Launch an ETF or a mutual fund within an established trust framework, reducing time to market, streamlining operations, and operating with proven governance from day one.
Join a Series Trust
Join an established trust framework for efficient fund launches
Launch efficiently with an established series trust
Reduce the cost and complexity of launching an ETF or a mutual fund by leveraging an established series trust. Ultimus sponsors series trusts that include an experienced Board of Trustees, experienced and qualified officers, and established vendor relationships, including fund counsel and auditors, supported by coordinated best-in-class administration, accounting, and shareholder servicing. This structure provides a proven operating foundation while allowing you to stay focused on strategy and growth.
Leverage a proven series trust structure
Accelerate launch with an established structure
Launching within an existing trust means eliminating the need to build governance and infrastructure from the ground up. This allows you to move through fund organization and registration more efficiently, using a proven framework that provides support, streamlined fund setup, and experienced coordination throughout SEC review.
Operate within embedded governance and compliance
With an established board and oversight framework already in place, we help you maintain consistency, meet both regulatory and time to market expectations, while also avoiding organizational cost burdens that come with trust structures by providing board coordination, legal support, and regulatory oversight aligned with trust policies and ongoing compliance requirements.
Prepare distribution and intermediary relationships
Distribution readiness requires coordination with broker-dealers and platforms, so you can move into the market with confidence. We support broker-dealer onboarding, manage intermediary relationships, and align sales processes to position your fund for an efficient market entry.
Benefits
Reduce time to market
Launch within an established trust structure to shorten timelines and reduce the effort required to bring a fund to market.
Optimize cost structure
Share operational costs across funds within an established trust framework, helping improve efficiency and better align expense structures.
Operate with built-in governance
Access an established board and service provider network that supports oversight and continuity from launch forward.
Support distribution from day one
Establish the operational foundation needed to engage intermediaries and support investor access and sales activity.
Maintain flexibility as you scale
Operate within a structured framework while retaining the ability to transition to a standalone trust as your fund evolves.
Compare series trust and standalone trust structures
Consideration | Series trust | Standalone trust |
Governance structure | Shared board and trust officers across multiple funds | Dedicated board and officers for a single fund family; typically, with more advisor engagement required for governance effort |
Cost profile | Shared infrastructure, inherent scale, and vendor leverage support lower operating costs | Higher standalone costs |
Time to launch | Faster launch using an existing trust framework, with automatic SEC effectiveness 75 days from filing | Longer timeline due to proprietary trust formation and other organizational requirements |
Operational flexibility | Standardized framework with defined flexibility; more immediate optionality with vendor changes | Structural control with customization |
Reorganization path | Can reorganize into a standalone trust as scale increases | Can reorganize into a series trust for operational efficiency |
Reorganize a fund into the right trust structure
As funds evolve, your original trust structure may no longer align with governance preferences, operating scale, or long‑term growth objectives. Ultimus supports trust reorganizations that allow funds to transition between series trust and standalone trust structures through a governed, well‑coordinated process designed to minimize disruption and preserve continuity for boards, investors, and service providers.
Trust reorganizations are treated as regulated fund events, with defined approvals, careful coordination across stakeholders, and a focus on maintaining service quality before, during, and after the transition.
Frequently asked questions
What is a series trust?
A series trust is a shared mutual fund trust structure that allows managers to launch one or more funds without forming a proprietary trust, using an established governance and service-provider framework.
What services are included when joining a series trust?
Series trust participation is supported by coordinated services required across the spectrum including, but not limited to, fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agency and shareholder servicing, custody, legal, and audit with additional launch and governance support as needed. Advisors can be assured with the knowledge that all the requirements and relationships required for a successful launch are in place.
How does board and governance oversight work?
Series trusts include an established Board of Trustees and qualified officers, with supporting counsel and auditors. Governance and reporting processes are structured to support ongoing oversight.
Can multiple funds be launched within the same series trust?
Yes. Series trust structures are designed to support multiple funds under a single trust framework, enabling managers to expand offerings efficiently.
Can a fund transition out of a series trust later?
A series trust can serve as a launch and operating framework. If a standalone structure becomes appropriate over time, transition planning can be evaluated based on the fund’s growth and objectives.