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CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS |
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS | NOTE 4 — CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS Marketing Agent Agreement BNO is party to a marketing agent agreement, dated as of March 31, 2010, as amended from time to time, with the Marketing Agent and USCF, whereby the Marketing Agent provides certain marketing services for BNO as outlined in the agreement. The fee of the Marketing Agent, which is borne by USCF, is equal to 0.06% on BNO’s assets up to $3 billion and 0.04% on BNO’s assets in excess of $3 billion. In no event may the aggregate compensation paid to the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related services exceed 10% of the gross proceeds of BNO’s offering. The above fee does not include website construction and development, which are also borne by USCF. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Agreements BNO is also party to a custodian agreement, dated February 8, 2010, as amended from time to time, with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH&Co.”) and USCF, whereby BBH&Co. holds investments on behalf of BNO. USCF pays the fees of the custodian, which are determined by the parties from time to time. In addition, BNO is party to an administrative agency agreement, dated February 8, 2010, as amended from time to time, with USCF and BBH&Co., whereby BBH&Co. acts as the administrative agent, transfer agent and registrar for BNO. USCF also pays the fees of BBH&Co. for its services under such agreement and such fees are determined by the parties from time to time. Currently, USCF pays BBH&Co. for its services, in the foregoing capacities, a minimum amount of $75,000 annually for its custody, fund accounting and fund administration services rendered to BNO and each of the Related Public Funds, as well as a $20,000 annual fee for its transfer agency services. In addition, USCF pays BBH&Co. an asset-based charge of (a) 0.06% for the first $500 million of the Related Public Funds’ combined net assets, (b) 0.0465% for the Related Public Funds’ combined net assets greater than $500 million but less than $1 billion, and (c) 0.035% once the Related Public Funds’ combined net assets exceed $1 billion. The annual minimum amount will not apply if the asset-based charge for all accounts in the aggregate exceeds $75,000. USCF also pays BBH&Co. transaction fees ranging from $7 to $15 per transaction. Brokerage and Futures Commission Merchant Agreements On October 8, 2013, BNO entered into a brokerage agreement with RBC to serve as BNO’s FCM effective October 10, 2013. The agreement with RBC requires it to provide services to BNO in connection with the purchase and sale of Futures Contracts and Other Crude Oil-Related Investments that may be purchased and sold by or through RBC for BNO’s account. In accordance with the agreement, RBC charges BNO commissions of approximately $7 to $8 per round-turn trade, including applicable exchange, clearing and NFA fees for Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts. Such fees include those incurred when purchasing Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts when BNO issues shares as a result of a Creation Basket, as well as fees incurred when selling Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts when BNO redeems shares as a result of a Redemption Basket. Such fees are also incurred when Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts are purchased or redeemed for the purpose of rebalancing the portfolio. BNO also incurs commissions to brokers for the purchase and sale of Futures Contracts, Other Crude Oil-Related Investments or short-term obligations of the United States of two years or less (“Treasuries”).
|  | For the Year Ended |  | For the Year Ended |  | For the Year Ended |
|  | December 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017 |
Total commissions accrued to brokers |  | $ | 101,742 |  | $ | 98,880 |  | $ | 132,707 |
Total commissions as annualized percentage of average total net assets |  |  | 0.12 | % |  | 0.10 | % |  | 0.13 | %
Commissions accrued as a result of rebalancing |  | $ | 99,885 |  | $ | 95,188 |  | $ | 127,847 |
Percentage of commissions accrued as a result of rebalancing |  |  | 98.17 | % |  | 96.27 | % |  | 96.34 | %
Commissions accrued as a result of creation and redemption activity |  | $ | 1,857 |  | $ | 3,692 |  | $ | 4,860 |
Percentage of commissions accrued as a result of creation and redemption activity |  |  | 1.83 | % |  | 3.73 | % |  | 3.66 | %
The increase in total commissions accrued to brokers for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, was due primarily to a higher number of Brent crude oil futures contracts being held and traded. The decrease in total commissions accrued to brokers for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, was due primarily to lower number of futures contracts being held and traded. However, there can be no assurance that commission costs and portfolio turnover will not cause commission expenses to rise in future quarters.

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