LOGO    Summary Prospectus     February 1, 2013

Sterling Capital Short-Term Bond Fund

 

Class A Shares BSGAX   Class C Shares BBSCX  

 

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s Prospectus, which contains information about the Fund and its risks. The Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated February 1, 2013, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus. You can find the Fund’s Prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.sterlingcapitalfunds.com/funds. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800-228-1872 or by sending an e-mail request to fundinfo@sterling-capital.com.

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks to provide current income and competitive total return.

Fee Table

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Sterling Capital Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Distribution Arrangements/Sales Charges” on page 145 of the Fund’s prospectus and in “Sales Charges” on page 34 of the Fund’s statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)  
             
      Class A
Shares
    Class C
Shares
 
Maximum Sales Charge (load) on Purchases
(as a % of offering price)
    2.00%        None   
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a % of the lesser of the cost of your shares or their net asset value at the time of redemption)     None        1.00%   
Redemption Fee     None        None   

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as
a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
             
      Class A
Shares
    Class C
Shares
 
Management Fees     0.30%        0.30%   
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees     0.25%        1.00%   
Other Expenses     0.29%        0.29%   
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     0.84%        1.59%   

Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (1)

    –0.05%        –0.05%   
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver or Expense Reimbursement (1)     0.79%        1.54%   

(1) The Fund’s Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the management fees paid by the Fund to 0.25% for the period from February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014. This contractual limitation may be terminated during this

period only by the Fund, and will automatically terminate upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes, that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except for the expiration of the current contractual expense limitation on January 31, 2014. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      1
Year
    3
Years
    5
Years
    10
Years
 
Class A Shares   $ 279      $ 458      $ 652      $ 1,212   
Class C Shares   $ 157      $ 497      $ 861      $ 1,885   

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

 

      1
Year
    3
Years
    5
Years
    10
Years
 
Class A Shares   $ 279      $ 458      $ 652      $ 1,212   
Class C Shares   $ 157      $ 497      $ 861      $ 1,885   

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 85.13% of the average value of its portfolio.

Strategy, Risks and Performance

Principal Strategy

To pursue its investment objective, the Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes in investment grade fixed income securities (bonds).

 

 

Summary Prospectus   1 of 4    Sterling Capital Short-Term Bond Fund


The Fund invests primarily in the following types of fixed income securities: (i) corporate debt securities, including bonds, notes and debentures, issued by U.S. companies that are investment grade (i.e., rated at the time of purchase in one of the four highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or are determined by the portfolio manager to be of comparable quality); (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, some of which may be subject to repurchase agreements; (iii) investment grade mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations; (iv) investment grade asset-backed securities; and (v) U.S. dollar-denominated foreign and emerging market securities. Additionally, the Fund will invest in municipal securities, convertible securities, including convertible bonds and preferred stocks, and cash equivalents. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in bonds that are below investment grade, which are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, and non-dollar denominated foreign and emerging market securities. The Fund will maintain an average duration between 1 and 3 years. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity is expected to be more than 1 year but less than 3 years.

The Fund may invest in certain types of derivative instruments for hedging and investment purposes. Although the Fund may invest in derivatives of any kind, the Fund currently expects to invest in futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts to gain efficient investment exposures as an alternative to cash investments or to hedge against portfolio exposures, and credit default swaps and interest rate swaps to gain indirect exposure to interest rates, issuers, or currencies, or to hedge against portfolio exposures.

In managing the portfolio, the portfolio manager uses a “top down” investment management approach focusing on allocation among sectors, credit risk, and individual securities selection. The portfolio manager focuses on macro trends in the economy to establish a duration target that reflects the outlook for the future direction of interest rates. For yield curve management, in addition to the trend in interest rates, other factors such as future inflation expectations, supply factors, and future interest rate expectations are considered. Sector weightings are driven by a combination of the portfolio manager’s macro view on interest rates and volatility as well as relative spread analysis. Utilizing fundamental analysis the portfolio manager then selects individual securities consistent with the target by looking for the best relative values within particular sectors. The analysis includes an attempt to understand the structure and embedded features of potential securities. Features that are analyzed include puts, calls, sinking fund requirements, prepayment and extension risk, and individual company financial data for potential corporate holdings. Scenario analysis is the primary tool employed for these assessments.

The portfolio manager may consider selling a security owned by the Fund to reduce exposure to a particular sector, if the portfolio manager sees a deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of an issuer or if the actions of the issuer violate the investment thesis of owning the security, when the portfolio managers finds other attractive securities that the portfolio manager believes are less expensive and offer relatively greater income or growth potential, and in response to macro level adjustments to duration and yield curve contributions.

Principal Risks

All investments carry a certain amount of risk and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment

in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. You may lose money by investing in the Fund. Below are all of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.

Interest Rate Risk: The possibility that the value of the Fund’s investments will decline due to an increase in interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally high for longer-term bonds and low for shorter-term bonds.

Income Risk: The possibility that the Fund’s income will decline due to a decrease in interest rates. Income risk is generally high for shorter-term bonds and low for longer term bonds.

Liquidity Risk: The possibility that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that would normally prevail in the market. The seller may have to lower the price, sell other securities instead or forego an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.

Prepayment/Call Risk: When mortgages and other obligations are prepaid and when securities are called, the Fund may have to reinvest in securities with a lower yield or fail to recover additional amounts ( i.e. , premiums) paid for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected capital loss. Call risk is the possibility that, during periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer will “call” — or repay — higher-yielding bonds before their stated maturity date. In both cases, investors receive their principal back and are typically forced to reinvest it in bonds that pay lower interest rates.

Estimated Maturity Risk: The possibility that an underlying security holder will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation earlier or later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise or fall in interest rates. These events may shorten or lengthen the duration ( i.e. , interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.

U.S. Government Securities Risk: The Fund invests in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies (such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac securities). Although U.S. government securities issued directly by the U.S. government are guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, other U.S. government securities issued by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government may not be. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so by law.

Credit Risk: The possibility that an issuer cannot make timely interest and principal payments on its debt securities, such as bonds. The lower a security’s rating, the greater its credit risk.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates, and may reduce the market value of the securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to pre-payment risk. Due to their often complicated structures, various mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be difficult to value and may constitute illiquid securities. Furthermore, debtors may be entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer protection credit laws with respect to these securities, which may give the debtor the right to avoid or reduce payment.

 

 

Summary Prospectus   2 of 4    Sterling Capital Short-Term Bond Fund


Counterparty Risk: The possibility that a counterparty to a contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation.

High-Yield/High-Risk Debt Securities: High-yield/high-risk debt securities are securities that are rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies. These securities are considered speculative and involve greater risk of loss than investment grade debt securities.

Foreign Currency Transaction Risk: Funds that invest directly in foreign currencies and in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will fluctuate in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Foreign Investment Risk: Foreign securities involve risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Foreign securities may be adversely affected by various factors, including currency fluctuations and social, economic or political instability. These risks are particularly pronounced for emerging markets.

Derivatives Risk:  The possibility that the Fund will suffer a loss from its use of derivatives. The primary risk with many derivatives is that they can amplify a gain or loss, potentially earning or losing substantially more money than the actual cost of the derivative instrument. It is possible that the Fund’s liquid assets may be insufficient to support its obligations under its derivatives positions. The Fund’s use of derivatives such as futures transactions and swap transactions involves other risks, such as the credit risk relating to the other party to a derivative contract (which is greater for swaps and other over-the-counter traded derivatives), the risk of difficulties in pricing and valuation, the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with relevant assets, rates or indices, and the risk of losing more than the initial margin required to initiate derivatives positions. There is also the risk that the Fund may be unable to terminate or sell a derivatives position at an advantageous time or price. When the Fund uses credit default swaps to gain indirect long exposure to an issuer or a fixed income security by selling credit protection on such issuer or security, the Fund is exposed to the risk that it will be required to pay the full notional value of the swap contract in the event of a default.

Active Trading Risk: The Fund may trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction costs (thereby lowering its performance) and may increase the amount of taxes that a shareholder pays, by increasing the amount of the Fund’s realized capital gains and increasing the proportion of the fund’s realized capital gains that are short-term capital gains.

For more information about the Fund’s risks, please see the “Additional Investment Strategies and Risks” section in this Prospectus.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual returns for 1, 5, and 10 years and since the Fund’s inception compared with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost by visiting www.sterlingcapitalfunds.com or by calling 1-800-228-1872.

 

Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if these charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.

Class A Shares Annual Total Returns for years ended 12/31

 

LOGO

 

Best quarter:     2.45%        12/31/08   
Worst quarter:     –1.39%        06/30/04   

 

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2012        
                         
     

1

Year

   

5

Years

   

10

Years

    Since
Inception
 
Class A Shares (1)           (11/30/92
Return Before Taxes     1.91%        2.48%        2.45%        3.92%   
Return After Taxes on Distributions     0.75%        1.38%        1.28%        2.28%   
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares     1.23%        1.47%        1.40%        2.32%   
BofA Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Corporate Government Bond Index           (11/30/92
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)     1.48%        2.87%        3.11%        4.66%   

(1) Class C Shares commenced operations on February 1, 2012. Because Class C Shares do not have a full calendar year of performance, the performance shown is that of the Class A Shares of the Fund. Class C Shares and Class A Shares would have substantially similar performance because the Shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the performance would differ only to the extent that the Classes have different expenses.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

 

Summary Prospectus   3 of 4    Sterling Capital Short-Term Bond Fund


Management

Investment Adviser

Sterling Capital Management LLC (“Sterling Capital”)

Portfolio Managers

Mark Montgomery, CFA

Managing Director of Sterling Capital and Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

Since February 2011

Richard T. LaCoff

Managing Director of Sterling Capital and Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

Since February 2011

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Account Type   Minimum
Initial
Investment
    Minimum
Subsequent
Investment
 
Regular Account   $ 1,000      $ 0   
Automatic Investment Plan   $ 25      $ 25   

You may buy or sell Class A or Class C Shares on any business day by contacting your financial representative or contacting the Fund

(i) by mail at Sterling Capital Funds, P.O. Box 9762, Providence, RI 02940-9762; or (ii) by telephone at 1-800-228-1872. In addition, Class A and Class C Shares are available for purchase at www.sterlingcapitalfunds.com.

Tax Information

The Fund normally distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. These distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.

 

 

STB-02/13

 

Summary Prospectus   4 of 4    Sterling Capital Short-Term Bond Fund
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