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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Schedule 14a
(Rule 14a-101)
Schedule 14a Information
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 |
NORTHERN FUNDS
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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NORTHERN FUNDS
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
September 7, 2018
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders of Northern Funds (“NF”) and Northern Institutional Funds (“NIF”) (each a “Trust” and together, the “Trusts,” each series thereof, a “Fund,” and together, the “Funds”), to be held on October 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Central time at the offices of The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street,B-4, Room 7, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
At this important meeting, you will be asked to consider and take action on the following:
• | Proposal 1. Election of Trustees of each Trust. (All Funds) |
• | Proposal 2. Approval to change the fundamental industry concentration policy for the NF Money Market Fund, NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio only. |
We believe that these proposals are important. You should carefully read the Joint Proxy Statement that discusses each Proposal in detail.
The Board Members responsible for your Fund have approved the proposals and recommend that you vote “for” the proposals for your Fund.
Your vote is important. Even if you plan to attend and vote in person at the Meeting, please promptly follow the enclosed directions to submit voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. Alternatively, you may submit voting instructions by signing and dating each proxy card that you receive, and if received by mail, returning it in the accompanying postage-paid return envelope.
If you have any questions about these proposals, please call NF at800-595-9111 or NIF at800-637-1380.
Sincerely,
/s/ Peter K. Ewing
Peter K. Ewing
President of Northern Funds and
Northern Institutional Funds
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
To Shareholders of Northern Funds and
Northern Institutional Funds
Q U E S T I O N S & A N S W E R S
Although we encourage you to read the complete Joint Proxy Statement, for your convenience we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, including a brief summary of the issues to be voted on.
Q. | WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT? |
A. As described in the Joint Proxy Statement, you are being asked to elect the Trustees who oversee your Fund. In addition, shareholders of the Money Market Fund and Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund of Northern Funds (“NF”) and the Prime Obligations Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds (“NIF”) (each such Fund, a “Proposing Fund,” and together, the “Proposing Funds”) are each being asked to approve a change to their Fund’s fundamental investment policy with respect to industry concentration so that each Proposing Fund will under normal market conditions invest at least 25% of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry (“Modified Policy”).
Q. | WHO ARE THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTEES? |
A. Six current Trustees and two new nominees, Therese M. Bobek and Darek Wojnar, are standing for election to the Boards of Trustees of NF and NIF. Information about each of the nominees is set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement.
Q. | WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF CHANGING MY FUND’S INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION POLICY? (NF MONEY MARKET FUND, NF ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND AND NIF PRIME OBLIGATIONS PORTFOLIO ONLY) |
A. Your Fund’s industry concentration policy is fundamental, which means that any change to this policy requires approval by the Fund’s shareholders. Currently, each Proposing Fund may not concentrate (i.e., invest 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry (with some exceptions). If the Modified Policy is approved by shareholders of a Proposing Fund, the Proposing Fund will be required to invest under normal market conditions at least 25% of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry. Each Proposing Fund may, however, for temporary defensive purposes, invest less than 25% of its total assets in this industry if warranted due to adverse economic conditions or if investing less than 25% of its total assets appears to be in the best interest of shareholders. The financial services
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industry includes U.S. and foreign banks, broker-dealers and other financial services companies.
Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), the investment adviser to the Proposing Funds, believes that the Modified Policy will better position the Proposing Funds to take advantage of available investment opportunities and assist the Proposing Funds in achieving their investment objectives. Each Proposing Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by events affecting the financial services industry than if its investments were not so concentrated. Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector, including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations.
Q. | HOW DO THE TRUSTEES OF MY FUND SUGGEST THAT I VOTE? |
A. Your Trustees carefully considered and unanimously approved the proposals and recommend that you vote in favor of each proposal.
Q. | HOW DO I VOTE MY SHARES? |
A. You can provide voting instructions as follows:
• | Online. Go to proxyvote.com and follow the directions provided. Have your Control Number (printed on the proxy card) ready. |
• | By phone. Call800-690-6903 and follow the recorded instructions. Have your Control Number (printed on the proxy card) ready. |
• | By mail. Sign and date the proxy card and mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided. |
• | In person. You may also attend the Meeting and vote in person. However, even if you intend to do so, we encourage you to provide voting instructions by one of the methods discussed above. |
Note: If you are invested in your Fund through your bank or broker/dealer, please reference your proxy card for the appropriate phone number.
Q. | WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD? |
A. You are being sent a proxy card for each Fund account that you have. Please vote on all proposals shown on each proxy card that you receive.
Q. | WILL MY VOTE MAKE A DIFFERENCE? |
A. Your vote is very important and can make a difference in the governance and management of the Funds, no matter how many shares that you own. Your vote is needed to ensure that the proposals can be acted upon. And, your immediate response will help save on the costs of any further solicitations for a shareholder vote. We encourage all shareholders to participate in the governance of their Fund.
Q. | WHO IS PAYING FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE PROXY AND SHAREHOLDER MEETING? |
A. The Trusts will bear the expenses related to the preparation, assembling,
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mailing and solicitation of proxies and the holding of the shareholder meeting. Expenses are currently estimated at $130,000 and $820,000 for NIF and NF, respectively.
Q. | WHERE DO I MAIL MY PROXY CARD? |
A. If you receive your proxy card in the mail, you may use the postage-paid envelope provided, or mail your proxy card to:
Northern Funds/
Northern Institutional Funds
Proxy Tabulator
P.O. Box 9112
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Q. | WHO CAN I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS? |
A. We will be happy to answer your questions about the joint proxy statement. Simply call Northern Funds at800-595-9111 or Northern Institutional Funds at800-637-1380 between the business hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
Please votenow. Your vote is important.
To avoid the wasteful and unnecessary expense of further solicitation, we urge youto indicate your voting instructions on the proxy card, if received by mail, date and sign it and return it promptly in the envelope provided, or record your voting instructions by telephone or via the Internet, no matter how large or small your holdings may be. If your shares are held through a broker, you must provide voting instructions to your broker about how to vote your shares in order for your broker to vote your shares as you instruct at the Meeting.
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
A Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of each investment portfolio (together, the “Funds”) of Northern Funds (“NF”) and Northern Institutional Funds (“NIF”) (each a “Trust” and together, the “Trusts,” each series thereof a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) will be held on October 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Central time at the offices of The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street,B-4, Room 7, Chicago, Illinois 60603, and any adjournments or postponements thereof for the following purposes:
(1) | To elect eight Trustees to the Boards of the Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds. (All Funds) |
(2) | To approve a change in the fundamental industry concentration policy of the NF Money Market Fund, NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio. (NF Money Market Fund, NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio only) |
(3) | To transact any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2018 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The Joint Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card and Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials are being mailed to shareholders on or about September 7, 2018.
YOUR TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSALS RELATING TO YOUR FUND.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
of Northern Funds
By Order of the Board of Trustees
of Northern Institutional Funds
/s/ Craig R. Carberry
Craig R. Carberry
Secretary of Northern Funds and
Northern Institutional Funds
September 7, 2018
Even if you expect to attend the Meeting in person, please promptly follow the enclosed instructions to submit voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. Alternatively, you may submit voting instructions by signing and dating each proxy card that you receive, and if received by mail, returning it in the accompanying postage-paid return envelope.
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NORTHERN FUNDS
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OCTOBER 24, 2018
This Joint Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Boards of Trustees including, for Proposal 1, the election of Trustee nominees to the Boards (each a “Board” and together, the “Boards”) of each of the Northern Funds (“NF”) and Northern Institutional Funds (“NIF”) (each a “Trust” and together, the “Trusts”). Shareholders of the NF Money Market Fund, NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund and the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio (each a “Proposing Fund,” together the “Proposing Funds”) will also be asked to approve a change to the respective Proposing Fund’s fundamental investment policy with respect to industry concentration in Proposal 2. The proxies are to be voted at a Special Joint Meeting of shareholders of the investment portfolios of each of the Trusts (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”). The Special Joint Meeting will be held at the offices of The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street,B-4, Room 7, Chicago, Illinois 60603, on October 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Central time for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. The Special Joint Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof is referred to below as the “Meeting.”
Each Board has determined that the use of this Joint Proxy Statement for the Meeting is in the best interests of the Funds that it oversees and their shareholders in light of the similar matters being considered and voted on by shareholders of each of the Funds. This Joint Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy Card are being sent to shareholders on or about September 7, 2018.
Shareholders of record of a Fund as of the close of business on August 1, 2018 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to attend and to vote at the Meeting. Shareholders of the Funds are entitled to one vote for each share held, and each fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, with no shares having cumulative voting rights.
Appendix A sets forth the number of shares of each Fund outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date. Appendix B sets forth the information regarding shareholders known to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of any Fund as of the Record Date.
The proxies will be solicited by mail and may also be solicited in person or by telephone, fax or personal interview by officers of The Northern Trust Company (“TNTC”). In addition, employees of TNTC, its affiliates, correspondent banks, brokers and similar record holders may solicit proxies by these means and may forward proxy materials and printed direction forms to the customers on whose behalf they hold record ownership of shares of the Funds.
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Please read this Joint Proxy Statement and keep it for future reference. Each Fund has previously sent its annual report and semiannual report to its shareholders. A shareholder may request, without charge, copies of a Fund’s most recent annual and semiannual shareholder report in writing to Northern Funds/Northern Institutional Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60675-5986, by telephone at800-595-9111 for NF or800-637-1380 for NIF or bye-mail at northern-funds@ntrs.com for NF or NIF.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS AND FUNDS VOTING
The following table describes the proposals (each a “Proposal” and collectively the “Proposals”) to be considered at the Meeting and the shareholders that are entitled to vote on each Proposal:
Proposal | Shareholders Solicited | |
1.a Election of eight Trustees of Northern Funds | Shareholders of all Funds of Northern Funds, voting together as a single class | |
1.b Election of eight Trustees of Northern Institutional Funds | Shareholders of all Funds of Northern Institutional Funds, voting together as a single class | |
2.a Approval of a change to the fundamental industry concentration policy of the NF Money Market Fund | Shareholders of the NF Money Market Fund | |
2.b Approval of a change to the fundamental industry concentration policy of the NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | Shareholders of the NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | |
2.c Approval of a change to the fundamental industry concentration policy of the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio | Shareholders of the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio, with each class voting together as a single class |
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PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
(All Funds of NF and NIF)
Information About Current Trustees and Nominees For Election as Trustees
NF and NIF. Each of the following nine individuals currently serves on the Boards of NF and NIF: William L. Bax, Mark G. Doll, Sandra Polk Guthman, Thomas A. Kloet, David R. Martin, Cynthia R. Plouché, Mary Jacobs Skinner, Casey J. Sylla and Shundrawn A. Thomas (each a “Trustee,” collectively, the “Trustees”). Ms. Guthman is the chairperson of the Boards of NF and NIF. Messrs. Bax and Sylla will retire from the Boards effective December 31, 2018 pursuant to the Trusts’ retirement policy and will not seekre-election. All of the Trustees, except Mr. Thomas, are not “interested persons” of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees” or the“Non-Interested Trustees”) within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” of the Trust (an “Interested Trustee”) because he is an officer, director, employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates. Mr. Thomas will not seek election by shareholders and will resign effective December 31, 2018.
At their meetings held on July 31, 2018, the Boards of NF and NIF each nominated six of the current Independent Trustees (Messrs. Doll, Kloet and Martin and Mses. Guthman, Plouché and Skinner) and two new nominees for Trustee of the Boards: Therese M. Bobek and Darek Wojnar. All of the foregoing Trustee nominees are referred to below as “Nominees.” If elected, Ms. Bobek would be an Independent Trustee of each Board. If elected, Ms. Bobek and Mr. Wojnar will take office on January 1, 2019 or such later date upon election by shareholders. Information for each of the Nominees is provided below. Mr. Doll and Mses. Guthman, Plouché and Skinner have each been previously elected by shareholders.
Each Nominee has consented to being named in this Joint Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. The Trust does not know of any reason why any Nominee would be unable or unwilling to serve if elected.
Each Nominee elected as Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until, in accordance with the currentby-laws of each Trust (which may be changed without shareholder vote), (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election orre-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting; (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires, or a Trustee is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust; or (iii) for eachNon-Interested Trustee, in accordance with the Trusts’ retirement policy, which may be changed without shareholder vote, on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of 75 years. For any Trustee on the Board on July 1, 2016, the Trustee’s term of service is measured from that date.
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Normally, meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees are not held, except as required by the 1940 Act. See “Additional Information – Shareholder Proposals.” The Trustees may, as permitted by the 1940 Act, appoint additional Trustees without shareholder approval.
After careful consideration, at concurrent meetings of the Boards of Trustees of NF and NIF, each Board concluded that it was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to elect all of the Nominees, including those previously elected. In considering the Nominees for election, the Board members took into account the qualifications of each Nominee, the concern for the continued efficient conduct of each Fund’s business and the Board’s criteria for eligibility of new Trustees. In particular, the Board members of each Trust considered the requirements of the 1940 Act as they apply to the election of Trustees generally and the Nominees in particular. See discussion under “Committees of the Board.”
The proxies will vote for the election of each applicable Nominee unless you withhold authority to vote for any or all of them in the proxy. If an executed proxy card is received without voting instructions, the shares will be voted for the Nominees named on the proxy card. If a Nominee withdraws from the election or is otherwise unable to serve, the named proxies will vote for the election of such substitute Nominee as the applicable Board may recommend, unless the Board decides to reduce the number of Trustees serving on the Board.
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Proposal 1 – Nominees for Boards of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds (All Funds)
The following table sets forth certain information about the current Trustees and Nominees for the Boards of NF and NIF. The Northern mutual funds complex consists of the NF and NIF Trusts. Each Nominee would oversee 51 series in the Northern mutual funds complex – 44 series of NF and 7 series of NIF.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION ASNON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
NAME, ADDRESS(1), | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
Therese M. Bobek Age: 57 Prospective Nominee | • Partner in National Auditing Services and Chief Auditor Network Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (an accounting firm) from 2010 – 2018;
• Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program, University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018;
• Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP since 1997. | • None | ||
Mark G. Doll Age: 68 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2013 | • Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012;
• Senior Vice President – Public Markets, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008;
• President, Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008;
• Chairman, Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015;
• Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from 2003 to 2015;
• Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015. | • None |
(1) | EachNon-Interested Trustee Nominee may be contacted by writing to the Nominee, c/o Diana E. McCarthy, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996. |
(2) | This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. |
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NAME, ADDRESS(1), | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
Sandra Polk Guthman Age: 74 Chairperson of the Boards since 2015 Trustee of NF since 2000 and of NIF since 1997 | • Chair since 1988 and CEO from 1993 to 2012 of Polk Bros. Foundation (an Illinoisnot-for-profit corporation);
• Director of National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (f/k/a MBIA Insurance Corp. of Illinois) (a municipal bond insurance company) from 1994 to 2014;
• Trustee of Wellesley College from 2010 to 2016;
• Trustee of Rush University Medical Center since 2007. | • None | ||
Thomas A. Kloet Age: 60 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2015 | • Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, TMX Group, Ltd. (financial services company and operator of stock, derivatives exchanges, their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014;
• Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX, Inc. since 2016. | • Nasdaq, Inc. | ||
David R. Martin Age: 61 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2017 | • Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016;
• Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc. (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007;
• Senior Vice President, Finance of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005. | • None |
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NAME, ADDRESS(1), | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
Cynthia R. Plouché Age: 61 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2014 | • Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee, Williams Capital Management, LLC from 2006 to 2012;
• Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management, Inc. from June 2003 to 2006;
• Founder, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from May 1991 to 2003, a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients;
• Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment company – 34 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017;
• Assessor, Moraine Township, Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018. | • Barings Fund Trust (registered investment company – 8 portfolios); Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund(closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC) | ||
Mary Jacobs Skinner, Esq. Age: 60 Trustee of NF since 1998 and NIF since 2000 | • Retired as a partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP on November 30, 2015;
• Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow in 2016;
• Executive Committee Member and Chair, Public Policy Committee, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital since 2016;
• Director, Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000;
• Director, Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013. | • None |
(1) | EachNon-Interested Trustee Nominee may be contacted by writing to the Nominee, c/o Diana E. McCarthy, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996. |
(2) | This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Exchange Act (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. |
(3) | Ms. Skinner was deemed to be anon-interested Trustee effective April 1, 2018 with respect to NF and effective December 1, 2017 with respect to NIF. |
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PROSPECTIVE NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS INTERESTED TRUSTEE
NAME, ADDRESS, | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
Darek Wojnar(2) Age 52 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Prospective Nominee | • Director and Executive Vice President, Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since January 2018;
• Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017;
• Managing Director at Lattice Strategies, LLC from 2014 to 2016;
• Managing Director, Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013. | • None |
(1) | This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Exchange Act (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. |
(2) | An “interested person,” as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Wojnar is an “interested” Trustee because he is an officer, director, employee, and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates. |
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The following discloses information about the current Trustees of the Trusts who are not standing for election at the Meeting.
CURRENTNON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES NOT STANDING FOR ELECTION
NAME, ADDRESS(1), | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
William L. Bax Age: 74 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2005 | • Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chicago (an accounting firm) from 1997 to 2003;
• Director of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital since 1998. | • Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (an insurance brokerage company). | ||
Casey J. Sylla Age: 75 Trustee of NF and NIF since 2008 | • Board member, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Foundation from 2006 to 2015;
• Advisor, G.D. Searle Family Trusts from 2010 to 2012 and Independent Trustee from 2012 to December 31, 2017. | • GATX Corporation (transportation services) |
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CURRENT INTERESTED TRUSTEE NOT STANDING FOR ELECTION
NAME, ADDRESS, | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | OTHER | ||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(3) Age: 44 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Trustee of NF and NIF since October 2017 | • President, Northern Trust Asset Management since October 2017;
• President, FlexShares Trust (registered investment company – 26 portfolios) from 2011 to 2017;
• Executive Vice President, Head of Funds and Managed Accounts, Northern Trust Asset Management from June 2014 to October 2017;
• Managing Director and Head of the Exchange-Traded Funds Group, Northern Trust Global Investments from October 2010 to June 2014. | • FlexShares Trust (registered investment company – 26 portfolios) |
(1) | The Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Nominee, c/o Diana E. McCarthy, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996. |
(2) | This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Exchange Act (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. |
(3) | An “interested person,” as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Thomas is an “interested” Trustee because he is an officer, director, employee, and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates. |
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE. The following describes the Boards of Trustees of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds. Each Board is currently composed of nine Trustees, eight of whom are Independent Trustees, and one of whom is an Interested Trustee. The chairperson of the Trusts’ Boards, Sandra Polk Guthman, is an Independent Trustee. Shundrawn A. Thomas is considered an Interested Trustee because he is an officer, director, employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates. Darek Wojnar, if he is elected, will be considered an Interested Trustee because he is an officer, director, employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates. Each Nominee was nominated to serve on the Boards because of his or her experience, skills and qualifications. See “Nominee Experience” below. Each Board believes that its leadership structure is consistent with industry practices and is appropriate in light of the size of the Trust and the nature and complexity of its business. In particular:
• | Board Composition.The Trustees believe that having a super-majority of Independent Trustees (more than 75%) on each Board is appropriate and in |
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the best interest of shareholders. The Trustees also believe that having Mr. Thomas currently serve as an interested Trustee, and having Mr. Wojnar serve as an interested Trustee following Mr. Thomas’ resignation, brings management and financial insight that is important to certain of each Board’s decisions and also in the best interest of shareholders. |
• | Non-Interested Trustee Meetings and Executive Sessions.The Trustees believe that meetings of the Independent Trustees and meetings in executive session, including with their independent counsel, help prevent conflicts of interest from occurring. The Trustees also believe that these sessions allow the Independent Trustees to deliberate candidly and constructively, separately from management, in a manner that affords honest disagreement and critical questioning. |
RISK OVERSIGHT.Risk oversight is a part of each Board’s general oversight of the Funds and is addressed as part of various Board and committee activities.Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”), the Trusts’ investment adviser, thesub-advisers to certain Funds of NF and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), which carry out the Funds’ investment management and business affairs. Each of NTI, thesub-advisers and other service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various events or circumstances that may give rise to risks, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they occur. Each of NTI, thesub-advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interests in risk management, and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models. NTI has a dedicated risk management function that is headed by a chief risk officer.
Currently, each Board receives and reviews risk reports on a quarterly basis from NTI’s chief risk officer. The Audit Committee of each Board reviews and discusses these reports with NTI’s chief risk officer prior to their presentation to the Boards. These reports cover risk areas that include, but are not limited to, credit risk, investment risk, operational risk, fiduciary risk, compliance risk, market and liquidity risk and strategic risk. These reports are intended to provide the Trustees with a forward-looking view of risk and the manner in which NTI is managing various risks.
The Audit Committees, in addition to their risk management responsibilities, play an important role in each Board’s risk oversight. Working with the Funds’ independent registered accountants, the Audit Committees ensure that the Funds’ annual audit scope includes risk-based considerations, such that the auditors consider the risks potentially impacting the audit findings as well as risks to the Funds’ financial position and operations.
Each Board also monitors and reviews the Funds’ performance metrics, and regularly confers with NTI on performance-related issues.
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The Trusts’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) reports to each Board at least quarterly regarding compliance risk issues. In addition to providing quarterly reports, the CCO provides annual reports to the Boards of Trustees in accordance with the Trusts’ compliance policies and procedures. The CCO regularly discusses relevant compliance risk issues affecting the Funds during meetings with thenon-interested Trustees and counsel. The CCO updates the Boards on the application of the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures and discusses how they mitigate risk. The CCO also reports to the Boards immediately regarding any problems associated with the Funds’ compliance policies and procedures that could expose (or that might have the potential to expose) the Funds to risk. The CCO’s quarterly and annual reports include reports on thesub-advisers’ compliance and risk issues (with respect to certain NF Funds).
NOMINEE EXPERIENCE.Each Nominee is required to possess certain qualities such as integrity, intelligence, the ability to critically discuss and analyze issues presented to the Trusts’ Board and an understanding of a trustee’s fiduciary obligations with respect to a registered investment company. In addition to these qualities, the following is a description of certain other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications of the Nominee:
Non-Interested Nominees:
Therese M. Bobek: Ms. Bobek has had a35-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (“PwC”), and has served a wide variety of public and privately held clients with external audits, internal auditing and risk advisory services. Ms. Bobek is a former partner in PwC’s national office, where she led a nationwide network of partners and managers whose main responsibility was to support audit quality in the field. She is also an adjunct lecturer for Advanced Auditing in the Masters of Accountancy program at the University of Iowa’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Ms. Bobek has been the Chief Audit Network Leader at PwC from 2010 to 2018, and has been a partner with PwC from 1997 to 2018. She has been a Board Member of Metropolitan Family Services and a Board Member of the Illinois society. She has also served as a member and Chair of the University of Iowa Professional Accounting Council, a voluntary council of business leaders supporting accounting education.
Mark G. Doll: Mr. Doll has over 40 years of experience in the investment management industry. He was Chief Investment Officer of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012. During that time, he was responsible for over $180 billion in account assets, and managed the Northwestern Mutual Series, Inc., a 1940 Act registered mutual fund complex offering 28 portfolios. During his40-year career at Northwestern Mutual, Mr. Doll oversaw all aspects of the company’s publicly traded assets. As chief investment officer, he was a member of the seven-person management committee that oversaw all aspects of Northwestern Mutual’s asset management business. Mr. Doll’s extensive experience in mutual fund and separate
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account management provided him with significant knowledge of equity, fixed income and money market funds. He has served as anon-interested Trustee of NF and NIF since 2013.
Sandra Polk Guthman: Ms. Guthman has been the chair since 1988 and was the chief executive officer from 1993 to 2012 of Polk Bros. Foundation, a multi-million dollar private foundation. In her capacity as chief executive officer, she analyzed investments for the foundation and therefore also has experience supervising and evaluating investment advisers and their performance. From 2010 to June 2015, she also served on the Investment Committee of Wellesley College, providing additional experience in supervising and evaluating investment advisers and their performance. In addition, Ms. Guthman has experience in the securities industry generally as a result of her service as a director of MBIA Insurance Corp. of Illinois, a private municipal bond insurance company, now known as National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation. Ms. Guthman has also chaired a number of governance and nominating committees of other boards of directors and served previously on the board of directors of a Chicago bank. She also is familiar with the functions of the Board and its oversight responsibilities with respect to NTI, thesub-advisers and the other Fund service providers as a result of her service as anon-interested Trustee of NF since 2000 and NIF since 1997.
Thomas A. Kloet: Mr. Kloet is a long-time financial industry executive and former Chief Executive Officer of TMX Group, Ltd., a financial services company and operator of stock, derivatives exchanges, their clearing operations and securities depository. As a result of this position, Mr. Kloet is familiar with financial, investment and business matters. He also understands the functions of a board through his service during the past six years on the boards of TMX Group, Ltd., Nasdaq, Inc. (and the Nasdaq stock Market, LLC as well as certain other subsidiaries of Nasdaq, Inc., where he has served as Board Chair since 2016); Box Options Exchange;FTSE-TMX Global Debt Capital Markets, Inc.; Bermuda Stock Exchange, Inc.; the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the World Federation of Exchanges. He is a certified public accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is an emeritus member of the Board of Elmhurst College. He served on the Market Risk Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Association from 2016 to 2018. He has served as anon-interested Trustee of NF and NIF since 2015.
Mr. Kloet serves on the Board of Directors of Nasdaq, Inc. Northern Trust Corporation (“NTC”), parent company of NTI and its affiliates (including affiliated fund complexes) pay listing fees, market data fees, GRC (governance risk and compliance) software fees and similar fees to Nasdaq, Inc. and its affiliates, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, Nasdaq OMX Nordic OY and BWise Internal Control Inc. (collectively “Nasdaq”). The total of these payments from NTC to Nasdaq were $387,512 and $691,960 in each of 2016 and 2017, respectively, which are immaterial to Nasdaq’s gross revenues. Nasdaq Inc. paid The Northern Trust Company, an
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affiliate of NTI, $240,760 and $222,700 in each of 2016 and 2017, respectively, for managing Nasdaq’s pension funds, which are immaterial to NTC’s gross revenues. In consideration of the immaterial amounts involved in the foregoing transactions, Mr. Kloet is not considered to have a material business or professional relationship with NTI or its affiliates.
David R. Martin: Mr. Martin was vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 2007 to 2016 of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a global investment manager that provides its services largely to investment companies or their local equivalent (mutual funds in the United States). The funds are held primarily by clients of independent financial advisors but they are also held by institutional clients (who may invest in separate accounts), pensions and profit sharing plans, corporations, defined contribution plans, endowments, state and municipal entities, and sovereign wealth funds. Mr. Martin had oversight responsibilities for all finance and accounting, real estate and compliance functions while at Dimensional, including the implementation of a global transfer pricing methodology. He also served as a director on eight internal Dimensional boards. During his35-year career in corporate finance, Mr. Martin also had senior management positions at Janus Capital Group, Inc. and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and senior level finance positions at First Interstate Bank of Texas, N.A. and Texas Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Mr. Martin is familiar with the functions of mutual fund boards and their oversight responsibilities and the operations of fund advisers and other service providers. He is also well versed in risk management and financial matters affecting mutual funds.
Cynthia R. Plouché: Ms. Plouché has an extensive background in the financial services industry. Until May 2017, she served as lead Independent Trustee and chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of AXA Premier VIP Trust, a registered investment company. She currently serves as an Independent Trustee of Barings Fund Trust, a registered investment company and an Independent Trustee of Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, aclosed-end investment company. She also has served as portfolio manager and chief investment officer for other registered investment advisers. Ms. Plouché is therefore familiar with the functions of mutual fund boards and their oversight responsibilities and the operations of fund advisers and other service providers. In addition, Ms. Plouché served as Township Assessor for Moraine, Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018. She has served as anon-interested Trustee of NF and NIF since 2014.
Mary Jacobs Skinner: Ms. Skinner was a partner until November 30, 2015 at Sidley Austin LLP, a large international law firm, in which she managed a regulatory-based practice. As a result of this position, Ms. Skinner is familiar with legal, regulatory and financial matters. She was a Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow in 2016. She also is familiar with the functions of the Board and its oversight responsibilities with respect to NTI and other fund service providers as a result of her service as a Trustee of NF since 1998 and NIF since 2000.
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Interested Nominee:
Darek Wojnar, CFA: Mr. Wojnar is the Executive Vice President, Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Asset Management. He principally leads the development, management and distribution of Northern Funds, Northern Institutional Funds, FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds and related business activities. Mr. Wojnar also oversees the Managed Accounts practice for Northern Trust Asset Management, which offers investment advisory solutions to financial intermediaries and their clients. With extensive business experience and a history of successfully building strong teams, Mr. Wojnar’s broad executive responsibilities include developing long-term strategies, executing operating plans, managing client and vendor relationships and developing and retaining talented professionals. Mr. Wojnar has also had a series of executive positions at other fund groups, including head of Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) for Hartford Funds, managing director and head of US iShares product at BlackRock and executive director at UBS Global Asset Management.
Because your Fund is a portfolio of either NF or NIF, your vote will be counted together with the votes of shareholders of the other portfolios of that Trust, voting as a single class in the election of Trustees. Election of each Nominee requires a plurality of the shares voted at the Meeting. The eight Nominees to each Board who receive the highest number of votes cast at the Meeting will be elected as Trustees, provided that there is a sufficient number of shares represented in person or by proxy to meet that Trust’s quorum requirements. Cumulative voting is not permitted.
THE TRUSTEES, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE LISTED.
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The following table sets forth information regarding the officers of the Trusts. The officers are appointed by each Board and hold office at the pleasure of the respective Board or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until they die, resign, are removed or become disqualified. Certain officers hold comparable positions with certain other investment companies of which Northern Trust Corporation or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, administrator and/or distributor.
NAME, ADDRESS, AGE, | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | |
Peter K. Ewing Age: 59 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 President since 2017 | Director of Product Management, ETFs and Mutual Funds, Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since March 2017; Director of ETF Product Management from 2013 to February 2017; Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since September 2010; President of FlexShares Trust since March 2017; Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to February 2017. | |
Kevin P. O’Rourke Age: 47 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015 | Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since 2014; Vice President of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. from 2009 to 2014. | |
Brian Meikel Age: 51 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Chief Compliance Officer since August 2018 | Vice President of Northern Trust Investments, Inc. since June 2014; Chief Compliance Officer of BMO Asset Management – Harris Investment Management from August 2006 to September 2013. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AGE, | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | |
Darlene Chappell Age: 55 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009 | Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for NTI, Northern Trust Securities, Inc. and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC since 2015; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity Long/Short Opportunities Fund and FlexShares Trust since 2011; Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors, Inc. from 2009 to 2011. | |
Randal Rein Age: 47 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008 | Senior Vice President of NTI since 2010; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of FlexShares Trust since 2011; Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to June 2018; Treasurer of Equity Long/Short Opportunities Fund from 2011 to June 2018. | |
Michael Pryszcz Age: 51 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008 | Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010. | |
Richard Crabill Age: 50 2160 East Elliot Road Tempe, Arizona 85284 Assistant Treasurer since 2008 | Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011; Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011. | |
Michael Meehan Age: 47 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011 | Senior Vice President of NTI since 2016; Vice President of NTI from 2011 to 2016; Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity Long/Short Opportunities Fund from 2011 to June 2018. | |
Gregory A. Chidsey Age: 49 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013 | Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AGE, | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST | |
Craig R. Carberry, Esq. Age: 58 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2010 | Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2015; Secretary of NTI since 2000; Chief Compliance Officer of NTI from October 2015 to June 2017; Assistant General Counsel and U.S. Funds General Counsel of The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015; Senior Legal Counsel and U.S. Funds General Counsel of The Northern Trust Company from 2000 to 2014; Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC since 2015; Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2004; Secretary of Equity Long/Short Opportunities Fund and FlexShares Trust since 2011; Secretary of Northern Trust Global Advisors, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; Secretary of The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013. | |
Jose J. Del Real, Esq. Age: 40 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2015 | Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since March 2017; Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to February 2017; Assistant Secretary of NTI since 2016; Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015; Vice President and Regulatory Administration Senior Attorney of TNTC from 2012 to 2014; Vice President and Regulatory Administration Attorney of The Northern Trust Company from 2011 to 2012; Second Vice President and Regulatory Administration Attorney of The Northern Trust Company from 2010 to 2011; Assistant Secretary of NF and NIF from 2011 to 2014 and since 2015; Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2015. | |
Angela Burke, Esq. Age: 35 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since August 2018 | Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016; Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management, LLC and Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015. |
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Remuneration of the Trustees and Officers
Each Trust pays the fees of itsNon-Interested Trustees. The Trusts’ officers and Interested Trustee do not receive fees from the Trusts for services in such capacities. Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates, of which Mses. Burke and Chappell and Messrs. Carberry, Chidsey, Crabill, Del Real, Ewing, Meehan, Meikel, O’Rourke, Pryszcz, Rein, Thomas and Wojnar are officers, receive fees from the Trust as investment adviser, administrator, custodian, transfer agent and servicing agent.
TheNon-Interested Trustees are paid an annual Board and Committee retainer plus Board and Committee chairperson and vice-chairperson fees, in addition to reimbursement of any travel and other expenses incurred in attending Board and Committee meetings. The Trusts do not provide pension or retirement benefits to the Trustees.
Prior to August 22, 2013, each Trustee was entitled to participate in the Trusts’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “D.C. Plan”). Effective August 22, 2013, the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation. Any amounts deferred and deemed invested under the Plan shall continue to be deemed as invested pursuant to the Plan. Under the D.C. Plan, a Trustee may have elected to have his or her deferred fees treated as if they had been invested by the Trust in the shares of the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of NF or the U.S. Government Portfolio of NIF and/or at the discretion of the Trust, another money market fund selected by the Trust that complied with the provisions of Rule2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed-income instruments selected by the Trust that are “eligible securities” as defined by that rule. The amounts paid to the Trustees under the D.C. Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees’ fees will not obligate the Trust to retain the service of any Trustee or obligate the Trust to any level of compensation to the Trustee. The Trust may invest in underlying securities without shareholder approval.
The compensation paid to each Trustee by each Fund and by the Northern mutual fund complex as a whole is set forth in Appendix C.
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Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The following table shows the dollar range of the value of shares of each Fund, and the dollar value of the shares of all investment portfolios in the Northern mutual fund complex, owned directly or beneficially by the Trustee Nominees, as of December 31, 2017.
Non-Interested Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in each Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range | ||
Therese M. Bobek(4) | Stock Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Mid Cap Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Small Cap Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 International Equity Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Global Real Estate Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 | Over $100,000 | ||
Mark G. Doll | Tax-Exempt Fund – Over $100,000 U.S. Government Money Market Fund –$1-$10,000 | Over $100,000 | ||
Sandra Polk Guthman | Income Equity Fund – Over $100,000 Large Cap Core Fund – Over $100,000 Money Market Fund –$1-$10,000 Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund – Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||
Thomas A. Kloet | Large Cap Core Fund – Over $100,000 Small Cap Value Fund – Over $100,000 Small Cap Core Fund – Over $100,000 Fixed Income Fund – Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||
David R. Martin(2) | None | None | ||
Cynthia R. Plouché | Large Cap Core Fund –$50,001-$100,000 Stock Index Fund –$50,001-$100,000 International Equity Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Global Real Estate Index Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund –$1-$10,000 High Yield Fixed Income Fund –$10,001-$50,000 Short Bond Fund –$10,001-$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
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Non-Interested Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in each Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range | ||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | Large Cap Core Fund – Over $100,000 Small Cap Core Fund – $50,001-$100,000 Short-IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund – Over $100,000 U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund –$50,001-$100,000 U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Over $100,000 | Over $100,000(3) | ||
Interested Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in each Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range Investment Companies(1) | ||
Darek Wojnar(4) | None | None |
(1) | The Northern Mutual Fund Complex consists of NIF and NF. As of December 31, 2017, NF offered 44 portfolios and NIF offered 7 portfolios. |
(2) | Mr. Martin was appointed to the Board effective January 1, 2017. NewNon-Interested Trustees are given 3 years to comply with the Board policy on investment by Trustees in the Funds. |
(3) | Includes amounts in Ms. Skinner’s Deferred Compensation Plan account, which is treated as if invested in the U.S. Government Portfolio of NIF. |
(4) | Ms. Bobek and Mr. Wojnar will not hold office until their election by shareholders. |
Interests of CertainNon-Interested Nominees
As of August 1, 2018, the Independent Trustees and officers as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund.
Board Meetings, Committees and Other Related Matters
Each Board is responsible for overseeing generally the operation of its respective Funds, including reviewing and approving the Funds’ contracts with NTI. The officers are responsible for theday-to-day management and administration of the Funds’ operations. The NF Board met four times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. The NIF Board met four times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. Each Trustee attended or participated telephonically in at least 75% of all applicable Board and Committee meetings during the respective fiscal year. A shareholder may send communications to a Board by writing the Board c/o Diana E. McCarthy, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996.
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Each Board has established standing Audit, Governance, Valuation and Executive Committees.
Each Audit Committee currently consists of five members: Messrs. Bax (Chairperson), Doll, Kloet, Martin (Vice-Chairperson) and Ms. Guthman (ex officio). Each Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to its respective Board with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, each Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to its respective Board an independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of the respective Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of the audit. Each Audit Committee also is designated as the qualified legal compliance committee under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Each Audit Committee convenes at least four times each year to meet with the independent registered public accounting firm to review the scope and results of the audit and to discuss othernon-audit matters as requested by the respective Board’s Chairperson, the Committee Chairperson or the independent registered public accounting firm. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the Audit Committee of NF convened four times. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Audit Committee of NIF convened five times.
Each Governance Committee consists of four members: Mses. Plouché (Chairperson), Guthman (ex officio), Skinner and Mr. Kloet. The functions performed by the Governance Committee for each Trust include, among other things, selecting and nominating candidates to serve as Independent Trustees, reviewing and making recommendations regarding Trustee compensation, developing policies regarding Trustee education and, subject to Board oversight, monitoring the Trust’s CCO. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the Governance Committee of NF convened four times. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Governance Committee of NIF convened four times. A copy of the Governance Committee Charter is attached as Appendix D.
In connection with the selection and nomination of candidates to each Board, the respective Governance Committee is required to evaluate the qualifications of candidates for Board membership and, for Independent Trustees, their independence from the Trust’s investment adviser and other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must be independent in terms of both the letter and the spirit of the 1940 Act. The Committees are also required to consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence (for example, business, financial or family relationships with the investment advisers or other service providers). In filling Board vacancies, each Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the attention of NF or NIF Governance Committee, c/o Diana E. McCarthy, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996. Each Board’s Governance Committee has selected and nominated the Nominees for election at the Meeting.
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The following qualifications, abilities and characteristics of candidates establish evaluation criteria that shall be used by the Governance Committee. Each Trust’s intent is that the Board, as a whole, will maintain integrity and ethical behavior, sound business judgment, specific expertise and diversity of background required to provide for the duties and the responsibilities of Independent Trustees of the Trust’s Board.
Each Governance Committee Charter contains guidelines for the Governance Committee in choosing candidates for the respective Board. In general, Independent Trustees as a group, should to the extent possible: (1) be drawn from the ranks of respected and accomplished senior leaders; (2) strive to achieve diversity in terms of gender and race; and (3) reflect a diversity of business experience. The following factors are taken into consideration by the Committees when evaluating an Independent Trustee candidate: (1) personal integrity; (2) an ability to act independently with regard to the Trust’s affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the Trust and its shareholders; (3) a demonstrated ability to use sound business judgment gained through broad experience where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial or regulatory issues; (4) a sufficient financial or accounting knowledge to evaluate and analyze, financial, accounting, audit and fund performance reports; (5) a breadth of experience on corporate or other institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities demonstrating a diligent fiduciary interest and concern; and (6) an ability and an expressed desire and willingness to make the necessary commitment of time and effort to bring continuing value to the Trust, the Board, applicable committees, and the Funds’ shareholders.
Each Valuation Committee consists of five members: Messrs. Sylla (Chairperson), Doll (Vice-Chairperson) and Thomas and Mses. Guthman(ex-officio) and Skinner. Each Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities of the respective Trust’s Funds in accordance with the Trust’s valuation procedures. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the Valuation Committee of NF convened four times. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Valuation Committee of NIF convened four times.
Each Executive Committee consists of four members: Mses. Guthman (Chairperson) and Plouché and Messrs. Bax and Sylla. Each Executive Committee is comprised of the Chairperson of the Board as well as the Chairpersons of the Governance, Valuation and Audit Committees, with the remaining Trustees each serving as an alternate in the event of an emergency. Each Executive Committee is granted the power to act on behalf of the full Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Trust, to be exercised when circumstances impair the ability of the Board or its committees to conduct business. In particular, the Executive Committee may take action with respect to (1) the valuation of securities; and (2) the suspension of redemptions. The Executive Committee was formed on May 21, 2015 and will convene as necessary upon notice by the Chairperson of the Committee. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the NF Executive Committee did not convene. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the NIF Executive Committee did not convene.
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PROPOSAL 2. APPROVAL TO CHANGE THE FUNDAMENTAL INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION POLICY FOR THE NF MONEY MARKET FUND, NF ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND AND NIF PRIME OBLIGATIONS PORTFOLIO (EACH A “PROPOSING FUND,” TOGETHER, THE “PROPOSING FUNDS”)
NTI has recommended and each respective Board has approved, and recommends that shareholders approve, changing each Proposing Fund’s investment policy with respect to industry concentration. Currently, each Proposing Fund may not concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry, except as noted below. This fundamental investment policy can only be changed by the vote of a “majority of the outstanding securities” of the respective Proposing Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act and explained further below. The proposal is as follows:
Current policy on industry concentration: |
Each Proposing Fund may not purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations) if such purchase would cause 25% or more in the aggregate of the market value of the total assets of the Proposing Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that, with respect to the NF Money Market Fund and NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio, there is no limitation and each of the NF Money Market Fund and NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio reserves freedom of action, when otherwise consistent with its investment strategies, to concentrate its investments in obligations (other than commercial paper) issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks (including foreign branches of U.S. banks) and U.S. branches of foreign banks and repurchase agreements and securities loans collateralized by such U.S. government obligations or such bank obligations. |
Proposed policy on industry concentration: |
Each Proposing Fund may not purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations) if such purchase would cause 25% or more in the aggregate of the market value of the total assets of the Proposing Fund to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry. This limitation does not apply to securities issued by companies having their principal activities in the financial services industry and each Proposing Fund will invest under normal market conditions 25% or more of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry. The financial services industry is deemed to include the group of industries within the financial services sector. Asset-backed securities with underlying assets related to the financial services industry will be grouped in the financial services industry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for temporary defensive purposes each Proposing Fund may invest less than 25% of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry. |
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If approved by shareholders, each of the Proposing Funds will be required to invest under normal market conditions at least 25% of its total assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry. Each Proposing Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest less than 25% of its total assets in this industry if warranted due to adverse economic conditions or if investing less than 25% appears to be in the best interest of shareholders. Each of the Proposing Fund’s principal investment strategies will remain unchanged, except for the foregoing.
The following interpretations apply to, but are not a part of, this fundamental investment policy: Companies in the financial services group of industries include but are not limited to U.S. andnon-U.S. companies involved in banking, mortgage, consumer or specialized finance, investment banking, securities brokerage, asset management and custody, insurance, financial investment, real estate and mortgage finance and financial conglomerates, and related asset-backed securities. NTI may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that either a third-party classification provider used by NTI or another fund service provider does not assign a classification or assigns a classification inconsistent with that believed appropriate by NTI based on its analysis of the economic characteristics of the issuer.
Concentration in the financial services industry will subject each Proposing Fund to greater risk of loss as a result of adverse economic, business or other developments affecting companies in the financial services industry than if its investments were not so concentrated. The profitability of financial services companies is dependent on the availability and cost of capital and can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates and monetary policy. Financial services companies are exposed to losses if borrowers and other counterparties experience financial problems and/or cannot repay their obligations. Financial services companies also are subject to extensive government regulation, including policy and legislative changes in the United States and other countries that are changing many aspects of financial regulation.
NTI believes that a policy to concentrate in the financial services industry will assist each Proposing Fund in meeting its investment objectives by better positioning each Proposing Fund to take advantage of available investment opportunities, which would be beneficial to the Proposing Fund. It is not expected to significantly affect how each Proposing Fund is managed. For this reason, NTI believes that this change is in shareholders’ best interests. If the proposed policy is approved with respect to a Proposing Fund, the policy will be implemented for the Proposing Fund after notice to shareholders. If a Proposing Fund’s shareholders do not approve the proposed policy, the Proposing Fund’s current policy on industry concentration will remain in effect.
Board Evaluation and Recommendation
At the July 31, 2018 concurrent specialin-person meeting of the Boards, and after careful consideration, the Trustees of each of NF and NIF determined that a
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concentration in the financial services industry by the Proposing Funds is in the best interest of each respective Proposing Fund and its respective shareholders. The Trustees considered NTI’s expertise and history in managing the Proposing Funds and NTI’s view that the proposed policy would be in the best of interests of the Proposing Funds and their shareholders. They further considered that the proposed policy could provide additional investment opportunities for the Proposing Funds that would be beneficial to the Funds and that would assist in meeting the Proposing Funds’ investment objectives. The Trustees also recognized that there was no guarantee that any of the Proposing Funds’ investments would be successful or that the Proposing Funds would meet their investment objectives. The Trustees also considered the inherent risks of concentration in the financial services industry.
Approval of the change to the Industry Concentration Policy of the Proposing Funds requires the vote of a “majority of the outstanding shares” (as defined with respect to voting securities by the 1940 Act) of the respective Fund, with all shareholders of the NF Money Market Fund voting together as a single class, all shareholders of the NF Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund voting together as a single class and all shareholders of the NIF Prime Obligations Portfolio with all classes voting together as a single class. For this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of a Proposing Fund means the vote of the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the Proposing Fund’s shares represented at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the Proposing Fund’s outstanding shares.
EACH BOARD, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSAL IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE NF MONEY MARKET FUND, THE NF ULTRA-SHORT FIXED INCOME FUND AND THE NIF PRIME OBLIGATIONS PORTFOLIO AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Trusts and each series thereof are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act, and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy material and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy material and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. In addition, these materials can be inspected and copied at certain of the following regional offices of the SEC listed below: Atlanta Regional Office, 950 East Places Ferry, N.E., Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30326; Boston Regional Office, 33 Arch Street, 23rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110; Chicago Regional Office, 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60604; Denver Regional Office, 1961 Stout Street, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80924; Fort Worth Regional Office, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 1900, Unit 18, Fort Worth, TX 76102; Los Angeles Regional Office, 444 South Flower Street, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071; Miami Regional Office, 801 Brickell Ave., Suite 1800, Miami, FL 33131; New York Regional Office, 200 Vesey Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10281; Philadelphia Regional Office, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 520, Philadelphia, PA 19103; Salt Lake Regional Office, 351 S. West Temple St., Suite 6.100, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; San Francisco Regional Office, 44 Montgomery Street, Suite 2800, San Francisco, CA 94104. Copies of such materials also can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549. Some of these items are also available on the Internet at www.sec.gov.
* * *
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE TRUSTS WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, COPIES OF THE NORTHERN FUNDS MARCH 31, 2018 ANNUAL REPORTS AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS AND THE NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ANNUAL REPORTS AND MAY 31, 2018 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS: NORTHERN FUNDS/NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS, P.O. BOX 75986, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60675-5986, BY TELEPHONE AT1-800-595-9111 FOR NF OR1-800-637-1380 FOR NIF, OR BYE-MAIL AT NORTHERN-FUNDS@NTRS.COM FOR NF OR NIF.
As of the date of this Joint Proxy Statement, the Trustees are not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the Joint Meeting other than those described
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above. Should other business properly be brought before the Joint Meeting, it is intended that the accompanying proxy will be voted thereon in accordance with the judgment of the persons named as proxies.
Proxies and Voting at the Joint Meeting
A proxy is revocable by a shareholder at any time before it is exercised by written notice to the Trusts (addressed to the Secretary at the Trusts’ principal office), by executing a superseding proxy or by attending the Joint Meeting and voting in person. All valid proxies received prior to the Joint Meeting (including any adjournment thereof) will be voted at the Joint Meeting. Matters on which a choice has been provided will be voted as indicated on a proxy and, if no instruction is given, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented thereby in favor of the matters set forth in each proposal and will use their best judgment in connection with the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Joint Meeting.
In the event that at the time any session of the Joint Meeting is called to order a quorum is not present in person or by proxy, the persons named as proxies may vote those proxies that have been received to adjourn the Joint Meeting to a later date. In the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes in favor of any of the proposals have not been received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Joint Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies with respect to such proposals. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Trust (or the affected Fund) present and voting in person or by proxy at the session of the Joint Meeting to be adjourned. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies that they are entitled to vote in favor of any such proposal in favor of such an adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted against any such proposal against any such adjournment. A shareholder vote may be taken on one or more of the proposals in this Joint Proxy Statement for one or more Funds prior to such adjournment if sufficient votes for their approval have been received and it is otherwise appropriate.
A majority of the shares entitled to vote with respect to a proposal will be a quorum for the transaction of business with respect to that proposal at the Joint Meeting, but any lesser number will be sufficient for adjournments. Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present at the Joint Meeting, but will not be counted as a vote at the Joint Meeting. Accordingly, an abstention from voting on a proposal will have no effect on Proposal 1 but will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 2, as applicable. If a broker or nominee holding shares in “street name” indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote as to a particular proposal, those shares will be considered as present at the Joint Meeting with respect to the proposal. Accordingly, a “broker nonvote” will not affect the Trust’s ability to achieve a quorum at the Joint Meeting, but will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 2, as applicable.
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Independent Registered Public Accountants
Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte), an independent registered public accounting firm, currently serves as the independent public accountant of NF and NIF. The NF Board has selected Deloitte as the independent public accountant to examine and report on the financial statements of each Fund for its two most recent fiscal years. The NIF Board has selected Deloitte as the independent public accountant to examine and report on the financial statements for each Fund for the Funds’ fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. The NIF’s financial statements for the Funds’ fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 were examined and reported on by Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), the Funds’ former independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte has advised the Boards that neither Deloitte nor any of its partners has any direct or material indirect financial interest in NF or NIF. Representatives of Deloitte are not expected to be at the Joint Meeting but have been given the opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available telephonically should any matter arise requiring their participation.
As a part of their oversight of each applicable Fund’s expenses, the Audit Committees of NF and NIF reviewed and discussed with NTI and Deloitte each of their respective Funds’ financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year. The Audit Committees have reviewed the audit fees of Deloitte and have also reviewednon-audit services to assure compliance with the Funds’ and each Audit Committee’s policies restricting Deloitte from performing services that might impair their independence. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, each Audit Committee selected Deloitte to serve as the independent public accounting firm for each Fund for the current fiscal year.
The fees paid to Deloitte by NF during each Fund’s two most recently completed fiscal years, amounts billed for other services rendered by Deloitte to the Funds and the aggregatenon-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Funds, NTI and any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provides ongoing services to the Funds are described in Appendix F. The fees paid to Deloitte by NIF for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017 and to EY by NIF for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 and the aggregatenon-audit fees billed by Deloitte and EY for services rendered to the Funds, NTI and any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provides ongoing services to the Funds are described in Appendix E.
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter of NF and NIF adopted on August 3, 2006 and as amended to date, to the extent required by applicable regulations, all audit andnon-audit services provided by the independent registered public accountants shall either be:(a) pre-approved by each Audit Committee as a whole; or (b) between meetings of the Audit Committees by either the Chairman of that Audit Committee, the designated Audit Committee Financial Expert (if any) or another member of the applicable Audit Committee, provided that, in each case, suchpre-approvals must be reported to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting.
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Appendix B sets forth the persons who owned beneficially more than 5% of the shares of any Fund as of the Record Date for the Meeting. For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to “control” such company.
As of the Record Date, TNTC and/or certain of its affiliates have discretionary authority over the voting of more than 25% of (i) all of the Funds of NF, except the Large Cap Value Fund, Income Equity Fund, Large Cap Core Fund and Small Cap Value Fund; and (ii) the Municipal Portfolio and Liquid Assets Portfolio of NIF, through TNTC customer accounts. The approximate percentage of outstanding shares of NF and NIF over which TNTC has discretionary voting and/or investment power is set forth in Appendix G. TNTC has advised the Funds that it intends to vote the shares over which it has voting power with respect to the Proposals according to a recommendation of Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) consistent with TNTC’s proxy voting policies. The approximate percentage of outstanding shares of each Fund that is subject to this ISS arrangement is set forth in the table in Appendix H. For Proposal 2, in the case of the Money Market Fund and the Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund, the shares that will be voted per the ISS determination constitutes an outright majority of that Fund’s shares and, therefore, the ISS determination will be dispositive for that Fund’s approval or disapproval of Proposal 2, as applicable.
Manner and Cost of Proxy Solicitation
Proxies will be solicited by mail and may also be solicited in person or by telephone, fax, Internet or personal interview by officers of TNTC. In addition, employees of TNTC, its affiliates, correspondent banks, brokers and similar record holders may solicit proxies by these means, and may forward proxy materials and printed direction forms to the customers on whose behalf they hold record ownership of shares of the Funds.
Expenses are currently estimated at $820,000 for NF and $130,000 for NIF.
Multiple Shareholders in a Household
If you are a member of a household in which multiple shareholders of a Fund share the same address, and the Fund or your broker or bank (for “street name” accounts) has received consent to household material, then the Fund or your broker or bank may have sent to your household only one copy of this Joint Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card (“Proxy Materials”), unless the Fund or your broker or bank previously received contrary instructions from a shareholder in your household. If you are part of a household that has received only one copy of the Proxy Materials, the Fund will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Proxy Materials to you upon written or oral request.
To receive a separate copy of the Proxy Materials, or if you would like to receive a separate copy of future proxy statements, prospectuses or annual reports, please
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contact Northern Funds by calling800-595-9111, by mail at Northern Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60675-5986 or bye-mail at northern-funds@ntrs.com. Please contact Northern Institutional Funds by calling800-637-1380, by mail at Northern Institutional Funds, P.O. Box 75986, Chicago, Illinois 60675-5986, or bye-mail at northern-funds@ntrs.com. On the other hand, if you are now receiving multiple copies of these documents and would like to receive a single copy in the future, please contact Northern Funds at the telephone number or address stated above. If your shares are held in street name, please contact your broker or bank.
The Trusts are not required, nor do they intend, to hold annual meetings of shareholders each year for the election of Trustees and other business. Instead, meetings will be held only when and if required (for example, whenever less than a majority of a Board holding office has been elected by the shareholders or when the Trustees have received a written request to call a meeting for the purpose of voting on the question of the removal of any Trustee from the holders of record of at least 10% of the outstanding shares). Any shareholders desiring to present a proposal for consideration at the next meeting for shareholders of their Fund must submit the proposal in writing so that it is received by the appropriate Fund within a reasonable time before any meeting. These proposals should be sent to the Trust at its address stated below under “Information About the Funds.”
Information About the Distributor, Administrator andSub-Administrator
Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, with principal offices at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine, 04101, serves as the Funds’ distributor.
NTI, located at 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, acts as administrator for the Funds. TNTC serves as the Funds’sub-administrator.
NF and NIF currently have their principal office at 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
* * *
Even if you expect to attend the Joint Meeting in person, please promptly follow the enclosed directions to submit voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. Alternatively, you may submit voting instructions by signing and dating each proxy card that you receive, and if received by mail, returning it in the accompanying postage paid return envelope.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY.
September 7, 2018
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OUTSTANDING SHARES
NORTHERN FUNDS
As of August 1, 2018, each Fund of Northern Funds had the following number of shares outstanding:
FUND | OUTSTANDING SHARES | |||
Income Equity Fund | 14,984,597 | |||
Small Cap Value Fund | 151,622,249 | |||
Fixed Income Fund | 119,556,092 | |||
U.S. Government Fund | 2,445,760 | |||
Tax-Exempt Fund | 106,358,239 | |||
IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund | 266,597,473 | |||
International Equity Fund | 25,271,186 | |||
Money Market Fund | 519,344,213 | |||
Municipal Money Market Fund | 706,500,856 | |||
U.S. Government Money Market Fund | 16,703,582,673 | |||
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | 3,611,237,461 | |||
Stock Index Fund | 249,965,772 | |||
Short Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | 11,529,580 | |||
California IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund | 47,172,653 | |||
ArizonaTax-Exempt Fund | 11,085,911 | |||
CaliforniaTax-Exempt Fund | 15,424,086 | |||
Small Cap Index Fund | 90,372,754 | |||
High Yield Municipal Fund | 49,764,930 | |||
High Yield Fixed Income Fund | 580,510,453 | |||
Small Cap Core Fund | 18,201,540 | |||
Mid Cap Index Fund | 120,801,289 | |||
International Equity Index Fund | 469,667,361 | |||
Large Cap Value Fund | 5,576,870 | |||
Large Cap Core Fund | 12,926,896 | |||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 258,537,641 | |||
Active M International Equity Fund | 107,995,855 | |||
Global Real Estate Index Fund | 169,896,371 | |||
Bond Index Fund | 276,760,059 | |||
Short IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund | 84,311,107 | |||
Global Sustainability Index Fund | 31,102,161 | |||
Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund | 7,747,107 | |||
Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 57,497,696 | |||
Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | 227,249,833 | |||
Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | 366,551,500 |
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APPENDIX A (continued)
OUTSTANDING SHARES
FUND | OUTSTANDING SHARES | |||
Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund | 31,262,905 | |||
Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | 7,199,218 | |||
Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund | 93,775,162 | |||
U.S. Treasury Index Fund | 3,845,604 | |||
Core Bond Fund | 27,879,564 | |||
Short Bond Fund | 27,121,195 | |||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | 21,061,622 | |||
Active M U.S. Equity Fund | 38,786,563 | |||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | 2,509,084 | |||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | 15,970,043 |
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
As of August 1, 2018, each Fund of Northern Institutional Funds had the following number of shares outstanding:
FUND | OUTSTANDING SHARES | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio | 13,424,989,441 | |||
U.S. Government Select Portfolio | 24,653,352,097 | |||
Municipal Portfolio | 319,641,211 | |||
Treasury Portfolio | 39,585,876,276 | |||
Prime Obligations Portfolio | 3,124,703,702 | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio | 824,011,519 |
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5% SHARE OWNERSHIP
As of August 1, 2018, the following persons or entities, whose mailing address, unless otherwise indicated, is c/o The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603, owned of record or are known by the Funds to have beneficially owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the following Funds:
NORTHERN FUNDS
FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 3,098,084 |
|
| 43.10 | % | |||
Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 515,992 |
|
| 7.18 | % | |||
Income Equity Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 3,443,942 | 22.98 | % | ||||||
Income Equity Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 | 3,285,327 | 21.92 | % | ||||||
Large Cap Value Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 1,688,988 | 30.28 | % | ||||||
Large Cap Value Fund | UMB Bank NA | 365,981 | 6.56 | % | ||||||
Large Cap Value Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 | 326,677 | 5.86 | % |
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FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Large Cap Core Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 2,286,316 | 17.68 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Value Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 45,485,634 | 29.92 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Value Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 | 30,140,821 | 19.82 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Value Fund | Pershing LLC | 29,229,016 | 19.22 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Value Fund | TD Ameritrade Inc. P.O. Box 2226 Omaha,NE 68103-2226 | 7,694,736 | 5.06 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Core Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 | 3,887,883 | 21.35 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Core Fund | Scripps Health General | 2,061,880 | 11.32 | % | ||||||
Small Cap Core Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 1,460,888 | 8.02 | % | ||||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | Richmond Memorial Health Foundation | 746,247 | 29.74 | % | ||||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | The Diamonstein – Spielvogel Foundation, Inc. | 314,607 | 12.54 | % | ||||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | The Brookhill Foundation | 263,827 | 10.51 | % | ||||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | St. Louis Community Foundation, Inc. | 178,711 | 7.12 | % | ||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | Maxim Series Fund Inc. | 22,369,631 | 8.66 | % |
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FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Global Sustainability Index Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 2,626,281 |
|
| 8.45 | % | |||
International Equity Index Fund | UBATCO & Co. |
| 24,953,875 |
|
| 5.31 | % | |||
Mid Cap Index Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 6,945,665 | 5.75 | % | ||||||
Bond Index Fund | UBATCO & Co. FBO College Savings Group | 23,499,986 | 8.49 | % | ||||||
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | Electrical Insurance TR |
| 1,686,918 |
|
| 14.63 | % | |||
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | Portercare Adventist Health |
| 1,426,360 |
|
| 12.37 | % | |||
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | MAFCO |
| 1,265,503 |
|
| 10.98 | % | |||
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 662,406 |
|
| 5.75 | % | |||
U.S. Government Fund | Don Walker Trust | 330,122 | 13.45 | % | ||||||
U.S. Government Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 205,449 | 8.37 | % | ||||||
U.S. Government Fund | Robert F. Reilly and Janet H. Reilly | 134,268 | 5.47 | % | ||||||
U.S. Treasury Index Fund | Novartis | 3,430,222 | 89.15 | % | ||||||
ArizonaTax-Exempt Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 2,973,592 |
|
| 26.80 | % |
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FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
ArizonaTax-Exempt Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 793,384 |
|
| 7.15 | % | |||
ArizonaTax-Exempt Fund | TD Ameritrade Inc. P.O. Box 2226 Omaha,NE 68103-2226 |
| 631,495 |
|
| 5.69 | % | |||
California IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 4,363,146 |
|
| 9.26 | % | |||
CaliforniaTax-Exempt Fund | Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
| 2,669,443 |
|
| 17.30 | % | |||
CaliforniaTax-Exempt Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 1,595,077 |
|
| 10.34 | % | |||
CaliforniaTax-Exempt Fund | Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
| 787,188 |
|
| 5.10 | % | |||
Money Market Fund | Halle Residential Community Property | 35,114,212 | 6.76 | % | ||||||
Money Market Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 | 28,199,961 | 5.43 | % | ||||||
Money Market Fund | Robert J.W. Moran Revocable Trust UAD | 27,800,000 | 5.35 | % | ||||||
Municipal Money Market Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 86,871,927 |
|
| 12.30 | % |
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FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Municipal Money Market Fund | Oscar S. Andras and Mary S. Andras |
| 60,000,000 |
|
| 8.49 | % | |||
Municipal Money Market Fund | Marilyn R. Kidder 2016 GRAT |
| 39,250,000 |
|
| 5.55 | % | |||
Municipal Money Market Fund | S Zion & T Shah TIC |
| 37,310,000 |
|
| 5.28 | % | |||
U.S. Government Money Market Fund | NTB IL M&I Sweep Account |
| 3,049,469,463 |
|
| 18.34 | % | |||
U.S. Government Money Market Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 2,025,884,238 |
|
| 12.18 | % | |||
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | NTB IL M&I Sweep Account |
| 881,302,470 |
|
| 24.12 | % | |||
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | National Financial Services LLC 499 Washington Blvd, 5th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
| 324,207,716 |
|
| 8.87 | % | |||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Northern Trust Pension Trust |
| 6,000,166 |
|
| 28.50 | % | |||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Valley Health System |
| 1,664,754 |
|
| 7.89 | % | |||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Pernod Ricard NT EMD |
| 1,624,923 |
|
| 7.70 | % | |||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Wilson Foundation |
| 1,165,985 |
|
| 5.53 | % | |||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | The University of Chicago |
| 9,651,902 |
|
| 60.49 | % | |||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | The Chicago Community Trust Combined Funds |
| 4,065,197 |
|
| 25.46 | % | |||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | The Chicago Community Trust |
| 1,112,176 |
|
| 6.96 | % |
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NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Treasury Portfolio – Shares | Rivulet Capital Master Fund LTD |
| 804,013,380 |
|
| 8.42 | % | |||
Treasury Portfolio – Shares | Willet Select Investors I LP |
| 604,381,377 |
|
| 6.33 | % | |||
Treasury Portfolio – Shares | Greenleaf Trust |
| 596,134,836 |
|
| 6.24 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Service Shares | The Midwest Trust Company |
| 1,293,876 |
|
| 99.91 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Williams Capital Shares | Union Bank Tr. Nominee FBO Portal Omnibus – Cash |
| 115,000,000 |
|
| 41.91 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Williams Capital Shares | Abbott Laboratories |
| 39,672,801 |
|
| 14.46 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Williams Capital Shares | Verizon Financial Services LLC |
| 25,455,687 |
|
| 9.28 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Williams Capital Shares | Treasury Brokerage FBO Illinois State Tr. |
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 9.11 | % | |||
U.S. Government Portfolio – Williams Capital Shares | Prudential Financial Inc. |
| 15,221,312 |
|
| 5.55 | % | |||
Municipal Portfolio – Shares | Northern IntermediateTax-Exempt Fund |
| 125,000,000 |
|
| 39.13 | % | |||
Municipal Portfolio – Shares | National Financial Services LLC |
| 42,975,479 |
|
| 13.45 | % | |||
Municipal Portfolio – Shares | Northern Short-Intermediate Tax Exempt Fund |
| 25,000,000 |
|
| 7.83 | % | |||
Municipal Portfolio – Shares | Florida Community Care, LLC | �� | 19,601,960 |
|
| 6.14 | % | |||
Municipal Portfolio – Service Shares | FirstMid-Illinois Bank & Trust | 155,856 | 98.58 | % | ||||||
Prime Obligations Portfolio – Shares | Harding, Loevner, Funds Inc. International Equity Portfolio |
| 528,051,274 |
|
| 16.94 | % | |||
Prime Obligations Portfolio – Shares | CNO Financial Group, Inc. |
| 337,046,610 |
|
| 10.81 | % | |||
Prime Obligations Portfolio – Shares | George Kaiser Family Foundation |
| 193,872,406 |
|
| 6.22 | % |
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FUND | SHAREHOLDER NAME | AMOUNTS | PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Prime Obligations Portfolio – Shares | Bankers Life and Casualty Company |
| 189,924,493 |
|
| 6.09 | % | |||
Prime Obligations Portfolio – Service Shares | FirstMid-Illinois Bank & Trust |
| 8,021,031 |
|
| 100.00 | % | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio – Shares | Arkansas State Highway Employees’ Retirement System |
| 66,522,784 |
|
| 8.07 | % | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio – Shares | CSAA Insurance Exchange |
| 52,811,738 |
|
| 6.41 | % | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio – Shares | Chevron Corporation |
| 51,652,783 |
|
| 6.27 | % | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio – Shares | Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society |
| 47,469,957 |
|
| 5.76 | % | |||
Liquid Assets Portfolio – Shares | MedAmerica Insurance Company |
| 46,876,088 |
|
| 5.69 | % |
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TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
NORTHERN FUNDS
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Independent and interested Trustee of NF for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
Independent Trustees
Large Cap Core Fund | Income Equity Fund | International Equity Fund | Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | U.S. Quality ESG Fund(1) | Large Cap Value Fund | Small Cap Core Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 587 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | ||||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 592 | 1,192 | 1,192 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 661 | 1,333 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 587 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 515 | 1,037 | 1,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 587 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 509 | 1,031 | 1,031 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 587 | 1,187 | 1,187 |
Small Cap Value Fund | Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund | Bond Index Fund | California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | California Tax- Exempt Fund | Core Bond Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 5,933 | $ | 3,560 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 4,746 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | ||||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 5,961 | 3,577 | 1,192 | 4,769 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 6,666 | 4,000 | 1,333 | 5,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 5,183 | 3,110 | 1,037 | 4,147 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 5,154 | 3,093 | 1,031 | 4,124 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 |
Fixed Income Fund | High Yield Fixed Income Fund | High Yield Municipal Fund | Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | Short Bond Fund | Short- Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | Short- Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 1,187 | $ | 7,119 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 4,746 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | ||||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 1,192 | 7,154 | 1,192 | 4,769 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 1,333 | 8,000 | 1,333 | 5,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 1,187 | 7,119 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 1,037 | 6,220 | 1,037 | 4,147 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 1,187 | 7,119 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 1,031 | 6,185 | 1,031 | 4,124 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 1,187 | 7,119 | 1,187 | 4,746 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 |
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Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | Tax-Exempt Fund | Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | U.S. Treasury Index Fund | U.S. Government Fund | Money Market Fund | |||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 5,933 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 3,560 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | ||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 5,961 | 1,192 | 3,577 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 6,666 | 1,333 | 4,000 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 5,933 | 1,187 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | ||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 5,183 | 1,037 | 3,110 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 5,933 | 1,187 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 5,154 | 1,031 | 3,093 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | ||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 5,933 | 1,187 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 |
Municipal Money Market Fund | U.S. Government Money Market Fund | U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | Global Real Estate Index Fund | Global Sustainability Index Fund | Northern Engage360™ Fund(2) | |||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 1,187 | $ | 17,499 | $ | 5,933 | $ | 3,560 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 299 | ||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 1,192 | 17,579 | 5,961 | 3,577 | 1,192 | 305 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 1,333 | 19,660 | 6,666 | 4,000 | 1,333 | 339 | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 1,187 | 17,499 | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 299 | ||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 1,037 | 15,285 | 5,183 | 3,110 | 1,037 | 265 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 1,187 | 17,499 | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 299 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 1,031 | 15,204 | 5,154 | 3,093 | 1,031 | 259 | ||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 1,187 | 17,499 | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 299 |
International Equity Index Fund | Mid Cap Index Fund | Small Cap Index Fund | Stock Index Fund | Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 5,933 | $ | 3,560 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 10,679 | $ | 1,187 | ||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 5,961 | 3,577 | 1,192 | 10,730 | 1,192 | |||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 6,666 | 4,000 | 1,333 | 11,999 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 10,679 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 5,183 | 3,110 | 1,037 | 9,330 | 1,037 | |||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 10,679 | 1,187 | |||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 5,154 | 3,093 | 1,031 | 9,278 | 1,031 | |||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 5,933 | 3,560 | 1,187 | 10,679 | 1,187 |
Active M International Equity Fund | Active M U.S. Equity Fund | Multi- Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Multi- Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund | Multi- Manager Global Real Estate Fund | Multi- Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund | Total Compensation from Fund Complex(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 252,500 | ||||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 1,192 | 253,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 283,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 1,037 | 220,625 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 1,031 | 219,375 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 1,187 | 252,5003 |
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Interested Trustees
Large Cap Core Fund | Income Equity Fund | International Equity Fund | Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | U.S. Quality ESG Fund | Large Cap Value Fund | Small Cap Core Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Small Cap Value Fund | Technology Fund | Arizona Tax-Exempt Fund | Bond Index Fund | California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | California Tax-Exempt Fund | Core Bond Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Fixed Income Fund | High Yield Fixed Income Fund | High Yield Municipal Fund | Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | Short Bond Fund | Short- Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | Short- Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Tax- Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | Tax- Exempt Fund | Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | U.S. Treasury Index Fund | U.S. Government Fund | Money Market Fund | |||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Municipal Money Market Fund | U.S. Government Money Market Fund | U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | Global Real Estate Index Fund | Global Sustainability Index Fund | ||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None |
International Equity Index Fund | Mid Cap Index Fund | Small Cap Index Fund | Stock Index Fund | Active M Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | ||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None |
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Active M International Equity Fund | Active M U.S. Equity Fund | Multi- Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | Multi- Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund | Multi- Manager Global Real Estate Fund | Multi- Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund | Total Compensation from Fund Complex(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(5)(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(6) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
(1) | The Fund commenced operations on August 20, 2017. |
(2) | The Fund commenced operations on November 17, 2017. |
(3) | The Northern Funds Complex consists of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds. As of March 31, 2018, Northern Funds offered 44 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds offered 7 portfolios. |
(4) | During this time, Ms. Skinner also earned $4,146 in accrued interest from previous years’ deferred compensation, which is not reported in this amount. |
(5) | Mr. Potter resigned as a Trustee of the Board effective October 1, 2017. |
(6) | As “interested” Trustees who are officers, directors and employees of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates, Messrs. Potter and Thomas did not receive any compensation from the Trust for their services. |
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APPENDIX C
(continued)
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Independent and interested Trustee of NIF for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.
Independent Trustees
Treasury Portfolio | Treasury Instruments Portfolio(1) | U.S. Government Portfolio | U.S. Government Select Portfolio | Municipal Portfolio | Prime Obligations Portfolio | Liquid Assets Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William L. Bax | $ | 58,025 | $ | 0 | $ | 9,231 | $ | 42,200 | $ | 1,319 | $ | 2,638 | $ | 3,956 | ||||||||||||||
Mark G. Doll | 58,025 | 0 | 9,231 | 42,200 | 1,319 | 2,638 | 3,956 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 64,998 | 0 | 10,339 | 47,264 | 1,477 | 2,954 | 4,431 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas A. Kloet | 56,130 | 0 | 8,930 | 40,822 | 1,276 | 2,551 | 3,827 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Martin | 48,587 | 0 | 7,730 | 35,336 | 1,104 | 2,209 | 3,313 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 58,025 | 0 | 9,231 | 42,200 | 1,319 | 2,638 | 3,956 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mary Jacobs Skinner(3) | 50,482 | 0 | 8,031 | 36,714 | 1,147 | 2,295 | 3,442 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Casey J. Sylla | 58,025 | 0 | 9,231 | 42,200 | 1,319 | 2,638 | 3,956 |
Total Compensation from Fund Complex (including the Portfolios)(2) | ||||
William L. Bax | $ | 250,000 | ||
Mark G. Doll | 250,000 | |||
Sandra Polk Guthman | 280,000 | |||
Thomas A. Kloet | 241,875 | |||
David R. Martin | 209,375 | |||
Cynthia R. Plouché | 250,000 | |||
Mary Jacobs Skinner(3) | 217,500 | |||
Casey J. Sylla | 250,000 |
Interested Trustees
Treasury Portfolio | Treasury Instruments Portfolio | U.S. Government Portfolio | U.S. Government Select Portfolio | Municipal Portfolio | Prime Obligations Portfolio | Liquid Assets Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen N. Potter(4)(5) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(5) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
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Total Compensation from Fund Complex (including the Portfolios) | ||||
Stephen N. Potter(4)(5) | None | |||
Shundrawn A. Thomas(5) | None |
(1) | The Portfolio had not commenced operations as of the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. |
(2) | As of November 30, 2017, the Northern Funds Complex consisted of Northern Institutional Funds (7 portfolios) and Northern Funds (44 portfolios). |
(3) | During that time, Ms. Skinner also earned $2,905.64 in accrued interest from previous years’ deferred compensation, which is not reported in this amount. |
(4) | Mr. Potter resigned as Trustee of the Board of Trustees effective October 1, 2017. |
(5) | As “interested” Trustees who are officers, directors and employees of Northern Trust Corporation and/or its affiliates, Messrs. Thomas and Potter did not receive any compensation for their services. |
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Table of Contents
NORTHERN FUNDS
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
Governance Committee Charter
Organization and Purpose
The Governance Committees (“Committee”) of the Boards of Trustees (“Board”) of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds (together, the “Trusts”) shall consist of at least two Trustees, all of whom are “disinterested” (or independent). The Board has established the Committee for the purpose of assisting the Board in reviewing and overseeing the Trust’s governance matters and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).
Summary of Responsibilities
The function of the Committee is to assist the Board with its oversight of various governance matters, including the composition of the Board and its committees, Trustee compensation and education, Board evaluations and general operations of the Board. The Committee is also responsible for assisting the Board in overseeing the Trust’s CCO and performing such additional responsibilities that the Board may refer to the Committee.
Specific Responsibilities
Without limiting the generality of the responsibilities stated above, in connection with the performance of its responsibilities, the Governance Committee shall:
1. | Subject to ratification by all of thenon-interested Trustees, select and nominate the appropriate number of candidates for election or appointment as members of the Board of Trustees. |
2. | Subject to the approval of the Board, select and nominate Board and Committee chairs and recommend Committee members. In connection with the selection and nomination of candidates to the Board, the Committee shall, in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth on Attachment A hereto, evaluate the qualifications of candidates for Board membership. Persons selected as disinterested Trustees must be independent in terms of both the letter and the spirit of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”). The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the Act that might impair independence (for example, business, financial or family relationships with the investment advisers,sub-advisers or other service providers). |
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3. | Review periodically the compensation of Trustees and recommend any appropriate changes to the Board for consideration. |
4. | Develop appropriate policies and practices relating to the education and orientation of new Trustees and the continuing education of incumbent Trustees regarding their duties to the Trusts and their shareholders. |
5. | Subject to Board review, monitor the Trust’s CCO, including coordination with the Trust’s investment adviser with respect to the CCO’s compensation and performance expectations. |
6. | Review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the format and content of Board agenda and meeting materials and presentations by service providers. |
7. | Oversee the Board’s policy on Trustee ownership of Fund shares. |
8. | Oversee the Board, committee and chair evaluation process and report on the results to the Board. |
9. | Perform such other responsibilities and functions as the Board may from time to time refer to the Committee. |
Additional Matters
1. | The Committee shall meet as requested by the Trust’s Chair or the Committee’s Chair. |
2. | The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust. |
3. | The Committee shall report all of its actions to the Board of Trustees at its next meeting following such actions. |
4. | The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees. |
Adopted: April | 15, 2000 |
Amended: April | 27, 2004 |
Amended: November | 4, 2005 |
Amended: November | 3, 2006 |
Amended: November | 2, 2007 |
Amended: November | 13, 2009 |
Amended: November | 5, 2010 |
Amended: November | 4, 2011 |
Amended: October | 16, 2012 |
Amended: November | 21, 2013 |
Amended: November | 19, 2015 |
Amended: November | 16, 2017 |
Amended: February | 14, 2018 |
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Attachment A
Northern Funds
Northern Institutional Funds
Amended and Restated
Governance Committee Charter
The following qualifications, abilities and characteristics of candidates establish evaluation criteria that shall be used by the Governance Committee. The Trust’s intent is that the Board, as a whole, will maintain integrity and ethical behavior, sound business judgment, specific expertise and diversity of background required to provide for the duties and the responsibilities of disinterested trustees of the Trust’s Board.
In general, disinterested trustees as a group, should to the extent possible:
• | be drawn from the ranks of respected and accomplished senior leaders; |
• | strive to achieve diversity in terms of gender and race; and |
• | reflect a diversity of business experience |
The following factors, among others, should be taken into consideration by the Governance Committee when evaluating a disinterested trustee candidate:
• | personal integrity |
• | an ability to act independently with regard to the Trust’s affiliates and others in order to protect the interests of the Trust and its shareholders |
• | a demonstrated ability to use sound business judgment gained through broad experience where the candidate has dealt with management, technical, financial or regulatory issues |
• | a sufficient financial or accounting knowledge to evaluate and analyze, financial, accounting, audit and fund performance reports |
• | a breadth of experience on corporate or other institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities demonstrating a diligent fiduciary interest and concern |
• | an ability and an expressed desire and willingness to make the necessary commitment of time and effort to bring continuing value to the Trust, the Board, applicable committees, and the Trust’s shareholders |
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PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
OF NTI
Name and Position with Investment Adviser (NTI) | Name of Other Company | Position with Other Company | ||
Abunassar, John Director and Senior Vice President | ||||
Bartholomew, Richard Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer | ||||
Browne, Robert P. Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Trust Officer | 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC | Chief Investment Officer | ||
Carberry, Craig R. Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Secretary | The Northern Trust Company
50 South Capital Advisors, LLC FlexShares Trust Northern Institutional Funds Northern Funds | Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary | ||
Carlson, Christopher W. Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Cashier | ||||
Chappell, Darlene Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC FlexShares Trust Northern Institutional Funds | AML Compliance Officer AML Compliance Officer AML Compliance Officer | ||
Del Real, Jose J. Senior Vice President, Senior Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary | The Northern Trust Company
FlexShares Trust Northern Institutional Funds | Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary | ||
Ewing, Peter K. Director and Senior Vice President | The Northern Trust Company FlexShares Trust
Northern Institutional Funds
Northern Funds | Senior Vice President President and Principal President and Principal President and Principal | ||
Farmer, Steven P. Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Trust Officer | 50 South Capital Advisors, LLC | Chief Compliance Officer | ||
Hawkins, Sheri B. Director and Senior Vice President | ||||
Thomas, Shundrawn A. Director, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | The Northern Trust Company FlexShares Trust Northern Institutional Funds Northern Funds | Executive Vice President Trustee Trustee Trustee |
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Name and Position with Investment Adviser (NTI) | Name of Other Company | Position with Other Company | ||
Wickert, Ryan M. Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||||
Wojnar, Darek Director and Executive Vice President |
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FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS BY NF
Fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), independent registered public accounting firm, related to NF are included in the table below. Deloitte billed NF aggregate fees for services rendered to the registrant for the last two fiscal years ended March 31st as follows:
2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
All fees and services to the Trust that were pre-approved | All fees and services to service affiliates that were pre-approved | All other fees and services to service affiliates that did not require pre-approval | All fees and services to the Trust that were pre-approved | All fees and services to service affiliates that were pre-approved | All other fees and services to service affiliates that did not require pre-approval | |||||||||||||||||||
(a) Audit Fees | $ | 812,240 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,174,000 | (3) | $ | 812,240 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,322,000 | (3) | ||||||||||
(b) Audit-Related Fees | $ | 154,000 | (1) | $ | 0 | $ | 133,000 | (4) | $ | 155,100 | (1) | $ | 0 | $ | 81,000 | (4) | ||||||||
(c) Tax Fees | $ | 137,720 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 3,840,000 | (5) | $ | 137,720 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 2,880,000 | (5) | ||||||||
(d) All Other Fees | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,799,000 | (7) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 5,607,000 | (6) |
(1) | Amount relates to17f-2 procedures. |
(2) | Amounts relate to excise tax return review and registered investment company tax return review. |
(3) | Amounts relate to audit fees on The Northern Trust company sponsored funds. |
(4) | Amounts relate to performance examination services performed for Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, agreed upon procedures for The Northern Trust Company, and other attestation engagements. |
(5) | Amounts relate to international tax compliance and consulting, fund tax return reviews, and general tax consultations for The Northern Trust Company. |
(6) | Amounts relate to Regulatory Consulting, Internal AuditCo-Sourcing, Sarbanes-Oxley Consulting, and other consulting services. |
(7) | Amounts relate to Regulatory Consulting, Sarbanes-Oxley Consulting, BASAL Committee support, and other consulting services. |
“Service Affiliates” as it relates to the aggregate “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” that were billed by the principal accountant for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively, are Northern Trust Investments, Inc. (“NTI”) and entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provide ongoing services to NF for assurance and related services that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of NF. “Audit-Related Fees” are fees that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of NF’s financial statements, but not reported as “Audit Fees.” “Tax Fees” are for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. “All Other Fees” are for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than those reported as Audit, Audit-Related or Tax Fees.
F-1
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APPENDIX F
(continued)
FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS BY NIF
Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant effective upon completion of the services related to the audit for the registrant’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2016. The registrant’s Audit Committee engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.
Fees billed by Deloitte related to NIF and fees billed by EY related to NIF are included in the table below. Deloitte billed NIF aggregate fees for services rendered to NIF for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017 as follows under the heading “2017.” EY billed NIF aggregate fees for services rendered to NIF for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 as follows under the heading “2016.”
2017(6) | 2016(7) | |||||||||||||||||||
All fees and services to the Trust that were pre-approved | All fees and services to service affiliates that were pre-approved | All other fees and services to service affiliates that did not require pre-approval | All fees and services to the Trust that were pre-approved | All fees and services to service affiliates that were pre-approved | ||||||||||||||||
(a) Audit Fees | $ | 110,550 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,845,500 | (3) | $ | 152,950 | (7) | N/A | |||||||||
(b) Audit-Related Fees | $ | 22,833 | (1) | $ | 0 | $ | 261,500 | (4) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
(c) Tax Fees | $ | 21,290 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 3,520,000 | (5) | $ | 25,813 | (2) | $ | 0 | |||||||
(d) All Other Fees | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,034,000 | (6) | $ | 0 | $ | 148,565 | (8)(9) |
(1) | Amount relates to17f-2 procedures. |
(2) | Federal and State tax return review. Excise tax return review. |
(3) | Amounts relate to audit fees on The Northern Trust Company sponsored funds. |
(4) | Amounts relate to investment performance examination services performed for Northern Trust Global Investments Limited,17f-2 procedures for other Northern sponsored funds, and other attestation engagements for The Northern Trust Company. |
(5) | Amounts relate to international tax compliance and consulting, tax fees on various Northern sponsored funds, and general tax consultations for The Northern Trust Company. |
(6) | Amounts relate to Regulatory Consulting, Internal AuditCo-Sourcing, Sarbanes-Oxley Consulting, and other consulting fees. |
(7) | Amounts include fees related to17f-2 procedures. |
(8) | Procedures performed related to the transfer agent function required by Rule17Ad-13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ($36,990). |
(9) | Subscription to online technical support for research on specific accounting, tax and technical matters ($111,575). |
“Service affiliates” as it relates to the aggregate “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” that were billed by Deloitte and EY for the fiscal
F-2
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years ended November 30, 2017 and November 30, 2016, respectively, are NTI and entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with NTI that provide ongoing services to NIF for assurance and related services that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of NIF. “Audit-Related Fees” are fees that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of NIF’s financial statements, but not reported as “Audit Fees.” “Tax Fees” are fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte and EY for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. “All Other Fees” are for products and services provided by Deloitte and EY other than those reported as Audit, Audit-Related or Tax Fees.
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NORTHERN TRUST’S VOTING AND/OR INVESTMENT POWER OF FUND SHARES
As of August 1, 2018, TNTC and/or its affiliates, 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603, possessed sole or shared voting and/or investment power for its customer accounts with respect to the outstanding shares of each Fund as follows:
NORTHERN FUNDS
FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
Large Cap Value Fund | 1,329,818 | 23.85 | % | |||||
Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 49,891,458 | 86.77 | % | |||||
Mid Cap Index Fund | 85,323,414 | 70.63 | % | |||||
Income Equity Fund | 3,618,091 | 24.15 | % | |||||
Active M International Equity Fund | 101,818,219 | 94.28 | % | |||||
Active M U.S. Equity Fund | 38,097,386 | 98.22 | % | |||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 206,188,217 | 79.75 | % | |||||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | 6,318,130 | 39.56 | % | |||||
Global Real Estate Index Fund | 148,930,691 | 87.66 | % | |||||
Global Sustainability Index Fund | 15,435,181 | 49.63 | % | |||||
Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | 1,932,579 | 26.84 | % | |||||
International Equity Fund | 21,334,807 | 84.42 | % | |||||
International Equity Index Fund | 408,929,107 | 87.07 | % | |||||
Large Cap Core Fund | 2,450,674 | 18.96 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund | 64,888,087 | 69.20 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund | 5,831,393 | 75.27 | % | |||||
Small Cap Core Fund | 8,439,073 | 46.36 | % | |||||
Small Cap Index Fund | 63,716,165 | 70.50 | % | |||||
Small Cap Value Fund | 4,306,780 | 2.84 | % | |||||
Stock Index Fund | 201,461,097 | 80.60 | % | |||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | 2,227,709 | 88.79 | % | |||||
Core Bond Fund | 21,682,977 | 77.77 | % | |||||
Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | 74,597,004 | 88.48 | % | |||||
ArizonaTax-Exempt Fund | 5,729,363 | 51.68 | % | |||||
Bond Index Fund | 224,137,848 | 80.99 | % | |||||
California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | 38,621,033 | 81.87 | % | |||||
California Tax-Exempt Fund | 8,170,568 | 52.97 | % | |||||
Fixed Income Fund | 97,818,908 | 81.82 | % | |||||
High Yield Fixed Income Fund | 531,457,140 | 91.55 | % | |||||
High Yield Municipal Fund | 44,686,223 | 89.79 | % |
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FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund | 247,413,068 | 92.80 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | 12,973,983 | 61.60 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund | 29,274,115 | 93.64 | % | |||||
Short Bond Fund | 22,363,859 | 82.46 | % | |||||
Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | 6,472,549 | 56.14 | % | |||||
Tax Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | 238,580,251 | 65.09 | % | |||||
Tax-Exempt Fund | 91,017,618 | 85.58 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Fund | 1,023,749 | 41.69 | % | |||||
U.S. Treasury Index Fund | 3,607,173 | 93.80 | % | |||||
Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund | 117,827,383 | 51.85 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | 1,356,623,063 | 37.57 | % | |||||
Money Market Fund | 312,757,674 | 60.22 | % | |||||
Municipal Money Market Fund | 477,238,313 | 67.55 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Money Market Fund | 7,926,147,121 | 47.45 | % |
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
U.S. Government Select Portfolio | 387,597,048 | 1.57 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Portfolio | 1,430,450,161 | 10.66 | % | |||||
Prime Obligations Portfolio | 129,304,652 | 4.14 | % | |||||
Treasury Portfolio | 22,097,604 | 0.06 | % | |||||
Municipal Money Market Portfolio | 238,212,691 | 74.53 | % | |||||
Liquid Assets Portfolio | 316,703,590 | 38.43 | % |
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PERCENTAGE OF OUTSTANDING SHARES SUBJECT TO VOTING ARRANGEMENTS WITH ISS
NORTHERN FUNDS
FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
Mid Cap Index Fund | 83,081,381.65 | 68.78 | % | |||||
International Equity Index Fund | 398,235,955.70 | 84.79 | % | |||||
Global Sustainability Index Fund | 15,060,571.17 | 48.42 | % | |||||
Income Equity Fund | 3,543,084.54 | 23.64 | % | |||||
Northern Engage360™ Fund | 6,318,130.40 | 39.56 | % | |||||
U.S. Quality ESG Fund | 2,223,682.84 | 88.63 | % | |||||
Active M U.S. Equity Fund | 37,517,709.31 | 96.73 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Fund | 18,327,757.30 | 87.02 | % | |||||
U.S. Treasury Index Fund | 3,450,976.26 | 89.74 | % | |||||
Short Bond Fund | 21,897,795.03 | 80.74 | % | |||||
Core Bond Fund | 21,777,111.95 | 78.11 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure Fund | 69,789,162.16 | 74.42 | % | |||||
Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund | 1,685,983.90 | 23.42 | % | |||||
Small Cap Value Fund | 4,232,731.05 | 2.79 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund | 28,818,879.03 | 92.18 | % | |||||
Tax Advantaged Ultra – Short Fixed Income Fund | 248,917,105.50 | 67.91 | % | |||||
Ultra – Short Fixed Income Fund | 129,271,789.70 | 56.89 | % | |||||
Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund | 5,686,342.85 | 73.40 | % | |||||
Active M Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 48,767,920.96 | 84.82 | % | |||||
International Equity Fund | 20,623,604.37 | 81.61 | % | |||||
Short-Intermediate Tax – Exempt Fund | 71,451,827.10 | 84.75 | % | |||||
Bond Index Fund | 221,312,071.29 | 79.97 | % | |||||
Global Real Estate Index Fund | 145,441,448.65 | 85.61 | % | |||||
Active M International Equity Fund | 99,795,313.00 | 92.41 | % | |||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 202,294,673.42 | 78.25 | % | |||||
Large Cap Core Fund | 2,501,692.86 | 19.35 | % | |||||
Large Cap Value Fund | 1,216,525.92 | 21.81 | % | |||||
Small Cap Core Fund | 10,288,564.97 | 56.53 | % | |||||
High Yield Municipal Fund | 43,311,197.21 | 87.03 | % | |||||
High Yield Fixed Income Fund | 519,575,886.12 | 89.50 | % | |||||
Small Cap Index Fund | 61,957,477.60 | 68.56 | % | |||||
California Tax – Exempt Fund | 8,089,069.36 | 52.44 | % | |||||
California Intermediate Tax – Exempt Fund | 37,235,566.02 | 78.93 | % |
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Table of Contents
FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
Short – Intermediate U.S. Government Fund | 6,370,341.54 | 55.25 | % | |||||
Arizona Tax – Exempt Fund | 5,535,740.79 | 49.93 | % | |||||
Stock Index Fund | 194,216,614.98 | 77.70 | % | |||||
Fixed Income Fund | 95,888,855.01 | 80.20 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Select Money Market Fund | 1,468,849,403.79 | 40.67 | % | |||||
Municipal Money Market Fund | 479,471,169.65 | 67.86 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Money Market Fund | 8,349,840,388.57 | 50.21 | % | |||||
Money Market Fund | 322,471,530.78 | 62.12 | % | |||||
Tax – Exempt Fund | 87,441,170.43 | 82.21 | % | |||||
Intermediate Tax – Exempt Fund | 241,641,345.13 | 90.64 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Fund | 1,004,876.34 | 40.92 | % |
NORTHERN INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
FUND | AMOUNT OF | PERCENTAGE OF | ||||||
Municipal Portfolio | 239,423,957.66 | 74.90 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Portfolio | 3,833,099,764.00 | 28.76 | % | |||||
U.S. Government Select Portfolio | 3,503,786,081.22 | 14.21 | % | |||||
Liquid Assets Portfolio | 358,762,489.39 | 43.54 | % | |||||
Prime Obligations Portfolio | 438,227,801.34 | 14.02 | % | |||||
Treasury Portfolio | 6,904,323,168.09 | 17.52 | % |
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PROXY TABULATOR P.O. BOX 9112 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735
To vote by Internet
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Go to website proxyvote.com
3) Follow the instructions provided on the website.
To vote by Telephone
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Call800-690-6903
3) Follow the instructions.
To vote by Mail
1) Read the Proxy Statement.
2) Check the appropriate box on the proxy card below.
3) Sign and date the proxy card.
4) Return the proxy card in the envelope provided.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E51214-S74875 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
The Board of Trustees of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) recommends For All Withhold All Except For All you vote FOR the following:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the name(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
1. Election of Trustees of the Trust.
Nominees:
01) Therese M. Bobek 05) David R. Martin
02) Mark G. Doll 06) Cynthia R. Plouché
03) Sandra Polk Guthman 07) Mary Jacobs Skinner
04) Thomas A. Kloet 08) Darek Wojnar
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD IF YOU HOLD SHARES OF MORE THAN ONE FUND. IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD, PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN ALL CARDS IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. EVERY PROPERLY SIGNED PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFICATION, WILL BE TREATED AS GRANTING AUTHORITY TO VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.
NOTE: Please sign this proxy exactly as shareholder name appears on this card. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date
Signature [Joint Owners] Date
Table of Contents
VOTE THIS PROXY CARD TODAY EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Joint Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at proxyvote.com.
E51215-S74875
NORTHERN FUNDS SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OCTOBER 24, 2018
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR USE AT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE TRUST (THE “MEETING”) TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 2018 AT 9:00 A.M. (CHICAGO TIME) IN THE OFFICES OF THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, 50 S. LASALLE STREET,B-4, ROOM 7, CHICAGO, IL 60603.
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter K. Ewing, Randal Rein, Jose J. Del Real, Michael Meehan and Kevin O’Rourke, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies of the undersigned to vote at the above-referenced Meeting, and at all adjournments and postponements thereof, all shares of beneficial interest of the above-named Fund held of record or owned by the undersigned on the record date for the Meeting, upon the proposal set forth on the reverse side, and at their discretion upon any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND THE PROXY STATEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2018.
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TODAY
Table of Contents
PROXY TABULATOR P.O. BOX 9112 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735
To vote by Internet
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Go to website proxyvote.com
3) Follow the instructions provided on the website.
To vote by Telephone
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Call800-690-6903
3) Follow the instructions.
To vote by Mail
1) Read the Proxy Statement.
2) Check the appropriate boxes on the proxy card below.
3) Sign and date the proxy card.
4) Return the proxy card in the envelope provided.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E51218-S74875 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
The Board of Trustees of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) recommends For Withhold For All To withhold authority to vote for any individual
you vote FOR the following: All All Except nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the
1. Election of Trustees of the Trust. name(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
Nominees:
01) Therese M. Bobek 05) David R. Martin
02) Mark G. Doll 06) Cynthia R. Plouché
03) Sandra Polk Guthman 07) Mary Jacobs Skinner
04) Thomas A. Kloet 08) Darek Wojnar
The Board of Trustees of the Trust recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain
2b. Approval to Change the Fundamental Industry Concentration Policy for the Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund of Northern Funds.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSALS.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD IF YOU HOLD SHARES OF MORE THAN ONE FUND. IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD, PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN ALL CARDS IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. EVERY PROPERLY SIGNED PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFICATION, WILL BE TREATED AS GRANTING AUTHORITY TO VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSALS.
NOTE: Please sign this proxy exactly as shareholder name appears on this card. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date
Signature [Joint Owners] Date
Table of Contents
VOTE THIS PROXY CARD TODAY EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Joint Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at proxyvote.com.
E51219-S74875
NORTHERN FUNDS SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OCTOBER 24, 2018
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR USE AT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE TRUST (THE “MEETING”) TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 2018 AT 9:00 A.M. (CHICAGO TIME) IN THE OFFICES OF THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, 50 S. LASALLE STREET,B-4, ROOM 7, CHICAGO, IL 60603.
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter K. Ewing, Randal Rein, Jose J. Del Real, Michael Meehan and Kevin O’Rourke, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies of the undersigned to vote at the above-referenced Meeting, and at all adjournments and postponements thereof, all shares of beneficial interest of the above-named Fund held of record or owned by the undersigned on the record date for the Meeting, upon the proposals set forth on the reverse side, and at their discretion upon any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND THE PROXY STATEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2018.
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TODAY
Table of Contents
PROXY TABULATOR P.O. BOX 9112 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735
To vote by Internet
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Go to website proxyvote.com
3) Follow the instructions provided on the website.
To vote by Telephone
1) Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2) Call800-690-6903
3) Follow the instructions.
To vote by Mail
1) Read the Proxy Statement.
2) Check the appropriate boxes on the proxy card below.
3) Sign and date the proxy card.
4) Return the proxy card in the envelope provided.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E51220-S74875 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
The Board of Trustees of Northern Funds (the “Trust”) recommends
you vote FOR the following:
1. Election of Trustees of the Trust.
Nominees:
01) Therese M. Bobek 05) David R. Martin
02) Mark G. Doll 06) Cynthia R. Plouché
03) Sandra Polk Guthman 07) Mary Jacobs Skinner
04) Thomas A. Kloet 08) Darek Wojnar
For All Withhold All For All Except
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the name(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:
2a. Approval to Change the Fundamental Industry Concentration Policy for the Money Market Fund of Northern Funds.
For Against Abstain
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSALS.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. YOU MAY RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD IF YOU HOLD SHARES OF MORE THAN ONE FUND. IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD, PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN ALL CARDS IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. EVERY PROPERLY SIGNED PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFICATION, WILL BE TREATED AS GRANTING AUTHORITY TO VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSALS.
NOTE: Please sign this proxy exactly as shareholder name appears on this card. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date
Signature [Joint Owners] Date
Table of Contents
VOTE THIS PROXY CARD TODAY EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Joint Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at proxyvote.com.
E51221-S74875
NORTHERN FUNDS SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OCTOBER 24, 2018
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR USE AT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE TRUST (THE “MEETING”) TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 2018 AT 9:00 A.M. (CHICAGO TIME) IN THE OFFICES OF THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, 50 S. LASALLE STREET,B-4, ROOM 7, CHICAGO, IL 60603.
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter K. Ewing, Randal Rein, Jose J. Del Real, Michael Meehan and Kevin O’Rourke, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies of the undersigned to vote at the above-referenced Meeting, and at all adjournments and postponements thereof, all shares of beneficial interest of the above-named Fund held of record or owned by the undersigned on the record date for the Meeting, upon the proposals set forth on the reverse side, and at their discretion upon any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND THE PROXY STATEMENT, DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2018.
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TODAY
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY
OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 2018 – NORTHERN FUNDS
This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. The proxy statement is available at proxyvote.com. If you want to receive a paper ore-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before October 10, 2018 to facilitate timely delivery.
The shareholder meeting will be held on October 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Central time at the offices of The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street,B-4, Room 7, Chicago, Illinois, 60603. Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2018 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the shareholder meeting.
Proposals to be voted on at the special meeting are listed below along with the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds.
The Board of Trustees of Northern Funds recommends that you vote FOR the following proposals:
1. | Election of eight Trustees to the Northern Funds Board: |
Therese M. Bobek
Mark G. Doll
Sandra Polk Guthman
Thomas A. Kloet
David R. Martin
Cynthia R. Plouché
Mary Jacobs Skinner
Darek Wojnar
2. | Approval to change the fundamental industry concentration policy for the Money Market Fund and Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund. |
Instructions
To vote online and review the materials made available at our Website:
1. | Simply go to proxyvote.com |
2. | Click the word “Proxy” in the upper right hand corner. |
3. | Type in the Authorization Code and your Proxy Code. |
Table of Contents
Our Proxy statement and Proxy for the Special Meeting of Shareholders are also available for your review on this Web site.
To obtain a paper ore-mail copy of materials or get directions to the Special Meeting:
1. | Pleasecall800-690-6903; |
2. | Please Email sendmaterial@proxyvote.com; or |
3. | Please visit www.proxyvote.com at Proxy page. |
Even if you expect to attend the Meeting in person, please promptly follow the above instructions to submit voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. Alternatively, you may submit voting instructions by signing and dating each proxy card that you receive, and if received by mail, returning it in the accompanying postage-paid return envelope.