-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DyDu4Of4IFrHOb+dqAF1os62Vt5ksB133auy/m7AgPqfvHoOvIZZgkyqDXISVe1W eIl/DzM00dsXhb6Nsvoquw== 0000950134-07-019414.txt : 20070831 0000950134-07-019414.hdr.sgml : 20070831 20070831150221 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950134-07-019414 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070831 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070831 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20070831 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHARLES SCHWAB FAMILY OF FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000857156 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 497 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-31894 FILM NUMBER: 071094321 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 101 MONTGOMERY ST CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94104 BUSINESS PHONE: 415-627-7000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 101 MONTGOMERY ST CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94104 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SCHWAB CHARLES FAMILY OF FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 0000857156 S000004500 Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund C000012374 Sweep Shares SWFXX C000039063 Value Advantage Shares SWWXX 0000857156 S000004501 Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Money Fund C000012375 Sweep Shares SWDXX 0000857156 S000004502 Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund C000012376 Sweep Shares SWEXX 0000857156 S000004503 Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund C000012377 Sweep Shares SWJXX 0000857156 S000004508 Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund C000012383 Investor Shares SWVXX 0000857156 S000004511 Schwab Municipal Money Fund C000012388 Sweep Shares SWXXX C000012389 Value Advantage Shares SWTXX C000012390 Select Shares SWLXX C000012391 Institutional Shares SWOXX 0000857156 S000004512 Schwab California Municipal Money Fund C000012392 Sweep Shares SWCXX C000012393 Value Advantage Shares SWKXX 0000857156 S000004513 Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund C000012394 Sweep Shares SWNXX C000012395 Value Advantage Shares SWYXX 497 1 f33347e497.txt 497 SUPPLEMENT TO THE APRIL 30, 2007 SCHWAB VALUE ADVANTAGE INVESTMENTS(R) PROSPECTUS THE SCHWAB VALUE ADVANTAGE INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS INCLUDES: SCHWAB VALUE ADVANTAGE MONEY FUND(R) -- INVESTOR SHARES SCHWAB AMT-TAX FREE MONEY FUND TM -- VALUE ADVANTAGE SHARES TM SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM -- VALUE ADVANTAGE SHARES TM SCHWAB CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM -- VALUE ADVANTAGE SHARES TM SCHWAB NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM -- VALUE ADVANTAGE SHARES TM THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS SUPPLEMENT IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2007. Under the "Buying shares" section, the last paragraph on page 25 of the prospectus is deleted and replaced with the following: These minimums may be waived for certain retirement plans, including Schwab Corporate Services retirement plans, and plan participants, and for shareholders who roll into an IRA from an exempted retirement plan. These minimums may also be waived for certain other investors, including trustees and officers of Schwab, and for certain investment programs, including programs for education savings or charitable giving. Schwab may receive other compensation for providing services to these clients, investors and programs. PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT FOR YOUR RECORDS. [CHARLES SCHWAB LOGO] (C)2007 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved Member SIPC REG38890 (9/07) STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUNDS SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB AMT TAX-FREE MONEY FUND TM SCHWAB MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM APRIL 30, 2007 AS AMENDED SEPTEMBER 1, 2007 The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with each fund's prospectus dated April 30, 2007 (as amended from time to time). To obtain a free copy of any of the prospectuses, please contact Schwab Funds(R) at 1-800-435-4000. For TDD service call 1-800-345-2550. The prospectuses also may be available on the Internet at: http://www.schwab.com/schwabfunds. Each fund is a series of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds (the Trust). The Trust and Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios are collectively referred to as the "Schwab Funds." The funds' audited financial statements from the funds' annual reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, are incorporated by reference into this SAI. A copy of a fund's 2006 annual report is delivered with the SAI. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES, SECURITIES, RISKS AND LIMITATIONS...................................................... 2 MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS.................................................... 16 CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES........................ 25 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES..................................... 25 BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES................................... 29 DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST................................................... 32 PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES AND DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS...................................................... 33 TAXATION................................................................... 35 APPENDIX A -- RATINGS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES............................. 43 APPENDIX B -- DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES............ 44 1 REG38785 - 00 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES, SECURITIES, RISKS AND LIMITATIONS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal income tax. Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal and California personal income tax. Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal and New York state and local personal income tax. Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal and New Jersey personal income tax. Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal and Pennsylvania personal income tax. Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund seeks the highest current income exempt from federal income tax that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity. Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Money Fund TM seeks the highest current income that is consistent with stability of capital and liquidity, and that is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income tax. Each fund's investment objective may be changed only by a vote of a majority of its outstanding voting shares. A majority of the outstanding voting shares of a fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of the voting shares represented at the meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of a fund are represented at the meeting; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of a fund. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their objectives. The funds operate as money market funds and seek to comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), as that Rule may be amended from time to time. The Rule's key provisions govern the maturity, quality and diversification of money market fund investments. For example, with respect to maturity, Rule 2a-7 currently provides that money funds limit their investments to securities with remaining maturities of 397 days or less, and maintain dollar-weighted average maturities of 90 days or less, both calculated as described in the Rule. In addition, money funds may only invest in high quality securities. The funds are also subject to strict diversification requirements under Rule 2a-7. The following investment strategies, securities, risks and limitations supplement those set forth in the prospectus and may be changed without shareholder approval unless otherwise noted. Also, policies and limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard, shall be measured immediately after and as a result of a fund's acquisition of such security or asset unless otherwise noted. Additionally, for purposes of calculating any restriction, an issuer shall be the entity deemed to be ultimately responsible for payments of interest and principal on the security pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act unless otherwise noted. 2 REG38785 - 00 INVESTMENT STRATEGIES Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM (a national municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments may include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM (a state-specific municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in California municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal and California personal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments may include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM (a state-specific municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in New York municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal and New York state personal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments may include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund TM (a state-specific municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in New Jersey municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal and New Jersey personal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund TM (a state-specific municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in Pennsylvania municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal and Pennsylvania personal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments may include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. 3 REG38785 - 00 Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund TM (a national municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in money market securities from states and municipal agencies around the country and from U.S. territories and possessions. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities whose interest is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets means net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Money Fund TM (a state-specific municipal money fund) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in Massachusetts municipal money market securities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal money market securities the interest from which is exempt from federal and Massachusetts personal income tax. This policy may only be changed with shareholder approval. These investments include securities that pay income that is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT securities). The fund will count AMT securities toward satisfaction of the 80% basket in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Also, for purposes of this policy, net assets mean net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Not all investment securities or techniques discussed below are eligible investments for each fund. A fund will invest in securities or engage in techniques that are intended to help achieve its investment objective. INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND RISKS BORROWING may subject a fund to interest costs, which may exceed the interest received on the securities purchased with the borrowed funds. A fund normally may borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash. Borrowing can involve leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money. To avoid this, a fund will not purchase securities while borrowings are outstanding or will earmark or segregate assets to cover such borrowings in accordance with positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). COMMERCIAL PAPER consists of short-term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but sometimes may be interest bearing. Commercial paper, which also may be unsecured, is subject to credit risk. CONCENTRATION means that substantial amounts of assets are invested in a particular industry or group of industries. Concentration increases investment exposure to industry risk. For example, the automobile industry may have a greater exposure to a single factor, such as an increase in the price of oil, which may adversely affect the sale of automobiles and, as a result, the value of the industry's securities. Each fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in private activity bonds and municipal securities financing similar projects such as those relating to education, health care, transportation, utilities, industrial development and housing. To the extent a fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in private activity bond and municipal securities financing similar projects, the fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments. A change that affects one project, such as proposed legislation on the financing of the project, a shortage of the materials needed for the project, or a declining need for the project, would likely affect all similar projects and the overall municipal risk. 4 REG38785 - 00 CREDIT AND LIQUIDITY SUPPORTS or enhancements may be employed by issuers to reduce the credit risk of their securities. Credit supports include letters of credit, insurance and guarantees provided by foreign and domestic entities as well as moral obligations, which are sometimes issued with municipal securities. Liquidity supports include puts, demand features, and lines of credit. Most of these arrangements move the credit risk of an investment from the issuer of the security to the support provider. Changes in the credit quality of a support provider could cause losses to a fund. DEBT SECURITIES are obligations issued by domestic and foreign entities, including governments and corporations, in order to raise money. They are basically "IOUs," but are commonly referred to as bonds or money market securities. These securities normally require the issuer to pay a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest on the amount of money borrowed (the "principal") until it is paid back upon maturity. Debt securities experience price changes when interest rates change. For example, when interest rates fall, the prices of debt securities generally rise. Issuers tend to pre-pay their outstanding debts and issue new ones paying lower interest rates. Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, prepayment on outstanding debt securities generally will not occur. This is known as extension risk and may cause the value of debt securities to depreciate as a result of the higher market interest rates. Typically, longer-maturity securities react to interest rate changes more severely than shorter-term securities (all things being equal), but generally offer greater rates of interest. Debt securities also are subject to the risk that the issuers will not make timely interest and/or principal payments or fail to make them at all. DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS include purchasing and selling securities on a delayed-delivery or when-issued basis. These transactions involve a commitment to buy or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, a fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. Typically, no interest will accrue to a fund until the security is delivered. A fund will earmark or segregate appropriate liquid assets to cover its delayed-delivery purchase obligations. When a fund sells a security on a delayed-delivery basis, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to that security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, a fund could suffer losses. DIVERSIFICATION involves investing in a wide range of securities and thereby spreading and reducing the risks of investment. Each fund, except the Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM and the Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund, is a non-diversified mutual fund. Each fund follows the regulations set forth by the SEC in Rule 2a-7 that dictate the diversification requirements for money market mutual funds, as such regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. The Schwab Municipal Money Fund and Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund may invest up to 25% of their assets in "first tier" securities of a single issuer for a period of up to three business days. FOREIGN SECURITIES involve additional risks, because they are issued by foreign entities, including foreign governments, banks and corporations or because they are traded principally overseas. Credit and liquidity supports also may be provided by foreign entities. Foreign securities in which a fund may invest include foreign entities that are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. corporations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign entities. Foreign economic, political and legal developments, and withholding taxes, could have more dramatic effects on the value of foreign securities. For example, conditions within and around foreign countries, such as the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, diplomatic 5 REG38785 - 00 developments, change of government or war could affect the value of foreign investments. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Foreign securities typically have less volume and are generally less liquid and more volatile than securities of U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although a fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable overall results on portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed companies than in the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. There may be difficulties in obtaining or enforcing judgments against foreign issuers as well. These factors and others may increase the risks with respect to the liquidity of a fund, and its ability to meet a large number of shareholder redemption requests. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures and, in certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause a fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Losses to a fund arising out of the inability to fulfill a contract to sell such securities also could result in potential liability for a fund. ILLIQUID SECURITIES generally are any securities that cannot be disposed of promptly and in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the fund has valued the instruments. The liquidity of a fund's investments is monitored under the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Investments currently not considered liquid include repurchase agreements not maturing within seven days and certain restricted securities. INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING. The SEC has granted an exemption to the Schwab Funds that permits the funds to borrow money from and/or lend money to other Schwab Funds. All loans are for temporary or emergency purposes and the interest rates to be charged will be the average of the overnight repurchase agreement rate and the short-term bank loan rate. All loans are subject to numerous conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds. The interfund lending facility is subject to the oversight and periodic review of the Board of Trustees of the Schwab Funds(R). MONEY MARKET SECURITIES are high-quality, short-term debt securities that may be issued by entities such as the U.S. government, municipalities, corporations and financial institutions (like banks). Money market securities include commercial paper, promissory notes, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances, notes and time deposits. Money market securities pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and are generally subject to credit and interest rate risks. The maturity date or price of and financial assets collateralizing a security may be structured in order to make it qualify as or act like a money market security. These securities may be subject to greater credit and interest rate risks than other money market securities because of their structure. Money market securities may be issued with puts or these can be sold separately. MUNICIPAL LEASES are obligations issued to finance the construction or acquisition of equipment or facilities. These obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase contract, a 6 REG38785 - 00 conditional sales contract or a participation interest in any of these obligations. Municipal leases may be considered illiquid investments. Additionally, municipal leases are generally subject to "nonappropriation risk," which is the risk that the municipality may terminate the lease because funds have not been allocated to make the necessary lease payments. The lessor would then be entitled to repossess the property, but the value of the property may be less to private sector entities than it would be to the municipality. MUNICIPAL SECURITIES are debt securities issued by a state, its counties, municipalities, authorities and other subdivisions, or the territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia, including their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and corporations ("municipal issuers"). These securities may be issued to obtain money for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, public utilities, schools, streets, and water and sewer works. Other public purposes include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and obtaining funds to loan to other public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities also may be issued to finance various private activities, including certain types of private activity bonds ("industrial development bonds" under prior law). These securities may be issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide certain privately owned or operated facilities. The funds may not be desirable investments for "substantial users" of facilities financed by private activity bonds or industrial development bonds or for "related persons" of substantial users because distributions from the funds attributable to interest on such bonds may not be tax exempt. The funds may also acquire and hold "conduit securities," which are securities issued by a municipal issuer involving an arrangement or agreement with a person other than a municipal issuer to provide for, or secure repayment of, the securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential effect on them (if any) of any investment in these funds. Municipal securities may be owned directly or through participation interests, and include general obligation or revenue securities, tax-exempt commercial paper, notes and leases. The maturity date or price of and financial assets collateralizing a municipal money market security may be structured in order to make it qualify as or act like a municipal money market security. These securities may be subject to greater credit and interest rate risks than other municipal money market securities because of their structure. Municipal securities generally are classified as "general obligation" or "revenue" and may be purchased directly or through participation interests. General obligation securities typically are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities typically are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special tax or other specific revenue source. Private activity bonds and industrial development bonds are, in most cases, revenue bonds and generally do not constitute the pledge of the credit of the issuer of such bonds. The credit quality of private activity bonds is frequently related to the credit standing of private corporations or other entities. Examples of municipal securities that are issued with original maturities of 397 days or less are short-term tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds and tax-free commercial paper. Tax anticipation notes typically are sold to finance working capital needs of municipalities in anticipation of the receipt of property taxes on a future date. Bond anticipation notes are sold on an interim basis in anticipation of a municipality's issuance of a longer-term bond in the future. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the receipt of other types of revenue, such as that available under the Federal Revenue 7 REG38785 - 00 Sharing Program. Construction loan notes are instruments insured by the Federal Housing Administration with permanent financing by Fannie Mae or "Ginnie Mae" (the Government National Mortgage Association) at the end of the project construction period. Pre-refunded municipal bonds are bonds that are not yet refundable, but for which securities have been placed in escrow to refund an original municipal bond issue when it becomes refundable. Tax-free commercial paper is an unsecured promissory obligation issued or guaranteed by a municipal issuer. The funds may purchase other municipal securities similar to the foregoing that are or may become available, including securities issued to pre-refund other outstanding obligations of municipal issuers. The funds also may invest in moral obligation securities, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of a moral obligation security is unable to meet its obligation from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund. The state or municipality that created the entity has only a moral commitment, not a legal obligation, to restore the reserve fund. The value of municipal securities may be affected by uncertainties with respect to the rights of holders of municipal securities in the event of bankruptcy or the taxation of municipal securities as a result of legislation or litigation. For example, under federal law, certain issuers of municipal securities may be authorized in certain circumstances to initiate bankruptcy proceedings without prior notice to or the consent of creditors. Such action could result in material adverse changes in the rights of holders of the securities. In addition, litigation challenging the validity under the state constitutions of present systems of financing public education has been initiated or adjudicated in a number of states, and legislation has been introduced to effect changes in public school finances in some states. In other instances, there has been litigation challenging the issuance of pollution control revenue bonds or the validity of their issuance under state or federal law, which ultimately could affect the validity of those municipal securities or the tax-free nature of the interest thereon. Municipal securities pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest, which is meant to be exempt from federal income tax, and, typically personal income tax of a state or locality. The investment adviser relies on the opinion of the issuer's counsel, which is rendered at the time the security is issued, to determine whether the security is eligible, with respect to its validity and tax status, to be purchased by a fund. PUTS, sometimes called demand features or guarantees, are agreements that allow the buyer of the put to sell a security at a specified price and time to the seller or "put provider." When a fund buys a security with a put feature, losses could occur if the put provider does not perform as agreed. Standby commitments are types of puts. QUALITY OF INVESTMENTS. Each fund follows regulations set forth by the SEC that dictate the quality requirements for investments by money market mutual funds as such regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. These regulations require the funds to invest exclusively in high-quality securities. Generally, high-quality securities are securities that present minimal credit risks and are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs), or by one if only one NRSRO has rated the securities, or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. High-quality securities may be "first tier" or "second tier" securities. First tier securities may be rated within the highest category or determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser. Money market fund shares and U.S. government securities also are first tier securities. Second tier securities generally are rated within the second-highest category. 8 REG38785 - 00 Should a security's high-quality rating change after purchase by a fund, the investment adviser would take such action, including no action, as determined to be in the best interest of the fund and as required by Rule 2a-7. For more information about the ratings assigned by some NRSROs, refer to the Appendix section of the SAI. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve a fund buying securities (usually U.S. government securities) from a seller and simultaneously agreeing to sell them back at an agreed-upon price (usually higher) and time. There are risks that losses will result if the seller does not perform as agreed. Repurchase agreements will be "collateralized" by first tier securities in which the funds could invest directly. In addition, repurchase agreements collateralized entirely by U.S. government securities may be deemed to be collateralized fully pursuant to Rule 2a-7. Under certain circumstances, repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by U.S. government securities may be deemed to be investments in U.S. government securities. RESTRICTED SECURITIES are securities that are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. For example, tender option bonds, commercial paper and other promissory notes may be issued under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold only to qualified institutional buyers, such as the funds, under Securities Act Rule 144A. Restricted securities may be deemed liquid or illiquid. In order to be deemed liquid, a fund must be able to dispose of the security in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount the fund has valued the security. In addition, the investment adviser must determine that an institutional or other market exists for these securities. In making this determination, the investment adviser may take into account any liquidity support associated with the security. It is not possible to predict with assurance whether the market for any restricted security will continue. Therefore, the investment adviser monitors a fund's investments in these securities, focusing on factors, such as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. To the extent a fund invests in restricted securities that are deemed liquid, the general level of illiquidity in a fund's portfolio may increase if buyers in that market become unwilling to purchase the securities. SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. Investment companies generally offer investors the advantages of diversification and professional investment management, by combining shareholders' money and investing it in securities such as stocks, bonds and money market instruments. The risks of investing in a particular investment company will generally reflect the risks of the securities in which it invests and the investment techniques it employs. Because investment companies employ investment advisers and other service providers, investments by a fund into another investment company may cause shareholders to pay duplicative fees and incur expenses. Federal law restricts the ability of one registered investment company to invest in another. As a result, the extent to which a fund may invest in another investment company may be limited. With respect to investments in other mutual funds, the SEC has granted the Schwab Funds(R) an exemption from the limitations of the 1940 Act that restrict the amount of securities of underlying mutual funds a Schwab fund may hold, provided that certain conditions are met. The conditions imposed by the SEC were designed to address certain abuses perceived to be associated with "funds of funds", including unnecessary costs (such as sales loads, advisory fees and administrative costs), and undue influence by the investing fund over the underlying fund. The conditions apply only when a Schwab fund and its affiliates in the aggregate own more than 3% of the outstanding shares of any one underlying fund. STATE-SPECIFIC MUNICIPAL MONEY FUNDS are municipal money market funds that invest at least 80% of their net assets in securities that pay income that is exempt from federal taxes and the taxes of a particular state. These funds may invest primarily and generally predominately in municipal money 9 REG38785 - 00 market securities issued by or on behalf of one state or one state's counties, municipalities, authorities or other subdivisions. They also may invest in securities issued by certain U.S. territories and possessions, such as Puerto Rico, that pay income that is exempt from federal and state income tax. Securities of state-specific municipal funds are subject to the same general risks associated with other municipal funds' securities. The ability of a state or its municipalities to meet their obligations will depend on the availability of tax and other revenues; economic, political and demographic conditions within the state; and the underlying fiscal condition of the state and its municipalities. For example, the ability of issuers to pay interest on, and repay principal of, municipal securities of a given state may be affected by: (1) amendments to the state's Constitution and related statutes that limit the taxing and spending authority of the state's government entities; (2) voter initiatives; (3) civil actions; (4) a wide variety of state laws and regulations; and (5) the general financial condition of the state. Accordingly, a fund that invests primarily in securities issued by a single state and its political subdivisions provides a greater level of risk than a fund that is diversified across numerous states and municipal entities. Municipal securities that are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility may be adversely affected by a state's laws or regulations that make it more difficult for the particular facility to generate revenues sufficient to pay such interest and principal. For example, laws and regulations that limit the amount of fees, rates or other charges that may be imposed for use of the facility or that increase competition among facilities of that type or that limit or otherwise have the effect of reducing the use of such facilities may have the effect of reducing the revenues generated by the particular facility. Municipal securities, the payment of interest and principal on which is insured, in whole or in part, by a state governmentally created fund, may be adversely affected by state laws or regulations that restrict the aggregate proceeds available for payment of principal and interest in the event of a default on such municipal securities. Because of the diverse nature of such laws and regulations and the impossibility of predicting (a) which specific municipal securities a state-specific municipal fund will invest from time to time; and (b) the nature or extent of future changes in existing laws or regulations or the future enactment or adoption of additional laws or regulations in a given state, it is not presently possible to determine the impact of such laws and regulations on the securities in which a state-specific municipal fund may invest or on the shares of the state-specific municipal fund. In addition, the Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in a state's legislature in regards to the state personal income tax status of the interest on such obligations, or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially adversely affect the availability of municipal securities for investment by a fund and the value of the fund's investments. Further, in January 2006, the Kentucky Court of Appeals held, in Davis v. Department of Revenue, that the state's exemption of interest on its own bonds and those of its political subdivisions and its taxation of interest on the bonds of other states and their political subdivisions unlawfully discriminates against interstate commerce. After the Kentucky Supreme Court declined to review the decision, Kentucky officials petitioned the United States Supreme Court to review the Davis decision, and the request was granted by the Court on May 24, 2007. A decision in the Davis case is anticipated sometime during the next term of the United States Supreme Court, which commences on October 1, 2007. If the United States Supreme Court were to affirm the Davis decision, the tax treatment of state and local government bonds of other states also may be held to be unconstitutional. A determination that the tax-exempt treatment of state and local government bonds unlawfully discriminates against interstate commerce could cause interest on such tax-exempt obligations held by the fund to become taxable and the market value of such obligations to decline, which, in turn, may negatively affect the value of the fund's shares. 10 REG38785 - 00 These funds are not suitable for investors who would not benefit from the tax-exempt character of each fund's investments, such as holders of IRAs, qualified retirement plans or other tax-exempt entities. TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS. Under normal conditions, each fund does not intend to invest more than 20% of its net assets in securities whose interest is subject to federal income tax. With respect to the state-specific municipal money funds, the funds do not intend to invest, under normal conditions, more than 20% of their net assets in securities whose interest is subject to the respective state's income taxes. Accordingly, each fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate income that is not exempt from federal or state income tax. In addition, from time to time, as a defensive measure or under abnormal market conditions, the funds may make temporary investments in securities, the interest on which is subject to federal income and/or state and local personal income taxes. For the Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund, under normal conditions, the fund does not currently intend to invest in any municipal securities whose interest is subject to the AMT. However, from time to time, as a temporary defensive measure or under abnormal market conditions, the fund may make temporary investments in securities whose interest is subject to federal income tax and in municipal securities whose interest is subject to the AMT. U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Many U.S. government securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, which means they are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Securities such as those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA or Sallie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) maintain limited lines of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Others, such as obligations issued by the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation (FFCB), are supported solely by the credit of the issuer. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government will provide financial support to securities of its agencies and instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so under law. Also, any government guarantees on securities that a fund owns do not extend to shares of the fund itself. Although the risk of default with U.S. government securities is considered unlikely, any default on the part of a portfolio investment could cause a fund's share price or yield to fall. U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES are obligations of the U.S. Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE DEBT SECURITIES pay an interest rate, which is adjusted either periodically or at specific intervals or which floats continuously according to a formula or benchmark. Although these structures generally are intended to minimize the fluctuations in value that occur when interest rates rise and fall, some structures may be linked to a benchmark in such a way as to cause greater volatility to the security's value. Some variable rate securities may be combined with a put or demand feature (variable rate demand securities) that entitles the holder to the right to demand repayment in full or to resell at a specific price and/or time. While the demand feature is intended to reduce credit risks, it is not always unconditional, and may make the securities more difficult to sell quickly without losses. There are risks involved with these securities because there may be no active secondary market for a particular variable rate demand security purchased by a fund. In addition, a fund may exercise only its demand rights at certain times. A fund could suffer losses in the event that the issuer defaults on its obligation. Synthetic variable or floating rate securities include tender option bond receipts. Tender option bond receipts are derived from fixed-rate municipal bonds that are placed in a trust from which two classes of trust receipts are issued. These receipts represent proportionate interest in the underlying bonds. The remarketing agent for the trust sets a floating or variable rate on typically a weekly basis. Tender 11 REG38785 - 00 option bonds grant the investors the right to require the issuer or a specified third party acting as agent for the issuer (e.g., a tender agent) to purchase the bonds, usually at par, at a certain time or times prior to maturity or upon the occurrence of specified events or conditions. The put option or tender option right is typically available to the investor on a periodic (e.g., daily, weekly or monthly) basis. Typically, the put option is exercisable on dates on which the floating or variable rate changes. As consideration for providing the option, the agent receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond's fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. An institution will normally not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from tax-exempt status. Under certain circumstances, the holder of a trust receipt also may participate in any gain or loss on the sale of such bonds. Tender option bonds may be considered derivatives and are subject to the risk thereof. The funds may invest in tender option bonds the interest on which will, in the opinion of bond counsel or counsel for the issuer of interests therein, be exempt from regular federal income tax. However, because there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will agree with such counsel's opinion in any particular case, there is a risk that a fund will not be considered the owner of such tender option bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax treatment of tender option bonds and the associated fees in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions is unclear. Tender option bond trust receipts generally are structured as private placements and, accordingly, may be deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of a fund's investment limitations. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS The following investment limitations may be changed only by vote of a majority of each fund's outstanding voting shares. EACH OF SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, SCHWAB CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM AND SCHWAB NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM MAY NOT: (1) Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. (2) Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. (3) Lend or borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (4) Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. 12 REG38785 - 00 (5) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of its assets, except to the extent as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (6) Issue senior securities, except to the extent as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (7) Purchase securities or make investments other than in accordance with investment objectives and policies. SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM MAY NOT: (1) Purchase securities of any issuer unless consistent with the maintenance of its status as a diversified company under the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. EACH OF SCHWAB NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, SCHWAB PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, SCHWAB AMT TAX-FREE MONEY FUND AND SCHWAB MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM MAY NOT: (1) Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (2) Purchase or sell commodities, commodities contracts, futures contracts, or real estate, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (3) Lend or borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (4) Underwrite securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (5) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of its assets, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. (6) Issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time. THE SCHWAB AMT TAX-FREE MONEY FUND MAY NOT: (1) Purchase securities of any issuer unless consistent with the maintenance of its status as a diversified company under the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, provided, however, that the fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets without regard to this restriction as permitted by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. 13 REG38785 - 00 THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS OF THE 1940 ACT MAY ASSIST INVESTORS IN UNDERSTANDING THE ABOVE POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS. Diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund, with respect to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or it would own more than 10% of such issuer's outstanding voting securities. Money market funds that satisfy the applicable diversification requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act are deemed to satisfy the diversification requirements set forth above. Borrowing. The 1940 Act presently restricts a fund from borrowing (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets). Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. Concentration. The SEC presently defines concentration as investing 25% or more of a fund's net assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions. Municipal securities are not deemed to be issued by an issuer from a single industry or group of industries. Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets. The foregoing restriction does not apply to non-diversified funds. Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it provides allowances for certain borrowings and certain other investments, such as short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligations. Real Estate. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict a fund's ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every fund have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The funds have adopted a fundamental policy that would permit direct investment in real estate. However, the funds have a non-fundamental investment limitation that prohibits them from investing directly in real estate. This non-fundamental policy may be changed only by vote of the funds' Board of Trustees. THE FOLLOWING ARE NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS, AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. EACH FUND MAY NOT: (1) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time. 14 REG38785 - 00 (2) Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties (this restriction does not apply to purchases of debt securities or repurchase agreements). (3) Borrow money except that the fund may (i) borrow money from banks or through an interfund lending facility, if any, only for temporary or emergency purposes (and not for leveraging) and (ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements with any party; provided that (i) and (ii) in combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets (any borrowings that come to exceed this amount will be reduced to the extent necessary to comply with the limitation within three business days). (4) Sell securities short unless it owns the security or the right to obtain the security or equivalent securities, or unless it covers such short sale as required by current SEC rules and interpretations (transactions in futures contracts, options and other derivative instruments are not considered selling securities short). (5) Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or real estate, including interests in real estate limited partnerships, provided that the fund may (i) purchase securities of companies that deal in real estate or interests therein (including REITs), (ii) purchase or sell futures contracts, options contracts, equity index participations and index participation contracts, and (iii) purchase securities of companies that deal in precious metals or interests therein. (6) Invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. (7) Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin. THE SCHWAB MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM MAY NOT: (1) Purchase securities (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any industry, group of industries or in any one state (although securities issued by government or political subdivisions of governments are not considered to be securities subject to this industry concentration restriction). THE SCHWAB CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, THE SCHWAB NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, THE SCHWAB NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, THE SCHWAB PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM, THE SCHWAB AMT TAX-FREE MONEY FUND TM AND THE SCHWAB MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL MONEY FUND TM MAY NOT: (1) Purchase securities (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any industry or group of industries (although securities issued by government or political subdivisions of governments are not considered to be securities subject to this industry concentration restriction). Policies and investment limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard shall be measured immediately after and as a result of the fund's acquisition of such security or asset, unless otherwise noted. Except with 15 REG38785 - 00 respect to limitations on borrowing, any subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances does not require a fund to sell an investment if it could not then make the same investment. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances causes a fund to exceed its limitation, the fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS The funds are overseen by a Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for protecting shareholder interests. The trustees regularly meet to review the investment activities, contractual arrangements and the investment performance of each fund. The trustees met 6 times during the most recent fiscal year. Certain trustees are "interested persons." A trustee is considered an interested person of the Trust under the 1940 Act if he or she is an officer, director, or an employee of Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. ("CSIM") or Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). A trustee also may be considered an interested person of the Trust under the 1940 Act if he or she owns stock of The Charles Schwab Corporation, a publicly traded company and the parent company of the funds' investment adviser and distributor. Each of the officers and/or trustees also serves in the same capacity as described for the Trust, for Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios (collectively referred to herein as the "Family of Investment Companies"), which as of December 31, 2006, included 57 funds. The tables below provide information about the trustees and officers for the Trust, which includes funds in this SAI. The "Fund Complex" includes The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, Laudus Trust, Laudus Variable Insurance Trust, Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., and Excelsior Funds Trust. As of December 31, 2006, the Fund Complex included 95 funds. The address of each individual is 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104. 16 REG38785 - 00 Each officer's and trustee's principal occupations during the past five years, other current directorships and affiliations, if any, with The Charles Schwab Corporation, Schwab and CSIM are as follows:
NAME, YEAR OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER OF OTHER BIRTH, AND OCCUPATIONS DURING PORTFOLIOS IN DIRECTORSHIPS POSITION(S) WITH THE PAST FIVE YEARS FUND COMPLEX THE TRUST; OVERSEEN BY (TERM OF OFFICE THE TRUSTEE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1) - ---------------------- --------------------------- ------------- ------------------------ INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Mariann Byerwalter Chairman of JDN Corporate 95 Board 1 -- Director, 1960 Advisory LLC. From 1996 Redwood Trust, Inc. Trustee to 2001, Vice President (Trustee of CSFF since for Business Affairs and Board 2 -- Director, PMI 2000.) Chief Financial Officer Group, Inc. of Stanford University, and in 2001, Special Advisor to the President of Stanford University. Donald F. Dorward Chief Executive Officer, 57 None. 1931 Dorward & Associates Trustee (corporate management, (Trustee of CSFF since marketing and communications 1989.) consulting firm). From 1996- 1999, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Grey Advertising. Prior to 1996, President and Chief Executive Officer, Allen & Dorward Advertising. William A. Hasler Retired. Dean Emeritus, 95 Board 1 -- Director, 1941 Haas School of Business, Mission West Properties. Trustee University of California, (Trustee of CSFF since Berkeley. Until February Board 2 -- Director, 2000.) 2004, Co-Chief Executive TOUSA. Officer, Aphton Corp. (bio-pharmaceuticals). Board 3 -- Director, Prior to August 1998, Harris-Stratex Networks. Dean of the Haas School of Business, University of Board 4 -- Director, California, Berkeley Genitope Corp. (higher education). Board 5 -- Director & Non-Executive Chairman, Solectron Corp. Board 6 -- Director, Ditech Networks.
17 REG38785 - 00
NAME, YEAR OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER OF OTHER BIRTH, AND OCCUPATIONS DURING PORTFOLIOS IN DIRECTORSHIPS POSITION(S) WITH THE PAST FIVE YEARS FUND COMPLEX THE TRUST; OVERSEEN BY (TERM OF OFFICE THE TRUSTEE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1) - ---------------------- -------------------------- ------------- ------------------------ Robert G. Holmes Chairman, Chief Executive 57 None. 1931 Officer and Director, Trustee Semloh Financial, Inc. (Trustee of CSFF since (international financial 1989.) services and investment advisory firm). Gerald B. Smith Chairman and Chief 57 Board 1 -- Board of 1950 Executive Officer and Cooper Industries. Trustee founder of Smith Graham & (Trustee of CSFF since Co. (investment advisors). Board 2 -- Chairman of 2000.) the Audit Committee of Oneok Partners LP. Donald R. Stephens Managing Partner, D.R. 57 None. 1938 Stephens & Company Trustee (investments). Prior to (Trustee of CSFF since 1996, Chairman and Chief 1989.) Executive Officer of North American Trust (real estate investment trust). Michael W. Wilsey Chairman and Chief 57 None. 1943 Executive Officer, Wilsey Trustee Bennett, Inc. (real (Trustee of CSFF since estate investment and 1989.) management, and other investments). INTERESTED TRUSTEES
18 REG38785 - 00
NAME, YEAR OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER OF OTHER BIRTH, AND OCCUPATIONS DURING PORTFOLIOS IN DIRECTORSHIPS POSITION(S) WITH THE PAST FIVE YEARS FUND COMPLEX THE TRUST; OVERSEEN BY (TERM OF OFFICE THE TRUSTEE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1) - ---------------------- -------------------------- ------------- ------------------------ Charles R. Schwab 2 Chairman, Chief Executive 57 None. 1937 Officer and Director, The Chairman and Trustee Charles Schwab (Chairman and Trustee Corporation, Charles of CSFF since 1989.) Schwab & Co., Inc.; Chairman and Director, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., Charles Schwab Bank, N. A.; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Schwab (SIS) Holdings Inc. I, Schwab International Holdings, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer and Director, Schwab Holdings, Inc.; Director, U.S. Trust Company, N. A., U.S. Trust Corporation, United States Trust Company of New York. Until May 2003, Co-Chief Executive Officer, The Charles Schwab Corporation. Randall W. Merk 2 Executive Vice President 95 None. 1954 and President, Schwab Trustee Financial Products, (Trustee of CSFF since Charles Schwab & Co., 2005.) Inc.; Director, Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited and Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds PLC. From September 2002 to July 2004, Chief Executive Officer and President, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and Executive Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Prior to September 2002, President and Chief Investment Officer, American Century
19 REG38785 - 00
NAME, YEAR OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER OF OTHER BIRTH, AND OCCUPATIONS DURING PORTFOLIOS IN DIRECTORSHIPS POSITION(S) WITH THE PAST FIVE YEARS FUND COMPLEX THE TRUST; OVERSEEN BY (TERM OF OFFICE THE TRUSTEE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 1) - ---------------------- -------------------------- ------------- ------------------------ Investment Management, and Director, American Century Companies, Inc.
NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST; YEARS (TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 3) - ------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- OFFICERS Evelyn Dilsaver President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, 1955 Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; President and Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., (Officer of CSFF since 2004.) Inc; President and Chief Executive Officer, Laudus Trust and Laudus Variable Insurance Trust; President, Excelsior Funds Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., and Excelsior Funds Trust; President, Mutual Fund Division, UST Advisers, Inc. From June 2003 to July 2004, Senior Vice President, Asset Management Products and Services, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Prior to June 2003, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. Trust , a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. George Pereira Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 1964 Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Chief Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer Financial Officer, Laudus Trust and Laudus Variable (Officer of CSFF since 2004.) Insurance Trust; Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Excelsior Funds Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., and Excelsior Funds Trust; Chief Financial Officer, Mutual Fund Division, UST Advisers, Inc. Director, Charles Schwab Worldwide Fund, PLC and Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Limited. From December 1999 to November 2004, Sr. Vice President, Financial Reporting, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
20 REG38785 - 00
NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST; YEARS (TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 3) - ------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Koji E. Felton Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel and Corporate 1961 Secretary, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer Inc.; Senior Vice President and Deputy General (Officer of CSFF since 1998.) Counsel, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Chief Legal Officer, Laudus Trust, Laudus Variable Insurance Trust. Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, Excelsior Funds Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., and Excelsior Funds Trust. Prior to June 1998, Branch Chief in Enforcement at U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in San Francisco. Randall Fillmore Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, 1960 Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; Senior Chief Compliance Officer and AML Officer Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Chief (Officer of CSFF since 2002.) Compliance Officer, Laudus Trust, Laudus Variable Insurance Trust, Excelsior Funds Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc., and Excelsior Funds Trust. From 2002 to 2003, Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. From 2000 to 2002, Vice President, Internal Audit, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Kimon P. Daifotis Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer 1959 -- Fixed Income, Charles Schwab Investment Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Management, Inc. Prior to 2004, Vice President and Officer -- Fixed Income Sr. Portfolio Manager, Charles Schwab Investment (Officer of CSFF since 2004.) Management, Inc. Jeffrey M. Mortimer Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer 1963 -- Equities, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Inc.; Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Officer -- Equities Laudus Trust and Laudus Variable Insurance Trust. (Officer of CSFF since 2004.) Prior to 2004, Vice President and Sr. Portfolio Manager, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. Catherine MacGregor Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Charles 1964 Schwab Investment Management, Inc., and Laudus Vice President Trust and Laudus Variable Insurance Trust; since (Officer of CSFF since 2005 2006, Chief Counsel, Laudus Trust and Laudus Variable Insurance Trust; until July 2005, Senior Associate, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. Cathy Sabo Vice President, Compliance, Charles Schwab 1964 Investment, Management, Inc., and Laudus Trust and Vice President Laudus Variable Insurance Trust; until September (Officer of CSFF since 2005 2004, Vice President, Client, Sales & Services Controls, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Michael Haydel Vice President, Asset Management Client Services, 1972 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Vice President and AML
21 REG38785 - 00
NAME, YEAR OF BIRTH, AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST; YEARS (TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED 3) - ------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Vice President Officer, Laudus Trust and Laudus Variable Insurance (Officer of CSFF since 2006 Trust. Until March 2004, Director, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
1 Trustees remain in office until they resign, retire or are removed by shareholder vote. The Schwab Funds(R) retirement policy requires that independent trustees elected after January 1, 2000 retire at age 72 or after twenty years as a trustee, whichever comes first. Independent trustees elected prior to January 1, 2000 will retire on the following schedule: Messrs. Holmes and Dorward will retire on December 31, 2007, and Messrs. Stephens and Wilsey will retire on December 31, 2010. 2 In addition to their employment with the investment adviser and the distributor, Messrs. Schwab and Merk also own stock of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Mr. Schwab and Mr. Merk are Interested Trustees because they are employees of Schwab and/or the adviser. 3 The President, Treasurer and Secretary hold office until their respective successors are chosen and qualified or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each other officer serves at the pleasure of the Board. TRUSTEE COMMITTEES The Board of Trustees has established certain committees and adopted Committee charters with respect to those committees, each as described below: - The Audit and Compliance Committee (formerly the Audit/Portfolio Compliance Committee) has oversight responsibility for the integrity of the Trust's financial reporting processes and compliance policies, procedures and processes, and for the Trust's overall system of internal controls. This Committee is comprised of at least four Independent Trustees. Currently, Messrs. Hasler, Holmes, Wilsey and Ms. Byerwalter are members of this Committee. The charter directs that the Committee must meet four times annually, with additional meetings as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year. - The primary purpose of the Governance Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding Trust governance-related matters, including but not limited to Board compensation practices, retirement policies and term limits, Board self-evaluations, the effectiveness and allocation of assignments and functions by the Board, the composition of committees of the Board, and the training of Trustees. The Committee is also responsible for selecting and nominating candidates to serve as trustees. There are no specific procedures in place to consider nominees recommended by shareholders, but such nominees would be considered if such nominations were submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the 1934 Act in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the election of Trustees. This Committee is comprised of at least three Independent Trustees. Currently, Messrs. Dorward, Hasler and Holmes and Ms. Byerwalter are members of this Committee. The charter directs that the Committee meets at such times and with such frequency as is deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year. - The primary purpose of the Investment Oversight Committee is to oversee the investment activities of the Trust. This Committee is comprised of at least three Independent Trustees. Currently, Messrs. Smith, Stephens and Wilsey are members of this Committee. The charter directs that the Committee meets at such times and with such frequency as is deemed necessary 22 REG38785 - 00 or appropriate by the Committee. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year. - The primary purposes of the Marketing, Distribution and Shareholder Services Committee are to review matters relating to the marketing of the Funds' shares; to oversee the quality and cost of shareholder services provided to the Trust and its shareholders pursuant to the shareholder servicing and/or administrative service plans; and to oversee the Trust's distribution-related arrangements, including the distribution-related services provided to the Trust and its shareholders. This Committee is comprised of at least three Independent Trustees. Currently, Messrs. Dorward, Smith and Stephens are members of this Committee. The charter directs that the Committee meets at such times and with such frequency as is deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. The Committee met 4 times during the most recent fiscal year. TRUSTEE COMPENSATION The following table provides trustee compensation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. Certain of this information is for the Fund Complex, which included 95 funds as of December 31, 2006.
Name of Trustee Pension or Retirement ($) ($) Benefits Total Compensation from Aggregate Accrued as Part of Fund Fund Compensation Expenses Complex - --------------------- ------------ ----------------------- -------------------------- INTERESTED TRUSTEES Charles R. Schwab 0 N/A 0 Randy Merk 0 N/A 0 INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Mariann Byerwalter $111,189 $8,856 $285,891 Donald F. Dorward $111,156 N/A $199,500 William A. Hasler $111,156 $8,856 $285,891 Robert G. Holmes $111,156 N/A $199,500 Gerald B. Smith $111,156 N/A $199,500 Donald R. Stephens $108,796 N/A $195,500 Michael W. Wilsey $100,342 N/A $180,300
SECURITIES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH TRUSTEE The following tables provide each Trustee's equity ownership of a fund and ownership of all registered investment companies overseen by each Trustee in the Family of Investment Companies as of December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, the Family of Investment Companies included 57 funds. 23 REG38785 - 00
Dollar Range of Trustee Ownership of the Fund: Schwab Schwab New Schwab California Schwab New Jersey Aggregate Dollar Range Of Trustee Municipal Municipal Money York Municipal Municipal Money Ownership In the Family of Investment Name of Trustee Money Fund TM Fund TM Money Fund TM Fund TM Companies - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERESTED TRUSTEES Charles R. Schwab None Over $100,000 None None Over $100,000 Randy Merk None None None None Over $100,000 INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Mariann Byerwalter None None None None Over $100,000 Donald F. Dorward None None None None Over $100,000 William A. Hasler None None None None Over $100,000 Robert G. Holmes None None None None Over $100,000 Gerald B. Smith None None None None Over $100,000 Donald R. Stephens None None None None Over $100,000 Michael W. Wilsey None None None None Over $100,000
Dollar Range of Trustee Ownership of the Fund: Schwab Aggregate Dollar Range Pennsylvania Schwab AMT Of Trustee Ownership In Municipal Money Tax-Free Money Schwab Massachusetts Municipal the Family of Investment Name of Trustee Fund TM Fund Money Fund TM Companies - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERESTED TRUSTEES Charles R. Schwab None None None Over $100,000 Randy Merk None None None Over $100,000 INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Mariann Byerwalter None None None Over $100,000 Donald F. Dorward None None None Over $100,000 William A. Hasler None None None Over $100,000 Robert G. Holmes None None None Over $100,000 Gerald B. Smith None None None Over $100,000 Donald R. Stephens None None None Over $100,000 Michael W. Wilsey None None None Over $100,000
24 REG38785 - 00 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN Independent Trustees may enter into a fee deferral plan. Under this plan, deferred fees will be credited to an account established by the Trust as of the date that such fees would have been paid to the trustee. The value of this account will equal the value that the account would have if the fees credited to the account had been invested in the shares of Schwab Funds(R) selected by the trustee. Currently, none of the Independent Trustees has elected to participate in this plan. CODE OF ETHICS The funds, their investment adviser and Schwab have adopted a Code of Ethics (Code) as described under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions or restrictions, the Code permits the trustees, directors, officers or advisory representatives of the funds or the investment adviser or the directors or officers of Schwab to buy or sell directly or indirectly securities for their own accounts. This includes securities that may be purchased or held by the funds. Securities transactions by some of these individuals may be subject to prior approval of the investment adviser's Chief Compliance Officer or alternate. Most securities transactions are subject to quarterly reporting and review requirements. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES As of April 4, 2007, the officers and trustees of the Trust, as a group, owned of record or beneficially, less than 1% of the outstanding voting securities of any class of each fund. As of April 2, 2007, the following represents persons or entities that owned more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of any class of each fund: SCHWAB AMT TAX--FREE MONEY FUND -- VALUE ADVANTAGE SHARES Russell Martin Yett 8.25% 47-065 Kam Hwy Kaneohe, HI 96744
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES INVESTMENT ADVISER Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM or the investment adviser), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, serves as the funds' investment adviser and administrator pursuant to an Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement (Advisory Agreement) between it and the Trust. Schwab is an affiliate of the investment adviser and is the Trust's distributor, shareholder services agent and transfer agent. Charles R. Schwab is the founder, Chairman and Director of The Charles Schwab Corporation. As a result of his ownership of and interests in The Charles Schwab Corporation, Mr. Schwab may be deemed to be a controlling person of the investment adviser and Schwab. ADVISORY AGREEMENT The continuation of a fund's Advisory Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (1) by the vote of the trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the fund, and (2) by the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the investment advisory agreement or "interested 25 REG38785 - 00 persons" of any party (the "Independent Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each year, the Board of Trustees calls and holds a meeting to decide whether to renew the Advisory Agreement between the Trust and CSIM with respect to existing funds in the Trust. In preparation for the meeting, the Board requests and reviews a wide variety of materials provided by the funds' investment adviser, as well as extensive data provided by third parties, and the Independent Trustees receive advice from counsel to the Independent Trustees. For its advisory and administrative services to each fund, the investment adviser is entitled to receive a graduated annual fee payable monthly based on each fund's average daily net assets as described below. First $1 billion -- 0.35% More than $1 billion but not exceeding $10 billion -- 0.32% More than $10 billion but not exceeding $20 billion -- 0.30% More than $20 billion but not exceeding $40 billion -- 0.27% More than $40 billion -- 0.25% For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM paid net investment advisory fees of $28,121,000 (fees were reduced by $17,253,000), $27,004,000 (fees were reduced by 17,852,000) and $28,110,000 (fees were reduced by $17,980,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM paid net investment advisory fees of $15,548,000 (fees were reduced by $9,766,000), $15,377,000 (fees were reduced by $9,788,000) and $17,423,000 (fees were reduced by $10,843,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM paid net investment advisory fees of $3,817,000 (fees were reduced by $2,543,000), $3,832,000 (fees were reduced by $2,761,000) and $4,282,000 (fees were reduced by $3,185,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund TM paid net investment advisory fees of $825,000 (fees were reduced by $995,000), $763,000 (fees were reduced by $983,000) and $730,000 (fees were reduced by $1,123,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund TM paid net investment advisory fees of $577,000 (fees were reduced by $743,000), $543,000 (fees were reduced by $839,000) and $553,000 (fees were reduced by $938,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund paid net investment advisory fees of $2,251,000 (fees were reduced by $2,204,000), $2,164,000 (fees were reduced by $2,362,000) and $1,843,000 (fees were reduced by $2,442,000), respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Fund paid net investment advisory fees of $438,000 (fees were reduced by $976,000), $504,000 (fees were reduced by $843,000) and $477,000 (fees were reduced by $935,000), respectively. 26 REG38785 - 00 Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit each of the Sweep Shares of the Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund's TM, the Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund's TM, the Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund's TM and the Schwab Massachusetts Municipal Money Fund's TM "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.65%, respectively, through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit each of the Value Advantage Shares of the Schwab Municipal Money Fund's TM, Schwab California Municipal Money Fund's TM and Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund's TM "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.45%, respectively, through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit the Schwab Municipal Money Fund's Institutional Shares' and Select Shares'(R) "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.24% and 0.35%, respectively, through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit the Schwab Municipal Money Fund's Sweep Shares "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.63% through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit the Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund's Sweep Shares "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.63% through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit the Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund's Value Advantage Shares "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.45% through April 29, 2008. Schwab and the investment adviser have agreed to limit the Schwab California Municipal Money Fund's Sweep Shares "net operating expenses" (excluding interest, taxes and certain non-routine expenses) to 0.62% through April 29, 2008. An expense cap, where applicable, is not intended to cover all fund expenses, and a fund's expenses may exceed the expense cap. For example, the expense cap does not cover investment-related expenses, such as brokerage commissions, interest and taxes and the fees and expenses of pooled investment vehicles, such as other investment companies, nor does it cover extraordinary or non-routine expenses, if any, such as shareholder meeting costs. DISTRIBUTOR Pursuant to an agreement, Schwab is the principal underwriter for shares of the funds and is the Trust's agent for the purpose of the continuous offering of the funds' shares. Each fund pays the cost of the prospectuses and shareholder reports to be prepared and delivered to existing shareholders. Schwab pays such costs when the described materials are used in connection with the offering of shares to prospective investors and for supplemental sales literature and advertising. Schwab receives no fee under the agreement. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND TRANSFER AGENT Schwab provides fund information to shareholders, including share price, reporting shareholder ownership and account activities and distributing the funds' prospectuses, financial reports and other informational literature about the funds. Schwab maintains the office space, equipment and personnel 27 REG38785 - 00 necessary to provide these services. Schwab also distributes and markets Schwab Funds(R) and provides other services. At its own expense, Schwab may engage third party entities, as appropriate, to perform some or all of these services. For the services performed as transfer agent under its contract with each fund, Schwab is entitled to receive an annual fee from each fund's Sweep Shares, payable monthly in the amount of 0.15% of the Sweep Shares' average daily net assets. For the services performed as transfer agent under its contract with the Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM, Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM, Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM, and Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund TM, Schwab is entitled to receive an annual fee from each fund's Value Advantage Shares and Schwab Municipal Money Fund's Institutional Shares and Select Shares(R), payable monthly in the amount of 0.05% of each share class' average daily net assets. For the services performed as shareholder services agent under its contract with each fund, Schwab is entitled to receive an annual fee from each fund's Sweep Shares, payable monthly in the amount of 0.20% of the Sweep Shares' average daily net assets. For the services performed as shareholder services agent under its contract with the Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM, Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM, Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM and Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund TM, Schwab is entitled to receive an annual fee from each fund's Value Advantage Shares and Schwab Municipal Money Fund's Institutional Shares and Select Shares(R), payable monthly in the amount of 0.17% of each share class' average daily net assets. CUSTODIAN AND FUND ACCOUNTANT State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as custodian and fund accountant for the funds. The custodian is responsible for the daily safekeeping of securities and cash held or sold by the funds. The fund accountant maintains the books and records related to each fund's transactions. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The funds' independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, audits and reports on the annual financial statements of each series of the Trust and reviews certain regulatory reports and each fund's federal income tax return. They also perform other professional accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services when the Trust engages them to do so. Their address is Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111-4004. Each fund's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, are included in the fund's annual report that is supplied with the SAI. LEGAL COUNSEL Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. OTHER EXPENSES The funds pay other expenses that typically are connected with the Trust's operations, and include legal, audit and custodian fees, as well as the costs of accounting and registration of the funds. Expenses not 28 REG38785 - 00 directly attributable to a particular fund will generally be allocated among the funds in the Trust on the basis of each fund's relative net assets at the time the expense is incurred. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES PORTFOLIO TURNOVER Because securities with maturities of less than one year are excluded from required portfolio turnover rate calculations, the funds' portfolio turnover rate for reporting purposes is expected to be near zero. PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE The funds' Board of Trustees has approved policies and procedures that govern the timing and circumstances regarding the disclosure of fund portfolio holdings information to shareholders and third parties. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that disclosure of information regarding the funds' portfolio securities is in the best interests of fund shareholders, and include procedures to address conflicts between the interests of the funds' shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the funds' investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliated person of the funds, its investment adviser, or its principal underwriter, on the other. Pursuant to such procedures, the Board has authorized the president of the funds to authorize the release of the funds' portfolio holdings, as necessary, in conformity with the foregoing principles. The Board exercises on-going oversight of the disclosure of fund portfolio holdings by overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the fund's policies and procedures by the Chief Compliance Officer and by considering reports and recommendations by the Chief Compliance Officer concerning any material compliance matters. The Board will receive periodic updates, at least annually, regarding entities which were authorized to be provided "early disclosure" (as defined below) of the fund's portfolio holdings information. A complete list of each fund's portfolio holdings is published on the Schwab Funds website at www.schwab.com/schwabfunds, under "Prospectuses and Reports", typically 60-80 days after the end of each fund's fiscal quarter. The portfolio holdings information available on the Schwab Funds' website is the same that is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q or Form N-CSR. In addition, each fund's top ten holdings list is posted on the Schwab Funds website monthly, typically with a 10-day lag. In addition to the top ten holdings information, the funds also provide on the website monthly information regarding certain attributes of a fund's portfolio, such as a fund's sector weightings, portfolio composition, credit quality and duration and maturity, as applicable. The information on the website is publicly available to all categories of persons. Each fund may disclose portfolio holdings information to certain persons and entities prior to and more frequently than the public disclosure of such information ("early disclosure"). The president may authorize early disclosure of portfolio holdings information to such parties at differing times and/or with different lag times provided that (a) the president of the funds determines that the disclosure is in the best interests of the funds and that there are no conflicts of interest between the fund's shareholders and fund's adviser and distributor; and (b) the recipient is, either by contractual agreement or otherwise by law, required to maintain the confidentiality of the information. In addition, the funds' service providers including, without limitation, the investment adviser, distributor, the custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, auditor, proxy voting service provider, pricing information venders, publisher, printer and mailing agent may receive early disclosure of portfolio holdings information as frequently as daily in connection with the services they perform for 29 REG38785 - 00 the funds. Service providers will be subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to any portfolio holdings information whether imposed by the provisions of the service provider's contract with the trust or by the nature of its relationship with the trust. The funds' policies and procedures prohibit the funds, the funds' investment adviser or any related party from receiving any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. The funds may disclose non-material information including commentary and aggregate information about the characteristics of a fund in connection with or relating to a fund or its portfolio securities to any person if such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose, such disclosure does not effectively result in the disclosure of the complete portfolio securities of any fund (which can only be disclosed in accordance with the above requirements), and such information does not constitute material non-public information. Such disclosure does not fall within the portfolio securities disclosure requirements outlined above. Whether the information constitutes material non-public information will be made on a good faith determination, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. In most cases commentary or analysis would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to a recipient in making a decision concerning a fund. Commentary and analysis includes, but is not limited to, the allocation of a fund's portfolio securities and other investments among various asset classes, sectors, industries, and countries, the characteristics of the stock components and other investments of a fund, the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry and country, and the volatility characteristics of a fund. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS Each of the funds paid no brokerage commissions during the last three fiscal years. The investment adviser makes decisions with respect to the purchase and sale of portfolio securities on behalf of a fund. The investment adviser is responsible for implementing these decisions, including the negotiation of commissions and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. Purchases and sales of securities on a stock exchange or certain riskless principal transactions placed on NASDAQ are typically effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Purchases and sales of fixed income securities may be transacted with the issuer, the issuer's underwriter, or a dealer. A fund does not usually pay brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fixed income securities, although the price of the securities generally includes compensation, in the form of a spread or a mark-up or mark-down, which is not disclosed separately. The prices a fund pays to underwriters of newly-issued securities usually include a commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter. Transactions placed through dealers who are serving as primary market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. The money market securities in which the funds invest are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market and or purchased directly from the issuer or an underwriter or market maker. Purchases from underwriters will include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include the spread between the bid and asked price. It is expected that the cost of executing portfolio securities transactions of the funds will primarily consist of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. The investment adviser seeks to obtain the best overall execution in executing portfolio transactions. The investment adviser may take a number of factors into account in selecting brokers or dealers to execute these transactions. Such factors may include, without limitation, the following: execution 30 REG38785 - 00 price; brokerage commission or dealer spread; size or type of the transaction; nature or character of the markets; clearance or settlement capability; reputation; financial strength and stability of the broker or dealer; efficiency of execution and error resolution; block trading capabilities; willingness to execute related or unrelated difficult transactions in the future; order of call; or provision of additional brokerage or research services or products. The investment adviser may cause a fund to pay a higher commission than otherwise obtainable from other brokers or dealers in return for brokerage or research services or products if the investment adviser believes that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided. In addition to agency transactions, the investment adviser may receive brokerage and research services or products in connection with certain riskless transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidelines. In both instances, these services or products may include: economic, industry, or company research reports or investment recommendations; subscriptions to financial publications or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation equipment and services; research or analytical computer software and services; products or services that assist in effecting transactions, including services of third-party computer systems developers directly related to research and brokerage activities; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement). The investment adviser may use research services furnished by brokers or dealers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions or spreads to the broker or dealer providing such services. The investment adviser may receive a service from a broker or dealer that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the investment adviser will make a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the investment adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the investment adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the investment adviser believes that the costs of such services may be appropriately allocated to their anticipated research and non-research uses. A fund may purchase new issues of securities for clients in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the investment adviser with research services. The NASD has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. The investment adviser may place orders with electronic communications networks or other alternative trading systems. Placing orders with electronic communications networks or other alternative trading systems may enable a fund to trade directly with other institutional holders. At times, this may allow a fund to trade larger blocks than would be possible trading through a single market maker. The investment adviser may aggregate securities sales or purchases among two or more clients. The investment adviser will not aggregate transactions unless it believes such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution for each affected client and is consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement for such client. In any single transaction in which purchases and/or sales of securities of any issuer for the account of a fund are aggregated with other accounts managed by the investment adviser, the actual prices applicable to the transaction will be averaged among the accounts for which the transaction is effected, including the account of the fund. 31 REG38785 - 00 In determining when and to what extent to use Schwab or any other affiliated broker-dealer as its broker for executing orders for the funds on securities exchanges, the investment adviser follows procedures, adopted by the Board of Trustees, that are designed to ensure that affiliated brokerage commissions (if relevant) are reasonable and fair in comparison to unaffiliated brokerage commissions for comparable transactions. The Board reviews the procedures annually and approves and reviews transactions involving affiliated brokers quarterly. PROXY VOTING The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM through its Advisory Agreement. The Trustees have adopted CSIM's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures with respect to proxies voted on behalf of the various Schwab Funds portfolios. A description of CSIM's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures is included in Appendix B. The Trust is required to disclose annually a fund's complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. A fund's proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th is available by visiting the Schwab Funds' website at www.schwab.com/schwabfunds. A fund's Form N-PX is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS Each fund's regular broker-dealers during its most recent fiscal year are: (1) the ten broker-dealers that received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from the fund; (2) the ten broker-dealers that engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of portfolio transactions; and (3) the ten broker-dealers that sold the largest dollar amount of the fund's shares. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, no fund purchased securities issued by its regular broker-dealers. DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST Each fund is a series of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, an open-end investment management company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 20, 1989. The funds may hold special meetings of shareholders, which may cause the funds to incur non-routine expenses. These meetings may be called for purposes such as electing trustees, changing fundamental policies and amending management contracts. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share owned and may vote by proxy or in person. Proxy materials will be mailed to shareholders prior to any meetings, and will include a voting card and information explaining the matters to be voted upon. The bylaws of the Trust provide that a majority of shares entitled to vote shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law, or of the Declaration of Trust or of the bylaws permits or requires that (1) holders of any series shall vote as a series, then a majority of the aggregate number of shares of that series entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that series, or (2) holders of any class shall vote as a class, then a majority of the aggregate number of shares of that class entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that class. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice. The Declaration of Trust specifically authorizes the Board of Trustees to terminate the Trust (or any of its investment portfolios) by notice to the shareholders without shareholder approval. 32 REG38785 - 00 Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the Trust's obligations. The Declaration of Trust, however, disclaims shareholder liability for the Trust's acts or obligations and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the trustees. In addition, the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the property of an investment portfolio in which a shareholder owns or owned shares for all losses and expenses of such shareholder or former shareholder if he or she is held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Moreover, the Trust will be covered by insurance which the trustees consider adequate to cover foreseeable tort claims. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered remote, because it is limited to circumstances in which a disclaimer is inoperative and the Trust itself is unable to meet its obligations. There is a remote possibility that a fund could become liable for a misstatement in the prospectus or SAI about another fund. As more fully described in the Declaration of Trust, the trustees may each year, or more frequently, distribute to the shareholders of each series accrued income less accrued expenses and any net realized capital gains less accrued expenses. Distributions of each year's income of each series shall be distributed pro rata to shareholders in proportion to the number of shares of each series held by each of them. Distributions will be paid in cash or shares or a combination thereof as determined by the trustees. Distributions paid in shares will be paid at the net asset value per share as determined in accordance with the bylaws. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES AND DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES OF THE FUNDS The funds are open for business each day, except for days on which the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is closed and the following federal holiday observances: Columbus Day and Veterans Day. The NYSE's trading session is normally conducted from 9:30 a.m. Eastern time until 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, although some days, such as in advance of and following holidays, the NYSE's trading sessions closes early. The following NYSE holiday closings are currently scheduled for 2007: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (observed), Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On any day that the NYSE closes early, the funds reserve the right to advance the time by which purchase, redemption and exchange orders must be received by the funds' transfer agent. As long as the funds or Schwab follow reasonable procedures to confirm that your telephone or Internet order is genuine, they will not be liable for any losses an investor may experience due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include requiring a form of personal identification or confirmation before acting upon any telephone or Internet order, providing written confirmation of telephone or Internet orders and tape recording all telephone orders. Share certificates will not be issued in order to avoid additional administrative costs, however, share ownership records are maintained by Schwab. The Declaration of Trust provides that shares may be automatically redeemed if held by a shareholder in an amount less than the minimum required by each fund or share class. Each fund's minimum 33 REG38785 - 00 initial and additional investments and minimum balance requirements, if any, are set forth in the prospectus. The minimums may be changed without prior notice. Each fund has made an election with the SEC to pay in cash all redemptions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets at the beginning of such period. This election is irrevocable without the SEC's prior approval. Redemption requests in excess of these limits may be paid, in whole or in part, in investment securities or in cash, as the Board of Trustees may deem advisable. Payment will be made wholly in cash unless the Board of Trustees believes that economic or market conditions exist that would make such payment a detriment to the best interests of a fund. If redemption proceeds are paid in investment securities, such securities will be valued as set forth in "Pricing of Shares". A redeeming shareholder would normally incur transaction costs if he or she were to convert the securities to cash. Each of Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM, Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM and Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund is composed of two classes of shares. Schwab Municipal Money Fund TM is composed of four share classes. Each fund's share classes share a common investment portfolio and objective but have different minimum investment requirements and different expenses. The Sweep Shares are designed to provide convenience through automatic investment of uninvested cash balances and automatic redemptions for transactions in your Schwab account. The Value Advantage, Select and Institutional Shares do not have a sweep feature. EXCHANGING SHARES OF THE FUNDS Shares of any Schwab Funds, including any class of shares, may be sold and the shares of any other Schwab Fund or class purchased, provided the minimum investment and any other requirement of the fund or class purchased are satisfied, including any investor eligibility requirements. Without limiting this privilege, "an exchange order," which is a simultaneous order to sell shares of one fund or class and automatically invest the proceeds in another fund or class, may not be executed between shares of Sweep Investments(R) and shares of non-Sweep Investments. Shares of Sweep Investments may be bought and sold automatically pursuant to the terms and conditions of your Schwab account agreement. The funds and Schwab reserve certain rights with regard to exchanging shares of the funds. These rights include the right to: (i) refuse any purchase or exchange order that may negatively impact the fund's operations; (ii) refuse orders that appear to be associated with short-term trading activities; and (iii) materially modify or terminate the exchange privilege upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders. PRICING OF SHARES Each fund values its portfolio instruments at amortized cost, which means they are valued at their acquisition cost, as adjusted for amortization of premium or discount, rather than at current market value. Calculations are made to compare the value of a fund's investments at amortized cost with market values. Such values are required to be determined in one of two ways: securities for which market quotations are readily available are required to be valued at current market value; and securities for which market quotations are not readily available are required to be valued at fair value using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The funds use approved pricing services to provide values for their portfolio securities. Securities may be fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the funds' Board of Trustees when approved pricing services do not provide a value for a 34 REG38785 - 00 security, a furnished price appears manifestly incorrect or events occur prior to the close of the NYSE that materially affect the furnished price. The Board of Trustees regularly reviews fair value determinations made by the funds pursuant to the procedures. The amortized cost method of valuation seeks to maintain a stable net asset value per share (NAV) of $1.00, even where there are fluctuations in interest rates that affect the value of portfolio instruments. Accordingly, this method of valuation can in certain circumstances lead to a dilution of a shareholder's interest. If a deviation of 1/2 of 1% or more were to occur between the NAV calculated using market values and a fund's $1.00 NAV calculated using amortized cost or if there were any other deviation that the Board of Trustees believed would result in a material dilution to shareholders or purchasers, the Board of Trustees would promptly consider what action, if any, should be initiated. If a fund's NAV calculated using market values declined, or was expected to decline, below a fund's $1.00 NAV calculated using amortized cost, the Board of Trustees might temporarily reduce or suspend dividend payments in an effort to maintain a fund's $1.00 NAV. As a result of such reduction or suspension of dividends or other action by the Board of Trustees, an investor would receive less income during a given period than if such a reduction or suspension had not taken place. Such action could result in investors receiving no dividend for the period during which they hold their shares and receiving, upon redemption, a price per share lower than that which they paid. On the other hand, if a fund's NAV (calculated using market values) were to increase, or were anticipated to increase above a fund's $1.00 NAV (calculated using amortized cost), the Board of Trustees might supplement dividends in an effort to maintain a fund's $1.00 NAV. DELIVERY OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS Typically once a year, an updated prospectus will be mailed to shareholders describing each fund's investment strategies, risks and shareholder policies. Twice a year, financial reports will be mailed to shareholders describing each fund's performance and investment holdings. In order to eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents, each household may receive one copy of these documents, under certain conditions. This practice is commonly called "householding." If you want to receive multiple copies, you may write or call your fund at the address or telephone number on the front of this SAI. Your instructions will be effective within 30 days of receipt by Schwab. TAXATION FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION FOR THE FUNDS This discussion of federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. It is each fund's policy to qualify for taxation as a "regulated investment company" (RIC) by meeting the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). By qualifying as a RIC, each fund expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal income tax to which it is subject. If a fund does not qualify as a RIC under the Code, it will be subject to federal income tax, at regular corporate rates on its net income, including any net realized capital gains. 35 REG38785 - 00 The fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes and is not combined with the trust's other funds. The fund intends to qualify as a RIC so that it will be relieved of federal income tax on that part of its income that is distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital losses) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a fund's gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock or securities or currencies and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership; (ii) at the close of each quarter of a fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of a fund's assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and (iii) at the close of each quarter of a fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The Code imposes a non-deductible excise tax on RICs that do not distribute in a calendar year (regardless of whether they otherwise have a non-calendar taxable year) an amount equal to 98% of their "ordinary income" (as defined in the Code) for the calendar year plus 98% of their net capital gain for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year, plus any undistributed amounts from prior years. The non-deductible excise tax is equal to 4% of the deficiency. For the foregoing purposes, a fund is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in such calendar year. The fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate fund investments in order to make sufficient distributions to avoid federal excise tax liability at a time when the investment adviser might not otherwise have chosen to do so, and liquidation of investments in such circumstances may affect the ability of the fund to satisfy the requirements for qualification as a RIC. A fund's transactions in futures contracts, options and certain other investment activities may be restricted by the Code and are subject to special tax rules. In a given case, these rules may accelerate income to a fund, defer its losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of a fund's assets, convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses or otherwise affect the character of a fund's income. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A fund will endeavor to make any available elections pertaining to these transactions in a manner believed to be in the best interest of a fund and its shareholders. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS The discussion of federal income taxation presented below supplements the discussion in the funds' prospectuses and only summarizes some of the important federal tax considerations generally affecting shareholders of the funds. Accordingly, prospective investors (particularly those not residing or domiciled in the United States) should consult their own tax advisors regarding the consequences of investing in a fund. On each business day that the NAV of a fund is determined, such fund's net investment income will be declared as of the close of the fund (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) as a daily dividend to shareholders 36 REG38785 - 00 of record. Your daily dividend is calculated each business day by applying the daily dividend rate by the number of shares owned, and is rounded to the nearest penny. The daily dividend is accrued each business day, and the sum of the daily dividends is paid monthly. For each fund, dividends will normally be reinvested monthly in shares of the fund at the NAV on the 15th day of each month, if a business day, otherwise on the next business day, except in December when dividends are reinvested on the last business day of December. If cash payment is requested, checks will normally be mailed on the business day following the reinvestment date. Each fund will pay shareholders, who redeem all of their shares, all dividends accrued to the time of the redemption within 7 days. Each fund calculates its dividends based on its daily net investment income. For this purpose, the net investment income of a fund generally consists of: (1) accrued interest income, plus or minus amortized discount or premium, minus (2) accrued expenses allocated to that fund. If a fund realizes any capital gains, they will be distributed at least once during the year as determined by the Board of Trustees. Any dividends declared by a fund in October, November or December and paid the following January are treated, for tax purposes, as if they were received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which they were declared. A fund may adjust its schedule for the reinvestment of distributions for the month of December to assist in complying with the reporting and minimum distribution requirements of the Code. The funds do not expect to realize any long-term capital gains. However, long-term capital gains distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your shares. If you receive a long-term capital gains distribution with respect to fund shares held for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares shall, to the extent of the long-term capital gains distribution, be treated as a long-term capital loss. Distributions by a fund also may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes, and its treatment under applicable tax laws may differ from the federal income tax treatment. Each fund may engage in investment techniques that may alter the timing and character of its income. Each fund may be restricted in its use of these techniques by rules relating to its qualification as a regulated investment company. Because the taxable portion of a fund's investment income consists primarily of interest, none of its dividends are expected to qualify under the Code for the dividends received deduction for corporations or as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced tax rates. Each fund will be required in certain cases to withhold at the applicable withholding rate and remit to the U.S. Treasury, the withheld amount of taxable dividends paid to any shareholder who (1) fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number certified under penalty of perjury; (2) is subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report all payments of interest or dividends; (3) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is not subject to "backup withholding;" or (4) fails to provide a certified statement that he or she is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's ultimate U.S. tax liability. Foreign shareholders (i.e., nonresident alien individuals and foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate) on distributions derived from net investment income and short-term capital gains; provided, however, that dividends with respect to a fund's taxable year beginning after December 31, 2004 and not beginning after December 31, 2007 are not subject to U.S. withholding tax, if, subject to certain 37 REG38785 - 00 exceptions, such dividends qualify as interest related dividends or as short-term capital gain dividends. Distributions to foreign shareholders of such short-term capital gain dividends, of long-term capital gains and any gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of the funds generally are not subject to U.S. taxation, unless the recipient is an individual who either (1) meets the Code's definition of "resident alien" or (2) who is physically present in the U.S. for 183 days or more per year as determined under certain IRS rules. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States. In addition, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty may be different than those described above. If, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of a fund's assets consist of obligations the interest on which is excludable from gross income, the fund may pay "exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders. Those dividends constitute the portion of the aggregate dividends as designated by the fund, equal to the excess of the excludable interest over certain amounts disallowed as deductions. Exempt-interest dividends are excludable from a shareholder's gross income for federal income tax purposes. Tax-exempt income, including exempt interest dividends paid by a fund, are taken into account in determining whether a portion of a shareholder's social security or railroad retirement benefits will be subject to federal income. Exempt-interest dividends may nevertheless be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) imposed by Section 55 of the Code. The AMT is imposed at rates of 26% and 28%, in the case of non-corporate taxpayers, and at the rate of 20%, in the case of corporate taxpayers, to the extent it exceeds the taxpayer's federal income tax liability. The AMT may be imposed in the following two circumstances. First, exempt-interest dividends derived from certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986, will generally be an item of tax preference (and, therefore, potentially subject to AMT) for both corporate and non-corporate taxpayers. Second, in the case of exempt-interest dividends received by corporate shareholders, all exempt-interest dividends, regardless of when the bonds from which they are derived were issued or whether they are derived from private activity bonds, will be included in the corporation's "adjusted current earnings," as defined in Section 56(g) of the Code, in calculating the corporations' alternative minimum taxable income for purposes of determining the AMT. Current federal law limits the types and volume of bonds qualifying for the federal income tax exemption of interest that may have an effect on the ability of a fund to purchase sufficient amounts of tax-exempt securities to satisfy the Code's requirements for the payment of "exempt-interest dividends." Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder in order to purchase or carry shares of the funds is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, these funds may not be an appropriate investment for persons (including corporations and other business entities) who are "substantial users" (or persons related to "substantial users") of facilities financed by industrial development private activity bonds. Such persons should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares. A "substantial user" is defined generally to include "certain persons" who regularly use in their trade or business a part of a facility financed from the proceeds of such bonds. Because the taxable portion of a fund's investment income consists primarily of interest, none of its dividends, whether or not treated as exempt-interest dividends, are expected to qualify under the Code for the dividends received deduction for corporations or as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced tax rates. 38 REG38785 - 00 The redemption or exchange of the shares of a fund may result in capital gain or loss to the shareholders. Generally, if a shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset, any gain or loss will be long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Capital gains of corporate shareholders are subject to regular corporate tax rates. For non-corporate taxpayers, gain on the sale of shares held for more than 12 months will generally be taxed at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains, while gain on the sale of shares held for one year or less will generally be taxed at ordinary income rates. STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS The following tax discussion summarizes general state tax laws which are currently in effect and are subject to change by legislative or administrative action; any such changes may be retroactive with respect to the applicable fund's transactions. Investors should consult a tax advisor for more detailed information about state taxes to which they may be subject. CALIFORNIA TAX CONSIDERATIONS The Schwab California Municipal Money Fund TM intends to qualify to pay dividends to shareholders that are exempt from California personal income tax ("California exempt-interest dividends"). The fund will qualify to pay California exempt-interest dividends if (1) at the close of each quarter of the fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the fund's total assets consists of obligations the interest on which would be exempt from California personal income tax if the obligations were held by an individual ("California Tax Exempt Obligations") and (2) the fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment company. If the fund qualifies to pay California exempt-interest dividends to shareholders, dividends distributed to shareholders will be considered California exempt-interest dividends (1) if they are designated as exempt-interest dividends by the fund in a written notice to shareholders mailed within 60 days of the close of the fund's taxable year and (2) to the extent the interest received by the fund during the year on California Tax Exempt Obligations exceeds expenses of the fund that would be disallowed under California personal income tax law as allocable to tax exempt interest if the fund were an individual. If the aggregate dividends so designated exceed the amount that may be treated as California exempt-interest dividends, only that percentage of each dividend distribution equal to the ratio of aggregate California exempt-interest dividends to aggregate dividends so designated will be treated as a California exempt-interest dividend. The fund will notify its shareholders of the amount of exempt-interest dividends each year. Corporations subject to California franchise tax that invest in the fund may not be entitled to exclude California exempt-interest dividends from income. Dividend distributions that do not qualify for treatment as California exempt-interest dividends (including those dividend distributions to shareholders taxable as long-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes) will be taxable to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates for California personal income tax purposes to the extent of the fund's earnings and profits. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder in connection with the purchase of shares of the fund will not be deductible for California personal income tax purposes if the fund distributes California exempt-interest dividends. 39 REG38785 - 00 NEW YORK TAX CONSIDERATIONS Dividends paid by the Schwab New York Municipal Money Fund TM that are derived from interest on municipal securities issued by New York State and its political subdivisions or any agency or instrumentality thereof which interest would be exempt under federal law from New York State tax if held by an individual, will be exempt from New York State and New York City personal income and unincorporated business taxes, but not corporate franchise taxes. Dividends paid by the fund that are derived from interest on municipal securities issued by New York and its political subdivisions or any agency or instrumentality thereof will be subject to the New York State corporate franchise tax and the New York City general corporation tax only if the entity receiving the dividends has a sufficient nexus with New York State or New York City. Other dividends and distributions from other state's municipal securities, U.S. government obligations, taxable income and capital gains that are not exempt from state taxation under federal law and distributions attributable to capital gains, will be subject to New York State personal income tax and New York City personal income tax. Gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares will be subject to the New York State personal income and franchise taxes and the New York City personal income, unincorporated business and general corporation taxes. In addition, interest or indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the fund is not deductible for New York personal income tax purposes to the extent that it relates to New York exempt-interest dividends distributed to a shareholder during the taxable year. NEW JERSEY TAX CONSIDERATIONS Under current law, investors in the Schwab New Jersey Municipal Money Fund TM will not be subject to the New Jersey Gross Income Tax on distributions from the fund attributable to interest income from (and net gain, if any, from the fund's disposition of) New Jersey Municipal Securities or obligations of the United States, its territories and possessions and certain of its agencies and instrumentalities ("Federal Securities") held by the fund, either when received by the fund or when credited or distributed to the investors, provided that the fund meets the requirements for a qualified investment fund by: (1) maintaining its registration as a registered investment company with the SEC; (2) investing at least 80% of the aggregate principal amount of the fund's investments, excluding financial options, futures, forward contracts, or other similar financial instruments relating to interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount or bond indexes related thereto to the extent such instruments are authorized under the regulated investment company rules under the Code, cash and cash items, which cash items shall include receivables, in New Jersey municipal securities or federal securities at the close of each quarter of the tax year; (3) investing 100% of its assets in interest-bearing obligations, discount obligations, cash and cash items, including receivables, financial options, futures forward contracts, or other similar financial instruments relating to interest-bearing obligations, discount obligations or bond indexes related thereto; and (4) complying with certain continuing reporting requirements. However, in Colonial Trust III and Investment Company Institute v. Director, Division of Taxation, DKT No. 009777-93 (NJ Tax Court, Feb. 21, 1997) the New Jersey Tax Court nullified the New Jersey threshold requirements stated above. The court ruled that New Jersey could not impose its gross income tax on shareholder distributions attributable to interest paid on obligations of the United States government from a mutual fund that did not meet the requirements to be a qualified investment fund. The state of New Jersey indicates that its existing statutes and regulation are under review. 40 REG38785 - 00 For New Jersey Gross Income Tax purposes, net income or gains and distributions derived from investments in other than New Jersey municipal securities and federal securities, and distributions from net realized capital gains in respect of such investments, will be taxable. Gain on the disposition of shares is not subject to New Jersey Gross Income Tax, provided that the fund meets the requirements for a qualified investment fund set forth above. PENNSYLVANIA TAX CONSIDERATIONS For purposes of the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax and the Philadelphia School District Investment Net Income Tax, distributions which are attributable to interest received by the Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund TM from its investments in Pennsylvania Municipal Securities or obligations of the United States, its territories and possessions and certain of its agencies and instrumentalities (Federal Securities) are not taxable. Distributions by the fund to a Pennsylvania resident that are attributable to most other sources may be subject to the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax and (for residents of Philadelphia) to the Philadelphia School District Investment Net Income Tax. Distributions paid by the fund, which are excludable as exempt income for federal tax purposes, are not subject to the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax. An additional deduction from Pennsylvania taxable income is permitted for the amount of distributions paid by the fund attributable to interest received by the fund from its investments in Pennsylvania municipal securities and federal securities to the extent included in federal taxable income, but such a deduction is reduced by any interest on indebtedness incurred to carry the securities and other expenses incurred in the production of such interest income, including expenses deducted on the federal income tax return that would not have been allowed under the Code if the interest were exempt from federal income tax. Distributions by the fund attributable to most other sources may be subject to the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax. It is the current position of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue that fund shares are considered exempt assets (with a pro rata exclusion based on the value of the fund attributable to its investments in Pennsylvania municipal securities and federal securities) for purposes of determining a corporation's stock value subject to the Commonwealth's capital stock tax or franchise tax. The fund intends to invest primarily in obligations which produce interest exempt from federal and Pennsylvania taxes. If the fund invests in obligations that are not exempt for Pennsylvania purposes but are exempt for federal purposes, a portion of the fund's distributions will be subject to Pennsylvania personal income tax. Shares of the Schwab Pennsylvania Municipal Money Fund TM may be subject to the Pennsylvania inheritance tax and the Pennsylvania estate tax if held by a Pennsylvania decedent at the time of death. MASSACHUSETTS TAX CONSIDERATIONS Under current law, investors in the fund will not be subject to the Massachusetts personal income tax on distributions from the fund attributable to interest income from Massachusetts municipal securities or obligations of the United States, its territories and possessions and certain of its agencies and instrumentalities. Massachusetts requires that the fund properly designate such dividends in a written notice mailed to the fund's shareholders not later than sixty days after the close of the fund's taxable year. 41 REG38785 - 00 Distributions which qualify as capital gain dividends for federal income tax purposes also are exempt from Massachusetts personal income taxation, to the extent that the distributions are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of certain Massachusetts obligations, and are properly designated as such in a written notice mailed to the fund's shareholders not later than sixty days after the close of the fund's tax year. Distributions from investment income and capital gains, including exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to Massachusetts corporate excise tax. 42 REG38785 - 00 APPENDIX A - RATINGS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES COMMERCIAL PAPER MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's. Issuers (or related supporting institutions) of commercial paper with this rating are considered to have a superior ability to repay short-term promissory obligations. Issuers (or related supporting institutions) of securities rated Prime-2 are viewed as having a strong capacity to repay short-term promissory obligations. This capacity will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics of issuers whose commercial paper is rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree. STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION An S&P A-1 commercial paper rating indicates a strong degree of safety regarding timely payment of principal and interest. Issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted A-1+. Capacity for timely payment on commercial paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1. FITCH, INC. F1+ is the highest category, and indicates the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment. Issues rated F1 reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less than issues rated F1+. Issues assigned an F2 rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues in the first two rating categories. SHORT-TERM NOTES AND VARIABLE RATE DEMAND OBLIGATIONS MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE Short-term notes/variable rate demand obligations bearing the designations MIG-1/VMIG-1 are considered to be of the best quality, enjoying strong protection from established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. Obligations rated MIG-2/VMIG-2 are of high quality and enjoy ample margins of protection although not as large as those of the top rated securities. STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION An S&P SP-1 rating indicates that the subject securities' issuer has a very strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Issues determined to possess very strong safety characteristics are given a plus (+) designation. S&P's determination that an issuer has a strong capacity to pay principal and interest is denoted by an SP-2 rating. 43 REG38785 - 00 APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES AS OF APRIL 19, 2007 Charles Schwab Investment Management ("CSIM"), as an investment adviser, is generally responsible for voting proxies with respect to the securities held in accounts of investment companies and other clients for which it provides discretionary investment management services. CSIM's Proxy Committee exercises and documents CSIM's responsibility with regard to voting of client proxies (the "Proxy Committee"). The Proxy Committee is composed of representatives of CSIM's Fund Administration, Legal, and Portfolio Management Departments, and chaired by CSIM's Vice President-Portfolio Operations & Analytics. The Chairman of the Committee may appoint the remaining members of the Committee. The Proxy Committee reviews and, as necessary, may amend periodically these Procedures to address new or revised proxy voting policies or procedures. The policies stated in these Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the "CSIM Proxy Procedures") pertain to all of CSIM's clients. The Boards of Trustees (the "Trustees") of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust, and Schwab Annuity Portfolios (collectively, the "Funds" or "Schwab Funds") has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM through their respective Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements. The Trustees have adopted these Proxy Procedures with respect to proxies voted on behalf of the various Schwab Funds portfolios. CSIM will present amendments to the Trustees for approval. However, there may be circumstances where the Proxy Committee deems it advisable to amend the Proxy Procedures between regular Schwab Funds Board meetings. In such cases, the Trustees will be asked to ratify any changes at the next regular meeting of the Board. To assist CSIM in its responsibility for voting proxies and the overall proxy voting process, CSIM has retained Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. ISS is an independent company that specializes in providing a variety of proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided by ISS include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations as well as vote execution, reporting and record keeping. CSIM has also retained Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis"), as an additional expert in proxy voting, to assist CSIM in voting proxies of limited partnerships. Glass Lewis is an independent provider of global proxy research and voting recommendations. PROXY VOTING POLICY For investment companies and other clients for which CSIM exercises its responsibility for voting proxies, it is CSIM's policy to vote proxies in the manner that CSIM and the Proxy Committee determine will maximize the economic benefit to CSIM's clients. In furtherance of this policy, the Proxy Committee has received and reviewed ISS's written proxy voting policies and procedures ("ISS's Proxy Procedures") and has determined that ISS's Proxy Procedures are consistent with the CSIM Proxy Procedures and CSIM's fiduciary duty with respect to its clients. The Proxy Committee will review any material amendments to ISS's Proxy Procedures to determine whether such procedures continue to be consistent with the CSIM Proxy Voting Procedures, and CSIM's fiduciary duty with respect to its clients. Except under each of the circumstances described below, the Proxy Committee will delegate to ISS responsibility for voting proxies, including timely submission of votes, on behalf of CSIM's clients in accordance with ISS's Proxy Procedures. 44 REG38785 - 00 ISS's Proxy Procedures are not intended to cover proxies of limited partnerships ("LP Proxies"), and accordingly ISS does not provide analysis or voting recommendations for LP Proxies. To assist in its responsibility for voting LP Proxies, the Proxy Committee has received and reviewed Glass Lewis's written proxy policy guidelines ("Glass Lewis's Proxy Procedures") and has determined that Glass Lewis's Proxy Procedures are consistent with CSIM Proxy Procedures and CSIM's fiduciary duty with respect to its clients. The Proxy Committee will review any material amendments to Glass Lewis's Proxy Procedures to determine whether such procedures continue to be consistent with the CSIM Proxy Voting Procedures, and CSIM's fiduciary duty with respect to its clients. In general, the Proxy Committee or its designee will instruct ISS to vote an LP Proxy consistent with the recommendation provided by Glass Lewis in accordance with Glass Lewis's Proxy Procedures. For proxy issues, including LP Proxy issues, that are determined by the Proxy Committee or the applicable portfolio manager or other relevant portfolio management staff to raise significant concerns with respect to the accounts of CSIM clients, the Proxy Committee will review the analysis and recommendation of ISS or Glass Lewis, as applicable. Examples of factors that could cause a matter to raise significant concerns include, but are not limited to: issues whose outcome has the potential to materially affect the company's industry, or regional or national economy, and matters which involve broad public policy developments which may similarly materially affect the environment in which the company operates. The Proxy Committee also will solicit input from the assigned portfolio manager and other relevant portfolio management staff for the particular portfolio security. After evaluating all such recommendations, the Proxy Committee will decide how to vote the shares and will instruct ISS to vote consistent with its decision. The Proxy Committee has the ultimate responsibility for making the determination of how to vote the shares in order to maximize the value of that particular holding. With respect to proxies of an affiliated mutual fund, the Proxy Committee will vote such proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the fund (i.e., "echo vote"), unless otherwise required by law. When required by law, the Proxy Committee will also "echo vote" proxies of an unaffiliated mutual fund. For example, certain exemptive orders issued to the Schwab Funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, require the Schwab Funds, under certain circumstances, to "echo vote" proxies of registered investment companies that serve as underlying investments of the Schwab Funds. When not required to "echo vote," the Proxy Committee will delegate to ISS responsibility for voting proxies of an unaffiliated mutual fund in accordance with ISS's Proxy Procedures. In addition to ISS not providing analyses or recommendations for LP Proxies, there may be other circumstances in which ISS does not provide an analysis or recommendation for voting a security's proxy. In that event, and when the following criteria are met, two members of the Proxy Committee, including at least one representative from equity Portfolio Management, may decide how to vote such proxy in order to maximize the value of that particular holding. The following criteria must be met: (1) For each Fund that holds the security in its portfolio, the value of the security must represent less than one tenth of one cent in the Fund's NAV, and (2) the security's value must equal less than $50,000 in the aggregate across all of the Funds and separate accounts that hold this security. Any voting decision made under these circumstances will be reported to the Proxy Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Conflicts of Interest. Except as described above for proxies of mutual funds, where proxy issues present material conflicts of interest between CSIM, and/or any of its affiliates, and CSIM's clients, CSIM will delegate to ISS responsibility for voting such proxies in accordance with ISS's Proxy Procedures, or, in the case of LP Proxies, in accordance with Glass Lewis's recommendations 45 REG38785 - 00 as provided to ISS. The CSIM Legal Department is responsible for developing procedures to identify material conflicts of interest. Voting Foreign Proxies. CSIM has arrangements with ISS for voting proxies. However, voting proxies with respect to shares of foreign securities may involve significantly greater effort and corresponding cost than voting proxies with respect to domestic securities, due to the variety of regulatory schemes and corporate practices in foreign countries with respect to proxy voting. Problems voting foreign proxies may include the following: - proxy statements and ballots written in a foreign language; - untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings; - restrictions of foreigner's ability to exercise votes; - requirements to vote proxies in person; - the imposition of restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting; - requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate CSIM's voting instructions. In consideration of the foregoing issues, ISS uses its best-efforts to vote foreign proxies. As part of its ongoing oversight, the Proxy Committee will monitor the voting of foreign proxies to determine whether all reasonable steps are taken to vote foreign proxies. If the Proxy Committee determines that the cost associated with the attempt to vote outweighs the potential benefits clients may derive from voting, the Proxy Committee may decide not to attempt to vote. Securities Lending Programs. Certain of the Funds enter into securities lending arrangements with lending agents to generate additional revenue for their portfolios. In securities lending arrangements, any voting rights that accompany the loaned securities generally pass to the borrower of the securities, but the lender retains the right to recall a security and may then exercise the security's voting rights. In order to vote the proxies of securities out on loan, the securities must be recalled prior to the established record date. CSIM will use its best efforts to recall a Fund's securities on loan and vote such securities' proxies if (a) the proxy relates to a special meeting of shareholders of the issuer (as opposed to the issuer's annual meeting of shareholders), or (b) the Fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the issuer. Further, it is CSIM's policy to use its best efforts to recall securities on loan and vote such securities' proxies if CSIM determines that the proxies involve a material event affecting the loaned securities. CSIM may utilize third-party service providers to assist it in identifying and evaluating whether an event is material. Sub-Advisory Relationships. For investment companies or other clients that CSIM has delegated day-to-day investment management responsibilities to an investment adviser, CSIM may delegate its responsibility to vote proxies with respect to such investment companies' or other clients' securities. Each Sub-adviser to whom proxy voting responsibility has been delegated will be required to review all proxy solicitation material and to exercise the voting rights associated with the securities as it has been allocated in the best interest of each investment company and its shareholders, or other client. Prior to delegating the proxy voting responsibility, CSIM will review each sub-adviser's proxy voting policy to ensure that each Sub-adviser's proxy voting policy is generally consistent with the maximization of economic benefits to the investment company or other client. REPORTING AND RECORD RETENTION CSIM will maintain, or cause ISS to maintain, records which identify the manner in which proxies have been voted (or not voted) on behalf of CSIM clients. CSIM will comply with all applicable 46 REG38785 - 00 rules and regulations regarding disclosure of its or its clients proxy voting records and procedures. CSIM will retain all proxy voting materials and supporting documentation as required under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder. PROXY COMMITTEE QUORUM At scheduled meetings of the Proxy Committee, attendance by four members (or their respective designates) constitutes a quorum. Two members of the Committee may make voting decisions under the limited circumstances described above. CONCISE SUMMARY OF ISS 2007 PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES: Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2007 Updated Dec. 15, 2006 1. AUDITORS AUDITOR RATIFICATION Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply: - An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent, - There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position; or - Fees for non-audit services ("Other" fees) are excessive. 2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTING ON DIRECTOR NOMINEES IN UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on director nominees, examining, but not limited to, the following factors: - Composition of the board and key board committees; - Attendance at board and committee meetings; - Corporate governance provisions and takeover activity; - Disclosures under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act; - Long-term company performance relative to a market and peer index; - Extent of the director's investment in the company; - Existence of related party transactions; - Whether the chairman is also serving as CEO; - Whether a retired CEO sits on the board; - Number of outside boards at which a director serves; - Majority vote standard for director elections without a provision to allow for plurality voting when there are more nominees than seats. WITHHOLD from individual directors who: - Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (such as illness, service to the nation, work on behalf of the company); - Sit on more than six public company boards; - Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own-- withhold only at their outside boards. WITHHOLD from the entire board of directors, (except from new nominees, who should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis) if: - The company's proxy indicates that not all directors attended 75% of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings, but fails to provide the required disclosure of the names of the directors involved. If this information cannot be obtained, withhold from all incumbent directors; 47 REG38785 - 00 - The company's poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature. Withhold every year until this feature is removed; - The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval since the beginning of 2005, does not commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of adoption, or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a vote, and has not yet received a withhold recommendation for this issue; - The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval by a majority of the shares outstanding the previous year; - The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years; - The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares; - At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold rate; - The company is a Russell 3000 company that underperformed its industry group (GICS group) under the criteria discussed in the section "Performance Test for Directors". WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the Classification of Directors below) when: - The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating; - The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee; - The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee; - The full board is less than majority independent. WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if: - The non - audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive (see discussion under Auditor Ratification); - A material weakness identified in the Section 404 Sarbanes-Oxley Act disclosures rises to a level of serious concern; there are chronic internal control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms; - There is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm. WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee if: - There is a negative correlation between the chief executive's pay and company performance (see discussion under Equity Compensation Plans); - The company reprices underwater options for stock, cash or other consideration without prior shareholder approval, even if allowed in their equity plan; - The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote; - The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment they made to shareholders; - The company has backdated options (see "Options Backdating" policy); - The company has poor compensation practices (see "Poor Pay Practices" policy). Poor pay practices may warrant withholding votes from the CEO and potentially the entire board as well. WITHHOLD from directors, individually or the entire board, for egregious actions or failure to replace management as appropriate. 48 REG38785 - 00 CLASSIFICATION/DECLASSIFICATION OF THE BOARD Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board. Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards, and to elect all directors annually. INDEPENDENT CHAIR (SEPARATE CHAIR/CEO) Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring an independent director fill the position of chair, unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal, such as a counterbalancing governance structure. This should include all of the following: - Has a designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties. (The role may alternatively reside with a presiding director, vice chairman, or rotating lead director; however the director must serve a minimum of one year in order to qualify as a lead director.) At a minimum these should include: - Presiding at all meetings of the board at which the chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors, - Serving as liaison between the chairman and the independent directors, - Approving information sent to the board, - Approving meeting agendas for the board, - Approves meetings schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items, - Having the authority to call meetings of the independent directors, - If requested by major shareholders, ensuring that he is available for consultation and direct communication; - Two-thirds independent board; - All-independent key committees; - Established governance guidelines; - The company does not under-perform its peers*. *Starting in 2007, the industry peer group used for this evaluation will change from the 4-digit GICS group to the average of the 12 companies in the same 6-digit GICS group that are closest in revenue to the company, and identified on the Executive compensation page of proxy analyses. To fail, the company must under-perform its index and industry group on all 4 measures (1 and 3 year performance, on industry peers, and index). MAJORITY VOTE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Generally vote FOR precatory and binding resolutions requesting that the board change the company's bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast, provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. Binding resolutions need to allow for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats. Companies are strongly encouraged to also adopt a post-election policy (also know as a director resignation policy) that will provide guidelines so that the company will promptly address the situation of a holdover director. 3. PROXY CONTESTS VOTING FOR DIRECTOR NOMINEES IN CONTESTED ELECTIONS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors: - Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry; - Management's track record; - Background to the proxy contest; - Qualifications of director nominees (both slates); - Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management; 49 REG38785 - 00 - Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); - Stock ownership positions. REIMBURSING PROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSES Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote FOR the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election. 4. TAKEOVER DEFENSES POISON PILLS Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder approved poison pill in place; or (2) The company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either: - Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or - The board, in its exercise of its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the delay in adoption that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e. the "fiduciary out" provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a shareholder ratification vote within twelve months of adoption or expire. If the pill is not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately terminate. Vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for poison pills to be put to a vote within a time period of less than one year after adoption. If the company has no non-shareholder approved poison pill in place and has adopted a policy with the provisions outlined above, vote AGAINST the proposal. If these conditions are not met, vote FOR the proposal, but with the caveat that a vote within twelve months would be considered sufficient. Vote CASE-by-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes: - No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over; - A term of no more than three years; - No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill; - Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, ten percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill. SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote. Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements. 5. MERGERS AND CORPORATE RESTRUCTURINGS For mergers and acquisitions, review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including: - Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction and strategic rationale. - Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal. - Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but 50 REG38785 - 00 reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions. - Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm's-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation "wins" can also signify the deal makers' competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value. - Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the "ISS Transaction Summary" section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists. - Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance. 6. STATE OF INCORPORATION REINCORPORATION PROPOSALS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to change a company's state of incorporation, taking into consideration both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, comparative economic benefits, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR re-incorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes. 7. CAPITAL STRUCTURE COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZATION Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance using a model developed by ISS. Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company's shares are in danger of being de-listed or if a company's ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain. In addition, for capital requests that are less than or equal to 300 percent of the current authorized shares and that marginally fail the calculated allowable cap (i.e., exceed the allowable cap by no more than 5 percent), vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. In this situation, vote FOR the increase based on the company's performance, and whether the company's ongoing use of shares has shown prudence. ISSUE STOCK FOR USE WITH RIGHTS PLAN Vote AGAINST proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a non-shareholder approved shareholder rights plan (poison pill). PREFERRED STOCK Vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights ("blank check" preferred stock). Vote FOR proposals to create "de-clawed" blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). Vote FOR proposals to authorize 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 AGAINST proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred shares after analyzing 51 REG38785 - 00 the number of preferred shares available for issue given a company's industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns. 8. EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POOR PAY PRACTICES WITHHOLD from compensation committee members, CEO, and potentially the entire board, if the company has poor compensation practices, such as: - Egregious employment contracts (e.g., those containing multi-year guarantees for bonuses and grants); - Excessive perks that dominate compensation (e.g., tax gross-ups for personal use of corporate aircraft); - Huge bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure; - Performance metrics that are changed (e.g., canceled or replaced during the performance period without adequate explanation of the action and the link to performance); - Egregious pension/SERP (supplemental executive retirement plan) payouts (e.g., the inclusion of additional years of service not worked or inclusion of performance-based equity awards in the pension calculation); - New CEO awarded an overly generous new hire package (e.g., including excessive "make whole" provisions or any of the poor pay practices listed in this policy); - Excessive severance provisions (e.g., including excessive change in control payments); - Change in control payouts without loss of job or substantial diminution of job duties; - Internal pay disparity; - Options backdating (covered in a separate policy); and EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Vote AGAINST the equity plan if any of the following factors apply: - The total cost of the company's equity plans is unreasonable; - The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options without prior shareholder approval; - There is a disconnect between CEO pay and the company's performance; - The company's three year burn rate exceeds the greater of 2% and the mean plus 1 standard deviation of its industry group; or - The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Vote CASE-BY-CASE on compensation plans for non-employee directors, based on the cost of the plans against the company's allowable cap. On occasion, director stock plans that set aside a relatively small number of shares when combined with employee or executive stock compensation plans exceed the allowable cap. Vote for the plan if ALL of the following qualitative factors in the board's compensation are met and disclosed in the proxy statement: - Director stock ownership guidelines with a minimum of three times the annual cash retainer. - Vesting schedule or mandatory holding/deferral period: - A minimum vesting of three years for stock options or restricted stock; or - Deferred stock payable at the end of a three-year deferral period. - Mix between cash and equity: - A balanced mix of cash and equity, for example 40% cash/60% equity or 50% cash/50% equity; or - If the mix is heavier on the equity component, the vesting schedule or deferral period should be more stringent, with the lesser of five years or the term of directorship. - No retirement/benefits and perquisites provided to non-employee directors; and 52 REG38785 - 00 - Detailed disclosure provided on cash and equity compensation delivered to each non-employee director for the most recent fiscal year in a table. The column headers for the table may include the following: name of each non-employee director, annual retainer, board meeting fees, committee retainer, committee-meeting fees, and equity grants. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS--QUALIFIED PLANS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on qualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply: - Purchase price is at least 85% of fair market value; - Offering period is 27 months or less; and - The number of shares allocated to the plan is ten percent or less of the outstanding shares. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS--NON-QUALIFIED PLANS Vote CASE-by-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR nonqualified employee stock purchase plans with all the following features: - Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees of the company with the exclusion of individuals with 5% or more of beneficial ownership of the company); - Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as a percent of base salary; - Company matching contribution up to 25% of employee's contribution, which is effectively a discount of 20% from market value; - No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase, since there is a company matching contribution. OPTIONS BACKDATING In cases where a company has practiced options backdating, WITHHOLD on a CASE-BY-CASE basis from the members of the compensation committee, depending on the severity of the practices and the subsequent corrective actions on the part of the board. WITHHOLD from the compensation committee members who oversaw the questionable options grant practices or from current compensation committee members who fail to respond to the issue proactively, depending on several factors, including, but not limited to: - Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes; - Length of time of options backdating; - Size of restatement due to options backdating; - Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or repricing backdated options, or recouping option gains on backdated grants; - Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creation of a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants going forward. SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS FOR EXECUTIVES/GOLDEN PARACHUTES Vote FOR shareholder proposals to require golden parachutes or executive severance agreements to be submitted for shareholder ratification, unless the proposal requires shareholder approval prior to entering into employment contracts. Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. An acceptable parachute should include, but is not limited to, the following: - The triggering mechanism should be beyond the control of management; - The amount should not exceed three times base amount (defined as the average annual taxable W-2 compensation) during the five years prior to the year in which the change of control occurs; - Change-in-control payments should be double-triggered, i.e., (1) after a change in control has taken place, and (2) termination of the executive as a result of the change in control. Change in control is defined as a change in the company ownership structure. 53 REG38785 - 00 9. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY ANIMAL RIGHTS Generally vote AGAINST proposals to phase out the use of animals in product testing unless: - The company is conducting animal testing programs that are unnecessary or not required by regulation; - The company is conducting animal testing when suitable alternatives are accepted and used at peer firms; - The company has been the subject of recent, significant controversy related to its testing programs. DRUG PRICING AND RE-IMPORTATION Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies implement specific price restraints on pharmaceutical products, unless the company fails to adhere to legislative guidelines or industry norms in its product pricing. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting that the company evaluate their product pricing considering: - The existing level of disclosure on pricing policies; - Deviation from established industry pricing norms; - The company's existing initiatives to provide its products to needy consumers; - Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions. Generally vote FOR proposals requesting that companies report on the financial and legal impact of their policies regarding prescription drug re-importation unless such information is already publicly disclosed. Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or constrain prescription drug re-importation. GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS Vote AGAINST proposals asking companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products, or alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients. GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS Vote AGAINST proposals asking companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products or alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients. TOBACCO Most tobacco-related proposals (such as on second-hand smoke, advertising to youth, and spin-offs of tobacco-related business) should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. TOXIC CHEMICALS Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that a company discloses its policies related to toxic chemicals. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on resolutions requesting that companies evaluate and disclose the potential financial and legal risks associated with utilizing certain chemicals. Generally vote AGAINST resolutions requiring that a company reformulate its products within a certain timeframe, unless such actions are required by law in specific markets. ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Generally vote AGAINST request for reports outlining potential environmental damage from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) unless: - New legislation is adopted allowing development and drilling in the ANWR region; - The company intends to pursue operations in the ANWR; and - The company has not disclosed an environmental risk report for its ANWR operations. 54 REG38785 - 00 CONCENTRATED AREA FEEDING OPERATIONS (CAFOS) Vote FOR resolutions requesting that companies report to shareholders on the risks and liabilities associated with CAFOs, unless: - The company has publicly disclosed guidelines for its corporate and contract farming operations, including compliance monitoring; or - The company does not directly source from CAFOs. GLOBAL WARMING AND KYOTO PROTOCOL COMPLIANCE Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas emissions from company operations and/or products unless this information is already publicly disclosed or such factors are not integral to the company's line of business. Generally vote AGAINST proposals that call for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by specified amounts or within a restrictive time frame unless the company lags industry standards and has been the subject of recent, significant fines or litigation resulting from greenhouse gas emissions. Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that companies outline their preparations to comply with standards established by Kyoto Protocol signatory markets unless: - The company does not maintain operations in Kyoto signatory markets; - The company already evaluates and substantially discloses such information; or, - Greenhouse gas emissions do not significantly impact the company's core businesses. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a company's political contributions considering: recent significant controversy or litigation related to the company's political contributions or governmental affairs; and the public availability of a policy on political contributions. Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. LINK EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TO SOCIAL PERFORMANCE Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to review ways of linking executive compensation to social factors, such as corporate downsizings, customer or employee satisfaction, community involvement, human rights, environmental performance, predatory lending, and executive/employee pay disparities. OUTSOURCING/OFF-SHORING Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals calling for companies to report on the risks associated with outsourcing, considering: the risks associated with certain international markets; the utility of such a report to shareholders; the existence of a publicly available code of corporate conduct that applies to international operations. COUNTRY-SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on requests for reports detailing the company's operations in a particular country and on proposals to implement certain human rights standards at company facilities or those of its suppliers and to commit to outside, independent monitoring. 10. MUTUAL FUND PROXIES ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors and trustees, following the same guidelines for uncontested directors for public company shareholder meetings. However, mutual fund boards do not usually have compensation committees, so do not withhold for the lack of this committee. CONVERTING CLOSED-END FUND TO OPEN-END FUND Vote CASE-BY-CASE on conversion proposals, considering the following factors: - Past performance as a closed-end fund; - Market in which the fund invests; - Measures taken by the board to address the discount; and - Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals. 55 REG38785 - 00 ESTABLISH DIRECTOR OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board. REIMBURSE SHAREHOLDER FOR EXPENSES INCURRED Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When supporting the dissidents, vote FOR the reimbursement of the proxy solicitation expenses. GLASS LEWIS SUMMARY PROXY RESEARCH GUIDELINES: Board of Directors Boards are put in place to represent shareholders and protect their interests. Glass Lewis seeks boards with a proven record of protecting shareholders and delivering value over the medium- and long-term. In our view, boards working to protect and enhance the best interests of shareholders typically possess a minimum of 2/3rds independence, a record of positive performance and directors with a breadth and depth of experience. Any issues that arise with regards to the board of directors not addressed here will be evaluated and voted on a case-by-case basis. Board Composition We look at each individual on the board and examine his or her relationships with the company, the company's executives and with other board members. The purpose of this inquiry is to determine whether pre-existing personal, familial or financial relationships (apart from compensation as a director) are likely to impact the decisions of that board member. We vote in favor of governance structures that will drive performance and create shareholder value. The most crucial test of a board's commitment to the company and to its shareholders lies in the actions of the board and its members. The performance of directors in their capacity as board members and executives of the company and in their roles at other companies where they may have served is of the utmost importance. We will typically vote in favor of a board composed of a minimum of 2/3rds independent directors. Further, we believe that only independent directors should serve on a company's audit, compensation, nominating and governance committees and will support boards with such a make-up and encourage change where this is not the case. When chairmen and lead directors are deemed "independent" their independence should be indisputable or the company should not tout them as such. We believe a director is independent if she has no material financial, familial or other current relationships with the company, its executives or other board members except for service on the board and standard fees paid for that service. Relationships that have existed within the three (3) years prior to the inquiry are usually considered to be "current" for purposes of this test. In the case of former employees, we apply a five (5) year look-back. In our view, a director is affiliated if she has a material financial, familial or other relationship with the company or its executives, but is not an employee of the company. This includes directors whose employers have a material financial relationship with the Company. This also includes a director who owns or controls 20% or more of the company's voting stock. 56 REG38785 - 00 We define an inside director as one who simultaneously serves as a director and as an employee of the company. This category may include a chairman of the board who acts as an employee of the company or is paid as an employee of the company. Although we typically vote for the election of directors, we will withhold from directors for the following reasons: 1. A director who attends less than 75% of the board and applicable committee meetings. 2. A director who fails to file timely form(s) 4 or 5 (assessed on a case-by-case basis). 3. A director who is also the CEO of a company where a serious restatement has occurred after the CEO certified the pre-restatement financial statements. We also feel that the following conflicts of interest may hinder a director's performance: 1. CFO who presently sits on the board. 2. Director who presently sits on an excessive number of boards 3. Director, or a director who has an immediate family member, who provides material professional services to the company at any time during the past three years 4. Director, or a director who has an immediate family member, who engages in airplane, real estate or other similar deals, including perquisite type grants from the company 5. Interlocking directorships. All key committees should be composed solely of independent directors and each committee should be focused on fulfilling its specific duty to shareholders. Audit committee members: Audit committee members should be mindful of fees paid to the independent auditor and the services underlying those fees. It is the duty of the audit committee to oversee the company's independent auditor, its internal controls and the filing of the company's financial statements. Further, we believe shareholders are best served when the company allows for shareholder ratification of the independent auditor at each annual meeting. Compensation committee members: The members of the compensation committee have the responsibility of overseeing the compensation packages awarded to the company's executives. To successfully fulfill their duty to shareholders, executive compensation should be in line with company performance. Governance committee members: Governance committee members should be independent. Their focus should be on implementing good corporate governance policies such as an independent chairman, or an independent lead/presiding director to endure proper oversight when the chairman is an insider or affiliate. The governance committee should focus on listening to shareholders and therefore we will oppose any members if they fail to implement a majority approved shareholder proposal with a direct and substantial impact on shareholders and their rights. 57 REG38785 - 00 Nominating committee members: Nominating committee members should be independent and should fulfill their duty to shareholders by meeting to nominate new directors and taking caution not to (re)nominate a director who should not sit on the board due to independence or other issues. Separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO Glass Lewis believes that separating the roles of corporate officers and the chairman of the board is a better governance structure than a combined executive/chairman position. The role of executives is to manage the business on the basis of the course charted by the board. Executives should be in the position of reporting and answering to the board for their performance in achieving the goals set out by such board. This becomes much more complicated when management actually sits on, or chairs, the board. We view an independent chairman as better able to oversee the executives of the Company and set a pro-shareholder agenda without the management conflicts that a CEO and other executive insiders often face. This, in turn, leads to a more proactive and effective board of directors that is looking out for the interests of shareholders above all else. We do not withhold votes from CEOs who serve on or chair the board. However, we do support a separation between the roles of chairman of the board and CEO, whenever that question is posed in a proxy. In the absence of an independent chairman, we support the existence of a presiding or lead director with authority to set the agenda for the meetings and to lead sessions outside the presence of the insider chairman. Declassified Boards Glass Lewis favors the repeal of staggered boards and the annual election of directors. We believe that staggered boards are less accountable to shareholders than boards that are elected annually. Furthermore, we feel that the annual election of directors encourages board members to focus on the interests of shareholders. Mandatory Director Retirement Provisions Director Term Limits Glass Lewis believes that term limits can be in the best interests of shareholders when they are of the appropriate length. The experience of directors through their service over time can be a valuable asset to shareholders. However, periodic director rotation is needed to ensure a fresh perspective in the board room and the generation of new ideas and business strategies; therefore we may support term limits that are set at not less than 10 years. Director Age Limits Glass Lewis believes that age limits are not in the best interests of shareholders. The experience of directors through their service over time can be a valuable asset to shareholders. Age limits unfairly imply that older directors cannot contribute to the oversight of a company. 58 REG38785 - 00 Auditor Ratification The role of the auditor is crucial in protecting shareholder value. Glass Lewis generally supports management's recommendation regarding the selection of an auditor. Only in the following circumstances will we consider voting against: 1.The auditor has a conflict of interest 2.Non-audit fees exceed audit fees 3.Recent restatements involving auditor errors Auditor Rotation We typically support audit related proposals regarding mandatory auditor rotation when the proposal uses a reasonable period of time (usually not less than 5-7 years). Reporting Contributions and Political Spending The area of campaign contributions is heavily regulated by federal, state and local laws. Most jurisdictions around the country have detailed disclosure laws and information on contributions is readily available to the public. Accordingly, although Glass Lewis believes that disclosure regarding how a company uses its funds is an important component of corporate accountability, other than in exceptional circumstances, we believe that the mechanism for disclosure and the standards for giving are best left to the board. Equity Based Compensation Plans Glass Lewis evaluates option and other equity-based compensation on a case-by-case basis. We believe that equity compensation awards are a useful tool, when not abused, for retaining and incentivizing employees to engage in conduct that will improve the performance of the company. We evaluate option plans based on ten overarching principles: 1. Companies should seek more shares only when they need them. 2. Plans should be small enough that companies need approval every three to four years (or less) from shareholders. 3. If a plan is relatively expensive, it should not be granting options solely to senior executives and board members. 4. Annual net share count and voting power dilution should be limited. 5. Annual cost of the plan (especially if not shown on the income statement) should be reasonable as a percentage of financial results and in line with the peer group. 6. The expected annual cost of the plan should be proportional to the value of the business. 7. The intrinsic value received by option grantees in the past should be reasonable compared with the financial results of the business. 8. Plans should deliver value on a per-employee basis when compared with programs at peer companies. 9. Plans should not permit re-pricing of stock options. 10. Plans should not contain excessively liberal administrative or payment terms. Performance Based Options 59 REG38785 - 00 We generally recommend that shareholders vote in favor of performance based option requirements. We feel that executives should be compensated with equity when their performance and that of the company warrants such rewards. We believe that boards can develop a consistent, reliable approach, as boards of many companies have, that would attract executives who believe in their ability to guide the company to achieve its targets. Linking Pay with Performance Executive compensation should be linked directly with the performance of the business the executive is charged with managing. 162(m) Plans Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code allows companies to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million for the CEO and the next four most highly compensated executive officers upon shareholder approval of the excess compensation. Given the shareholder approval requirement of section 162(m), we believe that companies must provide reasonable disclosure to shareholders so that they can make sound judgments about the reasonableness of the proposed plan. We will support the plan if the proposal includes: specific performance goals; a maximum award pool; and a maximum award amount per employee. We also believe it is important to analyze the estimated grants to see if they are reasonable and in line with the Company's peers. Director Compensation Plans Non-employee directors should receive compensation for the time and effort they spend serving on the board and its committees. In particular, we support compensation plans that include option grants or other equity-based awards, which help to align the interests of outside directors with those of shareholders. Director fees should be competitive in order to retain and attract qualified individuals. However, excessive fees represent a financial cost to the company and threaten to compromise the objectivity and independence of non-employee directors. Therefore, a balance is required. Limits on Executive Compensation Proposals to limit executive compensation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule, we believe that executive compensation should be left to the board's compensation committee. We feel the election of directors, and specifically those who sit on the compensation committee, as the appropriate mechanism for us to express our disapproval or support of board policy on this issue. Limits on Executive Stock Options We favor the grant of options to executives. Options are a very important component of compensation packages to attract and retain experienced executives and other key employees. Tying a portion of an executive's compensation to the performance of the company also provides an excellent incentive to maximize share values by those in the best position to affect those values. Accordingly, we typically recommend voting against caps on executive stock options. Linking Pay to Social Criteria Proposals linking pay to social criteria will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Glass Lewis believes that ethical behavior is an important component of executive performance and should be taken into 60 REG38785 - 00 account when evaluating performance and determining compensation. However, generally the board and specifically its compensation committee are in the best position to set policy on management compensation. Full Disclosure of Executive Compensation While we favor full disclosure for senior executives, we do not believe that shareholders will benefit from detailed reports about management employees other than the most senior. Disclosure of information regarding compensation is necessary to allow us to evaluate the extent to which a company's pay is keeping pace with its performance. However, it is rarely in shareholders' best interests to give away competitive data about salaries at the individual level, which information is not otherwise available. This sort of disclosure requirement could create internal personnel issues that would be counterproductive for the company and its shareholders. Anti-Takeover Measures Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans) Glass Lewis believes that poison pill plans generally are not in shareholders' best interests. Specifically, they can reduce management accountability by substantially limiting opportunities for corporate takeovers. Rights plans can thus prevent shareholders from receiving a buy-out premium for their stock. We believe that shareholders should be allowed to vote on whether or not they support such a plan's implementation. It is also an issue in which the interests of management may be very different from those of shareholders and therefore ensuring they have a voice is the only way to safeguard their interests. Therefore, Glass Lewis typically recommends voting against these plans to protect shareholders' financial interests and ensure that they have the opportunity to consider any offer for their shares, especially those at a premium. Right of Shareholders to Call a Special Meeting Glass Lewis will recommend voting in favor of proposals that allow shareholders to call special meetings. In order to prevent abuse and waste of corporate resources by a very small minority of shareholders, we believe that such rights should be limited to a minimum threshold of at least 15% of the shareholders requesting such a meeting. A lower threshold may leave companies subject to meetings whose effect might be the disruption of normal business operations in order to focus on the interests of only a small minority of owners. Shareholder Action by Written Consent Glass Lewis will recommend voting in favor of proposals that allow shareholders to act by written consent. In order to prevent abuse and waste of corporate resources by a very small minority of shareholders, we believe that such rights should be limited to a minimum threshold of at least 15% of the shareholders requesting action by written consent. A lower threshold may leave companies subject to meetings whose effect might be the disruption of normal business operations in order to focus on the interests of only a small minority of owners. Authorized Shares Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Adequate capital stock is important to the operation of a company. When analyzing a request for additional shares, 61 REG38785 - 00 we typically review four common reasons why a company might need additional capital stock beyond what is currently available: 1. Stock split 2. Shareholder defenses 3. Financing for acquisitions 4. Financing for operations Unless we find that the company has not detailed a plan for use of the proposed shares, or where the number of shares far exceeds those needed to accomplish a detailed plan, we typically recommend for the authorization of additional shares. Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Ballot Proposals Glass Lewis believes it is in shareholders' best interests to have the opportunity to review and vote on all proposals and director nominees that arise. As owners of the business, shareholders are capable of identifying those issues where there is sufficient information and ignoring those where there is not. Setting arbitrary notice restrictions simply limits the opportunity to raise issues that may come up after the arbitrary window closes until the following year's annual meeting. These proposals typically attempt to require a certain amount of notice before shareholders are allowed to place proposals on the ballot. Notice requirements typically range between three to six months prior to the annual meeting. These proposals typically make it impossible for a shareholder who misses the deadline to present a shareholder proposal or a director nominee that might be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. Accordingly, we generally do not favor these proposals. Voting Structure Cumulative Voting Glass Lewis will generally recommend voting for proposals seeking to allow cumulative voting. Cumulative voting is a voting process that maximizes the ability of minority shareholders to ensure representation of their views on the board. Cumulative voting can play an especially important role where a board is controlled mainly by insiders or affiliates and where the company's ownership structure includes one or more very large shareholders that typically control a majority-voting block of the company's stock. In those situations, we believe smaller shareholders need the protections of cumulative voting to ensure their voice is heard. Cumulative voting generally operates as a safeguard by ensuring that those who hold a significant minority of shares are able to elect a candidate of their choosing to the board. This allows the creation of boards that are broadly responsive to the interests of all shareholders rather than simply to a small group of large holders. Supermajority Vote Requirements Glass Lewis favors a simple majority voting structure. Supermajority vote requirements act as impediments to shareholder action on ballot items that are critical to our interests. One key example is in the takeover context where supermajority vote requirements can strongly limit our voice in making decisions on such crucial matters as selling the business. Majority Voting Glass Lewis will generally vote in favor of proposals seeking to require a majority vote for the election of directors. Many companies use a plurality voting standard which ensures the election of a director with as 62 REG38785 - 00 little as one vote. We feel that directors should only serve on a board with the support of a majority of shareholders. Requiring a majority vote to elect directors would allow shareholders to exert meaningful input into determining board representation and we feel would serve as a minimal, non-disruptive safeguard of shareholder rights. Transaction of Other Business at an Annual or Special Meeting of Shareholders Glass Lewis believes that shareholders should have a say in all matters up for a vote. Therefore, we recommend that shareholders typically not give their proxy to management to vote on any other business items that may properly come before the annual meeting. In our opinion, granting unfettered discretion is unwise. Shareholder Initiatives Shareholder proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We generally favor proposals that are likely to increase shareholder value and/or promote and protect shareholder rights. We typically prefer to leave decisions regarding day-to-day management of the business and policy decisions related to political, social or environmental issues to management and the board except when we see a clear and direct link between the proposal and some economic or financial issue for the company. In our opinion, shareholders should use their influence to push for governance structures that protect them, including actual director elections and put in place a board they can trust to make informed and careful decisions that are in the best interests of the business and its owners. Labor Practices Glass Lewis believes decisions regarding labor policies are typically best left to management and the board, absent a showing of egregious or illegal conduct that might threaten shareholder value. Management is in the best position to determine appropriate practices in the context of its business. Non-Discrimination Policies We believe decisions regarding human resource policies are best left to management and the board, absent a showing of egregious or illegal conduct that might threaten shareholder value. Management is in the best position to determine which policies will promote the interests of the firm across its various businesses. Military and US Government Business Policies Disclosure to shareholders of information on key company endeavors is important. However, we generally do not support resolutions that call for approval of policy statements for or against government programs that are subject to thorough review by the Federal Government and elected officials at the national level. Foreign Government Business Policies 63 REG38785 - 00 Glass Lewis believes worldwide business policies are best left to management and the board, absent a showing of egregious or illegal conduct that might threaten shareholder value. We believe that board members can be held accountable for these issues when they face re-election. Environmental Policies Management of the environmental risks associated with business operations are best left to management and the board, absent a showing of egregious or illegal conduct that might threaten shareholder value. Board members can be held accountable on these issues when they face re-election. Management is in the best position to determine what policies are best in the context of its business, particularly given the significant amount of regulation and reporting already required by various government agencies on these topics. 64 REG38785 - 00
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