, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount of dollars which exceeds the market value of such currency. This would result in a gain that may offset, in whole or in part, the negative effect of currency depreciation on the value of the Fund's securities quoted or denominated in that currency.

Conversely, if a rise in the dollar value of a currency is projected for those securities to be acquired, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the Fund may purchase call options on such currency. If the value of such currency increases, the purchase of such call options would enable the Fund to purchase currency for a fixed amount of dollars which is less than the market value of such currency. Such a purchase would result in a gain that may offset, at least partially, the effect of any currency-related increase in the price of securities the Fund intends to acquire. As in the case of other types of options transactions, however, the benefit the Fund derives from purchasing

18

foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would deprive it of a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.

The Fund may also write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes. For example, if the Fund anticipated a decline in the dollar value of securities quoted or denominated in a foreign currency because of declining exchange rates, it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a covered call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and the decrease in value of portfolio securities will be partially offset by the amount of the premium received by the Fund.

Similarly, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency, instead of purchasing a call option, to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. If exchange rates move in the manner projected, the put option will expire unexercised and allow the Fund to offset such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. However, as in the case of other types of options transactions, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If unanticipated exchange rate fluctuations occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss, which may not be fully offset by the amount of the premium. As a result of writing options on foreign currencies, the Fund also may be required to forgo all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in currency exchange rates.

A call option written on foreign currency by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying foreign currency subject to the call, or if it has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash consideration. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same foreign currency for the same principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the amount of the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash or liquid securities.

The Fund may close out its position in a currency option by either selling the option it has purchased or entering into an offsetting option. An exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying currencies pursuant to the exercise of put options. If the Fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.

The Fund may also use options on currencies to cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to hedge against changes in exchange rates of a different currency with a pattern of correlation. Cross-hedging may also include using a foreign currency as a proxy for the U.S. dollar, if Victory Capital determines that there is a pattern of correlation between that currency and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by the Fund.

Natural Disasters

Certain areas of the world, including areas within the United States, historically have been prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, tidal waves, tsunamis, erupting volcanoes, wildfires or droughts. Climate change may increase the frequency, severity, and unpredictability of many of these events, potentially intensifying their adverse effects. Such disasters, and the resulting physical and economic damage, could have a significant adverse impact on the economies of those areas and on the ability of issuers in which a Fund invests to conduct their businesses. Consequently, this could adversely affect the performance of the Fund's investments in those geographic areas and/or issuers. In particular, adverse weather conditions exacerbated by climate change may significantly affect issuers in the agricultural sector and insurance companies that underwrite natural disaster-related risk.

Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Information Technology

With the increased use of technologies, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, attempts to gain unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through "hacking" or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, denying access, or causing other operational disruption. Cyber attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). The Fund's service providers regularly experience such attempts, and expect they will continue to do so. The Fund is unable to predict how any such attempt, if successful, may affect the Fund and its shareholders. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, limit or mitigate, such cyber- attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, a Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to a Fund such as Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank"), each Fund's custodian and accounting agent, and FIS Investor Services LLC ("FIS"), each Fund's transfer agent. In addition, many beneficial owners of Fund shares hold them through accounts at broker-dealers, retirement platforms and other financial

19

market participants over which neither the Fund nor Victory Capital exercises control. Each of these may in turn rely on service providers to them, which are also subject to the risk of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity failures or breaches at Victory Capital or the Fund's service providers or intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to effect share purchases, redemptions or exchanges or receive distributions, loss of or unauthorized access to private shareholder information and violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, or additional compliance costs. Such costs and losses may not be covered under any insurance. In addition, maintaining vigilance against cyber attacks may involve substantial costs over time, and system enhancements may themselves be subject to cyber attacks.

Recent technological advances in artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning technologies, and their current and potential future applications including in the financial sectors, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks within which they operate, continue to rapidly evolve. It is not possible to predict the full extent of current or future risks of these new technologies. Regulations related to these technologies also may impose certain obligations on organizations, and the costs of monitoring and responding to such regulations, as well as the consequences of non-compliance, could have an adverse effect on organizations connected to the Fund and its investments. In addition, the Fund and its investments could be exposed to risks to the extent third-party service providers or any counterparties use these technologies in their business activities.

Investment Company Securities and Real Estate Investment Trusts

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Investing in other investment companies subjects the Fund to the risks of investing in the underlying securities held by those investment companies. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment companies' expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund's own operations.

Exchange Traded Funds

The Fund may invest in exchange traded funds ("ETFs"). ETFs are funds whose shares are traded on an exchange. ETFs may be based on underlying equity or fixed income securities. ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as "creation units," to "authorized participants" ("APs"). The AP purchasing a creation unit then sells the individual shares on a secondary market to individual investors. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF's investment objective will be achieved. ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of the ETF, will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund's own operations. Some ETFs are not structured as investment companies and thus are not regulated under the 1940 Act.

Certain ETFs, including leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs, may have embedded leverage. Leveraged ETFs seek to multiply the return of the tracked index (e.g., twice the return) by using various forms of derivative transactions. Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate with the performance of a particular index by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. An investment in an inverse ETF will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. By investing in leveraged ETFs or inverse ETFs, the Fund can commit fewer assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required.

Leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs present all of the risks that regular ETFs present. In addition, leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs determine their return over a specific, pre-set time period, typically daily, and, as a result, there is no guarantee that the ETF's actual long term returns will be equal to the daily return that the Fund seeks to achieve. For example, on a long-term basis (e.g., a period of 6 months or a year), the return of a leveraged ETF may in fact be considerably less than two times the long-term return of the tracked index. Furthermore, because leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs achieve their results by using derivative instruments, they are subject to the risks associated with derivative transactions, including the risk that the value of the derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, thereby causing the ETF to lose money and, consequently, the value of the Fund's investment to decrease. Investing in derivative instruments also involves the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the ETF. Short sales in particular are subject to the risk that, if the price of the security sold short increases, the inverse ETF may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss to the inverse ETF and, indirectly, to the Fund. An ETF's use of these techniques will make the Fund's investment in the ETF more volatile than if the Fund were to invest directly in the securities underlying the tracked index, or in an ETF that does not use leverage or derivative instruments. However, by investing in a leveraged ETF or an inverse ETF rather than directly purchasing and/or selling derivative instruments, the Fund will limit its potential loss solely to the amount actually invested in the ETF (that is, the Fund will not lose more than the principal amount invested in the ETF).

20

Derivative Instruments

Derivatives

The Fund may, but is not required to, use futures and options on securities, indices and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market prices of securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities; to attempt to increase the Fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be considered speculative; to manage portfolio characteristics (for example, for Funds investing in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, a portfolio's currency exposure, or, for Funds investing in fixed income securities, a portfolio's duration or credit quality); and as a cash flow management technique. The Fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations.

Using derivatives exposes the Fund to additional risks and may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value and may not provide the expected result. Derivatives may have a leveraging effect on the portfolio. Leverage generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates a risk of loss of value in a larger pool of assets than the Fund would otherwise have had. Therefore, using derivatives can disproportionately increase losses and reduce opportunities for gain. If changes in a derivative 's value do not correspond to changes in the value of the Fund's other investments or do not correlate well with the underlying assets, rate or index, the Fund may not fully benefit from, or could lose money on, or could experience unusually high expenses as a result of, the derivative position. Derivatives involve the risk of loss if the counterparty defaults on its obligation. Certain derivatives may be less liquid, which may reduce the returns of the Fund if it cannot sell or terminate the derivative at an advantageous time or price. The Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations. The Fund may not be able to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that would otherwise be favorable for it to do so, or may have to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time or price. Some derivatives may involve the risk of improper valuation. Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances or at reasonable prices and may not be used by the Fund for a variety of reasons.

Certain derivatives transactions, including certain options, swaps, forward contracts, and certain options on foreign currencies, are entered into directly by the counterparties or through financial institutions acting as market makers (OTC derivatives), rather than being traded on exchanges or in markets registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") or the SEC. Many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available to participants in OTC derivatives transactions. For example, OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of an exchange, and only OTC derivatives that are either required to be cleared or submitted voluntarily for clearing to a clearinghouse will enjoy all of the protections that central clearing provides against default by the original counterparty to the trade. In an OTC derivatives transaction that is not cleared, the Fund bears the risk of default by its counterparty. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Fund is instead exposed to the risk of default of the clearinghouse and, to the extent the Fund has posted any margin, the risk of default of the broker through which it has entered into the transaction. Information available on counterparty creditworthiness may be incomplete or outdated, thus reducing the ability to anticipate counterparty defaults.

Derivatives involve operational risk. There may be incomplete or erroneous documentation or inadequate collateral or margin, or transactions may fail to settle. For derivatives not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, the Fund may have only contractual remedies in the event of a counterparty default, and there may be delays, costs, or disagreements as to the meaning of contractual terms and litigation in enforcing those remedies.

Swap contracts that are required to be cleared must be traded on a regulated execution facility or contract market that makes them available for trading. The establishment of a centralized exchange or market for swap transactions may disrupt or limit the swap market and may not result in swaps being easier to trade or value. Market-traded swaps may become more standardized, and the Fund may not be able to enter into swaps that meet its investment needs.

The Fund also may not be able to find a clearinghouse willing to accept the swaps for clearing. The new regulations may make using swaps more costly, may limit their availability, or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that a large portion of the Fund's assets are committed to derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.

Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act permits the Fund to enter into Derivatives Transactions (as defined below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of "senior securities" under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other things, prohibits open-end funds, including the Fund, from issuing or selling any "senior security," other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a requirement to maintain 300% "asset coverage").

Under Rule 18f-4, "Derivatives Transactions" include the following: (1) any swap, security-based swap (including a contract for differences), futures contract, forward contract, option (excluding purchased options), any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which the Fund is or may be required to make any payment or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or settlement payment or otherwise; (2) any short sale borrowing; (3) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions (e.g., recourse and non-recourse tender option bonds, and borrowed bonds), if the Fund elects to treat these transactions as Derivatives Transactions under Rule 18f-4; and (4) when-issued or forward- settling securities (e.g., firm and standby commitments, including to-be-announced ("TBA") commitments, and dollar rolls) and non-

21

standard settlement cycle securities, unless the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date.

Unless the Fund is relying on the Limited Derivatives User Exception (as defined below), the Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to its Derivatives Transactions. Rule 18f-4, among other things, requires the Fund to adopt and implement a comprehensive written derivatives risk management program ("DRMP") and comply with a relative or absolute limit on Fund leverage risk calculated based on value-at-risk ("VaR"). The DRMP is administered by a "derivatives risk manager," who is appointed by the Fund's Board, including a majority of Independent Trustees, and periodically reviews the DRMP and reports to the Board.

Rule 18f-4 provides an exception from the DRMP, VaR limit and certain other requirements if the Fund's "derivatives exposure" (as defined in Rule 18f-4) is limited to 10% of its net assets (as calculated in accordance with Rule 18f-4) and the Fund adopts and implements written policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks (the "Limited Derivatives User Exception"). As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is relying on the Limited Derivatives User Exception.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") has caused broad changes to the OTC derivatives market and granted significant authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants. Pursuant to such authority, rules have been enacted that currently require clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions and may require clearing of additional OTC derivatives transactions in the future and that impose minimum margin and capital requirements for uncleared OTC derivatives transactions. Similar regulations are being adopted in other jurisdictions around the world. The implementation of the clearing requirement has increased the costs of derivatives transactions since investors have to pay fees to clearing members and are typically required to post more margin for cleared derivatives than had historically been the case. The costs of derivatives transactions are expected to increase further as clearing members raise their fees to cover the costs of additional capital requirements and other regulatory changes. While the new rules and regulations and central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk (i.e., the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause them to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that they will achieve that result, and in the meantime, mandatory clearing of derivatives may expose the Fund to new kinds of costs and risks.

Additionally, new regulations may result in increased uncertainty about credit/counterparty risk and may limit the flexibility of the Fund to protect its interests in the event of an insolvency of a derivatives counterparty. In the event of a counterparty 's (or its affiliate's) insolvency, the Fund's ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated under the rules of the applicable exchange or clearing corporation or under new special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the European Union and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, with respect to counterparties who are subject to such proceedings in the European Union, the liabilities of such counterparties to the Fund could be reduced, eliminated, or converted to equity in such counterparties (sometimes referred to as a "bail in").

The Fund's use of derivatives may be affected by other applicable laws and regulations and may be subject to review by the SEC, the CFTC, exchange and market authorities and other regulators in the United States and abroad. The Fund's ability to use derivatives may be limited by tax considerations.

Use of derivatives or similar instruments may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying investment and may adversely affect the amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund's distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Code. If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on any security in which it may invest or options on any securities index based on securities in which it may invest. The Fund may also be able to enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased.

Writing Call and Put Options on Securities

A call option written by the Fund obligates the Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. The exercise price may differ from the market price of an underlying security. The Fund has the risk of loss that the price of an underlying security may decline during the call period. The risk may be offset to some extent by the premium the Fund receives. If the value of the investment does not rise above the call price, it's likely that the call will lapse without being exercised. In that case, the Fund would keep the cash premium and the investment. All call options written by the Fund are covered, which means that the Fund will own the securities subject to the options as long as the options are outstanding, or the Fund will use the other methods described below. The Fund's purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone.

However, the Fund may forgo the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.

22

A put option written by the Fund would obligate the Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. The Fund has no control over when it may be required to purchase the underlying securities. All put options written by the Fund would be covered, which means that the Fund would have segregated assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option.

The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the option premium, the Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security at a price in excess of its market value at the time of purchase.

Call and put options written by the Fund will also be considered to be covered to the extent that the Fund's liabilities under such options are wholly or partially offset by its rights under call and put options purchased by the Fund. In addition, a written call option or put may be covered by entering into an offsetting forward contract and/or by purchasing an offsetting option or any other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the Fund's net exposure on its written option position.

Writing Call and Put Options on Securities Indices

The Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index composed of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segments of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.

The Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration if cash in such amount is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. The Fund may cover call and put options on a securities index by segregating assets with a value equal to the exercise price.

Index options are subject to the timing risk inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall "out-of-the-money," the Fund will be required to pay cash in an amount of the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option.

Purchasing Call and Put Options

The Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.

The Fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the Fund's securities. Put options may also be purchased by the Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.

The Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as "closing purchase transactions."

Risks of Trading Options

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option, or at any particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.

Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC") may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),

23

in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although it is expected that outstanding options on that exchange, if any, that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

The Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange- traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the Fund will treat purchased over-the-counter options and all assets used to cover written over-the-counter options as illiquid investments, except that with respect to options written with primary dealers in U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid investments may be calculated with reference to the formula.

Transactions by the Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert. Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of Victory Capital. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidations of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of protective puts for hedging purposes depends in part on the ability of Victory Capital to predict future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.

In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the portfolio and the index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of unanticipated movements in the price of the securities comprising the securities index on which the option is based.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

The Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any of such futures contracts. The Fund may enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any futures contracts and options on futures contracts. The futures contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. government securities), securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may invest in futures contracts based on the Chicago Board of Exchange Volatility Index ("VIX Futures"). The VIX is an index of market sentiment derived from the S&P 500 option prices, and is designed to reflect investors' consensus view of expected stock market volatility over future periods. An interest rate futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and the purchase by the other party of a specified amount of a particular financial instrument (debt security) at a specified price, date, time and place. The Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for bona fide hedging and non-hedging purposes as described below. Futures contracts are traded in the United States on exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC.

Futures Contracts

A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).

When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the Fund can sell futures contracts on a specified currency to protect against a decline in the value of such currency and a decline in the value of its portfolio securities which are denominated in such currency. The Fund can purchase futures contracts on a foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security denominated in such currency that the Fund has acquired or expects to acquire.

Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on securities or currency are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

Hedging Strategies

Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty the effective price, rate of return and currency exchange rate on portfolio securities and securities that the Fund owns or proposes to acquire. The Fund may, for example, take a "short" position in

24

the futures market by selling futures contracts in order to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the value of the Fund's securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by the Fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of the Fund's securities. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures contracts in a foreign currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated or in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of Victory Capital, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the Fund's securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategies. Although under some circumstances, prices of securities in the portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, Victory Capital will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the Fund's securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.

On other occasions, the Fund may take a "long" position by purchasing futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.

Options on Futures Contracts

The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction, but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.

The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of the Fund's assets. By writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract (if the option is exercised), which may have a value higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund becomes obligated to purchase a futures contract (if the option is exercised) which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.

The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The Fund's ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.

Other Considerations Regarding Futures Contracts

The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code for maintaining qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Futures contracts and related options involve brokerage costs and require margin deposits.

While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between the Fund's futures positions and portfolio positions may be impossible to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on individual securities are currently not available. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss. It is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of non-U.S. securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities in differing degrees.

If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, except in the case of purchased options, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the future or option.

Interest Rate Swaps, Collars, Caps and Floors

In order to hedge the value of the portfolio against interest rate fluctuations or to enhance the Fund's income, the Fund may, but is not required to, enter into various interest rate transactions such as interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. To the extent that the Fund enters into these transactions, the Fund expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund intends to use these transactions primarily as a hedge and not as a speculative investment. However, the Fund

25

also may invest in interest rate swaps to enhance income or to increase the Fund's yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short-term and long-term interest rates). The Fund is not required to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so. The Fund cannot guarantee that any hedging strategies it uses will work.

In an interest rate swap, the Fund exchanges with another party their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments). For example, if the Fund holds a debt instrument with an interest rate that is reset only once each year, it may swap the right to receive interest at this fixed rate for the right to receive interest at a rate that is reset every week. This would enable the Fund to offset a decline in the value of the debt instrument due to rising interest rates but would also limit its ability to benefit from falling interest rates.

Conversely, if the Fund holds a debt instrument with an interest rate that is reset every week and it would like to lock in what it believes to be a high interest rate for one year, it may swap the right to receive interest at this variable weekly rate for the right to receive interest at a rate that is fixed for one year. Such a swap would protect the Fund from a reduction in yield due to falling interest rates and may permit the Fund to enhance its income through the positive differential between one week and one year interest rates, but would preclude it from taking full advantage of rising interest rates.

The Fund usually will enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis.

The Fund also may engage in interest rate transactions in the form of purchasing or selling interest rate caps or floors. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest equal to the difference of the index and the predetermined rate on a notional principal amount (i.e., the reference amount with respect to which interest obligations are determined although no actual exchange of principal occurs) from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest at the difference of the index and the predetermined rate on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The Fund will not enter into caps or floors if, on a net basis, the aggregate notional principal amount with respect to such agreements exceeds the net assets of the Fund.

Typically, the parties with which the Fund will enter into interest rate transactions will be broker-dealers and other financial institutions. The Fund will not enter into any interest rate swap, cap or floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated investment grade quality by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed by the Adviser to be equivalent to such rating. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Caps and floors are less liquid than swaps. Certain federal income tax requirements may limit the Fund's ability to engage in interest rate swaps.

Foreign Currency Swaps

Foreign currency swaps involve the exchange by the lenders, including the Fund, with another party (the "counterparty") of the right to receive the currency in which the loans are denominated for the right to receive U.S. dollars. The Fund will enter into a foreign currency swap only if the outstanding debt obligations of the counterparty are rated investment grade quality by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed by the Fund's adviser to be equivalent to such rating. The amounts of U.S. dollar payments to be received by the Fund and the foreign currency payments to be received by the counterparty are fixed at the time the swap arrangement is entered into. Accordingly, the swap protects the Fund from the fluctuations in exchange rates and locks in the right to receive payments under the loan in a predetermined amount of U.S. dollars. If there is a default by the counterparty, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreement; however, the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's right to receive foreign currency payments under the obligation will be subject to fluctuations in the applicable exchange rate to the extent that a replacement swap arrangement is unavailable or the Fund is unable to recover damages from the defaulting counterparty.

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Cross currency interest rate swap agreements combine features of currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. The cross currency interest rate swaps in which the Fund may enter generally will involve both the exchange of currency and the payment of interest streams with reference to one currency based on a specified index in exchange for receiving interest streams with reference to the other currency. Such swaps may involve initial and final exchanges that correspond to the agreed upon transaction amount. For example, the payment stream on a specified amount of euro based on a European market floating rate might be exchanged for a U.S. oriented floating rate on the same principal amount converted into U.S. dollars.

Financial Futures and Options Transactions

26

Victory Capital has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a "commodity pool operator" in connection with its operation of the Fund pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5 (the "exclusion"). Accordingly, Victory Capital is not subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund.

The Fund's ability to trade certain financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA") (including commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest rate futures), options on commodity futures and swaps, together "commodity interests") is limited by Victory Capital's reliance on the Rule 4.5 exclusion with respect to the Fund, which may adversely affect the Fund's total return. This limitation also applies with respect to any indirect exposure that the Fund may have to these instruments through investments in other funds. Victory Capital may have to rely on representations from an underlying fund's manager about the amount (or maximum permitted amount) of investment exposure that such underlying fund has to commodity interests.

Regulation 4.5 requires that a Fund satisfy one of the following two trading limitations at all times: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Fund's positions in commodity interests and other CFTC-regulated instruments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or

(2)the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). The Fund would not be required to consider its exposure to such instruments if they were held for "bona fide hedging" purposes, as such term is defined in CFTC regulations. In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the Fund may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in commodity interests.

Credit Default Swap Agreements

The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. The "buyer" in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the "seller" a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no specified events of default, or "credit events," on an underlying reference obligation have occurred. If such a credit event occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the "par value" (full notion al value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation, or must make a cash settlement payment. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund will receive no return on the stream of payments made to the seller.

However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund, as the buyer, receives the full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, the Fund, as the seller, must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation. The Fund, as the seller, would be entitled to receive the reference obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may be required to make a cash settlement payment, where the reference obligation is received by the Fund as seller. The value of the reference obligation, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, would likely be less than the full notional value the Fund pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund as seller. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap agreement it is exposed to the risks of a leveraged transaction. Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties who are rated investment grade quality by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed to be equivalent to such rating.

Regulations require most swaps to be executed through a centralized exchange or regulated facility and cleared through a regulated clearinghouse. The swap market could be disrupted or limited as a result of these requirements, which could adversely affect the Fund. Moreover, the establishment of a centralized exchange or market for swap transactions may not result in swaps being easier to trade or value.

The Fund may also invest in credit derivative contracts on baskets or indices of securities, such as CDX. A CDX can be used to hedge credit risk or to take a position on a basket of credit entities or indices. The individual credits underlying credit default swap indices may be rated investment grade or non-investment grade. These instruments are designed to track representative segments of the credit default swap market such as investment grade, below investment grade and emerging markets. A CDX index tranche provides access to customized risk, exposing each investor to losses at different levels of subordination. The lowest part of the capital structure is called the "equity tranche" as it has exposure to the first losses experienced in the basket. The mezzanine and senior tranches are higher in the capital structure but can also be exposed to loss in value. If the Fund holds a long position in a CDX, the Fund would indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by a CDX. The Fund holding a long position in CDXs typically receives income from principal or interest paid on the underlying securities. By investing in CDXs, the Fund could be exposed to liquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk of the issuers of the underlying loan obligations and of the CDX markets, and operational risks. If there is a default by the CDX counterparty, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. CDXs also bear the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty.

Credit-Linked Notes

27

The Fund may invest in credit-linked notes ("CLNs"), which are derivative instruments. A CLN is a synthetic obligation between two or more parties where the payment of principal and/or interest is based on the performance of some obligation (a reference obligation). In addition to credit risk of the reference obligations and interest rate risk, the buyer/seller of the CLN is subject to counterparty risk.

Total Return Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars

The Fund may enter into total return swaps, caps, floors and collars to hedge assets or liabilities or to seek to increase total return. Total return swaps involve the exchange by a fund with another party of their respective commitments to make or receive payments based on the change in market value of a specified security, basket of securities or benchmark. The Fund may invest in swaps based on VIX futures contracts. The VIX is an index of market sentiment derived from S&P 500 Index option prices, and is designed to reflect investors' consensus view of expected stock market volatility over future periods. Total return swaps may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that the market value of a specified security or benchmark exceeds a predetermined level, to receive payments of a contractually-based amount from the party selling the cap. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that the market value of a specified security or benchmark falls below a predetermined level, to receive payments of a contractually-based amount from the party selling the floor. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of values. Investments in swaps, caps, floors and collars are highly specialized activities which involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. Investments in total return swaps, caps, floors and collars may be considered speculative because they involve significant risk of loss. If Victory Capital is incorrect in its forecast of market values, these investments could negatively impact the Fund's performance. These investments also are subject to default risk of the counterparty and may be less liquid than other portfolio securities. Moreover, investments in swaps, caps, floors and collars may involve greater transaction costs than investments in other securities.

Exchange Traded Notes

The Fund may invest in exchange traded notes ("ETNs"). An ETN is a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds and ETFs. An ETN's returns are based on the performance of a market index or other reference asset minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN's maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index or other reference asset to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected.

An ETN that is tied to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable index. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Additionally, certain components comprising the index tracked by an ETN may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETN's ability to track its index. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. However, the Fund's potential loss is limited to the amount actually invested in the ETN.

The market value of an ETN is influenced by supply and demand for the ETN, the current performance of the index or other reference asset, the credit rating of the ETN issuer, volatility and lack of liquidity in the reference asset, changes in the applicable interest rates, and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the reference asset. The market value of ETN shares may differ from their net asset value. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities underlying the index (or other reference asset) that the ETN seeks to track. The value of an ETN may also change due to a change in the issuer's credit rating. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value. The Fund will bear its pro rata portion of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. These fees and expenses generally reduce the return realized at maturity or upon redemption from an investment in an ETN.

Other Investments and Investment Techniques

Short-Term Investments

For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, the Fund may invest in all types of short-term investments including, but not limited to, (a) commercial paper and other short-term commercial obligations; (b) obligations (including certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances) of banks; (c) obligations issued or guaranteed by a governmental issuer, including governmental agencies or instrumentalities; (d) fixed income securities of non-governmental issuers; (e) money market funds; and (f) other cash equivalents or cash. Subject to the Fund's restrictions regarding investment in non-U.S. securities, these securities may be denominated in any currency. Although these investments generally are rated investment grade or are determined by Victory Capital to be of equivalent credit quality, the Fund may also invest in these instruments if they are rated below investment grade in accordance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.

Repurchase Agreements

28

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase agreements are arrangements under which the Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the Fund's purchase price, with the difference being income to the Fund. A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan by the Fund collateralized by securities. Under the direction of the Board, Victory Capital reviews and monitors the creditworthiness of any institution which enters into a repurchase agreement with the Fund. The counterparty's obligations under the repurchase agreement are collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or agency obligations with a market value of not less than 100% of the obligations, valued daily. Collateral is held by the Fund's custodian in a safekeeping account for the benefit of the Fund. Repurchase agreements afford the Fund an opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, the Fund may be required to return the security to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction. There is no specific limit on the Fund's ability to enter into repurchase agreements. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans for purposes of the 1940 Act.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities to a bank or other institution with an agreement that the Fund will buy back the securities at a fixed future date at a fixed price plus an agreed amount of "interest" which may be reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities purchased by the Fund with proceeds of the transaction may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund that it is obligated to repurchase. The Fund will also continue to be subject to the risk of a decline in the market value of the securities sold under the agreements because it will reacquire those securities upon effecting their repurchase. Reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a type of borrowing. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions (e.g., recourse and non-recourse tender option bonds, borrowed bonds) notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness associated with all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the asset coverage ratio, or treats all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions as derivatives transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. The DRMP currently provides that reverse repurchase agreements will not be treated as derivatives for purposes of the DRMP and will be subject to the asset coverage requirements of Section 18. See "Derivatives."

Short Sales Against the Box

The Fund may sell securities "short against the box." A short sale involves the Fund borrowing securities from a broker and selling the borrowed securities. The Fund has an obligation to return securities identical to the borrowed securities to the broker. In a short sale against the box, the Fund at all times owns an equal amount of the security sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, with or without payment of additional consideration, an equal amount of the security sold short. The Fund intends to use short sales against the box to hedge. For example, when the Fund believes that the price of a current portfolio security may decline, the Fund may use a short sale against the box to lock in a sale price for a security rather than selling the security immediately. In such a case, any future losses in the Fund's long position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The Fund may engage in short sales of securities only against the box.

If the Fund effects a short sale against the box at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the security, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the security (a "constructive sale") on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale provided that certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may make short sales against the box.

The Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to its short positions "against the box." See "Derivatives."

Dollar Rolls

The Fund may enter into mortgage "dollar rolls" in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon, and maturity), but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop") or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund.

For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Fund treats mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale.

29

Dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the broker-dealer to whom the Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to purchase or repurchase the securities subject to the dollar roll may be restricted and the instrument which the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than an instrument which the Fund originally held. Successful use of dollar rolls will depend upon Victory Capital's ability to manage its interest rate and prepayment exposure. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

The Fund may enter into when-issued or forward-settling securities (e.g., dollar rolls and firm and standby commitments, including TBA commitments) and non-standard settlement cycle securities notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund complies with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. See "Derivatives."

Portfolio Turnover

It is the policy of the Fund not to engage in trading for short-term profits, although portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders.

Lending of Portfolio Securities

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to registered broker-dealers or other institutional investors deemed by Victory Capital to be of good standing under agreements which require that the loans be secured continuously by collateral in the form of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit issued by banks approved by the Fund. The value of the collateral is monitored on a daily basis and the borrower is required to maintain the collateral at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund continues to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and continues to have all of the other risks associated with owning the securities. Where the collateral received is cash, the cash will be invested and the Fund will be entitled to a share of the income earned on the investment, but will also be subject to investment risk on the collateral and will bear the entire amount of any loss in connection with investment of such collateral. The Fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with loans of securities and, where the collateral received is cash, the Fund may pay a portion of the income earned on the investment of collateral to the borrower, lending agent or other intermediary. Fees and expenses paid by the Fund in connection with loans of securities are not reflected in the fee table or expense example in the Fund's prospectus. If the income earned on the investment of the cash collateral is insufficient to pay these amounts or if the value of the securities purchased with such cash collateral declines, the Fund may take a loss on the loan. Where the Fund receives securities as collateral, the Fund will earn no income on the collateral, but will earn a fee from the borrower. The Fund reserves the right to recall loaned securities so that it may exercise voting rights on loaned securities according to the Fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consists of the possibility of loss to the Fund due to (i) the inability of the borrower to return the securities, (ii) a delay in receiving additional collateral to adequately cover any fluctuations in the value of securities on loan, (iii) a delay in recovery of the securities, or (iv) the loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, as noted above, the Fund continues to have market risk and other risks associated with owning the securities on loan. Where the collateral delivered by the borrower is cash, the Fund will also have the risk of loss of principal and interest in connection with its investment of collateral. If a borrower defaults, the value of the collateral may decline before the Fund can dispose of it. The Fund will lend portfolio securities only to firms that have been approved in advance by Victory Capital, which will monitor the creditworthiness of any such firms. However, this monitoring may not protect the Fund from loss. At no time would the value of the securities loaned exceed 3313% of the value of the Fund's total assets. The Fund did not engage in securities lending activity during its most recent fiscal year.

Interfund Lending

To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, the Fund may enter into lending agreements ("Interfund Lending Agreements") under which the Fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another fund with the Victory Funds complex through a credit facility ("Interfund Loan"), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Fund permitting such interfund lending. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.

If the Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund (a) will be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.

The Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another Victory fund, the Fund's interfund borrowing will be secured on at least an equal priority

30

basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If the Fund's total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility on a secured basis only. The Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would be more than 3313% of its total assets.

No Fund may lend to another Fund through the interfund lending credit facility if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending fund's net assets at the time of the loan. The Fund's Interfund Loans to any one Fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund's net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days.

Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition.

Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day's notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund.

The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When the Fund borrows money from another Fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day's notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another Fund. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities

The Fund may purchase securities, including U.S. government securities, on a when-issued basis or may purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery. In such transactions, delivery of the securities occurs beyond the normal settlement period, but no payment or delivery is made by the Fund prior to the actual delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. The Fund will not earn income on these securities until delivered. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the value of the securities purchased will decline prior to the settlement date. The sale of securities for delayed delivery involves the risk that the prices available in the market on the delivery date may be greater than those obtained in the sale transaction.

The Fund may enter into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund complies with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. See "Derivatives."

DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE ("NAV") AND

VALUING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchange is open for trading every weekday except for the days the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Ordinarily, investments in debt securities and certain derivative instruments are valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service which utilizes primarily a matrix system (which reflects such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings), supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. Senior loans are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices for one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from an independent third party pricing service. Senior loans for which no reliable prices are available will be valued by an independent third party pricing service through the use of a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or techniques. Event linked bonds are valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service. Other insurance- linked securities may be valued at the bid price obtained from an independent third party pricing service, or through a third party using a pricing matrix, insurance industry valuation models, or other fair value methods or techniques to provide an estimated value of the instrument. Other securities are valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or market where they are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation or securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices.

Securities quoted in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing foreign exchange rates employed by the Fund's independent pricing services. Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of regular trading on the Exchange and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. International securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the value of any international securities owned by the Fund could change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the Fund.

The Adviser has been designated as the Fund's valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Board. When prices determined using the foregoing methods are not available or are considered by the Adviser to be unreliable, the Adviser uses fair value methods to value the Fund's securities. The Adviser also may use fair value pricing methods to value the Fund's

31

securities, including a non-U.S. security, when the Adviser determines that prices determined using the foregoing methods no longer accurately reflect the value of the security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities markets or the specific issuer. Valuing securities using fair value methods may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using closing market prices. In connection with making fair value determinations of the value of fixed income securities, the Adviser may use a pricing matrix. The prices used for these securities may differ from the amounts received by the Fund upon the sale of the securities, and these differences may be substantial.

PURCHASE AND REPURCHASE INFORMATION

Purchasing Shares

The Fund's shares are not listed and the Fund does not currently intend to list its shares for trading on any securities exchange, and does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its shares. Neither Victory Capital, nor the Fund's distributor, Victory Capital Services, Inc. (the "Distributor"), intends to make a market in the Fund's shares.

Shares are offered on a continuous basis at their net asset value per share. During any continuous offering, shares may be purchased through the Distributor. The Distributor acts as the distributor of the shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of a distributor's contract with the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Fund. The Fund has authorized one or more intermediaries (e.g., brokers, investment advisers, etc. (collectively, "Intermediaries")) to receive orders on its behalf. Such Intermediaries are authorized to designate other Intermediaries to receive orders on the Fund's behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received an order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, receives the order. The shares will be offered at the net asset value per share calculated each regular business day.

Any continuous offering may be discontinued at any time. The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.

Initial purchases are subject to the minimums stated in the prospectus, except that Victory Capital or the Distributor may waive these minimum investment requirements in its sole discretion.

Share Repurchase

In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund will make periodic offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at net asset value, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. There is no guarantee that the Fund will offer to repurchase more than 5% of its outstanding shares in any repurchase offer, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to sell shares in an amount or at the time that you desire. It is also possible that a repurchase offer may be oversubscribed, in which case shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their shares repurchased. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. If the Fund determines not to repurchase additional shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if shareholders submit for repurchase an amount of shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the shares submitted for repurchase on a pro rata basis. The Fund intends to offer its shares in a continuous offering at net asset value. There can be no assurance that the Fund will continue to offer its shares on a continuous basis or if so offered, that it will do so indefinitely.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

The Fund's Trustees and officers are listed below, together with their principal occupations and other directorships they have held during at least the past five years. Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act are referred to as Interested Trustees. Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund are referred to as Independent Trustees. Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee of Victory Portfolios IV, a U.S. registered investment company with 26 series for which Victory Capital serves as investment adviser (the "Victory Funds"). The address for all Trustees and all officers of the Fund is: 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

32

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Number of

Name, Year of

Portfolios

Birth and

Term of Office

in Fund

Other Directorships Held by

Position(s) Held

and Length of

Principal Occupation(s) During At

Complex

Trustee During At Least The Past

with the Fund

Service

Least The Past Five Years

Overseen

Five Years

Independent

Trustees:

Thomas J. Perna

Trustee since

Private investor (2004 - 2008 and

34

Director, Broadridge Financial

(1950)

2014. Serves

2013 - present); Chairman (2008 -

Solutions, Inc. (investor

Chairman of the

until a

2013) and Chief Executive Officer

communications and securities

Board and

successor

(2008 - 2012), Quadriserv, Inc.

processing provider for financial

Trustee

trustee is

(technology products for securities

services industry) (2009 - 2023);

elected or

lending industry); and Senior

Director, Quadriserv, Inc. (2005 -

earlier

Executive Vice President, The Bank

2013); and Commissioner, New

retirement or

of New York (financial and

Jersey State Civil Service

removal.

securities services) (1986 - 2004)

Commission (2011 - 2015)

John E.

Trustee since

Of Counsel (2019 - present),

34

Chairman, The Lakeville Journal

Baumgardner,

2019. Serves

Partner (1983-2018), Sullivan &

Company, LLC, (privately-held

Jr. (1951)*

until a

Cromwell LLP (law firm).

community newspaper group) (2015

Trustee

successor

- 2021)

trustee is

elected or

earlier

retirement or

removal.

Diane Durnin

Trustee since

Managing Director - Head of

34

Director, Old Westbury Funds, Inc.

(1957)

2019. Serves

Product Strategy and Development,

(10 portfolios) (October 2025 -

Trustee

until a

BNY Mellon Investment

present)

successor

Management (investment

trustee is

management firm) (2012-2018);

elected or

Vice Chairman - The Dreyfus

earlier

Corporation (2005 - 2018):

retirement or

Executive Vice President Head of

removal.

Product, BNY Mellon Investment

Management (2007-2012);

Executive Director- Product

Strategy, Mellon Asset Management

(2005-2007); Executive Vice

President Head of Products,

Marketing and Client Service,

Dreyfus Corporation (investment

management firm) (2000-2005);

Senior Vice President Strategic

Product and Business Development,

Dreyfus Corporation (1994-2000)

Benjamin M.

Trustee since

William Joseph Maier Professor of

34

Trustee, Mellon Institutional Funds

Friedman (1944)

2014. Serves

Political Economy, Harvard

Investment Trust and Mellon

Trustee

until a

University (1972 - present)

Institutional Funds Master Portfolio

successor

(oversaw 17 portfolios in fund

trustee is

complex) (1989 - 2008)

elected or

earlier

33

Number of

Name, Year of

Portfolios

Birth and

Term of Office

in Fund

Other Directorships Held by

Position(s) Held

and Length of

Principal Occupation(s) During At

Complex

Trustee During At Least The Past

with the Fund

Service

Least The Past Five Years

Overseen

Five Years

retirement or

removal.

Craig C.

Trustee since

Senior Advisor, England &

34

Director, Equitable Holdings, Inc.

MacKay (1963)

2021. Serves

Company, LLC (advisory firm)

(financial services holding

Trustee

until a

(2022 - present); Partner, England

company) (2022 - present); Board

successor

& Company, LLC (advisory firm)

Member of Carver Bancorp, Inc.

trustee is

(2012 - 2022); Group Head -

(holding company) and Carver

elected or

Leveraged Finance Distribution,

Federal Savings Bank, NA (2017 -

earlier

Oppenheimer & Company

present); Advisory Council

retirement or

(investment bank) (2006 - 2012);

Member, MasterShares ETF (2016 -

removal.

Group Head - Private Finance &

2017); Advisory Council Member,

High Yield Capital Markets

The Deal (financial market

Origination, SunTrust Robinson

information publisher) (2015 -

Humphrey (investment bank) (2003

2016); Board Co-Chairman and

- 2006); and Founder and Chief

Chief Executive Officer, Danis

Executive Officer, HNY Associates,

Transportation Company (privately-

LLC (investment bank) (1996 -

owned commercial carrier) (2000 -

2003)

2003); Board Member and Chief

Financial Officer, Customer Access

Resources (privately-owned

teleservices company) (1998 -

2000); Board Member, Federation

of Protestant Welfare Agencies

(human services agency) (1993 -

2022); and Board Treasurer, Harlem

Dowling Westside Center (foster

care agency) (1999 - 2018)

Lorraine H.

Trustee since

Chief Investment Officer, 1199

34

None

Monchak (1956)

2017. Serves

SEIU Funds (healthcare workers

Trustee

until a

union pension funds) (2001 -

successor

present); Vice President -

trustee is

International Investments Group,

elected or

American International Group, Inc.

earlier

(insurance company) (1993 - 2001);

retirement or

Vice President Corporate Finance

removal.

and Treasury Group, Citibank,

N.A.(1980 - 1986 and 1990 -

1993); Vice President -

Asset/Liability Management Group,

Federal Farm Funding Corporation

(government-sponsored issuer of

debt securities) (1988 - 1990);

Mortgage Strategies Group,

Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc.

(investment bank) (1987 - 1988);

Mortgage Strategies Group, Drexel

Burnham Lambert, Ltd. (investment

bank) (1986 - 1987)

34

Number of

Name, Year of

Portfolios

Birth and

Term of Office

in Fund

Other Directorships Held by

Position(s) Held

and Length of

Principal Occupation(s) During At

Complex

Trustee During At Least The Past

with the Fund

Service

Least The Past Five Years

Overseen

Five Years

Fred J. Ricciardi

Trustee since

Private investor (2020 - present);

34

None

(1947)

2014. Serves

Consultant (investment company

Trustee

until a

services) (2012 - 2020); Executive

successor

Vice President, BNY Mellon

trustee is

(financial and investment company

elected or

services) (1969 - 2012); Director,

earlier

BNY International Financing Corp.

retirement or

(financial services) (2002 - 2012);

removal.

Director, Mellon Overseas

Investment Corp. (financial

services) (2009 - 2012); Director,

Financial Models (technology)

(2005-2007); Director, BNY

Hamilton Funds, Ireland (offshore

investment companies) (2004-

2007); Chairman/Director,

AIB/BNY Securities Services, Ltd.,

Ireland (financial services) (1999-

2006); Chairman, BNY Alternative

Investment Services, Inc. (financial

services) (2005-2007)

Interested Trustee:

David C. Brown

Trustee since

Chief Executive Officer and

(1972)**

2025. Serves

Chairman (2013-present), Victory

Trustee

until a

Capital Management Inc.; Chief

successor

Executive Officer and Chairman

trustee is

(2013-present), Victory Capital

elected or

Holdings, Inc.; Director, Victory

earlier

Capital Services, Inc. (2013-

retirement or

present); Director, Victory Capital

removal

Transfer Agency, Inc. (2019-

present)

136Trustee, Victory Portfolios (29 portfolios); Trustee Victory Portfolios II (28 portfolios); Trustee, Victory Portfolios III (45 portfolios); Trustee, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II (7 portfolios)

Fund Officers:

Thomas

Since 2025.

Director, Fund Administration, the

136

None

Dusenberry

Serves at the

Adviser; Treasurer and Principal

(1977) President

discretion of

Financial Officer (May 2023-

the Board

present); Manager, Fund

Administration, the Adviser;

Treasurer and Principal Financial

Officer (2020-2022), Assistant

Treasurer (2019), Salient MF Trust,

Salient Midstream, MLP Fund and

Forward Funds; Principal Financial

Officer (2018-2021) and Treasurer

(2020-2021), Salient Private Access

Funds and Endowment PMF Funds;

Senior Vice President of Fund

Accounting and Operations, Salient

Partners (2020-2022); Director of

Fund Operations, Salient Partners

35

(2016-2019). Mr. Dusenberry also serves as President of Victory Portfolios II, Victory Portfolios III and Victory Variable Insurance Funds II

Scott A.

Since 2025.

Director, Third-Party Dealer Services

136

None

Stahorsky (1969)

Serves at the

& Reg Administration, Fund

Vice President

discretion of

Administration, the Adviser (2023-

the Board

present); Vice President, Victory

Capital Transfer Agency, Inc. (2023-

present); Manager, Fund

Administration, the Adviser 2015-

2023). Mr. Stahorsky also serves as

Vice President Victory Portfolios,

Victory Portfolios II, Victory

Portfolios III and Victory Variable

Insurance Funds II

Christopher J.

Since 2025.

Associate General Counsel,

136

None

Kelley (1964)

Serves at the

Registered Funds Chief Legal

Secretary

discretion of

Officer, the Adviser (April 2025-

the Board

present); Mr. Kelley was formerly

Senior Vice President and Deputy

General Counsel of Amundi US

(2024-March 2025); Vice President

and Associate General Counsel of

Amundi US (2008-2024); Secretary

and Chief Legal Officer of the

Pioneer Funds (2010-March 2025);

Assistant Secretary of the Pioneer

Funds (2003-2010); and Vice

President and Counsel of Amundi US

(2002-2007)

Matthew J.

Since 2025.

Partner, Sidley Austin LLP (January

136

None

Kutner (1982)

Serves at the

2025-present); and Mr. Kutner was

Assistant

discretion of

formerly Senior Managing Associate,

Secretary

the Board

Sidley Austin LLP (2020-December

2024)

Patricia

Since 2025.

Director, Regulatory Administration,

136

None

McClain

Serves at the

Fund Administration, the Adviser

(1962)***

discretion of

(2019-present). Ms. McClain serves

Assistant

the Board

as Secretary of Victory Portfolios,

Secretary

Victory Portfolios II, Victory

Portfolios III and Victory Variable

Insurance Funds II

Thomas Reyes

Since 2025.

Associate General Counsel, the

136

None

(1962) Assistant

Serves at the

Adviser (April 2025-present); Mr.

Secretary

discretion of

Reyes was formerly Associate

the Board

General Counsel of Amundi US

(2023-March 2025); Assistant

Secretary of the Pioneer Funds (2010-

March 2025); Assistant General

Counsel of Amundi US (2013-2023);

and Counsel of Amundi US (2007-

2013)

Carol D. Trevino

Since 2025.

Director, Financial Reporting, Fund

136

None

(1965) Treasurer

Serves at the

Administration (2023-present);

Director, Accounting and Finance,

36

discretion of

the Adviser (2019-2023);

the Board

Accounting/ Financial Director,

USAA (2013-2019). Ms. Trevino

also serves as Treasurer of Victory

Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II,

Victory Portfolios III and Victory

Variable Insurance Funds II

Christopher

Since 2025.

Director, Fund and Broker Dealer

136

None

Ponte (1984)

Serves at the

Finance, Fund Administration, (2023-

Assistant

discretion of

present); Victory Capital Transfer

Treasurer

the Board

Agency, Inc. (2023-present);

Manager, Fund Administration, the

Adviser (2017-2023); Chief Financial

Officer, Victory Capital Services, Inc.

(since 2018). Mr. Ponte also serves as

Assistant Treasurer of Victory

Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II,

Victory Portfolios III and Victory

Variable Insurance Funds II

Sean Fox (1976)

Since 2025.

Sr. Compliance Officer, the Adviser

136

None

Chief Compliance

Serves at the

(2019-Present); Compliance Officer,

Officer

discretion of

the Adviser (2015-2019). Mr. Fox

the Board

also serves as Chief Compliance

Officer for Victory Portfolios,

Victory Portfolios II, Victory

Portfolios III and Victory Variable

Insurance Funds II

D. Brent Rowse

Since 2025.

Sr. Compliance Officer, the Adviser

136

None

(1981) Anti-

Serves at the

(2023-present); Compliance Officer,

Money

discretion of

the Adviser (2019-2023). Mr. Rowse

Laundering

the Board

also serves as the Anti-Money

Officers and

Laundering Compliance Officer and

Identity Theft

Identity Theft Officer for Victory

Officer

Portfolios, Victory Portfolios II,

Victory Portfolios III and Victory

Variable Insurance Funds II, and the

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

Officer for Victory Capital Services,

Inc.

*Mr. Baumgardner is Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, which acts as counsel to the Independent Trustees of each Fund.

**Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

***Effective November 18, 2025, Ms. McClain resigned as Secretary and accepted the position of Assistant Secretary.

Board Committees

The Board is responsible for overseeing the Fund's management and operations. The Chairman of the Board is an Independent Trustee. Independent Trustees constitute more than 75% of the Board. During the most recent fiscal year, the Board held five meetings for the Fund.

The Independent Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each Board member: such person's char acter and integrity; such person's judgment, analytical ability, intelligence, and common sense; such person's experience and previous profit and not-for-profit board membership; such person's demonstrated willingness to take an independent and questioning stance toward management; such person's willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; as to each Independent Trustee, his or her status as not being an "interested person" as defined under the 1940 Act; and, as to Mr. Brown, his association with Victory Capital. Each Trustee also serves on the Boards of Trustees of other closed-end funds, closed-end interval funds, and open-end funds, part of the Victory Funds complex, and has substantial experience protecting fund shareholders' interests. In evaluating a Trustee's prospective service on the Board, the Trustee's experience in, and ongoing contributions toward, overseeing the Fund's business as a Trustee also are considered.

37

In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply as to each Trustee: Mr. Baumgardner, legal, investment management, business and public company experience as an attorney practicing investment management, corporate and securities law and experience as a board member of other organizations; Ms. Durnin, investment management and investment company experience as an executive officer of an investment adviser; Mr. Friedman, academic leadership, economic and finance experience and investment company board experience; Mr. MacKay, investment, financial and business experience as a partner in an investment banking firm and experience as a board member of other organizations; Ms. Monchak, investment, financial and business experience, including as the chief investment officer of a pension fund; Mr. Perna, accounting, financial, and business experience as an executive officer and experience as a board member of other organizations; Mr. Ricciardi, financial, business and investment company experience as an executive officer of a financial and investment company services organization, and experience as a board member of offshore investment companies and other organizations; and Mr. Brown, investment management experience as an executive and leadership roles with Victory Capital and its affiliates. However, in its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary skills and experience of individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board's overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund.

The Trust's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the appointment, designation (including in any proxy or registration statement or other document) of a Trustee as an expert on any topic or in any area, or as having experience, attributes or skills in any area, or any other appointment, designation or identification, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification, and no Trustee who has special attributes, skills, experience or expertise, or is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof.

The Board has four standing committees: the Independent Trustees Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Policy Administration Committee. Each committee is chaired by an Independent Trustee and all members of each committee are Independent Trustees.

The Chairs of the committees work with the Chairman of the Board and fund management in setting the agendas for Board meetings. The Chairs of the committees set the agendas for committee meetings with input from fund management. As noted below, through the committees, the Independent Trustees consider and address important matters involving the Fund, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet without the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board believes that the committee structure, and delegation to the committees of specified oversight responsibilities, help the Board more effectively to provide governance and oversight of the Fund's affairs. Mr. Perna, Chairman of the Board, is a member of each committee except the Audit Committee, of which he is a non-voting, ex-officio member.

During the most recent fiscal year, the Independent Trustees, Audit, Governance and Nominating and Policy Administration Committees held 11, 5, 7, and 5 meetings, respectively for the Fund.

Independent Trustees Committee

John E. Baumgardner, Jr., Diane Durnin, Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Lorraine H. Monchak, Thomas J. Perna (Chair) and Fred J. Ricciardi.

The Independent Trustees Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees Committee serves as the forum for consideration of a number of issues required to be considered separately by the Independent Trustees under the 1940 Act, including the assessment and review of the Fund's advisory agreement and other related party contracts. The Independent Trust ees Committee also considers issues that the Independent Trustees believe it is advisable for them to consider separately from the Interested Trustees.

Audit Committee

Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Lorraine H. Monchak and Fred J. Ricciardi (Chair).

The Audit Committee, among other things, oversees the accounting and financial reporting policies and practices of the Fund, oversees the quality and integrity of the Fund's financial statements, approves, and recommends to the Independent Trustees for their ratification, the engagement of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, reviews and evaluates the accounting firm's qualifications, independence and performance, and approves the compensation of the accounting firm. The Audit Committee also approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund by the Fund's accounting firm and all permissible non-audit services provided by the Fund's accounting firm to Victory Capital and any affiliated service providers of the Fund if the engagement relates d irectly to the Fund's operations and financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews the reports and other information provided to the Committee by Victory Capital, as the valuation designee of the Fund, and assists the Board in the oversight of Victory Capital as the valuation designee of the Fund.

Governance and Nominating Committee

John E. Baumgardner, Jr. (Chair), Diane Durnin, and Thomas J. Perna.

38

The Governance and Nominating Committee considers governance matters affecting the Board and the Fund. Among other responsibilities, the Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the performance of the Independent Trustees as a whole, and reviews and recommends to the Independent Trustees Committee any appropriate changes concerning, among other things, the size and composition of the Board, the Board's committee structure and the Independent Trustees' compensation. The Governance and Nominating Committee also makes recommendations to the Independent Trustees Committee or the Board on matters delegated to it.

In addition, the Governance and Nominating Committee screens potential candidates for Independent Trustees. Among other responsibilities, the Governance and Nominating Committee reviews periodically the criteria for Independent Trustees and the spectrum of desirable experience, expertise and characteristics for Independent Trustees as a whole, and reviews periodically the qualifications and requisite skills of persons currently serving as Independent Trustees and being considered for re-nomination. The Governance and Nominating Committee also reviews the qualifications of any person nominated to serve on the Board by a shareholder or recommended by any Trustee, management or another person and makes a recommendation as to the qualifications of such nominated or recommended person to the Independent Trustees and the Board, and reviews periodically the Committee's procedure, if any, regarding candidates submitted by shareholders. The Governance and Nominating Committee also strives to achieve diversity of the Board with respect to attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, cultural background, and professional experience when reviewing candidates for any Board vacancies. The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees, nor has it established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Independent Trustees to possess (other than qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law or regulation). However, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as an Independent Trustee, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the following general criteria and principles, among any others that it may deem relevant:

whether the person has a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards;

whether the person has demonstrated business acumen and ability to exercise sound judgments in matters that relate to the current and long-term objectives of the Fund and whether the person is willing and able to contribute positively to the decision- making process of the Fund;

whether the person has a commitment and ability to devote the necessary time and energy to be an effective Independent Trustee, to understand the Fund and the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company;

whether the person has the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the Fund and the management company, and to act in the interests of the Fund;

whether the person has, or appears to have a conflict of interest that would impair his or her ability to represent the interests of all shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a trustee;

that nominees shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis prescribed by law;

that nominees should have, or be willing to acquire, an appreciation and understanding for the oversight of publicly offered investment companies and the management, administration and distribution services provided by service providers to the companies and their shareholders, and the regulatory context within which these activities are carried out;

that nominees should have a collegial, collaborative approach: people who will work efficiently, effectively and in the spirit of candor and respect for fellow board members and the staffs of the service providers;

that nominees should have the willingness and ability to serve on appropriate committees, and contribute to and engage meaningfully in the deliberations thereof; and

that nominees should be committed to diversity and inclusion among Board members.

The Governance and Nominating Committee also will consider whether the nominee has the experience or skills that the Governance and Nominating Committee believes would maintain or enhance the effectiveness of the Independent Trustees' oversight of the portfolio's affairs, based on the then current composition and skills of the Independent Trustees and experience or skills th at may be appropriate in light of changing business conditions and regulatory or other developments. The Governance and Nominating Committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criterion.

The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy for considering trustee nominees submitted by the Fund's shareholders. Nonetheless, the Nominating Committee may, on an informal basis, consider any shareholder recommendations of

39

nominees that it receives. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Trust's Secretary that include all information relating to such persons that is required to be included in solicitations of proxies for the election of trustees.

Policy Administration Committee

Thomas J. Perna (Chair), John E. Baumgardner, Jr. and Diane Durnin.

The Policy Administration Committee, among other things, oversees and monitors the Fund's compliance with legal and regulator y requirements that are not directly related to financial reporting, internal financial controls, independent audits or the performance of the Fund's internal audit function. The Policy Administration Committee also oversees the adoption and implementation of certain of the Fund's policies and procedures.

Oversight of Risk Management

Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Fund in the interests of shareholders, the Board has established a framework for the oversight of various risks relating to the Fund, including the oversight of the identification of risks and the management of certain identified risks. The Board has delegated certain aspects of its risk oversight responsibilities to the committees, but relies primarily on Victory Capital and its affiliates for the identification and management or mitigation of risks relating to their management activities on behalf of the Fund, as well as to oversee and advise the Board on the risks that may arise relating to the activities of other Fund service providers.

The Fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, enterprise risk, reputational risk, cybersecurity risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. The goal of risk management is to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund.

Most of the Fund's investment management and business operations are carried out by or through Victory Capital, its affiliates, and other service providers (such as the custodian and fund accounting agent and the transfer agent), each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Fund's and each other's in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. Operational or other failures, including cybersecurity failures, at any one or more of the portfolio's service providers could have a material adverse effect on the Fund and its shareholders.

Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable committee of the Board, Victory Capital and the affiliates of Victory Capital, or other service providers to the Fund, employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls in an effort to identify, address and mitigate risks. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Fund's and Victory Capital's chief compliance officer, as well as various personnel of Victory Capital and of other service providers, make periodic reports to the applicable committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The reports received by the Trustees related to risks typically are summaries of relevant information.

The Trustees recognize that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund's goals, that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and that some risks are simply beyond the control of the Fund or Victory Capital and its affiliates or other service providers. Because most of the Fund's operations are carried out by various service providers, the Board's oversight of the risk management processes of those service providers, including processes to address cybersecurity and other operational failures, is inherently limited. (See "Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Information Technology" above.) As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Fund's ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations.

It is important to note that the Fund is designed for investors that are prepared to accept investment risk, including the possibility that as yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.

Fund Ownership

As of December 31, 2025, the officers and trustees of the Fund owned beneficially in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

The following tables show the dollar ranges of Fund shares (and of shares of all series of the Victory Fund Complex) beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2025. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. The share value of any closed-end fund is based on its closing market price on December 31, 2025. The share value of any open-end fund is based on the net asset value of the class of shares on December 31, 2025. The dollar ranges in this table are in accordance with SEC requirements.

40

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Interested Trustee

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered

Investment Companies

Overseen by Trustee in the

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities

Victory Fund complex

David C. Brown

None

None

Independent Trustees

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered

Investment Companies

Overseen by Trustee in the

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities

Victory Fund complex

John E. Baumgardner, Jr.

None

Over $100,000

Diane Durnin

None

Over $100,000

Benjamin M. Friedman

None

Over $100,000

Craig C. MacKay

None

Over $100,000

Lorraine H. Monchak

None

Over $100,000

Thomas J. Perna

None

Over $100,000

Fred J. Ricciardi

None

Over $100,000

Compensation of Officers and Trustees

The Fund compensate its Trustees. The Independent Trustees review and set their compensation annually, taking into consideration the committee and other responsibilities assigned to specific Trustees. The table below sets forth the compensation paid to each of the Trustees. The compensation paid to the Trustees is expected to be allocated among the Fund and the series of Victory Portfolios IV (together with the Fund, the "Victory Pioneer Funds") as follows:

each Victory Pioneer Fund with assets less than $250 million pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $1,000.

the remaining compensation of the Independent Trustees is allocated to each portfolio with assets greater than $250 million based on the portfolio's net assets.

The officers of the Fund receive no compensation directly from the Fund for performing the duties of their offices.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each trustee of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025.

Pension or

Total Compensation

Retirement

from the

Aggregate

Benefits Accrued

Fund and

Compensation

as Part of Portfolio

Other Victory Pioneer

Name of Trustee

from the Fund**

Expenses

Funds**

Interested Trustee:

David C. Brown*

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

Independent Trustees

John E. Baumgardner, Jr.

$3,807.48

$0.00

$343,600.00

Diane Durnin

$3,722.50

$0.00

$334,264.00

Benjamin M. Friedman

$3,761.79

$0.00

$339,436.00

Craig C. MacKay

$3,432.81

$0.00

$303,924.00

Lorraine H. Monchak

$3,864.39

$0.00

$350,600.00

Thomas J. Perna

$4,777.92

$0.00

$448,100.00

Fred J. Ricciardi

$3,850.48

$0.00

$348,100.00

TOTAL

$27,217.37

$0.00

$2,468,024.00

*Under the Fund's prior management contract with Amundi US, Amundi US reimbursed the Fund for any Interested Trustee fees paid by the Fund.

**For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025. As of October 31, 2025, there were 40 U.S. registered investment portfolios in the Victory Pioneer Funds complex.

41

Other Information

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer or employee of the Fund shall be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any action, failure to act, error or mistake except in cases of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust requires the Fund to indemnify each Trustee, director, officer, employee and authorized agent to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. The 1940 Act currently provides that no officer or director shall be protected from liability to the Fund or shareholders for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of office. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust extends to Trustees, officers and employees of the Fund the full protection from liability that the law allows.

Material Relationships of the Independent Trustees

Mr. Baumgardner, an Independent Trustee, is Of Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, which acts as counsel to the Independent Trustees of all of the U.S. registered investment portfolios for which Amundi Asset Management US, Inc. ("Amundi US") served as investment adviser prior to the Reorganizations (the "Pioneer Funds"). The aggregate compensation paid to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP by the Pioneer Funds and their predecessors, including additional funds managed by Amundi US, was approximately $579,223 and $467,886 in each of 2024 and 2025.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

As of December 31, 2025, the following shareholders owned 5% or more of a class of the Fund. Each shareholder that beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a class of the Fund may be deemed a control person of that class of the Fund's outstanding shares and, thereby, may influence the outcome of matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote. Since the economic benefit of investing in the Fund and related voting authority is passed through to the underlying investors of the record owners, it is expected that these record owners generally will not be considered the beneficial owners of the Fund's shares or control persons of the Fund.

The names and addresses of the record holders and the percentage of the outstanding shares held by such holders are set forth in the following table.

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Number of

% of

Record Holder

Share

Shares

Class

Charles Schwab & Co Inc

Common

37,775,110.762

48.82%

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers

ATTN Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco CA 94105-1905

Band & Co

Common

12,557,260.266

16.23%

c/o US Bank NA

1555 N River Center Dr Ste 302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Investment Adviser

Victory Capital, a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the SEC, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Victory Capital's principal business address is 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256. Subject to the authority of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund's business affairs. Each of the Adviser's multiple investment teams, referred to separately as investment franchises utilizes its own independent approach to investing. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to its investment objective, policies, and restrictions. The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. ("VCH"), a publicly traded Delaware corporation. As of December 31, 2025, the Adviser managed assets totaling in excess of $313.8 billion for numerous clients including large corporate and public retirement plans, Taft-Hartley plans, foundations and endowments, high net worth individuals and mutual funds.

The Adviser is a diversified global asset manager comprised of multiple investment teams, referred to as investment franchises, each of which utilizes an independent approach to investing.

42

The Advisory Agreement

The Adviser serves as the Fund's investment adviser pursuant to an advisory agreement dated December 16, 2024 (the "Advisory Agreement"). Unless sooner terminated, the Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, provides that it will continue in effect as to the Fund for two years and for consecutive one-year terms thereafter, provided that such renewal is approved at least annually by the Trustees or by vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of each such Fund (as defined under "Miscellaneous" below) and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by votes cast accordance with applicable law. The Advisory Agreement is terminable as to any particular Fund at any time on 60 days' written notice without penalty by a vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, by vote of the Trustees, or as to all applicable funds by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement also terminates automatically in the event of any assignment, as defined by the 1940 Act.

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the services pursuant thereto, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its duties and obligations thereunder.

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser may delegate a portion of its responsibilities to a sub-adviser. In addition, the agreements provide that the Adviser may render services through its own employees or the employees of one or more affiliated companies that are qualified to act as an investment adviser of the Fund provided all such persons are functioning as part of an organized group of persons, managed by authorized officers of the Adviser.

As compensation for its management services and expenses incurred, the Fund pays Victory Capital a fee at the annual rate of 1.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 1.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets over $1 billion. This fee is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly.

Prior to the closing of the Reorganization, Amundi US served as investment adviser to the Fund.

Approximate Management Fees the Fund Paid or Owed Victory Capital and Amundi US

The following table shows the dollar amount of gross investment management fees incurred by the Fund, along with the net amount of fees that were paid after applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any, for the fiscal years ended October 31.

Fund

2025

2024

2023

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Gross Fee Incurred

$11,934,112

$11,491,637

$12,456,504

Net Fee Paid

$11,934,112

$11,491,637

$12,456,504

Management Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items such as acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, capitalized expenses, and other extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a certain percentage for a predetermined amount of time as described in the Fund's Prospectus. In these instances, the fee and expense table in the Fund's Prospectus provides more details about this arrangement and shows the impact it will have on the Fund's total annual Fund operating expenses. Under its contractual agreement with the Fund, the Adviser is permitted to recoup advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed for up to three years after the date of the waiver or reimbursement, subject to the lesser of any operating expense limits in effect at the time of: (a) the original waiver or expense reimbursement; or (b) the recoupment, after giving effect to the recoupment amount. This agreement may only be terminated by agreement of the Board and the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will extend the expense limitations indefinitely. From time to time, the Adviser may also voluntarily waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Fund. These voluntary reductions are not reflected in the fee and expense table in the Fund's Prospectus.

From time to time, the Adviser may, without prior notice to shareholders, waive all or any portion of fees or agree to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, Victory Capital waived its management fee and/or reimbursed the Fund in the amount as follows:

Fund

2025

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

$0

This expense limitation is in effect through at least April 1, 2028, for the Fund. While in effect, the arrangement may be terminated for a class only by agreement of the Adviser and the Board. Victory Capital has not recouped management fees previously waived and/or reimbursed.

43

In addition, under the management and administration agreements, certain other services and costs, including accounting, regulatory reporting and insurance premiums, are paid by the Fund as administrative reimbursements.

Administrator and Fund Accountant

The Fund entered into an administration agreement with Victory Capital (the "Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement"), pursuant to which Victory Capital acts as the Fund's administrator, performing certain accounting and administration services for the Fund. Victory Capital is reimbursed for its costs of providing such services. The costs of providing these services is based on direct costs and costs of overhead, subject to the Board. In addition, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi Fund Services") performs certain sub- administration services for the Fund pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and Citi Fund Services.

Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, for the administration and fund accounting services that Victory Capital provides, the Fund pays Victory Capital an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates based on the aggregate average daily net assets of all Companies and Funds (as defined in the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement) together with all other registered investment companies for which Victory Capital acts as administrator (the Companies, the Fund and all such other registered investment companies are referred to herein as the "Clients"), and allocating to the Fund on a pro rata basis calculated based on the Fund's average daily net assets: 0.08% of the first $15 billion in aggregate Client net assets; plus 0.05% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $15 billion to $30 billion; plus 0.04% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $30 billion to $85 billion; plus 0.03% of aggregate Client net assets in excess of $85 billion. Victory Capital may periodically waive all or a portion of the amount of its fee that is allocated to any Fund in order to increase the Fund's net income available for distribution to shareholders. In addition, the Trust reimburses Victory Capital for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of providing the services under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, including costs associated with implementing new reports required by new rules adopted by the SEC under the 1940 Act.

Except as otherwise provided in the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, Victory Capital pays all expenses that it incurs in performing its services and duties as administrator. Unless sooner terminated, the Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement continues in effect for a period of two years and for consecutive one-year terms thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund and, in either case, by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement provides that Victory Capital shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

Under the Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement, Victory Capital, among other things, coordinates the preparation, filing and distribution of amendments to the Fund's registration statement on Form N-2, supplements to prospectuses and SAIs, and proxy materials in connection with shareholder meetings; drafts shareholder communications, including annual and semi-annual reports; administers the Fund's other service provider contracts; monitors compliance with investment restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund's investment objective, investment policies, and restrictions, tax diversification, and distribution and income requirements; coordinates the Fund's service arrangements with financial institutions that make the Fund's shares available to their customers; assists with regulatory compliance; supplies individuals to serve as Fund officers; prepares Board meeting materials; and annually determines whether the services that it provides are adequate and complete.

Victory Capital also performs fund accounting services for the Fund. As fund accountant, Victory Capital calculates or oversees the calculation of the Fund's NAV, its dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, and its yield. As fund accountant, Victory Capital also provides a current security position report, a summary report of transactions and pending maturities, a current cash position report, and maintains the general ledger accounting records for the Fund.

Fees the Fund paid to Victory Capital and Amundi US under the Administration Agreement

For the last three fiscal years ended October 31, the Fund paid administration fees as follows:

Fund

2025

2024

2023

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

$259,560

$215,776

$225,189

Prior to the closing of the Reorganization, Amundi US acted as the Fund's administrator, and performed certain accounting, administration and legal services for the Fund.

Prior to February 6, 2026, The Bank of New York Mellon ("BNY Mellon") performed certain sub-administration services for the Fund.

Custodian

General. Citibank, N.A., 388 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10013, ("Citibank" or the "Custodian") serves as the custodian of the assets of the Fund pursuant to the Global Custodial Services Agreement (the "Custody Agreement"). The Custodian's responsibilities include, among other things, safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the

44

Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Custodian may, with the approval of the Fund and at its own expense, open and maintain a sub-custody account or accounts on behalf of the Fund, provided that it shall remain liable for the performance of all of its duties under the Custody Agreement.

Foreign Custody. Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, which governs the custody of investment company assets outside the United States, allows a mutual fund's board of directors to delegate to a "Foreign Custody Manager" the selection and monitoring of foreign sub- custodian arrangements for the Trust's assets. Accordingly, the Board delegated these responsibilities to the Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreement. As Foreign Custody Manager, the Custodian must (a) determine that the assets of the Fund held by a foreign sub- custodian will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market; (b) determine that the Trust's foreign custody arrangements are governed by written contracts in compliance with Rule 17f-5 (or, in the case of a compulsory depository, by such a contract and/or established practices or procedures); and (c) monitor the appropriateness of these arrangements and any material change in the relevant contract, practices or procedures. In determining appropriateness, the Custodian will not evaluate a particular country's investment risks, such as (a) the use of compulsory depositories, (b) such country's financial infrastructure, (c) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (d) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (e) regulation of the banking or securities industry, (f) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations, or fluctuations, and (g) market conditions that affect the orderly execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities. The Custodian will provide to the Board quarterly written reports regarding the Trust's foreign custody arrangements.

Prior to February 6, 2026, BNY Mellon was the custodian of the Fund's assets.

Sub-Administrator and Sub-Fund Accountant

Citi Fund Services serves as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to the Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement. Citi Fund Services assists in supervising all operations of the Fund subject to the supervision of the adviser and the Board.

Unless sooner terminated, the Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement continues in effect as to the Fund until July 31, 2028, and for consecutive one-year terms thereafter, provided the Board approves its continuation. The Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement provides that Citi Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement.

Under the Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement, Citi Fund Services, among other things, calculates Trust expenses and makes disbursements; calculates capital gain and distribution information; registers the Fund's' shares with the states; prepares shareholder reports, financial statements, and reports to the SEC on Forms N-CEN and N-PORT; coordinates dividend payments; calculates the Fund's performance information; files the Trust's tax returns; supplies individuals to serve as Trust officers; monitors the Fund's status as regulated investment companies under the Code; assists in developing portfolio compliance procedures; reports to the Board amounts paid under shareholder service agreements; assists with regulatory compliance; obtains, maintains and files fidelity bonds and trustees' and officers'/errors and omissions insurance policies for the Trust; assists with liquidity and derivatives risk management services; and assists in the annual audit of the Fund.

Transfer Agent

The Fund has contracted with FIS, 4249 Easton Way, Suite 400, Columbus, Ohio 43219, to provide certain transfer agency services for the Fund. Under its agreement with the Fund, FIS, among other things, processes sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

Prior to February 6, 2026, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. was the transfer agent of the Fund.

Distributor

Victory Capital Services, Inc. (the "Distributor"), located at 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144, serves as underwriter for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement between the Distributor and the Fund (the "Distribution Agreement"). The Distributor is controlled by VCH. Unless otherwise terminated, the Distribution Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Fund for two years and will continue thereafter for consecutive one-year terms, provided that the renewal is approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and (2) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement will terminate in the event of its assignment, as defined under the 1940 Act.

Prior to the closing of the Reorganizations, Amundi Distributor US, Inc., 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, served as the principal underwriter for the Fund, in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund. Amundi Distributor US, Inc. was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Amundi and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amundi US.

45

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

This section includes information about the Fund's portfolio managers, including information concerning other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

Other Accounts

The table below indicates, for the portfolio managers of the Fund, information about the accounts other than the Funds over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of October 31, 2025. For purposes of the table, "Other Pooled Investment Vehicles" may include investment partnerships, undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities ("UCITS") and other non-U.S. investment funds and group trusts, and "Other Accounts" may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts but generally do not include the portfolio manager's personal investment accounts or those which the manager may be deemed to own beneficially under the code of ethics. Certain funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager may have substantially similar investment strategies.

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Name of

Number of Accounts

Assets Managed for

Number of

Total Assets

Managed for which

which Advisory Fee

Portfolio

Type of

Accounts

Managed

Advisory Fee is

is Performance-

Manager

Account

Managed

(000's)

Performance-Based

Based (000's)

Chin Liu

Other

2

$2,202,355

N/A

N/A

Registered

Investment

Companies

Other Pooled

1

$18,058

N/A

N/A

Investment

Vehicles

Other Accounts

5

N/A

N/A

N/A

Fund Ownership

As of October 31, 2025, the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the Fund are set forth below:

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Beneficial Ownership

Portfolio Manager

of the Fund

Chin Liu

$100,001 - $500,000

Portfolio Manager Compensation

The Adviser has designed the structure of its portfolio managers' compensation to (1) align portfolio managers' interests with those of the Adviser's clients with an emphasis on long-term, risk-adjusted investment performance, (2) help the Adviser attract and retain high- quality investment professionals, and (3) contribute to the Adviser's overall financial success. Each of the portfolio managers receives a base salary plus an annual incentive bonus for managing the Fund, separate accounts, other investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts (including any accounts for which the Adviser receives a performance fee) (together, "Accounts"). A portfolio manager's base salary is dependent on the manager's level of experience and expertise. The Adviser monitors each manager's base salary relative to salaries paid for similar positions with peer firms by reviewing data provided by various independent third-party consultants that specialize in competitive salary information. Such data, however, is not considered to be a definitive benchmark.

Each of the Adviser's investment franchises may earn incentive compensation based on a percentage of the Adviser's revenue attributable to fees paid by Accounts managed by the team. The chief investment officer or a senior member of each team, in coordination with the Adviser, determines the allocation of the incentive compensation earned by the team among the team's portfolio managers by establishing a "target" incentive for each portfolio manager based on the manager's level of experience and expertise in the manager's investment style. Individual performance is based on objectives established annually using performance metrics such as portfolio structure and positioning, research, stock selection, asset growth, client retention, presentation skills, marketing to prospective clients and contribution to the Adviser's philosophy and values, such as leadership, risk management and teamwork. The annual incentive bonus also factors in individual investment performance of each portfolio manager's portfolio or Fund relative to a selected peer

46

group(s). The overall performance results for a manager are based on the composite performance of all Accounts managed by that manager on a combination of one-, three-, and five-year rolling performance periods as compared to the performance information of a peer group of similarly managed competitors.

The Adviser's portfolio managers may participate in the equity ownership plan of the Adviser's parent company. There is an ongoing annual equity pool granted to certain employees based on their contribution to the firm. Eligibility for participation in these incentive programs depends on the manager's performance and seniority.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser's portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more funds as well as other accounts, such as separate accounts, and other pooled investment vehicles, such as collective trust funds or unregistered hedge funds. A portfolio manager may manage other accounts which have materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may, in the future, manage other accounts which have a performance-based fee. A portfolio manager also may make personal investments in accounts he or she manages or supports. The side-by-side management of the Fund along with other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest by incenting a portfolio manager to direct a disproportionate amount of: (1) their attention; (2) limited investment opportunities, such as less-liquid securities or initial public offering; and/or (3) desirable trade allocations, to such other accounts. In addition, certain trading practices, such as cross-trading between Funds or between the Fund and another account, raise conflict of interest issues. The Adviser has adopted numerous compliance policies and procedures, including a Code of Ethics, and brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which seek to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, the Adviser has a designated Chief Compliance Officer (selected in accordance with the federal securities laws) and compliance staff whose activities are focused on monitoring the activities of the Adviser's investment franchises and employees in order to detect and address potential and actual conflicts of interest. However, there can be no assurance that the Adviser's compliance program will achieve its intended result.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Trust and the Adviser each have adopted a Code of Ethics in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser's Code of Ethics applies to all of the Adviser's directors and officers and employees with investment advisory duties ("Access Personnel") and all of the Adviser's directors, officers and employees ("Supervised Personnel"). Each Code of Ethics provides that Access Personnel must refrain from certain trading practices. Each Code also requires all Access Personnel (and, in the Adviser Code, all Supervised Personnel) to report certain personal investment activities, including, but not limited to, purchases or sales of securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. Violations of any Code of Ethics can result in penalties, suspension, or termination of employment.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted policies and procedures for voting proxies related to equity securities held by the Fund (the "Proxy Voting Policy"). The Fund's Proxy Voting Policy is designed to: (i) ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of shareholders of the Fund with a view toward maximizing the value of their investments; (ii) address conflicts of interests between these shareholders, on the one hand, and affiliates of the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor, on the other, that may arise regarding the voting of proxies; and (iii) provide for the disclosure of the Fund's proxy voting records and the Proxy Voting Policy.

The Proxy Voting Policy delegates to the Adviser the obligation to vote the Fund's proxies in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, subject to oversight by the Board.

Summaries of the proxy voting policies and procedures for the Adviser are included in Appendix B.

The Fund's Proxy Voting Policy provides that the Fund, in accordance with SEC rules, annually will disclose on Form N-PX the Fund's proxy voting record. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is updated each year by August 31st and is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 800-539- FUND (800-539-3863), by accessing the Fund's website at VictoryFunds.com or by accessing the SEC's website at sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

Subject to the general supervision of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for making decisions with respect to the purchase and sale of portfolio securities on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser is also responsible for the implementation of those decisions, including the selection of broker/dealers to effect portfolio transactions, the negotiation of commissions, and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser may delegate these responsibilities to a sub-adviser.

Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of brokerage commissions. In transactions on stock exchanges in the United States, these commissions are negotiated. Traditionally, commission rates have generally been fixed for trades on stock markets outside the United States. In recent years, however, an increasing number of overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated commission rates. It is expected that equity securities will ordinarily be purchased in the primary markets for such securities, whether over-the-counter or listed, and that listed securities may be purchased in the over-the-counter market if such market is deemed the primary market. In the

47

case of securities traded on the over-the- counter markets, there is generally no stated commission, but the price usually includes an undisclosed commission or markup. In underwritten offerings, the price includes a disclosed, fixed commission (the underwriter's concession) or discount.

Fixed income and convertible securities are bought and sold through broker-dealers acting on a principal basis. These trades generally are not charged a commission, but rather are marked up or marked down by the executing broker-dealer. The Adviser does not know the actual value of the markup/markdown. However, the Adviser attempts to ascertain whether the overall price of a security is reasonable through the use of competitive bids.

Subject to its obligation to seek best execution, the Adviser may use brokerage commissions generated from client transactions to obtain services and/or research from broker-dealers to assist in the Adviser's investment management decision-making process. These services and research are in addition to and do not replace the services and research that the Adviser is required to perform and do not reduce the investment advisory fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in serving both the Fund and other clients and, conversely, such supplemental research information obtained by the placement of orders on behalf of other clients may be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Fund.

Brokerage commissions may never be used to compensate a third party for client referrals unless the client has directed such an arrangement. In addition, brokerage commissions may never be used to obtain research and/or services for the sole benefit of any employee or non-client entity.

It is the policy of the Adviser to seek the "best execution" of its clients' securities transactions. The Adviser strives to execute each client's securities transactions in such a manner that the client's total costs or proceeds in each transaction are the most favorable under the circumstances. Commission rates paid on securities transactions for client accounts must reflect comparative market rates.

The Adviser will consider the full range and quality of a broker's services in placing brokerage including, but not limited to, the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rate, willingness and ability to commit capital, ownership and responsiveness. The lowest possible commission cost alone does not determine broker selection. The transaction that represents the best quality execution for a client account will be executed. Commission ranges and the actual commission paid for trades of listed stocks and over-the-counter stocks may vary depending on, but not limited to, the liquidity and volatility of the stock and services provided to the Adviser by the broker.

The Adviser will make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are reasonable in relationship to the value of the services received. The continuous review of stock commissions is the responsibility of the Adviser's Head of Capital Markets and client trading, brokerage and soft-dollar oversight is performed by the Trade Oversight Committee. Quarterly, the Adviser's research analysts and portfolio managers will participate in a broker vote. The Adviser's Equity Trading Desk will utilize the vote results during the broker selection process. Some brokers executing trades for the Adviser's clients may, from time to time, receive liquidity rebates in connection with the routing of trades to Electronic Communications Networks. Since the Adviser is not a broker, however, it is ineligible to receive such rebates and does not obtain direct benefits for its clients from this broker practice.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those made for the other Funds or any other investment company or account managed by the Adviser. Such other investment companies or accounts may also invest in the same securities and may follow similar investment strategies as the Fund. The Adviser may combine transaction orders ("bunching" or "blocking" trades) for more than one client account where such action appears to be equitable and potentially advantageous for each account (e.g., for the purpose of reducing brokerage commissions or obtaining a more favorable transaction price.) The Adviser will aggregate transaction orders only if it believes that the aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution for its clients and is consistent with the terms of investment advisory agreements with each client for whom trades are being aggregated. Both equity and fixed income securities may be aggregated. When making such a combination of transaction orders for a new issue or secondary market trade in an equity security, the Adviser adheres to the following objectives:

Fairness to clients both in the participation of execution of orders for their account, and in the allocation of orders for the accounts of more than one client.

Allocation of all orders in a timely and efficient manner.

In some rare cases, "bunching" or "blocking" trades may affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained by the Fund in an adverse manner relative to the result that would have been obtained if only that particular Fund had participated in or been allocated such trades.

The aggregation of transactions for advisory accounts and proprietary accounts (including partnerships and other accounts in which the Adviser or its associated persons are partners or participants, and managed employee accounts) is permissible. However, no proprietary account may be favored over any other participating account and such practice must be consistent with the Adviser's policies and procedures including its Code of Ethics.

Equity trade orders are executed based only on trade instructions received from portfolio managers by the trading desk. Portfolio managers

48

may enter trades to meet the full target allocation immediately or may meet the allocation through moves in incremental blocks. Orders are processed on a "first-come, first-served" basis. At times, a rotation system may determine "first-come, first-served" treatment when the equity trading desk receives the same order for multiple accounts simultaneously. The Adviser will utilize a rotation whereby the Fund, even if aggregated with other orders, are in the first block(s) to trade within the rotation. To aggregate orders, the equity trading desk must determine that all accounts in the order will benefit. Any new trade that can be blocked with an existing open order may be added to the open order to form a larger block. The Adviser receives no additional compensation or remuneration of any kind as a result of the aggregation of trades. All accounts participating in a block execution receive the same execution price, an average share price, for securities purchased or sold on a trading day. Execution prices may not be carried overnight. Any portion of an order that remains unfilled at the end of a given day shall be rewritten (absent contrary instructions) on the following day as a new order. Accounts with trades executed the next day will receive a new daily average price to be determined at the end of the following day.

If the order is filled in its entirety, securities purchased in the aggregate transaction will be allocated among accounts participating in the trade in accordance with an Allocation Statement prepared at the time of order entry. If the order is partially filled, the securities will be allocated pro rata based on the Allocation Statement. Portfolio managers may allocate executed trades in a different manner than indicated on the Allocation Statement (e.g., non-pro rata) only if all client accounts receive fair and equitable treatment.

In some instances, such as trading in fixed income securities, it may not be practical to complete the Allocation Statement prior to the placement of the order. In that case, the trading desk will complete the Allocation Statement as soon as practicable, but no later than the end of the same business day on which the securities have been allocated to the trading desk by the broker.

Where the full amount of a block execution is not executed, the partial amount actually executed will be allocated on a pro rata basis whenever possible. The following execution methods may be used in place of a pro rata procedure: relative size allocations, security position weighting, priority for specialized accounts, or a special allocation based on compliance approval.

In making investment decisions for the Fund, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by a Fund is a customer of the Adviser, its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, and, in dealing with their commercial customers, the Adviser, its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers are held by the Fund. Portfolio securities will not be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, or the Distributor, or any affiliated person of any of them acting as principal, except to the extent permitted by rule or order of the SEC.

The Fund may participate in third-party brokerage and/or expense offset arrangements to reduce the Fund's total operating expenses. Pursuant to third-party brokerage arrangements, the Fund may incur lower expenses by directing brokerage to third-party broker-dealers which have agreed to use part of their commission to pay the Fund's fees to service providers unaffiliated with Victory Capital or other expenses. Since the commissions paid to the third party brokers reflect a commission cost that the Fund would generally expect to incur on its brokerage transactions but not necessarily the lowest possible commission, this arrangement is intended to reduce the Fund's operating expenses without increasing the cost of its brokerage commissions. Since use of such directed brokerage is subject to the requirement to achieve best execution in connection with the Fund's brokerage transactions, there can be no assurance that such arrangements will be utilized. Pursuant to expense offset arrangements, the Fund may incur lower transfer agency expenses due to interest earned on cash held with the transfer agent. See "Financial highlights" in the prospectus.

Approximate Brokerage Commissions (Portfolio Transactions)

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Fund paid or owed aggregate brokerage commissions as follows:

2025

2024

2023

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

$0

$0

$0

Affiliated Brokerage

The Board has authorized the allocation of brokerage to affiliated broker-dealers on an agency basis to effect portfolio transactions. The Board has adopted procedures incorporating the standards of Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, which require that the commission paid to affiliated broker-dealers must be "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received, or to be received, by other broker-dealers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities during a comparable period of time."

The Trust will not acquire portfolio securities issued by, make savings deposits in, or enter into repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements with the Adviser or its affiliates. From time to time, when determined by the Adviser to be advantageous to the Fund, the Adviser may execute portfolio transactions through affiliated broker-dealers. All such transactions must be consistent with best execution and completed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. For the last three fiscal years ended October 31, the Fund paid no commissions to affiliated broker-dealers.

Allocation of Brokerage in Connection with Research Services

During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, the Adviser, through agreements or understandings with brokers, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, directed no brokerage transactions of the Fund to brokers due to research services provided.

49

Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers

The SEC requires the Fund to provide certain information for a Fund that held securities of its regular brokers or dealers (or its parent companies) during the most recent fiscal year.

As of October 31, 2025, the Fund held the following securities of its regular broker-dealers (or affiliates of such broker-dealers):

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Broker-Dealer

Type of Security (Debt or Equity)

Aggregate Value ($000)

None

The Board periodically reviews Victory Capital's performance of its responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund may sell a portfolio investment soon after its acquisition if the Adviser believes that such a disposition is consistent with attaining the investment objective of the Fund. The Fund's portfolio turnover rates stated in the Prospectuses are calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund's purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the year by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities, at the time of acquisition, were one year or less. Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between the classes of shares issued.

The turnover rate for the Fund will vary from year-to-year, and, depending on market conditions, could be greater in periods of unusual market movement and volatility. Transaction costs associated with turnover are borne directly by the Fund and, ultimately, by its shareholders. A high rate of portfolio turnover (generally, over 100% annually) generally will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of substantial net capital gains. To the extent short-term capital gains are realized, distributions attributable to such gains will be ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The annual portfolio turnover rate for the Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and 2024 was:

2025

2024

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

34%

29%

DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains, if any, to shareholders within each calendar year as well as on a fiscal year basis to the extent required for the Fund to qualify for favorable federal tax treatment. The Fund ordinarily declares and pays dividends separately for each class of shares, from its net investment income. The Fund declares dividends daily and normally pay dividends on the last business day of each month.

The amount of a class's distributions may vary from time to time depending on market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and expenses borne by the Fund or borne separately by a class. Dividends are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day for shares of each class. However, dividends attributable to a particular class will differ due to differences in distribution expenses and other class-specific expenses.

For this purpose, the net income of the Fund, from the time of the immediately preceding determination thereof, shall consist of all interest income accrued on the portfolio assets of the Fund, dividend income, if any, income from securities loans, if any and realized capital gains and losses on the Fund's assets, less all expenses and liabilities of the Fund chargeable against income. Interest income shall include discount earned, including both original issue and market discount, on discount paper accrued ratably to the date of maturity. Expenses, including the compensation payable to the Adviser, are accrued each day. The expenses and liabilities of the Fund shall include those appropriately allocable to the Fund as well as a share of the general expenses and liabilities of the Trust in proportion to the Fund's share of the total net assets of the Trust.

TAXES

Information set forth in the Prospectuses that relates to federal income taxation is only a summary of certain key federal income tax considerations generally affecting purchasers of shares of the Fund. The following is only a summary of certain additional federal income and excise tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectuses. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment of the Fund or the implications to shareholders and the discussions here and in the Fund's Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning. The following summary does not, except as otherwise set forth herein, discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences associated with an investment in the Fund. Accordingly, potential purchasers of shares of the Fund are urged to consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax circumstances. Special tax considerations may apply to certain types of investors subject to special treatment under the Code, including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, pass-through entities (or investors therein), U.S. shareholders whose "functional

50

currency" is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark to market treatment, or persons that will hold shares as a position in a "straddle," "hedge" or as part of a "constructive sale" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion applies only to U.S. shareholders that hold shares as capital assets. A U.S. shareholder is an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S. corporation, a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person, or any estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source. Lastly, the tax discussion in the Prospectuses and this SAI is based on tax law in effect on the date of the Prospectuses and this SAI and it does not address any proposals to modify such tax laws; such laws and regulations may be changed by legislative, judicial, or administrative action, sometimes with retroactive effect.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income (i.e., taxable interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses) and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of long-term capital gains over short-term capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and 90% of its tax-exempt income (net of expenses allocable thereto) for the taxable year (the "Distribution Requirement") and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are described below. Distributions by the Fund made during the taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the close of the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gains for the taxable year and will therefore count toward satisfaction of the Distribution Requirement.

If the Fund has a net capital loss (i.e., an excess of capital losses over capital gains), the amount thereof may be carried forward and would retain its character as either a short-term capital loss or a long-term capital loss that can be used to offset such capital gains in future years. There is no limitation on the number of years to which net capital losses may be carried. However, the amount of capital loss that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% "change in ownership" of the Fund.

Capital Loss Carryforwards

Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2025, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards as follows:

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Short-term

$14,963,947

Long-term

166,213,418

Total

$181,177,365

In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated investment company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies (to the extent such currency gains are directly related to the regulated investment company's principal business of investing in stock or securities), other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and net income from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (the "Income Requirement").

A regulated investment company, in determining its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long- term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for any taxable year, may elect (unless it has made a taxable year election for excise tax purposes as discussed below, in which case different rules apply) to treat all or any part of certain net capital losses incurred after October 31 of a taxable year, and certain net ordinary losses incurred after October 31 or December 31 of a taxable year, as if they had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

In addition to satisfying the Income and Distribution Requirements described above, the Fund must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regula ted investment companies and securities of other issuers (provided that, with respect to each issuer, the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in securities of each such issuer and the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of each such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses (other than securities of other regulated investment companies), or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Generally, an option (call or put) with respect to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the security, not the issuer of the option. For purposes of asset diversification testing, obligations issued or guaranteed by certain agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the FFCB, FHLB, FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA, and SLMA, are treated as U.S. government securities.

51

The Fund may invest in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and other similar investments that provide exposure to commodities such as gold or other precious metals, energy, or other commodities. Income or gain, if any, from such investments may not be qualifying income for purposes of the Income Requirements and the Fund's investments in such instruments may not be treated as an investment in a "security" for purposes of the asset diversification test.

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company after taking into account cure provisions available for certain failures to so qualify (certain of which would result in the imposition of a tax on the Fund), all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for distributions to shareholders and such distributions will be taxable to the shareholders as dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions may be eligible for: (i) the dividends-received deduction, in the case of corporate shareholders; or (ii) treatment as "qualified dividend income," in the case of non-corporate shareholders. In addition, to qualify again to be taxed as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to distribute to shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non- qualifying years. Further, if the Fund failed to qualify for a period greater than two taxable years, then, in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to elect to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (i.e., the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of five years.

Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies

A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary taxable income for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, with respect to capital gain net income, at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")). Tax- exempt interest on municipal obligations is not subject to the excise tax. The balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year. For the foregoing purposes, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by a regulated investment company that is subject to corporate income tax will be treated as having been distributed during the taxable year ending in such calendar year.

The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, investors should note that the Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability.

Fund Investments

In general, gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the disposition of an asset will be a capital gain or loss. In addition, gain will be recognized as a result of certain constructive sales, including short sales "against the box." However, gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including municipal obligations) purchased by the Fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued while the Fund held the debt obligation. In addition, under the rules of Code Section 988, gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency or an option with respect thereto, and gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a foreign currency forward contract, futures contract, option or similar financial instrument, or of foreign currency itself, except for regulated futures contracts or non-equity options subject to Code Section 1256 (unless the Fund elects otherwise), generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the extent attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Certain transactions that may be engaged in by the Fund (such as regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts and options on stock indexes and futures contracts) will be subject to special tax treatment as "Section 1256 Contracts." Section 1256 Contracts are treated as if they are sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the taxable year, even though a taxpayer's obligations (or rights) under such Section 1256 Contracts have not terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing transaction, or otherwise) as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 Contracts is taken into account for the taxable year together with any other gain or loss that was recognized previously upon the termination of Section 1256 Contracts during that taxable year. Any capital gain or loss for the taxable year with respect to Section 1256 Contracts (including any capital gain or loss arising as a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of such Section 1256 Contracts) generally is treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. The Fund, however, may elect not to have this special tax treatment apply to Section 1256 Contracts that are part of a "mixed straddle" with other investments of the Fund that are not Section 1256 Contracts.

The Fund may enter into notional principal contracts, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and collars. Treasury Regulations provide, in general, that the net income or net deduction from a notional principal contract for a taxable year is included in or deducted from gross income for that taxable year. The net income or deduction from a notional principal contract for a taxable year equals the total of all of the periodic payments (generally, payments that are payable or receivable at fixed periodic intervals of one year or less during the entire term of the contract) that are recognized from that contract for the taxable year, all of the non-periodic payments (including premiums for caps, floors and collars) that are recognized from that contract for the taxable year and any termination payments that are recognized from that contract for the taxable year. No portion of a payment by a party to a notional principal contract is recognized prior to the first year to which any portion of a payment by the counterparty relates. A periodic payment is recognized ratably over the period to which it relates. In general, a non-periodic payment must be recognized over the term of the notional principal contract in a manner that reflects

52

the economic substance of the contract. A non-periodic payment that relates to an interest rate swap, cap, floor, or collar is recognized over the term of the contract by allocating it in accordance with the values of a series of cash-settled forward or option contracts that reflect the specified index and notional principal amount upon which the notional principal contract is based (or under an alternative method provided in Treasury Regulations). A termination payment is recognized in the year the notional principal contract is extinguished, assigned, or terminated (i.e., in the year the termination payment is made).

Income from options on individual securities written by the Fund will not be recognized by the Fund for tax purposes until an option is exercised or lapses. Any gain recognized by the Fund on the lapse of, or any gain or loss recognized by the Fund from a closing transaction with respect to, an option written by the Fund will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. If the Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the premiums received and the amount paid by the Fund to close out its position will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. If an option written by the Fund is exercised, thereby requiring the Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of the security, and the character of any gain on such sale of the underlying security as short-term or long-term capital gain will depend on the holding period of the Fund in the underlying security. Because the Fund will not have control over the exercise of the options it writes, such exercises or other required sales of the underlying securities may cause the Fund to realize gains or losses at inopportune times.

The tax treatment of certain insurance-linked securities is not entirely clear. Certain of the Fund's investments (including, potentially, certain insurance-linked securities) may generate income that is not qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test. The Fund might generate more non-qualifying income than anticipated, might not be able to generate qualifying income in a particular taxable year at levels sufficient to meet the 90% income test, or might not be able to determine the percentage of qualifying income it has derived for a taxable year until after year-end. The Fund may determine not to make an investment that it otherwise would have made, or may dispose of an investment it otherwise would have retained (potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss, and potentially under disadvantageous circumstances), in an effort to meet the 90% income test.

The Fund may purchase securities of certain foreign investment funds or trusts that constitute passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs") for federal income tax purposes. If the Fund invests in a PFIC, it has three separate options. First, it may elect to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund (a "QEF"), in which event the Fund will each year have ordinary income equal to its pro rata share of the PFIC's ordinary earnings for the year and long-term capital gain equal to its pro rata share of the PFIC's net capital gain for the year, regardless of whether the Fund receives distributions of any such ordinary earnings or capital gains from the PFIC, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election with respect to a PFIC in which it invests, the Fund must obtain certain information from the PFIC on an annual basis, which the PFIC may be unwilling or unable to provide. Second, the Fund that invests in marketable stock of a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. Pursuant to such election, the Fund will include as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of such stock at the close of any taxable year over the Fund's adjusted tax basis in the stock. If the adjusted tax basis of the PFIC stock exceed s the fair market value of the stock at the end of a given taxable year, such excess will be deductible as ordinary loss in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of such excess or the net mark-to-market gains on the stock that the Fund included in income in previous years. Solely for purposes of Code Sections 1291 through 1298, the Fund's holding period with respect to its PFIC stock subject to the election will commence on the first day of the first taxable year beginning after the last taxable year for which the mark-to-market election applied. If the Fund makes the mark-to-market election in the first taxable year it holds PFIC stock, it will not incur the tax described below under the third option.

Finally, if the Fund does not elect to treat the PFIC as a QEF and does not make a mark-to-market election, then, in general, (1) any gain recognized by the Fund upon the sale or other disposition of its interest in the PFIC or any excess distribution received by the Fund from the PFIC will be allocated ratably over the Fund's holding period of its interest in the PFIC stock, (2) the portion of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to the year in which the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received shall be included in the Fund's gross income for such year as ordinary income (and the distribution of such portion by the Fund to shareholders will be taxable as a dividend, but such portion will not be subject to tax at the Fund level), (3) the Fund shall be liable for tax on the portions of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to prior years in an amount equal to, for each such prior year, (i) the amount of gain or excess distribution allocated to such prior year multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate in effect for such prior year, plus (ii) interest on the amount determined under clause (i) for the period from the due date for filing a return for such prior year until the date for filing a return for the year in which the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received, at the rates and methods applicable to underpayments of tax for such period, and (4) the distribution by the Fund to its shareholders of the portions of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to prior years (net of the tax payable by the Fund thereon) will be taxable to the shareholders as a dividend.

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any

53

partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount, which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

Gain or loss on the sale of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be short-term capital gain or loss.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, potentially requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.

The Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade securities. Investments in these types of securities may present special tax issues for the Fund. Federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and interest and whether modifications or exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues could affect the Fund's ability to distribute sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company or to avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Fund Distributions

The Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions will be treated as dividends for federal income tax purposes and may be taxable to non-corporate shareholders as long-term capital gains (a "qualified dividend"), provided that certain requirements, as discussed below, are met. Dividends received by corporate shareholders and dividends that do not constitute qualified dividends are taxable as ordinary income. The portion of dividends received from the Fund that are qualified dividends generally will be determined on a look-through basis. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by the Fund are less than 95% of the Fund's gross income (as specially computed), the portion of dividends received from the Fund that constitute qualified dividends will be reported by the Fund and cannot exceed the ratio that the qualified dividends received by the Fund bears to its gross income. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by the Fund equal at least 95% of its gross income, then all of the dividends received from the Fund will constitute qualified dividends.

No dividend will constitute a qualified dividend (1) if it has been paid with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 61 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 121-day period (181-day period in the case of certain preferred stock) beginning on the date that is 60 days (90 days in the case of certain preferred stock) before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, excluding for this purpose, under the rules of Code Section 246(c), any period during which the Fund has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made and not closed a short sale of, is the grantor of an option to buy, or has otherwise diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such (or substantially identical) stock; (2) if the non-corporate shareholder fails to meet the holding period requirements set forth in (1) with respect to its shares in the Fund to which the dividend is attributable; or (3) to the extent that the Fund (or shareholder, as applicable) is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in property substantially similar or related to stock with respect to which an otherwise qualified dividend is paid.

Qualified dividends are, in general, dividends from taxable U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations. Dividends from a foreign corporation may be qualified dividends if (1) the stock with respect to which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) the foreign corporation is incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (3) the foreign corporation is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program (and that the Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes). The Treasury Department has issued guidance identifying which treaties are satisfactory for these purposes. Notwithstanding the above, dividends received from a foreign corporation that for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a PFIC will not constitute qualified dividends. Substitute payments received by the Fund representing dividends paid on securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified dividend income, and distributions by the Fund of such substitute payments will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividends.

Distributions attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations will qualify for the 50% dividends-received deduction ("DRD") for corporate shareholders only to the extent discussed below. Distributions attributable to dividends paid by a foreign corporation, a REIT or a corporation exempt from tax generally do not qualify for the DRD. Substitute payments received by

54

the Fund representing dividends paid on securities loaned out by the Fund will not be treated as dividends eligible for the dividends paid deduction.

Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund with respect to a taxable year may qualify for the 50% DRD generally available to corporations (other than corporations such as S corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics, and other than for purposes of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding company tax) to the extent of the amount of dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. No DRD will be allowed with respect to any dividend (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period (181-day period in the case of certain preferred stock) beginning on the date that is 45 days (90 days in the case of certain preferred stock) before the date on which such share becomes ex -dividend with respect to such dividend, excluding for this purpose under the rules of Code Section 246(c) any period during which the Fund has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made and not closed a short sale of, is the grantor of an option to buy, or has otherwise diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such (or substantially identical) stock; (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property; or (3) to the extent the stock on which the dividend is paid is treated as debt-financed under the rules of Code Section 246A. Moreover, the DRD for a corporate shareholder may be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of Code Section 246(b), which in general limits the DRD to 50% of the shareholder's taxable income (determined without regard to the DRD and certain other items).

If the Fund receives a dividend (other than a capital gain dividend) in respect of any share of REIT stock, then Fund dividends attributable to that REIT dividend income (as reduced by certain Fund expenses) may be reported by the Fund as eligible for the 20% deduction for "qualified REIT dividends" generally available to non-corporate shareholders under the Code. A dividend from the Fund may not be treated as a qualified REIT dividend (1) if it has been paid with respect to any share of REIT stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, excluding for this purpose, under the rules of Code Section 246(c), any period during which the Fund has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made and not closed a short sale of, is the grantor of an option to buy, or has otherwise diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such (or substantially identical) stock; (2) if the non- corporate shareholder fails to meet the holding period requirements set forth in (1) with respect to its shares in the Fund to which the dividend is attributable; or (3) to the extent that the Fund (or shareholder, as applicable) is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in property substantially similar or related to stock with respect to which an otherwise qualified dividend is paid. Substitute payments received by the Fund representing qualified REIT dividends paid on REIT securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified REIT dividends, and distributions by the Fund of such substitute payments will not be eligible for the 20% deduction currently available for ordinary REIT dividends paid to non-corporate shareholders.

The Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute any such amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and reported as a capital gain dividend, it will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired his shares. The Code provides, however, that under certain conditions none of the capital gain recognized upon the Fund's disposition of domestic qualified "small business" stock will be subject to tax (with certain limitations).

Conversely, if the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be subject to tax thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate tax rates. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders of record on the last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of his pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report his pro rata share of such gain on his tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for his pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for his shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit. Organizations or persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the Fund upon filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.

Distributions by the Fund in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares, as discussed below.

Distributions by the Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Fund will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. In addition, if the NAV at the time a shareholder purchases shares of the Fund reflects undistributed net investment income, recognized net capital gain, or unrealized appreciation in the value of the assets of the Fund, distributions of such amounts will be taxable to the shareholder in the manner described above, although such distributions economically constitute a return of capital to the shareholder. The amount of undistributed income and gain the Fund has at the time a shareholder purchases or sells shares can impact the amount of the shareholder's gain or loss on the sale and the treatment and tax rates applicable to the shareholder's return on its investment in the Fund. Before investing you may want to consult your tax adviser.

55

Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November, or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and paid by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of the Fund's taxable year may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the Fund (except for the purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, a shareholder will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their "net investment income," which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares o f the Fund. Exempt-interest dividends from the Fund generally are not included in net investment income for purposes of this tax. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury backup withholding taxes at the applicable rate on distributions paid to any shareholder (1) who has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) who is subject to backup withholding for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly, or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that it is not subject to backup withholding or is an "exempt recipient" (such as a corporation). Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

If the Fund invests in underlying regulated investment companies, distributions of short-term capital gains by such underlying funds would be recognized as ordinary income by the Fund and would not be able to be offset by the Fund's capital losses or capital loss carryforwards (if any). Losses of an underlying fund would not offset any income or gain of the Fund. Losses realized by the Fund on the sale of shares of underlying funds may be indefinitely or permanently deferred under the wash sale rules. Each of these effects is caused by the Fund's investment in the underlying funds and may result in tax distributions to Fund shareholders being of higher magnitudes.

Sale or Redemption of Shares

A shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund (taking into account the rules applicable to repurchase by the Fund, as described below) in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss may be disallowed if the shareholder purchases other shares of the same Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of exempt- interest dividends received on such shares (unless the loss is with respect to shares of the Fund for which the holding period began after December 22, 2010, and the Fund declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax- exempt interest and distributes such dividends at least monthly) and (to the extent not disallowed) will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. For these purposes, the special holding period rules of Code Section 246(c) (discussed above in connection with qualified dividends, qualified REIT dividends and the dividends-received deduction) generally will apply in determining the holding period of shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

If a shareholder (1) incurs a sales load in acquiring shares of the Fund, (2) disposes of such shares less than 91 days after they are acquired and (3) subsequently acquires, during the period beginning on the date of the disposition referred to in clause (2) and ending on January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year that includes the date of such disposition, shares of the Fund or another Fund at a reduced sales load pursuant to a right acquired in connection with the acquisition of the shares disposed of, then the sales load on the shares disposed of (to the extent of the reduction in the sales load on the shares subsequently acquired) shall not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on such shares but shall be treated as incurred on the acquisition of the subsequently acquired shares.

From time to time, the Fund may offer to repurchase its outstanding shares. The repurchase of shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of such shares by a shareholder (other than a tax-exempt shareholder) if the repurchase (i) is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to the shareholder, (ii) results in a "complete termination" of the shareholder's interest in the Fund, or (iii) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend", all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether any of these tests has been met, a shareholder's shares are generally deemed to include shares considered to be owned by the shareholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 318 of the Code. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code is satisfied with respect to any particular repurchase will depend upon the facts and circumstances as of the time the determination is made and the constructive ownership rules are complicated, shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers to determine such tax treatment. If sale or exchange treatment under Section 302(b) of the Code applies to a shareholder's repurchase of shares, the shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received

56

pursuant to the repurchase and the tax basis of the shares sold. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and generally will be long- term capital gain or loss if the shareholder's holding period for the shares exceeds one year.

If sale or exchange treatment under Section 302(b) of the Code does not apply to a shareholder's repurchase of shares, the amount of cash and the fair market value of the property received by the shareholder will be treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to the distribution. Any portion of the distribution in excess of such earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital, reducing the shareholder's tax basis in the Common Units, and thereafter as capital gain to the extent the distribution exceeds the shareholder's remaining tax basis. In addition, the IRS could take the position that shareholders who do not participate in any repurchase that is treated as a dividend should be treated as receiving a constructive stock distribution taxable as a dividend in the amount of the increased percentage ownership in the Fund as a result of the repurchase, even though such shareholders did not actually receive cash or other property as a result of such repurchase.

Tax Shelter and Other Reporting Requirements

If a shareholder realizes a loss on the disposition of shares of the Fund of at least $2 million in any single taxable year or at least $4 million in any combination of taxable years for an individual shareholder, or at least $10 million in any single taxable year or at least $20 million in any combination of taxable years for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of this requirement in light of their individual circumstances.

Foreign Taxation

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a non- corporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

Foreign Shareholders

Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation ("foreign shareholder"), depends on whether the income from the Fund is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder.

If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, subject to the discussion below with respect to "interest-related dividends" and "short-term capital gain dividends," ordinary income dividends (including dividends that would otherwise be treated as qualified dividends to an applicable non-foreign shareholder) paid to such foreign shareholder would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or lower applicable treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the dividend. Except as described below, such foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or capital gain dividends unless the foreign shareholder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.

U.S. withholding tax generally does not apply to amounts properly designated by the Fund as an "interest-related dividend" or a "short- term capital gain dividend." The aggregate amount treated as an interest-related dividend for a year is limited to the Fund's qualified net interest income for the year, which is the excess of the sum of the Fund's qualified interest income (generally, its U.S.-source interest income) over the deductions properly allocable to such income. The aggregate amount treated as a "short-term capital gain dividend" is limited to the excess of the Fund's net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign investor needs to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reported the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Foreign investors should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

57

If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then any dividends, and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations, and, if the foreign shareholder is a corporation, the shareholder may be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" imposed at the rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

In the case of foreign noncorporate shareholders, the Fund may be required to withhold backup withholding taxes at the applicable rate on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper notification of their foreign status.

Special rules may apply to a foreign shareholder receiving the Fund distribution if at least 50% of the Fund's assets consist of U.S. real property interests, including certain REITs and U.S. real property holding corporations (as defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations), at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Fund distributions that are attributable to gain from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest will be taxable as ordinary dividends and subject to withholding at a 30% or lower treaty rate if the foreign shareholder held no more than 5% of the Fund's shares at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. If the foreign shareholder held at least 5% of the Fund's shares at any time during the one-year testing period, the distribution would be treated as income effectively connected with a trade or business within the U.S. and the foreign shareholder would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 21% and would generally be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. The distribution also may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax if the foreign shareholder is a corporation. Similar consequences would generally apply to a foreign shareholder's gain on the sale of Fund shares unless the Fund is domestically controlled (meaning that more than 50% of the value of the Fund's shares is held by U.S. shareholders at all times during the five-year period ending on the date of sale) or the foreign shareholder owns no more than 5% of the Fund's shares at all times during the five-year period ending on the date of sale. Finally, a domestically controlled Fund may be required to recognize a portion of its gain on the in-kind distribution of certain U.S. real property interests. A foreign shareholder may also be subject to certain "wash sale" rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax filing and payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Under the "Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act" and existing guidance thereunder, commonly known as "FATCA," a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid by the Fund generally applies if paid to a foreign entity unless: (i) if the foreign entity is a "foreign financial institution" as defined under FATCA, the foreign entity undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, (ii) if the foreign entity is not a "foreign financial institution," it identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity is otherwise excepted under FATCA. If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to any Fund distribution, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) on such payment generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify the foregoing requirements. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts in respect of amounts withheld under FATCA. Each investor should consult its tax adviser regarding the effect of FATCA based on its individual circumstances.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty might be different from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign taxes.

Cost Basis Reporting

The Fund is generally required by law to report to shareholders and the IRS on Form 1099-B "cost basis" information for shares of the Fund acquired on or after January 1, 2012, and sold or redeemed after that date. Upon a disposition of such shares, the Fund will be required to report the adjusted cost basis, the gross proceeds from the disposition, and the character of realized gains or losses attributable to such shares. These requirements do not apply to investments through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement plan. The "cost basis" of a share is generally its purchase price adjusted for dividend reinvestments returns of c apital, and other corporate actions. "Cost basis" is used to determine whether a sale or other disposition of the shares results in a gain or loss.

The Fund will permit shareholders to elect among several IRS-accepted cost basis methods to determine the cost basis in their shares. If a shareholder does not affirmatively elect a cost basis method, then the Fund's default cost basis calculation method, which is currently the average cost method, will be applied to their account. Non-covered shares (those shares purchased before January 1, 2012, and those shares that do not have complete cost basis information, regardless of purchase date) will be used first for any redemptions made after January 1, 2012, regardless of your cost basis method of election unless you have chosen the specific identification method and have designated covered shares (those purchased after January 1, 2012) at the time of your redemption. The cost basis method elected or applied may not be changed after the settlement date of a sale of shares.

If a shareholder holds shares through a broker, the shareholder should contact that broker with respect to the reporting of cost basis information.

Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions with respect to the application of the new cost basis reporting rules and, in particular, which cost basis calculation method to elect.

58

Effect of Future Legislation, Foreign, State, and Local Tax Considerations

The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income and excise tax consequences is based on the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect.

Rules of foreign, state, and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, qualified dividends, exempt-interest dividends and capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences of these and other foreign, state and local tax rules affecting an investment in the Fund.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC, Washington, D.C. The prospectus and this statement of additional information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in the prospectus and this statement of additional information as to the material terms of any contract or other document referred to are qualified by reference to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. A copy of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC.

Description of Shares

The Fund currently offers one class of common shares. When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the prospectus and statement of additional information, shares of the Fund are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit with the Fund's transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue additional series or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class of a series would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets allocable to that class of the particular series. Upon liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of a class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the Fund's net assets allocable to such class available for distribution to shareholders.

The Trust

The Fund is a series of Pioneer ILS Interval Fund. The Trust's operations are governed by the Declaration of Trust, dated as of January 12, 2016 (referred to in this section as the declaration). A copy of the Trust's Certificate of Trust dated as of July 15, 20 14 is on file with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware.

Delaware law provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the board (referred to in this section as the trustees) and shareholders of the Delaware statutory trust, while the more specific powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and the shareholders are determined by the trustees as set forth in the declaration. Some of the more significant provisions of the declaration are described below.

Shareholder Voting

The declaration provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws but otherwise permits, consistent with Delaware law, actions by the trustees without seeking the consent of shareholders. The trustees may, without shareholder approval, where approval of shareholders is not otherwise required under the 1940 Act, merge or consolidate the Trust into other entities, reorganize the Trust or any series or class into another trust or entity or a series or class of another entity, sell the assets of the Trust or any series or class to another entity, or a series or class of another entity, or terminate the Trust or any series or class.

The Fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but the Fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act or by the terms of the declaration. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote.

Election and Removal of Trustees

The declaration provides that the trustees may establish the number of trustees and that vacancies on the board may be filled by the remaining trustees, except when election of trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The declaration also provides that a mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the trustees and that trustees may be removed at any time or for any reason by a majority of the board or by a majority of the outstanding shareholders of the Trust.

Amendments to the Declaration

The trustees are authorized to amend the declaration without the vote of shareholders, but no amendment may be made that impairs the exemption from personal liability granted in the declaration to persons who are or have been shareholders, trustees, officers or,

59

employees of the trust or that limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided in the declaration with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification under the declaration prior to the amendment.

Issuance and Redemption of Shares

The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the trustees may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the trustees may determine. The Fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder's shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with identification required by law, or if the Fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder. Additionally, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed in connection with the closing of small accounts.

Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings

The declaration specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose to the Fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and the Fund may disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation.

Series and Classes

The declaration provides that the trustees may establish series and classes in addition to those currently established and to determine the rights and preferences, limitations and restrictions, including qualifications for ownership, conversion and exchange features, minimum purchase and account size, expenses and charges, and other features of the series and classes. The trustees may change any of those features, terminate any series or class, combine series with other series in the trust, combine one or more classes of a series with another class in that series or convert the shares of one class into another class. Each share of the Fund, as a series of the Trust, represents an interest in the Fund only and not in the assets of any other series of the Trust.

Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability

The declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the obligations of the Fund and requires a Fund to indemnify a shareholder against liability arising solely from the shareholder's ownership of shares in the Fund. In addition, the Fund will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. The declaration also provides that no trustee, officer or employee of the Fund owes any duty to any person (including without limitation any shareholder), other than the Fund or any series. The declaration further provides that no trustee, officer or employee of the Fund shall be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any action, failure to act, error or mistake except in cases of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The declaration requires the Fund to indemnify each trustee, director, officer, employee and authorized agent to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. The 1940 Act currently provides that no officer or director shall be protected from liability to the Fund or shareholders for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of office. The declaration extends to trustees, officers and employees of the Fund the full protection from liability that the law allows.

The declaration provides that the appointment, designation or identification of a trustee as chairperson, a member of a committee, an expert, lead independent trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification shall not impose any heightened standard of care or liability on such trustee.

Derivative and Direct Actions

The declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on the Fund's trustees. The declaration details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Fund, the trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. The declaration further provides that shareholders owning shares representing at least 10% of the voting power of the affected Fund must join in bringing the derivative action. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the Fund in connection with the consideration of the demand, if in the judgment of the independent trustees, the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the declaration, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the Fund's costs, including attorneys' fees.

60

The declaration provides that no shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a shareholder of the Fund, or any series or class thereof, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Fund or by the Fund on behalf of a series or class, unless the shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the shareholders of the Fund, or the series or class, generally. Under the declaration, a shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a shareholder of the series or class with respect to which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a shareholder at that time.

The declaration further provides that the Fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys' fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder only if required by law, and any attorneys' fees that the Fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against the Fund be brought only in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in state court in Boston, Massachusetts, and that shareholders have no right to jury trial for such actions.

Financial Statements

The audited financial statements of the Fund, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, are incorporated by reference herein.

Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and the audited financial statements and financial highlights included in the Financial Statements filed on Form N-CSRfor the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025 (SEC File No. 811- 22987).

Those financial statements and financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report thereon, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report, given on the authority of Deloitte & Touche LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Board has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings by the Fund, the Adviser, or their affiliates. These policies and procedures provide that the Fund's portfolio holdings information generally may not be disclosed to any party prior to the information becoming public. Certain limited exceptions are described below. These policies and procedures apply to disclosures to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund, third parties providing services to the Fund (accounting agent, print vendors, etc.), rating and ranking organizations (Lipper, Morningstar, etc.) and affiliated persons of the Fund.

The Fund's Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for monitoring the Fund's compliance with these policies and procedures, and for providing regular reports (at least annually) to the Board regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the policy and recommend changes, if necessary.

Public Disclosure

The Fund discloses its complete portfolio holdings in their financial statements and are available upon request on the Fund's website, VictoryFunds.com. The Fund also files its complete portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters on Form N- PORT. You can find these filings on the SEC's website, sec.gov, and the Fund's portfolio holdings are available at VictoryFunds.com in accordance with Rule 30e-3 under the 1940 Act.

Generally, the Adviser will make the Fund's full portfolio information available to the public on a monthly basis with an appropriate delay based upon the nature of the information disclosed. the Adviser normally will publish the Fund's full portfolio holdings no sooner than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month (this time period may be different for certain Funds). Such information shall be made available on the Fund's website and may be sent to rating agencies, reporting/news services and financial intermediaries, upon request. In addition, the Adviser generally makes publicly available information regarding the Fund's top ten (10) holdings (including the percentage of the Fund's assets represented by each security) within ten (10) business days after the end of each calendar month.

Non-Public Disclosures

The Adviser may authorize the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information under certain limited circumstances. The Fund's policies provide that non-public disclosures of the Fund's portfolio holdings may only be made if: (i) the Fund has a "legitimate business purpose" (as determined by the President of the Trust) for making such disclosure; and (ii) the party receiving the non-public information enters into a confidentiality agreement, which includes a duty not to trade on the non-public information and describes any compensation to be paid to the Fund or any "affiliated person" of the Adviser or Distributor, including any arrangement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or by any "affiliated person" of the Adviser or Distributor.

The Adviser will consider any actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Adviser and the Fund's shareholders and will act in the best interest of the Fund's shareholders with respect to any such disclosure of portfolio holdings information. If a potential conflict

61

can be resolved in a manner that does not present detrimental effects to Fund shareholders, the Adviser may authorize release of portfolio holdings information. Conversely, if the potential conflict cannot be resolved in a manner that does not present detrimental effects to Fund shareholders, the Adviser will not authorize such release.

Ongoing Arrangements to Disclose Portfolio Holdings

As previously authorized by the Board and/or the Trust's executive officers, the Fund periodically discloses non-public portfolio holdings on a confidential basis to various service providers that require such information in order to assist the Fund in its day-to-day operations, as well as public information to certain ratings organizations. These entities are described in the following table. The table also includes information as to the timing of these entities receiving the portfolio holdings information from the Fund. In none of these arrangements does the Fund or any "affiliated person" of the Adviser or Distributor receive any compensation, including any arrangement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or by any "affiliated person" of the Adviser or Distributor.

Type of Service Provider

Name of Service Provider

Timing of Release of

Portfolio Holdings Information

Adviser, Administrator and Fund

Victory Capital Management

Daily.

Accountant

Inc.

Distributor

Victory Capital Services, Inc.

Daily.

Custodian

Citibank, N.A.

Daily.

Sub-Administrator

Citi Fund Services

Daily.

Financial Data Service

FactSet Research Systems,

Daily.

Inc.

Liquidity Risk Management Service

MSCI, Inc.

Daily.

Provider

Independent Registered Public

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Annual Reporting Period: within 15

Accounting Firm

business days of end of reporting

period.

Printer for Financial Reports

Toppan Merrill LLC

Up to 30 days before distribution to

shareholders.

Legal Counsel, for EDGAR filings on

Sidley Austin LLP

Up to 30 days before filing with the

Forms N-CSR and Form N-PORT

SEC.

Metropolitan Life Insurance

Within 30 days after month end for

Company

board materials and advance

preparation of marketing materials,

as needed to evaluate Victory

Pioneer funds

Roszel Advisors

Within 30 days after month end for

due diligence and review of certain

Victory Pioneer funds included in

fund programs

Oppenheimer & Co.

Within 30 days after month end for

due diligence and review of certain

Victory Pioneer funds included in

fund programs

UBS

Within 15 days after month end for

due diligence and review of certain

Victory Pioneer funds included in

fund programs

Beacon Pointe Advisors

As needed for quarterly review of

certain Victory Pioneer funds

Commonwealth Financial

Within 30 days after month end for

Network

risk analysis on funds on behalf of

their clients

Hartford Retirement Services,

As needed for risk analysis on

LLC

funds on behalf of their clients

Transamerica Life Insurance

As needed for performance and risk

62

Company

analysis on funds on behalf of their

clients

TIBCO Software Inc./Spotfire

As needed to evaluate and develop

Division

portfolio reporting software)

Curcio Webb, LLC

As needed for evaluation and

research purposes

Fidelity Investments

As needed to evaluate Victory

Pioneer funds

Rating Agency

Egan Jones Ratings Company

As needed in order to evaluate and

select Nationally Recognized

Statistical Rating Organizations

(NRSROs)

Rating Agency

DBRS Limited

As needed in order to evaluate and

select NRSROs

Wells Fargo Advisors

As needed for risk analysis on

funds on behalf of their clients and

product review

Capital Market Consultants

As needed to complete quarterly

due diligence research

These service providers are required to keep all non-public information confidential and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information, except as necessary in providing services to the Fund.

There is no guarantee that the Fund's policies on use and dissemination of holdings information will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings by individuals or firms in possession of such information.

Expenses

Unless agreed upon otherwise with a third party, all expenses incurred in administration of the Fund will be charged to the Fund, including investment management fees; fees and expenses of the Board; interest charges; taxes; brokerage commissions; expenses of valuing assets; expenses of continuing registration and qualification of the Fund and the shares under federal and state law; share issuance expenses; fees and disbursements of independent accountants and legal counsel; fees and expenses of custodians, including, transfer agents and shareholder account servicing organizations; expenses of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses, reports, proxies, notices and statements sent to shareholders; expenses of shareholder meetings; costs of investing in underlying funds; and insurance premiums. The Fund is also liable for nonrecurring expenses, including litigation to which they may from time to time be a party. Expenses incurred for the operation of the Fund, including the expenses of communications with its shareholders, are paid by the Fund.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 115 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110, independent registered public accounting firm, provides audit services and tax return review services to the Fund with respect to filings with the SEC.

Miscellaneous

As used in the Prospectuses and in this SAI, "assets belonging to the Fund" means the consideration received by the Trust upon the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund, together with all income, earnings, profits and proceeds derived from the investment thereof, including any proceeds from the sale, exchange, or liquidation of such investments and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds and any general assets of the Trust, which general liabilities and expenses are not readily identified as belonging to a particular series that are allocated to that series by the Trustees. The Trustees may allocate such general assets in any manner they deem fair and equitable. It is anticipated that the factor that will be used by the Trustees in making allocations of general assets to a particular series will be the relative NAV of each respective series at the time of allocation. Assets belonging to a particular series are charged with the direct liabilities and expenses in respect of that series and with a share of the general liabilities and expenses of each of the series not readily identified as belonging to a particular series, which are allocated to each series in accordance with its proportionate share of the NAVs of the Trust at the time of allocation. The timing of allocations of general assets and general liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular series will be determined by the Trustees and will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Determinations by the Trustees as to the timing of the allocation of general liabilities and expenses and as to the timing and allocable portion of any general assets with respect to a particular series are conclusive.

As used in the Prospectuses and in this SAI, a "vote of a majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund present at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are represented in person or by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

63

The Prospectus and this SAI are not an offering of the securities described in these documents in any state in which such offering may not lawfully be made. No salesperson, dealer, or other person is authorized to give any information or make any representation other than those contained in the Prospectus and this SAI.

While this SAI and the Prospectus describe pertinent information about the Fund, neither this SAI nor the Prospectus represents a contract between the Fund and any shareholder.

64

APPENDIX A

Description of Security Ratings

Set forth below are descriptions of the relevant ratings of some of the NRSROs. These NRSROs and the descriptions of the ratings are as of the date of this SAI and may subsequently change.

Ratings represent a rating agency's opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. In addition, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes to credit ratings in response to subsequent events and a rating may become stale in that it fails to reflect changes in an issuer's financial condition.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")

Global Long-Term Ratings. Ratings assigned on Moody's global long-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Moody's defines credit risk as the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual financial obligations as they come due and any estimated financial loss in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations addressed by Moody's ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date. Moody's rating addresses the issuer's ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay. Moody's ratings do not address non-standard sources of variation in the amount of the principal obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of 11 months or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The following describes the global long- term ratings by Moody's.

Aaa - Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa - Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A - Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa - Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba - Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B - Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa - Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca - Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C - Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Medium-Term Note Program Ratings. Moody's assigns provisional ratings to medium-term note (MTN) or similar programs and definitive ratings to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes). MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim (e.g. senior or subordinated). To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moody's assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating.

The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuer's default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.

Moody's encourages market participants to contact Moody's Ratings Desks or visit moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.

65

Note: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a "(hyb)" indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.

Global Short-Term Ratings. Ratings assigned on Moody's global short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of 13 months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

Moody's employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1. - Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-2. - Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-3. - Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP. - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Speculative Grade Liquidity Ratings. Moody's Speculative Grade Liquidity Ratings are opinions of an issuer's relative ability to generate cash from internal resources and the availability of external sources of committed financing, in relation to its cash obligations over the coming 12 months. Speculative Grade Liquidity Ratings will consider the likelihood that committed sources of financing will remain available. Other forms of liquidity support will be evaluated and consideration will be given to the likelihood that these sources will be available during the coming 12 months. Speculative Grade Liquidity Ratings are assigned to speculative grade issuers that are by definition Not Prime issuers.

SGL-1 - Issuers rated SGL-1 possess very good liquidity. They are most likely to have the capacity to meet their obligations over the coming 12 months through internal resources without relying on external sources of committed financing.

SGL-2 - Issuers rated SGL-2 possess good liquidity. They are likely to meet their obligations over the coming 12 months through internal resources but may rely on external sources of committed financing. The issuer's ability to access committed sources of financing is highly likely based on Moody's evaluation of near-term covenant compliance.

SGL-3 - Issuers rated SGL-3 possess adequate liquidity. They are expected to rely on external sources of committed financing. Based on its evaluation of near-term covenant compliance, Moody's believes there is only a modest cushion, and the issuer may require covenant relief in order to maintain orderly access to funding lines.

SGL-4 - Issuers rated SGL-4 possess weak liquidity. They rely on external sources of financing and the availability of that financing is, in Moody's opinion, highly uncertain.

U.S. Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings. Moody's uses the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by U.S. municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer's self-liquidity. For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody's uses one of two other short-term rating scales the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

The MIG scale is used for U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale is used for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

MIG-1. This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG-2. This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG-3. This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

66

SG. This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

VMIG Ratings. In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The components are a long-term rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer's ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon-demand feature ("demand feature") of the VRDO. The short-term demand obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third-party liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer's long-term rating drops below investment grade.

For VRDOs, Moody's typically assigns the VMIG short-term demand obligation rating if the frequency of the demand feature is less than every three years. If the frequency of the demand feature is less than three years but the purchase price is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the short-term demand obligation rating is "NR."

Industrial development bonds in the United States where the obligor is a corporate may carry a VMIG rating that reflects Moody's view of the relative likelihood of default and loss. In these cases, liquidity assessment is based on the liquidity of the corporate obligor.

VMIG-1. This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

VMIG-2. This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

VMIG-3. This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

SG. This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections.

S&P Global Ratings

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings' view of the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. S&P Global Ratings would typically assign a long-term issue credit rating to an obligation with an original maturity of greater than 365 days. However, the ratings assigned by S&P Global Ratings to certain instruments may diverge from these guidelines based on market practices. Medium- term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings. Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings analysis of the following considerations:

The likelihood of payment-the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

The nature of and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise imputed by S&P Global Ratings; and

The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.

67

(Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA- An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA- An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A - An obligation rated 'A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

BBB- An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C - Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB- An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B - An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated 'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CCC- An obligation rated 'CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CC- An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C - An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D- An obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

NR - This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

Plus (+) or minus (-) - Ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings. The following describes S&P Global Ratings' short-term issue credit ratings.

A-1 - A short-term obligation rated 'A-1' is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2 - A short-term obligation rated 'A-2' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

68

A-3 - A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B - A short-term obligation rated 'B' is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C - A short-term obligation rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D- A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings. The following describes Standard & Poor's Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings.

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings' opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings' analysis will review the following considerations:

Amortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

Source of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

SP-1. Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2. Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3. Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

D. Assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

Active Qualifiers

S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a 'p' qualifier, which indicates the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

Federal deposit insurance limit: 'L' qualifier - Ratings qualified with 'L' apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

Principal: 'p' qualifier - This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The 'p' suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.

Preliminary ratings: 'prelim' qualifier - Preliminary ratings, with the 'prelim' suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

69

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor's emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation, and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings' opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing, or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

Termination structures: 't' qualifier - This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

Counterparty instrument rating: 'cir' qualifier - This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward- looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch")

International Long-Term Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA- Highest credit quality. 'AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA- Very high credit quality. 'AA' ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A - High credit quality. 'A' ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB- Good credit quality. 'BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

Speculative Grade

BB- Speculative. 'BB' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B - Highly speculative. 'B' ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC- Substantial credit risk. Very low margin for safety. Default is a real possibility. 70

CC- Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C - Near default. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed Funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a 'C' category rating for an issuer include:

The issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

The issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;

The formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

A closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.

RD - Restricted default. 'RD' ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has experienced:

An uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan, or other material financial obligation but

Has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and

Has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

The selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

The uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

The extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D - Default. 'D' ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

Imminent default, categorized under 'C,' typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency's opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer's financial obligations or local commercial practice.

International Short-Term Ratings. The following describes Fitch's two highest short-term ratings:

F1. Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2. Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

Notes to Long- and Short-term ratings:

The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to 'AAA' ratings and ratings below the 'CCC' category. For the short-term rating category of 'F1,' a '+' may be appended.

71

Withdrawn -The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch. Ratings that have been withdrawn will be indicated by the symbol 'WD.'

Rating Watch - Rating Watches indicate that there is a heightened probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such a change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating that a rating could stay at its present level or potentially be upgraded, "Negative," to indicate that the rating could stay at its present level or potentially be downgraded, or "Evolving" if ratings may be raised, lowered, or affirmed. However, ratings can be raised or lowered without being placed on Rating Watch first.

A Rating Watch is typically event-driven and, as such, it is generally resolved over a relatively short period. The event driving the Watch may be either anticipated or have already occurred, but in both cases, the exact rating implications remain undetermined. The Watch period is typically used to gather further information and/or subject the information to further analysis. A Rating Watch must be reviewed and a RAC be published every six months after a rating has been placed on Rating Watch, except in the case described below.

Additionally, a Watch may be used where the rating implications are already clear, but where they remain contingent upon an event (e.g. shareholder or regulatory approval). The Watch will typically extend to cover the period until the event is resolved or its outcome is predictable with a high enough degree of certainty to permit resolution of the Watch. In these cases, where it has previously been communicated within the RAC that the Rating Watch will be resolved upon an event and where there are no material changes to the respective rating up to the event, the Rating Watch may not be reviewed within the six months interval. In any case, the affected ratings (and the Rating Watch) will remain subject to an annual review cycle.

Rating Outlook - Outlooks indicate the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period. They reflect financial or other trends that have not yet reached or been sustained the level that would cause a rating action, but which may do so if such trends continue. A Positive Rating Outlook indicates an upward trend on the rating scale. Conversely, a Negative Rating Outlook signals a negative trend on the rating scale. Positive or Negative Rating Outlooks do not imply that a rating change is inevitable, and similarly, ratings with Stable Outlooks can be raised or lowered without a prior revision to the Outlook. Occasionally, where the fundamental trend has strong, conflicting elements of both positive and negative, the Rating Outlook may be described as "Evolving."

Outlooks are currently applied on the long-term scale to certain issuer ratings in corporate finance (including sovereigns, industrials, utilities, financial institutions and insurance companies) and to both issuer ratings and obligations ratings in public finance in the United States; to issues in infrastructure and project finance; to Insurer Financial Strength Ratings; to issuer and/or issue ratings in a number of National Rating scales; and to the ratings of structured finance transactions and covered bonds. Outlooks are not applied to ratings assigned on the short-term scale. For financial institutions, Outlooks are not assigned to Viability Ratings, Support Ratings and Support Rating Floors. Derivative counterparty ratings are also not assigned Outlooks.

Ratings in the 'CCC,' 'CC,' and 'C' categories typically do not carry Outlooks since the volatility of these ratings is very high and outlooks would be of limited informational value. Defaulted ratings do not carry Outlooks.

72

APPENDIX B

SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Victory Capital Management Inc. ("Adviser")

To assist the Adviser in making proxy-voting decisions, the Adviser has adopted a Proxy Voting Policy ("Policy") that establishes voting guidelines ("Proxy Voting Guidelines") with respect to certain recurring issues. The Policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Adviser's Proxy Committee ("Proxy Committee") and revised when the Committee determines that a change is appropriate. The Board annually reviews the Trust's Proxy Voting Policy and the Adviser's Policy and determines whether amendments are necessary or advisable.

Voting under the Adviser's Policy may be executed through administrative screening per established guidelines with oversight by the Proxy Committee or upon vote by a quorum of the Proxy Committee. The Adviser delegates to Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"), an independent service provider, the non-discretionary administration of proxy voting for the Trust, subject to oversight by the Adviser's Proxy Committee. In no circumstances shall ISS have the authority to vote proxies except in accordance with standing or specific instructions given to it by the Adviser.

The Adviser votes proxies in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. This entails voting client proxies with the objective of increasing the long-term economic value of Fund assets. The Adviser's Proxy Committee determines how proxies are voted by following established guidelines, which are intended to assist in voting proxies and are not considered to be rigid rules. The Proxy Committee is directed to apply the guidelines as appropriate. On occasion, however, a contrary vote may be warranted when such action is in the best interests of the Fund or if required by the Board or the Fund's Proxy Voting Policy. In such cases, the Adviser may consider, among other things:

the effect of the proposal on the underlying value of the securities

the effect on marketability of the securities

the effect of the proposal on future prospects of the issuer

the composition and effectiveness of the issuer's board of directors

the issuer's corporate governance practices

the quality of communications from the issuer to its shareholders

The Adviser may also take into account independent third-party, general industry guidance or other corporate governance review sources when making decisions. It may additionally seek guidance from other senior internal sources with special expertise on a given topic where it is appropriate. The Adviser generally votes on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration whether implementation of an Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG")-related proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value. The investment team's opinion concerning the management and prospects of the issuer may be taken into account in determining whether a vote for or against a proposal is in the Fund's best interests. Insufficient information, onerous requests or vague, ambiguous wording may indicate that a vote against a proposal is appropriate, even when the general principal appears to be reasonable.

The following examples illustrate the Adviser's policy with respect to some common proxy votes. This summary is not an exhaustive list of all the issues that may arise or of all matters addressed in the Guidelines, and whether the Adviser supports or opposes a proposal will depend upon the specific facts and circumstances described in the proxy statement and other available information.

Directors

The Adviser generally supports the election of directors in uncontested elections, except when there are issues of accountability, responsiveness, composition, and/or independence.

The Adviser generally supports proposals for an independent chair taking into account factors such as the current board leadership structure, the company's governance practices, and company performance.

The Adviser generally supports proxy access proposals that are in line with the market standards regarding the ownership threshold, ownership duration, aggregation provisions, cap on nominees, and do not contain any other unreasonably restrictive guidelines.

The Adviser reviews contested elections on a case-by-case basis taking into account such factors as the company performance, particularly the long-term performance relative to the industry; the management track record; the nominee qualifications and compensatory arrangements; the strategic plan of the dissident and its critique of the current management; the likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved; the ownership stakes of the relevant parties; and any other context that is particular to the company and the nature of the election.

73

Capitalization & Restructuring

The Adviser generally supports capitalization proposals that facilitate a corporate transaction that is also being supported and for general corporate purposes so long as the increase is not excessive and there are no issues of superior voting rights, company performance, previous abuses of capital, or insufficient justification for the need for additional capital.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The Adviser reviews mergers and acquisitions on a case-by-case basis to balance the merits and drawbacks of the transaction and factors such as valuation, strategic rationale, negotiations and process, conflicts of interest, and the governance profile of the company post-transaction.

Compensation

The Adviser reviews all compensation proposals for pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value; arrangements that risk pay for failure; independence in the setting of compensation; inappropriate pay to non-executive directors, and the quality and rationale of the compensation disclosure.

The Adviser will generally vote FOR advisory votes on executive compensation ("say on pay") unless there is a pay-for- performance misalignment; problematic pay practice or non-performance-based element; incentive for excessive risk-taking, options backdating; or a lack of compensation committee communication and/or responsiveness to shareholder concerns.

The Adviser will vote case-by-case on equity-based compensation plans taking into account factors such as the plan cost; the plan features; and the grant practices as well as any overriding factors that may have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests.

Social and Environmental Issues

The Adviser will vote case-by-case on topics such as consumer and product safety; environment and energy; labor standards and human rights; workplace and board diversity; and corporate and political issues, taking into account factors such as the implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value; whether the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue raised; whether the request is unduly burdensome; and whether the issue is more appropriately or effectively handled through legislation or other regulations.

The Adviser may also take into account independent third-party, general industry guidance or other corporate governance review sources when making decisions. It may additionally seek guidance from other senior internal sources with special expertise on a given topic where it is appropriate. The investment team's opinion concerning the management and prospects of the issuer may be taken into account in determining whether a vote for or against a proposal is in the Fund's best interests. Insufficient information, onerous requests or vague, ambiguous wording may indicate that a vote against a proposal is appropriate, even when the general principal appears to be reasonable.

Occasionally, conflicts of interest arise between the Adviser's interests and those of the Fund or another client. When this occurs, the Proxy Committee must document the nature of the conflict and vote the proxy in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines unless such guidelines are judged by the Proxy Committee to be inapplicable to the proxy matter at issue. In the event that the Proxy Voting Guidelines are inapplicable or do not mitigate the conflict, the Adviser will seek the opinion of the Adviser's Chief Compliance Officer or consult with an external independent adviser. In the case of a Proxy Committee member having a personal conflict of interest (e.g. a family member is on the board of the issuer), such member will abstain from voting. Finally, the Adviser reports to the Board annually any proxy votes that took place involving a conflict, including the nature of the conflict and the basis or rationale for the voting decision made.

74


PART C - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

1. Financial Statements.

Part A: The Registrant's audited Financial Highlights for the per share operating performance of the Registrant from October 31, 2016 through October 31, 2025 are included in Part A of this Registration Statement in the section entitled "Financial Highlights."

Part B: The Registrant's Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, and the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, thereon, as included in the Registrant's annual report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, are incorporated by reference into Part B of this Registration Statement in the section entitled "Financial Statements."

2.Exhibits

[tbl:exhibit,6,,0]

(a)(1) Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (January 12, 2016). (5)

(a)(2) Certificate of Trust. (1)

(a)(3) Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust (6)

(b)Amended and Restated By-Laws(May 15, 2020). (4)

(c)Not Applicable

(d)See Declaration of Trust and By-Laws cited under Items 25(a)(1) and 25(b)

(e)Not Applicable

(f)Not Applicable

(g)Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Victory Capital Management Inc. (6)

(h)Form of Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and Victory Capital Services, Inc. (6)

(i)Not Applicable

(j)(1) Global Custodial Services Agreement for Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund with Citibank, N.A. dated October 20, 2025. (6)

(k)(1) Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement between Registrant and Victory Capital Management Inc. (6)

(k)(2) Sub-Administrationand Sub-FundAccounting Agreement between Victory Capital Management Inc. and Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. dated October 1, 2025. (6)

(k)(3) Transfer Agency Services Order for Victory Portfolios IV, Victory Variable Insurance Funds II and Pioneer ILS Interval Fund with FIS Investor Services LLC dated September 30, 2025. (6)

(k)(4) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Victory Capital Management Inc. dated April 1, 2025. (6)

(l)Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. (3)

(m)Not Applicable

(n)(1) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Victory Pioneer ILS Interval Fund. *

(n)(2) Consent of Sidley Austin LLP. (6)

(o)Not Applicable

(p)Initial Share Purchase Agreement. (2)

(q)Not applicable

(r)(1) Code of Ethics of the Registrant. (6)

(r)(2) Code of Ethics of Victory Capital Management Inc. and Victory Capital Services, Inc. (6)

(s)Powers of Attorney of: John E. Baumgardner, Jr., David C. Brown, Diane Durnin, Benjamin M. Friedman, Craig C. MacKay, Lorraine H. Monchak, Thomas J. Perna and Fred J. Ricciardi. (6)

(1)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with the Registrant's Initial Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2014 (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-14-298380).

(2)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2014 (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-14-351820).

(3)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2018 (SEC Accession No. 0001616037-18-000014).

(4)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant's

Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2021 (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-21-054501).

(5)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2022 (SEC Accession No. 00001193125-22-054511).

(6)Previously filed. Incorporated herein by reference from the exhibits filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-197909; 811-22987), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2026 (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-26-078191).

*Filed herewith.

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

Reference is made to the Form of Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and Victory Capital Services, Inc. filed as Exhibit (h).

Item 27. Other Expenses and Distribution

Not applicable.

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

Not applicable.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

As of April 30, 2026, the number of record holders of Common Shares of securities of the Registrant was:

[tbl:dir,6,,2]

(1)

(2)

Title of Class

Number of Record Holders

Common Shares

39

(no par value)

Item 30. Indemnification

Except for the Fund's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), establishing the Fund as a statutory trust under Delaware law, there is no contract, arrangement or statute under which any Trustee, officer, underwriter or affiliated person of the Fund is insured or indemnified. The Declaration provides that every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Fund shall be indemnified by the Fund or the appropriate Fund series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be available to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

Information pertaining to business and other connections of the Registrant's investment adviser, Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or "Adviser"), is hereby incorporated by reference to the section of the Prospectus captioned "Organization and Management of the Fund" and to the section of the SAI captioned "Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers." The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. ("VCH"), a publicly traded Delaware corporation.

The principal executive officers and directors of the Adviser and VCH are as follows:

[tbl:sig,6,,0,,,]

David C. Brown

Director, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Adviser and VCH

Michael D.

President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of Adviser and VCH,

Policarpo, II

Director of Adviser

Nina Gupta

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Adviser and VCH, Director of Adviser

The business address of the foregoing individuals is 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, Texas 78256.

None of the directors or officers of the Adviser is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

Item 32. Location of accounts and records

1.Victory Capital Management Inc., 15935 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, Texas 78256 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser and administrator).

2.Citibank, N.A. 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013 (records relating to its function as custodian).

3.Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 4400 Easton Commons, Columbus. Ohio 43219 (records relating to its functions as sub- administrator and sub-fund accountant).

4.FIS Investor Services LLC, 4249 Easton Way, Suite 400, Columbus. Ohio 43219 (records relating to its functions as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

5.Victory Capital Services, Inc., 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 (records relating to its function as distributor).

Item 33. Management services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

1.Not applicable.

2.Not applicable.

3.The Registrant undertakes:

a.to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

(1)to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(2)to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

(3)to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

b.that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

c.to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

d.that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(1)not applicable;

(2)if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part

of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

e. that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

(1)any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;

(2)free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(3)the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.482] relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(4)any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

4.Not applicable.

5.Not applicable.

6.Not applicable.

7.The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prominent delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request the Registrant's statement of additional information.


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that this Registration Statement meets all of the requirements for effectiveness under Rule 486(b), and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 10th day of June 2026.
VICTORY PIONEER ILS INTERVAL FUND
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on the 10th day of June 2026.
Signature
Title
/s/ Thomas Dusenberry
Thomas Dusenberry
President (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Carol D. Trevino
Carol D. Trevino
Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
Thomas J. Perna *
Thomas J. Perna
Chair
John E. Baumgardner, Jr. *
John E. Baumgardner, Jr.
Trustee
David C. Brown *
David C. Brown
Trustee
Diane Durnin *
Diane Durnin
Trustee
Benjamin M. Friedman *
Benjamin M. Friedman
Trustee
Craig C. MacKay *
Craig C. MacKay
Trustee
Lorraine H. Monchak *
Lorraine H. Monchak
Trustee
Fred J. Ricciardi *
Fred J. Ricciardi
Trustee
*By: /s/ Thomas Dusenberry
______________________________
Thomas Dusenberry
Attorney-in-Fact

Pioneer ILS Interval Fund published this content on June 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR on June 10, 2026 at 21:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]