FAQs

How do I open an account at U.S. Global Investors?

For information on how to open an account, see How to Invest.

What types of deposits will be accepted for new accounts?

If you are establishing a new account online, initial purchases will be processed electronically by debiting your bank account.

Otherwise, mail your application to us with your investment check.  Please make checks payable to either: U.S. Global Investors, or the fund you are investing in. Investment checks must be written in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank.

We do not accept the following instruments: money orders, starter checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks, or other similar instruments. In addition, we do not accept cash or coins.

What are your minimum investment amounts?

Minimum Investments (all investments are per transaction, per fund account):

Standard Initial Investment( $5,000)

Initial Investment
with the ABC Investment Plan® ($1,000)

Subsequent  Purchases (1) ($100)

Where do I send my application and initial investment?

By Mail

To open an account, send your application and check to:

Regular Mail
U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04122

Overnight Mail
U.S. Global Investors Funds
c/o Atlantic Fund Services
3 Canal Plaza, Ground Floor
Portland, ME 04101

By Bank Wire
To fund your initial account by a wire transfer, please send the completed account applications to one of the addresses above and reference that you will be funding the account by wire. An Investor Representative will contact you once the initial account has been established to provide the proper wiring instructions and new account number.

Fax /Email
U.S. Global Investors Funds does not accept applications via fax or email.

Where can I get information on fees?

The fees below apply to accounts held directly with U.S. Global. Other minimums and/or additional fees may apply to U.S. Global funds you hold through your brokerage firm, which U.S. Global cannot control. U.S. Global is a no-load mutual fund family, meaning we do not assess any sales commissions to purchase or sell shares.

This guide was developed to assist our customers with important information from the fund prospectus(es). This guide should not be used in lieu of the fund prospectus(es). This information is for reference only and the current fund prospectus(es) is(are) the final arbiter of the terms and conditions related to your fund account. There may be additional fees for certain other activities, which are detailed in the fund prospectus(es). The information below is based on the most recent prospectus(es).

Administrative Fees(2) (all fees listed are per Fund account unless otherwise indicated)1 – The minimum subsequent investment amount is $100 per fund/account, regardless of the initial investment amount.

Fund (Ticker Symbol)

Global Luxury Goods Fund (USLUX)
Global Resources (PSPFX)
Gold and Precious Metals (USERX)
World Precious Minerals (UNWPX)
Near-Term Tax Free (NEARX)
U.S. Government Ultra-Short Bond Fund (UGSDX)

Domestic Wire Fee
$15

Small Account Fee(3)
Below $5000 $6 per Quarter

1 – The minimum subsequent investment amount is $100 per fund/account, regardless of the initial investment amount.
2 – An annual $20 custodial fee per account ($30 max per social security number) applies to all IRA, Roth IRA, Coverdell ESA, SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA accounts that have U.S. Bank, National Association as the Custodian of their U.S. Global Investors account through our transfer agent U.S. Bancorp. These annual custodial fees will be waived for accounts where the maximum annual contribution is made for that calendar year.
3 – Excludes accounts with an active, monthly, ABC Investment Plan® or any account whose registered owner has an aggregate value of $25,000 or more invested in the funds (excluding money market funds).

How soon after a deposit are funds available for withdrawal?

New purchases and deposits are not available for withdrawal until five (5) business days after your check is received by shareholder services. The five business day maturity period also applies to purchases made through our ABC Investment Plan® and by online purchase. The funds will not be responsible for any processing delay by the bank.

The maturity period was established to protect both our company and our shareholders from theft and fraud. Please note that purchases made by bank wire are available the next business day.

How do I access my account online?

You can login to your account by clicking on the My Account section on the top navigation bar on any page. You will need your user id and password to access your account information.

• Instructions for first time users: To establish online access, for existing account or to open a new account use the blue buttons on the right side of the page.
• Instructions for returning users: Please enter the user ID on the left side of the page

If you have difficulties accessing your account or need help resetting your password, please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for assistance, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm ET.

What options are available when I access my account online?

Once you establish online access to your account, you will have access to the following account options:

• View your current balance and account history.*
• Purchase shares.
• Establish and update automatic investments through the ABC Investment Plan®.
• Exchange shares to a new or existing fund on accounts with like registrations.
• Redeem shares (for non-retirement accounts only).
• Make changes to dividend/cap gains distribution options.
• Receive statements, fund reports, and fund prospectuses online through e-delivery (once e-delivery options become available).
• Change your mailing address and email address for e-delivery.

Generally, you will not be able to view transactions prior to the current calendar year.

When I access my account information on your website, how far back will the transaction history go?

Generally, you will not be able to view transactions prior to the current calendar year. If you need detailed information regarding your account, please call a representative at 1-800-873-8637, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm ET.

How do I buy shares for my existing account?

You can purchase shares online, by telephone, or by regular mail. For security reasons, we are unable to accept instructions to purchase shares via e-mail.

Online
Access your account, select the fund you want to purchase into by selecting the “Account Number/Fund” from the drop down. Enter the “Dollar Amount” you would like to purchase and follow the steps to confirm the purchase into your account.

If you do not have bank information on file to purchase shares online, please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for assistance.

By Telephone
You can call and speak to an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET) and request to purchase shares utilizing bank account information on file for online purchases.

The funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Before any discussion regarding your account, we will obtain certain information from you to verify your identity. The funds will not be responsible for any claim that a transaction taken by any party to the fund account was not authorized by other parties on the fund account. Additionally, your telephone calls may be recorded or monitored, and confirmations of account transactions are sent to the address of record.

By Mail
To open an account, send your application and check to:

Regular Mail
U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04112

Overnight Mail
U.S. Global Investors Funds
c/o Atlantic Fund Services
3 Canal Plaza, Ground Floor
Portland, ME 04101

To open a new fund in your existing account, please mail your check for the initial investment amount and note the fund name you wish to open.

By Bank Wire
To fund your account by wire, please call an Investor Representative at 1-800-873-8637 for wiring instructions. Representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.

By Automatic Investment—ABC Investment Plan®
Purchases received by Automatic Investment, through the ABC Investment Plan®, may be established by completing the appropriate sections on the initial application. Purchases received through the ABC Investment Plan® are not available for redemption for five business days or once we receive written confirmation from the issuing bank when your draft clears, whichever is earlier. An ABC Investment Plan® may also be established online. Please call an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for further instructions.

U.S. Global Investors Funds will charge you $25 if a check or ACH investment is returned unpaid due to insufficient funds, stop payment or other reasons and you will be responsible for any loss incurred by the fund. To recover any such loss or charge, the funds reserve the right to redeem shares of any affiliated funds that you own.

Investments received prior to 4:00 PM ET time will be invested at the closing price on the date received. Investments received after 4:00 PM ET will receive the next business day’s closing price.

A program of regular investing doesn’t assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. You should evaluate your ability to continue in such a program in view of the possibility that you may have to redeem fund shares in periods of declining share prices as well as in periods of rising prices.

Fax /Email
U.S. Global Investors Funds does not accept purchase instructions via fax or email.

Where do I mail my deposit?

Please mail your deposit to the following address:

U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04112

If you wish to send something by overnight delivery, please use the following address:

U.S. Global Investors Funds
c/o Atlantic Fund Services
3 Canal Plaza, Ground Floor
Portland, ME 04101

What types of deposits will be accepted for existing accounts?

To purchase fund shares, please make checks payable to U.S. Global Investors

We do not accept the following instruments: money orders, starter checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks, or other similar instruments. In addition, we do not accept cash or coins.

How soon after the deposit are funds available for withdrawal?

New purchases and deposits are not available for withdrawal until five (5) business days after your check is received by shareholder services. The five business day maturity period also applies to purchases made through our ABC Investment Plan® and by online purchase. The funds will not be responsible for any processing delay by the bank.

The maturity period was established to protect both our company and our shareholders from theft and fraud. Please note that purchases made by bank wire are available the next business day.

How do I change the investment amount or the date in my automatic investment program – ABC Investment Plan®?

To change your ABC Investment Plan® amount, or to change the date that monthly investments will be made, simply call an Investor Representative at (1-800-873-8637). If you wish to change the checking or savings account from which monthly investments are withdrawn, please download, print, and complete a new ABC Investment Plan® Enrollment Form and mail it to us along with a voided check from your account.

As an alternative, you can update your ABC Investment Plan ® by logging in to your account.

How do I exchange shares between my accounts at U.S. Global Investors?

You can exchange shares online and by telephone between accounts which bear the same registration and the same Taxpayer ID to a new or existing fund if your account has the telephone exchange privilege established.  If your account does not have telephone exchange privileges you can submit your exchange request by regular mail.  Exchanges made before 3:00 PM CT will get that day’s closing price.  For security reasons we are unable to accept instructions to exchange shares via e-mail.

Online: Access your account, select the “Exchange” link and pick the “From Account Number/Fund” you are exchanging from, select the “Cost Basis Method” to be used for the exchange, then select the “To Account Number/Fund” that you are exchanging into followed by the “Exchange Amount” and select the “Dollars or Shares” button. Follow the steps to confirm the exchange of your shares to the new fund.

By phone:You can call and speak to an Investor Representative at (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET) and exchange shares.

By mail: Send a written letter of instruction, referencing the applicable fund(s), account number(s), and the amount you wish to exchange, along with the original signature(s) of all registered account owners.  Please mail your exchange request to:

Regular Mail:
U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04112

How do I change the address of record on my account?

You can change your address online, by telephone or by regular mail. For security reasons, we are unable to accept address change requests via email.

Online: Access your account, select the “Account Detail” link, and click on “Address”, make address change updates and follow the steps to verify the changes.

By phone: You can update your address by calling and speaking to an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET).

By mail: Send a written letter of instruction or a completed Change of Address Form. Please include your account number(s) and new address, along with the name(s) and original signature(s) of all account owners. Please mail your change of address request to:

U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04122

Can I set up online delivery for my statements and reports instead of receiving them by regular mail?

To sign up for e-delivery of statements and fund reports, Access your account, select the “Account Detail” link and click the “Electronic Document Delivery” link. You can then select to receive ‘statements and confirms’ and ‘regulatory documents’ electronically. You will automatically receive email notifications when statements are available for viewing via online account access.

How can I order a copy of a current year account statement?

By phone: You can request a copy of a current year statement by calling and speaking to an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET).

How do I order copies of past checks/statements/tax documents?

Please call an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for assistance in ordering copies of checks, transaction histories or tax documents. The funds reserve the right to charge a fee for any historical information request regarding your fund account.

How do I re-register my existing account?

Several documents may be necessary in order to re-register your existing account. Please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-USFUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for more details.
How do I redeem/re-register an account if one of the owners of a joint account is now deceased?
Several documents may be necessary in order to redeem or re-register an account due to one or more of the registered account owners being deceased. Please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-USFUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for more details.

How does the executor redeem/re-register an individual account if the owner of a non retirement account is now deceased?

Several documents may be necessary in order to redeem or re-register an account due to one or more of the registered account owners being deceased. Please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-USFUNDS (1-800-873-8637) for more details.

How does the executor redeem/re-register an individual account if the owner of a non retirement account is now deceased?

Several documents may be necessary in order to redeem or re-register an account when the account owner is deceased. In most instances, the following documents are required:

• A certified copy of the Death Certificate which bears a raised seal or a colored stamp.
• A certified copy of the Letters Testamentary or a formal Court Appointment of Representative document dated within 60 days of the proposed transaction.
• A completed and signed. Change of Registration Form and a Redemption Authorization Form with a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp for each executor’s signature.

Questions regarding the death of an owner of a retirement account should be referred to an Investor Representative. If you have any questions regarding the process of redeeming or re-registering an account due to the death of the registered owner, please contact an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637).

What is a Medallion Signature Guarantee and where can I obtain one?

A Medallion Signature Guarantee is a guarantee by the transferring financial institution that the signature is genuine and the financial institution accepts liability for any forgery.

A Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker-dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution which participates in a Medallion program of the Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (STAMP) or the NYSE Medallion Signature Program, as long as the amount of the transaction does not exceed the relevant surety coverage of the medallion. Signature guarantees from financial institutions which do not participate in a Medallion program will not be accepted. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp. Military personnel may acknowledge their signatures before officers authorized to take acknowledgments (e.g., legal officers and adjutants).

How do I redeem shares for a non-retirement account?

You can redeem up to $50,000.00 per day to the address on record or to bank account information already on file online or by telephone for non-retirement accounts if your account has the telephone redemption privilege established. If your account does not have telephone redemption privileges, you can submit your redemption request by regular mail. For security reasons we are unable to accept instructions to redeem shares via e-mail.

Online: Access your account, select the “Redemption” link and select the fund you want to redeem out of by selecting the “Account Number/Fund” from the drop down. Enter the “Dollar Amount” or “Share Amount” you would like to redeem, the method of payment and follow the steps to confirm the redemption from your account.

By phone: You can call and speak to an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 EM CT) and redeem shares.
By mail: Send a written letter of instruction or a completed Redemption Authorization Form. Please include your account number(s) and redemption amount, along with the original signature(s) of all registered account owner(s). Please mail your redemption request to:

U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04122

Redemption requests must be submitted in writing and bear a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each account owner’s original signature in the following situations:

• Redemptions proceeds are over $50,000.00.
• Redemptions to a different account registration, payee or an address other than the address of record.
• Redemptions made within fifteen (15) days of a change in the address of record.
• Redemptions to a bank account that is not currently on file or to a bank account added within fifteen (15) days.

How may I withdraw from my retirement account (IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA)?

You can redeem up to $50,000.00 per day to the address on record or to bank account information already on file by telephone for IRA accounts if your account has the telephone redemption privilege established. If your account does not have telephone redemption privileges, you can submit your redemption request by regular mail. For security reasons we are unable to accept instructions to redeem shares via e-mail.

By phone: You can call and speak to an Investor Representative at 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637) during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET) and redeem shares.

By mail: Send a written letter of instruction or a completed IRA Distribution Form. Please include your account number(s) and redemption amount, along with the original signature of the IRA account owner. Please mail your redemption request to:

U.S. Global Investors Funds
PO Box 588
Portland, ME 04122

Redemption requests must be submitted in writing and bear a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each account owner’s original signature in the following situations:

• Redemptions proceeds are over $50,000.00.
• Redemptions to a different account registration, payee or an address other than the address of record.
• Redemptions made within fifteen (15) days of a change in the address of record.
• Redemptions to a bank account that is not currently on file or to a bank account added within fifteen (15) days.

For more questions about the IRS changes, please contact one of our Investor Representatives at 1-800-873-8637 with general questions.

Reminder: Information provided here is neither tax nor legal advice and is general in nature. You should consult your tax advisor, financial advisor or local taxing authority for specific information regarding your tax situation as every tax situation is different. Federal and state laws and regulations are subject to change and may have a material impact on pre- and/or after-tax investment results. U.S. Global Investors Inc. and the U.S. Global Investors Funds disclaim any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information.

What type of funds and accounts will report cost basis?

• The IRS regulations affect only taxable accounts (accounts for which a Tax Form 1099-B is generated).
• Cost basis will not be provided on retirement, non-profit, or business accounts (except for S corporations), or accounts with only money market funds.

Why can’t I elect to track cost basis on my retirement account?

• The IRS does not require that mutual fund companies track cost basis on retirement accounts (e.g., IRAs, Roth IRAs).
• However, if you made nondeductible contributions to your IRA, you may need to determine your cost basis.
• See IRS Publication 590a and IRS Publication 590b for guidance or consider speaking to a tax advisor.

When do I have to decide on a cost basis method?

• U.S. Global Investors will automatically assign the Average Cost method to all existing and future accounts. No action is required to keep Average Cost as your cost basis method.
• If you want to select a method other than Average Cost, please complete the Cost Basis Election Form or log on to your account.

What if my account has both covered and non-covered shares?

• Per IRS regulations, mutual fund companies are to treat the covered and non-covered shares within the same account as if they are in separate accounts (known as bifurcated accounts).
• When you submit a redemption request, non-covered shares will be redeemed before covered shares unless you specifically identify covered shares using the specific lot identification method.
• Because covered and non-covered shares are treated as if they are in separate accounts, wash sale reporting will be affected.

How will covered and non-covered shares be reported on my Tax Form 1099-B?

• Your Tax Form 1099-B will display whether redemptions consist of covered and/or non-covered shares.
• You can see the following possible combinations of history for each redemption:
• Covered shares, long-term (held longer than one year)
• Covered shares, short-term (held one year or less)
• Non-covered, long-term
• Non-covered, short-term
• Unknown

Will you determine if a sale results in a capital gain or loss?

Although we will report cost basis for the sales (or exchanges) of covered shares to the IRS, you will be responsible for reporting capital gain or loss information for both covered and non-covered shares to the IRS.

What methods can be used to calculate cost basis (for covered shares)?

The IRS has approved the following methods to calculate cost basis for covered shares.

How can I make my initial cost basis election?

• The Average Cost method will be automatically assigned to your accounts.
• If you do not want to use the Average Cost method, you can select an alternate method by doing one of the following:
• Complete and return the Cost Basis Election Form.
• Log on to your account.
• Due to IRS regulations, a telephone request to make your initial cost basis election cannot be accepted.

What if I want to change my cost basis method?

• You can change your cost basis method at any time.
• Changes to or from the Average Cost method (including your initial election) must be made by doing one of the following:
• Complete the Cost Basis Election Form.
• Log on to your account.

Are there any restrictions to changing my cost basis methods?

There are no restrictions when changing to or from non-average cost methods.

• If you decide to change to or from the Average Cost method, your change will be processed as a revocation if made within the revocation period which is the earlier of:
• One year from when the election is made
  -or-
• The first sale of covered shares (a redemption of non-covered shares will not affect your revocation period)
• Changing your method during the revocation period allows you to apply your newly elected method(s) retroactively to all covered shares.

What if I make my change from Average Cost after the revocation period ?

• If you change from the Average Cost method after the revocation period, your newly elected method will apply only to covered shares purchased after you update your method.
• Covered shares that were purchased prior to the change will retain the Average Cost method.

Why is a secondary method needed if I choose the specific lot identification method (SLID)?

• When you request a redemption using the SLID method, you must identify specific “lots” or shares. If the lots are not sufficient to complete your redemption request (e.g., due to market fluctuation or a previous transaction), an alternate lot will be identified using the secondary method that you’ve selected.
• FIFO automatically will be used if you do not elect a secondary method.

What is a wash sale?

• The IRS does not allow you to deduct losses from sales resulting in a wash sale.
• A wash sale occurs when you sell or trade stock or securities at a loss within 30 days before or after you buy or acquire substantially identical stock or securities.
• Refer to the IRS website for more details on wash sales.

How will wash sales be reported?

• Covered and non-covered shares will be treated as if they are in separate accounts.
• Uncovered shares that are redeemed at a loss cannot be washed against covered repurchased shares and vice versa for cost basis reporting purposes.
• Although you are required to comply with the IRS wash sale rules for sales of securities that are substantially similar, mutual fund companies are required to report wash sales only when the securities involved have the same CUSIP number and when the sale and repurchase occur in the same account.
• Consider speaking to a tax advisor for guidance and assistance with reporting wash sales.

What is an S corporation?

• The IRS defines S corporations as corporations that elect to pass corporate income, losses, deductions and credit through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes.
• To qualify for S corporation status, the corporation must meet the following requirements:
• Be a domestic corporation
• Have only allowable shareholders
• Have no more than 100 shareholders
• Have one class of stock
• Not be an ineligible corporation (i.e., certain financial institutions, insurance companies, and domestic international sales corporations)
• See the S corporations section of the IRS website for more information.

U.S. Global Investor Representatives are unable to determine your corporation’s status. Please consider speaking to a tax advisor.

How will tax reporting change for S corporations?

Due to IRS regulations, a Tax Form 1099-B will be issued for S corporations when a sale of covered shares occurs.
How will U.S. Global Investors determine if my corporation is an S corporation?
A letter was mailed out to corporations in June of 2011. The letter requested that a Form W-9 be completed and returned to us indicating your company’s corporate status.
If the Form W-9 was not returned, your corporation’s account was coded as an S corporation.

How do I change my corporation’s status?

To update your company’s status, please complete and return a Form W-9 to:
U.S. Global Investors
P.O. Box 588
Portland, ME 04112

Where can I learn more about the cost basis reporting changes?

You can learn more by accessing the Cost Basis Reporting Overview and FAQs section of the IRS website.