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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-5410
ING Prime Rate Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, AZ |
|
85258 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip code) |
CT Corporation System, 101 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 1-800-992-0180
Date of fiscal year end: |
February 28 |
|
|
Date of reporting period: |
February 29, 2012 |
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1):
Funds
Annual Report
February 29, 2012
ING Prime Rate Trust
E-Delivery Sign-up details inside
This report is submitted for general information to shareholders of the ING Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective shareholders unless accompanied or preceded by a prospectus which includes details regarding the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information. This information should be read carefully.
ING Prime Rate Trust
ANNUAL REPORT
February 29, 2012
Table of Contents
Portfolio Managers' Report | 2 | ||||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 7 | ||||||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 8 | ||||||
Statement of Operations | 9 | ||||||
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 10 | ||||||
Statement of Cash Flows | 11 | ||||||
Financial Highlights | 12 | ||||||
Notes to Financial Statements | 14 | ||||||
Portfolio of Investments | 24 | ||||||
Shareholder Meeting Information | 40 | ||||||
Additional Information | 41 | ||||||
Tax Information | 43 | ||||||
Trustee and Officer Information | 44 | ||||||
Advisory Contract Approval Discussion | 49 | ||||||
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ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT
Dear Shareholders:
ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in U.S. dollar denominated floating rate secured senior loans.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 |
|||||||
Net Assets | $ | 851,278,497 | |||||
Total Assets | $ | 1,282,623,484 | |||||
Assets Invested in Senior Loans | $ | 1,187,115,776 | |||||
Senior Loans Represented | 358 | ||||||
Average Amount Outstanding per Loan | $ | 3,315,966 | |||||
Industries Represented | 35 | ||||||
Average Loan Amount per Industry | $ | 33,917,594 | |||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate (YTD) | 81 | % | |||||
Weighted Average Days to Interest Rate Reset | 39 | ||||||
Average Loan Final Maturity | 60 months | ||||||
Total Leverage as a Percentage of Total Assets (including preferred shares) |
28.38 | % |
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
The Trust declared $0.09 of dividends during the fourth fiscal quarter and $0.32 during the year ended February 29, 2012. Based on the average month-end net asset value ("NAV") per share of $5.65 for the fourth fiscal quarter and $5.81 for the year, this resulted in an annualized distribution rate(1) of 6.13% for the fourth fiscal quarter and 5.47% for the year. The Trust's total return for the fourth fiscal quarter, based on NAV, was 5.09% versus a total gross return on the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the "Index")(2) of 3.50% for the same quarter. For the year ended February 29, 2012, the Trust's total return, based on NAV(3), was 0.81%, versus a total gross return on the Index of 2.05%. The total market value return(3) for the Trust's common shares during the fourth fiscal quarter was 8.96% and for the year ended February 29, 2012 was (3.11)%.
MARKET REVIEW
The past year in the loan market was marked by wide month-to-month swings in total return, as measured by the Index. There were seven months of positive returns and five months of negative returns, one of which was the second worst total return on record for the asset class. Meanwhile, loan prices moved down six percentage points during the first half of the fiscal year, and then recovered almost four percentage points during the latter half. The European market (measured by the S&P European Leveraged Loan Index, or "ELLI") followed a similar trend with five months of negative performance, although it ended the 12-month period down 36 basis points ("bp") vs. a positive 205 bp return for the United States. Europe was generally assumed throughout the year to be facing a
(1) The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing dividends and distributions declared during the period and dividing the resulting annualized dividend by the Trust's average net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the average month-end NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of market). The distribution rate is based solely on the actual dividends and distributions, which are made at the discretion of management. The distribution rate may or may not include all investment income and ordinarily will not include capital gains or losses, if any.
(2) The Index is an unmanaged total return index that captures accrued interest, repayments, and market value changes. It represents a broad cross section of leveraged loans syndicated in the United States, including dollar-denominated loans to overseas issuers. Standard & Poor's ("S&P") and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association ("LSTA") conceived the Index to establish a performance benchmark for the syndicated leveraged loan industry. The Index is not subject to any fees or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.
(3) The total return is based on full reinvestment of dividends.
2
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)
recession, attracting investors to the U.S. for its safe haven status. This backdrop helped the U.S. loan market finish 2011 on a relatively good note. December saw the rare occurrence of the U.S. stock market and the U.S. Treasuries both posting gains. At the time, these conditions were expected to continue as the loan pipeline was at a two-year low of $5.1 billion.
Year-to-date, global capital markets have kept the strong momentum that started with the New Year. Optimism was fueled by a regular flow of good news on the U.S. economy, in particular the labor market, and developments in Europe. The sovereign debt crisis moved into a quiet phase with investors now seemingly relieved about the relatively full (if not voluntary) participation in Greece's debt swap. The ELLI posted a positive 3.25% return in January and February, compared to 2.97% for the Index.
The primary loan market has been fairly active in the U.S. year-to-date, although the vast majority of new loans has consisted of refinancings and thus added little net new supply to the loan universe. Strong loan market technical factors continue to allow issuers to tackle the pending maturity wall; about $38 billion of loans due by end of 2015 have been extended or repaid. Demand has been coming mostly from new collateralized loan obligations ("CLO") $3.4 billion in the first two months of 2012 as well as cross-over buying from high-yield funds. Recently, retail investors' appetite for loan funds has turned slightly positive, perhaps because their conviction about interest rates staying low indefinitely is starting to erode. In contrast, we continue to see heavy inflows into high-yield funds, pushing their spreads toward record tight levels that imply either a benign view on duration and recovery downside risks or a desperate reach for higher yields strictly in absolute terms. The Index's average loan price ended February at 93.79, as compared to over 104 for the Credit Suisse High-Yield Index.
TOP TEN SENIOR LOAN ISSUERS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 AS A PERCENTAGE OF: |
|||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
NET ASSETS |
||||||||||
Univision Communications, Inc. | 2.5 | % | 3.8 | % | |||||||
First Data Corporation | 1.7 | % | 2.5 | % | |||||||
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. |
1.5 | % | 2.3 | % | |||||||
Reynolds Group Holdings Inc | 1.5 | % | 2.3 | % | |||||||
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC |
1.4 | % | 2.1 | % | |||||||
Chrysler Group LLC | 1.1 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||
BJs Wholesale Club | 1.1 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||
Freescale Semiconductor | 1.1 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||
Asurion, LLC | 1.0 | % | 1.4 | % | |||||||
Cengage Learning, Inc. | 0.9 | % | 1.4 | % |
TOP TEN INDUSTRY SECTORS AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 AS A PERCENTAGE OF: |
|||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
NET ASSETS |
||||||||||
Health Care | 9.6 | % | 14.5 | % | |||||||
Retailers (Except Food & Drug) | 9.4 | % | 14.1 | % | |||||||
Business Equipment & Services | 8.8 | % | 13.2 | % | |||||||
Electronics/Electrical | 7.2 | % | 10.9 | % | |||||||
Radio & Television | 4.7 | % | 7.1 | % | |||||||
Automotive | 4.2 | % | 6.3 | % | |||||||
Telecommunications | 4.2 | % | 6.3 | % | |||||||
Utilities | 4.1 | % | 6.2 | % | |||||||
Cable & Satellite Television | 3.9 | % | 5.8 | % | |||||||
Publishing | 3.6 | % | 5.5 | % |
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
The major factor behind the Trust's underperformance for the reporting period was its positioning during 2011. The Trust pared back overall exposure to triple-B and double-B rated loans and replaced them with single-B assets, as it sought to increase yield without a meaningful shift in overall credit quality. The Trust also reduced its not-rated exposure from 11% to 3%. This was accomplished by downsizing its positions in non-U.S. names, which are typically not rated and underperformed during the period due to macro uncertainty, particularly in Europe. Toward the end of 2011, the Trust rotated out of lower yielding credits into loans with wider spreads and LIBOR floors. As of period-end, the Trust had a weighted average nominal spread of 4.17% compared to 3.89% as of the last fiscal quarter-end and 3.23% at the same time last year.
The Trust's sector selection was generally positive, although an allocation to poorly performing media sectors (publishing, radio and television) hindered returns. Regarding issuer allocation, the Trust held
3
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)
positions in four of the five largest contributors to Index performance during the period. This was partially offset by its position in three of the largest detractors, including Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC ("TXU"). While the Trust's position in TXU is meaningful at 1.48% of total assets, we remain significantly underweight in this asset relative to the Index. Derivatives did not have any material impact on the Trust's performance over the reporting period.
Ratings Distribution as of February 29, 2012 |
|||||||
Baa | 0.33 | % | |||||
Ba | 41.58 | % | |||||
B | 49.23 | % | |||||
Caa and below | 3.63 | % | |||||
Not rated* | 5.23 | % |
Ratings distribution shows the percentage of the Trust's loan commitments (excluding cash and foreign cash) that are rated in each ratings category, based upon the categories provided by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Ratings distribution is based on Moody's senior secured facility ratings. Moody's ratings classification methodology: Aaa rating denotes the least credit risk; C rating denotes the greatest credit risk. Loans rated below Baa by Moody's are considered to be below investment grade. Ratings can change from time to time, and current ratings may not fully reflect the actual credit condition or risks posed by a loan.
* Not rated includes loans to non-U.S. borrowers (which are typically unrated) and loans for which the rating has been withdrawn.
OUTLOOK AND CURRENT STRATEGY
Recent fourth quarter 2011 earnings releases within the below-investment grade corporate sector in the U.S. have been generally good, in many cases exceeding consensus expectations. Of course, the question has increasingly turned to that of sustainability given macro headwinds but, thus far, we believe issuer-level credit fundamentals appear to be on solid footing. While the default rate is now so low that, in our opinion, it is bound to start rising at some point, we expect this environment of relatively low defaults to continue for the foreseeable future. The general market expectation is for a default rate of around 2.0% at year-end 2012, i.e., below the historical average of 3.5%. On the technical side, the new issue supply has been fairly constant, and has been met with demand from new CLO transactions ($3.4 billion in the first two months of 2012) as well as crossover buying from high-yield funds. Retail investors' appetite for loan funds has turned positive as well, possibly as they position their portfolios in anticipation of the eventual rise in interest rates.
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Jeffrey A. Bakalar Senior Vice President Senior Portfolio Manager ING Investment Management Co. LLC |
Daniel A. Norman Senior Vice President Senior Portfolio Manager ING Investment Management Co. LLC |
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ING Prime Rate Trust
April 2, 2012
4
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)
Average Annual Total Returns for the Years Ended February 29, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | ||||||||||||||||
Based on Net Asset Value (NAV) | 0.81 | % | 22.06 | % | 1.51 | % | 4.77 | % | |||||||||||
Based on Market Value | (3.11 | )% | 23.51 | % | 1.18 | % | 4.89 | % | |||||||||||
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index | 2.05 | % | 17.27 | % | 4.45 | % | 5.24 | % | |||||||||||
Credit-Suisse Leveraged Loan Index | 2.06 | % | 16.23 | % | 3.56 | % | 4.97 | % |
The table above illustrates the total return of the Trust against the Indices indicated. An index has no cash in its portfolio, imposes no sales charges and incurs no operating expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.
Total returns based on NAV reflect that ING Investments, LLC (the Trust's "Investment Adviser") may have waived or recouped fees and expenses otherwise payable by the Trust.
Performance data represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment in the Trust will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Trust's future performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please log on to www.inginvestment.com or call (800) 992-0180 to get performance through the most recent month end.
Calculation of total return assumes a hypothetical initial investment at the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Composite closing price (in the case of Market Value) on the last business day before the first day of the stated period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested at the actual reinvestment price.
Senior loans are subject to credit risks and the potential for non-payment of scheduled principal or interest payments, which may result in a reduction of the Trust's NAV.
This report contains statements that may be "forward-looking" statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the "forward-looking" statements.
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. The portfolio managers' views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions.
INDEX DESCRIPTIONS
The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index is an unmanaged total return index that captures accrued interest, repayments, and market value changes. It represents a broad cross section of leveraged loans syndicated in the United States, including dollar-denominated loans to overseas issuers. Standard & Poor's and the Loan Syndications & Trading Association ("LSTA") conceived the Index to establish a performance benchmark for the syndicated leveraged loan industry. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The Credit-Suisse Leveraged Loan Index is an unmanaged index of below investment grade loans designed to mirror the investable universe of the U.S. dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.
5
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)
YIELDS AND DISTRIBUTION RATES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Prime Rate |
NAV 30-day SEC Yield(A) |
Mkt. 30-Day SEC Yield(A) |
Annualized Dist. Rate @ NAV(B) |
Annualized Dist. Rate @ Mkt.(B) |
|||||||||||||||||||
February 29, 2012 | 3.25 | % | 7.11 | % | 7.48 | % | 6.22 | % | 6.53 | % | |||||||||||||
November 30, 2011 | 3.25 | % | 6.71 | % | 7.32 | % | 6.00 | % | 6.54 | % | |||||||||||||
August 31, 2011 | 3.25 | % | 6.00 | % | 6.35 | % | 5.56 | % | 5.88 | % | |||||||||||||
May 31, 2011 | 3.25 | % | 5.13 | % | 5.03 | % | 4.98 | % | 4.89 | % |
(A) Yield is calculated by dividing the Trust's net investment income per share for the most recent thirty days by the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of Market) at quarter-end. Yield calculations do not include any commissions or sales charges, and are compounded for six months and annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Trust's yield consistent with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") standardized yield formula.
(B) The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing the last monthly dividend of each quarter and dividing the resulting annualized dividend amount by the Trust's net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in case of Market) at quarter-end.
Risk is inherent in all investing. The following are the principal risks associated with investing in the Trust. This is not, and is not intended to be, a description of all risks of investing in the Trust. A more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Trust is contained in the Trust's current prospectus.
Credit Risk: The Trust invests a substantial portion of its assets in below investment grade senior loans and other below investment grade assets. Below investment grade loans involve a greater risk that borrowers may not make timely payment of the interest and principal due on their loans. They also involve a greater risk that the value of such loans could decline significantly. If borrowers do not make timely payments of the interest due on their loans, the yield on the Trust's common shares will decrease. If borrowers do not make timely payment of the principal due on their loans, or if the value of such loans decreases, the value of the Trust's NAV will decrease.
Interest Rate Risk: Changes in short-term market interest rates will directly affect the yield on the Trust's common shares. If short-term market interest rates fall, the yield on the Trust's common shares will also fall. To the extent that the credit spreads on loans in the Trust experience a general decline, the yield on the Trust will fall and the value of the Trust's assets may decrease, which will cause the Trust's value to decrease. Conversely, when short-term market interest rates rise, because of the lag between changes in such short-term rates and the resetting of the floating rates on assets in the Trust's portfolio, the impact of rising rates will be delayed to the extent of such lag.
Leverage Risk: The Trust borrows money for investment purposes. Borrowing increases both investment opportunity and investment risk. In the event of a general market decline in the value of assets such as those in which the Trust invests, the effect of that decline will be magnified in the Trust because of the additional assets purchased with the proceeds of the borrowings. The Trust also faces the risk that it might have to sell assets at relatively less advantageous times if it were forced to de-leverage if a source of leverage becomes unavailable.
6
ING Prime Rate Trust
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
ING Prime Rate Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of ING Prime Rate Trust, as of February 29, 2012, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the ten-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 29, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ING Prime Rate Trust as of February 29, 2012, the results of its operations and its cash flows, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods specified in the first paragraph above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
April 26, 2012
7
ING Prime Rate Trust
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as of February 29, 2012
ASSETS: | |||||||
Investments in securities at value (Cost $1,222,724,487) | $ | 1,200,657,463 | |||||
Cash | 6,559,154 | ||||||
Foreign currencies at value (Cost $42,274) | 42,161 | ||||||
Receivables: | |||||||
Investment securities sold | 68,009,701 | ||||||
Interest | 7,218,444 | ||||||
Other | 1,424 | ||||||
Unrealized appreciated on unfunded loan commitments | 1,018 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 134,119 | ||||||
Total assets | 1,282,623,484 | ||||||
LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Notes payable | 364,000,000 | ||||||
Payable for investment securities purchased | 65,313,832 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable | 178,750 | ||||||
Payable to affiliates | 1,007,479 | ||||||
Payable to custodian | 165,193 | ||||||
Accrued trustees fees | 8,334 | ||||||
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts | 398,122 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 273,277 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 431,344,987 | ||||||
NET ASSETS | $ | 851,278,497 | |||||
Net assets value per common share outstanding (net assets divided by 147,116,381 shares of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding, no par value) |
$ | 5.79 | |||||
NET ASSETS WERE COMPRISED OF: | |||||||
Paid-in capital | $ | 1,118,023,555 | |||||
Undistributed net investment income | 1,787,334 | ||||||
Accumulated net realized loss | (246,212,176 | ) | |||||
Net unrealized depreciation | (22,320,216 | ) | |||||
NET ASSETS | $ | 851,278,497 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
8
ING Prime Rate Trust
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the Year Ended February 29, 2012
INVESTMENT INCOME: | |||||||
Interest | $ | 66,222,778 | |||||
Dividends | 66,054 | ||||||
Amendment fees earned | 814,014 | ||||||
Other | 3,179,422 | ||||||
Total investment income | 70,282,268 | ||||||
EXPENSES: | |||||||
Investment management fees | 9,527,214 | ||||||
Administration fees | 2,977,255 | ||||||
Transfer agent fees | 78,691 | ||||||
Interest expense | 4,575,414 | ||||||
Custody and accounting expense | 616,607 | ||||||
Professional fees | 247,595 | ||||||
Preferred shares dividend disbursing agent fees | 103,133 | ||||||
Shareholder reporting | 259,450 | ||||||
Trustees fees | 29,520 | ||||||
Miscellaneous expense | 312,457 | ||||||
Total expenses | 18,727,336 | ||||||
Net investment income | 51,554,932 | ||||||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS): | |||||||
Net realized loss on: | |||||||
Investments | (18,741,770 | ) | |||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | (1,077,183 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency related transactions | (1,713,695 | ) | |||||
Net realized loss | (21,532,648 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on: | |||||||
Investments | (29,009,488 | ) | |||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | 1,656,792 | ||||||
Foreign currency related transactions | 582,237 | ||||||
Unfunded commitments | (72,435 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation | (26,842,894 | ) | |||||
Net realized and unrealized loss | (48,375,542 | ) | |||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS: | |||||||
From net investment income | (62,995 | ) | |||||
Increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 3,116,395 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
9
ING Prime Rate Trust
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended February 29, 2012 |
Year Ended February 28, 2011 |
||||||||||
FROM OPERATIONS: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 51,554,932 | $ | 41,568,273 | |||||||
Net realized loss | (21,532,648 | ) | (19,056,520 | ) | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation | (26,842,894 | ) | 76,785,973 | ||||||||
Distributions to preferred shareholders from net investment income |
(62,995 | ) | (423,452 | ) | |||||||
Increase in net assets resulting from operations | 3,116,395 | 98,874,274 | |||||||||
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS: | |||||||||||
From net investment income | (46,476,484 | ) | (43,725,897 | ) | |||||||
From return of capital | | (2,667,020 | ) | ||||||||
Decrease in net assets from distributions to common shareholders |
(46,476,484 | ) | (46,392,917 | ) | |||||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: | |||||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions from common shares | 916,239 | 392,395 | |||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 61,590 | 10,002,232 | |||||||||
Net increase from capital share transactions | 977,829 | 10,394,627 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (42,382,260 | ) | 62,875,984 | ||||||||
NET ASSETS: | |||||||||||
Beginning of period | 893,660,757 | 830,784,773 | |||||||||
End of period (including undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income of $1,787,334 and $(437,241) respectively) |
$ | 851,278,497 | $ | 893,660,757 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
10
ING Prime Rate Trust
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended February 29, 2012
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH | |||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||
Interest received | $ | 55,588,034 | |||||
Dividends received | 66,054 | ||||||
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders | (66,712 | ) | |||||
Facility fees paid | (126,121 | ) | |||||
Arrangement fees paid | (63,870 | ) | |||||
Other income received | 4,585,257 | ||||||
Interest paid | (4,576,088 | ) | |||||
Other operating expenses paid | (14,887,639 | ) | |||||
Purchases of securities | (1,022,998,010 | ) | |||||
Proceeds on sale of securities | 947,523,566 | ||||||
Net cash used by operating activities | (34,955,529 | ) | |||||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |||||||
Dividends paid to common shareholders (net of reinvested distributions) |
(45,560,245 | ) | |||||
Redemption of preferred shares | (100,000,000 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 61,590 | ||||||
Net increase of notes payable | 177,000,000 | ||||||
Net cash flows provided in financing activities | 31,501,345 | ||||||
Net decrease | (3,454,184 | ) | |||||
Cash Impact From Foreign Exchange Fluctuations: | |||||||
Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations | (128 | ) | |||||
Cash | |||||||
Net decrease in cash | (3,454,312 | ) | |||||
Cash and foreign currency at beginning of period | 10,055,627 | ||||||
Cash and foreign currency at end of period | $ | 6,601,315 | |||||
Reconciliation of Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations To Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: |
|||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 3,116,395 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments | 29,009,488 | ||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on forward currency contracts | (1,656,792 | ) | |||||
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on unfunded commitments | 72,435 | ||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on other assets and liabilities | (582,237 | ) | |||||
Accretion of discounts on investments | (8,793,228 | ) | |||||
Amortization of premiums on investments | 413,734 | ||||||
Net realized loss on sale of investments, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency related transactions |
21,532,648 | ||||||
Purchases of investment securities | (1,022,998,010 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from disposition of investment securities | 947,523,566 | ||||||
Decrease in other assets | 9,456 | ||||||
Increase in interest receivable | (2,255,250 | ) | |||||
Increase in prepaid expenses | (126,121 | ) | |||||
Decrease in deferred arrangement fees on senior loans | (63,870 | ) | |||||
Decrease in accrued interest payable | (674 | ) | |||||
Decrease in dividends payable preferred shares | (3,717 | ) | |||||
Increase in payable to affiliates | 58,498 | ||||||
Increase in accrued trustees fees | 1,351 | ||||||
Decrease in other accrued expenses | (213,201 | ) | |||||
Total adjustments | (38,071,924 | ) | |||||
Net cash used by operating activities | $ | (34,955,529 | ) | ||||
Non Cash Financing Activities | |||||||
Reinvestment of dividends | $ | 916,239 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
11
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year or period | Net investment income (loss) | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | Distribution to Preferred Shareholders | Change in net asset value from Share offerings | Total from investment operations | Distribution to Common Shareholders from net investment income | Distributions from return of capital | Total distributions | Net asset value, end of year or period | Closing market price, end of year or period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year or period ended | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ING Prime Rate Trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-12 | 6.08 | 0.35 | (0.32 | ) | (0.00 | )* | | 0.03 | (0.32 | ) | | (0.32 | ) | 5.79 | 5.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-11 | 5.72 | 0.30 | 0.38 | (0.00 | )* | | 0.68 | (0.30 | ) | (0.02 | ) | (0.32 | ) | 6.08 | 6.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-10 | 3.81 | 0.28 | 1.95 | (0.00 | )* | | 2.23 | (0.32 | ) | | (0.32 | ) | 5.72 | 5.94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-09 | 6.11 | 0.46 | (2.29 | ) | (0.06 | ) | | (1.89 | ) | (0.41 | ) | | (0.47 | ) | 3.81 | 3.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-08 | 7.65 | 0.75 | (1.57 | ) | (0.16 | ) | | (0.98 | ) | (0.56 | ) | | (0.72 | ) | 6.11 | 5.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-07 | 7.59 | 0.71 | 0.06 | (0.16 | ) | | 0.61 | (0.55 | ) | | (0.71 | ) | 7.65 | 7.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-06 | 7.47 | 0.57 | 0.12 | (0.11 | ) | | 0.58 | (0.46 | ) | | (0.57 | ) | 7.59 | 7.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-05 | 7.34 | 0.45 | 0.16 | (0.05 | ) | | 0.56 | (0.43 | ) | | (0.48 | ) | 7.47 | 7.56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-04 | 6.73 | 0.46 | 0.61 | (0.04 | ) | | 1.03 | (0.42 | ) | | (0.46 | ) | 7.34 | 7.84 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-03 | 7.20 | 0.50 | (0.47 | ) | (0.05 | ) | | (0.02 | ) | (0.45 | ) | | (0.50 | ) | 6.73 | 6.46 |
Total Investment Return(1) |
Ratios to average net assets |
Supplemental data |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Return at net asset value(2) | Total Investment Return at closing market price(3) | Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility)(6) | Expenses, prior to fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Expenses, net of fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Net investment income (loss)(6) | Net assets, end of year or period | Portfolio Turnover | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year or period ended | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | ($000's) | (%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ING Prime Rate Trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-12 | 0.81 | (3.11 | ) | 1.67 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 6.07 | 851,278 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-11 | 12.32 | 7.09 | 1.59 | 1.93 | 1.93 | 4.87 | 893,661 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-10 | 60.70 | 81.66 | 1.77 | (5) | 1.99 | (5) | 1.93 | 5.56 | 830,785 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-09 | (31.93 | )(4) | (32.03 | )(4) | 1.95 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 7.86 | 552,840 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-08 | (13.28 | ) | (17.25 | ) | 2.20 | 4.36 | 4.36 | 10.35 | 886,976 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-07 | 8.85 | 13.84 | 2.21 | 4.62 | 4.62 | 9.42 | 1,109,539 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-06 | 8.53 | (0.82 | ) | 2.33 | 4.27 | 4.27 | 7.71 | 1,100,671 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-05 | 7.70 | 2.04 | 2.29 | 3.18 | 3.17 | 6.04 | 1,082,748 | 93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-04 | 15.72 | 28.77 | 2.11 | 2.40 | 2.40 | 6.68 | 1,010,325 | 87 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-03 | 0.44 | 2.53 | 2.19 | 2.68 | 2.68 | 7.33 | 922,383 | 48 |
(1) Total investment return calculations are attributable to common shares.
(2) Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan.
(3) Total investment return at market value has been calculated assuming a purchase at market value at the beginning of each period and a sale at market value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions, and return of capital/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan.
(4) There was no impact on total return due to payments by affiliates.
(5) Includes excise tax fully reimbursed by the Investment Adviser.
(6) Annualized for periods less than one year.
* Amount is more than $(0.005).
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
12
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.
Ratios to average net assets including Preferred Shares(a) |
Ratios to average net assets plus borrowings |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility)(6) | Expenses, prior to fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Expenses, net of fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Net investment income (loss)(6) | Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility)(6) | Expenses, prior to fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Expenses, net of fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(6) | Net investment income (loss)(6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year or period ended | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ING Prime Rate Trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-12 | 1.58 | 2.09 | 2.09 | 5.74 | 1.24 | 1.64 | 1.64 | 4.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-11 | 1.36 | 1.64 | 1.64 | 4.14 | 1.39 | 1.68 | 1.68 | 4.26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-10 | 1.36 | (5) | 1.52 | (5) | 1.48 | 4.26 | 1.67 | (5) | 1.87 | (5) | 1.81 | 5.23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-09 | 1.54 | 2.38 | 2.38 | 6.22 | 1.54 | 2.37 | 2.37 | 6.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-08 | 1.54 | 3.05 | 3.05 | 7.23 | 1.60 | 3.17 | 3.17 | 7.53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-07 | 1.57 | 3.27 | 3.27 | 6.68 | 1.56 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 6.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-06 | 1.64 | 3.02 | 3.02 | 5.44 | 1.58 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 5.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-05 | 1.60 | 2.22 | 2.21 | 4.21 | 1.63 | 2.27 | 2.26 | 4.32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-04 | 1.45 | 1.65 | 1.65 | 4.57 | 1.84 | 2.09 | 2.09 | 5.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-03 | 1.49 | 1.81 | 1.81 | 4.97 | 1.82 | 2.23 | 2.23 | 6.10 |
Supplemental data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares Aggregate amount outstanding | Liquidation and market value per share of Preferred Shares | Asset coverage inclusive of Preferred Shares and debt per share(b) | Borrowings at end of period | Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt(b) | Average borrowings | Common shares outstanding at end of year or period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year or period ended | ($000's) | ($) | ($) | ($000's) | ($) | ($000's) | (000's) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ING Prime Rate Trust | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-12 | | | 83,475 | 364,000 | 3,339 | 293,444 | 147,116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-11 | 100,000 | 25,000 | 102,850 | 187,000 | 6,314 | 122,641 | 146,954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-10 | 200,000 | 25,000 | 98,400 | 83,000 | 13,419 | 46,416 | 145,210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-09 | 225,000 | 25,000 | 70,175 | 81,000 | 10,603 | 227,891 | 145,178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-08 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 53,125 | 338,000 | 4,956 | 391,475 | 145,094 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-07 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 62,925 | 281,000 | 6,550 | 459,982 | 145,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-06 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 55,050 | 465,000 | 4,335 | 509,178 | 145,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-05 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 53,600 | 496,000 | 4,090 | 414,889 | 145,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-29-04 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 62,425 | 225,000 | 7,490 | 143,194 | 137,638 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
02-28-03 | 450,000 | 25,000 | 62,375 | 167,000 | 9,218 | 190,671 | 136,973 |
(a) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to Preferred Shareholders; income ratios reflect income earned on assets attributable to Preferred Shareholders; ratios do not reflect any add-back for the borrowings.
(b) Asset coverage ratios, for periods prior to fiscal 2009, represented the coverage available for both the borrowings and preferred shares expressed in relation to each $1,000 of borrowings and preferred shares liquidation value outstanding. The Asset coverage ratio per $1,000 of debt for periods subsequent to fiscal 2008, is presented to represent the coverage available to each $1,000 of borrowings before consideration of any preferred shares liquidation price, while the Asset coverage inclusive of Preferred Shares, presents the coverage available to both borrowings and preferred shares, expressed in relation to the per share liquidation price of the preferred shares.
(5) Includes excise tax fully reimbursed by the Investment Adviser.
(6) Annualized for periods less than one year.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
13
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012
NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION
ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified, closed-end, management investment company. The Trust invests primarily in senior loans, which generally are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and which contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other short-term rates.
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for investment companies.
A. Senior Loan and Other Security Valuation. All Senior loans and other securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described below. Senior loans held by the Trust are normally valued at the average of the means of one or more bid and ask quotations obtained from dealers in loans by an independent pricing service or other sources determined by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") to be independent and believed to be reliable. Loans for which reliable market value quotations are not readily available may be valued with reference to another loan or a group of loans for which reliable quotations are readily available and whose characteristics are comparable to the loan being valued. Under this approach, the comparable loan or loans serve as a proxy for changes in value of the loan being valued.
The Trust has engaged independent pricing services to provide market value quotations from dealers in loans and, when such quotations are not readily available, to calculate values under the proxy procedure described above. As of February 29, 2012, 99.9% of total loans were valued based on these procedures. It is expected that most of the loans held by the Trust will continue to be valued with reference to quotations from the independent pricing service or with reference to the proxy procedure described above.
Prices from a pricing source may not be available for all loans and the Investment Adviser or ING Investment Management Co. LLC ("ING IM" or the "Sub-Adviser"), may believe that the price for a loan derived from market quotations or the proxy procedure described above is not reliable or accurate. Among other reasons, this may be the result of information about a particular loan or borrower known to the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser that the Investment Adviser or the Sub-Adviser believes may not be known to the pricing service or reflected in a price quote. In this event, the loan is valued at fair value, as defined by the 1940 Act, as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act. Under these procedures, fair value is determined by the Investment Adviser or Sub-Adviser and monitored by the Board through its Compliance Committee.
In fair valuing a loan, consideration is given to several factors, which may include, among others, the following: (i) the characteristics of and fundamental analytical data relating to the loan, including the cost, size, current interest rate, period until the next interest rate reset, maturity and base lending rate of the loan, the terms and conditions of the loan and any related agreements, and the position of the loan in the borrower's debt structure; (ii) the nature, adequacy and value of the collateral, including the Trust's rights, remedies and interests with respect to the collateral; (iii) the creditworthiness of the borrower and the cash flow coverage of outstanding principal and interest, based on an evaluation of its financial condition, financial statements and information about the borrower's business, cash flows, capital structure and future prospects; (iv) information relating to
14
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
the market for the loan, including price quotations for, and trading in, the loan and interests in similar loans; (v) the reputation and financial condition of the agent for the loan and any intermediate participants in the loan; (vi) the borrower's management; and (vii) the general economic and market conditions affecting the fair value of the loan. Securities for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sale price. Securities reported by NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on a valuation date are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask price on such exchange. Securities, other than senior loans, for which reliable market value quotations are not readily available, and all other assets, will be valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by, and under procedures established by, the Board. Investments in securities of sufficient credit quality maturing in 60 days or less from the date of acquisition are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value.
Fair value is defined as the price that the Trust would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Each investment asset or liability of the Trust is assigned a level at measurement date based on the significance and source of the inputs to its valuation. Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities are classified as "Level 1," inputs other than quoted prices for an asset or liability that are observable are classified as "Level 2" and unobservable inputs, including the sub-adviser's judgment about the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability are classified as "Level 3." The inputs used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Short-term securities of sufficient credit quality which are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, are generally considered to be Level 2 securities under applicable accounting rules. A table summarizing the Trust's investments under these levels of classification is included following the Portfolio of Investments.
For the year ended February 29, 2012, there have been no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.
B. Security Transactions and Revenue Recognition. Revolver and delayed draw loans are booked on a settlement date basis. Security transactions and senior loans are accounted for on trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains or losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities sold. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis at the then-current interest rate of the loan. The accrual of interest on loans is partially or fully discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is an indication that the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. If determined to be uncollectable, accrued interest is also written off. Cash collections on non-accrual senior loans are generally applied as a reduction to the recorded investment of the loan. Senior loans are generally returned to accrual status only after all past due amounts have been received and the borrower has demonstrated sustained performance. For all loans, except revolving credit facilities, fees received are treated as discounts and are accreted whereas premiums are amortized. Fees associated with revolving credit facilities are deferred and recognized over the shorter of four years or the actual term of the loan.
C. Foreign Currency Translation. The books and records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(1) Market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the day.
(2) Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
15
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Although the net assets and the market values are presented at the foreign exchange rates at the end of the day, the Trust does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. For securities, which are subject to foreign withholding tax upon disposition, liabilities are recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the estimated tax withholding based on the securities current market value. Upon disposition, realized gains or losses on such securities are recorded net of foreign withholding tax.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Trust's books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at fiscal year end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. government. These risks include, but are not limited to, revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments which could cause securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities.
D. Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. The Trust has entered into forward foreign currency contracts primarily to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks on its non-U.S. dollar denominated investment securities. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a foreign currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward foreign currency contracts are marked to market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Trust as an unrealized gain or loss and is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gains or losses equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed are recorded upon delivery or receipt of the currency and are included in the Statement of Operations. These instruments may involve market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, the Trust could be exposed to risk if the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the contracts or if the value of the currency changes unfavorably to the U.S. dollar. Open forward foreign currency contracts are presented following the Portfolio of Investments. For the year ended February 29, 2012, the Trust had an average quarterly contract amount on forward foreign currency contracts to sell of $124,801,944.
E. Federal Income Taxes. It is the policy of the Trust to comply with the requirements of subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, a federal income tax or excise tax provision is not required. Management has considered the sustainability of the Trust's tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years in making this determination. No capital gain distributions shall be made until the capital loss carryforwards have been fully utilized or expire.
F. Distributions to Common Shareholders. The Trust declares and pays dividends monthly from net investment income. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. The Trust may make additional distributions to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The character and amounts of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted
16
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 2 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
accounting principles for investment companies. The Trust records distributions to its shareholders on the ex-dividend date.
G. Dividend Reinvestments. Pursuant to the Trust's Shareholder Investment Program (the "Program"), BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ("BNY"), the Program administrator, purchases, from time to time, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust on the open market to satisfy dividend reinvestments. Such shares are purchased on the open market only when the closing sale or bid price plus commission is less than the NAV per share of the Trust's common shares on the valuation date. If the market price plus commissions is equal to or exceeds NAV, new shares are issued by the Trust at the greater of (i) NAV or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%.
H. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
I. Share Offerings. The Trust issues shares under various shelf registration statements, whereby the net proceeds received by the Trust from share sales may not be less than the greater of (i) the NAV per share or (ii) 94% of the average daily market price over the relevant pricing period.
NOTE 3 INVESTMENTS
For the year ended February 29, 2012, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from principal repayment and sales of investments, excluding short-term notes, totaled $973,463,439 and $999,396,839, respectively. At February 29, 2012, the Trust held senior loans valued at $1,187,115,776 representing 98.9% of its total investments. The fair value of these assets is established as set forth in Note 2.
The senior loans acquired by the Trust typically take the form of a direct lending relationship with the borrower, and are typically acquired through an assignment of another lender's interest in a loan. The lead lender in a typical corporate loan syndicate administers the loan and monitors the collateral securing the loan.
Common and preferred shares, and stock purchase warrants held in the portfolio were acquired in conjunction with loans held by the Trust. Certain of these stocks and warrants are restricted and may not be publicly sold without registration under the 1933 Act, or without an exemption under the 1933 Act. In some cases, these restrictions expire after a designated period of time after issuance of the shares or warrants.
17
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 3 INVESTMENTS (continued)
Dates of acquisition and cost or assigned basis of restricted securities are as follows:
Date of Acquisition |
Cost or Assigned Basis |
||||||||||
Allied Digital Technologies Corporation (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
06/05/02 | $ | 100 | ||||||||
Ascend Media (Residual Interest) | 01/05/10 | | |||||||||
Block Vision Holdings Corporation (719 Common Shares) | 09/17/02 | | |||||||||
Cedar Chemical (Residual Interest) | 12/31/02 | | |||||||||
Enterprise Profit Solutions (Liquidation Interest) | 10/21/02 | | |||||||||
Euro United Corporation (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
06/21/02 | 50 | |||||||||
Gainey Corporation (Residual Interest) | 12/31/09 | | |||||||||
Grand Union Company (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
07/01/02 | 2,576 | |||||||||
Kevco Inc. (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) | 06/05/02 | 25 | |||||||||
Lincoln Paper & Tissue (Warrants for 291 Common Shares, Expires August 14, 2015) |
08/25/05 | | |||||||||
Lincoln Pulp and Eastern Fine (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
06/08/04 | | |||||||||
Safelite Realty Corporation (57,804 Common Shares) | 10/12/00 | | |||||||||
Supermedia, Inc. (32,592 Common Shares) | 01/05/10 | | |||||||||
US Office Products Company (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
02/11/04 | | |||||||||
Total Restricted Securities (fair value $366,325 was 0.04% of net assets at February 29, 2012) |
$ | 2,751 |
NOTE 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENTS
The Trust has entered into an investment management agreement ("Investment Advisory Agreement") with the Investment Adviser, an Arizona limited liability company, to provide advisory and management services. The Investment Advisory Agreement compensates the Investment Adviser with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Trust's Managed Assets. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, "Managed Assets" shall mean the Trust's average daily gross asset value, minus the sum of the Trust's accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred shares and accrued liabilities (other than liabilities for the principal amount of any borrowings incurred, commercial paper or notes issued by the Trust and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares).
The Investment Adviser entered into a Sub-Advisory agreement with ING IM, a Delaware limited liability company. Subject to such policies as the Board or the Investment Adviser may determine, ING IM manages the Trust's assets in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies, and limitations.
The Trust has also entered into an administration agreement with ING Funds Services, LLC (the "Administrator") to provide administrative services and also to furnish facilities. The Administrator is compensated with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Trust's Managed Assets.
The Investment Adviser, ING IM and the Administrator are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. ("ING Groep"). ING Groep is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance, and retirement services.
18
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENTS (continued)
ING Groep has adopted a formal restructuring plan that was approved by the European Commission in November 2009 under which the ING life insurance businesses, including the retirement services and investment management businesses, which include the Adviser and its immediate affiliates, would be separated from ING Groep by the end of 2013. To achieve this goal, in a series of announcements beginning November 2010, ING Groep announced that it plans to pursue transactions to restructure certain businesses, including an initial public offering for its U.S. based insurance, retirement services, and investment management operations; and other transactions, which could include an initial public offering or other type of transaction, for its European based insurance and investment management operations and Asian based insurance and investment management operations. There can be no assurance that all or part of the restructuring plan will be carried out.
The restructuring plan and the uncertainty about its implementation, whether implemented through the planned public offerings or through other means, in whole or in part, may be disruptive to the businesses of ING entities, including the ING entities that service the Trust, and may cause, among other things, interruption or reduction of business and services, diversion of management's attention from day-to-day operations, and loss of key employees or customers. A failure to complete the offerings or other means of implementation on favorable terms could have a material adverse impact on the operations of the businesses subject to the restructuring plan. The restructuring plan may result in the Investment Adviser's loss of access to services and resources of ING Groep, which could adversely affect its businesses and profitability. In addition, the divestment of ING businesses, including the Investment Adviser, may potentially be deemed a "change of control" of each entity. A change of control would result in the termination of the Trust's advisory and sub-advisory agreements, which would trigger the necessity for new agreements that would require approval of the Board, and may trigger the need for shareholder approval. Currently, the Investment Adviser does not anticipate that the restructuring will have a material adverse impact on the Trust or its operations and administration.
NOTE 5 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES
At February 29, 2012, the Trust had the following amounts recorded in payables to affiliates on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
Accrued Investment Management Fees |
Accrued Administrative Fees |
Total | |||||||||
$ | 767,603 | $ | 239,876 | $ | 1,007,479 |
The Trust has adopted a Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), which allows eligible non-affiliated trustees as described in the Plan to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the trustees fees payable. Amounts deferred are treated as though invested in various "notional" funds advised by ING Investments until distribution in accordance with the Plan.
NOTE 6 COMMITMENTS
The Trust has entered into a $400 million 364-day revolving credit agreement which matures July 23, 2012, collateralized by assets of the Trust. Borrowing rates under this agreement are based on a fixed spread over LIBOR, and a commitment fee is charged on the unused portion. Prepaid arrangement fees are amortized over the term of the agreement. The amount of borrowings outstanding at February 29, 2012, was $364 million. Weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 1.24%, excluding fees related to the unused portion of the facilities, and other fees. The amount of borrowings represented 28.38% of total assets at February 29, 2012. Average borrowings for the year ended February 29, 2012 were $293,444,262 and the average annualized
19
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 6 COMMITMENTS (continued)
interest rate was 1.56% excluding other fees related to the unused portion of the facilities, and other fees.
As of February 29, 2012, the Trust had unfunded loan commitments pursuant to the terms of the following loan agreements:
Tronox Pigments (Netherlands) BV | $ | 407,143 |
The net unrealized appreciation on these commitments of $1,018 as of February 29, 2012 is reported as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
NOTE 7 RIGHTS AND OTHER OFFERINGS
As of February 29, 2012, outstanding share offerings pursuant to shelf registrations were as follows:
Registration Date |
Shares Registered |
Shares Remaining |
|||||||||
8/17/09 | 25,000,000 | 24,980,237 | |||||||||
8/17/09 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 |
On November 2, 2000, the Trust issued 3,600 shares each of Series M, Series W and Series F Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares, $0.01 Par Value, $25,000 liquidation preference, for a total issuance of $270 million. Also, on November 16, 2000, the Trust issued 3,600 shares of Series T and Series Th Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares, $0.01 Par Value, $25,000 liquidation preference, for a total issuance of $180 million. The Trust used the net proceeds of the offering to partially pay down the then existing indebtedness and to purchase additional senior loans. Historically, Preferred Shares paid dividends based on a rate set at auctions, normally held every 7 days. In most instances dividends are also payable every 7 days, on the first business day following the end of the rate period. Preferred shares have no stated conversion, redemption or liquidation date, but may be redeemed at the election of the Trust. Such shares may only be redeemed by the Preferred Shareholders if the Trust fails to meet certain credit quality thresholds within its portfolio.
Since early February 2008, the Trust has not received sufficient hold orders or any purchase requests for its preferred shares during their weekly auctions that equaled the full amount of such shares. As a result, under the terms of the preferred shares, the amounts sold, if any, by each selling shareholder are reduced pro rata or to zero. In addition, the dividend rate on such preferred shares, which is normally set by means of a Dutch auction procedure, automatically reset to the maximum rate permitted under the preferred shares program. That maximum rate is 150% of the applicable commercial paper base rate on the day of the auction. While it is possible that the dividend rate for the preferred shares will be set by means of an auction at some future time, there is no current expectation that this will be the case.
Since June 9, 2008, the Trust has announced the approval by the Board of a number of partial redemptions of its outstanding preferred shares. On September 30, 2010, the Board approved the continuation of the program for the quarterly redemptions of up to $100 million of the Trust's auction rate preferred shares to be redeemed on a quarterly basis in the amount of up to $25 million per quarter beginning January 2011 through approximately January 2012, subject to management's discretion to modify or cancel the program at any time. On December 23, 2011, all remaining preferred shares outstanding issued by the Trust were redeemed. The preferred shares were redeemed using proceeds available through the Trust's existing bank loan facility and with cash held by the Trust. Redemption costs and the ongoing costs of obtaining leverage through a bank loan facility may reduce returns to common shares and may be higher or lower than the costs
20
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 7 RIGHTS AND OTHER OFFERINGS (continued)
of leverage obtained through the preferred shares. The Trust will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate potential options to restore liquidity to and/or provide additional refinancing options for this market in the context of regulatory guidelines, as well as the economic and tax implications for both its common and preferred shareholders. There can be no assurance that any means for liquidity will be identified, and if they are, it is possible that the Trust's leverage or its benefits from leverage will diminish.
NOTE 8 SUBORDINATED LOANS AND UNSECURED LOANS
The Trust may invest in subordinated loans and in unsecured loans. The primary risk arising from investing in subordinated loans or in unsecured loans is the potential loss in the event of default by the issuer of the loans. The Trust may acquire a subordinated loan only if, at the time of acquisition, it acquires or holds a senior loan from the same borrower. The Trust will acquire unsecured loans only where the Investment Adviser believes, at the time of acquisition, that the Trust would have the right to payment upon default that is not subordinate to any other creditor. Subject to the aggregate 20% limit on other investments, the Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in unsecured floating rate loans, notes and other debt instruments and 5% of its total assets in floating rate subordinated loans. As of February 29, 2012, the Trust held no subordinated loans and unsecured loans.
NOTE 9 CAPITAL SHARES
Transactions in capital shares and dollars were as follows:
Year Ended February 29, 2012 |
Year Ended February 28, 2011 |
||||||||||
Number of Shares | |||||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions from common shares | 152,404 | 66,580 | |||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 10,144 | 1,677,409 | |||||||||
Net increase in shares outstanding | 162,548 | 1,743,989 | |||||||||
Dollar Amount ($) | |||||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions from common shares | $ | 916,239 | $ | 392,395 | |||||||
Proceeds from shares sold | 61,590 | 10,002,232 | |||||||||
Net increase | $ | 977,829 | $ | 10,394,627 |
NOTE 10 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. These book/tax differences may be either temporary or permanent. Permanent differences are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences are not reclassified. Key differences include the treatment of short-term capital gains, foreign currency transactions, and wash sale deferrals. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as return of capital.
The following permanent tax differences have been reclassified as of February 29, 2012:
Paid-in Capital(1) |
Undistributed Net Investment Income |
Accumulated Net Realized Gains/(Losses) |
|||||||||
$ | (57,686,392 | ) | $ | (2,790,878 | ) | $ | 60,477,270 |
(1) $57,686,392 relates to the expiration of capital loss carryforwards.
21
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 10 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (continued)
Dividends paid by the Trust from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
The tax composition of dividends and distributions to shareholders was as follows:
Year Ended February 29, 2012 | Year Ended February 28, 2011 | ||||||||||||||
Ordinary Income | Ordinary Income | Return of Capital | |||||||||||||
$ | 46,539,479 | $ | 44,149,349 | $ | 2,667,020 |
The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the expiration dates of the capital loss carryforwards which may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes as of February 29, 2012 were:
Undistributed Ordinary |
Unrealized Appreciation/ |
Post-October Capital Losses |
Capital Loss Carryforwards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income | (Depreciation) | Deferred | Amount | Character | Expiration | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,396,322 | $ | (22,050,725 | ) | $ | (9,201,168 | ) | $ | (22,421,058 | ) | Short-term | 2013 | |||||||||||
(560,828 | ) | Short-term | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(41,585,301 | ) | Short-term | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(125,812,939 | ) | Short-term | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(24,760,715 | ) | Short-term | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(21,741,424 | ) | Long-term | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | (236,882,265 | ) |
The Trust's major tax jurisdictions are federal and Arizona. The earliest tax year that remains subject to examination by these jurisdictions is 2007.
As of February 29, 2012, no provision for income tax is required in the Trust's financial statements as a result of tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for open tax years. The Trust's federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state department of revenue.
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Act") was enacted on December 22, 2010. The Act makes changes to several tax rules impacting the Trust. In general, the provisions of the Act are effective for the Trust's tax year ended February 29, 2012. Although the Act provides several benefits, including the unlimited carryforward of future capital losses, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of the Trust's pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may expire without being utilized due to the fact that post-enactment capital losses are required to be utilized before pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards.
NOTE 11 OTHER ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-04 "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements". ASU No. 2011-04 amends FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). The ASU is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. As of February 29, 2012, management of the Trust is currently assessing the potential impact to financial statement disclosure that may result from adopting this ASU.
22
ING Prime Rate Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
NOTE 12 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to February 29, 2012, the Trust paid to Common Shareholders the following dividends from net investment income:
Per Share Amount |
Declaration Date |
Record Date |
Payable Date |
||||||||||||
$ | 0.030 | 2/29/12 | 3/12/12 | 3/22/12 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.033 | 3/30/12 | 4/10/12 | 4/23/12 |
The Trust has evaluated events occurring after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date (subsequent events) to determine whether any subsequent events necessitated adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements. Other than the above, no such subsequent events were identified.
23
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012
Senior Loans*: 139.5% | |||||||||||||||
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Aerospace & Defense: 2.7% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 9,950,000 | Delta, New Term Loan, 5.500%, due 04/20/17 | $ | 9,759,288 | |||||||||||
496,250 | Delta, Pacific Route First Lien Term Loan, 4.250%, due 03/07/16 | 478,881 | |||||||||||||
3,000,000 | DigitalGlobe Inc., Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 10/07/18 | 2,940,000 | |||||||||||||
710,526 |
Forgings International Ltd., Tranche B Dollar Term Loan, 5.079%, due 12/18/15 |
682,105 | |||||||||||||
710,526 |
Forgings International Ltd., Tranche C Dollar Term Loan, 5.579%, due 12/20/16 |
683,882 | |||||||||||||
2,079,000 | Transdigm, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 4.000%, due 02/14/17 | 2,082,412 | |||||||||||||
1,100,000 | Transdigm, Inc., Add On Term Loan, 4.000%, due 02/14/17 | 1,103,438 | |||||||||||||
5,958,333 | US Airways, Term Loan, 2.744%, due 03/21/14 | 5,509,075 | |||||||||||||
23,239,081 | |||||||||||||||
Automotive: 6.3% | |||||||||||||||
1,805,475 |
Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, Incremental Term Loan, 6.250%, due 09/21/18 |
1,829,547 | |||||||||||||
3,146,562 | Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 04/19/14 | 3,162,295 | |||||||||||||
13,944,987 | Chrysler Group LLC, Term Loan B, 6.000%, due 05/24/17 | 14,023,427 | |||||||||||||
5,087,250 |
Fram Group Holdings Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 6.500%, due 07/28/17 |
5,115,866 | |||||||||||||
3,742,140 |
Fram Group Holdings Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 10.500%, due 01/29/18 |
3,667,297 | |||||||||||||
7,960,000 | KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 05/19/17 | 7,964,975 | |||||||||||||
2,679,750 | Metaldyne, LLC, Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 05/18/17 | 2,686,449 | |||||||||||||
5,415,592 | Remy International, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 12/16/16 | 5,429,131 | |||||||||||||
774,007 | Tomkins, Inc., Term Loan A, 4.250%, due 09/21/15 | 774,491 | |||||||||||||
2,447,163 | (4 | ) | Tomkins, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 09/21/16 | 2,451,140 | |||||||||||
1,262,250 |
Transtar Holding Company, First Lien Term Loan, 4.500%, due 12/21/16 |
1,262,250 | |||||||||||||
5,343,059 | UCI International, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.500%, due 07/26/17 | 5,369,775 | |||||||||||||
53,736,643 | |||||||||||||||
Beverage & Tobacco: 0.9% | |||||||||||||||
870,493 | Bolthouse Farms, Inc, First Lien Term Loan, 5.506%, due 02/11/16 | 872,669 | |||||||||||||
2,580,391 | Clement Pappas, $230 Term Loan, 6.503%, due 08/14/17 | 2,572,328 | |||||||||||||
2,985,000 | Del Monte Corporation, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 03/08/18 | 2,945,448 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 666,192 | Selecta, EUR Facility B4, 4.017%, due 06/28/15 | 729,235 | ||||||||||||
SEK | 4,375,000 | Selecta, SEK Senior Term Loan B, 5.105%, due 02/07/15 | 528,978 | ||||||||||||
7,648,658 | |||||||||||||||
Brokers, Dealers & Investment Houses: 0.9% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 4,975,000 |
Nuveen Investments, Inc., First-Lien Incremental Term Loan, 7.250%, due 05/13/17 |
5,049,625 | ||||||||||||
2,636,835 | Nuveen Investments, Inc., Term Loan 2017, 5.814%, due 05/12/17 | 2,639,309 | |||||||||||||
7,688,934 | |||||||||||||||
Building & Development: 1.2% | |||||||||||||||
7,513,527 | Capital Automotive L.P., Term Loan, 5.000%, due 03/10/17 | 7,466,568 | |||||||||||||
812,542 | Custom Building Products, Inc., Term Loan, 5.750%, due 03/19/15 | 814,574 | |||||||||||||
885,830 | JMC Steel Group, Term Loan, 4.750%, due 04/01/17 | 886,937 | |||||||||||||
839,063 | (4 | ) | LNR Property Corporation, Term Loan, 4.750%, due 04/29/16 | 840,111 | |||||||||||
10,008,190 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
24
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Business Equipment & Services: 13.2% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 4,835,931 | Acosta, Inc., Term Loan, 4.750%, due 03/01/18 | $ | 4,811,751 | |||||||||||
4,964,925 |
Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 5.250%, due 12/18/17 |
4,962,854 | |||||||||||||
2,365,000 |
Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 9.250%, due 06/18/18 |
2,347,263 | |||||||||||||
2,631,283 | Avaya Inc., Term Loan B-1, 3.241%, due 10/24/14 | 2,583,181 | |||||||||||||
8,269,785 | Avaya Inc., Term Loan B-3, 4.991%, due 10/26/17 | 8,053,472 | |||||||||||||
3,085,000 | (4 | ) | Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Dollar Term-2, due 09/15/17 | 3,108,138 | |||||||||||
5,783,456 |
CorpSource Finance Holdings, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 6.625%, due 04/28/17 |
5,342,468 | |||||||||||||
2,102,500 |
First American Payment Systems, Term Loan B, 6.750%, due 10/04/16 |
2,118,269 | |||||||||||||
10,000,000 |
First Data Corporation, Extended Term Loan B, 4.245%, due 03/23/18 |
8,997,920 | |||||||||||||
3,235,285 | First Data Corporation, Term Loan B1, 2.995%, due 09/24/14 | 3,100,930 | |||||||||||||
73,740 | First Data Corporation, Term Loan B2, 2.995%, due 09/24/14 | 70,712 | |||||||||||||
9,395,340 | First Data Corporation, Term Loan B3, 2.995%, due 09/24/14 | 9,000,229 | |||||||||||||
5,888,379 |
Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan, 7.000%, due 09/29/17 |
5,942,110 | |||||||||||||
5,074,500 | Information Resources, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 12/01/17 | 5,061,814 | |||||||||||||
4,937,688 | Interactive Data Corporation, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 02/12/18 | 4,936,660 | |||||||||||||
2,985,000 |
Mercury Payment Systems LLC, Term Loan B, 6.500%, due 07/03/17 |
2,998,059 | |||||||||||||
2,258,929 |
N.E.W. Customer Services Companies, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 6.000%, due 03/23/16 |
2,160,100 | |||||||||||||
5,321,284 | Property Data I, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.000%, due 12/21/16 | 4,727,073 | |||||||||||||
8,170,000 | Quintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 06/08/18 | 8,149,575 | |||||||||||||
1,900,000 |
Ship US Bidco, Inc. (RBS Worldpay), Term Loan B2 USD (size TBC), 5.250%, due 10/15/17 |
1,894,657 | |||||||||||||
5,384,325 | Trans Union LLC, Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 02/12/18 | 5,404,516 | |||||||||||||
2,520,315 |
Transfirst Holdings, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 3.000%, due 06/15/14 |
2,438,405 | |||||||||||||
813,891 |
U.S. Security Associates Holdings, Inc., $75mm Delayed Draw Term Loan, 6.000%, due 07/28/17 |
817,960 | |||||||||||||
4,168,857 |
U.S. Security Associates Holdings, Inc., New Term Loan, 6.000%, due 07/28/17 |
4,189,701 | |||||||||||||
770,000 | Verifone, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 12/31/18 | 772,984 | |||||||||||||
2,479,167 | Web.com Group, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 7.000%, due 10/28/17 | 2,426,484 | |||||||||||||
2,571,757 | West Corp, Term Loan B-4, 4.620%, due 07/15/16 | 2,581,401 | |||||||||||||
3,241,766 | West Corp, Term Loan B-5, 4.499%, due 07/15/16 | 3,253,922 | |||||||||||||
112,252,608 | |||||||||||||||
Cable & Satellite Television: 5.8% | |||||||||||||||
1,993,101 | Atlantic Broadband, Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 03/08/16 | 1,989,364 | |||||||||||||
1,125,000 | (4 | ) | Bragg Communications, Inc, Term Loan B, due 02/28/18 | 1,125,000 | |||||||||||
2,178,000 |
Bresnan Communications, LLC, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 12/14/17 |
2,176,639 | |||||||||||||
11,315,000 | (4 | ) | Cequel Communications, LLC, Term Loan 2012, due 02/08/19 | 11,226,054 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
25
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Cable & Satellite Television: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 6,957,450 |
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., Term Loan B Facility, 5.250%, due 04/02/18 |
$ | 6,982,093 | |||||||||||
1,584,000 | Knology Inc, Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 08/18/17 | 1,574,596 | |||||||||||||
3,940,000 | Mediacom LLC Group, Term Loan E, 4.500%, due 10/23/17 | 3,920,276 | |||||||||||||
4,646,650 | San Juan Cable LLC, First Lien, 6.000%, due 06/09/17 | 4,576,950 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 4,268,168 | UPC Broadband Holding B.V, Term Loan S, 4.473%, due 12/31/16 | 5,558,095 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 3,648,797 | UPC Broadband Holding B.V, Term Loan U, 4.723%, due 12/31/17 | 4,794,802 | ||||||||||||
$ | 5,665,966 |
Wideopenwest Finance, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 2.746%, due 06/27/14 |
5,467,657 | ||||||||||||
49,391,526 | |||||||||||||||
Chemicals & Plastics: 5.0% | |||||||||||||||
2,300,000 | AZ Chem US Inc., Term Loan B, 7.250%, due 12/19/17 | 2,327,791 | |||||||||||||
4,365,000 | Chemtura Corporation, Term Loan, 5.500%, due 08/27/16 | 4,397,738 | |||||||||||||
2,075,556 |
Cristal Inorganic Chemicals, Inc (aka Millenium Inorganic Chemicals), Second Lien Term Loan, 6.329%, due 11/15/14 |
2,078,150 | |||||||||||||
2,551,040 |
Houghton International, Inc., Term Loan B1, 6.750%, due 01/29/16 |
2,563,795 | |||||||||||||
484,822 | (4 | ) | Ineos US Finance LLC, Term Loan B2, due 12/16/13 | 502,809 | |||||||||||
5,642,997 | (4 | ) | Ineos US Finance LLC, Term Loan C2, 8.001%, due 12/16/14 | 5,862,837 | |||||||||||
1,128,000 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Synthetic LC (C3), 2.499%, due 05/03/13 |
1,094,160 | |||||||||||||
2,866,311 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Term Loan C1B, 4.063%, due 05/05/15 |
2,812,496 | |||||||||||||
1,290,723 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Term Loan C2B, 4.375%, due 05/05/15 |
1,266,490 | |||||||||||||
1,140,568 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Term Loan C4B, 4.312%, due 05/05/15 |
1,117,756 | |||||||||||||
955,000 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Term Loan C5B, 4.375%, due 05/05/15 |
935,900 | |||||||||||||
989,637 |
Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc (a.k.a Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc), Term Loan C7B, 4.375%, due 05/05/15 |
972,319 | |||||||||||||
1,283,750 | Omnova Solutions Inc, Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 05/31/17 | 1,286,157 | |||||||||||||
1,857,280 | Styron S.A.R.L., Term Loan B, 6.010%, due 08/02/17 | 1,687,339 | |||||||||||||
2,750,000 | (4 | ) | Taminco, Term Loan USD, due 01/31/19 | 2,772,344 | |||||||||||
1,492,857 |
Tronox Pigments (Netherlands) BV, Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 02/08/18 |
1,496,589 | |||||||||||||
7,256,900 | Univar Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 06/30/17 | 7,229,686 | |||||||||||||
1,960,000 | Vantage Specialties Inc., Term Loan B, 7.000%, due 02/10/18 | 1,964,900 | |||||||||||||
42,369,256 | |||||||||||||||
Clothing/Textiles: 0.2% | |||||||||||||||
172,570 |
Totes Isotoner Corporation, Delayed Draw First Lien Term Loan, 7.250%, due 07/07/17 |
168,903 | |||||||||||||
1,663,988 |
Totes Isotoner Corporation, First Lien Term Loan, 7.255%, due 07/07/17 |
1,628,629 | |||||||||||||
1,797,532 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
26
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Conglomerates: 1.7% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 6,713,040 | Affinion Group, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 5.000%, due 10/10/16 | $ | 6,327,040 | |||||||||||
1,212,097 | EPD, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 2.750%, due 07/31/14 | 1,151,744 | |||||||||||||
173,609 | EPD, Inc., Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.750%, due 07/31/14 | 164,965 | |||||||||||||
3,996,768 | Spectrum Brands, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.002%, due 06/17/16 | 4,011,040 | |||||||||||||
2,691,500 | Waterpik, Term Loan, 6.750%, due 08/10/17 | 2,691,500 | |||||||||||||
14,346,289 | |||||||||||||||
Containers & Glass Products: 4.1% | |||||||||||||||
2,741,690 | Bway Holding Corporation, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 02/23/18 | 2,745,139 | |||||||||||||
252,736 | Bway Holding Corporation, Term Loan C, 4.500%, due 02/23/18 | 253,054 | |||||||||||||
5,845,625 |
Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd, Term Loan B, 6.500%, due 06/30/18 |
5,916,258 | |||||||||||||
995,000 | Pro Mach, Inc, Term Loan, 6.250%, due 07/06/17 | 970,125 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 981,822 |
Reynolds Group Holdings Inc, Eur Term Loan, 6.950%, due 02/09/18 |
1,314,018 | ||||||||||||
$ | 9,920,770 | Reynolds Group Holdings Inc, Term Loan C, 6.500%, due 08/09/18 | 10,039,650 | ||||||||||||
8,149,120 |
Reynolds Group Holdings Inc, US Term Loan, 6.500%, due 02/09/18 |
8,246,771 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 738,750 | Sealed Air Corporation, Euro Term Loan B, 5.500%, due 10/03/18 | 994,042 | ||||||||||||
$ | 1,674,500 | Sealed Air Corporation, Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 10/03/18 | 1,694,803 | ||||||||||||
2,857,290 |
Xerium Technologies, Inc., USD First Lien Term Loan, 5.500%, due 05/22/17 |
2,855,504 | |||||||||||||
35,029,364 | |||||||||||||||
Cosmetics/Toiletries: 0.8% | |||||||||||||||
284,533 |
KIK Custom Products, Inc., $CAD First Lien Term Loan, 2.520%, due 06/02/14 |
262,482 | |||||||||||||
1,659,778 |
KIK Custom Products, Inc., $US First Lien Term Loan, 2.520%, due 06/02/14 |
1,531,145 | |||||||||||||
829,167 |
KIK Custom Products, Inc., Incremental First Lien Term Loan, 8.500%, due 05/30/14 |
820,875 | |||||||||||||
3,980,000 |
Revlon Consumer Products Corporation, Term Loan, 4.750%, due 11/17/17 |
3,987,439 | |||||||||||||
6,601,941 | |||||||||||||||
Drugs: 0.2% | |||||||||||||||
1,300,000 | Prestige Brands, Term loan B, 5.250%, due 01/31/19 | 1,307,990 | |||||||||||||
1,307,990 | |||||||||||||||
Ecological Services & Equipment: 1.0% | |||||||||||||||
773,281 |
Synagro Technologies, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 2.260%, due 04/02/14 |
700,786 | |||||||||||||
485,000 |
Synagro Technologies, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 5.010%, due 10/02/14 |
386,788 | |||||||||||||
1,631,395 |
Valleycrest Companies, LLC, Extended Term Loan, 6.500%, due 10/05/15 |
1,553,904 | |||||||||||||
5,969,962 | Waste Industries USA, Inc., Term loan, 4.750%, due 03/17/17 | 5,969,962 | |||||||||||||
8,611,440 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
27
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Electronics/Electrical: 10.9% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 5,207,872 | Aspect Software, Inc., Term Loan, 6.250%, due 05/06/16 | $ | 5,226,969 | |||||||||||
5,085,625 |
Attachmate Corporation, First Lien Term Loan, 6.500%, due 04/27/17 |
5,072,911 | |||||||||||||
4,800,000 | Blackboard Inc., First Lien Term Loan B, 7.500%, due 10/04/18 | 4,759,502 | |||||||||||||
3,000,000 | Blackboard Inc., Second Lien Term Loan B, 11.500%, due 10/01/19 | 2,752,500 | |||||||||||||
813,453 | CDW LLC, Extended Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 07/14/17 | 797,184 | |||||||||||||
2,659,357 |
Dealer Computer Services Inc., Term Loan B, 3.750%, due 04/20/18 |
2,673,319 | |||||||||||||
6,169,000 | Eagle Parent, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 05/16/18 | 6,076,465 | |||||||||||||
1,250,000 | Eastman Kodak Company, DIP Term Loan, 9.750%, due 07/20/13 | 1,265,625 | |||||||||||||
56,830 | FCI International S.A.S., Term Loan A1, 2.748%, due 09/30/12 | 56,261 | |||||||||||||
51,965 | FCI International S.A.S., Term Loan A2, 2.748%, due 09/30/12 | 50,925 | |||||||||||||
6,000,000 | (4 | ) |
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B-2, due 02/28/19 |
5,973,750 | |||||||||||
7,701,170 | (4 | ) |
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Term Loan B-2, 4.518%, due 12/01/16 |
7,497,089 | |||||||||||
3,077,778 |
Greeneden U.S. Holdings II, L.L.C., First Lien Term Loan, 6.750%, due 01/31/18 |
3,098,476 | |||||||||||||
172,386 |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings, Inc., Extended Delayed Draw Term Loan, 6.000%, due 07/28/15 |
168,077 | |||||||||||||
477,128 |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings, Inc., Extended Dollar Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 5.000%, due 07/28/15 |
467,586 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 711,705 |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings, Inc., Extended Initial Euro Term Loan, 5.505%, due 07/28/15 |
907,810 | ||||||||||||
$ | 346,149 |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings, Inc., Extended Initial U.S. Term Loan, 6.000%, due 07/28/15 |
339,334 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 500,000 |
Infor Enterprise Solutions Holdings, Inc., Inital Euro Loan (Second Lien), 6.826%, due 03/03/14 |
604,146 | ||||||||||||
$ | 5,240,000 |
Kronos Incorporated, Tranche B-1 Second Lien Term Loan, 10.579%, due 06/11/18 |
5,279,300 | ||||||||||||
3,300,000 |
Kronos Incorporated, Tranche C First Lien Term Loan, 6.250%, due 12/26/17 |
3,356,513 | |||||||||||||
8,213,737 | Lawson Software, Inc., Term Loan, 6.750%, due 07/05/17 | 8,295,702 | |||||||||||||
4,101,161 | (4 | ) | Microsemi Corporation, Term Loan, 4.000%, due 02/02/18 | 4,106,287 | |||||||||||
4,923,000 | Open Link Financial, Inc., Term Loan, 7.752%, due 10/28/17 | 4,941,461 | |||||||||||||
3,031,999 | Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., Term Loan, 3.313%, due 07/25/14 | 2,852,605 | |||||||||||||
10,993,136 | Sabre Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 2.330%, due 09/30/14 | 10,347,290 | |||||||||||||
4,519,322 | Spansion LLC, Term Loan, 4.750%, due 02/09/15 | 4,508,024 | |||||||||||||
676,705 |
Travelport, Inc., Delayed Draw Term Loan extended, 5.081%, due 08/21/15 |
577,616 | |||||||||||||
421,022 | Travelport, Inc., Term Loan B ($) Extended, 5.081%, due 08/21/15 | 359,372 | |||||||||||||
136,295 |
Travelport, Inc., Term Loan S (Synthetic LC Converted), 5.079%, due 08/21/15 |
116,337 | |||||||||||||
92,528,436 | |||||||||||||||
Equipment Leasing: 0.6% | |||||||||||||||
2,613,737 |
Brand Services, Inc., Existing Sr Sec First Lien, 2.875%, due 02/07/14 |
2,378,501 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
28
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Equipment Leasing: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 1,143,354 |
Brand Services, Inc., Incremental Sr Sec First Lien, 3.758%, due 02/07/14 |
$ | 1,057,602 | |||||||||||
250,000 |
Brock Holdings, Inc., New Second Lien Term Loan, 10.000%, due 03/16/18 |
248,750 | |||||||||||||
1,444,632 | Brock Holdings, Inc., New Term Loan B, 6.000%, due 03/16/17 | 1,444,632 | |||||||||||||
5,129,485 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Intermediaries: 3.1% | |||||||||||||||
1,737,644 |
BNY ConvergEx Group, LLC, Eze Borrower Term Loan, 5.000%, due 12/19/16 |
1,715,923 | |||||||||||||
3,946,455 |
BNY ConvergEx Group, LLC, Top Borrower Term Loan, 5.000%, due 12/19/16 |
3,897,125 | |||||||||||||
4,351,757 |
Carlson Wagonlit Holdings B.V., Term Loan B2 ($ tranche), 4.051%, due 08/04/14 |
4,295,184 | |||||||||||||
583,333 |
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 07/18/16 |
587,582 | |||||||||||||
2,140,500 | Fundtech, Term Loan, 7.502%, due 11/15/17 | 2,145,851 | |||||||||||||
5,270,735 |
LPL Holdings, Inc., Extended First Lien Term Loan D 2015, 4.250%, due 06/25/15 |
5,290,500 | |||||||||||||
1,907,739 |
LPL Holdings, Inc., Incremental First Lien Term Loan 2017, 5.250%, due 06/28/17 |
1,926,817 | |||||||||||||
2,422,727 | MIP Delaware, LLC, Term Loan, 5.500%, due 07/12/18 | 2,428,784 | |||||||||||||
2,680,769 |
MoneyGram International, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 4.500%, due 11/17/17 |
2,674,067 | |||||||||||||
1,695,750 |
MoneyGram International, Inc., Tranche B-1 Lender, 4.500%, due 11/17/17 |
1,691,511 | |||||||||||||
26,653,344 | |||||||||||||||
Food Products: 1.5% | |||||||||||||||
3,950,000 | Advance Pierre Foods, First Lien Term Loan, 7.000%, due 09/30/16 | 3,967,281 | |||||||||||||
1,000,000 | B&G Foods, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 11/15/18 | 1,006,875 | |||||||||||||
870,625 |
Dole Food Company, Inc., Term Loan B U.S. Borrower, 5.043%, due 07/06/18 |
876,293 | |||||||||||||
1,616,875 |
Dole Food Company, Inc., Term Loan C Solvest, 5.029%, due 07/06/18 |
1,627,401 | |||||||||||||
2,736,045 | NPC International, Term Loan Facility, 6.750%, due 12/28/18 | 2,768,535 | |||||||||||||
2,551,867 |
Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation, Term Loan D, 6.000%, due 04/02/14 |
2,571,006 | |||||||||||||
12,817,391 | |||||||||||||||
Food Service: 2.6% | |||||||||||||||
4,936,842 | Bojangles Restaurants, Inc., Term Loan, 8.000%, due 08/17/17 | 4,933,757 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 2,513,438 |
Burger King Corporation, Term Loan B EUR, 4.750%, due 10/19/16 |
3,335,913 | ||||||||||||
$ | 3,294,624 |
Burger King Corporation, Term Loan B USD, 4.500%, due 10/19/16 |
3,291,164 | ||||||||||||
4,582,611 | Dennys, Inc, Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 09/30/16 | 4,591,203 | |||||||||||||
595,780 | (4 | ) | DineEquity Inc., Term Loan B, 4.281%, due 10/19/17 | 596,212 | |||||||||||
5,388,476 | (4 | ) | Wendys/Arbys Restaurants, LLC, Term Loan, 5.000%, due 05/24/17 | 5,406,436 | |||||||||||
22,154,685 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
29
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Food/Drug Retailers: 0.3% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 584,286 | (4 | ) | NBTY, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 10/02/17 | $ | 585,334 | |||||||||
1,665,529 |
Rite Aid Corporation, Tranche 5 Term Loan due 2014, 4.500%, due 03/02/18 |
1,640,546 | |||||||||||||
2,225,880 | |||||||||||||||
Health Care: 14.5% | |||||||||||||||
4,987,500 | Alere US Holdings, LLC, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 06/30/17 | 4,971,914 | |||||||||||||
8,379,000 | Capsugel Holdings US, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 08/01/18 | 8,443,150 | |||||||||||||
1,757,534 |
CHG Medical Staffing, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 5.500%, due 10/03/16 |
1,757,534 | |||||||||||||
5,014,450 | ConvaTec, Term Loan B USD, 5.750%, due 12/22/16 | 5,011,285 | |||||||||||||
1,237,500 | Davita Inc., Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 10/20/16 | 1,244,300 | |||||||||||||
5,969,283 | Drumm Investors LLC, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 05/04/18 | 5,648,434 | |||||||||||||
2,900,000 | Emdeon, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.750%, due 10/15/18 | 2,942,140 | |||||||||||||
6,158,475 |
Emergency Medical Services Corporation, Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 05/25/18 |
6,161,585 | |||||||||||||
2,835,750 | Grifols S.A, Term Loan B USD, 6.000%, due 06/01/17 | 2,835,750 | |||||||||||||
1,685,000 | (4 | ) | Grifols S.A, Term Loan B USD, due 06/01/17 | 1,692,582 | |||||||||||
2,398,750 | Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.860%, due 07/11/14 | 2,134,888 | |||||||||||||
4,032,500 |
Health Management Associates, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 11/22/18 |
4,017,693 | |||||||||||||
1,976,518 |
HGI Holding, Inc., Senior Secured Term Loan B, 6.750%, due 09/29/16 |
1,964,165 | |||||||||||||
6,312,325 | Iasis Healthcare LLC, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 05/03/18 | 6,282,076 | |||||||||||||
4,987,500 | Immucor, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.250%, due 08/17/18 | 5,031,141 | |||||||||||||
4,643,961 | IMS Health Incorporated, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 08/25/17 | 4,661,395 | |||||||||||||
4,377,839 | inVentiv Health Inc., Original Term Loan B, 6.500%, due 08/04/16 | 4,235,560 | |||||||||||||
2,539,569 | inVentiv Health Inc., Term B-3, 6.750%, due 05/15/18 | 2,466,556 | |||||||||||||
10,000,000 | Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Term Loan B-1, 7.000%, due 04/20/18 | 10,197,320 | |||||||||||||
1,594,705 | Medassets, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 11/16/16 | 1,601,184 | |||||||||||||
4,664,064 | Onex Carestream Finance LP, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 02/25/17 | 4,438,150 | |||||||||||||
5,400,000 |
Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., Bank Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 11/30/18 |
5,464,147 | |||||||||||||
293,187 |
Physician Oncology Services, L.P., Delayed Draw Term Loan $25mm, 6.250%, due 01/31/17 |
284,391 | |||||||||||||
2,413,285 |
Physician Oncology Services, L.P., Term loan, 6.250%, due 01/31/17 |
2,340,886 | |||||||||||||
6,349,492 | Rural/Metro Corporation, Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 06/29/18 | 6,313,776 | |||||||||||||
1,193,403 |
Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., New Term Loan, 5.308%, due 04/08/16 |
1,142,683 | |||||||||||||
1,083,333 | Sun Healthcare Group Inc., Term Loan B, 8.750%, due 10/15/16 | 977,708 | |||||||||||||
4,634,153 |
Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 12/16/16 |
4,657,324 | |||||||||||||
2,865,563 |
Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Extended Term Loan, 4.579%, due 12/29/14 |
2,715,120 | |||||||||||||
1,880,550 |
Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Incremental Term Loan, 5.500%, due 06/29/18 |
1,772,418 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
30
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Health Care: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 2,849,609 |
Universal Health Services, Inc., Amended Tranche B, 3.750%, due 11/15/16 |
$ | 2,849,609 | |||||||||||
5,198,432 |
Vanguard Health Holdings Company Ii, LLC, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 01/29/16 |
5,204,119 | |||||||||||||
1,020,857 | Warner Chilcott Company LLC, Term B-1, 4.250%, due 03/15/18 | 1,021,404 | |||||||||||||
510,429 | Warner Chilcott Company LLC, Term B-2, 4.250%, due 03/15/18 | 510,702 | |||||||||||||
701,839 | Warner Chilcott Company LLC, Term B-3, 4.250%, due 03/15/18 | 702,215 | |||||||||||||
123,695,304 | |||||||||||||||
Home Furnishings: 1.2% | |||||||||||||||
EUR | 745,552 |
Global Garden Products Italy S.P.A., Term 1 Loan Facility, 3.973%, due 08/31/16 |
663,824 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 745,552 |
Global Garden Products Italy S.P.A., Term 2 Loan Facility, 3.973%, due 08/31/17 |
663,824 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 317,744 | Hilding Anders, EUR Term Loan B2, 4.890%, due 04/24/15 | 321,058 | ||||||||||||
SEK | 19,873,495 | (4 | ) | Hilding Anders, SEK Term Loan B1, 5.953%, due 12/31/14 | 2,217,280 | ||||||||||
$ | 3,970,605 |
Hillman Group (The), Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 5.000%, due 05/27/16 |
3,965,641 | ||||||||||||
2,437,500 |
Springs Window Fashions, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 6.000%, due 05/31/17 |
2,408,555 | |||||||||||||
10,240,182 | |||||||||||||||
Industrial Equipment: 4.9% | |||||||||||||||
2,253,383 |
Alliance Laundry Systems LLC, Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 09/30/16 |
2,261,834 | |||||||||||||
1,489,242 | Doncasters Group Limited, Facility B2, 4.264%, due 05/15/15 | 1,346,833 | |||||||||||||
1,489,242 | Doncasters Group Limited, Facility C2, 4.764%, due 05/13/16 | 1,346,833 | |||||||||||||
3,866,324 |
Edwards (Cayman Islands II) Limited (aka BOC Edwards), Extended Term Loan, 5.500%, due 05/31/16 |
3,808,329 | |||||||||||||
1,989,950 |
Edwards (Cayman Islands II) Limited (aka BOC Edwards), New Term Loan, 5.500%, due 05/31/16 |
1,962,588 | |||||||||||||
7,895,116 | Goodman Global Inc., Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 10/28/16 | 7,961,403 | |||||||||||||
2,496,241 |
Manitowoc Company, Inc. (The), Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 11/13/17 |
2,497,821 | |||||||||||||
6,141,463 | (4 | ) | Schaeffler AG, Term Loan C2 USD, due 01/31/17 | 6,172,937 | |||||||||||
3,194,770 |
Sensus Metering Systems Inc., New First Lien Term Loan, 4.750%, due 05/09/17 |
3,204,754 | |||||||||||||
4,400,000 |
Sensus Metering Systems Inc., New Second Lien Term Loan, 8.500%, due 05/09/18 |
4,389,000 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 1,995,000 |
Terex Corporation, Term Loan Euro Tranche, 6.000%, due 04/28/17 |
2,647,826 | ||||||||||||
$ | 3,990,000 | Terex Corporation, Term Loan, 5.500%, due 04/28/17 | 4,032,394 | ||||||||||||
41,632,552 | |||||||||||||||
Insurance: 3.0% | |||||||||||||||
1,000,000 |
AmWINS Group, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 6.070%, due 06/08/14 |
982,500 | |||||||||||||
1,882,016 | AmWINS Group, Inc., Initial Term Loan, 4.830%, due 06/08/13 | 1,863,196 | |||||||||||||
2,467,575 | Applied Systems Inc., First Lien, 5.500%, due 12/08/16 | 2,461,406 | |||||||||||||
400,000 | Applied Systems Inc., Second Lien, 9.250%, due 06/07/17 | 399,000 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
31
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Insurance: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 4,186,089 |
CCC Information Services Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.500%, due 11/11/15 |
$ | 4,198,995 | |||||||||||
2,476,500 | HMSC Corporation, First Lien Term Loan, 2.494%, due 04/03/14 | 2,055,495 | |||||||||||||
2,062,857 |
Hub International Limited, Incremental Term Loan, 6.750%, due 06/13/14 |
2,069,304 | |||||||||||||
4,969,231 | Sedgwick Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B-1, 5.000%, due 12/30/16 | 4,963,019 | |||||||||||||
673,540 | (4 | ) | USI Holdings Corp., Term Loan B, 2.750%, due 05/05/14 | 662,427 | |||||||||||
586,500 | USI Holdings Corp., Term Loan C, 7.000%, due 04/15/14 | 591,192 | |||||||||||||
4,774,419 |
Vertafore, Inc., First Lien Term Loan Tack-On, 5.250%, due 07/29/16 |
4,726,675 | |||||||||||||
825,832 |
Vertafore, Inc., First Lien Term Loan Tack-On, 5.250%, due 07/29/16 |
817,573 | |||||||||||||
25,790,782 | |||||||||||||||
Leisure Good/Activities/Movies: 3.6% | |||||||||||||||
5,696,073 |
24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc, Term Loan B, 7.500%, due 04/22/16 |
5,611,344 | |||||||||||||
1,129,038 |
Alpha D2 Limited (Formula One World Championship Limited), Term Loan B1, 2.369%, due 12/31/13 |
1,090,462 | |||||||||||||
776,403 |
Alpha D2 Limited (Formula One World Championship Limited), Term Loan B2, 2.369%, due 12/31/13 |
749,875 | |||||||||||||
2,369,717 | Bushnell, Inc., First Lien, 4.829%, due 08/23/13 | 2,310,474 | |||||||||||||
2,984,304 | (4 | ) | Cedar Fair, L.P., Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 12/15/17 | 2,988,207 | |||||||||||
6,432,411 | Getty Images, Inc, Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 11/07/16 | 6,480,654 | |||||||||||||
982,500 |
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 11/07/16 |
984,547 | |||||||||||||
5,120,395 | (4 | ) | SRAM, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 4.765%, due 06/07/18 | 5,110,733 | |||||||||||
357,500 | SRAM, LLC, Second Lien Term Loan, 8.500%, due 12/07/18 | 361,522 | |||||||||||||
5,215,656 | The Weather Channel, Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 02/13/17 | 5,231,955 | |||||||||||||
30,919,773 | |||||||||||||||
Lodging & Casinos: 5.0% | |||||||||||||||
957,500 |
Audio Visual Services Corporation, First Lien Term Loan, 2.830%, due 02/28/14 |
833,025 | |||||||||||||
5,300,000 | (4 | ) |
Boyd Gaming Corporation, Incremental Term Loan, 6.000%, due 12/17/15 |
5,335,775 | |||||||||||
2,415,817 |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.244%, due 01/28/15 |
2,271,301 | |||||||||||||
7,249,697 |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.244%, due 01/28/15 |
6,807,161 | |||||||||||||
4,123,237 | (4 | ) |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.247%, due 01/28/15 |
3,877,682 | |||||||||||
6,514,292 |
Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., Term Loan B4 (Incremental), 9.500%, due 10/31/16 |
6,740,664 | |||||||||||||
1,275,000 | Caesars Octavius, LLC, Term Loan, 9.250%, due 02/24/17 | 1,249,500 | |||||||||||||
1,211,793 |
Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC, Delay Draw Term Loan, 4.494%, due 05/20/13 |
1,170,138 | |||||||||||||
1,454,239 | Cannery Casino Resorts, LLC, Term Loan B, 4.494%, due 05/17/13 | 1,404,250 | |||||||||||||
535,170 | (2 | ) |
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, LLC, Delayed Draw Term Loan, 6.000%, due 06/06/14 |
151,185 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
32
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Lodging & Casinos: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 1,070,339 | (2 | ) | Fontainebleau Las Vegas, LLC, Term Loan, 6.000%, due 06/06/14 | $ | 302,371 | |||||||||
1,753,449 | Global Cash Access, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.000%, due 03/01/16 | 1,757,832 | |||||||||||||
2,144,663 | Golden Nugget, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 3.250%, due 06/30/14 | 2,022,239 | |||||||||||||
1,220,812 |
Golden Nugget, Inc., Delayed Draw Term Loan, 3.250%, due 06/30/14 |
1,151,124 | |||||||||||||
2,128,500 | Isle Of Capri Casinos, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 11/01/13 | 2,135,135 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 1,250,000 | Scandic Hotels AB, Term Loan B2 (EUR), 3.832%, due 07/09/15 | 1,472,848 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 1,250,000 | Scandic Hotels AB, Term Loan C2 (EUR), 4.207%, due 07/08/16 | 1,472,848 | ||||||||||||
$ | 2,700,000 | (4 | ) | Station Casinos LLC, Term Loan B-1, due 06/17/16 | 2,470,500 | ||||||||||
42,625,578 | |||||||||||||||
Nonferrous Metals/Minerals: 2.1% | |||||||||||||||
6,348,000 | Fairmount Minerals, Ltd., Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 03/15/17 | 6,381,117 | |||||||||||||
2,530,000 | (4 | ) | Noranda Aluminum Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B, due 02/28/19 | 2,539,488 | |||||||||||
5,123,250 | Novelis Inc., Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 03/10/17 | 5,114,710 | |||||||||||||
4,047,103 | Walter Energy, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 04/02/18 | 4,037,345 | |||||||||||||
18,072,660 | |||||||||||||||
Oil & Gas: 1.6% | |||||||||||||||
5,000,000 | (4 | ) | CCS Inc., Add-On Term Loan, 6.500%, due 11/14/14 | 5,020,835 | |||||||||||
7,898,987 |
Frac Tech International, LLC, Term Loan (HoldCo), 6.250%, due 05/06/16 |
7,867,952 | |||||||||||||
1,055,169 | Hercules Offshore, LLC, Term Loan Facility, 7.500%, due 07/11/13 | 1,050,650 | |||||||||||||
13,939,437 | |||||||||||||||
Publishing: 5.5% | |||||||||||||||
420,111 | Black Press, Ltd., Term Loan B1, 2.489%, due 08/02/13 | 392,804 | |||||||||||||
255,067 | Black Press, Ltd., Term Loan B2, 2.489%, due 08/02/13 | 238,488 | |||||||||||||
780,566 | Caribe Media Inc., Term Loan, 10.000%, due 11/18/14 | 378,575 | |||||||||||||
12,855,073 | (4 | ) | Cengage Learning, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.490%, due 07/03/14 | 11,954,329 | |||||||||||
4,005,343 | Cenveo Corporation, Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 12/21/16 | 3,997,000 | |||||||||||||
4,228,195 |
CW Acquisition Limited Partnership, Term Loan C, 6.250%, due 07/13/16 |
4,217,625 | |||||||||||||
1,984,821 | Dex Media East, LLC, Term Loan, 3.228%, due 10/24/14 | 966,773 | |||||||||||||
1,858,347 | Dex Media West, LLC, Term Loan, 7.129%, due 10/24/14 | 1,081,558 | |||||||||||||
1,137,619 |
Intermedia Outdoor, Inc., First Lien Term Loan, 3.329%, due 01/31/13 |
1,072,206 | |||||||||||||
4,761,595 |
Merrill Communications, LLC, New Term Loan B-DD, 7.500%, due 12/24/12 |
4,432,250 | |||||||||||||
1,771,936 | Nelson Canada, First Lien-C$ 330 mm, 3.079%, due 07/03/14 | 1,506,146 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 533,360 | PagesJaunes Groupe SA, Term Loan A3, 4.147%, due 09/11/15 | 496,592 | ||||||||||||
AUD | 7,320,730 | PBL Media, Term Loan B, 6.783%, due 02/05/13 | 6,870,750 | ||||||||||||
$ | 1,650,427 | Penton Media, Inc, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 08/01/14 | 1,246,073 | ||||||||||||
7,917,379 | R.H. Donnelley Corporation, Term Loan, 9.104%, due 10/24/14 | 3,067,984 | |||||||||||||
6,011,585 | SuperMedia, Inc., Term Loan, 11.000%, due 12/31/15 | 3,105,988 | |||||||||||||
983,040 | Thomas Nelson Publishers, Term Loan, 9.000%, due 06/14/16 | 980,583 | |||||||||||||
1,569,928 | Yell Group PLC, New Term Loan B (USD), 3.994%, due 07/31/14 | 502,377 | |||||||||||||
46,508,101 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
33
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Radio & Television: 7.1% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 2,898,675 |
Barrington Broadcasting Group, Term loan B, 7.500%, due 06/30/17 |
$ | 2,927,661 | |||||||||||
4,998,967 |
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.894%, due 01/28/16 |
4,125,042 | |||||||||||||
1,338,663 | (3 | )(X) | CMP KC, LLC, Term Loan B, due 10/03/12 | 180,719 | |||||||||||
6,000,000 |
Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., First Lien Term Loan B, 5.750%, due 09/17/18 |
6,035,970 | |||||||||||||
1,426,800 |
Entercom Communications Corporation, Term loan B, 6.266%, due 11/22/18 |
1,436,609 | |||||||||||||
3,763,810 | FoxCo Acquisition, LLC, Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 07/14/15 | 3,759,105 | |||||||||||||
4,635,887 |
Hubbard Radio LLC, First Lien Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 04/28/17 |
4,653,272 | |||||||||||||
285,714 |
Hubbard Radio LLC, Second Lien Term Loan C, 8.750%, due 04/30/18 |
291,429 | |||||||||||||
1,000,000 | LIN Television Corporation, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 01/01/18 | 1,007,500 | |||||||||||||
576,225 |
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Mission Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 09/30/16 |
577,666 | |||||||||||||
1,397,533 | Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 09/30/16 | 1,401,027 | |||||||||||||
995,000 | Raycom TV Broadcasting, LLC, Term Loan B, 4.500%, due 05/31/17 | 980,075 | |||||||||||||
1,334,435 | Regent Communications, New Term Loan, 5.250%, due 04/27/14 | 1,287,730 | |||||||||||||
34,312,965 |
Univision Communications, Inc., Extended Term Loan, 4.494%, due 03/31/17 |
32,001,609 | |||||||||||||
60,665,414 | |||||||||||||||
Rail Industries: 0.3% | |||||||||||||||
2,500,000 | (4 | ) | RailAmerica, Inc., Term Loan B, due 02/28/19 | 2,501,563 | |||||||||||
2,501,563 | |||||||||||||||
Retailers (Except Food & Drug): 14.1% | |||||||||||||||
4,525,000 | 99 Cents Only Stores, Term Loan Facility, 7.000%, due 01/15/19 | 4,571,865 | |||||||||||||
6,000,000 | Academy Ltd., Term Loan, 6.000%, due 08/03/18 | 6,016,608 | |||||||||||||
6,557,732 | Amscan Holdings, Inc., Term Facility, 6.750%, due 12/04/17 | 6,567,536 | |||||||||||||
4,972,506 | Bass Pro Group, LLC, Term Loan B, 5.250%, due 06/13/17 | 4,982,864 | |||||||||||||
10,174,500 | BJs Wholesale Club, First Lien Term Loan, 7.000%, due 09/27/18 | 10,298,771 | |||||||||||||
3,093,750 |
BJs Wholesale Club, Second Lien Term Loan, 10.000%, due 03/27/19 |
3,196,230 | |||||||||||||
4,787,500 | Burlington Coat Factory, Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 02/23/17 | 4,800,335 | |||||||||||||
3,880,007 | FTD, Inc, Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 06/06/18 | 3,812,107 | |||||||||||||
5,875,000 |
General Nutrition Centers, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.250%, due 03/02/18 |
5,870,594 | |||||||||||||
6,600,966 | Guitar Center, Inc., Extended Term Loan, 5.830%, due 04/10/17 | 6,168,603 | |||||||||||||
4,003,022 |
Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., Term Loan Facility, 6.500%, due 12/22/17 |
4,044,305 | |||||||||||||
3,220,638 | J. Crew, Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 03/07/18 | 3,166,022 | |||||||||||||
5,858,237 | Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.750%, due 03/16/18 | 5,805,027 | |||||||||||||
4,998,482 | Lord & Taylor, Term Loan Facility, 5.750%, due 01/09/18 | 5,014,727 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 530,263 | Maxeda DIY Group B.V., Term Loan B1, 3.463%, due 06/29/15 | 514,574 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 719,737 | Maxeda DIY Group B.V., Term Loan B2, 3.371%, due 08/01/15 | 698,442 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 530,263 | Maxeda DIY Group B.V., Term Loan C1, 3.906%, due 06/27/16 | 514,574 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
34
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Retailers (Except Food & Drug): (continued) | |||||||||||||||
EUR | 719,737 | Maxeda DIY Group B.V., Term Loan C2, 3.917%, due 08/01/16 | $ | 698,442 | |||||||||||
$ | 8,295,648 |
Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan B-2 (extending), 5.125%, due 07/31/16 |
8,268,455 | ||||||||||||
11,963,834 | Neiman Marcus Group, Inc, Term Loan, 4.750%, due 05/16/18 | 11,887,159 | |||||||||||||
6,076,000 | Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., Term Loan, 4.500%, due 11/24/17 | 6,064,115 | |||||||||||||
2,550,000 | Roundys Supermarkets, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.250%, due 02/14/19 | 2,557,969 | |||||||||||||
1,394,674 | Savers, New Term Loan, 4.250%, due 03/03/17 | 1,398,509 | |||||||||||||
3,111,558 | The Gymboree Corporation, Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 02/23/18 | 2,946,580 | |||||||||||||
4,782,275 | Toys "R" Us, Inc., Term Loan B-1, 6.000%, due 09/01/16 | 4,801,164 | |||||||||||||
1,389,500 | Toys "R" Us, Inc., Term Loan B-2, 5.250%, due 05/25/18 | 1,383,132 | |||||||||||||
EUR | 1,861,810 | Vivarte S.A.S., Term Loan B1, 3.163%, due 03/09/15 | 1,944,557 | ||||||||||||
EUR | 1,861,810 | Vivarte S.A.S., Term Loan C1, 3.788%, due 03/08/16 | 1,944,557 | ||||||||||||
119,937,823 | |||||||||||||||
Surface Transport: 1.1% | |||||||||||||||
$ | 4,756,125 | Baker Tanks, Inc., Term Loan, 5.000%, due 06/01/18 | 4,763,559 | ||||||||||||
3,869,057 | Inmar, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.500%, due 08/04/17 | 3,883,566 | |||||||||||||
1,006,076 |
US Shipping Partners L.P., First Lien Term Loan, 9.200%, due 08/07/13 |
899,432 | |||||||||||||
9,546,557 | |||||||||||||||
Telecommunications: 6.3% | |||||||||||||||
7,440,690 | Asurion, LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 5.500%, due 05/24/18 | 7,430,854 | |||||||||||||
4,700,000 | (4 | ) | Asurion, LLC, Second Lien Term Loan, 9.000%, due 05/24/19 | 4,799,875 | |||||||||||
5,966,104 | CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.000%, due 01/14/18 | 5,988,107 | |||||||||||||
2,000,000 |
Crown Castle Operating Company, Term Loan B, 4.000%, due 01/31/18 |
1,993,572 | |||||||||||||
4,250,000 |
Global Tel*Link Corporation, First Lien Term Loan, 7.000%, due 12/15/17 |
4,260,625 | |||||||||||||
2,720,000 | (2 | )(4) |
Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, due 02/27/17 |
2,723,400 | |||||||||||
6,230,000 | Level 3 Financing, Inc, Term Loan B III, 5.750%, due 09/01/18 | 6,294,898 | |||||||||||||
4,168,474 | MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., Term Loan B-3, 4.015%, due 03/16/18 | 4,153,709 | |||||||||||||
2,992,500 | Neustar, Inc., Term Loan, 5.000%, due 11/07/18 | 3,007,463 | |||||||||||||
1,370,663 | NTELOS Inc., New Term Loan, 4.000%, due 08/07/15 | 1,367,808 | |||||||||||||
6,232,174 | Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 5.250%, due 12/21/17 | 6,266,451 | |||||||||||||
5,079,147 | U.S. Telepacific Corp, First Lien Term Loan, 5.750%, due 02/23/17 | 4,852,703 | |||||||||||||
53,139,465 | |||||||||||||||
Utilities: 6.2% | |||||||||||||||
3,575,487 | AES Corporation, Term Loan Facility, 4.250%, due 06/01/18 | 3,583,311 | |||||||||||||
6,361,975 | Calpine Corp, Term Loan B-1, 4.500%, due 04/02/18 | 6,324,439 | |||||||||||||
2,000,000 | Calpine Corp, Term Loan B-2, 4.500%, due 04/02/18 | 1,986,666 | |||||||||||||
3,690,750 |
Dynegy Midwest Generation, LLC (CoalCo)., Term Loan, 9.250%, due 08/04/16 |
3,672,957 | |||||||||||||
3,690,750 | Dynegy Power (GasCo), Term Loan, 9.250%, due 08/04/16 | 3,807,931 | |||||||||||||
610,514 |
FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. (aka NE Energy, Inc.), Second Lien Term Loan, 4.750%, due 05/01/14 |
531,147 | |||||||||||||
6,968,289 | Longview Power, LLC, Extended Term Loan, 6.000%, due 10/31/17 | 6,335,339 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
35
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Principal Amount | Borrower/Tranche Description | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Utilities: (continued) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 3,980,000 | NRG Energy, Inc., New Term Loan, 4.000%, due 07/02/18 | $ | 3,974,472 | |||||||||||
2,724,545 | Race Point Power, Term Loan, 8.030%, due 01/11/18 | 2,727,951 | |||||||||||||
32,080,819 |
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, Extended Term Loans, 4.757%, due 10/10/17 |
17,978,636 | |||||||||||||
1,500,000 |
TPF Generation Holdings, LLC, Second Lien Term Loan Facility, 4.829%, due 12/15/14 |
1,439,063 | |||||||||||||
52,361,912 | |||||||||||||||
Total Senior Loans (Cost $1,209,157,165) |
1,187,115,776 | ||||||||||||||
Other Corporate Debt: 0.4% | |||||||||||||||
Chemicals & Plastics: 0.3% | |||||||||||||||
2,629,774 | (4 | ) |
Lyondell Chemical Company, Third Lien Senior Secured Notes, due 05/01/18 |
2,896,039 | |||||||||||
2,896,039 | |||||||||||||||
Radio & Television: 0.1% | |||||||||||||||
469,768 | (X) | Regent Communications, New PIK Loan, 12.000%, due 10/27/14 | 422,792 | ||||||||||||
422,792 | |||||||||||||||
Surface Transport: 0.0% | |||||||||||||||
297,646 |
US Shipping Partners L.P., Second Lien Term Loan, 2.500%, due 08/07/13 |
84,829 | |||||||||||||
84,829 | |||||||||||||||
Total Other Corporate Debt (Cost $3,528,341) |
3,403,660 | ||||||||||||||
Equities and Other Assets: 1.2% | |||||||||||||||
Description | Value | ||||||||||||||
(1), (@), (R) |
Allied Digital Technologies Corporation (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
$ | | ||||||||||||
(@), (R) | Ascend Media (Residual Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(@), (R) | Block Vision Holdings Corporation (719 Common Shares) | | |||||||||||||
(2), (@) | Caribe Media Inc. (1,836 Common Shares) | | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) | Cedar Chemical (Residual Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(@) | Cumulus Media (117,133 Class A Common Shares) | 402,938 | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) | Enterprise Profit Solutions (Liquidation Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(4), (@), (R) | Euro United Corporation (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) | | |||||||||||||
(@) | Faith Media Holdings, Inc. (Residual Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) | Gainey Corporation (Residual Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(@) | Global Garden (138,579 Class A3 Shares) | | |||||||||||||
(@) | Global Garden (14,911 Class A1 Shares) | | |||||||||||||
(@), (X) | Glodyne Technoserve, Ltd. (92,471 Common Shares) | 369,507 | |||||||||||||
(@) | Glodyne Technoserve, Ltd. (Escrow Account) | | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) | Grand Union Company (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) | | |||||||||||||
(@) | Hawaiian Telcom (31,238 Common Shares) | 491,061 |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
36
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Description | Value | ||||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R), (X) | Kevco Inc. (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) | $ | 25 | ||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) |
Lincoln Paper & Tissue (Warrants for 291 Common Shares, Expires August 14, 2015) |
| |||||||||||||
(@), (R) |
Lincoln Pulp and Eastern Fine (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
| |||||||||||||
(@) | Mega Brands Inc. (9,788 Common Shares) | 79,187 | |||||||||||||
(@) | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (351,820 Common Shares) | 8,429,009 | |||||||||||||
(@) | Northeast Biofuels (Residual Interest) | | |||||||||||||
(@), (R), (X) | Safelite Realty Corporation (57,804 Common Shares) | 273,413 | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) | Supermedia, Inc. (32,592 Common Shares) | 92,887 | |||||||||||||
(2), (@), (R) |
US Office Products Company (Residual Interest in Bankruptcy Estate) |
| |||||||||||||
(2), (@) | US Shipping Partners, L.P. (19,404 Common Shares) | | |||||||||||||
(2), (@) | US Shipping Partners, L.P. (275,292 Contingency Rights) | | |||||||||||||
Total for Equities and Other Assets (Cost $10,038,981) |
10,138,027 | ||||||||||||||
Total Investments (Cost $1,222,724,487)** |
$ | 1,200,657,463 | |||||||||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities Net | (349,378,966 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net Assets | $ | 851,278,497 |
* Senior loans, while exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These senior loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other short-term rates.
(1) The borrower filed for protection under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy code.
(2) The borrower filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy code.
(3) Loan is on non-accrual basis.
(4) Trade pending settlement. Contract rates that are not disclosed do not take effect until settlement date and have yet to be determined.
(@) Non-income producing security.
(R) Restricted security.
(X) Fair value determined by ING Funds Valuation Committee appointed by the Trust's Board of Directors/Trustees.
AUD Australian Dollar
GBP British Pound Sterling
EUR Euro
SEK Swedish Kronor
** For Federal Income Tax purposes cost of investments is $1,222,853,230.
Net unrealized depreciation consists of the following:
Gross Unrealized Appreciation | $ | 12,459,728 | |||||
Gross Unrealized Depreciation | (34,655,495 | ) | |||||
Net Unrealized Depreciation | $ | (22,195,767 | ) |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
37
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
Fair Value Measurements^
The following is a summary of the fair valuations according to the inputs used as of February 29, 2012 in valuing the Trust's assets and liabilities:
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Investments (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Fair Value at 02/29/12 |
||||||||||||||||
Asset Table | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments, at value | |||||||||||||||||||
Senior Loans | $ | | $ | 1,186,935,057 | $ | 180,719 | $ | 1,187,115,776 | |||||||||||
Other Corporate Debt | | 2,980,868 | 422,792 | 3,403,660 | |||||||||||||||
Equities and Other Assets | 1,066,073 | 8,429,009 | 642,945 | 10,138,027 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments, at value | $ | 1,066,073 | $ | 1,198,344,934 | $ | 1,246,456 | $ | 1,200,657,463 | |||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments+ | |||||||||||||||||||
Unfunded commitments | | 1,018 | | 1,018 | |||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 1,066,073 | $ | 1,198,345,952 | $ | 1,246,456 | $ | 1,200,658,481 | |||||||||||
Liabilities Table | |||||||||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments+ | |||||||||||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | $ | | $ | (398,122 | ) | $ | | $ | (398,122 | ) | |||||||||
Total Liabilities | $ | | $ | (398,122 | ) | $ | | $ | (398,122 | ) |
The following is a reconciliation of the fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the Trust's assets and liabilities during the period ended February 29, 2012:
Beginning Balance at 02/28/11 |
Purchases | Sales |
Accrued Discounts/ (Premiums) |
Total Realized Gain/(Loss) |
Total Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Loans | $ | 3,230,802 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (1,163,105 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Corporate Debt |
363,879 | | | | | (6,546 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equities and Other Assets |
2,323,529 | | (2,107,851 | ) | | 689,775 | (262,508 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,918,210 | $ | | $ | (2,107,851 | ) | $ | | $ | 689,775 | $ | (1,432,159 | ) |
Transfers Into Level 3 |
Transfers Out of Level 3 |
Ending Balance at 02/29/12 |
|||||||||||||
Senior Loans | $ | 1,338,663 | $ | (3,225,641 | ) | $ | 180,719 | ||||||||
Other Corporate Debt |
65,459 | | 422,792 | ||||||||||||
Equities and Other Assets |
| | 642,945 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,404,122 | $ | (3,225,641 | ) | $ | 1,246,456 |
As of February 29, 2012, total change in unrealized gain (loss) on Level 3 securities still held at year end and included in the change in net assets was $(1,401,105).
^ See Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
38
ING Prime Rate Trust
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 29, 2012 (continued)
+ Other Financial Instruments are securities or derivatives not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments and may include open forward foreign currency contracts, futures, swaps, unfunded committments and written options. Forward foreign currency contracts, futures and unfunded commitments are reported at their unrealized gain/loss at measurement date which represents the amount due to/from the Trust. Swaps and written options are reported at their fair value at measurement date.
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the year ended February 29, 2012.
Transfers in or out of Level 3 represents either the beginning value (for transfer in), or the ending value (for transfers out) of any security or derivative instrument where a change in the pricing level occurred fom the beginning to the end of the period. The Trust's policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the end of the reporting period.
At February 29, 2012 the following forward foreign currency contracts were outstanding for ING Prime Rate Trust:
Counterparty | Currency | Buy/Sell |
Settlement Date |
In Exchange For |
Fair Value |
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank |
Australian Dollar AUD 15,105,000 |
Sell | 03/14/12 | $ | 16,226,848 | $ | 16,235,244 | $ | (8,396 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank |
Euro EUR 37,341,000 |
Sell | 03/14/12 | 46,393,034 | 46,743,384 | (350,350 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
State Street Bank |
Sweden Kronor SEK 21,883,000 |
Sell | 03/14/12 | 3,273,262 | 3,312,638 | (39,376 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 65,893,144 | $ | 66,291,266 | $ | (398,122 | ) |
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
39
ING Prime Rate Trust
SHAREHOLDER MEETING INFORMATION (Unaudited)
An annual meeting of shareholders of the ING Prime Rate Trust Fund was held July 6, 2011, at the offices of ING Funds, 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
ING Prime Rate Trust, Common Shares
1 To elect eight members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Common Shares of the Trust until the election and qualification of their successors.
ING Prime Rate Trust, Preferred Shares
2 To elect two members of the Board of Trustees to represent the interests of the holders of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares - Series M, T, W, TH and F of the Trust - until the election and qualification of their successors.
Proposals* |
Shares voted for |
Shares voted against or withheld |
Shares abstained |
Total Shares Voted |
|||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares Trustees | Colleen D. Baldwin | 128,626,990.600 | 3,119,135.642 | 131,746,126.242 | |||||||||||||||||||
Patricia W. Chadwick | 128,574,550.378 | 3,171,575.864 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert W. Crispin | 128,590,772.824 | 3,155,353.418 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Peter S. Drotch | 128,579,747.002 | 3,166,379.240 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Michael Earley | 128,603,582.073 | 3,142,544.169 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick W. Kenny | 128,597,630.844 | 3,148,495.398 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shaun P. Mathews | 128,569,727.979 | 3,176,398.263 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sheryl K. Pressler | 128,572,012.535 | 3,174,113.707 | 131,746,126.242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Shares Trustees | John V. Boyer | 2,276.000 | 647.000 | 2,923.000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Roger B. Vincent | 2,276.000 | 647.000 | 2,923.000 |
* Proposals passed
40
ING Prime Rate Trust
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM
The Trust offers a Shareholder Investment Program (the "Program") which allows holders of the Trust's common shares a simple way to reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, in additional common shares of the Trust. The Program also offers holders of the Trust's common shares the ability to make optional cash investments in any amount from $100 to $100,000 on a monthly basis.
For dividend and capital gains distribution reinvestment purposes, BNY will purchase shares of the Trust on the open market when the market price plus estimated fees is less than the NAV on the valuation date. The Trust will issue new shares for dividend and capital gains distribution reinvestment purchases when the market price plus estimated fees is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. New shares may be issued at the greater of: (i) NAV; or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%.
For optional cash investments, shares will be purchased on the open market by BNY when the market price plus estimated fees is less than the NAV on the valuation date. New shares will be issued by the Trust for optional cash investments when the market price plus estimated fees is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. Such shares will be issued at a discount to market, determined by the Trust, between 0% and 5%.
There is no charge to participate in the Program. Participants may elect to discontinue participation in the Program at any time. Participants will share, on a pro rata basis, in the fees or expenses of any shares acquired in the open market.
Participation in the Program is not automatic. If you would like to receive more information about the Program or if you desire to participate, please contact your broker or the Trust's Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180.
KEY FINANCIAL DATES CALENDAR 2012 DIVIDENDS:
DECLARATION DATE | EX-DIVIDEND DATE | PAYABLE DATE | |||||||||
January 31, 2012 | February 8, 2012 | February 23, 2012 | |||||||||
February 29, 2012 | March 8, 2012 | March 22, 2012 | |||||||||
March 30, 2012 | April 5, 2012 | April 23, 2012 | |||||||||
April 30, 2012 | May 8, 2012 | May 22, 2012 | |||||||||
May 31, 2012 | June 7, 2012 | June 22, 2012 | |||||||||
June 29, 2012 | July 6, 2012 | July 23, 2012 | |||||||||
July 31, 2012 | August 8, 2012 | August 22, 2012 | |||||||||
August 31, 2012 | September 6, 2012 | September 24, 2012 | |||||||||
September 28, 2012 | October 5, 2012 | October 22, 2012 | |||||||||
October 31, 2012 | November 8, 2012 | November 23, 2012 | |||||||||
November 30, 2012 | December 6, 2012 | December 24, 2012 | |||||||||
December 21, 2012 | December 27, 2012 | January 11, 2013 | |||||||||
Record date will be two business days after each Ex-Dividend Date. These dates are subject to change.
41
ING Prime Rate Trust
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
STOCK DATA
The Trust's common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: PPR). Effective March 1, 2002, the Trust's name changed to ING Prime Rate Trust and its CUSIP number changed to 44977W106. The Trust's NAV and market price are published daily under the "Closed-End Funds" feature in Barron's, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other regional and national publications.
REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END COMPANIES
In accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act the Trust may from time to time purchase shares of beneficial interest of the Trust in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions and/or purchase shares to correct erroneous transactions.
NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS
The approximate number of record holders of Common Stock as of February 29, 2012 was 3,644 which does not include approximately 45,145 beneficial owners of shares held in the name of brokers of other nominees.
PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at 1-800-336-3436; (2) on the Trust's website at www.inginvestment.com and (3) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Trust's website at www.inginvestment.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust's Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Trust's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330; and is available upon request from the Trust by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at (800) 336-3436.
CERTIFICATIONS
In accordance with Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Trust submitted the Annual CEO Certification on July 29, 2011 certifying that he was not aware, as of that date, of any violation by the Trust of the NYSE's Corporate governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 203 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Trust's principal executive and financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.
42
ING Prime Rate Trust
TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The following dividends were paid to Common Shareholders during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2012:
Type |
Per Share Amount |
||||||
Net Investment Income | $ | 0.3160 |
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 871(k)(1), the Trust designates 89.34% of net investment income distributions as interest-related dividends.
Above figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (book) purposes and Internal Revenue Service (tax) purposes.
Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Trust. In January, shareholders, excluding corporate shareholders, receive an IRS 1099-DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions they received in the calendar year.
43
ING Prime Rate Trust
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited)
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trust's Board. A Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an independent trustee ("Independent Trustee"). The Trustees and Officers of the Trust are listed below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, upon request at (800) 992-0180.
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)(3) |
Other Board Positions Held by Trustee |
||||||||||||||||||
Independent Trustees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Colleen D. Baldwin 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 51 |
Trustee |
October 2007 - Present |
President, Glantuam Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm (January 2009 - Present). | 138 | None. | ||||||||||||||||||
John V. Boyer 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 58 |
Trustee |
January 2005 - Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Bechtler Arts Foundation, an arts and education foundation (January 2008 - Present). Formerly, Consultant (July 2007 - February 2008) and President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, a public policy foundation (March 2006 - July 2007). | 138 | None. | ||||||||||||||||||
Patricia W. Chadwick 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 63 |
Trustee |
January 2006 - Present |
Consultant and President, Ravengate Partners LLC, a consulting firm that provides advice regarding financial markets and the global economy (January 2000 - Present). | 138 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation (June 2006 - Present) and The Royce Funds, (35 funds) (December 2009 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
Peter S. Drotch 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 70 |
Trustee |
October 2007 - Present |
Retired. | 138 | First Marblehead Corporation (September 2003 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
J. Michael Earley 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 66 |
Trustee |
February 2002 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, Banking President and Chief Executive Officer, Bankers Trust Company, N.A., Des Moines (June 1992 - December 2008). | 138 | None. | ||||||||||||||||||
Patrick W. Kenny 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 69 |
Trustee |
January 2005 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Insurance Society (June 2001 - June 2009). | 138 | Assured Guaranty Ltd. (April 2004 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sheryl K. Pressler 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 61 |
Trustee |
January 2006 - Present |
Consultant (May 2001 - Present). | 138 | Stillwater Mining Company (May 2002 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
Roger B. Vincent 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 66 |
Chairperson/Trustee |
February 2002 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, President, Springwell Corporation, a corporate finance firm (March 1989 - August 2011). | 138 | UGI Corporation (February 2006 - Present) and UGI Utilities, Inc. (February 2006 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
44
ING Prime Rate Trust
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)(3) |
Other Board Positions Held by Trustee |
||||||||||||||||||
Trustees who are "Interested Persons": | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert W. Crispin(3) 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 65 |
Trustee |
October 2007 - Present |
Retired. Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investment Management Co. (July 2001 - December 2007). | 138 | Intact Financial Corporation (December 2004 - Present) and PFM Group (November 2010 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
Shaun P. Mathews(3) 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 56 |
Trustee |
June 2006 - Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present). | 177 | ING Capital Corporation, LLC (December 2005 - Present). | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Trustees are considered for election by shareholders on an annual basis and serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The tenure of each Trustee is subject to the Board's retirement policy, which states that each duly elected or appointed Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act") ("Independent Trustees"), shall retire from service as a Trustee at the conclusion of the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board that is held after the Trustee reaches the age of 72. A unanimous vote of the Board may extend the retirement date of a Trustee for up to one year. An extension may be permitted if the retirement would trigger a requirement to hold a meeting of shareholders of the Trust under applicable law, whether for purposes of appointing a successor to the Trustee or if otherwise necessary under applicable law, in which case the extension would apply until such time as the shareholder meeting can be held or is no longer needed.
(2) Except for Mr. Mathews and for the purposes of this table "ING Fund Complex" means the following investment companies: ING Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund; ING Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund; ING Equity Trust; ING Funds Trust; ING Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; ING International High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Investors Trust; ING Mayflower Trust; ING Mutual Funds; ING Partners, Inc.; ING Prime Rate Trust; ING Risk Managed Natural Resources Fund; ING Senior Income Fund; ING Separate Portfolios Trust; ING Variable Insurance Trust; and ING Variable Products Trust. For Mr. Mathews, the ING Fund Complex also includes the following investment companies: ING Balanced Portfolio, Inc.; ING Intermediate Bond Portfolio; ING Money Market Portfolio; ING Series Fund, Inc.; ING Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc.; ING Variable Funds; and ING Variable Portfolios, Inc. Therefore, for the purposes of this table with reference to Mr. Mathews, "Fund Complex" includes these investment companies. The number of funds in the ING Fund Complex is as of March 31, 2012.
(3) Messrs. Crispin and Matthews are deemed "Interested Persons" of the Trust because of their current or prior affiliation with ING Groep, N.V., the parent corporation of the Investment Adviser(s) and the Distributor.
45
ING Prime Rate Trust
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
||||||||||||
Shaun P. Mathews 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 56 |
President and Chief Executive Officer | November 2006 - Present | President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Michael J. Roland 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 53 |
Executive Vice President | February 2002 - Present | Chief Compliance Officer, Directed Services LLC and ING Investments, LLC (March 2011 - Present) and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (January 2007 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Funds (March 2011 - February 2012). | ||||||||||||
Stanley D. Vyner 230 Park Avenue New York, New York 10169 Age: 61 |
Executive Vice President Chief Investment Risk Officer |
August 2003 - Present September 2009 - Present |
Executive Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (July 2000 - Present) and Chief Investment Risk Officer, ING Investments, LLC (January 2003 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Kevin M. Gleason 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 45 |
Chief Compliance Officer | February 2012 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management LLC. (February 2012 - Present). Formerly, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (June 2004 - January 2012). | ||||||||||||
Kimberly A. Anderson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 47 |
Senior Vice President | November 2003 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (October 2003 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Todd Modic 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 44 |
Senior Vice President, Chief/Principal Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary | March 2005 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2005 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Robert Terris 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 41 |
Senior Vice President | May 2006 - Present | Senior Vice President, Head of Division Operations, ING Funds Services, LLC (May 2006 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Gregory K. Wilson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 52 |
Senior Vice President | September 2011 - Present | Senior Vice President - Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2012 - Present). Formerly, Vice President - Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC (October 2009 - March 2012) and Finance Director, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2006 - October 2009). | ||||||||||||
Robyn L. Ichilov 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 44 |
Vice President | November 1997 - Present | Vice President and Treasurer, ING Funds Services, LLC (November 1995 - Present) and ING Investments, LLC (August 1997 - Present). Formerly, Treasurer, ING Funds (November 1999 - February 2012). | ||||||||||||
Maria M. Anderson 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 53 |
Vice President | September 2004 - Present | Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2004 - Present). | ||||||||||||
46
ING Prime Rate Trust
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
||||||||||||
Lauren D. Bensinger 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 58 |
Vice President | August 2003 - Present | Vice President, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (February 1996 - Present); Director of Compliance, ING Investments, LLC (October 2004 - Present); and Vice President and Money Laundering Reporting Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC ( April 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC (August 1995 - April 2010). | ||||||||||||
William Evans One Orange Way Windsor, Connecticut 06095 Age: 39 |
Vice President | September 2007 - Present | Senior Vice President (March 2010 - Present) and Head of Manager Research and Selection Group, ING Investment Management (April 2007 - Present). Formerly, Vice President, U.S. Mutual Funds and Investment Products (May 2005 - April 2007). | ||||||||||||
Denise Lewis 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 48 |
Vice President | January 2007 - Present | Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (December 2006 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Kimberly K. Springer 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 54 |
Vice President | March 2006 - Present | Vice President, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present); Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2006 - Present) and Managing Paralegal, Registration Statements (June 2003 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Craig Wheeler 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 43 |
Assistant Vice President | May 2008 - Present | Assistant Vice President - Director of Tax, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2008 - Present). Formerly, Tax Manager, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2005 - March 2008). | ||||||||||||
Huey P. Falgout, Jr. 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 48 |
Secretary | August 2003 - Present | Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (October 2003 - March 2010). | ||||||||||||
Paul Caldarelli 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 60 |
Assistant Secretary | June 2010 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010) and Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (May 2005 - April 2008). | ||||||||||||
Theresa K. Kelety 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 49 |
Assistant Secretary | August 2003 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010) and Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2003 - April 2008). | ||||||||||||
Kathleen Nichols 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 36 |
Assistant Secretary | May 2008 - Present | Vice President and Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (February 2008 - March 2010) and Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (September 2005 - February 2008). | ||||||||||||
47
ING Prime Rate Trust
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served(1) |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
||||||||||||
Daniel A. Norman 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 54 |
Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
April 1995 - Present June 1997 - Present |
Senior Vice President and Group Head, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2000 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Jeffrey A. Bakalar 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 52 |
Senior Vice President | November 1999 - Present | Senior Vice President and Group Head, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2000 - Present). | ||||||||||||
Elliot A. Rosen 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 58 |
Senior Vice President | May 2002 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (February 1999 - Present). | ||||||||||||
William H. Rivoir III 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Age: 61 |
Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary | February 2001 - Present | Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2004 - Present). | ||||||||||||
(1) The Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
48
ING Prime Rate Trust
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited)
BOARD CONSIDERATION AND RE-APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND SUB-ADVISORY CONTRACTS
Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") provides that, after an initial period, the existing investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts for the ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Fund") will remain in effect only if the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Fund, including a majority of Board members who have no direct or indirect interest in the advisory and sub-advisory contracts, and who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as such term is defined under the 1940 Act (the "Independent Trustees"), annually review and approve them. Thus, at a meeting held on November 17, 2011, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, considered whether to renew the investment advisory contract (the "Advisory Contract") between ING Investments, LLC (the "Adviser") and the Fund and the sub-advisory contract ("Sub-Advisory Contract") with ING Investment Management Co. LLC (the "Sub-Adviser").
The Independent Trustees also held separate meetings on October 12 and November 15, 2011 to consider the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts. As a result, subsequent references herein to factors considered and determinations made by the Independent Trustees include, as applicable, factors considered and determinations made on those earlier dates by the Independent Trustees.
At its November 17, 2011 meeting, the Board voted to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Fund. In reaching these decisions, the Board took into account information furnished to it throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and the Board's committees, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the annual renewal process. Determinations by the Independent Trustees also took into account various factors that they believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them by K&L Gates LLP ("K&L Gates"), their independent legal counsel, and their own business judgment, to be relevant. Further, while the Board considered at the same meeting the advisory contracts and sub-advisory contracts that were subject to renewal for the funds under its jurisdiction, the Trustees considered each Portfolio's advisory and sub-advisory relationships separately.
Provided below is an overview of the Board's contract approval process in general, as well as a discussion of certain specific factors that the Board considered at its renewal meeting. While the Board gave its attention to the information furnished at the request of the Independent Trustees that was most relevant to its considerations, discussed below are a number of the primary factors relevant to the Board's consideration as to whether to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the one-year period ending November 30, 2012. Each Board member may have accorded different weight to the various factors in reaching his or her conclusions with respect to the Fund's advisory and sub-advisory arrangements.
Overview of the Contract Renewal and Approval Process
The Board follows a structured process pursuant to which it seeks and considers relevant information when it decides whether to approve new or existing advisory and sub-advisory arrangements for the investment companies in the ING Fund complex under its jurisdiction, including the Fund's existing Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts. Among other actions, the Independent Trustees of the Board: retain the services of independent consultants with experience in the mutual fund industry to assist the Independent Trustees in working with the personnel employed by the Adviser or its affiliates who administer the Fund ("Management") to identify the types of information presented to the Board to inform its deliberations with respect to advisory and sub-advisory relationships and to help evaluate that information; evaluate industry best practices in regards to the consideration of investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts; established a specific format in
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ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
which certain requested information is provided to the Board; and determine the process for reviewing such information in connection with advisory and sub-advisory contract renewals and approvals. The result is a process (the "Contract Review Process") employed by the Board and its Independent Trustees to review and analyze information in connection with the annual renewal of the ING Funds' advisory and sub-advisory contracts, as well as the review and approval of new advisory and sub-advisory relationships.
Since the Contract Review Process was first implemented, the Board's membership has changed substantially through periodic retirements of some Trustees and the appointment and election of new Trustees. In addition, the Independent Trustees have reviewed and refined the renewal and approval process at least annually in order to request additional information from Management and address certain unique characteristics related to the introduction of new ING Funds.
The Board has established two Investment Review Committees (each, an "IRC"), which meet independently and, at times, jointly, and a Contracts Committee. Among other matters, the Contracts Committee provides oversight with respect to the contracts renewal and approval process, and the Fund is assigned to the IRCs jointly which provide oversight regarding, among other matters, the investment performance of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, as well as the oversight by the Adviser of the performance of the Sub-Adviser. The IRCs may apply a heightened level of scrutiny in cases where performance has lagged a portfolio's relevant benchmark and/or selected peer group of investment companies ("Selected Peer Groups").
The type and format of the information provided to the Board or to legal counsel for the Independent Trustees in connection with the contract approval and renewal process has been codified in the ING Funds' 15(c) Methodology Guide. This Guide was developed under the direction of the Independent Trustees and sets out a blueprint pursuant to which the Independent Trustees request certain information that they deem important to facilitate an informed review in connection with initial and annual approvals of advisory and sub-advisory contracts.
Management provides certain of the information requested by the 15(c) Methodology Guide in Fund Analysis and Comparison Tables ("FACT sheets") prior to the Independent Trustees' review of advisory and sub-advisory arrangements (including the Fund's Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts). The Independent Trustees previously retained an independent firm to verify and test the accuracy of certain FACT sheet data for a representative sample of funds in the ING Fund complex. In addition, the Contracts Committee routinely employs the services of an independent consultant to assist in its review and analysis of, among other matters, the 15(c) Methodology Guide, the content and format of the FACT sheets, and Selected Peer Groups to be used by the Fund for certain comparison purposes during the renewal process. As part of an ongoing process, the Contracts Committee recommends or considers recommendations from Management for refinements to the 15(c) Methodology Guide and other aspects of the review process, and the Board's IRCs review benchmarks used to assess the performance of funds in the ING Fund complex.
The Board employed its process for reviewing contracts when considering the renewals of the Fund's Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts that would be effective through November 30, 2012. Set forth below is a discussion of many of the Board's primary considerations and conclusions resulting from this process.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Service
In determining whether to approve the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Fund for the year ending November 30, 2012, the Independent Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the
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ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
Adviser and Sub-Adviser. This included information regarding the Adviser and Sub-Adviser provided throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees, as well as information furnished in connection with the contract renewal meetings.
The materials requested by the Independent Trustees and provided to the Board, K&L Gates and/or independent consultants that assist the Independent Trustees prior to the November 17, 2011 Board meeting included, among other information, the following items for the Fund: (1) FACT sheets that provided information regarding the performance and expenses of the Fund and other similarly managed funds in its Selected Peer Group, as well as information regarding the Fund's investment portfolio, objective and strategies; (2) reports providing risk and attribution analyses of the Fund; (3) the 15(c) Methodology Guide, which describes how the FACT sheets were prepared, including the manner in which the Fund's benchmark and Selected Peer Group were selected and how profitability was determined; (4) responses from the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to a series of questions posed by K&L Gates on behalf of the Independent Trustees; (5) copies of the forms of Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts; (6) copies of the Forms ADV for the Adviser and Sub-Adviser; (7) financial statements for the Adviser and Sub-Adviser; (8) a draft of a narrative summary addressing key factors the Board customarily considers in evaluating the renewals of the ING Funds' (including the Fund's) advisory contracts and sub-advisory contracts, including a written analysis for the Fund of how performance, fees and expenses compare to its Selected Peer Group and/or designated benchmark(s); (9) independent analyses of Fund performance by the Fund's Chief Investment Risk Officer; and (10) other information relevant to the Board's evaluations.
The Board also noted that ING Groep, N.V. ("ING Groep") the ultimate parent company of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, has announced plans for the separation of its U.S.-based insurance, retirement services and investment management operations, which include the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, into an independent, standalone company by the end of 2013. In addition ING Groep also announced that it will pursue an initial public offering for its European based insurance and investment management operations and explore options other than an initial public offering for its Asian insurance and investment management operations. The Board further noted that this separation may result in the Adviser and Sub-Adviser's loss of access to the services and resources of their current ultimate parent company, which could adversely affect their businesses and profitability. The Board recognized that, if the separation plans are deemed to be a change of control, the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Fund would terminate and trigger the necessity for new agreements, which would require the approval of the Board and, potentially, the shareholders of a Fund. The Board also recognized that there can be no assurance that the separation plan will be carried out. The Board considered the potential effects of the separation on the Fund and the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, including its ability prior to, during and after the separation to perform the same level of service to the Fund as the Adviser and Sub-Adviser currently provide. In this regard, the Board noted that the Adviser and Sub-Adviser did not currently anticipate that the separation would have a material adverse impact on the Fund or their operations and administration.
The Fund's common shares were used for purposes of certain comparisons to the funds in its Selected Peer Group. Common shares were selected because they are the only Fund class issued and outstanding. The common shares were compared to the analogous class of shares for each fund in the Selected Peer Group. The mutual funds included in the Fund's Selected Peer Group were selected based upon criteria designed to mirror the Fund share class being compared to the Selected Peer Group.
In arriving at its conclusions with respect to the Advisory Contract, the Board was mindful of
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the "manager-of-managers" platform of the ING Funds that has been developed by the Adviser. The Board recognized that the Adviser is responsible for monitoring the investment program and performance of the Sub-Adviser under this manager-of-managers arrangement. The Board also considered the techniques and resources that the Adviser has developed to provide ongoing oversight of the nature and quality of the services the Sub-Adviser provides to the Fund and the Sub-Adviser's compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Board noted that to assist in the selection and monitoring of the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser has developed an oversight process formulated by its Manager Research & Selection Group ("MRSG"), which analyzes both qualitative (such as in-person meetings and telephonic meetings with sub-advisers and research on sub-advisers) and quantitative information (such as performance data, portfolio data and attribution analysis) about the Sub-Adviser and the Fund. The Board recognized that the MRSG also typically provides in-person reports to the IRCs at their meetings prior to any Sub-Adviser presentations. In addition, the Board noted that the MRSG prepares periodic due diligence reports regarding the Sub-Adviser based on on-site visits and information and analysis which team members use to attempt to gain and maintain an in-depth understanding of the Sub-Adviser's investment process and to try to identify issues that may be relevant to the Sub-Adviser's services to the Fund and/or its performance. The Board also noted that the MRSG provides written reports on these due diligence analyses to the pertinent IRC. The Board noted the resources that the Adviser and Management has committed to its services as a manager-of-managers, including resources for reporting to the Board and the IRCs to assist them with their assessment of the investment performance of the Fund on an on-going basis throughout the year. This includes the appointment of a Chief Investment Risk Officer and his staff, who report directly to the Board and who have developed attribution analyses and other metrics used by the IRCs to analyze the key factors underlying investment performance for the funds in the ING Fund complex.
The Board also considered the techniques that the Adviser has developed to screen and perform due diligence on new sub-advisers if and when the Adviser recommends to the Board a new sub-adviser to manage an ING Fund.
The Board also considered that in the course of monitoring performance of the Sub-Adviser, the MRSG has developed, based on guidance from the IRCs, a methodology for comparing performance of the Fund to a Selected Peer Group. The Board also recognized that the MRSG provides the IRCs with regular updates on the Fund and alerts the IRCs to potential issues as they arise. The Board also noted that the Adviser regularly monitors performance, personnel, compliance and myriad other issues that may arise on a day-to-day basis with regards to the Sub-Adviser and noted that, if issues are identified either through formal or informal processes, they are brought before the IRCs and the Board for consideration and action and the Adviser consistently makes its resources available to the Board and the Committees to assist with addressing any issues that arise.
The Board noted that the Fund also benefits from the services of the Adviser's Investment Risk Management Department (the "IRMD"), under the leadership of the Chief Investment Risk Officer, the costs of which are shared by the Fund and the Adviser. The Board noted that the IRMD regularly presents written materials and reports to the IRCs that focus on the investment risks of the Fund. The Board also noted that the IRMD provides the IRCs with analyses that are developed to assist the IRCs in identifying trends in Fund performance and other areas over consecutive periods. The Board noted that the services provided by the IRMD are meant to provide an additional perspective for the benefit of the Committees, which may vary from the perspective of the MRSG.
The Board also noted the techniques used by the Adviser to monitor the performance of the Sub-Adviser and the proactive approach that
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ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
the Adviser, working in cooperation with the IRCs, has taken to advocate or recommend, when it believed appropriate, changes designed to assist in improving the Fund's performance.
In considering the Fund's Advisory Contract, the Board also considered the extent of benefits provided to the Fund's shareholders, beyond advisory services, from being part of the ING family of funds. This includes, in most cases, the right to exchange or transfer investments, without a sales charge, between the same class of shares of such funds or among ING Funds available on a product platform, and the wide range of ING Funds available for exchange or transfer. The Board also took into account the Adviser's ongoing efforts to reduce the expenses of the ING Funds through renegotiated arrangements with the ING Funds' service providers. In addition, the Board considered the efforts of the Adviser and the expenses that it incurred in recent years to help make the ING Fund complex more balanced and efficient by the launch of new investment products and the combinations of similar funds.
Further, the Board received periodic reports showing that the investment policies and restrictions for the Fund were consistently complied with and other periodic reports covering matters such as compliance by Adviser and Sub-Adviser personnel with codes of ethics. The Board considered reports from the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") evaluating whether the regulatory compliance systems and procedures of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser are reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws, including those related to, among others, late trading and market timing, best execution, fair value pricing, proxy voting and trade allocation practices. The Board also took into account the CCO's annual and periodic reports and recommendations with respect to service provider compliance programs. In this regard, the Board also considered the policies and procedures developed by the CCO in consultation with the Board's Compliance Committee that guide the CCO's compliance oversight function.
The Board reviewed the level of staffing, quality and experience of the Fund's portfolio management team. The Board took into account the respective resources and reputations of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, and evaluated the ability of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment advisory personnel. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund (and other relevant funds in the ING Fund complex) by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, and whether those resources are commensurate with the needs of the Fund and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.
Based on their deliberations and the materials presented to them, the Board concluded that the advisory and related services provided by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser are appropriate in light of the Fund's operations, the competitive landscape of the investment company business, and investor needs, and that the nature and quality of the overall services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser were appropriate.
Fund Performance
In assessing the advisory and sub-advisory relationships for the Fund, the Board placed emphasis on the investment returns of the Fund. While the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Board and committee meetings during the year, particular attention in assessing performance was given to the FACT sheets furnished in connection with the renewal process. The FACT sheet prepared for the Fund included its investment performance compared to the Fund's Morningstar category median and/or Lipper category median, Selected Peer Group and primary benchmark. The FACT sheet performance data was as of June 30, 2011. In addition, the Board also considered at its November 17, 2011 meeting certain additional data regarding performance and Fund asset levels as of October 31, 2011.
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ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
The Fund's performance was compared to its Morningstar category median and average, as well as its primary benchmark, a broad-based securities market index that appears in the Fund's prospectus. With respect to Morningstar quintile rankings, the first quintile represents the highest (best) performance and the fifth quintile represents the lowest performance. The Fund's management fee and expense ratio were compared to the fees and expense ratios of the funds in its Selected Peer Group.
In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Fund, the Board considered that, based on performance data for the periods ended June 30, 2011: (1) the Fund underperformed its Morningstar category median for all periods presented; (2) the Fund underperformed its primary benchmark for all periods presented, with the exception of the year-to-date and one-year periods, during which it outperformed; and (3) the Fund is ranked in the fourth quintile of its Morningstar category for the three-year, five-year and ten-year periods, and the fifth (lowest) quintile for the most recent calendar quarter, year-to-date and one-year periods.
In analyzing this performance data, the Board took into account: (1) the composition of the Fund's Selected Peer Group and Morningstar category, including the observation that the Selected Peer Group and category may include few directly comparable funds; (2) Management's representations regarding favorable Fund performance during certain periods; (3) Management's confidence in the Sub-Adviser's ability to execute the Fund's investment strategy; and (4) that Management would continue to monitor, and the Board or its IRC would periodically review, the Fund's investment performance.
Economies of Scale
When evaluating the reasonableness of advisory fee rates, the Board also considered whether economies of scale likely will be realized by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which any such economies are reflected in contractual fee rates. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund does not have advisory fee breakpoints. In the case of sub-advisory fees, the Board considered that breakpoints would inure to the benefit of the Adviser. In this connection, the Board considered the extent to which economies of scale could be realized through such fee waivers, expense reimbursements or other expense reductions. In evaluating fee breakpoint arrangements and economies of scale, the Independent Trustees also considered prior periodic management reports, industry information on this topic and the Fund's investment performance.
Information Regarding Services to Other Clients
The Board requested and considered information regarding the nature of services and fee rates offered by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser to other clients, including other registered investment companies and relevant institutional accounts. When fee rates offered to other clients differed materially from those charged to a Fund, the Board considered any underlying rationale provided by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser for these differences. The Board also noted that the fee rates charged to the Fund and other institutional clients of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser (including other investment companies) may differ materially due to, among other reasons: differences in services; different regulatory requirements associated with registered investment companies, such as Fund, as compared to non-registered investment company clients; market differences in fee rates that existed when a Fund first was organized; differences in the original sponsors of the Fund that now are managed by the Adviser; investment capacity constraints that existed when certain contracts were first agreed upon or that might exist at present; and different pricing structures that are necessary to be competitive in different marketing channels.
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ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (Unaudited) (continued)
Fee Rates and Profitability
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate, combined with the administrative fee rate, payable by the Fund to the Adviser. The Board also considered the contractual sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services for the Fund, including the portion of the contractual advisory fees that are paid to the Sub-Adviser, as compared to the portion retained by the Adviser. In addition, the Board considered fee waivers and expense limitations applicable to the fees payable by the Fund.
The Board considered: (1) the fee structure of the Fund as it relates to the services provided under the contracts; and (2) the potential fall-out benefits to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates from their association with the Fund. The Board separately determined that the fees payable to the Adviser and the fees payable to the Sub-Adviser are reasonable for the services that each performs, which were considered in light of the nature and quality of the services that each has performed and is expected to perform.
In considering the fees payable under the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Fund, the Board took into account the factors described above and also considered: (1) the fairness of the compensation under an Advisory Contract with a level fee rate that does not include breakpoints; and (2) the pricing structure (including the expense ratio to be borne by shareholders) of the Fund, as compared to its Selected Peer Group, including that: (a) the management fee for the Fund is above the median and the average management fees of the funds in its Selected Peer Group; and (b) the expense ratio for the Fund is above the median and the average expense ratios of the funds in its Selected Peer Group.
In analyzing this fee data, the Board took into account Management's representations that closed-end funds have unique distribution characteristics and their pricing structures are highly driven by the market and competitive environment at the time of their initial offering when their fee structures were established.
In analyzing the profitability of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser in connection with their services to the Fund, the Board considered information on revenues, costs and profits realized by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser which was prepared by Management in accordance with the allocation methodology (including stated assumptions) contained in the 15(c) Methodology Guide. In analyzing the profitability of the Adviser in connection with its services, the Board took into account the sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board considered information that it requested and was provided by Management with respect to the profitability of service providers affiliated with the Adviser. In this regard, the Board also noted that the Adviser (and not the Fund) pays the sub-advisory fees earned by the Sub-Adviser.
Although the 15(c) Methodology Guide establishes certain standards for profit calculation, the Board recognized that profitability analysis on a client-by-client basis is not an exact science and there is no uniform methodology within the asset management industry for determining profitability for this purpose. In this context, the Board realized that Management's calculations regarding its costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the Fund's operations may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining profitability, and that the information presented may not portray all of the costs borne by the Adviser and Management or capture their entrepreneurial risk associated with offering and managing a mutual fund complex in the current regulatory and market environment. In addition, the Board recognized that the use of different methodologies for purposes of calculating profit data can give rise to dramatically different profit and loss results.
In making its determinations, the Board based its conclusions as to the reasonableness of the
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advisory and sub-advisory fees of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser primarily on the factors described for the Fund herein. At the request of the Board, the Adviser has from time to time agreed to implement remedial actions regarding certain ING Funds. These remedial actions have included, among others: reductions in fee rates; changes in sub-advisers or portfolio managers; and strategy modifications.
Conclusion
After its deliberation, the Board reached the following conclusions: (1) the Fund's management fee rate is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; (2) the Fund's expense ratio is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; (3) that Management would continue to monitor, and the Board or its IRC would periodically review, the Fund's investment performance; and (4) the sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board. Based on these conclusions and other factors, the Board voted to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Fund for the year ending November 30, 2012. During this renewal process, different Board members may have given different weight to different individual factors and related conclusions.
56
Investment Adviser
ING Investments, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Sub-Adviser
ING Investment Management Co. LLC
230 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10169
Institutional Investors and Analysts
Call ING Prime Rate Trust
1-800-336-3436, Extension 2217
Administrator
ING Funds Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
1-800-992-0180
Written Requests
Please mail all account inquiries and other comments to:
ING Prime Rate Trust Account
c/o ING Fund Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Distributor
ING Investments Distributor, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
1-800-334-3444
Transfer Agent
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
Two Financial Center
60 South Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
801 Pennsylvania Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
Legal Counsel
Dechert LLP
1775 I Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Toll-Free Shareholder Information
Call us from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day for account or other information, at (800)-992-0180
For more complete information, or to obtain a prospectus on any ING Fund, please call your Investment Professional or ING Investments Distributor, LLC at (800) 992-0180 or log on to www.inginvestment.com. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Consider the Trust's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this information and other information about the Trust.
AR-UPRT
(0212-042012)
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, Registrant had adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer. There were no amendments to the Code during the period covered by the report. The Registrant did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code during the period covered by this report. The code of ethics is filed herewith pursuant to Item 10(a)(1), Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Board of Trustees has determined that J.Michael Earley, Peter Drotch and Colleen Baldwin are audit committee financial experts, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Earley, Mr. Drotch and Ms. Baldwin are independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
(a) Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (KPMG), the principal accountant for the audit of the registrants annual financial statements, for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $73,500 for year ended February 29, 2012 and $73,500 for year ended February 28, 2011.
(b) Audit-Related Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrants financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $2,400 for the year ended February 29, 2012 and $2,150 for the year ended February 28, 2011.
(c) Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $6,734 in the year ended February 29, 2012 and $6,648 in the year ended February 28, 2011. Such services included review of excise distribution calculations (if applicable), preparation of the Funds federal, state and excise tax returns, tax services related to mergers and routine consulting.
(d) All Other Fees: None
(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY
I. Statement of Principles
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors or Trustees (the Committee) of the ING Funds (each a Fund, collectively, the Funds) set out on Exhibit A to this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (Policy) is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Funds independent auditors. As part of its responsibilities, the Committee must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the auditors in order to assure that the provision of these services does not impair the auditors independence from the Funds. The Committee has adopted, and the Board has ratified, this Policy, which sets out the procedures and conditions under which the services of the independent auditors may be pre-approved.
Under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules promulgated in accordance with the Act, the Funds may establish two different approaches to pre-approving audit and non-audit services. The Committee may approve services without consideration of specific case-by-case services (general pre-approval) or it may pre-approve specific services (specific pre-approval). The Committee believes that the combination of these approaches contemplated in this Policy results in an effective and efficient method for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds independent auditors. Under this Policy, services that are not of a type that may receive general pre-approval require specific pre-approval by the Committee. Any proposed services that exceed pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require the Committees specific pre-approval.
For both types of approval, the Committee considers whether the subject services are consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence and that such services are compatible with maintaining the auditors independence. The Committee also considers whether a particular audit firm is in the best position to provide effective and efficient services to the Funds. Reasons that the auditors are in the best position include the auditors familiarity with the Funds business, personnel, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and other factors, and whether the services will enhance the Funds ability to manage and control risk or improve audit quality. Such factors will be considered as a whole, with no one factor being determinative.
The appendices attached to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related, tax-related, and other services that have the Committees general pre-approval. For any service that has been approved through general pre-approval, the general pre-approval will remain in place for a period 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditors without specific pre-approval. The Committee will revise the list of services subject to general pre-approval as appropriate. This Policy does not serve as a delegation to Fund management of the Committees duty to pre-approve services performed by the Funds independent auditors.
II. Audit Services
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the Committees specific pre-approval. Audit services are those services that are normally provided by auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements or those that generally only independent auditors can reasonably provide. They include the Funds annual financial statement audit and procedures that the independent auditors must perform in order to form an opinion on the Funds financial statements (e.g., information systems and procedural reviews and testing). The Committee will monitor the audit services engagement and approve any changes in terms, conditions or fees deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.
The Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, such as statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit services listed on Appendix A. The Committee must specifically approve all audit services not listed on Appendix A.
III. Audit-related Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Funds financial statements or are traditionally performed by the independent auditors. The Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services will not impair the independent auditors independence, and therefore may grant pre-approval to audit-related services. Audit-related services include accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as audit services; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures relating to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services listed on Appendix B. The Committee must specifically approve all audit-related services not listed on Appendix B.
IV. Tax Services
The Committee believes the independent auditors can provide tax services to the Funds, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, without compromising the auditors independence. Therefore, the Committee may grant general pre-approval with respect to tax services historically provided by the Funds independent auditors that do not, in the Committees view, impair auditor independence and that are consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence.
The Committee will not grant pre-approval if the independent auditors initially recommends a transaction the sole business purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Committee may consult
outside counsel to determine that tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this Policy.
The Committee has pre-approved the tax-related services listed on Appendix C. The Committee must specifically approve all tax-related services not listed on Appendix C.
V. Other Services
The Committee believes it may grant approval of non-audit services that are permissible services for independent auditors to a Fund. The Committee has determined to grant general pre-approval to other services that it believes are routine and recurring, do not impair auditor independence, and are consistent with SEC rules on auditor independence.
The Committee has pre-approved the non-audit services listed on Appendix D. The Committee must specifically approve all non-audit services not listed on Appendix D.
A list of the SECs prohibited non-audit services is attached to this Policy as Appendix E. The SECs rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these impermissible services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the SECs prohibitions.
VI. Pre-approval of Fee levels and Budgeted Amounts
The Committee will annually establish pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for audit, audit-related, tax and non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditors. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts require the Committees specific pre-approval. The Committee considers fees for audit and non-audit services when deciding whether to pre-approve services. The Committee may determine, for a pre-approval period of 12 months, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for the Funds audit, audit-related, and tax services (including fees for services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services for the Fund classified as other services (including any such services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).
VII. Procedures
Requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditors will be submitted to management. If management determines that the services do not fall within those services generally pre-approved by the Committee and set out in the appendices to these procedures, management will submit the services to the Committee or its delagee. Any such submission will include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the Committee will, on a quarterly basis, receive from the independent auditors a list of services provided for the previous calendar quarter on a cumulative basis by the auditors during the Pre-Approval Period.
VIII. Delegation
The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Committees members. Any member or members to whom such pre-approval authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions, including any pre-approved services, to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will identify any member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated in writing. The member will retain such authority for a period of 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The period of delegated authority may be terminated by the Committee or at the option of the member.
IX. Additional Requirements
The Committee will take any measures the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to oversee the work of the independent auditors and to assure the auditors independence from the Funds. This may include reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Funds, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the auditors their methods and procedures for ensuring independence.
Effective April 23, 2008, the KPMG LLP (KPMG) audit team for the ING Funds accepted the global responsibility for monitoring the auditor independence for KPMG relative to the ING Funds. Using a proprietary system called Sentinel, the audit team is able to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest across the member firms of the KPMG International Network and prevent the provision of prohibited services to the ING entities that would impair KPMG independence with the respect to the ING Funds. In addition to receiving pre-approval from the ING Funds Audit Committee for services provided to the ING Funds and for services for ING entities in the Investment Company Complex, the audit team has developed a process for periodic notification via email to the ING Funds Audit Committee Chairpersons regarding requests to provide services to ING Groep NV and its affiliates from KPMG offices worldwide. Additionally, KPMG provides a quarterly summary of the fees for services that have commenced for ING Groep NV and Affiliates at each Audit Committee Meeting.
Appendix A
Pre-Approved Audit Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
|
Fee Range |
Statutory audits or financial audits (including tax services associated with audit services) |
|
√ |
|
As presented to Audit Committee(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters. |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $9,750 per filing |
|
|
|
|
|
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $8,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
Seed capital audit and related review and issuance of consent on the N-2 registration statement |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $13,000 per audit |
(1) |
|
For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
Appendix B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
|
Fund Affiliates |
|
Fee Range |
Services related to Fund mergers (Excludes tax services - See Appendix C for tax services associated with Fund mergers) |
|
√ |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $10,000 per merger |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. [Note: Under SEC rules some consultations may be audit services and others may be audit-related services.] |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of the Funds semi-annual and quarterly financial statements |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Not to exceed $2,400 per set of financial statements per fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reports to regulatory or government agencies related to the annual engagement |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Up to $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulatory compliance assistance |
|
√ |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $5,000 per quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Training courses |
|
|
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $2,000 per course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Prime Rate Trust, agreed upon procedures for quarterly reports to rating agencies |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Not to exceed $9,450 per quarter |
Appendix C
Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
|
Fund |
|
Fee Range |
Preparation of federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns for the Funds including assistance and review with excise tax distributions |
|
√ |
|
|
|
As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of IRC Sections 851(b) and 817(h) diversification testing on a real-time basis |
|
√ |
|
|
|
As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistance and advice regarding year-end reporting for 1099s |
|
√ |
|
|
|
As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax assistance and advice regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments |
|
√ |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $5,000 for the Funds or for the Funds investment adviser during the Pre-Approval Period |
(2) |
|
For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling. |
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
|
Fund |
|
Fee Range |
Tax training courses |
|
|
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $2,000 per course during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax services associated with Fund mergers |
|
√ |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $4,000 per fund per merger during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other tax-related assistance and consultation, including, without limitation, assistance in evaluating derivative financial instruments and international tax issues, qualification and distribution issues, and similar routine tax consultations. |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Not to exceed $120,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
Appendix D
Pre-Approved Other Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Service |
|
The Fund(s) |
|
Fund Affiliates |
|
Fee Range |
Agreed-upon procedures for Class B share 12b-1 programs |
|
|
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $60,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security counts performed pursuant to Rule 17f-2 of the 1940 Act (i.e., counts for Funds holding securities with affiliated sub-custodians) Cost to be borne 50% by the Funds and 50% by ING Investments, LLC. |
|
√ |
|
√ |
|
Not to exceed $5,000 per Fund during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreed upon procedures for 15 (c) FACT Books |
|
√ |
|
|
|
Not to exceed $35,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
Appendix E
Prohibited Non-Audit Services
Dated: January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012
· Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Funds
· Financial information systems design and implementation
· Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports
· Actuarial services
· Internal audit outsourcing services
· Management functions
· Human resources
· Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services
· Legal services
· Expert services unrelated to the audit
· Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible
EXHIBIT A
ING EQUITY TRUST
ING FUNDS TRUST
ING ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS, AND MATERIALS FUND
ING RISK MANAGED NATURAL RESOURCES FUNDING INVESTORS TRUST
ING MAYFLOWER TRUST
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
ING PARTNERS, INC.
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
ING SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
ING EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND
ING EMERING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND
(e) (2) Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) (4)(d) that were approved by the audit committee
100% of the services were approved by the audit committee.
(f) Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of KPMG if greater than 50%.
Not applicable.
(g) Non-Audit Fees: The non-audit fees billed by the registrants accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrants investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were $1,233,678 for year ended February 29, 2012 and $1,084,113 for fiscal year ended February 28, 2011.
(h) Principal Accountants Independence: The Registrants Audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrants investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining KPMGs independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
a. The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee. The members are J. Michael Earley, Patricia
W. Chadwick and Peter S. Drotch.
b. Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
Schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment companies.
ING FUNDS
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
Effective Date: July 10, 2003
Revision Date: March 8, 2012
I. INTRODUCTION
The following are the Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines (the Procedures and Guidelines) of the ING Funds set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto and each portfolio or series thereof, except for any Sub-Adviser-Voted Series identified on Exhibit 1 and further described in Section III below (each non-Sub-Adviser-Voted Series hereinafter referred to as a Fund and collectively, the Funds). The purpose of these Procedures and Guidelines is to set forth the process by which each Fund subject to these Procedures and Guidelines will vote proxies related to the equity assets in its investment portfolio (the portfolio securities). The term proxies as used herein shall include votes in connection with annual and special meetings of equity stockholders but not those regarding bankruptcy matters and/or related plans of reorganization. The Procedures and Guidelines have been approved by the Funds Boards of Trustees/Directors(1) (each a Board and collectively, the Boards), including a majority of the independent Trustees/Directors(2) of the Board. These Procedures and Guidelines may be amended only by the Board. The Board shall review these Procedures and Guidelines at its discretion, and make any revisions thereto as deemed appropriate by the Board.
II. COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
The Boards hereby delegate to the Compliance Committee of each Board (each a Committee and collectively, the Committees) the authority and responsibility to oversee the implementation of these Procedures and Guidelines, and where applicable, to make determinations on behalf of the Board with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of each Fund. Furthermore, the Boards hereby delegate to each Committee the authority to review and approve material changes to proxy voting procedures of any Funds investment adviser (the Adviser). The Proxy Voting Procedures of the Adviser (the Adviser Procedures) are attached hereto as Exhibit 2. Any determination regarding the voting of proxies of each Fund
(1) |
Reference in these Procedures to one or more Funds shall, as applicable, mean those Funds that are under the jurisdiction of the particular Board or Compliance Committee at issue. No provision in these Procedures is intended to impose any duty upon the particular Board or Compliance Committee with respect to any other Fund. |
|
|
(2) |
The independent Trustees/Directors are those Board members who are not interested persons of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
that is made by a Committee, or any member thereof, as permitted herein, shall be deemed to be a good faith determination regarding the voting of proxies by the full Board. Each Committee may rely on the Adviser through the Agent, Proxy Coordinator, and/or Proxy Group (as such terms are defined for purposes of the Adviser Procedures) to deal in the first instance with the application of these Procedures and Guidelines. Each Committee shall conduct itself in accordance with its charter.
III. DELEGATION OF VOTING AUTHORITY
Except as otherwise provided for herein, the Board hereby delegates to the Adviser to each Fund the authority and responsibility to vote all proxies with respect to all portfolio securities of the Fund in accordance with then current proxy voting procedures and guidelines that have been approved by the Board. The Board may revoke such delegation with respect to any proxy or proposal, and assume the responsibility of voting any Fund proxy or proxies as it deems appropriate. Non-material amendments to the Procedures and Guidelines may be approved for immediate implementation by the President or Chief Financial Officer of a Fund, subject to ratification at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Compliance Committee.
A Board may elect to delegate the voting of proxies to the Sub-Adviser of a portfolio or series of the ING Funds. In so doing, the Board shall also approve the Sub-Advisers proxy policies for implementation on behalf of such portfolio or series (a Sub-Adviser-Voted Series). Sub-Adviser-Voted Series shall not be covered under these Procedures and Guidelines but rather shall be covered by such Sub-Advisers proxy policies, provided that the Board, including a majority of the independent Trustees/Directors(1), has approved them on behalf of such Sub-Adviser-Voted Series, and ratifies any subsequent changes at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Compliance Committee and the Board.
When a Fund participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at record date, proxies related to such securities will not be forwarded to the Adviser by the Funds custodian and therefore will not be voted. However, the Adviser shall use best efforts to recall or restrict specific securities from loan for the purpose of facilitating a material vote as described in the Adviser Procedures.
Funds that are funds-of-funds will echo vote their interests in underlying mutual funds, which may include ING Funds (or portfolios or series thereof) other than those set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto. This means that, if the fund-of-funds must vote on a proposal with respect to an underlying investment company, the fund-of-funds will vote its interest in that underlying fund in the same proportion all other shareholders in the investment company voted their interests.
A fund that is a feeder fund in a master-feeder structure does not echo vote. Rather, it passes votes requested by the underlying master fund to its shareholders. This means that, if the feeder fund is solicited by the master fund, it will request instructions from its own shareholders, either
(1) |
The independent Trustees/Directors are those Board members who are not interested persons of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
directly or, in the case of an insurance-dedicated Fund, through an insurance product or retirement plan, as to the manner in which to vote its interest in an underlying master fund.
When a Fund is a feeder in a master-feeder structure, proxies for the portfolio securities owned by the master fund will be voted pursuant to the master funds proxy voting policies and procedures. As such, and except as otherwise noted herein with respect to vote reporting requirements, feeder Funds shall not be subject to these Procedures and Guidelines.
IV. APPROVAL AND REVIEW OF PROCEDURES
Each Funds Adviser has adopted proxy voting procedures in connection with the voting of portfolio securities for the Funds as attached hereto in Exhibit 2. The Board hereby approves such procedures. All material changes to the Adviser Procedures must be approved by the Board or the Compliance Committee prior to implementation; however, the President or Chief Financial Officer of a Fund may make such non-material changes as they deem appropriate, subject to ratification by the Board or the Compliance Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
V. VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
The Guidelines that are set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto specify the manner in which the Funds generally will vote with respect to the proposals discussed therein.
Unless otherwise noted, the defined terms used hereafter shall have the same meaning as defined in the Adviser Procedures
A. Routine Matters
The Agent shall be instructed to submit a vote in accordance with the Guidelines where such Guidelines provide a clear policy (e.g., For, Against, Withhold, or Abstain) on a proposal. However, the Agent shall be directed to refer any proxy proposal to the Proxy Coordinator for instructions as if it were a matter requiring case-by-case consideration under circumstances where the application of the Guidelines is unclear, it appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or an Investment Professional (as such term is defined for purposes of the Adviser Procedures) recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines.
B. Matters Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator where the Guidelines have noted case-by-case consideration.
Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent, the Proxy Coordinator may solicit additional research from the Agent, Investment Professional(s), as well as from any other source or service.
Except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation, the Proxy Coordinator will forward the Agents analysis and recommendation and/or any research obtained from the Investment Professional(s), the Agent, or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent and/or Investment Professional(s), as it deems necessary.
The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event quorum requirements cannot be timely met in connection with a voting deadline, it shall be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation, unless the Agents recommendation is deemed to be conflicted as provided for under the Adviser Procedures, in which case no action shall be taken on such matter (i.e., a Non-Vote).
1. Within-Guidelines Votes: Votes in Accordance with a Funds Guidelines and/or where applicable, Agent Recommendation
In the event the Proxy Group, and where applicable, any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, recommend a vote Within Guidelines, the Proxy Group will instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, to vote in this manner, except that the Proxy Coordinator may first consult with a Funds Compliance Committee as described in Section V.B.5. below. Except as provided for herein, no Conflicts Report (as such term is defined for purposes of the Adviser Procedures) is required in connection with Within-Guidelines Votes.
2. Non-Votes: Votes in Which No Action is Taken
The Proxy Group may recommend that a Fund refrain from voting under circumstances including, but not limited to, the following: (1) if the economic effect on shareholders interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with fractional shares, securities no longer held in the portfolio of an ING Fund or proxies being considered on behalf of a Fund that is no longer in existence; or (2) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security. In such instances, the Proxy Group may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, not to vote such proxy. The Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions on parameters that would dictate a Non-Vote without the Proxy Groups review of a specific proxy.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the Funds, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a Funds related inability to timely
access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.
Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agents recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as described in V.B. above and V.B.4. below.
3. Out-of-Guidelines Votes: Votes Contrary to Procedures and Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent, or Where Agents Recommendation is Conflicted
If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures and Guidelines are silent, or the Agents recommendation on a matter is deemed to be conflicted as provided for under the Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator will then request that all members of the Proxy Group, including any members who abstained from voting on the matter or were not in attendance at the meeting at which the relevant proxy is being considered, and each Investment Professional participating in the voting process complete a Conflicts Report (as such term is defined for purposes of the Adviser Procedures). As provided for in the Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator shall be responsible for identifying to Counsel potential conflicts of interest with respect to the Agent.
If Counsel determines that a conflict of interest appears to exist with respect to the Agent, any member of the Proxy Group, or the participating Investment Professional(s), the Proxy Coordinator will then contact the Compliance Committee(s) and forward to such Committee(s) all information relevant to their review, including the following materials or a summary thereof: the applicable Procedures and Guidelines, the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, the recommendation of the Investment Professional(s), where applicable, any resources used by the Proxy Group in arriving at its recommendation, the Conflicts Report and any other written materials establishing whether a conflict of interest exists, and findings of Counsel (as such term is defined for purposes of the Adviser Procedures). Upon Counsels finding that a conflict of interest exists with respect to one or more members of the Proxy Group or the Advisers generally, the remaining members of the Proxy Group shall not be required to complete a Conflicts Report in connection with the proxy.
If Counsel determines that there does not appear to be a conflict of interest with respect to the Agent, any member of the Proxy Group, or the participating Investment Professional(s), the Proxy Coordinator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group.
A vote that is contrary to the Agents recommendation, but is based on input from an Investment Professional provided in connection with a Guideline requiring
case-by-case review while specifying that primary consideration will be given to such input, shall be not be deemed an Out-of-Guidelines Vote if the Investment Professional completes and returns a Conflicts Report and Counsel determines that no conflict of interest appears to be present. The Proxy Group shall not be required to complete a Conflicts Report in connection with such votes.
4. Referrals to a Funds Compliance Committee
A Funds Compliance Committee may consider all recommendations, analysis, research and Conflicts Reports provided to it by the Agent, Proxy Group and/or Investment Professional(s), and any other written materials used to establish whether a conflict of interest exists, in determining how to vote the proxies referred to the Committee. The Committee will instruct the Agent through the Proxy Coordinator how to vote such referred proposals.
The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to timely refer matters to a Funds Committee for its consideration. In the event any such matter cannot be timely referred to or considered by the Committee, it shall be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation, unless the Agents recommendation is conflicted on a matter, in which case no action shall be taken on such matter (i.e., a Non-Vote).
The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred to a Funds Committee, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports and vote determinations.
5. Consultation with a Funds Compliance Committee
The Proxy Coordinator may consult with the Chair of a Funds Compliance Committee for guidance on behalf of the Committee if application of the Procedures and Guidelines is unclear or in connection with any unusual or controversial issue or a recommendation received from an Investment Professional. The Chair may consider all recommendations, analysis, research, or Conflicts Reports provided by the Agent, Proxy Group, and/or Investment Professional(s). The Chair may provide guidance or direct the Proxy Coordinator to refer the proposal(s) to the full Compliance Committee. The guidance of the Chair, or the Committee, as applicable, shall be given primary consideration by the Proxy Group in making a vote determination.
The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred to the Chair or Committee for guidance, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports and vote determinations.
VI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In all cases in which a vote has not been clearly determined in advance by the Procedures and Guidelines or for which the Proxy Group recommends an Out-of-Guidelines Vote, and Counsel has determined that a conflict of interest appears to exist with respect to the Agent, any member of the Proxy Group, or any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, the proposal shall be referred to the Funds Committee for determination so that the Adviser shall have no opportunity to exercise voting discretion over a Funds proxy in a situation in which the Adviser or certain other related parties or the Agent may be deemed to have a conflict of interest. In the event a member of a Funds Committee believes he/she has a conflict of interest that would preclude him/her from making a voting determination in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the applicable Fund, such Committee member shall so advise the Proxy Coordinator and recuse himself/herself with respect to determinations regarding the relevant proxy.
VII. REPORTING AND RECORD RETENTION
A. Reporting by the Funds
Annually in August, each Fund will post its proxy voting record, or a link thereto, for the prior one-year period ending on June 30th on the ING Funds website. The proxy voting record for each Fund will also be available on Form N-PX in the EDGAR database on the SECs website. For any Fund that is a feeder in a master/feeder structure, no proxy voting record related to the portfolio securities owned by the master fund will be posted on the ING Funds website or included in the Funds Form N-PX; however, a cross-reference to the master funds proxy voting record as filed in the SECs EDGAR database will be included in the Funds Form N-PX and posted on the ING Funds website. If any feeder fund was solicited for vote by its underlying master fund during the reporting period, a record of the votes cast by means of the pass-through process described in Section III above will be included on the ING Funds website and in the Funds Form N-PX.
B. Reporting to a Funds Compliance Committee
At each regularly scheduled meeting, the Committee will receive a report from the Proxy Coordinator indicating each proxy proposal, or a summary of such proposals, that was (1) voted Out-of-Guidelines, including any proposals voted Out-of-Guidelines pursuant to special circumstances raised by an Investment Professional; (2) voted Within Guidelines in cases in which an Investment Professionals recommendation was not adopted by the Proxy Group; or (3) referred to the Committee for determination in accordance with Section V hereof. Such report shall indicate the name of the issuer, the substance of the proposal, a summary of the Investment Professionals recommendation, where applicable and the reasons for voting, or recommending, an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or, in the case of (2) above, a Within-Guidelines Vote.
EXHIBIT 1
to the
ING Funds
Proxy Voting Procedures
ING ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING EMERGING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND
ING EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND
ING EQUITY TRUST
ING FUNDS TRUST
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS FUND
ING INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING INVESTORS TRUST(1)
ING MAYFLOWER TRUST
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
ING PARTNERS, INC.
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
ING RISK MANAGED NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
ING SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
(1) Sub-Adviser-Voted Series: ING Franklin Mutual Shares Portfolio
EXHIBIT 2
to the
ING Funds
Proxy Voting Procedures
ING INVESTMENTS, LLC,
ING INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO. LLC
AND
DIRECTED SERVICES LLC
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
I. INTRODUCTION
ING Investments, LLC, ING Investment Management Co. LLC and Directed Services LLC (each an Adviser and collectively, the Advisers) are the investment advisers for the registered investment companies and each series or portfolio thereof (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) comprising the ING family of funds. As such, the Advisers have been delegated the authority to vote proxies with respect to securities for certain Funds over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility.
The Advisers will abide by the proxy voting guidelines adopted by a Funds respective Board of Directors or Trustees (each a Board and collectively, the Boards) with regard to the voting of proxies unless otherwise provided in the proxy voting procedures adopted by a Funds Board.
In voting proxies, the Advisers are guided by general fiduciary principles. Each must act prudently, solely in the interest of the beneficial owners of the Funds it manages. The Advisers will not subordinate the interest of beneficial owners to unrelated objectives. Each Adviser will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will do the most to maximize shareholder value.
The following are the Proxy Voting Procedures of ING Investments, LLC, ING Investment Management Co. LLC and Directed Services LLC (the Adviser Procedures) with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of their client Funds as approved by the respective Board of each Fund.
Unless otherwise noted, best efforts shall be used to vote proxies in all instances.
II. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Proxy Coordinator
The Proxy Coordinator identified in Appendix 1 will assist in the coordination of the voting of each Funds proxies in accordance with the ING Funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines (the Procedures or Guidelines and collectively the Procedures and Guidelines). The Proxy Coordinator is authorized to direct the Agent to vote a Funds proxy in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines unless the Proxy Coordinator receives a recommendation from an Investment Professional (as described below) to vote contrary to the Guidelines. In such event, and in connection with proxy proposals requiring case-by-case consideration (except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation), the Proxy Coordinator will call a meeting of the Proxy Group (as described below).
Responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Coordinator, or activities in support thereof, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group or employees of the Advisers affiliates as are deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group.
Unless specified otherwise, information provided to the Proxy Coordinator in connection with duties of the parties described herein shall be deemed delivered to the Advisers.
B. Agent
An independent proxy voting service (the Agent), as approved by the Board of each Fund, shall be engaged to assist in the voting of Fund proxies for publicly traded securities through the provision of vote analysis, implementation, recordkeeping, and disclosure services. The Agent is Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a subsidiary of MSCI Inc. The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the Funds custodians to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion. To the extent applicable, the Agent is required to vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with these Adviser Procedures. The Agent will retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent. Such record must reflect all the information required to be disclosed in a Funds Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to the Adviser upon request.
The Agent shall be instructed to vote all proxies in accordance with a Funds Guidelines, except as otherwise instructed through the Proxy Coordinator by the Advisers Proxy Group or a Funds Compliance Committee (Committee).
The Agent shall be instructed to obtain all proxies from the Funds custodians and to review each proxy proposal against the Guidelines. The Agent also shall be requested to call the Proxy Coordinators attention to specific proxy proposals that although governed by the Guidelines appear to involve unusual or controversial issues.
Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services voting to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified.
C. Proxy Group
The Adviser shall establish a Proxy Group (the Group or Proxy Group) which shall assist in the review of the Agents recommendations when a proxy voting issue is referred to the Group through the Proxy Coordinator. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, are identified in Appendix 1, as may be amended from time at the Advisers discretion.
A minimum of four (4) members of the Proxy Group (or three (3) if one member of the quorum is either the Funds Chief Investment Risk Officer or Chief Financial Officer) shall constitute a quorum for purposes of taking action at any meeting of the Group. The vote of a simple majority of the members present and voting shall determine any matter submitted to a vote. Tie votes shall be broken by securing the vote of members not present at the meeting; provided, however, that the Proxy Coordinator shall ensure compliance with all applicable voting and conflict of interest procedures and shall use best efforts to secure votes from all or as many absent members as may reasonably be accomplished. A member of the Proxy Group may abstain from voting on any given matter, provided that quorum is not lost for purposes of taking action and that the abstaining member still participates in any conflict of interest processes required in connection with the matter. The Proxy Group may meet in person or by telephone. The Proxy Group also may take action via electronic mail in lieu of a meeting, provided that each Group member has received a copy of any relevant electronic mail transmissions circulated by each other participating Group member prior to voting and provided that the Proxy Coordinator follows the directions of a majority of a quorum (as defined above) responding via electronic mail. For all votes taken in person or by telephone or teleconference, the vote shall be taken outside the presence of any person other than the members of the Proxy Group and such other persons whose attendance may be deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group from time to time in furtherance of its duties or the day-to-day administration of the Funds. In its discretion, the Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to perform responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Group, or activities in support thereof, on its behalf, provided that such
instructions do not contravene any requirements of these Adviser Procedures or a Funds Procedures and Guidelines.
A meeting of the Proxy Group will be held whenever (1) the Proxy Coordinator receives a recommendation from an Investment Professional to vote a Funds proxy contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, (2) the Agent has made no recommendation with respect to a vote on a proposal, or (3) a matter requires case-by-case consideration, including those in which the Agents recommendation is deemed to be conflicted as provided for under these Adviser Procedures, provided that, if the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation and no issue of conflict must be considered, the Proxy Coordinator may implement the instructions without calling a meeting of the Proxy Group.
For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, it will review (1) the relevant Procedures and Guidelines, (2) the recommendation of the Agent, if any, (3) the recommendation of the Investment Professional(s), if any, and (4) any other resources that any member of the Proxy Group deems appropriate to aid in a determination of a recommendation.
If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, it shall instruct the Proxy Coordinator to so advise the Agent, except that the Proxy Coordinator shall follow any procedures established by a Funds Board with respect to recommendations received from an Investment Professional.
If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, or if the Agents recommendation on a matter is deemed to be conflicted, it shall follow the procedures for such voting as established by a Funds Board. The Proxy Group may vote contrary to the Guidelines based on a recommendation from an Investment Professional, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process established by a Funds Board.
The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event quorum requirements cannot be timely met in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Coordinator shall follow the procedures for such voting as established by a Funds Board.
D. Investment Professionals
The Funds Advisers, sub-advisers, and/or portfolio managers (each referred to herein as an Investment Professional and collectively, Investment Professionals) may submit, or be asked to submit, a recommendation to the Proxy Group regarding the voting of proxies related to the portfolio securities over which they have day-to-day portfolio
management responsibility. The Investment Professionals may accompany their recommendation with any other research materials that they deem appropriate or with a request that the vote be deemed material in the context of the portfolio(s) they manage, such that lending activity on behalf of such portfolio(s) with respect to the relevant security should be reviewed by the Proxy Group and considered for recall and/or restriction. Input from the relevant sub-advisers and/or portfolio managers shall be given primary consideration in the Proxy Groups determination of whether a given proxy vote is to be deemed material and the associated security accordingly restricted from lending. The determination that a vote is material in the context of a Funds portfolio shall not mean that such vote is considered material across all Funds voting that meeting. In order to recall or restrict shares timely for material voting purposes, the Proxy Group shall use best efforts to consider, and when deemed appropriate, to act upon, such requests timely, and requests to review lending activity in connection with a potentially material vote may be initiated by any relevant Investment Professional and submitted for the Proxy Groups consideration at any time.
III. VOTING PROCEDURES
A. In all cases, the Adviser shall follow the voting procedures as set forth in the Procedures and Guidelines of the Fund on whose behalf the Adviser is exercising delegated authority to vote.
B. Routine Matters
The Agent shall be instructed to submit a vote in accordance with the Guidelines where such Guidelines provide a clear policy (e.g., For, Against, Withhold, or Abstain) on a proposal. However, the Agent shall be directed to refer any proxy proposal to the Proxy Coordinator for instructions as if it were a matter requiring case-by-case consideration under circumstances where the application of the Guidelines is unclear, it appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or an Investment Professional recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines.
C. Matters Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator where the Guidelines have noted case-by-case consideration.
Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent, the Proxy Coordinator may solicit additional research from the Agent, Investment Professional(s), as well as from any other source or service.
Except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation, the
Proxy Coordinator will forward the Agents analysis and recommendation and/or any research obtained from the Investment Professional(s), the Agent, or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent and/or Investment Professional(s), as it deems necessary.
1. Within-Guidelines Votes: Votes in Accordance with a Funds Guidelines and/or where applicable, Agent Recommendation
In the event the Proxy Group, and where applicable, any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, recommend a vote Within Guidelines, the Proxy Group will instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, to vote in this manner, except that the Proxy Coordinator shall follow any procedures established by a Funds Board with respect to recommendations received from an Investment Professional. Except as provided for herein, no Conflicts Report (as such term is defined herein) is required in connection with Within-Guidelines Votes.
2. Non-Votes: Votes in Which No Action is Taken
The Proxy Group may recommend that a Fund refrain from voting under circumstances including, but not limited to, the following: (1) if the economic effect on shareholders interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with fractional shares, securities no longer held in the portfolio of an ING Fund or proxies being considered on behalf of a Fund that is no longer in existence; or (2) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security. In such instances, the Proxy Group may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, not to vote such proxy. The Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions on parameters that would dictate a Non-Vote without the Proxy Groups review of a specific proxy.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the Funds, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a Funds related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.
Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agents recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for in the Funds Procedures.
3. Out-of-Guidelines Votes: Votes Contrary to Procedures and Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent, or Where Agents Recommendation is Conflicted
If the Proxy Group or where applicable, an Investment Professional, recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures and Guidelines are silent, or the Agents recommendation on a matter is deemed to be conflicted as provided for under these Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator will then implement the procedures for handling such votes as adopted by the Funds Board.
4. The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all recommendations from Investment Professionals to vote contrary to the Guidelines, all proxy questions that have been referred to a Funds Compliance Committee, and all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports and vote determinations.
IV. ASSESSMENT OF THE AGENT AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
In furtherance of the Advisers fiduciary duty to the Funds and their beneficial owners, the Advisers shall establish the following:
A. Assessment of the Agent
The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (1) is independent from the Advisers, (2) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (3) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Funds and their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy service. The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agents independence, competence, or impartiality.
Information provided in connection with assessment of the Agent shall be forwarded to a member of the mutual funds practice group of ING Investment Management (Counsel) for review. Counsel shall review such information and advise the Proxy Coordinator as to whether a material concern exists and if so, determine the most appropriate course of action to eliminate such concern.
B. Conflicts of Interest
The Advisers shall establish and maintain procedures to identify and address conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent. Upon the Advisers request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agents proxy analysis or recommendations. The Proxy Coordinator shall forward all such information to Counsel for review. Counsel shall review such information and provide the Proxy Coordinator with a brief statement regarding whether or not a material conflict of interest is present. Matters as to which a material conflict of interest is deemed to be present shall be handled as provided in the Funds Procedures and Guidelines.
In connection with their participation in the voting process for portfolio securities, each member of the Proxy Group, and each Investment Professional participating in the voting process, must act solely in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the applicable Fund. The members of the Proxy Group may not subordinate the interests of the Funds beneficial owners to unrelated objectives, including taking steps to reasonably insulate the voting process from any conflict of interest that may exist in connection with the Agents services or utilization thereof.
For all matters for which the Proxy Group or where applicable, an Investment Professional, recommends an Out-of-Guidelines Vote, or for which a recommendation contrary to that of the Agent or the Guidelines has been received from an Investment Professional, the Proxy Coordinator will implement the procedures for handling such votes as adopted by the Funds Board, including completion of such Conflicts Reports as may be required under the Funds Procedures. Completed Conflicts Reports should be provided to the Proxy Coordinator within two (2) business days and may be submitted to the Proxy Coordinator verbally, provided the Proxy Coordinator documents the Conflicts Report in writing. Such Conflicts Report should describe any known conflicts of either a business or personal nature, and set forth any contacts with respect to the referral item with non-investment personnel in its organization or with outside parties (except for routine communications from proxy solicitors). The Conflicts Report should also include written confirmation that any recommendation from an Investment Professional provided in connection with an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other consideration.
The Proxy Coordinator shall forward all Conflicts Reports to Counsel for review. Counsel shall review each report and provide the Proxy Coordinator with a brief
statement regarding whether or not a material conflict of interest is present. Matters as to which a material conflict of interest is deemed to be present shall be handled as provided in the Funds Procedures and Guidelines.
V. REPORTING AND RECORD RETENTION
The Adviser shall maintain the records required by Rule 204-2(c)(2), as may be amended from time to time, including the following: (1) A copy of each proxy statement received regarding a Funds portfolio securities. Such proxy statements received from issuers are available either in the SECs EDGAR database or are kept by the Agent and are available upon request. (2) A record of each vote cast on behalf of a Fund. (3) A copy of any document created by the Adviser that was material to making a decision how to vote a proxy, or that memorializes the basis for that decision. (4) A copy of written requests for Fund proxy voting information and any written response thereto or to any oral request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of a Fund. All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation will be retained for a minimum of six (6) years, the first two (2) years in the Advisers office.
APPENDIX 1
to the
Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures
Proxy Group for registered investment company clients of ING Investments, LLC, ING Investment Management Co. LLC and Directed Services LLC:
Name |
|
Title or Affiliation |
Stanley D. Vyner |
|
Chief Investment Risk Officer and Executive Vice President, ING Investments, LLC |
|
|
|
Todd Modic |
|
Senior Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC and ING Investments, LLC; and Chief Financial Officer of the ING Funds |
|
|
|
Maria Anderson |
|
Vice President of Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Karla J. Bos |
|
Proxy Coordinator for the ING Funds and Assistant Vice President Proxy Voting, ING Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Julius A. Drelick III, CFA |
|
Vice President, Platform Product Management and Project Management, ING Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Harley Eisner |
|
Vice President of Financial Analysis, ING Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Denise Lewis |
|
Vice President and Head of Fund Accounting and Financial Reporting, ING Funds Services, LLC |
Effective as of January 1, 2012
EXHIBIT 3
to the
ING Funds
Proxy Voting Procedures
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES OF THE ING FUNDS
I. INTRODUCTION
The following is a statement of the Proxy Voting Guidelines (Guidelines) that have been adopted by the respective Boards of Directors or Trustees of each Fund. Unless otherwise provided for herein, any defined term used herein shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Funds and Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures (the Procedures).
Proxies must be voted in the best interest of the Fund(s). The Guidelines summarize the Funds positions on various issues of concern to investors, and give a general indication of how Fund portfolio securities will be voted on proposals dealing with particular issues. The Guidelines are not exhaustive and do not include all potential voting issues.
The Advisers, in exercising their delegated authority, will abide by the Guidelines as outlined below with regard to the voting of proxies except as otherwise provided in the Procedures. In voting proxies, the Advisers are guided by general fiduciary principles. Each must act prudently, solely in the interest of the beneficial owners of the Funds it manages. The Advisers will not subordinate the interest of beneficial owners to unrelated objectives. Each Adviser will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will do the most to maximize shareholder value.
II. GUIDELINES
The following Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders of U.S. issuers: Board of Directors, Proxy Contests, Auditors, Proxy Contest Defenses, Tender Offer Defenses, Miscellaneous, Capital Structure, Executive and Director Compensation, State of Incorporation, Mergers and Corporate Restructurings, Mutual Fund Proxies, and Social and Environmental Issues. An additional section addresses proposals most frequently found in global proxies.
General Policies
These Guidelines apply to securities of publicly traded companies and to those of privately held companies if publicly available disclosure permits such application. All matters for which such disclosure is not available shall be considered CASE-BY-CASE.
In all cases receiving CASE-BY-CASE consideration, including cases not specifically provided for under these Guidelines, unless otherwise provided for under these Guidelines, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the recommendation provided by the Funds Agent, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a subsidiary of MSCI Inc.
Unless otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the Agents recommendation when such recommendation aligns with the recommendation of the relevant issuers management or management has made no recommendation. However, this policy shall not apply to CASE-BY-CASE proposals for which a contrary recommendation from the Investment Professional for the relevant Fund has been received and is to be utilized, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process required under the Procedures.
Recommendations from the Investment Professionals, while not required under the Procedures, may be submitted or requested in connection with any proposal and are likely to be requested with respect to proxies for private equity securities and/or proposals related to merger transactions/corporate restructurings, proxy contests, or unusual or controversial issues. Such input shall be given primary consideration with respect to CASE-BY-CASE proposals being considered on behalf of the relevant Fund, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process required under the Procedures.
Except as otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds not to support proposals that would impose a negative impact on existing rights of the Funds to the extent that any positive impact would not be deemed sufficient to outweigh removal or diminution of such rights.
The foregoing policies may be overridden in any case as provided for in the Procedures. Similarly, the Procedures provide that proposals whose Guidelines prescribe a firm voting position may instead be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when unusual or controversial circumstances so dictate.
Interpretation and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement, or other legal requirement to which an issuer may be or become subject. No proposal shall be supported whose implementation would contravene such requirements.
1. The Board of Directors
Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Unless otherwise provided for herein, the Agents standards with respect to determining director independence shall apply. These standards generally provide that, to be considered completely independent, a director shall have no material connection to the company other than the board seat.
Agreement with the Agents independence standards shall not dictate that a Funds vote shall be cast according to the Agents corresponding recommendation. Votes on director nominees not subject to specific policies described herein should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to lodge disagreement with an issuers policies or practices by withholding support from a proposal for the relevant policy or practice rather than the director nominee(s) to which the Agent assigns a correlation. Support shall be withheld from nominees deemed responsible for governance shortfalls, but if they are not standing for election (e.g., the board is classified), support shall generally not be withheld from others in their stead. When a determination is made to withhold support due to concerns other than those related to an individual directors independence or actions, responsibility may be attributed to the entire board, a committee, or an individual (such as the CEO or committee chair), taking into consideration whether the desired effect is to send a message or to remove the director from service.
Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote FOR nominees in connection with issues raised by the Agent if the nominee did not serve on the board or relevant committee during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.
WITHHOLD support from a nominee who, during both of the most recent two years, attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid reason for the absences. WITHHOLD support if two-year attendance cannot be ascertained from available disclosure. DO NOT WITHHOLD support in connection with attendance issues for nominees who have served on the board for less than the two most recent years.
Unless a company has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of its poison pill, WITHHOLD support from nominees responsible for implementing excessive anti-takeover measures, including failure to remove restrictive poison pill features or to ensure a pills expiration or timely submission to shareholders for vote. Rather than follow the Agents practice of withholding support from all incumbent nominees, responsibility will generally be assigned to the board chair or, if not standing for election, the lead director. If neither is standing for election, WITHHOLD support from all continuing directors.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to implement a majority-approved shareholder proposal. Vote FOR if the shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed. Proposals seeking shareholder ratification of a poison pill may be deemed reasonably addressed if the company has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the pill. WITHHOLD support if the shareholder proposal at issue is supported under these Guidelines and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to opt out of a state law requiring companies to implement a staggered board structure, generally withholding support when the company:
(1) Demonstrates sustained poor stock performance (measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns);
(2) Has a non-shareholder-approved poison pill in place, without provisions to redeem or seek approval in a reasonable period of time; and
(3) Maintains a dual class capital structure, imposes a supermajority vote requirement, or has authority to issue blank check preferred stock.
If the board has not acted upon negative votes (WITHHOLD or AGAINST, as applicable based on the issuers election standard) representing a majority of the votes cast at the previous annual meeting, consider board nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Generally, vote FOR nominees when:
(1) The issue relevant to the majority negative vote has been adequately addressed or cured, which may include disclosure of the boards rationale; or
(2) The Funds Guidelines or voting record do not support the relevant issue causing the majority negative vote.
If the above provisions have not been satisfied, generally WITHHOLD support from the chair of the nominating committee, or if not standing for election, consider CASE-BY-CASE.
WITHHOLD support from inside directors or affiliated outside directors who sit on the audit committee.
Vote FOR inside directors or affiliated outside directors who sit on the nominating or compensation committee, provided that such committee meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange.
Vote FOR inside directors or affiliated outside directors if the full board serves as the compensation or nominating committee OR has not created one or both committees, provided that the issuer is in compliance with all provisions of the listing exchange in connection with performance of relevant functions (e.g., performance of relevant functions by a majority of independent directors in lieu of the formation of a separate committee).
Compensation Practices:
It shall generally be the policy of the Funds that matters of compensation are best determined by an independent board and compensation committee. Votes on director nominees in connection with compensation practices should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and generally:
(1) Say on pay. If shareholders have been provided with an advisory vote on executive compensation (say on pay, or SOP), and practices not supported under these Guidelines have been identified, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to align with the Agent when a vote AGAINST the say on pay proposal has been recommended in lieu of withholding support from certain nominees for compensation concerns. Issuers receiving negative recommendations on both director nominees and say on pay
regarding issues not otherwise supported by these Guidelines will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(2) Say on pay responsiveness. Nominees opposed by the Agent for failure to sufficiently address compensation concerns evidenced by significant opposition to the most recent SOP vote will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the following:
a. If the most recent SOP vote received majority opposition, generally vote AGAINST the compensation committee chair if the company has not demonstrated an adequate level of responsiveness.
b. If the most recent SOP vote passed but received significant opposition, generally vote FOR the nominee(s) if a Fund voted FOR that SOP proposal or did not have voting rights on that proposal. If a Fund voted AGAINST the SOP proposal and the company has not demonstrated an adequate level of responsiveness, generally vote AGAINST the compensation committee chair.
c. If the compensation committee chair is not standing for election under circumstances meriting the chairs opposition, consider the other nominee(s) opposed by the Agent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(3) Say on frequency. Nominees opposed by the Agent because they have implemented an SOP schedule that is less frequent than the frequency most recently preferred by at least a plurality of shareholders will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(4) Tenure. Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR nominees who did not serve on the compensation committee, or board, as applicable based on the Agents analysis, during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.
(5) Pay for performance. Consider nominees receiving an adverse recommendation from the Agent CASE-BY-CASE when the Agent has identified a pay practice (or combination of practices) not otherwise supported under these Guidelines that appears to have created a misalignment between CEO pay and performance with regard to shareholder value. Generally vote FOR nominees if the company has provided a reasonable rationale regarding pay and performance, or has demonstrated that they are reasonably correlated. Generally WITHHOLD support from nominees for structuring compensation packages that unreasonably insulate pay from performance conditions.
(6) Pay disparity. Generally DO NOT WITHHOLD support from director nominees solely due to internal pay disparity as assessed by the Agent, but consider pay magnitude concerns on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(7) Change in control provisions. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with overly liberal change in control provisions, including those lacking a double trigger, vote FOR such nominees if mitigating provisions or board actions (e.g., clawbacks) are present, but generally WITHHOLD support if they are not. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with potential change in control payments or tax-gross-ups on change in control payments, vote FOR the nominees if the amount appears reasonable and no material governance concerns exist. Generally WITHHOLD support if the amount is so significant (individually or collectively) as to potentially influence an executives decision to enter into a transaction or to effectively act as a poison pill.
(8) Repricing. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with their failure to seek, or acknowledge, a shareholder vote on plans to reprice, replace, buy back, or exchange options, generally WITHHOLD support from such nominees, except that cancellation of options would not be considered an exchange unless the cancelled options were regranted or expressly returned to the plan reserve for reissuance.
(9) Tax benefits. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees that have approved compensation that is ineligible for tax benefits to the company (e.g., under Section 162(m) of OBRA), vote FOR such nominees if the company has provided an adequate rationale or the plan itself is being put to shareholder vote at the same meeting. If the plan is up for vote, the provisions under Section 8., OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals, shall apply.
(10) Director perquisites. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with director compensation in the form of perquisites, generally vote FOR the nominees if the cost is reasonable in the context of the directors total compensation and the perquisites themselves appear reasonable given their purpose, the directors duties, and the companys line of business.
(11) Incentive plans. Generally WITHHOLD support from nominees in connection with long-term incentive plans, or total executive compensation packages, inadequately aligned with shareholders because they are overly cash-based/lack an appropriate equity component, except that such cases will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions. Generally consider nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis in connection with short-term incentive plans over which the nominee has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items, and WITHHOLD support if treatment of such items has been inconsistent (e.g., exclusion of losses but not gains).
(12) Options backdating. If the Agent has raised issues of options backdating, consider members of the compensation committee, or board, as applicable, as well as company executives nominated as directors, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
(13) Independence from management. Generally WITHHOLD support from nominees cited by the Agent for permitting named executives to have excessive input into setting their own compensation.
(14) Multiple concerns. If the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with other compensation practices such as tax gross-ups, perquisites, retention or recruitment provisions (including contract length or renewal provisions), guaranteed awards, pensions/SERPs, or severance or termination arrangements, vote FOR such nominees if the issuer has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure, factoring in any overall adjustments or reductions to the compensation package at issue. Generally DO NOT WITHHOLD support solely due to any single such practice if the total compensation appears reasonable, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis compensation packages representing a combination of such provisions and deemed by the Agent to be excessive.
(15) Commitments. Generally, vote FOR nominees receiving an adverse recommendation from the Agent due to problematic pay practices if the issuer makes a public
commitment (e.g., via a Form 8-K filing) to rectify the practice on a going-forward basis.
(16) Other. If the Agent has raised other considerations regarding poor compensation practices, consider nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Accounting Practices:
(1) Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR independent outside director nominees serving on the audit committee.
(2) Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote FOR nominees serving on the audit committee, or the companys CEO or CFO if nominated as directors, who did not serve on that committee or have responsibility over the relevant financial function, as applicable, during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.
(3) If the Agent has raised concerns regarding poor accounting practices, consider the companys CEO and CFO, if nominated as directors, and nominees serving on the audit committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Generally vote FOR nominees if the company has taken adequate steps to remediate the concerns cited, which would typically include removing or replacing the responsible executives, and if the concerns are not re-occurring and/or the company has not yet had a full year to remediate the concerns since the time they were identified.
(4) If total non-audit fees exceed the total of audit fees, audit-related fees, and tax compliance and preparation fees, the provisions under Section 3., Auditor Ratification, shall apply.
Board Independence:
It shall generally be the policy of the Funds that a board should be majority independent and therefore to consider inside director or affiliated outside director nominees when the full board is not majority independent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Generally:
(1) WITHHOLD support from the fewest directors whose removal would achieve majority independence across the remaining board, except that support may be withheld from additional nominees whose relative level of independence cannot be differentiated.
(2) WITHHOLD support from all non-independent nominees, including the founder, chairman or CEO, if the number required to achieve majority independence is equal to or greater than the number of non-independent nominees.
(3) Except as provided above, vote FOR non-independent nominees in the role of CEO, and when appropriate, founder or chairman, and determine support for other non-independent nominees based on the qualifications and contributions of the nominee as well as the Funds voting precedent for assessing relative independence to management, e.g., insiders holding senior executive positions are deemed less independent than affiliated outsiders with a transactional or advisory relationship to the company, and affiliated outsiders with a material transactional or advisory relationship are deemed less independent than those with lesser relationships.
(4) Non-voting directors (e.g., director emeritus or advisory director) shall be excluded from calculations with respect to majority board independence.
(5) When conditions contributing to a lack of majority independence remain substantially similar to those in the previous year, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote on nominees in a manner consistent with votes cast by the Fund(s) in the previous year.
Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to over-boarding issues raised by the Agent unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised.
Generally, when the Agent recommends withholding support due to assessment that a nominee acted in bad faith or against shareholder interests in connection with a major transaction, such as a merger or acquisition, or if the Agent recommends withholding support due to other material failures or egregious actions, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the merits of the nominees performance and rationale and disclosure provided. If the Agent cites concerns regarding actions in connection with a candidates service on another board, vote FOR the nominee if the issuer has provided adequate rationale regarding the appropriateness of the nominee to serve on the board under consideration.
Performance Test for Directors
Consider nominees failing the Agents performance test, which includes market-based and operating performance measures, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund shall be given primary consideration with respect to such proposals.
Support will generally be WITHHELD from nominees receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to sustained poor stock performance (measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns) combined with multiple takeover defenses/entrenchment devices if the issuer:
(1) Is a controlled company or has a non-shareholder-approved poison pill in place, without provisions to redeem or seek approval in a reasonable period of time; and
(2) Maintains a dual class capital structure, imposes a supermajority vote requirement, or has authority to issue blank check preferred stock.
Nominees receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to sustained poor stock performance combined with other takeover defenses/entrenchment devices will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Proposals Regarding Board Composition or Board Service
Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to impose new board structures or policies, including those requiring that the positions of chairman and CEO be held separately, but vote FOR proposals in connection with a binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer has or reasonably may expect to become subject, and consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the board is not majority independent or corporate governance concerns have been identified. Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR management proposals to adopt or amend board structures or policies, except consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the board is not majority independent, corporate governance concerns have been identified, or the proposal may result in a material reduction in shareholders rights.
Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals:
· Asking that more than a simple majority of directors be independent.
· Asking that the independence of the compensation and/or nominating committees be greater than that required by the listing exchange.
· Limiting the number of public company boards on which a director may serve.
· Seeking to redefine director independence or directors specific roles (e.g., responsibilities of the lead director).
· Requesting creation of additional board committees or offices, except as otherwise provided for herein.
· Limiting the tenure of outside directors or imposing a mandatory retirement age for outside directors (unless the proposal seeks to relax existing standards), but generally vote FOR management proposals in this regard.
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek creation of an audit, compensation, or nominating committee of the board, unless the committee in question is already in existence or the issuer has availed itself of an applicable exemption of the listing exchange (e.g., performance of relevant functions by a majority of independent directors in lieu of the formation of a separate committee).
Stock Ownership Requirements
Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
Proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, using Delaware law as the standard. Vote AGAINST proposals to limit or eliminate entirely directors and officers liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care. Vote AGAINST indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness. Vote FOR only those proposals providing such expanded coverage in cases when a directors or officers legal defense was unsuccessful if:
(1) The director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company; and
(2) Only if the directors legal expenses would be covered.
2. Proxy Contests
These proposals should generally be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund shall be given primary consideration with respect to proposals in connection with proxy contests being considered on behalf of that Fund.
Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections
Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Voting to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses should be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR if associated nominees are also supported.
3. Auditors
Ratifying Auditors
Generally, except in cases of poor accounting practices or high non-audit fees, vote FOR management proposals to ratify auditors. Consider management proposals to ratify auditors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent cites poor accounting practices. If fees for non-audit services exceed 50 percent of total auditor fees as described below, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, voting AGAINST management proposals to ratify auditors only if concerns exist that remuneration for the non-audit work is so lucrative as to taint the auditors independence. For purposes of this review, fees deemed to be reasonable, generally non-recurring exceptions to the non-audit fee category (e.g., those related to an IPO) shall be excluded. Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals asking the issuer to present its auditor annually for ratification.
Auditor Independence
Generally, consider shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services (or capping the level of non-audit services) on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Audit Firm Rotation
Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals asking for mandatory audit firm rotation.
4. Proxy Contest Defenses
Presentation of management and shareholder proposals on the same matter on the same agenda shall not require a Fund to vote FOR one and AGAINST the other.
Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board or otherwise restrict shareholders ability to vote upon directors and FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.
Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.
Generally, vote FOR proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.
Generally, vote FOR proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.
Cumulative Voting
If the company is controlled or maintains a classified board of directors or a dual class voting structure, generally, vote AGAINST management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting (except that such proposals may be supported irrespective of classification in furtherance of an issuers plan to declassify its board or adopt a majority voting standard), and vote FOR shareholder proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting.
Time-Phased Voting
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to implement, and FOR proposals to eliminate, time-phased or other forms of voting that do not promote a one share, one vote standard.
Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings when either (1) the company does not currently permit shareholders to do so or (2) the existing ownership threshold is greater than 25 percent.
Consider management proposals to permit shareholders to call special meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR such proposals not opposed by the Agent. Generally vote FOR such proposals if the Agents sole concern relates to a net-long position requirement.
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the issuer:
(1) Permits shareholders to call special meetings;
(2) Does not impose supermajority vote requirements; and
(3) Has otherwise demonstrated its accountability to shareholders (e.g., the company has reasonably addressed majority-supported shareholder proposals).
Consider management proposals to eliminate the right to act by written consent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR if the above conditions are present.
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the above conditions are not present.
Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board
Generally, vote FOR proposals that seek to fix the size of the board or designate a range for its size.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.
5. Tender Offer Defenses
Poison Pills
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification, or to redeem its pill in lieu thereof, unless (1) shareholders have approved adoption of the plan, (2) a policy has already been implemented by the company that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the pill, or (3) the board had determined that it was in
the best interest of shareholders to adopt a pill without delay, provided that such plan would be put to shareholder vote within twelve months of adoption or expire, and if not approved by a majority of the votes cast, would immediately terminate.
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals to redeem a companys poison pill.
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals to approve or ratify a poison pill or any plan or charter amendment (e.g., investment restrictions) that can reasonably be construed as an anti-takeover measure, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals, considering factors such as rationale, trigger level, and sunset provisions. Votes will generally be cast in a manner that seeks to preserve shareholder value and the right to consider a valid offer, voting AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities that do not meet the Agents standards.
Fair Price Provisions
Vote proposals to adopt fair price provisions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Generally, vote AGAINST fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.
Greenmail
Generally, vote FOR proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a companys ability to make greenmail payments.
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.
Pale Greenmail
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis restructuring plans that involve the payment of pale greenmail.
Unequal Voting Rights
Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote AGAINST dual-class exchange offers and dual-class recapitalizations.
Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote and FOR management or shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements, unless, for companies with shareholder(s) with significant ownership levels, the Agent recommends retention of existing supermajority requirements in order to protect minority shareholder interests.
White Squire Placements
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes.
6. Miscellaneous
Amendments to Corporate Documents
Except to align with legislative or regulatory changes or when support is recommended by the Agent or Investment Professional (including, for example, as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger), generally, vote AGAINST proposals seeking to remove shareholder approval requirements or otherwise remove or diminish shareholder rights, e.g., by (1) adding restrictive provisions, (2) removing provisions or moving them to portions of the charter not requiring shareholder approval, or (3) in corporate structures such as holding companies, removing provisions in an active subsidiarys charter that provide voting rights to parent company shareholders. This policy would also generally apply to proposals seeking approval of corporate agreements or amendments to such agreements that the Agent recommends AGAINST because a similar reduction in shareholder rights is requested.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals for charter amendments that support board entrenchment or may be used as an anti-takeover device (or to further anti-takeover conditions), particularly if the proposal is bundled or the board is classified.
Generally, vote FOR proposals seeking charter or bylaw amendments to remove anti-takeover provisions.
Consider proposals seeking charter or bylaw amendments not addressed under these Guidelines on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Confidential Voting
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that request companies to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators, and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows:
· In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy.
· If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place.
· If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.
Generally, vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.
Proxy Access
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to provide shareholders with access to managements proxy material in order to nominate their own candidates(s) to the board.
Majority Voting Standard
Except as otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to extend discretion to issuers to determine when it may be appropriate to adopt a majority voting standard. Generally, vote FOR management proposals, provided the proposal contains a plurality carve-out for contested elections, but AGAINST shareholder proposals unless also supported by management, seeking election of directors by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast in connection with a meeting of shareholders, including amendments to corporate documents or other actions in furtherance of a majority standard, and provided such standard does not conflict with state law in which the company is incorporated. For issuers with a history of significant corporate governance concerns, consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Bundled Proposals
Except as otherwise provided for herein, review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis bundled or conditioned proxy proposals, generally voting AGAINST bundled proposals containing one or more items not supported under these Guidelines if the Agent or an Investment Professional deems the negative impact, on balance, to outweigh any positive impact.
Shareholder Advisory Committees
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee.
Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred
Voting to reimburse expenses incurred in connection with shareholder proposals should be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Other Business
In connection with proxies of U.S. issuers (e.g., those filing a DEF 14A and considered domestic by the Agent), generally vote FOR management proposals for Other Business, except when the primary proposal is not supported by a Fund or in connection with a proxy contest in which a Fund is not voting in support of management.
Quorum Requirements
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to lower quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding.
Advance Notice for Shareholder Proposals
Generally, vote FOR management proposals related to advance notice period requirements, provided that the period requested is in accordance with applicable law and no material governance concerns have been identified in connection with the issuer.
Multiple Proposals
Multiple proposals of a similar nature presented as options to the course of action favored by management may all be voted FOR, provided that support for a single proposal is not operationally required, no one proposal is deemed superior in the interest of the Fund(s), and each proposal would otherwise be supported under these Guidelines.
7. Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Review proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Except where otherwise indicated, the Agents proprietary approach of determining appropriate thresholds and, for requests above such allowable threshold, applying a company-specific, qualitative review (e.g., considering rationale and prudent historical usage), will generally be utilized in evaluating such proposals.
Generally, vote FOR:
· Proposals to authorize capital increases within the Agents allowable thresholds or those in excess but meeting Agents qualitative standards, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis those requests failing the Agents review for proposals in connection with which a contrary recommendation from the Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized (e.g., in support of a merger or acquisition proposal).
· Proposals to authorize capital increases within the Agents allowable thresholds or those in excess but meeting Agents qualitative standards, unless the company states that the stock may be used as a takeover defense. In those cases, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if a contrary recommendation from the Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized.
· Proposals to authorize capital increases exceeding the Agents thresholds when a companys shares are in danger of being delisted or if a companys ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.
Generally, vote AGAINST:
· Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of a class of stock if the issuance which the increase is intended to service is not supported under these Guidelines.
· Nonspecific proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board.
Consider management proposals to make changes to the capital structure not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines CASE-BY-CASE, generally voting with the Agents recommendation unless a contrary recommendation has been received from the Investment Professional for the relevant Fund and is to be utilized.
Dual Class Capital Structures
Generally, vote AGAINST:
· Proposals to create or perpetuate dual class capital structures unless supported by the Agent (e.g., to avert bankruptcy or generate non-dilutive financing, and not designed to increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder).
· Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights in companies that have dual class capital structures.
However, consider such proposals CASE-BY-CASE if (1) bundled with favorable proposal(s), (2) approval of such proposal(s) is a condition of such favorable proposal(s), or (3) part of a recapitalization for which support is recommended by the Agent or an Investment Professional.
Consider management proposals to eliminate or make changes to dual class capital structures CASE-BY-CASE, generally voting with the Agents recommendation unless a contrary recommendation has been received from the Investment Professional for the relevant Fund and is to be utilized.
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to eliminate dual class capital structures unless the relevant Fund owns a class with superior voting rights.
Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends
Generally, vote FOR management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares falls within the Agents allowable
thresholds, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis those proposals exceeding the Agents threshold for proposals in connection with which a contrary recommendation from the Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized.
Reverse Stock Splits
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals to implement a reverse stock split. In the event the split constitutes a capital increase effectively exceeding the Agents allowable threshold because the request does not proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized, consider managements rationale and/or disclosure, generally voting FOR, but generally not supporting additional requests for capital increases on the same agenda.
Preferred Stock
Review proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and except where otherwise indicated, generally utilize the Agents approach for evaluating such proposals. This approach incorporates both qualitative and quantitative measures, including a review of past performance (e.g., board governance, shareholder returns and historical share usage) and the current request (e.g., rationale, whether shares are blank check and declawed, and dilutive impact as determined through the Agents proprietary model for assessing appropriate thresholds).
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the issuance of preferred stock or creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (blank check preferred stock), but vote FOR if the Agent or an Investment Professional so recommends because the issuance is required to effect a merger or acquisition proposal.
Generally, vote FOR proposals to issue or create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense. Generally vote AGAINST in cases where the company expressly states that, or fails to disclose whether, the stock may be used as a takeover defense, but vote FOR if the Agent or an Investment Professional so recommends because the issuance is required to address special circumstances such as a merger or acquisition.
Generally, vote FOR proposals to authorize or issue preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred shares after analyzing the number of preferred shares available for issue given a companys industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
Shareholder Proposals Regarding Blank Check Preferred Stock
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to have blank check preferred stock placements, other than those shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business, submitted for shareholder ratification.
Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock
Generally, vote FOR management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.
Preemptive Rights
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals that seek preemptive rights or management proposals that seek to eliminate them. In evaluating proposals on preemptive rights, consider the size of a company and the characteristics of its shareholder base.
Debt Restructurings
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan.
Share Repurchase Programs
Generally, vote FOR management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms, but vote AGAINST plans with terms favoring selected parties.
Generally, vote FOR management proposals to cancel repurchased shares.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals for share repurchase methods lacking adequate risk mitigation or exceeding appropriate volume or duration parameters for the market.
Consider shareholder proposals seeking share repurchase programs on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund to be given primary consideration.
Tracking Stock
Votes on the creation of tracking stock are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
8. Executive and Director Compensation
Except as otherwise provided for herein, votes with respect to compensation and employee benefit plans should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such plans, which includes determination of costs and comparison to an allowable cap.
· Generally, vote in accordance with the Agents recommendations FOR equity-based plans with costs within such cap and AGAINST those with costs in excess of it, except that plans above the cap may be supported if so recommended by the Agent or Investment Professional as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger.
· Generally, vote AGAINST plans if the Agent suggests cost or dilution assessment may not be possible due to the method of disclosing shares allocated to the plan(s), except that such concerns arising in connection with evergreen provisions shall be considered CASE-BY-CASE, voted FOR if the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the plan as a whole.
· Generally, vote FOR plans with costs within the cap if the primary concerns raised by the Agent pertain to matters that would not result in a negative vote under these Guidelines on a management say on pay proposal or the relevant board or committee member(s).
· Generally, vote AGAINST plans administered by potential grant recipients.
· Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate existing shareholder approval requirements for material plan changes, unless the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the requested changes.
· Generally vote AGAINST long-term incentive plans that are inadequately aligned with shareholders because they lack an appropriate equity component, except that such cases will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions.
· Generally, vote AGAINST plans that contain an overly liberal change in control definition (e.g., does not result in actual change in control).
· Consider plans CASE-BY-CASE if the Agent raises other considerations not otherwise provided for herein.
Restricted Stock or Stock Option Plans
Consider proposals for restricted stock or stock option plans, or the issuance of shares in connection with such plans, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering factors such as level of disclosure and adequacy of vesting or performance requirements. Plans that do not meet the Agents criteria in this regard may be supported, but vote AGAINST if no disclosure is provided regarding either vesting or performance requirements.
Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals seeking approval to reprice, replace, or exchange options, considering factors such as rationale, historic trading patterns, value-for-value exchange, vesting periods, and replacement option terms. Generally, vote FOR proposals that meet the Agents criteria for acceptable repricing, replacement, or exchange transactions. Generally, vote AGAINST compensation plans that (1) permit or may permit (e.g., history of repricing and no express prohibition against future repricing) repricing of stock options, or any form or alternative to repricing, without shareholder approval, (2) include provisions that permit repricing, replacement, or exchange transactions that do not meet the Agents criteria, or (3) give the board sole discretion to approve option repricing, replacement, or exchange programs.
Director Compensation
Votes on stock-based plans for directors are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents quantitative approach described above as well as a review of qualitative features of the plan when costs exceed the Agents threshold.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Votes on employee stock purchase plans, and capital issuances in support of such plans, should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such plans, except that negative recommendations by the Agent due to evergreen provisions will be reviewed CASE-BY-CASE, voted FOR if the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the plan as a whole.
OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals
Votes on plans intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA should be evaluated irrespective of the Agents assessment of board independence, provided that the board meets the independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange and no potential recipient under the plan(s) sits on the committee that exercises discretion over the related compensation awards. Unless the issuer has provided a compelling rationale, generally vote with the Agents recommendations AGAINST plans that include practices or features not supported under these Guidelines or deliver excessive compensation that fails to qualify for favorable tax treatment.
Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grants or Amend Administrative Features
Generally, vote FOR plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.
Amendments to Add Performance-Based Goals
Generally, vote FOR amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA, unless they are clearly inappropriate.
Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA
Votes on amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR such plans that do not raise any negative concerns under these Guidelines.
Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans
Generally, vote FOR cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA, with primary consideration given to managements assessment that such plan meets the requirements for exemption of performance-based compensation.
Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay
Regarding the remuneration of individuals other than senior executives and directors, generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that seek to expand or restrict disclosure or require shareholder approval beyond regulatory requirements and market practice. Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that seek disclosure of executive or director compensation if providing it would be out of step with market practice and disruptive to the business.
Unless evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices, and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that seek to impose new compensation structures or policies.
Severance and Termination Payments
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to have parachute arrangements submitted for shareholder ratification (with parachutes defined as compensation arrangements related to termination that specify change in control events) and provided that the proposal does not include unduly restrictive or arbitrary provisions such as advance approval requirements.
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking double triggers on change in control awards.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals to submit executive severance agreements for shareholder ratification, if such proposals specify change in control events, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, or deferred executive compensation plans, or if ratification is required by the listing exchange.
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all proposals to approve, ratify, or cancel executive severance or termination arrangements, including those related to executive recruitment or retention. Generally vote FOR such compensation arrangements if:
(1) The primary concerns raised by the Agent would not result in a negative vote under these Guidelines on a management say on pay proposal or the relevant board or committee member(s);
(2) The issuer has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure; or
(3) Support is recommended by the Agent or Investment Professional (e.g., as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger).
However, vote in accordance with the Agents recommendations AGAINST new or materially amended plans, contracts or payments that include single trigger change in control provisions or do not require an actual change in control in order to be triggered, except that plans, contracts or payments with single triggers may be supported if mitigating provisions or board actions (e.g., clawbacks) are present.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
Generally, vote FOR proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).
401(k) Employee Benefit Plans
Generally, vote FOR proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.
Holding Periods
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals requiring mandatory periods for officers and directors to hold company stock.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Generally, management proposals seeking ratification of the companys compensation program will be voted FOR unless the program includes practices or features not supported under these Guidelines (including those referenced under Section 1., The Board of Directors, Compensation Practices) and the proposal receives a negative recommendation from the Agent. Unless otherwise provided for herein, proposals not receiving the Agents support due to concerns
regarding incentive structures, severance/termination payments, or vesting or performance criteria not otherwise supported by these Guidelines will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in whether the issuer has made improvements to its overall compensation program and generally voting FOR if the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the matter(s) under consideration. For say on pay proposals not supported by the Agent and referencing incentive plan concerns:
(1) Long-term incentive plans: Proposals will be voted AGAINST if they cite long-term incentive plans that are inadequately aligned with shareholders because they are overly cash-based or lack an appropriate equity component, except that such cases will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions.
(2) Short-term incentive plans: Proposals will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if they cite short-term incentive plans over which the board has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items, and voted AGAINST if treatment of such items has been inconsistent (e.g., exclusion of losses but not gains).
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals when named executives have material input into setting their own compensation.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals presented by issuers subject to Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) provisions if there is inadequate discussion of the process for ensuring that incentive compensation does not encourage excessive risk-taking.
Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation
Generally, support proposals seeking an annual say on pay and oppose those seeking a less frequent say on pay.
9. State of Incorporation
Voting on State Takeover Statutes
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).
Voting on Reincorporation Proposals
Proposals to change a companys state of incorporation should be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally supporting management proposals not assessed as a potential takeover defense, but if so assessed, weighing managements rationale for the change. Generally, vote FOR management reincorporation proposals upon which another key proposal, such as a merger transaction, is contingent if the other key proposal is also supported. Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder reincorporation proposals not also supported by the company.
10. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund shall be given primary consideration with respect to proposals regarding business combinations, particularly those between otherwise unaffiliated parties, or other corporate restructurings being considered on behalf of that Fund.
Generally, vote FOR a proposal not typically supported under these Guidelines if a key proposal, such as a merger transaction, is contingent upon its support and a vote FOR is accordingly recommended by the Agent or an Investment Professional.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals if no input is provided by the relevant Investment Professional.
Corporate Restructurings
Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including demergers, minority squeezeouts, leveraged buyouts, spinoffs, liquidations, dispositions, divestitures, and asset sales, should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals if no input is provided by the relevant Investment Professional.
Adjournment
Generally, vote FOR proposals to adjourn a meeting to provide additional time for vote solicitation when the primary proposal is also voted FOR.
Appraisal Rights
Generally, vote FOR proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.
Changing Corporate Name
Generally, vote FOR changing the corporate name.
11. Mutual Fund Proxies
Approving New Classes or Series of Shares
Generally, vote FOR the establishment of new classes or series of shares.
Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Sub-advisers Without Shareholder Approval
Generally, vote FOR these proposals.
Master-Feeder Structure
Generally, vote FOR the establishment of a master-feeder structure.
Establish Director Ownership Requirement
Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals for the establishment of a director ownership requirement.
The matters below should be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:
· Election of Directors
· Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund
· Proxy Contests
· Investment Advisory Agreements
· Preferred Stock Proposals
· 1940 Act Policies
· Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction
· Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental
· Name Rule Proposals
· Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation
· Changes to the Charter Document
· Changing the Domicile of a Fund
· Change in Funds Subclassification
· Distribution Agreements
· Mergers
· Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred
· Terminate the Investment Adviser
12. Social and Environmental Issues
Boards of directors and company management are responsible for guiding the corporation in connection with matters that are most often the subject of shareholder proposals on social and environmental issues: ensuring that the companies they oversee comply with applicable legal, regulatory and ethical standards, effectively managing risk, and assessing and addressing matters that may have a financial impact on shareholder value. The Funds will generally vote in accordance with the boards recommendation on such proposals unless it appears both that the stewardship noted above has fallen short and the issue is material to the company. The former may be evidenced by the companys failure to align its actions and disclosure with market practice and that of its peers, or the companys having been subject to significant controversies, litigation, fines, or penalties in connection with the relevant issue. Such instances will be considered CASE-BY-CASE. The Funds will generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to dictate corporate conduct, impose excessive costs or restrictions, duplicate policies already substantially in place, or release information that would not help a shareholder evaluate an investment in the corporation as an economic matter.
13. Global Proxies
Companies incorporated outside the U.S. shall generally be subject to the foregoing U.S. Guidelines if they are listed on a U.S. exchange and treated as a U.S. domestic issuer by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Where applicable and not provided for otherwise herein, certain U.S. Guidelines may also be applied to companies incorporated outside the U.S., e.g., companies with a significant base of U.S. operations and employees. However, the following provide for differing regulatory and legal requirements, market practices, and political and economic systems existing in various global markets.
Unless otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote AGAINST global proxy proposals when the Agent recommends voting AGAINST such proposal because relevant disclosure by the issuer, or the time provided for consideration of such disclosure, is inadequate. For purposes of these global Guidelines, AGAINST shall mean withholding of support for a proposal, resulting in submission of a vote of AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate for the given market and level of concern raised by the Agent regarding the issue or lack of disclosure or time provided.
In connection with practices described herein that are associated with a firm AGAINST vote, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to consider them on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent recommends their support (1) as the issuer or market transitions to better practices (e.g., having committed to new regulations or governance codes) or (2) as the more favorable choice when shareholders must choose between alternate proposals.
Routine Management Proposals
Generally, vote FOR the following and other similar routine management proposals:
· the opening of the shareholder meeting
· that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements
· the presence of quorum
· the agenda for the shareholder meeting
· the election of the chair of the meeting
· the appointment of shareholders to co-sign the minutes of the meeting
· regulatory filings (e.g., to effect approved share issuances)
· the designation of inspector or shareholder representative(s) of minutes of meeting
· the designation of two shareholders to approve and sign minutes of meeting
· the allowance of questions
· the publication of minutes
· the closing of the shareholder meeting
Consider proposals seeking authority to call shareholder meetings on less than 21 days notice on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to consider whether the issuer has provided clear disclosure of its compliance with any hurdle conditions for the authority imposed by applicable law and has historically limited it use of such authority to time-sensitive matters.
Discharge of Management/Supervisory Board Members
Generally, vote FOR management proposals seeking the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless the Agent recommends AGAINST due to concern about the
past actions of the companys auditors or directors or legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders, including when the proposal is bundled. Generally do not withhold support from such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as a means of expressing disapproval of broader practices of the issuer or its board.
Director Elections
Unless otherwise provided for herein, the Agents standards with respect to determining director independence shall apply. These standards generally provide that, to be considered completely independent, a director shall have no material connection to the company other than the board seat.
Agreement with the Agents independence standards shall not dictate that a Funds vote shall be cast according to the Agents corresponding recommendation. Further, unless otherwise provided for herein, the application of Guidelines in connection with such standards shall apply only when the nominees level of independence can be ascertained based on available disclosure. These policies generally apply to director nominees in uncontested elections; votes in contested elections, and votes on director nominees not subject to policies described herein, should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration in contested elections given to input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund.
For issuers domiciled in Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, or tax haven markets, generally vote AGAINST non-independent directors when the full board serves as the audit committee, or the company does not have an audit committee.
For issuers in all markets, vote AGAINST non-independent nominees to the audit committee, as well as bundled slates including such nominees, unless the Agent otherwise recommends support (e.g., due to market practices or requirements). If the slate is bundled and audit committee membership is unclear or proposed as a separate agenda item, vote FOR if the Agent otherwise recommends support. For Canadian issuers, the Funds U.S. Guidelines with respect to audit committees shall apply; in addition, nominees (or slates of nominees) will be voted AGAINST if they do not comply with regulatory requirements to disclose audit fees broken down by category.
Negative recommendations from the Agent on slate ballots of nominees at Canadian issuers will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the board is classified or the Agent cites other concerns not otherwise supported by these Guidelines, generally voting AGAINST when concerns relate to dual class capital structures or other anti-takeover/entrenchment devices.
Generally, vote FOR non-independent directors when the full board serves as the compensation or nominating committee, or the company does not have a compensation or nominating committee, if the board meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange. Vote FOR non-independent directors who sit on the compensation or nominating committees if such committee meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange.
Generally follow the Agents recommendations to vote AGAINST individuals nominated as outside/non-executive directors who do not meet the Agents standard for independence, unless the slate of nominees is bundled, in which case the proposal(s) to elect board members shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
For issuers in tax haven markets, generally withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from bundled slates of nominees if the board is not majority independent. For issuers in Canada and other global markets, generally follow the Agents standards for withholding support from bundled slates or non-independent directors (typically excluding the CEO), as applicable, if the board does not meet the Agents independence standards or the boards independence cannot be ascertained due to inadequate disclosure.
For issuers in Japan, generally follow the Agents recommendations in furtherance of greater board independence and minority shareholder protections, including:
· At companies with controlling shareholders, if the board after the shareholder meeting does not include at least two directors deemed independent under the Agents standards, generally vote AGAINST reelection of top executives.
· At companies with a three-committee structure, generally vote AGAINST (1) outside director nominees not deemed independent under the Agents standards if the board after the shareholder meeting is not majority independent and (2) non-independent directors on the nominating committee if the board does not include at least two directors deemed independent under the Agents standards.
· At all companies, effective in 2013, vote AGAINST the top executive if the board does not include at least one outside director.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to implement a majority-approved shareholder proposal. Vote FOR if the shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed. Vote AGAINST if the shareholder proposal is supported under these Guidelines and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.
Generally, withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from nominees or slates of nominees presented in a manner not aligned with market practice and/or legislation, including:
· Bundled slates of nominees (e.g., France, Hong Kong, or Spain);
· Simultaneous reappointment of retiring directors (e.g., South Africa);
· In markets with term lengths capped by legislation or market practice, nominees whose terms exceed the caps or are not disclosed (except that bundled slates with such lack of disclosure shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis); or
· Nominees whose names are not disclosed in advance of the meeting (e.g., Austria, Philippines, Hong Kong, or South Africa) or far enough in advance relative to voting deadlines (e.g., Italy) to make an informed voting decision.
Such criteria will not generally provide grounds for withholding support in countries in which they may be identified as best practice but such legislation or market practice is not yet
applicable, unless specific governance shortfalls identified by the Agent (e.g., director terms longer than four years) indicate diminished accountability to shareholders and so dictate that less latitude should be extended to the issuer.
Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to recommendations that the position of chairman should be separate from that of CEO or otherwise required to be independent, unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised. The latter would include former CEOs proposed as board chairmen in markets such as the United Kingdom for which best practice and the Agent recommend against such practice.
When cumulative or net voting applies, generally vote with the Agents recommendation to support nominees asserted by the issuer to be independent, irrespective of audit committee membership, even if independence disclosure or criteria fall short of Agents standards.
Consider nominees for whom the Agent has raised concerns regarding scandals or internal controls on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally withholding support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from nominees or slates of nominees when:
· The scandal or shortfall in controls took place at the company, or an affiliate, for which the nominee is being considered;
· Culpability can be attributed to the nominee (e.g., nominee manages or audits the relevant function); and
· The nominee has been directly implicated, with resulting arrest and criminal charge or regulatory sanction.
Consider non-independent nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the Agent has raised concerns regarding diminished shareholder value as evidenced by a significant drop in share price, generally voting with Agents recommendation AGAINST such nominees when few, if any, outside directors are present on the board and:
· The founding family has retained undue influence over the company despite a history of scandal or problematic controls;
· The nominees have engaged in protectionist activities such as introduction of a poison pill or preferential and/or dilutive share issuances; or
· Evidence exists regarding compliance or accounting shortfalls.
If the Agent recommends withholding support due to other material failures or egregious actions, the Funds U.S. Guidelines with respect to such issues shall apply.
Consider nominees serving on the remuneration committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with remuneration practices not otherwise supported by these Guidelines, including cases in which the issuer has not followed market practice by submitting a resolution on executive compensation.
For issuers in markets in which it is common practice for nominees attendance records to be disclosed, the Funds U.S. Guidelines with respect to director attendance shall apply. The same
two-year attendance policy shall be applied regarding attendance by directors and statutory auditors of Japanese companies if year-over-year data can be tracked by nominee. For issuers in Canada, generally vote AGAINST a slate of nominees if one or more nominees fail the attendance Guideline, unless the Agent cites compelling reasons for supporting the slate (e.g., the issuers commitment to replace slate elections with individual elections within a year).
Consider self-nominated director candidates on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such candidates, except that (1) an unqualified candidate will generally not be supported simply to effect a protest vote and (2) cases of multiple self-nominated candidates may be considered as a proxy contest if similar issues are raised (e.g., potential change in control).
Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to over-boarding issues raised by the Agent unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised.
In cases where a director holds more than one board seat and corresponding votes, manifested as one seat as a physical person plus an additional seat as a representative of a legal entity, generally vote with the Agents recommendation to withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from the legal entity and vote on the physical person.
Generally, vote with the Agents recommendation to withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from nominees for whom support has become moot since the time the individual was nominated (e.g., due to death, disqualification, or determination not to accept appointment).
Generally, vote with the Agents recommendation when more candidates are presented than available seats and no other provisions under these Guidelines apply.
Board Structure
Generally, vote FOR proposals to fix board size, but vote AGAINST if the Agent opposes due to corporate governance, anti-takeover, or board independence concerns. Generally, vote FOR proposals seeking a board range if the range is reasonable in the context of market practice and anti-takeover considerations. Proposed article amendments in this regard shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
Generally, vote in accordance with the Agents standards for indemnification and liability protection for officers and directors, voting AGAINST overly broad provisions.
Independent Statutory Auditors
With respect to Japanese companies that have not adopted the three-committee structure, vote AGAINST any nominee to the position of independent statutory auditor whom the Agent considers affiliated, e.g., if the nominee has worked a significant portion of his career for the
company, its main bank, or one of its top shareholders. Where shareholders must vote on multiple nominees in a single resolution, vote AGAINST all nominees. When multiple slates of statutory auditors are presented, generally vote with the Agents recommendation, typically to support nominees deemed to be more independent and/or aligned with interests of minority shareholders.
Generally, vote AGAINST incumbent nominees at companies implicated in scandals or exhibiting poor internal controls.
Key Committees
Generally, except where market practice otherwise dictates, vote AGAINST proposals that permit non-board members to serve on the audit, compensation, or nominating committee, provided that bundled slates may be supported if no slate nominee serves on the relevant committee(s). If not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines, consider other negative recommendations from the Agent regarding committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Director and Statutory Auditor Remuneration
Consider director compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals, while also factoring in the merits of the rationale and disclosure provided.
Generally, vote FOR proposals to approve the remuneration of directors and auditors as long as the amount is not excessive (e.g., significant increases should be supported by adequate rationale and disclosure), there is no evidence of abuse, the recipients overall compensation appears reasonable, and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.
For European issuers, vote AGAINST non-executive director remuneration if:
· The advance general meeting documents do not specify fees paid to non-executive directors;
· The company seeks to excessively increase the fees relative to market or sector practices without providing a reasonable rationale for the increase; or
· It provides for granting of stock options or similarly structured equity-based compensation.
For Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) issuers, the Agents limits with respect to equity awards to non-employee directors shall apply.
Bonus Payments
With respect to Japanese companies, generally follow the Agents guidelines on retirement and annual bonus payments, which include voting FOR retirement bonus proposals if all payments are for directors or auditors who have served as executives of the company and AGAINST such proposals if any payments are for outsiders, except when deemed appropriate by the Agent, provided that no payments shall be supported unless the individual or aggregate amounts are disclosed. In all markets, if issues have been raised regarding a scandal or internal controls, generally vote AGAINST bonus proposals for retiring directors or continuing directors or auditors when culpability can be attributed to the nominee (e.g., if a Fund is also voting
AGAINST the nominee under criteria herein regarding issues of scandal or internal controls), unless bundled with bonuses for a majority of directors or auditors a Fund is voting FOR.
Stock Option Plans for Independent Internal Statutory Auditors
With respect to Japanese companies, follow the Agents guidelines with respect to proposals regarding option grants to independent internal statutory auditors or other outside parties, generally voting AGAINST such plans.
Amendment Procedures for Equity Compensation Plans and ESPPs
For TSX issuers, votes with respect to amendment procedures for security-based compensation arrangements and employee share purchase plans shall generally be cast in a manner designed to preserve shareholder approval rights, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents recommendation.
Compensation Plans and Shares Reserved for Equity Compensation Plans
Unless otherwise provided for herein, votes with respect to equity compensation plans (e.g., option, warrant, restricted stock, or employee share purchase plans or participation in company offerings such as IPOs or private placements) or awards thereunder, the issuance of shares in connection with such plans, or related management proposals (e.g., article amendments), should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such proposals, considering quantitative or qualitative factors as appropriate for the market and utilizing the Agents methodology, including classification of a companys stage of development as growth or mature and the corresponding determination as to reasonability of the share requests.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that:
· Exceed Agents recommended burn rates or dilution limits, including cases in which the Agent suggests dilution cannot be fully assessed (e.g., due to inadequate disclosure);
· Provide deep or near-term discounts (or the equivalent, such as dividend equivalents on unexercised options) to executives or directors, unless discounts to executives are deemed by the Agent to be adequately mitigated by other requirements such as long-term vesting or performance requirements (e.g., Japan) or broad-based employee participation otherwise meeting the Agents standards (e.g., France);
· Are administered with discretion by potential grant recipients, unless such discretion is deemed acceptable due to market practice or other mitigating provisions;
· Provide for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with market practice (e.g., Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands);
· Permit financial assistance in the form of non-recourse (or essentially non-recourse) loans in connection with executives participation;
· For matching share plans, do not meet the Agents standards, considering holding period, discounts, dilution, participation, purchase price, and performance criteria;
· Provide for vesting upon change in control if deemed to evidence a conflict of interest or anti-takeover device or if the change in control definition is too liberal (e.g., does not result in actual change in control);
· Provide no disclosure regarding vesting or performance criteria (provided that proposals providing reasonable disclosure in both areas, without regard to the Agents criteria for such disclosure, and meeting market vesting standards shall be supported provided they otherwise satisfy these Guidelines);
· Permit post-employment vesting or exercise if deemed inappropriate by the Agent;
· Allow plan administrators to make material amendments without shareholder approval unless adequate prior disclosure has been provided, with such voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such plans;
· Provide for contract or notice periods or severance/termination payments that exceed market practice, e.g., relative to multiples of annual compensation; or
· Provide for retesting in connection with achievement of performance hurdles unless the Agents analysis indicates that (1) performance targets are adequately increased in proportion to the additional time available, (2) the retesting is de minimis as a percentage of overall compensation or is acceptable relative to market practice, or (3) the issuer has committed to cease retesting within a reasonable period of time.
Generally, vote FOR such plans/awards or the related issuance of shares that (1) do not suffer from the defects noted above or (2) otherwise meet the Agents tests if the considerations raised by the Agent pertain primarily to performance hurdles, discretionary bonuses, recruitment awards, retention incentives, non-compete payments, or vesting upon change in control (other than addressed above), if:
(1) The company has provided adequate disclosure and/or a reasonable rationale regarding the relevant plan/award, practice, or participation;
(2) The recipients overall compensation appears reasonable;
(3) Potential payments or awards are not so significant (individually or collectively) as to potentially influence an executives decision-making (e.g., to enter into a transaction that will result in a change of control payment) or to effectively act as a poison pill; and
(4) The board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.
Unless otherwise provided for herein, market practice of the primary country in which a company does business or competes for talent, or in which an employee is serving, as applicable, shall supersede that of the issuers domicile.
Consider proposals in connection with such plans or the related issuance of shares in other instances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Remuneration Reports (Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation)
Generally, withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN as appropriate for specific market and level of concerns identified) from remuneration reports/advisory votes on compensation that include compensation plans that:
(1) Permit practices or features not supported under these Guidelines, including financial assistance under the conditions described above;
(2) Permit retesting excessive relative to market practice (irrespective of the Agents support for the report as a whole);
(3) Cite long-term incentive plans deemed to be inadequately based on equity awards (e.g., overly cash-based plans or plans lacking an appropriate equity component);
(4) Cite equity award valuation methods triggering a negative recommendation from the Agent;
(5) Include components, metrics, or rationales that have not been disclosed in line with market practice (although retrospective disclosure may be considered adequate);
(6) For issuers in Australia, permit open market purchase of shares in support of equity grants in lieu of seeking shareholder approval, but only if the issuer has a history of significant negative votes when formally seeking approval for such grants; or
(7) Include provisions for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with market practice, except that reports will generally be voted FOR if contractual components are reasonably aligned with market practices on a going-forward basis (e.g., existing obligations related to retirement benefits or terms contrary to evolving standards would not preclude support for the report).
Reports receiving the Agents support and not triggering the concerns cited above will generally be voted FOR. Unless otherwise provided for herein, reports not receiving the Agents support due to concerns regarding severance/termination payments, leaver status, incentive structures, and vesting or performance criteria not otherwise supported by these Guidelines shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voted FOR if:
(1) The company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the matter(s) under consideration;
(2) The recipients overall compensation appears reasonable; and
(3) The board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.
Reports with typically unsupported features may be voted FOR when the Agent recommends their initial support as the issuer or market transitions to better practices (e.g., having committed to new regulations or governance codes).
Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay
The Funds U.S. Guidelines with respect to such shareholder proposals shall apply.
General Share Issuances
Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions shall generally be based on the Agents practice to determine support for general issuance requests (with or without preemptive rights), or related requests to repurchase and reissue shares, based on their amount relative to currently issued capital, appropriate volume and duration parameters, and market-specific considerations (e.g., priority right protections in France, reasonable levels of dilution and discount in Hong Kong). Requests to reissue repurchased shares will not be supported unless a related general issuance request is also supported.
Consider specific issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis based on the proposed use and the companys rationale.
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to issue shares (with or without preemptive rights), convertible bonds or warrants, to grant rights to acquire shares, or to amend the corporate charter
relative to such issuances or grants when concerns have been identified by the Agent with respect to inadequate disclosure, inadequate restrictions on discounts, failure to meet the Agents standards for general issuance requests, or authority to refresh share issuance amounts without prior shareholder approval.
Generally, vote AGAINST nonspecific proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board.
Increases in Authorized Capital
Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions should generally be based on the Agents approach, as follows. Generally:
· Vote FOR nonspecific proposals, including bundled proposals, to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.
· Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital, unless:
· The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet these Guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or
· The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.
· Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.
· The Agents market-specific exceptions to the above parameters shall be applied.
Preferred Stock
Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions should generally be based on the Agents approach, including:
· Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.
· Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets the Agents guidelines on equity issuance requests.
· Vote AGAINST the creation of (1) a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares or (2) blank check preferred stock, unless the board states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.
Poison Pills/Protective Preference Shares
Generally, vote AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities (e.g., disclosure requirements or issuances, transfers, or repurchases) that do not meet the Agents standards. Generally vote in accordance with Agents recommendation to withhold support from a nominee in connection with poison pill or anti-takeover considerations when responsibility for the actions can be reasonably attributed to the nominee. Generally DO NOT VOTE AGAINST director remuneration in connection with poison pill considerations raised by the Agent.
Waiver on Tender-Bid Requirement
Generally, consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis seeking a waiver for a major shareholder or concert party from the requirement to make a buyout offer to minority shareholders, voting FOR when little concern of a creeping takeover exists and the company has provided a reasonable rationale for the request, and with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such requests.
Approval of Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports
Generally, vote FOR management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports, unless there is concern about the companys financial accounts and reporting, which, in the case of related party transactions, would include concerns raised by the Agent regarding inadequate disclosure, remuneration arrangements (including severance/termination payments exceeding local standards for multiples of annual compensation), or consulting agreements with non-executive directors. Unless otherwise provided for herein, reports not receiving the Agents support due to other concerns regarding severance/termination payments not otherwise supported by these Guidelines shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the merits of the rationale or disclosure provided and generally voted FOR if the overall remuneration package and/or program at issue appears reasonable and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence. Generally, vote AGAINST board-issued reports receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to concerns regarding independence of the board or the presence of non-independent directors on the audit committee. However, generally do not withhold support from such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as a means of expressing disapproval of broader practices of the issuer or its board.
Remuneration of Auditors
Generally, vote FOR proposals to authorize the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.
Indemnification of Auditors
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.
Ratification of Auditors and Approval of Auditors Fees
For Canadian issuers, the Funds U.S. Guidelines with respect to auditors and auditor fees shall apply.
For other markets, generally, follow the Agents standards for proposals seeking auditor ratification or approval of auditors fees, which generally indicate a vote FOR such proposals if the level of disclosure and independence meet the Agents standards. However, if fees for non-audit services (excluding significant, one-time events) exceed 50 percent of total auditor fees, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and vote FOR ratification of auditors or approval of auditors fees if it appears that remuneration for the non-audit work is not so lucrative as to taint the auditors independence.
In other cases, generally vote FOR such proposals unless there are material concerns raised by the Agent about the auditors practices or independence.
Audit Commission
Consider nominees to the audit commission on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agents approach to evaluating such candidates.
Allocation of Income and Dividends
With respect to Japanese companies, consider management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, including adjustments to reserves to make capital available for such purposes, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting with the Agents recommendations to support such proposals unless:
· The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or
· The payout is excessive given the companys financial position.
Generally vote FOR such proposals by issuers in other markets.
In any markets, in the event management offers multiple dividend proposals on the same agenda, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration given to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) and voting decisions generally based on the Agents recommendation if no input is received.
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives
Generally, vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals, but vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Debt Instruments
Generally, vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board to issue or set terms for debt instruments (e.g., commercial paper).
Debt Issuance Requests
When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing companys present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the companys current debt-to-equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the companys bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.
Generally, vote FOR debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent. Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent, or for which inadequate disclosure precludes calculation of the gearing level, comparing any such proposed debt issuance to industry and market standards, and with voting decisions generally based on the Agents
approach to evaluating such requests.
Financing Plans
Generally, vote FOR the adoption of financing plans if they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.
Related Party Transactions
Consider related party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Generally, vote FOR approval of such transactions unless the agreement requests a strategic move outside the companys charter or contains unfavorable or high-risk terms (e.g., deposits without security interest or guaranty).
Approval of Donations
Generally, vote AGAINST such proposals unless adequate, prior disclosure of amounts is provided; if so, single- or multi-year authorities may be supported.
Capitalization of Reserves
Generally, vote FOR proposals to capitalize the companys reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase the par value of shares, unless concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines are raised by the Agent.
Investment of Company Reserves
These proposals should generally be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration given to input from the Investment Professional(s) for a given Fund.
Article Amendments
Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association.
Generally, vote FOR an article amendment if:
· It is editorial in nature;
· Shareholder rights are protected;
· There is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;
· Management provides adequate reasons for the amendments or the Agent otherwise supports managements position;
· It seeks to discontinue and/or delist a form of the issuers securities when the relevant Fund does not hold the affected security type; or
· The company is required to do so by law (if applicable).
Generally, vote AGAINST an article amendment if:
· It removes or lowers quorum requirements for board or shareholder meetings below levels recommended by the Agent;
· It reduces relevant disclosure to shareholders;
· It seeks to align the articles with provisions of another proposal not supported by these Guidelines;
· It is not supported under these Guidelines, is presented within a bundled proposal, and the negative impact, on balance, outweighs any positive impact; or
· It imposes a negative impact on existing shareholder rights, including rights of the Funds, or diminishes accountability to shareholders to the extent that any positive impact would not be deemed to be sufficient to outweigh removal or diminution of such rights.
With respect to article amendments for Japanese companies:
· Generally vote FOR management proposals to amend a companys articles to expand its business lines.
· Generally vote FOR management proposals to amend a companys articles to provide for an expansion or reduction in the size of the board, unless the expansion/reduction is clearly disproportionate to the growth/decrease in the scale of the business or raises anti-takeover concerns.
· If anti-takeover concerns exist, generally vote AGAINST management proposals, including bundled proposals, to amend a companys articles to authorize the Board to vary the annual meeting record date or to otherwise align them with provisions of a takeover defense.
· Generally follow the Agents guidelines with respect to management proposals regarding amendments to authorize share repurchases at the boards discretion, voting AGAINST proposals unless there is little to no likelihood of a creeping takeover (major shareholder owns nearly enough shares to reach a critical control threshold) or constraints on liquidity (free float of shares is low), and where the company is trading at below book value or is facing a real likelihood of substantial share sales; or where this amendment is bundled with other amendments which are clearly in shareholders interest.
Other Business
In connection with global proxies, vote in accordance with the Agents market-specific recommendations on management proposals for Other Business, generally AGAINST.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
(a) (1) Portfolio Management. The following individuals comprise the investment committee of the Trust and share responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Trusts portfolio:
Daniel A. Norman. Mr. Norman is Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager in the Senior Debt Group, and has served in that capacity since November 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Norman was Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager in the Senior Debt Group (since April 1995). Mr. Norman has managed the Trust since April 1995 and is responsible for the operations, analytics, legal and marketing areas for the Trust. Mr. Norman also serves as Senior Vice President of the Trust, and he serves as Senior Vice President of ING Senior Income Fund, another closed-end fund sub-advised by ING IM that invests primarily in Senior Loans. Mr. Norman co-manages the Trust with Mr. Bakalar.
Jeffrey A. Bakalar. Mr. Bakalar is Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager in the Senior Debt Group, and has served in that capacity since November 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Bakalar was Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager in the Senior Debt Group (since January 1998). Mr. Bakalar has managed the Trust since January 1998 and is responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of the Trust. Before joining ING Groep N.V., Mr. Bakalar was Vice President of The First National Bank of Chicago (from 1994 to 1998). Mr. Bakalar also serves as Senior Vice President of the Trust and as Senior Vice President of ING Senior Income Fund, another closed-end fund sub-advised by ING IM that invests primarily in Senior Loans. Mr. Bakalar co-manages the Trust with Mr. Norman.
The following table shows the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers as of February 28, 2011.
|
|
Mutual Funds |
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Trusts, Sep Accts and Stable Value |
|
|
|
ING Prime Rate Trust |
|
Registered Investment Companies |
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles and Alternative |
|
Other Accounts, IIM Managed |
|
Portfolio Manager |
|
Number of Accts / Total Assets |
|
Number of Accts / Total Assets |
|
Number of Accts / Total Assets |
|
Dan Norman |
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3 accounts / $2,232 million |
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13 accounts / $4,684 million |
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3 accounts / $2,693 million |
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Jeff Bakalar |
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3 accounts / $2,232 million |
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1 account / $256 million |
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1 account / $243 million |
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(a) (2) (iv) Conflicts of Interest
A portfolio manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because the portfolio manager is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Trust. These other accounts may include, among others, other mutual funds, separately managed advisory accounts, commingled trust accounts, insurance separate accounts, wrap fee programs and hedge funds. Potential conflicts may arise out of the implementation of differing investment strategies for the portfolio managers various accounts, the allocation of investment opportunities among those accounts or differences in the advisory fees paid by the portfolio managers accounts.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment.
A portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from those of the Trust. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, if an account were to sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the Trust maintained its position in that security.
A potential conflict may arise when a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees the difference in the fees may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to particularly appealing investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened where an account is subject to a performance-based fee.
As part of its compliance program, ING IM has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address the potential conflicts of interest described above.
Finally, a potential conflict of interest may arise because the investment mandates for certain other accounts, such as hedge funds, may allow extensive use of short sales, which, in theory, could allow them to enter into short positions in securities where other accounts hold long positions. ING IM has policies and procedures reasonably designed to limit and monitor short sales by the other accounts to avoid harm to the Trust.
(a) (3) Compensation
Compensation consists of (a) fixed base salary; (b) bonus which is based on ING IMs performance, one- and three-year pre-tax performance of the accounts the portfolio managers are primarily and jointly responsible for relative to account benchmarks and peer universe performance, and revenue growth of the accounts they are responsible for; and (c) long-term equity awards tied to the performance of our parent company, ING Groep.
Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in an annual cash incentive plan. The overall design of the ING IM annual incentive plan was developed to closely tie pay to performance, structured in such a way as to drive performance and promote retention of top talent. As with base salary compensation, individual target awards are determined and set based on external market data and internal comparators. Investment performance is measured on both relative and absolute performance in all areas. ING IM has a defined index, the S&Ps LSTA Leveraged Loan Index and, where applicable, peer groups including but not limited to Russell, Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar), Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. (Lipper) and Lehman and set performance goals to appropriately reflect requirements for each investment team. The measures for each team are outlined on a scorecard that is reviewed on an annual basis. These scorecards reflect a comprehensive approach to measuring investment performance versus both benchmarks and peer groups over one- and three-year periods and year-to-date net cash flow (changes in the accounts net assets not attributable to changes in the value of the accounts investments) for all accounts managed by the team. The results for overall IIM scorecards are calculated on an asset weighted performance basis of the individual team scorecards.
Investment professionals performance measures for bonus determinations are weighted by 25% being attributable to the overall ING IM performance and 75% attributable to their specific team results (60% investment performance and 15% net cash revenue).
Based on job function, internal comparators and external market data, portfolio managers participate in the ING Long-Term Incentive Plan. Plan awards are based on the current years performance as defined by the ING IM component of the annual incentive plan. The awards vest in three years and are paid in a combination of ING restricted stock, stock options and restricted performance units.
Portfolio managers whose base salary compensation exceeds a particular threshold may participate in INGs deferred compensation plan. The plan provides an opportunity to invest deferred amounts of compensation in mutual funds, ING stock or at an annual fixed interest rate. Deferral elections are done on an annual basis and the amount of compensation deferred is irrevocable.
The following table shows the dollar range of shares of the Trust owned by each team member as of February 28, 2011, including investments by their immediate family members and amounts invested through retirement and deferred compensation plans.
Portfolio Manager |
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Dollar Range of Trust Shares Owned |
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Dan Norman |
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$500,001-$1,000,000 |
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Jeff Bakalar |
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$50,001-$100,000 |
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(b) Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
None
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The Board has a Nominating Committee for the purpose of considering and presenting to the Board candidates it proposes for nomination to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board. The Committee currently consists of all Independent Trustees of the Board (6 individuals). The Nominating Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board. The primary purpose of the Nominating Committee is to consider and present to the Board the candidates it proposes for nomination to fill vacancies on the Board. In evaluating candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider a variety of factors, but it has not at this time set any specific minimum qualifications that must be met. Specific qualifications of candidates for Board membership will be based on the needs of the Board at the time of nomination.
The Nominating Committee is willing to consider nominations received from shareholders and shall assess shareholder nominees in the same manner as it reviews its own nominees. A shareholder nominee for director should be submitted in writing to the Funds Secretary. Any such shareholder nomination should include at a minimum the following information as to each individual proposed for nomination as trustee: such individuals written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee (if nominated) and to serve as a trustee (if elected), and all information relating to such individual that is required to be disclosed in the solicitation of proxies for election of trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations.
The Secretary shall submit all nominations received in a timely manner to the Nominating Committee. To be timely, any such submission must be delivered to the Funds Secretary not earlier than the 90th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made, by either disclosure in a press release or in a document publicly filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Based on our evaluation conducted within 90 days of the filing date, hereof, the design and operation of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to the certifying officers by others within the appropriate entities, particularly during the period in which Forms N-CSR are being prepared, and the registrants disclosure controls and procedures allow timely preparation and review of the information for the registrants Form N-CSR and the officer certifications of such Form N-CSR.
(b) There were no significant changes in the registrants internal controls that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CODEETH.
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) is attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.
(b) The officer certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.
(3) Not applicable.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): ING Prime Rate Trust
By |
/s/ Shaun P. Mathews |
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Shaun P. Mathews |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: |
May 3, 2012 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By |
/s/ Shaun P. Mathews |
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Shaun P. Mathews |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: |
May 3, 2012 |
By |
/s/ Todd Modic |
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Todd Modic |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: |
May 3, 2012 |
EXHIBIT 99.CODEETH
ING FUNDS
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
CODE OF ETHICS
A. Adoption
The Boards of Directors/Trustees (collectively, the Board) of the ING Funds (each a Fund, and collectively, the Funds) set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as such exhibit may be amended from time to time, have adopted this code of ethics (the Code) in connection with the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) concerning disclosure of a code of ethics for the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions (regardless of whether they are employed by a Fund or a third party) of the Funds (the Covered Officers). For the purposes of this Code, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Funds are the Covered Officers for the Funds.
B. Policy and Purpose; Conflicts with Law and Policy
1. Policy and Purpose
It is the policy of the Funds to conduct their affairs in an honest and ethical manner, and to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The purpose of this Code is to assist in the accomplishment of the foregoing policy, to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
a. Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
b. Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and in other public communications made by a Fund.
c. Compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations.
d. The prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in this Code.
e. Accountability for adherence to this Code.
2. Conflicts with Law and Policy
If any part of this Code, or if compliance with any part of this Code, violates or is in conflict with any applicable law, the provisions of such applicable law shall control. If any part of this Code, or if compliance with any part of this Code, violates or is in conflict with any policy or practice of the Funds or of any service provider to the Funds, the provisions of this Code shall control.
C. Covered Officer Duties
Each Covered Officer shall adhere to a high standard of business ethics in his or her dealings with and on behalf of a Fund. Specifically, each Covered Officer shall:
1. Conduct himself or herself in an honest and ethical manner when dealing with or on behalf of a Fund.
2. Refrain from engaging in any activity that would compromise his or her professional ethics or otherwise prejudice his or her ability faithfully to carry out his or her duties to the Funds.
3. Refrain from using or appearing to use material non-public information acquired in the course of his or her work for the Funds for unethical or illegal advantage, either directly or indirectly through others.
4. Place the interests of the Funds and their shareholders before his or her personal interests, and handle actual or apparent conflicts of interest between his or her personal interests and the interests of a Fund in an ethical manner.
5. Be familiar with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Funds and take all reasonable actions, consistent with his or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Funds service provider(s) to ensure full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC or other governmental authorities, and in other public communications made by a Fund.
6. Comply with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations in his or her dealings with or on behalf of a Fund, and take all reasonable actions, consistent with his or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Funds service provider(s), to ensure compliance by the Fund with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations.
7. Take all reasonable actions, consistent with his or her position(s) with a Fund and/or a Funds service provider(s), to ensure prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in this Code.
8. Not knowingly misrepresent, or knowingly cause or permit others to misrepresent, facts about a Fund to a Funds shareholders, directors, counsel or auditors, to governmental regulators or self-regulatory organizations, or to the public.
9. Consult with other officers and employees of a Fund, and its adviser(s), administrator and principal underwriter, with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds.
10. Promote compliance by the Funds with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
11. Not influence investment decisions or financial or other reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally.
12. Not cause a Fund to take an action, or fail to take an action, whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally.
13. Not retaliate or take any adverse action against, or cause or permit any retaliation or adverse action to be taken against, any other Covered Officer or any employee of the Funds or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations of this Code or of applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations that are made in good faith.
D. Definitions
1. Conflicts of Interest
For the purposes of this Code (i) an actual conflict of interest is a situation in which a Covered Officer, a member of a Covered Officers immediate family, or an entity other than a Fund on whose behalf a Covered Officer is acting or from which a Covered Officer may receive compensation or other personal benefit, has an interest in a transaction or the results of a transaction in which a Fund is involved that is different from the interests of the Fund with regard to that same transaction, and (ii) an apparent conflict of interest is a situation in which a Covered Officer, a member of a Covered Officers immediate family, or an entity other than a Fund on whose behalf a Covered Officer is acting or from which a Covered Officer may receive compensation or other personal benefit, appears to have an actual conflict of interest, without regard to whether an actual conflict of interest in fact exists.(1)
(1) Certain actual conflicts of interest are inherent in the relationship between a Fund and a Covered Officer who is employed by the Funds investment adviser, administrator or principal underwriter. As a result, this Code recognizes that Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether acting on behalf of a Fund or on behalf of the adviser, administrator or principal underwriter, or for a combination thereof), be involved in recommending actions that may have different effects on the respective parties or may redound to the benefit of the adviser, the administrator or the principal underwriter at the expense of the Fund. For example, the negotiation of the underlying advisory, administrative and underwriting agreements necessarily places such Covered Officers in an actual conflict of interest position as to a Fund.
These inherent conflicts of interest are known to and understood by the Funds and the Board, and the Board has determined that the existence of these conflicts of interest is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Therefore, the fact that a Covered Officer acts primarily or exclusively on behalf of a party other than a Fund with regard to a transaction that is covered by such inherent conflicts of interest shall not ipso facto cause such conduct to be in violation of the requirements of this Code. Absent specific dishonest or unethical conduct in such a transaction, the actions by a Covered Officer in such regard shall be deemed to be honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an actual conflict of interest shall not include situations that are covered by law or by the Funds and an investment advisers code of ethics required under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.(2)
2. Waiver and Implicit Waiver
The term waiver means the approval by a Fund of a material departure from a provision of this Code. The term implicit waiver means a failure by a Fund to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of this Code that has been made known to an executive officer(3) of the Fund.
3. Benefit Personally; Immediate Family
With regard to a Covered Officer, the term benefit personally means the direct or indirect receipt by the Covered Officer, by a member of the Covered Officers immediate family, or by any entity (other than a Funds investment adviser or any affiliate thereof) of which the Covered Officer or any member of the Covered Officers immediate family owns 5% or more of the beneficial ownership interest or by which the Covered Officer or any member of the Covered Officers immediate family is employed, or from which the Covered Officer or any member of the Covered Officers immediate family receives any compensation or other benefit, of any compensation or other personal benefit. For the purposes of this Code, the term member of the immediate family means a Covered Officers parent, spouse of a parent, child, spouse of a child, spouse, brother, or sister, and includes step and adoptive relationships.
E. Activities Requiring Prior Approval
A Covered Officer and his or her immediate family shall not engage in any of the following activities without the prior written approval of the Funds Chief Legal Officer (the Chief Legal Officer) and the Funds Chief Executive Officer, except that in the case of the Chief Executive Officer or a member of the Chief Executive Officers immediate family, such approval shall be from
(2) These inherent conflicts of interest are already subject to prohibitions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Investment Advisers Act). For example, a Covered Officer may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase of sale or securities or other property) with a Fund because of his or her status as an affiliated person of the Fund. The Funds and the investment advisers compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat and replace those programs and procedures, and such actual and apparent conflicts of interest fall outside of the coverage of this Code. All other actual and apparent conflicts of interest, even if such actual and apparent conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisers Act, are covered by this Code.
(3) The term executive officer, when used with reference to a registrant, means its president, any vice president of the registrant in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy making function or any other person who performs similar policy making functions for the registrant.
the Chief Legal Officer and the Coordination and Compliance Committee of the Board. To obtain such approval, the Covered Officer shall submit a written statement to the Chief Legal Officer describing in detail the proposed activity and the reasons for it.
1. Service as a director, partner, officer, manager or managing member on the board of any public or private company(4) other than a Funds investment adviser, administrator, principal underwriter, or an affiliate of any of the foregoing, if such company has current or prospective business dealings with a Fund or if any Fund may invest in securities issued by such company.
2. Receipt of any entertainment(5) or meals from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment or meals are business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety. For the purposes of this Code, entertainment and meals that are incidental to a business conference, seminar or meeting shall be deemed business-related, reasonable in cost, and appropriate as to time and place.
3. Having any ownership interest in, or any consulting, employment or compensation relationship with, any of a Funds service providers, other than its investment adviser(s), administrator, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof.
4. Exploit for his or her own personal gain any opportunity which a Fund may exploit. This prohibition shall not apply to securities trading undertaken in conformance with the Funds and an investment advisers code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act.
F. Prohibited Activities
A Covered Officer and his or her immediate family shall not engage in any of the following activities:
1. Have a direct or indirect financial interest, such as compensation or equity ownership, in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officers employment with the Funds investment adviser, administrator, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof.
2. Receive any gifts in excess of $500 in any calendar year from any entity or person that directly or indirectly currently or prospectively does or will do business with or receives compensation or other benefits from a Fund. For the purposes of this restriction, gifts from different persons employed by the same entity shall be aggregated, along with any gifts from the entity itself, in order to determine whether the $500 limit has been exceeded.
3. Accept employment from any company, other than a Funds investment adviser(s), administrator or principal underwriter (or any affiliate thereof), with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings within one year after the latest to occur of such Covered Officers termination of employment at the Fund or at the Funds investment adviser(s), administrator or principal underwriter (or any affiliate thereof).
4. Borrow money from any Fund, or borrow money from or have any other financial transactions with any company, other than a Funds investment adviser(s), administrator or principal underwriter (or any affiliate thereof), with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings, other than routine retail transactions that are effected on the same terms and conditions as are available to the general public.
(4) For the purposes of this Code, company includes any legal or business entity such as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, trust, association, sole proprietorship, etc.
(5) For the purposes of this Code, entertainment means activities or events, such as golfing, theater, sporting events, etc., at which a representative of the entertaining company is present along with the Covered Officer or his or her immediate family member. If a representative of the entertaining company is not present, such activities or events shall be treated as gifts hereunder.
5. Engage in a transaction directly as a principal with a Fund, except that this prohibition shall not apply to the purchase or redemption of the shares of any Fund on the same terms and conditions as all other shareholders.
6. Any other activity that would cause them to benefit personally at the expense of a Fund.
G. Reporting and Accountability
1. Reporting
Each Covered Officer must:
a. Upon adoption of this Code (or thereafter, as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Chief Legal Officer and the Board that he or she has received, read and understands this Code. Such affirmation shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
b. Annually thereafter affirm to the Chief Legal Officer and the Board that he or she has complied with the requirements of this Code. Such affirmation shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
c. Report at least annually all employment, ownership, affiliations or other relationships related to conflicts of interest that the Funds Directors and Officers Questionnaire covers.
d. Notify the Chief Legal Officer promptly if he or she knows of any violation of this Code or of any applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code.
2. Interpretations
The Chief Legal Officer has the authority and shall be responsible for applying this Code to specific situations and for making interpretations of this Code in any particular situation. In making interpretations of this Code, the Chief Legal Officer may consult with the Funds outside counsel.
3. Investigations
The Funds will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:
a. The Chief Legal Officer will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him or her.
b. If, after such investigation, the Chief Legal Officer believes that no violation has occurred, the Chief Legal Officer is not required to take any further action.
c. If, after such investigation, the Chief Legal Officer believes that a violation has occurred, the Chief Legal Officer shall report such potential violation to the Coordination and Compliance Committee.
d. If the Coordination and Compliance Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform and make a recommendation to the Board, which will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or its board; and a recommendation to discipline or dismiss the Covered Officer or to require reimbursement or disgorgement by the Covered Officer of any personal benefits received.
4. Waivers
The Coordination and Compliance Committee and the Chief Legal Officer, as applicable, may grant a waiver to compliance with this Code by a Covered Officer or his or her immediate family if the Coordination and Compliance Committee or the Chief Legal Officer determines that the proposed activity will not have an adverse impact on any Fund or on the ability of a Covered Officer faithfully to perform his or her duties to the Funds. To obtain a waiver, a Covered Officer shall submit a written statement to the Chief Legal Officer describing in detail the proposed activity, and the reasons for it, and the provision(s) of this Code as to which a waiver is requested. Any waivers of the provisions of this Code shall be disclosed to the extent required by law and SEC rules.
H. Relationship to Other Policies and Procedures
This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Funds for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Funds, the Funds adviser(s), administrator, principal underwriter, or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Funds and their investment advisers and principal underwriters codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.
I. Confidentiality
All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the appropriate Board or committee thereof or the Funds outside counsel.
J. Internal Use
The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Funds and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Fund or any Covered Officer or his or her immediate family, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.
K. Amendments
Any amendments to this Code must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent directors. Any amendments to this Code shall be disclosed to the extent required by law and SEC rules.
Date: |
|
|
Exhibit A
ING EQUITY TRUST
ING FUNDS TRUST
ING ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING EMERGING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND
ING RISK MANAGED NATURAL RESOURCES FUND
ING INVESTORS TRUST
ING MAYFLOWER TRUST
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
ING PARTNERS, INC.
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
ING SEPERATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST
ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
ING INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS
Exhibit B
INITIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Covered Officer Name and |
|
|
|
(please print) |
I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy of the ING Funds Sarbanes-Oxley Act Code of Ethics (the Code) and that I understand it. I further acknowledge that I am responsible for understanding and complying with the policies set forth in the Code during my tenure as a Covered Officer, as defined in the Code.
I also acknowledge my responsibility to report any violation of the Code to the Chief Legal Officer of the Funds.
I further acknowledge that the policies contained in the Code are not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, express or implied. I also understand that, consistent with applicable law, the Funds have the right to amend, interpret, modify or withdraw any of the provisions of the Code at any time in their sole discretion, with or without notice.
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Exhibit C
ANNUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Covered Officer Name and |
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(please print) |
I acknowledge that I have received and read a copy of the ING Funds Sarbanes-Oxley Act Code of Ethics (the Code) and that I understand it. I further acknowledge that I am responsible for understanding and complying with the policies set forth in the Code during my tenure as a Covered Officer, as defined in the Code.
I also acknowledge that I have fully complied with the terms and provisions of the Code during the period of time since the most recent Initial or Annual Acknowledgement provided by me.
I further acknowledge that the policies contained in the Code are not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, express or implied. I also understand that, consistent with applicable law, the Funds have the right to amend, interpret, modify or withdraw any of the provisions of the Code at any time in their sole discretion, with or without notice.
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Signature |
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EXHIBIT 99.CERT
I, Shaun P Mathews, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of ING Prime Rate Trust;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal controls over financial reporting.
Date: |
May 3, 2012 |
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/s/ Shaun P Mathews |
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Shaun P Mathews | ||
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
I, Todd Modic, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of ING Prime Rate Trust;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal controls over financial reporting.
Date: |
May 3, 2012 |
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/s/ Todd Modic |
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Todd Modic | ||
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Senior Vice President and | ||
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Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 99.906CERT
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Name of Registrant: |
ING Prime Rate Trust |
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Date of Form N-CSR: |
February 29, 2012 |
The undersigned, the principal executive officer of the above named registrant (the Fund), hereby certifies that, with respect to the Form N-CSR referred to above, to the best of his knowledge and belief, after reasonable inquiry:
1. such Form N-CSR fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. the information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to ING Prime Rate Trust and will be retained by ING Prime Rate Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certification below, as of this 3rd day of May, 2012.
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/s/ Shaun P. Mathews |
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Shaun P. Mathews |
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President and Chief |
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Executive Officer |
Certification
Pursuant to Section 906
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Name of Registrant: |
ING Prime Rate Trust |
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Date of Form N-CSR: |
February 29, 2012 |
The undersigned, the principal financial officer of the above named registrant (the Fund), hereby certifies that, with respect to the Form N-CSR referred to above, to the best of his knowledge and belief, after reasonable inquiry:
1. such Form N-CSR fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. the information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Fund.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to ING Prime Rate Trust and will be retained by ING Prime Rate Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certification below, as of this 3rd day of May, 2012.
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/s/ Todd Modic |
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Todd Modic |
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Senior Vice President and |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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