Columbia Funds Series Trust I

11/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2024 12:03

Annual Report by Investment Company Form N CSR

8dcf824058876b1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number
811-04367
Columbia Funds Series Trust I
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Daniel J. Beckman
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(800) 345-6611
Date of fiscal year end:
Last Day of August
Date of reporting period:
August 31, 2024
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio
MBSAX
Annual Shareholder Report | August 31, 2024
This annual shareholder report contains important information about Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio (the Fund) for the period of September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at
columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature
. You can also request more information by contacting us at
1-800-345-6611.
What were the Fund costs for the reporting period?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
Fund Cost of a $10,000 investment Cost paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio
$
0.00
0.00
%
Management's Discussion of Fund Performance
The performance of the Fund for the period presented is shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table.
Top Performance Contributors
Duration
| Duration and curve positioning added materially to performance, as the Fund held exposure to duration-sensitive securities that provided positive performance while Treasury yields stabilized and eventually fell over the period, specifically in the belly of the Treasury curve.
Sector allocations
| Positive contributions to the Fund's performance were driven by exposure to high-yield corporates, agency mortgage-backed securities, investment-grade corporates, and emerging market debt.
Top Performance Detractors
Derivatives usage
| On a standalone basis, the Fund's use of derivatives had a negative impact on Fund performance during the period.
Fund Performance
The following shows the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund during the stated time period.
Growth of $10,000
Average Annual Total Returns (%) 1 year Since Fund
Inception
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio 14.90 5.67
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 7.30 0.15
Past performance does not guarantee future performance
. Performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on fund distributions or on the redemptions of fund shares. Performance results reflect the effect of any fee waivers/expense reimbursements, if applicable. All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions. Visit
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/mutual-funds
for more recent performance information.
Key Fund Statistics
Fund net assets
$
2,709,504
Total number of portfolio holdings 15
Management services fees
(represents 0.0% of Fund average net assets)
$
-
Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 967%
Graphical Representation of Fund Holdings
The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio composition is subject to change.
Derivative Exposure
Long
Credit Risk 92.3
%
Interest Rate Risk 40.4
%
Short
Interest Rate Risk 26.5
%
Asset Categories
Availability of Additional Information
For additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, federal tax information and proxy voting information, visit the Fund's website included at the beginning of this report.
The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed
by
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2024 Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured • No Financial Institution Guarantee •
May
Lose Value

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code") that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. During the period covered by this report, there were not any amendments to a provision of the Code that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers, including any implicit waivers, from a provision of the Code that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of Form N-CSR. A copy of the Code is attached hereto.



Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that J. Kevin Connaughton, Brian J. Gallagher, Douglas A. Hacker, David M. Moffett and Sandra L. Yeager qualify as "audit committee financial experts," as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. Mr. Connaughton, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Hacker, Mr. Moffett and Ms. Yeager, are also each "independent" members of the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.



Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The Registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years. The following table details the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for each of the last two fiscal years for the series of the relevant registrant whose reports to shareholders are included in this annual filing.

Amount billed to the registrant ($) Amount billed to the registrant's
investment advisor ($)
August 31, 2024 August 31, 2023 August 31, 2024 August 31, 2023
Audit fees (a) 41,499 40,290 0 0
Audit-related fees (b) 0 0 0 0
Tax fees (c) 13,795 12,850 0 0
All other fees (d) 0 0 0 0
Non-audit fees (g) 0 0 581,000 577,000

(a) Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(b) Audit-Related Fees include amounts for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported in Audit Fees above.

(c) Tax Fees include amounts for the review of annual tax returns, the review of required shareholder distribution calculations and typically include amounts for professional services by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and foreign tax filings, if applicable.

(d) All Other Fees include amounts for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above and typically include SOC-1 reviews.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The registrant's Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the engagement of the registrant's independent auditors to provide audit and non-audit services to the registrant and non-audit services to its investment adviser (excluding any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment adviser (the "Adviser") or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund (a "Control Affiliate") if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

The Audit Committee has adopted a Policy for Engagement of Independent Auditors for Audit and Non-Audit Services (the "Policy"). The Policy sets forth the understanding of the Audit Committee regarding the engagement of the registrant's independent accountants to provide (i) audit and permissible audit-related, tax and other services to the registrant ("Fund Services"); (ii) non-audit services to the registrant's Adviser and any Control Affiliates, that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a Fund ("Fund-related Adviser Services"); and (iii) certain other audit and non-audit services to the registrant's Adviser and its Control Affiliates. A service will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the Fund's independent auditor; provided, however, that pre-approval of non-audit services to the Fund, the Adviser or Control Affiliates may be waived if certain de minimis requirements set forth in the SEC's rules are met.

Under the Policy, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to any pre-designated member or members who are independent board members. The member(s) to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. The Audit Committee's responsibilities with respect to the pre-approval of services performed by the independent auditor may not be delegated to management.

On an annual basis, at a regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, the Fund's Treasurer or other Fund officer shall submit to the Audit Committee a schedule of the types of Fund Services and Fund-related Adviser Services that are subject to specific pre-approval. This schedule will provide a description of each type of service that is subject to specific pre-approval, along with total projected fees for each service. The pre-approval will generally cover a one-year period. The Audit Committee will review and approve the types of services and the projected fees for the next one-year period and may add to, or subtract from, the list of pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. This specific approval acknowledges that the Audit Committee is in agreement with the specific types of services that the independent auditor will be permitted to perform and the projected fees for each service.

The Fund's Treasurer or other Fund officer shall report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services provided since the last such report was rendered, including a description of the services, by category, with forecasted fees for the annual reporting period, proposed changes requiring specific pre-approval and a description of services provided by the independent auditor, by category, with actual fees during the current reporting period.

(e)(2) None, or 0%, of the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees paid by the Fund or affiliated entities relating directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant disclosed above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (which permits audit committee approval after the start of the engagement with respect to services other than audit, review or attest services, if certain conditions are satisfied).

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant.

(h) The registrant's Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.

(i) Not applicable.

(j) Not applicable.



Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.



Item 6. Investments.

(a) The registrant's "Schedule I - Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers" (as set forth in 17 CFR 210.12-12) is included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Not applicable.



Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.



Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
August 31, 2024
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured
No Financial Institution Guarantee
May Lose Value
Table of Contents
Portfolio of Investments
3
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
6
Statement of Operations
7
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
8
Financial Highlights
9
Notes to Financial Statements
10
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
24
Approval of Management Agreement
25
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Portfolio of Investments August 31, 2024
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Investments in securities
Corporate Bonds & Notes 26.0%
Issuer
Coupon
Rate
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Banking 5.0%
Bank of America Corp.(a)
09/15/2029
5.819%
130,000
135,769
Life Insurance 5.5%
Metropolitan Life Global Funding I(b)
08/25/2025
4.050%
150,000
149,086
Pharmaceuticals 5.2%
Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte., Ltd.
05/19/2026
4.450%
140,000
140,142
Retailers 4.8%
Amazon.com, Inc.
12/01/2025
4.600%
130,000
130,426
Technology 5.5%
Microsoft Corp.
11/03/2025
3.125%
150,000
148,033
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes
(Cost $695,335)
703,456
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency 76.1%
Issuer
Coupon
Rate
Principal
Amount ($)
Value ($)
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security TBA(c)
09/16/2054
3.500%
400,000
368,232
09/16/2054
4.000%
750,000
711,646
09/16/2054
4.500%
500,000
486,371
09/16/2054
5.000%
500,000
496,401
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency
(Cost $2,061,340)
2,062,650
Money Market Funds 66.5%
Shares
Value ($)
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 5.521%(d),(e)
1,802,815
1,802,455
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost $1,801,897)
1,802,455
Total Investments in Securities
(Cost: $4,558,572)
4,568,561
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net
(1,859,057
)
Net Assets
2,709,504
At August 31, 2024, securities and/or cash totaling $227,827 were pledged as collateral.
Investments in derivatives
Long futures contracts
Description
Number of
contracts
Expiration
date
Trading
currency
Notional
amount
Value/Unrealized
appreciation ($)
Value/Unrealized
depreciation ($)
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note
10
12/2024
USD
1,093,984
-
(958
)
Short futures contracts
Description
Number of
contracts
Expiration
date
Trading
currency
Notional
amount
Value/Unrealized
appreciation ($)
Value/Unrealized
depreciation ($)
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note
(4)
12/2024
USD
(454,250
)
2,796
-
U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond
(2)
12/2024
USD
(263,875
)
4,715
-
Total
7,511
-
Cleared credit default swap contracts - sell protection
Reference
entity
Counterparty
Maturity
date
Receive
fixed
rate
(%)
Payment
frequency
Implied
credit
spread
(%)*
Notional
currency
Notional
amount
Value
($)
Upfront
payments
($)
Upfront
receipts
($)
Unrealized
appreciation
($)
Unrealized
depreciation
($)
Markit CDX Emerging Markets
Index, Series 41
Morgan Stanley
06/20/2029
1.000
Quarterly
1.625
USD
1,000,000
5,689
-
-
5,689
-
Markit CDX North America High
Yield Index, Series 42
Morgan Stanley
06/20/2029
5.000
Quarterly
3.233
USD
1,500,000
25,743
-
-
25,743
-
Total
31,432
-
-
31,432
-
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
3
Portfolio of Investments (continued) August 31, 2024
* Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issues as of period end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity's credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.
Notes to Portfolio of Investments
(a)
Represents a variable rate security with a step coupon where the rate adjusts according to a schedule for a series of periods, typically lower for an initial period and then increasing to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of August 31, 2024.
(b)
Represents privately placed and other securities and instruments exempt from Securities and Exchange Commission registration (collectively, private placements), such as Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A eligible securities, which are often sold only to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2024, the total value of these securities amounted to $149,086, which represents 5.50% of total net assets.
(c)
Represents a security purchased on a when-issued basis.
(d)
The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at August 31, 2024.
(e)
As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the company's outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The value of the holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the year ended August 31, 2024 are as follows:
Affiliated issuers
Beginning
of period($)
Purchases($)
Sales($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)($)
End of
period($)
Realized gain
(loss)($)
Dividends($)
End of
period shares
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 5.521%
1,158,101
2,015,655
(1,371,466
)
165
1,802,455
(24
)
91,370
1,802,815
Abbreviation Legend
TBA
To Be Announced
Currency Legend
USD
US Dollar
Fair value measurements
The Fund categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by prioritizing that the most observable input be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing an investment based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Fund's assumptions about the information market participants would use in pricing an investment. An investment's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is deemed significant to the asset's or liability's fair value measurement. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, certain U.S. government securities are generally high quality and liquid, however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.
Fair value inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices for investments in active markets that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 investments.

Level 2 - Valuations based on other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.).

Level 3 - Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions and judgment in determining the fair value of investments).
Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment's fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels within the hierarchy.
Investments falling into the Level 3 category are primarily supported by quoted prices from brokers and dealers participating in the market for those investments. However, these may be classified as Level 3 investments due to lack of market transparency and corroboration to support these quoted prices. Additionally, valuation models may be used as the pricing source for any remaining investments classified as Level 3. These models may rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs and/or significant assumptions by the Investment Manager. Inputs used in valuations may include, but are not limited to, financial statement analysis, capital account balances, discount rates and estimated cash flows, and comparable company data.
The Fund's Board of Trustees (the Board) has designated the Investment Manager, through its Valuation Committee (the Committee), as valuation designee, responsible for determining the fair value of the assets of the Fund for which market quotations are not readily available using valuation procedures approved by the Board. The Committee consists of voting and non-voting members from various groups within the Investment Manager's organization, including operations and accounting, trading and investments, compliance, risk management and legal.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
4
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Portfolio of Investments (continued) August 31, 2024
Fair value measurements (continued)
The Committee meets at least monthly to review and approve valuation matters, which may include a description of specific valuation determinations, data regarding pricing information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers and the results of Board-approved valuation policies and procedures (the Policies). The Policies address, among other things, instances when market quotations are or are not readily available, including recommendations of third party pricing vendors and a determination of appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require specific valuation determinations and assessment of fair value techniques; securities with a potential for stale pricing, including those that are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and the effectiveness of third party pricing vendors, including periodic reviews of vendors. The Committee meets more frequently, as needed, to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include the need to review back-testing results, review time-sensitive information or approve related valuation actions. Representatives of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC report to the Board at each of its regularly scheduled meetings to discuss valuation matters and actions during the period, similar to those described earlier.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments at August 31, 2024:
Level 1 ($)
Level 2 ($)
Level 3 ($)
Total ($)
Investments in Securities
Corporate Bonds & Notes
-
703,456
-
703,456
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency
-
2,062,650
-
2,062,650
Money Market Funds
1,802,455
-
-
1,802,455
Total Investments in Securities
1,802,455
2,766,106
-
4,568,561
Investments in Derivatives
Asset
Futures Contracts
7,511
-
-
7,511
Swap Contracts
-
31,432
-
31,432
Liability
Futures Contracts
(958
)
-
-
(958
)
Total
1,809,008
2,797,538
-
4,606,546
See the Portfolio of Investments for all investment classifications not indicated in the table.
The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using the market approach, in which a security's value is determined through reference to prices and information from market transactions for similar or identical assets.
Derivative instruments are valued at unrealized appreciation (depreciation).
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
5
Statement of Assets and Liabilities August 31, 2024
Assets
Investments in securities, at value
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $2,756,675)
$2,766,106
Affiliated issuers (cost $1,801,897)
1,802,455
Margin deposits on:
Futures contracts
10,550
Swap contracts
217,277
Receivable for:
Dividends
7,734
Interest
12,199
Variation margin for futures contracts
3,313
Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager
385
Prepaid expenses
2,924
Deferred compensation of board members
8,399
Total assets
4,831,342
Liabilities
Payable for:
Investments purchased on a delayed delivery basis
2,065,152
Variation margin for futures contracts
2,031
Variation margin for swap contracts
479
Transfer agent fees
2
Compensation of board members
897
Other expenses
27,229
Deferred compensation of board members
26,048
Total liabilities
2,121,838
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock
$2,709,504
Represented by
Paid in capital
3,775,227
Total distributable earnings (loss)
(1,065,723
)
Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock
$2,709,504
Shares outstanding
198,590
Net asset value per share
13.64
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
6
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Statement of Operations Year Ended August 31, 2024
Net investment income
Income:
Dividends - affiliated issuers
$91,370
Interest
37,774
Total income
129,144
Expenses:
Transfer agent fees
85
Custodian fees
17,745
Printing and postage fees
9,254
Registration fees
32,821
Accounting services fees
41,999
Legal fees
10,879
Compensation of chief compliance officer
1
Compensation of board members
10,760
Deferred compensation of board members
4,799
Other
5,334
Total expenses
133,677
Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates
(133,677
)
Total net expenses
-
Net investment income
129,144
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) - net
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments - unaffiliated issuers
28,574
Investments - affiliated issuers
(24
)
Futures contracts
(13,400
)
Swap contracts
234,883
Increase from payment by affiliate
175
Net realized gain
250,208
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments - unaffiliated issuers
21,809
Investments - affiliated issuers
165
Futures contracts
6,200
Swap contracts
(56,410
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(28,236
)
Net realized and unrealized gain
221,972
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
$351,116
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
7
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended
August 31, 2024
Year Ended
August 31, 2023
Operations
Net investment income
$129,144
$104,755
Net realized gain (loss)
250,208
(52,449
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(28,236
)
239,074
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
351,116
291,380
Distributions to shareholders
Net investment income and net realized gains
(129,176
)
(100,230
)
Total distributions to shareholders
(129,176
)
(100,230
)
Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity
129,176
(839,714
)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
351,116
(648,564
)
Net assets at beginning of year
2,358,388
3,006,952
Net assets at end of year
$2,709,504
$2,358,388
Year Ended
Year Ended
August 31, 2024
August 31, 2023
Shares
Dollars ($)
Shares
Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Distributions reinvested
9,988
129,176
8,197
100,230
Shares redeemed
-
-
(79,245
)
(939,944
)
Total net increase (decrease)
9,988
129,176
(71,048
)
(839,714
)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
8
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Financial Highlights
The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of sales charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The ratios of expenses and net investment income are annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher.
Year Ended August 31,
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020(a)
Per share data
Net asset value, beginning of period
$12.50
$11.58
$12.72
$11.73
$12.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.67
0.52
0.21
0.05
0.12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.14
0.92
(0.99
)
0.99
(0.26
)
Total from investment operations
1.81
1.44
(0.78
)
1.04
(0.14
)
Less distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income
(0.67
)
(0.52
)
(0.27
)
(0.05
)
(0.13
)
Net realized gains
-
-
(0.09
)
-
-
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.67
)
(0.52
)
(0.36
)
(0.05
)
(0.13
)
Net asset value, end of period
$13.64
$12.50
$11.58
$12.72
$11.73
Total return
14.90
%
12.58
%
(6.21
%)
8.91
%
(1.16
%)
Ratios to average net assets
Total gross expenses(b)
5.35
%
5.56
%
0.62
%(c)
3.72
%(c)
5.21
%
Total net expenses(b),(d)
0.00
%
(0.01
)%(e)
0.00
%(c)
0.00
%(c),(f)
0.00
%
Net investment income
5.17
%
4.30
%
1.66
%
0.37
%
1.28
%
Supplemental data
Portfolio turnover
967
%
1,205
%
372
%
15
%
0
%
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$2,710
$2,358
$3,007
$22,280
$2,054
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a)
The Fund commenced operations on October 29, 2019. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b)
In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.
(c)
Ratios include interest on collateral expense. For the periods indicated below, if interest on collateral expense had been excluded, expenses would have been lower by:
Class
8/31/2022
8/31/2021
No Class
0.01%
less than 0.01%
(d)
Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(e)
Total net expenses include the impact of an expense reimbursement by the Investment Manager of indirect expenses related to investments in underlying funds. Had indirect expenses been incurred directly, the total net expense ratio would have been 0.00%.
(f)
Rounds to zero.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
9
Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2024
Note 1. Organization
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio (the Fund), a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust I (the Trust), is a non-diversified fund. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
Fund shares
The Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares (without par value). Shares of the Fund may only be purchased and held by or on behalf of separately managed account (SMA) clients.
Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies(ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security valuation
Debt securities generally are valued based on prices obtained from pricing services, which are intended to reflect market transactions for normal, institutional-size trading units of similar securities. The services may use various pricing techniques that take into account, as applicable, factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristicsand other data, as well as approved independent broker-dealer quotes. Debt securities for which quotations are not readily available or not believed to be reflective of market value may also be valued based upon a bid quote from an approved independent broker-dealer. Debt securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily at amortized market value, unless this method results in a valuation that management believes does not approximate fair value.
Asset- and mortgage-backed securities are generally valued by pricing services, which utilize pricing models that incorporate the securities' cash flow and loan performance data. These models also take into account available market data, including trades, market quotations, and benchmark yield curves for identical or similar securities. Factors used to identify similar securities may include, but are not limited to, issuer, collateral type, vintage, prepayment speeds, collateral performance, credit ratings, credit enhancement and expected life. Asset-backed securities for which quotations are readily available may also be valued based upon an over-the-counter or exchange bid quote from an approved independent broker-dealer. Debt securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily at amortized market value, unless this method results in a valuation that management believes does not approximate fair value.
Investments in open-end investment companies (other than exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
Futures and options on futures contracts are valued based upon the settlement price at the close of regular trading on their principal exchanges or, in the absence of a settlement price, at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices.
Swap transactions are valued through an independent pricing service or broker, or if neither is available, through an internal model based upon observable inputs.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or that have quotations which management believes are not reflective of market value or reliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. If a security or class of securities (such as foreign securities) is valued at fair value, such value is likely to be different from the quoted or published price for the security, if available.
10
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
The determination of fair value often requires significant judgment. To determine fair value, management may use assumptions including but not limited to future cash flows and estimated risk premiums. Multiple inputs from various sources may be used to determine fair value.
GAAP requires disclosure regarding the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and any changes in valuation inputs or techniques. In addition, investments shall be disclosed by major category. This information is disclosed following the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
Derivative instruments
The Fund invests in certain derivative instruments, as detailed below, in seeking to meet its investment objectives. Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more securities, currencies, commodities, indices, or other assets or instruments. Derivatives may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining desired exposure to certain assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. The Fund may also use derivative instruments to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. Derivatives may involve various risks, including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market (making it difficult for the Fund to sell or terminate, including at favorable prices) and the potential for market movements which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amount shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The notional exposure of a financial instrument is the nominal or face amount that is used to calculate payments made on that instrument and/or changes in value for the instrument. The notional exposure is a hypothetical underlying quantity upon which payment obligations are computed. Notional exposures provide a gauge for how the Fund may behave given changes in individual markets. The notional amounts of derivative instruments, if applicable, are not recorded in the financial statements.
A derivative instrument may suffer a marked-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform its obligations under the contract. The Fund's risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on over-the-counter derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund and the amount of any variation margin held by the counterparty, plus any replacement costs or related amounts. With exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the clearinghouse or central counterparty provides some protection in the case of clearing member default. The clearinghouse or central counterparty stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, failure of the clearinghouse or central counterparty may pose additional counterparty credit risk. However, credit risk still exists in exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a broker's customer account. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients and such shortfall is remedied by the central counterparty or otherwise, U.S. bankruptcy laws will typically allocate that shortfall on a pro-rata basis across all the clearing broker's customers (including the Fund), potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.
In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or similar agreement with its derivatives counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter derivatives and foreign exchange forward contracts and contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Note, however, that bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset or netting in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.
Collateral (margin) requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are established by the clearinghouse or central counterparty for exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Brokers can ask for margin in excess of the minimum in certain circumstances. Collateral terms for most over-the-counter derivatives are subject to regulatory requirements to exchange variation margin with trading counterparties and may have contract specific margin terms as well.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
11
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
For over-the-counter derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the marked-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any variation margin currently pledged by the Fund and/or the counterparty. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a party has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $250,000) before a transfer has to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Fund may also pay interest expense on cash collateral received from the broker or receive interest income on cash collateral pledged to the broker. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties of over-the-counter derivatives transactions to terminate derivatives contracts prior to maturity in the event the Fund's net asset value declines by a stated percentage over a specified time period or if the Fund fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. The Fund also has termination rights if the counterparty fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement. In determining whether to exercise such termination rights, the Fund would consider, in addition to counterparty credit risk, whether termination would result in a net liability owed from the counterparty.
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Futures contracts
Futures contracts are exchange-traded and represent commitments for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date. The Fund bought and sold futures contracts to manage the duration and yield curve exposure of the Fund versus the benchmark. These instruments may be used for other purposes in future periods. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Fund bears risks that it may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. Additional risks include counterparty credit risk, the possibility of an illiquid market, and that a change in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying asset.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities with the broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. The initial margin deposit must be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Cash deposited as initial margin is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as margin deposits. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Portfolio of Investments. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable and are offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund generally expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed or expires. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Swap contracts
Swap contracts are negotiated in the over-the-counter market and are entered into bilaterally or centrally cleared (centrally cleared swap contract). In a centrally cleared swap contract, immediately following execution of the swap contract with a broker, the swap contract is novated to a central counterparty and the central counterparty becomes the Fund's counterparty to the centrally cleared swap contract. The Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the futures commission merchant (FCM), which pledges it through to the central counterparty in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap contract. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Portfolio of Investments and cash deposited is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as margin deposits. For a bilateral swap contract, the Fund has credit exposure to the broker, but exchanges daily variation margin with the broker based on the mark-to-market value of the swap contract to minimize that exposure. For centrally cleared swap contracts, the Fund has minimal credit exposure to the FCM because the central counterparty stands between the Fund and the relevant buyer/seller on the other side of the contract. Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of centrally cleared swap contracts, if any, is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
12
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Entering into these contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of interest, liquidity and counterparty credit risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates, market conditions or other conditions, that it may be difficult to initiate a swap transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price which may result in significant losses, and that the bilateral counterparty, FCM or central counterparty, as applicable, may not fulfill its obligation under the contract.
Credit default swap contracts
The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts to increase or decrease its credit exposure to an index. These instruments may be used for other purposes in future periods. Credit default swap contracts are transactions in which one party pays fixed periodic payments to a counterparty in consideration for an agreement from the counterparty to make a specific payment should a specified credit event(s) take place. Although specified credit events are contract specific, credit events are typically bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium.
As the purchaser of a credit default swap contract, the Fund purchases protection by paying a periodic interest rate on the notional amount to the counterparty. The interest amount is accrued daily as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and is recorded as a realized loss upon payment. If a credit event as specified in the contract occurs, the Fund may have the option either to deliver the reference obligation to the seller in exchange for a cash payment of its par amount, or to receive a net cash settlement equal to the par amount less an agreed-upon value of the reference obligation as of the date of the credit event. The difference between the value of the obligation or cash delivered and the notional amount received will be recorded as a realized gain (loss).
As the seller of a credit default swap contract, the Fund sells protection to a buyer and will generally receive a periodic interest rate on a notional amount. The interest amount is accrued daily as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and is recorded as a realized gain upon receipt of the payment. If a credit event as specified in the contract with the counterparty occurs, the Fund may either be required to accept the reference obligation from the buyer in exchange for a cash payment of its notional amount, or to pay the buyer a net cash settlement equal to the notional amount less an agreed-upon value of the reference obligation (recovery value) as of the date of the credit event. The difference between the value of the obligation or cash received and the notional amount paid will be recorded as a realized gain (loss). The maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments the Fund could be required to make as the seller of protection under a credit default swap contract is equal to the notional amount of the reference obligation. These potential amounts may be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective reference obligations or upfront receipts upon entering into the agreement. The notional amounts and market values of all credit default swap contracts in which the Fund is the seller of protection, if any, are disclosed in the Credit Default Swap Contracts Outstanding schedule following the Portfolio of Investments.
As a protection seller, the Fund bears the risk of loss from the credit events specified in the contract with the counterparty. For credit default swap contracts on credit indices, quoted market prices and resulting market values serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Increasing market values, in absolute terms when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the reference entity's credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the contract.
Any upfront payment or receipt by the Fund upon entering into a credit default swap contract is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively, and amortized daily as a component of realized gain (loss) in the Statement of Operations. Credit default swap contracts are valued daily, and the change in value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until the termination of the swap, at which time a realized gain (loss) is recorded.
Credit default swap contracts can involve greater risks than if a fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to counterparty credit risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
13
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Effects of derivative transactions in the financial statements
The following tables are intended to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of the Fund, including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and the impact of derivative transactions over the period in the Statement of Operations, including realized and unrealized gains (losses). The derivative instrument schedules following the Portfolio of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.
The following table is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) at August 31, 2024:
Asset derivatives
Risk exposure
category
Statement
of assets and liabilities
location
Fair value ($)
Credit risk
Component of total distributable earnings (loss) - unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
31,432
*
Interest rate risk
Component of total distributable earnings (loss) - unrealized appreciation on futures contracts
7,511
*
Total
38,943
Liability derivatives
Risk exposure
category
Statement
of assets and liabilities
location
Fair value ($)
Interest rate risk
Component of total distributable earnings (loss) - unrealized depreciation on futures contracts
958
*
*
Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the tables following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day's variation margin for futures and centrally cleared swaps, if any, is reported in receivables or payables in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following table indicates the effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) in the Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2024:
Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income
Risk exposure category
Futures
contracts
($)
Swap
contracts
($)
Total
($)
Credit risk
-
234,883
234,883
Interest rate risk
(13,400
)
-
(13,400
)
Total
(13,400
)
234,883
221,483
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in income
Risk exposure category
Futures
contracts
($)
Swap
contracts
($)
Total
($)
Credit risk
-
(56,410
)
(56,410
)
Interest rate risk
6,200
-
6,200
Total
6,200
(56,410
)
(50,210
)
The following table is a summary of the average daily outstanding volume by derivative instrument for the year ended August 31, 2024:
Derivative instrument
Average notional
amounts ($)
Futures contracts - long
1,272,108
Futures contracts - short
657,680
Credit default swap contracts - sell protection
2,487,397
14
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
The Fund may invest in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. The maturity dates shown represent the original maturity of the underlying obligation. Actual maturity may vary based upon prepayment activity on these obligations. All, or a portion, of the obligation may be prepaid at any time because the underlying asset may be prepaid. As a result, decreasing market interest rates could result in an increased level of prepayment. An increased prepayment rate will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. Unless otherwise noted, the coupon rates presented are fixed rates.
Delayed delivery securities
The Fund may trade securities on other than normal settlement terms, including securities purchased or sold on a "when-issued" or "forward commitment" basis. This may increase risk to the Fund since the other party to the transaction may fail to deliver, which could cause the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices. The Fund designates cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the delayed delivery commitment.
To be announced securities
The Fund may trade securities on a To Be Announced (TBA) basis. As with other delayed-delivery transactions, a seller agrees to issue a TBA security at a future date. However, the seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms.
In some cases, Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (MSFTAs) may be used to govern transactions of certain forward-settling agency mortgage-backed securities, such as delayed-delivery and TBAs, between the Fund and counterparty. The MSFTA maintains provisions for, among other things, initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral relating to such transactions.
Mortgage dollar roll transactions
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 but not identical securities (same type, coupon and maturity) on a specified future date. These transactions may increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund may benefit because it receives negotiated amounts in the form of reductions of the purchase price for the future purchase plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. The Fund records the incremental difference between the forward purchase and sale of each forward roll as a realized gain or loss. Unless any realized gains 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 may diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared to what the performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund. The Fund identifies cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the forward purchase price. The Fund does not currently enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as financing transactions.
Offsetting of assets and liabilities
The following table presents the Fund's gross and net amount of assets and liabilities available for offset under netting arrangements as well as any related collateral received or pledged by the Fund as of August 31, 2024:
Morgan
Stanley ($)
Liabilities
Centrally cleared credit default swap contracts (a)
479
Total financial and derivative net assets
(479
)
Total collateral received (pledged) (b)
(479
)
Net amount (c)
-
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
15
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
(a)
Centrally cleared swaps are included within payable/receivable for variation margin in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b)
In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown due to overcollateralization.
(c)
Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.
Security transactions
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Cost is determined and gains (losses) are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Income recognition
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Market premiums and discounts, including original issue discounts, are amortized and accreted, respectively, over the expected life of the security on all debt securities, unless otherwise noted. The Fund classifies gains and losses realized on prepayments received on mortgage-backed securities as adjustments to interest income.
The Fund may place a debt security on non-accrual status and reduce related interest income when it becomes probable that the interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. The Fund may also adjust accrual rates when it becomes probable the full interest will not be collected and a partial payment will be received. A defaulted debt security is removed from non-accrual status when the issuer resumes interest payments or when collectability of interest is reasonably assured.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Expenses
General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and other funds of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.
Determination of net asset value
The net asset value per share of the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, rounded to the nearest cent, at the close of regular trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) every day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Federal income tax status
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and will distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, if any, for its tax year, and as such will not be subject to federal income taxes. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute in each calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income, capital gain net income and certain other amounts, if any, such that the Fund should not be subject to federal excise tax. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is recorded.
Distributions to shareholders
Distributions from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents and, in some cases, by contract, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust or its funds. In addition, certain of the Fund's contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.
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Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Note 3. Fees and other transactions with affiliates
Management services fees
The Fund does not pay a management fee to Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). However, Fund shares may only be purchased and held by or on behalf of SMAs where the Investment Manager has an agreement with the SMA program sponsor (the Program Sponsor), or directly with the SMA client, to provide investment management services to the Program Sponsor or the SMA. SMAs pay a fee directly, or indirectly through Program Sponsors, to the Investment Manager for providing investment management services to the Program Sponsor or the SMA, including on assets that may be invested in the Fund.
Compensation of Board members
Members of the Board of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial are compensated for their services to the Fund as disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan), these members of the Board of Trustees may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of their compensation. Deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of certain funds managed by the Investment Manager. The Fund's liability for these amounts is adjusted for market value changes and remains in the Fund until distributed in accordance with the Deferred Plan. All amounts payable under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Fund. The expense for the Deferred Plan, which includes Trustees' fees deferred during the current period as well as any gains or losses on the Trustees' deferred compensation balances as a result of market fluctuations, is included in "Deferred compensation of board members" in the Statement of Operations.
Compensation of Chief Compliance Officer
The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer for the Fund in accordance with federal securities regulations. As disclosed in the Statement of Operations, a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer's total compensation is allocated to the Fund, along with other allocations to affiliated registered investment companies managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates, based on relative net assets.
Transfer agency fees
Under a Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is responsible for providing transfer agency services to the Fund. The Transfer Agent has contracted with SS&C GIDS, Inc. (SS&C GIDS) to serve as sub-transfer agent. The Transfer Agent pays the fees of SS&C GIDS for services as sub-transfer agent and SS&C GIDS is not entitled to reimbursement for such fees from the Fund (with the exception of out-of-pocket fees).
The Fund pays the Transfer Agent a monthly transfer agency fee based on the number or the average value of accounts, depending on the type of account. In addition, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent a fee for shareholder services based on the number of accounts or on a percentage of the average aggregate value of the Fund's shares maintained in omnibus accounts up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a cap established by the Board of Trustees from time to time.
The Transfer Agent also receives compensation from the Fund for various shareholder services and reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket fees.
For the year ended August 31, 2024, the Fund's effective transfer agency fee rate as a percentage of average daily net assets was 0.00%.
Distribution and service fees
The Fund has an agreement with Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, for distribution and shareholder services. The Fund does not pay the Distributor a fee for the distribution services it provides to the Fund.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
17
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below), through December 31, 2024, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees, so that the Fund's net operating expenses, including indirect expenses of the underlying funds, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund's custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Under the agreement governing this fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable:taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, costs associated with shareholder meetings, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Board of Trustees. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from the Investment Manager, certain of its affiliates and the Fund. Any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the expense reimbursement arrangements described above are not recoverable by the Investment Manager or its affiliates in future periods.
Note 4. Federal tax information
The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.
At August 31, 2024, these differences were primarily due to differing treatment for derivative investments, tax straddles, principal and/or interest from fixed income securities and capital loss carryforwards. To the extent these differences were permanent, reclassifications were made among the components of the Fund's net assets. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications.
The following reclassifications were made:
Undistributed net
investment
income ($)
Accumulated
net realized
(loss) ($)
Paid in
capital ($)
52
(52
)
-
Net investment income (loss) and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed in the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years indicated was as follows:
Year Ended August 31, 2024
Year Ended August 31, 2023
Ordinary
income ($)
Long-term
capital gains ($)
Total ($)
Ordinary
income ($)
Long-term
capital gains ($)
Total ($)
129,176
-
129,176
100,230
-
100,230
Short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions for tax purposes.
At August 31, 2024, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed
ordinary income ($)
Undistributed
long-term
capital gains ($)
Capital loss
carryforwards ($)
Net unrealized
appreciation ($)
804
-
(1,115,120
)
48,593
18
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
At August 31, 2024, the cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes along with the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:
Federal
tax cost ($)
Gross unrealized
appreciation ($)
Gross unrealized
(depreciation) ($)
Net unrealized
appreciation ($)
4,557,953
48,211
382
48,593
Tax cost of investments and unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) may also include timing differences that do not constitute adjustments to tax basis.
The following capital loss carryforwards, determined at August 31, 2024, may be available to reduce future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, for the year ended August 31, 2024, capital loss carryforwards utilized, if any, were as follows:
No expiration
short-term ($)
No expiration
long-term ($)
Total ($)
Utilized ($)
(1,115,120
)
-
(1,115,120
)
245,712
Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions in the Fund that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management's conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Note 5. Portfolio information
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments and derivatives, if any, aggregated to $24,677,265 and $23,972,639, respectively, for the year ended August 31, 2024, of which $23,985,221 and $23,972,641, respectively, were U.S. government securities. The amount of purchase and sale activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.
Note 6. Affiliated money market fund
The Fund invests significantly in Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, an affiliated money market fund established for the exclusive use by the Fund and other affiliated funds (the Affiliated MMF). The income earned by the Fund from such investments is included as Dividends - affiliated issuers in the Statement of Operations. As an investing fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Affiliated MMF. The Affiliated MMF prices its shares with a floating net asset value. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted amendments to money market fund rules requiring institutional prime money market funds like the Affiliated MMF to be subject to a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% if the imposition of such a fee is determined to be in the best interest of the Affiliated MMF and to a mandatory liquidity fee if daily net redemptions exceed 5% of net assets.
Note 7. Interfund lending
Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund participates in a program (the Interfund Program) allowing each participating Columbia Fund (each, a Participating Fund) to lend money directly to and, except for closed-end funds and money market funds, borrow money directly from other Participating Funds for temporary purposes. The amounts eligible for borrowing and lending under the Interfund Program are subject to certain restrictions.
Interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment to the lending fund could result in lost opportunities and/or additional lending costs. The exemptive order is subject to conditions intended to mitigate conflicts of interest arising from the Investment Manager's relationship with each Participating Fund.
The Fund did not borrow or lend money under the Interfund Program during the year ended August 31, 2024.
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19
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Note 8. Line of credit
The Fund has access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. whereby the Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to an October 26, 2023 amendment and restatement, the credit facility, which is an agreement between the Fund and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated investment manager, severally and not jointly, permits aggregate borrowings up to $900 million. Interest is currently charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the secured overnight financing rate plus 0.10% and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate plus, in each case, 1.00%. Each borrowing under the credit facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the unused amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. The commitment fee is included in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. This agreement expires annually in October unless extended or renewed. Prior to the October 26, 2023 amendment and restatement, the Fund had access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. which permitted collective borrowings up to $950 million. Interest was charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the secured overnight financing rate plus 0.10% and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate plus, in each case, 1.00%.
The Fund had no borrowings during the year ended August 31, 2024.
Note 9. Significant risks
Completion funds risk
Investors should be aware that the investments made by the Fund and the results achieved by the Fund at any given time are not expected to be the same as those made by other funds for which the Investment Manager serves as investment adviser, including funds with names, investment objectives and policies similar to the Fund. This may be attributable to a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the use of a differentiated investment strategy. The Fund is intended to be used as part of a broader SMA program. The performance and objectives of the Fund should be evaluated in the context of the broader SMA program. The Fund is not designed to be used as a stand-alone investment. Please contact your SMA program sponsor or financial intermediary for more information.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that the value of debt instruments in the Fund's portfolio may decline because the issuer defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations, such as making payments to the Fund when due. Credit rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Lower-rated or unrated debt instruments held by the Fund may present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated debt instruments.
Derivatives risk
Losses involving derivative instruments may be substantial, because a relatively small movement in the underlying reference (which is generally the price, rate or other economic indicator associated with a security(ies), commodity, currency, index or other instrument or asset) may result in a substantial loss for the Fund. In addition to the potential for increased losses, the use of derivative instruments may lead to increased volatility within the Fund. Derivatives will typically increase the Fund's exposure to principal risks to which it is otherwise exposed, and may expose the Fund to additional risks, including correlation risk, counterparty risk, hedging risk, leverage risk, liquidity risk and pricing risk.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise. Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases or decreases in interest rates. Higher periods of inflation could lead such authorities to raise interest rates. Increasing interest rates may negatively affect the value of debt securities held by the
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Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Fund, resulting in a negative impact on the Fund's performance and net asset value per share. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The Fund is subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.
Leverage risk
Leverage occurs when the Fund increases its assets available for investment using borrowings, derivatives, or similar instruments or techniques. The use of leverage may produce volatility and may exaggerate changes in the Fund's net asset value and in the return on the Fund's portfolio, which may increase the risk that the Fund will lose more than it has invested. If the Fund uses leverage, through the purchase of particular instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may experience capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund. Leverage can create an interest expense that may lower the Fund's overall returns. Leverage presents the opportunity for increased net income and capital gains, but may also exaggerate the Fund's volatility and risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that a leveraging strategy will be successful.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk associated with a lack of marketability of investments which may make it difficult to sell the investment at a desirable time or price. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other investments, or forego another, more appealing investment opportunity. Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. A less liquid market can lead to an increase in Fund redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and net asset value per share, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell securities in a down market.
Market risk
The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund's ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events - or the potential for such events - could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
Money market fund investment risk
An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. Certain money market funds (including the Fund's cash sweep vehicle) must impose a mandatory liquidity fee on redemptions if daily net redemptions exceed 5% of their net assets and certain money market funds (including the Fund's cash sweep vehicle) may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% on redemptions if that fee is determined to be in the best interest of the money market fund. The amount of any mandatory liquidity fee will represent a good faith estimate of the costs of liquidating a pro rata portion of each of the money market fund's portfolio holdings to meet the redemptions, or 1% if such an amount cannot be estimated. Such fees, if imposed, will reduce the amount the Fund receives on redemptions. In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund directly bears, the Fund indirectly bears the fees and expenses of any money market funds in which it invests, including affiliated money market funds. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund will be exposed to the investment risks of the money market fund in direct proportion to such investment. The money market fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in the money market fund, may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent the Fund invests in
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
21
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
instruments such as derivatives, the Fund may hold investments, which may be significant, in money market fund shares to cover its obligations resulting from the Fund's investments in such instruments. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities risk
The value of any mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities including collateralized debt obligations, if any, held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements; or the market's assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backedsecurities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Non-diversification risk
A non-diversified fund is permitted to invest a greater percentage of its total assets in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Regulatory Risk - U.S. Banking Law
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is subject to ongoing supervision by the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System as well as applicable U.S. federal banking laws, including the Home Owner's Loan Act and certain parts of the Bank Holding Company Act, including Section 13 thereof (commonly referred to as the Volcker Rule). These laws impose limits on the amount and duration of any proprietary capital held in the Fund by the Investment Manager, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. or certain of their controlled affiliates or products or, alternatively, require that certain investment and/or trading limitations be applied to the Fund. Due to the level of ownership by the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates in the Fund, the Fund may be limited in its ability to buy and sell securities under certain circumstances, such as within a short time frame in pursuit of short-term profits. This could have a negative impact on the Fund's ability to implement its investment objective. If the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates reduce their interest in the Fund, the Fund may be subject to additional transaction costs and adverse tax consequences. Moreover, the resulting reduced size of the Fund could threaten its ongoing economic viability and consequently lead to its liquidation.
Shareholder concentration risk
At August 31, 2024, affiliated shareholders of record owned 100.0% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. Fund shares sold to or redeemed by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund. In the case of a large redemption, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, including its liquid positions, which may result in Fund losses and the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid positions. Large redemptions could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders.
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Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) August 31, 2024
Note 10. Subsequent events
Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
Note 11. Information regarding pending and settled legal proceedings
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates are involved in the normal course of business in legal proceedings which include regulatory inquiries, arbitration and litigation, including class actions concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their activities as part of a diversified financial services firm. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial or one or more of its affiliates that provide services to the Fund.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
23
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of Columbia Funds Series Trust I and Shareholders of Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Columbia Funds Series Trust I, referred to hereafter as the "Fund") as of August 31, 2024, the related statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2024, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2024, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period ended August 31, 2024 and for the period October 29, 2019 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2020 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2024, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2024 and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period ended August 31, 2024 and for the period October 29, 2019 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2024 by correspondencewith the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 23, 2024
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies within the Columbia Funds Complex since 1977.
24
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Approval of Management Agreement
(Unaudited)
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager, and together with its domestic and global affiliates, Columbia Threadneedle Investments), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial), serves as the investment manager to Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio (the Fund). Under a management agreement (the Management Agreement), the Investment Manager provides investment advice and other services to the Fund and other funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (collectively, the Funds).
On an annual basis, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the Board), including the independent Board members (the Independent Trustees), considers renewal of the Management Agreement. The Investment Manager prepared detailed reports for the Board and its Contracts Committee (including its Contracts Subcommittee) in March, April, May and June 2024, including comprehensive responses by the Investment Manager to written requests for information by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees (Independent Legal Counsel), to assist the Board in making this determination. In addition, throughout the year, the Board (or its committees or subcommittees) regularly meets with portfolio management teams and senior management personnel and reviews information prepared by the Investment Manager addressing the services the Investment Manager provides and Fund performance. The Board also accords appropriate weight to the work, deliberations and conclusions of the various committees (including their subcommittees), such as the Contracts Committee, the Investment Review Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compliance Committee in determining whether to continue the Management Agreement.
The Board, at its June 27, 2024 Board meeting (the June Meeting), considered the renewal of the Management Agreement for an additional one-year term. At the June Meeting, Independent Legal Counsel reviewed with the Independent Trustees various factors relevant to the Board's consideration of advisory agreements and the Board's legal responsibilities related to such consideration. The Independent Trustees considered such information as they, their legal counsel or the Investment Manager believed reasonably necessary to evaluate and to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. Among other things, the information and factors considered included the following:

Information on the investment performance of the Fund, as well as performance relative to a benchmark;

Information on the Fund's management fees and total expenses;

The Investment Manager's agreement to contractually limit or cap total operating expenses for the Fund so that total operating expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses, such as transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) would not exceed a specified annual rate, as a percentage of the Fund's net assets;

Terms of the Management Agreement;

Descriptions of other agreements and arrangements with affiliates of the Investment Manager relating to the operations of the Fund, including agreements with respect to the provision of transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund;

Descriptions of various services performed by the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, including portfolio management and portfolio trading practices;

Information regarding the resources of the Investment Manager, including information regarding senior management, portfolio managers and other personnel;

Information regarding the capabilities of the Investment Manager with respect to compliance monitoring services; and

The profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund.
Following an analysis and discussion of the foregoing, and the factors identified below, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Management Agreement.
Nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Investment Manager
The Board analyzed various reports and presentations it had received detailing the services performed by the Investment Manager, as well as its history, expertise, resources and relative capabilities, and the qualifications of its personnel.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
25
Approval of Management Agreement (continued) (Unaudited)
The Board specifically considered the many developments during recent years concerning the services provided by the Investment Manager. Among other things, the Board noted the organization and depth of the equity and credit research departments. The Board further observed the enhancements to the investment risk management department's processes, systems and oversight over the past several years. The Board also took into account the broad scope of services provided by the Investment Manager to the Fund, including, among other services, investment, risk and compliance oversight. The Board also took into account the information it received concerning the Investment Manager's ability to attract and retain key portfolio management personnel and that it has sufficient resources to provide competitive and adequate compensation to investment personnel.
In connection with the Board's evaluation of the overall package of services provided by the Investment Manager, the Board also considered the nature, quality and range of administrative services provided to the Fund by the Investment Manager, as well as the achievements in 2023 in the performance of administrative services, and noted the various enhancements anticipated for 2024. In evaluating the quality of services provided under the Management Agreement, the Board also took into account the organization and strength of the Fund's and its service providers' compliance programs. The Board also reviewed the financial condition of the Investment Manager and its affiliates and each entity's ability to carry out its responsibilities under the Management Agreement and the Fund's other service agreements.
In addition, the Board discussed the acceptability of the terms of the Management Agreement, noting that no changes were proposed from the form of agreement previously approved. The Board also noted the wide array of legal and compliance services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement.
After reviewing these and related factors (including investment performance as discussed below), the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Investment performance
The Board carefully reviewed the investment performance of the Fund, including detailed reports providing the results of analysis performed by the Investment Manager showing, for various periods (including since manager inception): (i) the performance of the Fund, (ii) the performance of a benchmark index, and (iii) the net assets of the Fund. The Board considered that the Fund is held exclusively by separately managed account (SMA) clients of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, and noted the contribution of the performance of the Fund to meeting the investment objectives of such SMA clients.
The Board also considered the Investment Manager's performance and reputation generally. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the performance of the Fund and the Investment Manager, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Comparative fees, costs of services provided and the profits realized by the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund
The Board reviewed comparative fees and the costs of services provided under the Management Agreement. The Board members considered detailed comparative information set forth in an annual report on fees and expenses, including, among other things, data showing the Fund's contribution to the Investment Manager's profitability.
The Board accorded particular weight to the notion that a primary objective of the level of fees is to achieve a rational pricing model applied consistently across the various product lines in the Fund family, while assuring that the overall fees for each Fund (with certain exceptions) are generally in line with the current "pricing philosophy" such that Fund total expense ratios, in general, approximate or are lower than the median expense ratios of funds in the same Lipper comparison universe. The Board considered that the Fund is held exclusively by SMA clients of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, that the Fund does not pay management fees, and that Columbia Threadneedle Investments collects management fees from SMA clients directly or indirectly through SMA program sponsors.
26
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
Approval of Management Agreement (continued) (Unaudited)
After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the levels of management fees and expenses of the Fund, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
The Board also considered the profitability of the Investment Manager and its affiliates in connection with the Investment Manager providing management services to the Fund. With respect to the profitability of the Investment Manager and its affiliates, the Independent Trustees referred to information discussing the profitability to the Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial from managing, operating and distributing the Funds. The Board considered that the profitability generated by the Investment Manager in 2023 had declined from 2022 levels, due to a variety of factors, including the decreased assets under management of the Funds. It also took into account the indirect economic benefits flowing to the Investment Manager or its affiliates in connection with managing or distributing the Funds, such as the enhanced ability to offer various other financial products to Ameriprise Financial customers, soft dollar benefits and overall reputational advantages. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the costs of services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Economies of scale
The Board considered the potential existence of economies of scale in the provision by the Investment Manager of services to the Fund, and whether those economies of scale were shared with the Fund through additional investments by the Investment Manager in investment, trading, compliance and other resources. The Board considered the economies of scale that might be realized as the Fund's net asset level grows and noted that the Fund does not pay management fees.
Conclusion
The Board reviewed all of the above considerations in reaching its decision to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. In reaching its conclusions, no single factor was determinative.
On June 27, 2024, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, determined that fees payable under the Management Agreement (of which there are none) were fair and reasonable in light of the extent and quality of services provided and approved the renewal of the Management Agreement.
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio | 2024
27
Multisector Bond SMA Completion Portfolio
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, go to
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/managed-accounts/. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2024 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/managed-accounts/
ANN308_08_P01_(10/24)


Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.



Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.



Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies is included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.



Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.

Statement regarding basis for approval of Investment Advisory Contract is included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.



Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.



Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.



Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.



Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's board of directors implemented since the registrant last provided disclosure as to such procedures in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K or Item 15 of Form N-CSR.



Item 16. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, have concluded that such controls and procedures are adequately designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant's management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There was no change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.



Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

Not applicable.



Item 19. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of ethics required to be disclosed under Item 2 of Form N-CSR attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(registrant) Columbia Funds Series Trust I

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Daniel J. Beckman
Daniel J. Beckman, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date October 23, 2024

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Daniel J. Beckman
Daniel J. Beckman, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date October 23, 2024

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Michael G. Clarke
Michael G. Clarke, Chief Financial Officer,
Principal Financial Officer and Senior Vice President

Date October 23, 2024

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Charles H. Chiesa
Charles H. Chiesa, Treasurer, Chief Accounting
Officer and Principal Financial Officer

Date October 23, 2024