PPM America, Inc., PPM Loan Management Company, LLC and PPM Funds (collectively, “PPM”) are committed to keeping nonpublic information about clients and potential clients secure and confidential. We do not disclose your information to anyone except as required by law, described in this policy, or as you otherwise permit. Most importantly, we do not sell your information to anyone.
Below is a list of the categories of personal information we have collected within the past 12 months. We did not necessarily collect all the specific pieces of personal information listed for any given person. Please note that these personal information categories are as they are set forth under California law.
We receive personal information through two primary means: information you provide us directly and information we collect automatically.
When interacting with our PPM email marketing materials, our systems automatically log information about your interaction with that email as well as information about your computer or mobile device. For example, our system logs when you open an email from us, what links in our emails you select, your IP address, your computer or mobile device operating system name and version, browser and email client type, how long you spent on a page, and information about your use of and actions on the email newsletter. If you currently receive PPM email marketing materials but wish to stop receiving these communications, please follow the opt-out instructions contained within the email message from PPM.
Use of your personal information depends on your relationship to PPM. We did not necessarily collect all the specific pieces of personal information listed above for any one specific business purpose, but rather, we used personal information, generally, in the following circumstances, including:
· Servicing clients. For example, personal information may be needed to maintain or service accounts, process or fulfill orders and transactions, or process payments.
· Performing due diligence. For example, we may need to conduct research or evaluate individuals in connection with an investment or sale on behalf of our clients or with respect to a corporate restructuring, merger or acquisition or similar proceeding.
· Employment with PPM. For example, we collect information throughout our hiring process, talent evaluation, inquiries, benefits enrollment, compensation and termination.
· Pursuant to law or regulation. For example, we might use the information you provide us to verify your identity or identify individuals within your organization to help fulfill certain legal or regulatory requirements.
· Interacting with our service providers. For example, PPM may receive personal information during the course of our business relationship for onboarding, background checks, or, depending on your relationship to PPM, as required to attest to PPM’s compliance policies and code of conduct.
· As part of a corporate transaction. For example, a transaction with a successor or affiliate or in connected with any acquisition, merger or sale of assets.
· Respond to your requests or questions. For example, we might use the information you provided us to respond to your questions or feedback.
For those who interact with our PPM email marketing materials or our website, we collect and use your information to:
· Provide relevant news and information. For example, we might use your information to customize your experience with us and help us better understand your interests and needs so that we can improve your experience with our online content.
· Improve our website, products or services. For example, we might use anonymized information to enhance your experience with us or improve content on our websites.
SHARING PERSONAL INFORMATION
PPM does not share your personal information with “third parties” as defined by the California Consumer Privacy Act.
We may share your information with affiliates and non-affiliated third-parties that perform support services for PPM. These parties are subject to agreements that require them to maintain the confidentiality of your information and to use it only in the course of providing such services. We will also share information if you so direct or with your consent, if we are compelled by law or regulation, as part of a corporate transaction with a successor or affiliate or in connected with any acquisition, merger or sale of assets, or in other circumstances as permitted by law (for example, to protect your account from fraud).
SPECIFIC PRIVACY RIGHTS
California-specific privacy rights. The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) provides residents of California enhanced privacy rights, including the following:
· Right to know about your personal information PPM collects and discloses
· Right to access information PPM has collected about you
· Right to request PPM delete your personal information
· Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
We do not discriminate against you, for example, by offering a different level of service, for exercising any of these rights. While the CCPA also provides California residents with the right to opt-out of sales of personal information to third parties, it is important to know we do not sell your personal information. Additionally, we do not knowingly collect or sell the personal information of minors (individuals under 16 years of age) without affirmative authorization.
Should you wish to exercise any of the above rights, please use this link to submit a request, or if you are unable to complete the form, please call (866) 352-4564. To protect your privacy, you will be required to provide information to help verify your identity. Only you, or someone legally authorized to act on your behalf, may make a verifiable consumer request related to your personal information. We will make good faith efforts to provide you with access to your information when you request it, but we cannot grant your request if we cannot verify your identity or authority to make the request and confirm that the personal information relates to you. Further, there may be other circumstances in which we may not grant access. In all cases, we will provide you with an explanation of our determination and a point of contact for further enquiries.
Additionally, under California Civil law, Californians are entitled to request information relating to whether a business has disclosed personal data to any third parties for the third parties’ direct marketing purposes. Californians who wish to request further information about our compliance with this statute or who have questions, more generally, about our Privacy Policy and our privacy commitments and our website should contact us at privacy@ppmamerica.com or at PPM America, 225 West Wacker Dr., Suite 1200, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
USE OF COOKIES
A cookie is a piece of data stored within the web browser on your computer by the websites you visit. Cookies are widely used to improve browsing experience and help websites function more efficiently. The cookies we use enable certain functionality of the website and facilitate website usage analysis. This will enable us to continually improve the website and our systems. The cookies do not hold any personal information about you. We do not associate any data gathered from cookies with any of your personal information. From our website, PPM may place cookies on your computer. There are two types of cookies that we use:
· Session cookies - these cookies are temporarily created when you visit our website. When you leave the website all session cookies are deleted.
· Persistent cookies - these cookies remain on your computer for the period of time specified in the cookie. They are activated each time you visit our website which created that particular cookie.
Many Internet browsers allow you to adjust your cookie preferences or delete existing cookies. If you set your browser to reject cookies, you should be aware that certain website features may not be available to you or may not function correctly. Certain Internet browsers may provide you the choice to set "Do Not Track" preferences, to limit the collection of information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites or online services. PPM’s systems do not respond to Internet browser "do not track" signals or similar mechanisms.
LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY SITES
The PPM website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any such other website (whether accessed through an advertisement, service or content link) and urge you to review such practices prior to submitting any information to such websites.
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
We recognize that information security is a crucial topic. To protect information, we've utilized an information security program to protect the integrity of our systems and applications. We implemented precautions throughout our organization, as well as our affiliates, including, where appropriate, the following: password protection, multi-factor authentication, encryption, TLS, firewalls, and internal restrictions on who may access data to protect the information we collect from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
We restrict access to personal information to authorized employees and in some cases to third parties as permitted by law. In addition to the requirements in this policy, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard sensitive information. We adhere to these standards even after a business relationship ends.
CHANGES TO POLICY
This policy provides a general statement of the ways in which PPM protects your personal information. You may, however, in connection with specific products or services offered by PPM, be provided with privacy policies or statements that supplement this policy. PPM reserves the right to change its privacy policy or any supporting or related policies or procedures at any time. If there are any changes to the terms of this privacy policy, documents containing the revised policy will be updated, including our website at PPM Privacy Policy or http://ppmamerica.com/privacy-policy, and will be effective immediately. Contact us at privacy@ppmamerica.com should you have any questions about this privacy policy.
This policy was last updated on February 20, 2020.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable to the semi-annual filing.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable to the semi-annual filing.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable to the semi-annual filing.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Included as a part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
No material changes have been made.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) | The registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, is recorded, processed, |
| summarized, and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such information is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. |
Within ninety (90) days prior to the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR, the registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the registrant’s management, including the registrant’s principal executive officer and the registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(b) | There have been no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation in connection with the preparation of this report on Form N-CSR. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 13. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | PPM Funds |
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By: | | /s/ Mark D. Nerud |
| | Mark D. Nerud |
| | Principal Executive Officer |
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Date: | | September 2, 2020 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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By: | | /s/ Mark D. Nerud |
| | Mark D. Nerud |
| | Principal Executive Officer |
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Date: | | September 2, 2020 |
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By: | | /s/ Daniel W. Koors |
| | Daniel W. Koors |
| | Principal Financial Officer |
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Date: | | September 2, 2020 |
EXHIBIT LIST
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Exhibit 13(a)(2) | | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
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| | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
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Exhibit 13(b) | | Certification required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |