As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2014
File Nos. 33-97598 and 811-09102
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 407 | x |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x | |||
Amendment No. 409 | x |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
iShares, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Iron Street
Boston, MA 02210
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (415) 670-2000
The Corporation Trust Incorporated
351 West Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With Copies to:
MARGERY K. NEALE, ESQ. WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP 787 SEVENTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NY 10019-6099 |
BENJAMIN J. HASKIN, ESQ. WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP 1875 K STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-1238 |
EDWARD BAER, ESQ. BLACKROCK FUND ADVISORS 400 HOWARD STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
¨ | Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
x | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ | The post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment |
2014 Prospectus |
|
► | iShares MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF | ____ | ____ |
Ticker: ____ | Stock Exchange: ____ |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (ongoing expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investments) | ||||||
Management
Fees |
Distribution
and Service (12b-1) Fees |
Other
Expenses |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |||
___% | None | None | ___% |
1 Year | 3 Years | ||||
$___ | $___ |
■ | Lower levels of liquidity and market efficiency; |
■ | Greater securities price volatility; |
■ | Exchange rate fluctuations and exchange controls; |
■ | Less availability of public information about issuers; |
■ | Limitations on foreign ownership of securities; |
■ | Imposition of withholding or other taxes; |
■ | Imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of the funds or other assets of the Fund; |
■ | Higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures; |
■ | Difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations; |
■ | Lower levels of regulation of the securities markets; |
■ | Weaker accounting, disclosure and reporting requirements; and |
■ | Legal principles relating to corporate governance, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities and stockholders’ rights in markets in which the Fund invests may differ and/or may not be as extensive or protective as those that apply in the United States. |
Approximate
Value of a Creation Unit |
Creation
Unit Size |
Standard
Creation/ Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge for Creations* |
Maximum
Additional Charge for Redemptions* | ||||
$_______ | _____ | $_____ | __% | __% |
* | As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive, in the case of redemptions, of the standard redemption transaction fee. |
|
Call: | 1-800-iShares
or 1-800-474-2737 (toll free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) |
Email: | iSharesETFs@blackrock.com |
Write: | c/o
BlackRock Investments, LLC 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 |
Fund | Ticker | Stock Exchange | ||
iShares MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF (the “Fund”) | ____ | ____ |
• | The Fund generally supports the board’s nominees in the election of directors and generally supports proposals that strengthen the independence of boards of directors; |
• | When a director has committed himself or herself to service on more than four public company boards (but no more than six public company boards in most circumstances), the Fund will consider such director’s individual circumstances in determining whether the director will be able to commit sufficient focus and time to a particular company; |
• | The Fund generally defers to an issuer’s choice of auditors so long as the corporate auditors represent the interests of shareholders and provide an independent view of the propriety of financial reporting decisions of management; |
• | The Fund generally favors disclosure of a company’s compensation and benefits policies and opposes excessive compensation, but believes that compensation matters are normally best determined by a company’s board of directors; |
• | The Fund generally expects to support capital structure requests that it believes enhance the rights of common shareholders and oppose requests that appear to be unreasonably dilutive; |
• | The Fund generally does not support proposals on social issues that lack a demonstrable economic benefit to the issuer and the Fund investing in such issuer; and |
• | The Fund generally votes against anti-takeover proposals and proposals that would create additional barriers or costs to corporate transactions that are likely to deliver a premium to shareholders. |
• | MSCI Global Standard Indexes cover all investable large- and mid-cap securities by including approximately 85% of each market's free float-adjusted market capitalization. |
• | MSCI Global Small Cap Indexes provide coverage to all companies with a market capitalization below that of the companies in the MSCI Global Standard Indexes by including above and beyond the coverage of the MSCI Global Standard Indexes. |
• | Achieving global size integrity by ensuring that companies of comparable and relevant sizes are included in a given size segment across all markets in a composite index; and |
• | Achieving consistent market coverage by ensuring that each market's size segment is represented in its proportional weight in the composite universe. |
• | Semi-Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”), conducted on a fixed semi-annual timetable that systematically reassess the various dimensions of the equity universe for all markets; |
• | Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”), aimed at promptly reflecting other significant market events; and |
• | Ongoing event-related changes, such as mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events, which generally are implemented in the indexes as they occur. |
1. | Concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the Investment Company Act, except that |
the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that its Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries. | |
2. | Borrow money, except as permitted under the Investment Company Act. |
3. | Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate the Investment Company Act. |
4. | Purchase or hold real estate, except the Fund may purchase and hold securities or other instruments that are secured by, or linked to, real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts, mortgage-related securities and securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business, and the Fund may purchase and hold real estate as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments. |
5. | Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. |
6. | Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except as permitted by the Investment Company Act. |
7. | Make loans to the extent prohibited by the Investment Company Act. |
a. | Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act. As a matter of policy, however, the Fund will not purchase shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust, in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the “fund of funds” provisions) of the Investment Company Act, at any time the Fund has knowledge that its shares are purchased by another investment company investor in reliance on the provisions of subparagraph (G) of Section 12(d)(1). |
b. | Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except to the extent permitted by the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as amended from time to time, and applicable law. |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other
Directorships Held by Director | |||
Robert
S. Kapito1 (57) |
Director
(since 2009). |
President and Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock, Inc.’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002); President of the Board of Directors, Periwinkle Theatre for Youth (since 1983). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006). | |||
Mark
Wiedman2 (43) |
Director (since 2013). | Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Global Head of iShares (since 2011); Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2011). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2013); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2013);Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2013); Director of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (since 2008). |
1 | Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. |
2 | Mark Wiedman is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other
Directorships Held by Director | |||
Robert
H. Silver (59) |
Director
(since 2007); Independent Chairman (since 2012). |
President and Co-Founder of The Bravitas Group, Inc. (since 2006); Director and Vice Chairman of the YMCA of Greater NYC (2001-2011); Broadway Producer (2006-2011); Co-Founder and Vice President of Parentgiving Inc. (since 2008); Director and Member of the Audit and Compensation Committee of EPAM Systems, Inc. (2006-2009); President and Chief Operating Officer of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly Paine Webber Inc.) (2003-2005) and various executive positions with UBS and its affiliates (1988-2005); CPA and Audit Manager of KPMG, LLP (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell) (1977-1983). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2007); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Chairman of iShares Trust, iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2012). |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other
Directorships Held by Director | |||
George
G.C. Parker (75) |
Director
(since 2002). |
Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Professor since 1973; Emeritus since 2006). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2000); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of Tejon Ranch Company (since 1999); Director of Threshold Pharmaceuticals (since 2004); Director of Colony Financial, Inc. (since 2009); Director of First Republic Bank (since 2010). | |||
John
E. Martinez (53) |
Director
(since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2012). |
Director of FirstREX Agreement Corp. (formerly EquityRock, Inc.) (since 2005). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011). | |||
Cecilia
H. Herbert (65) |
Director
(since 2005); Nominating and Governance Committee Chair and Equity Plus Committee Chair (since 2012). |
Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Member (since 1992) and Chair (1994-2005) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, WNET, the New York public broadcasting/media company (since 2011). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of Forward Funds (34 portfolios) (since 2009). | |||
Charles
A. Hurty (71) |
Director
(since 2005); Audit Committee Chair (since 2006). |
Retired; Partner, KPMG LLP (1968-2001). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director of GMAM Absolute Return Strategy Fund (1 portfolio) (since 2002); Director of SkyBridge Alternative Investments Multi-Adviser Hedge Fund Portfolios LLC (2 portfolios) (since 2002). | |||
John
E. Kerrigan (59) |
Director
(since 2005); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2012). |
Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002). | Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2010); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011). |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Other
Directorships Held by Director | |||
Madhav
V. Rajan (50) |
Director
(since 2011); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2012). |
Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (since 2001); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (since 2005); Visiting Professor, University of Chicago (2007-2008). | Trustee
of iShares Trust (since 2011); Director of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Director, Cavium, Inc. (since 2013). |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years | ||
Manish
Mehta (43) |
President (since 2013). | Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Chief Operating Officer for iShares (since 2009); Head of Strategy and Corporate Development, BGI (2005-2009); Chief of Staff to the CEO, BGI (2005-2009). | ||
Jack
Gee (55) |
Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer (since 2008). |
Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Senior Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2009); Director of Fund Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2004-2009). | ||
Eilleen
M. Clavere (62) |
Secretary
(since 2007). |
Director of Global Fund Administration, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Director of Legal Administration of Intermediary Investor Business, BGI (2006-2009); Legal Counsel and Vice President of Atlas Funds, Atlas Advisers, Inc. and Atlas Securities, Inc. (2005-2006); Counsel at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (2001-2005). | ||
Edward
B. Baer (46) |
Vice
President and Chief Legal Officer (since 2012). |
Managing Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of Legal & Compliance, BlackRock, Inc. (2004-2006). | ||
Scott
Radell (45) |
Executive
Vice President (since 2012). |
Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BGI (2007-2009); Credit Portfolio Manager, BGI (2005-2007); Credit Research Analyst, BGI (2003-2005). |
Name (Age) | Position | Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years | ||
Amy
Schioldager (52) |
Executive
Vice President (since 2007). |
Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Global Head of Index Equity, BGI (2008-2009); Global Head of U.S. Indexing, BGI (2006-2008); Head of Domestic Equity Portfolio Management, BGI (2001-2006). | ||
Ira
P. Shapiro (51) |
Vice
President (since 2007). |
Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Strategic Product Initiatives for iShares (since 2012); Chief Legal Officer, Exchange-Traded Fund Complex (2007-2012); Associate General Counsel, BGI (2004-2009). |
Name of Director | Fund | Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies | |||
Robert S. Kapito | None | None | None | |||
Mark Wiedman1 | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
Robert H. Silver | iShares iBonds Sep 2015 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares iBonds Sep 2016 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares iBonds Sep 2017 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares iBonds Sep 2018 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core High Dividend ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI BRIC ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 2000 ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 3000 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF | $1-$10,000 |
Name of Director | Fund | Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies | |||
iShares Select Dividend ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Technology ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
George G.C. Parker | iShares California AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares S&P 100 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Select Dividend ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
John E. Martinez | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 1000 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares TIPS Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
Cecilia H. Herbert | iShares China Large-Cap ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares International Select Dividend ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI Japan ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | $10,001-$50,000 |
Name of Director | Fund | Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies | |||
iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
Charles A. Hurty | iShares China Large-Cap ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core High Dividend ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Global Energy ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares Global Tech ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares MSCI Japan ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares North American Tech-Multimedia Networking ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Energy ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Financials ETF | $1-$10,000 | |||||
iShares U.S. Technology ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
John E. Kerrigan | iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Short-Term National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
Madhav V. Rajan | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | |||||
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | Over $100,000 | |||||
iShares Select Dividend ETF | Over $100,000 |
Name of Director | iShares
MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF |
Pension
or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Company Expenses1 |
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement1 |
Total
Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex2 | ||||
Independent Director: | ||||||||
Robert H. Silver | $0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ 325,000 | ||||
George G.C. Parker | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 275,000 | ||||
John E. Kerrigan | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 315,882 | ||||
Charles A. Hurty | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 315,000 | ||||
Cecilia H. Herbert | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 305,000 | ||||
John E. Martinez | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 290,000 | ||||
Madhav V. Rajan | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 301,765 | ||||
Interested Director: | ||||||||
Robert S. Kapito | $0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | $ 0 | ||||
Mark Wiedman3 | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 0 | ||||
Michael Latham4 | 0 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 0 |
1 | No Director or officer is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Company. |
2 | Includes compensation for service on the Boards of Trustees for iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust and the Board of Directors of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. |
3 | Appointed to serve as an Interested Director effective December 31, 2013. |
4 | Served as an Interested Director through December 31, 2013. |
Matthew Goff | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number | Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts | ||||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
Diane Hsiung | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number | Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts | ||||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
Jennifer Hsui | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number | Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts | ||||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
Greg Savage | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number | Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts | ||||
Accounts with Incentive-Based Fee Arrangements |
Matthew Goff | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number
of Other Accounts with Performance Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager |
Aggregate
of Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts |
Diane Hsiung | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number
of Other Accounts with Performance Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager |
Aggregate
of Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts |
Jennifer Hsui | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number
of Other Accounts with Performance Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager |
Aggregate
of Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts |
Greg Savage | ||||
Types of Accounts | Number
of Other Accounts with Performance Fees Managed by Portfolio Manager |
Aggregate
of Total Assets | ||
Registered Investment Companies | ||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | ||||
Other Accounts |
Shares
Per Creation Unit |
Value
Per Creation Unit (U.S.$) | |
_____ | $_______ |
Standard
Creation Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge* | |
$_____ | ___% |
* | As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit. |
Standard
Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge* | |
$_____ | ___% |
* | As a percentage of the net asset value per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee. |
2014 | ||||||
Country | Trade
Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number
of Days to Settle | |||
China | 01/27/14 | 02/10/14 | 14 | |||
01/28/14 | 02/11/14 | 14 | ||||
01/29/14 | 02/12/14 | 14 | ||||
04/28/14 | 05/08/14 | 10 | ||||
04/29/14 | 05/09/14 | 10 | ||||
04/30/14 | 05/12/14 | 12 | ||||
09/26/14 | 10/08/14 | 12 | ||||
09/29/14 | 10/09/14 | 10 | ||||
09/30/14 | 10/10/14 | 10 | ||||
Indonesia | 07/23/14 | 08/04/14 | 12 | |||
07/24/14 | 08/05/14 | 12 | ||||
07/25/14 | 08/06/14 | 12 | ||||
12/19/14 | 12/29/14 | 10 | ||||
12/22/14 | 12/30/14 | 8 | ||||
12/23/14 | 01/02/15 | 11 | ||||
Malaysia | 01/27/14 | 02/04/14 | 8 | |||
01/28/14 | 02/05/14 | 8 | ||||
01/29/14 | 02/06/14 | 8 | ||||
07/23/14 | 07/31/14 | 8 | ||||
07/24/14 | 08/01/14 | 8 | ||||
07/25/14 | 08/04/14 | 10 | ||||
The Philippines | 12/19/14 | 12/29/14 | 10 | |||
12/22/14 | 01/02/15 | 11 | ||||
12/23/14 | 01/05/15 | 13 | ||||
12/28/14 | 01/05/15 | 8 | ||||
12/29/14 | 01/06/15 | 8 | ||||
South Africa | 03/14/14 | 03/24/14 | 10 | |||
03/17/14 | 03/25/14 | 8 | ||||
03/18/14 | 03/26/14 | 8 | ||||
03/19/14 | 03/27/14 | 8 | ||||
03/20/14 | 03/28/14 | 8 | ||||
04/11/14 | 04/22/14 | 9 | ||||
04/14/14 | 04/23/14 | 9 | ||||
04/15/14 | 04/24/14 | 9 |
2014 | ||||||
Country | Trade
Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number
of Days to Settle | |||
04/16/14 | 04/25/14 | 9 | ||||
04/17/14 | 04/29/14 | 12 | ||||
04/22/14 | 04/30/14 | 8 | ||||
04/23/14 | 05/02/14 | 9 | ||||
04/24/14 | 05/05/14 | 11 | ||||
04/25/14 | 05/06/14 | 11 | ||||
04/29/14 | 05/07/14 | 8 | ||||
04/30/14 | 05/08/14 | 8 | ||||
06/09/14 | 06/17/14 | 8 | ||||
06/10/14 | 06/18/14 | 8 | ||||
06/11/14 | 06/19/14 | 8 | ||||
06/12/14 | 06/20/14 | 8 | ||||
06/13/14 | 06/23/14 | 10 | ||||
09/17/14 | 09/25/14 | 8 | ||||
09/18/14 | 09/26/14 | 8 | ||||
09/19/14 | 09/29/14 | 10 | ||||
09/22/14 | 09/30/14 | 8 | ||||
09/23/14 | 10/01/14 | 8 | ||||
12/09/14 | 12/17/14 | 8 | ||||
12/10/14 | 12/18/14 | 8 | ||||
12/11/14 | 12/19/14 | 8 | ||||
12/12/14 | 12/22/14 | 10 | ||||
12/15/14 | 12/23/14 | 8 | ||||
12/18/14 | 12/29/14 | 11 | ||||
12/19/14 | 12/30/14 | 11 | ||||
12/22/14 | 12/31/14 | 9 | ||||
12/23/14 | 01/02/15 | 10 | ||||
12/24/14 | 01/05/15 | 12 | ||||
12/29/14 | 01/06/15 | 8 | ||||
12/30/14 | 01/07/15 | 8 | ||||
12/31/14 | 01/08/15 | 8 | ||||
2015 | ||||||
Country | Trade
Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number
of Days to Settle | |||
China | 02/13/15 | 02/25/15 | 12 | |||
02/16/15 | 02/26/15 | 10 | ||||
02/17/15 | 02/27/15 | 10 | ||||
09/28/15 | 10/08/15 | 10 | ||||
09/29/15 | 10/09/15 | 10 | ||||
09/30/15 | 10/12/15 | 12 | ||||
South Africa | 03/27/15 | 04/07/15 | 11 | |||
03/30/15 | 04/08/15 | 9 | ||||
03/31/15 | 04/09/15 | 9 | ||||
04/01/15 | 04/10/15 | 9 | ||||
04/02/15 | 04/13/15 | 11 |
2015 | ||||||
Country | Trade
Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number
of Days to Settle | |||
04/20/15 | 04/28/15 | 8 | ||||
04/21/15 | 04/29/15 | 8 | ||||
04/22/15 | 04/30/15 | 8 | ||||
04/23/15 | 05/01/15 | 8 | ||||
04/23/15 | 05/04/15 | 11 | ||||
04/24/15 | 05/05/15 | 11 | ||||
04/28/15 | 05/06/15 | 8 | ||||
04/29/15 | 05/07/15 | 8 | ||||
04/30/15 | 05/08/15 | 8 | ||||
06/09/15 | 06/17/15 | 8 | ||||
06/10/15 | 06/18/15 | 8 | ||||
06/11/15 | 06/19/15 | 8 | ||||
06/12/15 | 06/22/15 | 10 | ||||
06/15/15 | 06/23/15 | 8 | ||||
08/03/15 | 08/11/15 | 8 | ||||
08/04/15 | 08/12/15 | 8 | ||||
08/05/15 | 08/13/15 | 8 | ||||
08/06/15 | 08/14/15 | 8 | ||||
08/07/15 | 08/17/15 | 10 | ||||
09/17/15 | 09/25/15 | 8 | ||||
09/18/15 | 09/28/15 | 10 | ||||
09/21/15 | 09/29/15 | 8 | ||||
09/22/15 | 09/30/15 | 8 | ||||
09/23/15 | 10/01/15 | 8 | ||||
12/09/15 | 12/17/15 | 8 | ||||
12/10/15 | 12/18/15 | 8 | ||||
12/11/15 | 12/21/15 | 10 | ||||
12/14/15 | 12/22/15 | 8 | ||||
12/15/15 | 12/23/15 | 8 | ||||
12/18/15 | 12/28/15 | 10 | ||||
12/21/15 | 12/29/15 | 8 | ||||
12/22/15 | 12/30/15 | 8 | ||||
12/23/15 | 12/31/15 | 8 | ||||
12/24/15 | 01/04/16 | 11 | ||||
12/28/15 | 01/05/16 | 8 | ||||
12/29/15 | 01/06/16 | 8 | ||||
12/30/15 | 01/07/16 | 8 | ||||
12/31/15 | 01/08/16 | 8 | ||||
* | These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible. |
iShares, Inc.
File Nos. 33-97598 and 811-09102
Part C
Other Information
Item 28. Exhibits | PEA | # 407 |
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
(a.1) | Articles of Restatement, dated September 13, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31, filed December 26, 2006 (PEA No. 31). | |
(a.2) | Articles of Amendment, dated December 18, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 31. | |
(a.3) | Articles Supplementary, dated December 18, 2006, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 31. | |
(a.4) | Articles Supplementary, dated June 30, 2007, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35, filed July 19, 2007. | |
(a.5) | Articles of Amendment, dated March 5, 2008, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55, filed March 26, 2008 (PEA No. 55). | |
(a.6) | Articles Supplementary, dated March 5, 2008, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 55. | |
(a.7) | Articles Supplementary, dated June 19, 2008, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79, filed December 23, 2008. | |
(a.8) | Articles Supplementary, dated February 24, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100, filed September 28, 2009. | |
(a.9) | Articles Supplementary, dated December 10, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105, filed December 23, 2009 (PEA No. 105). | |
(a.10) | Articles Supplementary, dated March 18, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 132, filed June 30, 2011 (PEA No. 132). | |
(a.11) | Articles Supplementary, dated September 7, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 140, filed September 9, 2011 (PEA No. 140). | |
(a.12) | Articles Supplementary, dated September 15, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151, filed October 6, 2011. | |
(a.13) | Articles Supplementary, dated October 31, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, filed November 1, 2011. | |
(a.14) | Articles Supplementary, dated December 15, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 205, filed January 30, 2012 (PEA No. 205). | |
(a.15) | Articles of Amendment, dated January 27, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 205. | |
(a.16) | Articles of Amendment, dated February 8, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, filed February 10, 2012. | |
(a.17) | Articles of Amendment, dated March 15, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 224, filed March 23, 2012 (PEA No. 224). | |
(a.18) | Articles Supplementary, dated March 15, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 224. | |
(a.19) | Articles Supplementary, dated June 21, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 241, filed July 16, 2012. |
(a.20) | Articles Supplementary, dated August 20, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 246, filed August 20, 2012. | |
(a.21) | Articles of Amendment, dated October 11, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 255, filed October 15, 2012 (PEA No. 255). | |
(a.22) | Articles of Amendment, dated November 9, 2012, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 261, filed November 9, 2012. | |
(a.23) | Articles Supplementary, dated January 18, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 274, filed January 18, 2013. | |
(a.24) | Articles of Amendment, dated March 14, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 289, filed March 28, 2013 (PEA No. 289). | |
(a.25) | Articles Supplementary, dated March 28, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 289. | |
(a.26) | Articles of Amendment, dated April 30, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 296, filed May 1, 2013. | |
(a.27) | Articles of Amendment, dated June 28, 2013, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 313, filed July 5, 2013 (PEA No. 313). | |
(a.28) | Articles Supplementary, dated January 31, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 354, filed January 31, 2014. | |
(a.29) | Articles Supplementary, dated March 19, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 378, filed June 19, 2014 (PEA No. 378). | |
(a.30) | Articles Supplementary, dated July 23, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 384, filed July 23, 2014 (PEA No. 384). | |
(a.31) | Articles Supplementary, dated August 15, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 389, filed August 18, 2014. | |
(a.32) | Articles Supplementary, dated September 29, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 400, filed October 1, 2014 (PEA No. 400). | |
(a.33) | Articles Supplementary, dated October 28, 2014, are filed herein. | |
(b.1) | Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated April 20, 2010, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, filed May 3, 2010 (PEA No. 113). | |
(c) | None. | |
(d.1) | Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 1, 2009, between Registrant and BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 105. | |
(d.2) | Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 401, filed October 6, 2014 (PEA No. 401). | |
(d.3) | Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between iShares Trust and BFA is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 400. | |
(d.4) | Schedule A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc.1 and BFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 283, filed February 22, 2013. | |
(d.5) | Master Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement, dated December 1, 2009, between Registrant and BFA is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 120, filed December 20, 2010. | |
(d.6) | Schedule A to the Master Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 400. | |
(d.7) | Form of Participation Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 255. | |
(d.8) | Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated December 1, 2010, between BFA and BlackRock International Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 156, filed October 18, 2011. |
(d.9) | Appendix A to the Sub-Advisory Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 358, filed February 28, 2014. | |
(e.1) | Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC (BRIL), dated February 3, 2012, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 313. | |
(e.2) | Exhibit A to the Distribution Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 401. | |
(e.3) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27, filed December 30, 2003. | |
(e.4) | Form of Sales and Investor Services Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18, filed December 29, 2000 (PEA No. 18). | |
(f) | None. | |
(g) | Service Module for Custodial Services, dated April 21, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 140. | |
(h.1) | Master Services Agreement, dated April 21, 2011, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 132. | |
(h.2) | Exhibit A to the Master Services Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 401. | |
(h.3) | Service Module for Fund Administration and Accounting Services, dated April 21, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 140. | |
(h.4) | Service Module for Transfer Agency Services, dated April 21, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 140. | |
(h.5) | Sub-License Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (BTC)2 with respect to the use of the MSCI Indexes, dated May 8, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 18. | |
(h.6) | Amendment to the Sub-License Agreement, dated March 18, 2000, between Registrant and BTC2 with respect to the use of the MSCI Indexes is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 113. | |
(h.7) | Second Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement, dated January 1, 2014, among the Registrant, iShares Trust, iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc., iShares U.S. ETF Company, Inc., iShares U.S. ETF Trust and BTC is filed herein. | |
(h.8) | Schedule A to the Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 401. | |
(h.9) | Form of Master Securities Loan Agreement (including forms of Annexes, Schedule and Appendix thereto) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, filed January 29, 2010. | |
(h.10) | Sublicense Agreement between Registrant and BFA with respect to use of The Bank New York Mellon Indexes to be filed by amendment. | |
(i) | Legal Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP to be filed by amendment. | |
(j) | Not applicable. | |
(k) | None. | |
(l.1) | Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Funds Distributor, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement, filed March 6, 1996. | |
(l.2) | Letter of Representations among the Registrant, The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and Morgan Stanley Trust Company Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, filed March 1, 1996, to the Companys initial registration statement on Form N-1A filed on September 29, 1995. | |
(l.3) | Letter of Representations between the Registrant and DTC, dated May 5, 2000, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 18. |
(l.4) | Letter of Representations between the Registrant and DTC, dated October 15, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21, filed October 22, 2001. | |
(m) | Not applicable. | |
(n) | None. | |
(o) | Not applicable. | |
(p.1) | Code of Ethics for Fund Access Persons is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 384. | |
(p.2) | BlackRock, Inc. Personal Trading Policy is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 378. | |
(p.3) | Code of Ethics for BRIL is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed October 24, 2013. | |
(q) | Powers of Attorney, each dated December 31, 2013, for Manish Mehta, Mark Wiedman, Charles A. Hurty, Cecilia H. Herbert, John E. Kerrigan, Robert H. Silver, George G.C. Parker, John E. Martinez, Madhav V. Rajan, Jack Gee and Robert S. Kapito are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349, filed January 10, 2014 (PEA No. 349). |
1 | Prior to July 1, 2013, iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. was known as iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc. |
2 | Prior to December 1, 2009, BTC was known as Barclays Global Investors, N.A. |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with Registrant.
None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
It is the Funds policy to indemnify officers, directors, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, Article EIGHTH of the Funds Articles of Restatement, and Article VI of the Funds By-Laws (each set forth below).
Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law reads as follows:
(a) | (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. | |
(2) Corporation includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of a corporation in a merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which the predecessors existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction. | ||
(3) Director means any person who is or was a director of a corporation and any person who, while a director of a corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, other enterprise, or employee benefit plan. | ||
(4) Expenses include attorneys fees. | ||
(5) Official capacity means the following: | ||
(i) When used with respect to a director, the office of director in the corporation; and | ||
(ii) When used with respect to a person other than a director as contemplated in subsection (j) of this section, the elective or appointive office in the corporation held by the officer, or the employment or agency relationship undertaken by the employee or agent in behalf of the corporation. | ||
(iii) Official capacity does not include service for any other foreign or domestic corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise, or employee benefit plan. | ||
(6) Party includes a person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding. | ||
(7) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative. |
(b) | (1) A corporation may indemnify any director made a party to any proceeding by reason of service in that capacity unless it is established that: | |||||
(i) The act or omission of the director was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding; and | ||||||
1. Was committed in bad faith; or | ||||||
2. Was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or | ||||||
(ii) The director actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property, or services; or | ||||||
(iii) In the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. | ||||||
(2)(i) Indemnification may be against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding. | ||||||
(ii) However, if the proceeding was one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the director shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation. | ||||||
(3) (i) The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, or settlement does not create a presumption that the director did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this subsection. | ||||||
(ii) The termination of any proceeding by conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the director did not meet that standard of conduct. | ||||||
(4) A corporation may not indemnify a director or advance expenses under this section for a proceeding brought by that director against the corporation, except: | ||||||
(i) For a proceeding brought to enforce indemnification under this section; or | ||||||
(ii) If the charter or bylaws of the corporation, a resolution of the board of directors of the corporation, or an agreement approved by the board of directors of the corporation to which the corporation is a party expressly provide otherwise. | ||||||
(c) | A director may not be indemnified under subsection (b) of this section in respect of any proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the director, whether or not involving action in the directors official capacity, in which the director was adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. | |||||
(d) | Unless limited by the charter: | |||||
(1) A director who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding referred to in subsection (b) of this section, or in the defense of any claim, issue, or matter in the proceeding, shall be indemnified against reasonable expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding, claim, issue, or matter in which the director has been successful. | ||||||
(2) A court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of a director and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification in the following circumstances: | ||||||
(i) If it determines a director is entitled to reimbursement under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall order indemnification, in which case the director shall be entitled to recover the expenses of securing such reimbursement; or | ||||||
(ii) If it determines that the director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director has met the standards of conduct set forth in subsection (b) of this section or has been adjudged liable under the circumstances described in subsection (c) of this section, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any proceeding by or in the right of the corporation or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in subsection (c) of this section shall be limited to expenses. | ||||||
(3) A court of appropriate jurisdiction may be the same court in which the proceeding involving the directors liability took place. | ||||||
(e) | (1) Indemnification under subsection (b) of this section may not be made by the corporation unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director is permissible in the circumstances because the director has met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection (b) of this section. | |||||
(2) Such determination shall be made: | ||||||
(i) By the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties to the proceeding, or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the board consisting solely of one or more directors not, at the time, parties to such proceeding and who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of the full board in which the designated directors who are parties may participate; |
(ii) By special legal counsel selected by the board of directors or a committee of the board by vote as set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, or, if the requisite quorum of the full board cannot be obtained herefore and the committee cannot be established, by a majority vote of the full board in which directors who are parties may participate; or | ||
(iii) By the stockholders. | ||
(3) Authorization of indemnification and determination as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made in the same manner as the determination that indemnification is permissible. However, if the determination that indemnification is permissible is made by special legal counsel, authorization of indemnification and determination as to reasonableness of expenses shall be made in the manner specified in paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection for selection of such counsel. | ||
(4) Shares held by directors who are parties to the proceeding may not be voted on the subject matter under this subsection. | ||
(f) | (1) Reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt by the corporation of: | |
(i) A written affirmation by the director of the directors good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation as authorized in this section has been met; and | ||
(ii) A written undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. | ||
(2) The undertaking required by paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be an unlimited general obligation of the director but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make the repayment. | ||
(3) Payments under this subsection shall be made as provided by the charter, bylaws, or contract or as specified in subsection (e)(2) of this section. | ||
(g) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or authorized by this section may not be deemed exclusive of any other rights, by indemnification or otherwise, to which a director may be entitled under the charter, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders or directors, an agreement or otherwise, both as to action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. | |
(h) | This section does not limit the corporations power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director in connection with an appearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when the director has not been made a named defendant or respondent in the proceeding. | |
(i) | For purposes of this section: | |
(1) The corporation shall be deemed to have requested a director to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance of the directors duties to the corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, the director to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; | ||
(2) Excise taxes assessed on a director with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall be deemed fines; and | ||
(3) Action taken or omitted by the director with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of the directors duties for a purpose reasonably believed by the director to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. | ||
(j) | Unless limited by the charter: | |
(1) An officer of the corporation shall be indemnified as and to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this section for a director and shall be entitled, to the same extent as a director, to seek indemnification pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section; | ||
(2) A corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, or agent of the corporation to the same extent that it may indemnify directors under this section; and | ||
(3) A corporation, in addition, may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, or agent who is not a director to such further extent, consistent with law, as may be provided by its charter, bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors, or contract. | ||
(k) | (1) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise, or employee benefit plan against any liability |
asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such persons position, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify against liability under the provisions of this section. | ||
(2) A corporation may provide similar protection, including a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond, not inconsistent with this section. | ||
(3) The insurance or similar protection may be provided by a subsidiary or an affiliate of the corporation. | ||
(l) |
Any indemnification of, or advance of expenses to, a director in accordance with this section, if arising out of a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, shall be reported in writing to the stockholders with the notice of the next stockholders meeting or prior to the meeting. |
Article EIGHTH of the Funds Articles of Restatement provides as follows:
The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law (including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person or such persons testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or serves or served at the request of the Corporation any other enterprise as director, officer or employee. To the fullest extent permitted by law (including the 1940 Act), expenses incurred by any such person in defending any such action, suit or proceeding shall be paid or reimbursed by the Corporation promptly upon receipt by it of an undertaking of such person to repay such expenses if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. The rights provided to any person by this Article EIGHTH shall be enforceable against the Corporation by such person who shall be presumed to have relied upon it in serving or continuing to serve as a director, officer or employee as provided above. No amendment of this Article EIGHTH shall impair the rights of any person arising at any time with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment. For purposes of this Article EIGHTH, the term Corporation shall include any predecessor of the Corporation and any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed by the Corporation in a consolidation or merger; the term other enterprise shall include any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or employee benefit plan; service at the request of the Corporation shall include service as a director, officer or employee of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer or employee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to be indemnifiable expenses; and action by a person with respect to any employee benefit plan which such person reasonably believes to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of such plan shall be deemed to be action not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.
Nothing in Article SEVENTH or in this Article EIGHTH protects or purports to protect any director or officer against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Article VI of the Funds Amended and Restated By-Laws provides as follows:
Section 1. Insurance. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Corporation, directly, through third parties or through affiliates of the Corporation, may purchase, or provide through a trust fund, letter of credit or surety bond insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or who, while a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, officer, employee, partner, trustee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such persons position, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.
Section 2. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director or officer of any other enterprise and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity. The Corporation may, with the approval of its
Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. Any indemnification or advance of expenses made pursuant to this Article shall be subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. The indemnification and payment of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, regulation, insurance, agreement or otherwise.
Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Bylaws or charter of the Corporation inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
Securities Act of 1933
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Section 17.1 of the Master Services Agreement between Registrant and State Street provides as follows:
The Master Services Agreement provides that State Street will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the applicable Fund, its Affiliates, and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents and permitted successors and assigns from any and all damages, fines, penalties, deficiencies, losses, liabilities (including judgments and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) and expenses (including interest, court costs, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants and other experts or other reasonable fees and expenses of litigation or other proceedings or of any claim, default or assessment) (Losses) arising from or in connection with any third party claim or threatened third party claim to the extent that such Losses are based on or arising out of any of the following: (a) breach by State Street or any State Street Personnel of any of its data protection, information security or confidentiality obligations hereunder or under a Service Module to which such Fund is a signatory; (b) any claim of infringement or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property Right alleged to have occurred because of systems or other Intellectual Property provided by or on behalf of State Street or based upon the performance of the Services (collectively, the State Street Infringement Items), except to the extent that such infringement or misappropriation relates to or results from; (i) changes made by any Fund or by a third party at the direction of a Fund to the State Street Infringement Items; (ii) changes to the State Street Infringement Items recommended by State Street and not made due to a request from any Fund, provided that State Street has notified such Fund that failure to implement such recommendation would result in infringement within a reasonable amount of time for such Fund to so implement following such notification; (iii) any Funds combination of the State Street Infringement Items with products or services not provided or approved in writing by State Street, except to the extent such combination arises out of any Funds use of the State Street Infringement Items in a manner consistent with the applicable business requirements documentation; (iv) designs or specifications that in themselves infringe and that are provided by or at the direction of any Fund (except in the event of a knowing infringement by State Street); or (v) use by a Fund of any of the State Street Infringement Items in a manner that is not consistent with the applicable business requirements documentation or otherwise not permitted under the Master Services Agreement or any Service Module; (c) any claim or action by, on behalf of, or related to, any prospective, then-current or former employees of State Street, arising from or in connection with a Service Module to which a Fund is a signatory, including: (i) any claim arising under occupational health and safety, workers compensation, ERISA or other applicable Law; (ii) any claim arising from the interview or hiring practices, actions or omissions of employees of State Street; (iii) any claim relating to any violation by employees of State Street, or its respective officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents, of any Law or any common law protecting persons or members of protected classes or categories, such laws or regulations prohibiting discrimination or harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic; and (iv) any claim based on a theory that such Fund is an employer or joint employer of any such prospective, then-current or
former employees of State Street; (d) the failure by State Street to obtain, maintain, or comply with any governmental approvals as required under the Master Services Agreement and/or a Service Module to which such Fund is a signatory or such other failures as otherwise agreed by the Parties from time to time; (e) claims by third parties arising from claims by governmental authorities against such Customer for fines, penalties, sanctions, late fees or other remedies to the extent arising from or in connection with State Streets failure to perform its responsibilities under the Master Services Agreement or any Service Module (except to the extent a Fund is not permitted as a matter of public policy to have such an indemnity for financial penalties arising from criminal actions); (f) claims by clients of State Street relating to services, products or systems provided by State Street or a Subcontractor to such client(s) in a shared or leveraged environment; (g) any claim initiated by an Affiliate or potential or actual Subcontractor of State Street asserting rights in connection with a Service Module to which such Fund is a signatory; or (h) other claims as otherwise agreed by the Parties from time to time.
Section 8.02 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BRIL provides as follows:
The Distribution Agreement provides that BRIL agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, officers, employees and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the Company Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all losses to which the Company Indemnified Parties become subject, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by BRIL about BRIL expressly for use therein; (ii) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by BRIL in the Distribution Agreement; and (iii) the actions or omissions of any person acting under the supervision of BRIL in providing services under the Distribution Agreement; provided, however, that BRIL shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any loss arises out of or is based upon (A) the Companys own willful misfeasance, willful misconduct or gross negligence or the Companys reckless disregard of its obligations under the Distribution Agreement or (B) the Companys material breach of the Distribution Agreement.
In certain circumstances, an Authorized Participant may be deemed an affiliate of the Fund. Section 10 of the Authorized Participant Agreement provides indemnification of Authorized Participants as follows:
(b) The Distributor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Participant, its respective subsidiaries, affiliated persons, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls such persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (each an Indemnified Party) from and against any loss, liability, cost and expense (including attorneys fees) incurred by such Indemnified Party as a result of (i) any breach by the Distributor of any provision of this Agreement that relates to the Distributor; (ii) any failure on the part of the Distributor to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement; (iii) any failure by the Distributor to comply with applicable laws, including rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations; or (iv) actions of such Indemnified Party in reliance upon any representations made in accordance with the iShares Procedures Handbook reasonably believed by the Participant to be genuine and to have been given by the Distributor.
(c) The Participant shall not be liable to the Distributor for any damages arising out of (i) mistakes or errors in data provided in connection with purchase or redemption transactions except for data provided by the Participant, or (ii) mistakes or errors by or out of interruptions or delays of communications with the Distributor or any Indemnified Party who is a service provider to the Fund. The Participant shall not be liable for any action, representation, or solicitation made by the wholesalers of the Fund.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
The Company is advised by BFA, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. BFAs business is that of a registered investment adviser to certain open-end, management investment companies and various other institutional investors.
The directors and officers of BFA consist primarily of persons who during the past two years have been active in the investment management business. To the knowledge of the Registrant, except as set forth below, none of the directors or executive officers of BFA is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature. Information as to the executive officers and directors of BFA is included in its Form ADV initially filed with the SEC (File No. 801-22609) on November 15, 1984 and updated thereafter and is incorporated herein by reference.
BlackRock International Limited (BIL) acts as sub-adviser for a number of affiliated registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The address of each of these registered investment companies is 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809. The address of BIL is 40 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8JB, United Kingdom. The list required by this Item 31 about officers and directors of BIL, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedule A and D of Form ADV, filed by BIL pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-51087).
Item 32. Principal Underwriters:
(a) | Furnish the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for which each principal underwriter currently distributing the securities of the Registrant also acts as a principal underwriter, distributor or investment adviser. |
BRIL, the distributor of certain funds, acts as the principal underwriter or placement agent, as applicable, for each of the following open-end registered investment companies including certain funds of the Registrant:
BBIF Government Securities Fund | BlackRock Multi-State Municipal Series Trust | |
BBIF Money Fund | BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. | |
BBIF Tax-Exempt Fund | BlackRock Municipal Series Trust | |
BBIF Treasury Fund | BlackRock Natural Resources Trust | |
BIF Government Securities Fund | BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc. | |
BIF Money Fund | BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. | |
BIF Multi-State Municipal Series Trust | BlackRock Series, Inc. | |
BIF Tax-Exempt Fund | BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. | |
BIF Treasury Fund | BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. | |
BlackRock Allocation Target Shares | BlackRock World Income Fund, Inc. | |
BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc. | FDP Series, Inc. | |
BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc. | Funds For Institution Series | |
BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc. | iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. | |
BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust | iShares Trust | |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. | iShares U.S. ETF Trust | |
BlackRock CoRI Funds | Managed Account Series | |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. | Master Basic Value LLC | |
BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund | Master Bond LLC | |
BlackRock EuroFund | Master Focus Growth LLC | |
BlackRock Financial Institutions Series Trust | Master Government Securities LLC | |
BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc. | Master Institutional Money Market LLC | |
BlackRock Funds | Master Investment Portfolio | |
BlackRock Funds II | Master Large Cap Series LLC | |
BlackRock Funds III | Master Money LLC | |
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. | Master Tax-Exempt LLC | |
BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc. | Master Treasury LLC | |
BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. | Master Value Opportunities LLC | |
BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. | Quantitative Master Series LLC | |
BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. | Ready Assets Prime Money Fund | |
BlackRock Liquidity Funds | Ready Assets U.S. Treasury Money Fund | |
BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund | Ready Assets U.S.A. Government Money Fund | |
BlackRock Master LLC | Retirement Series Trust | |
BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc. |
BRIL also acts as the principal underwriter or placement agent, as applicable, for each of the following closed-end registered investment companies:
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. |
BlackRock Fixed Income Value Opportunities |
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. |
BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust |
BlackRock Preferred Partners LLC |
BRIL provides numerous financial services to BlackRock-advised funds and is the distributor of BlackRocks open-end funds. These services include coordinating and executing Authorized Participation Agreements, preparing, reviewing and providing advice with respect to all sales literature and responding to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority comments on marketing materials.
(b) | Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of BRIL. The principal business address for each such person is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. |
Name |
Position(s) and Office(s) with BRIL |
Position(s) and Office(s) with Registrant | ||
Robert Fairbairn | Chairman and Member, Board of Managers, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director | None | ||
Anne Ackerley | Managing Director | None | ||
Matthew Mallow | General Counsel and Senior Managing Director | None | ||
Russell McGranahan | Secretary and Managing Director | None | ||
Ned Montenecourt | Chief Compliance Officer and Director | None | ||
Saurabh Pathak | Chief Financial Officer and Director | None | ||
Francis Porcelli | Managing Director and Member, Board of Managers | None | ||
Brenda Sklar | Managing Director | None | ||
Lisa Hill | Managing Director | None | ||
Joseph Craven | Managing Director | None | ||
Terri Slane | Director and Assistant Secretary | None | ||
Melissa Walker | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | None | ||
Chris Nugent | Director | None | ||
Richard Prager | Member, Board of Managers | None | ||
Christopher Vogel | Member, Board of Managers | None |
(c) | Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
(a) The Company maintains accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (collectively, the Records) at the offices of State Street, 1 Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210.
(b) BFA maintains all Records relating to its services as investment adviser at 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
(c) BRIL maintains all Records relating to its services as distributor of certain Funds at 1 University Square Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540.
(d) State Street maintains all Records relating to its services as transfer agent at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. State Street maintains all Records relating to its services as fund accountant and custodian at 1 Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210.
Item 34. Management Services.
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings.
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 407 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco and the State of California on the 29th day of October, 2014.
iSHARES, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Manish Mehta* | ||
President | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 407 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
By: | ||
Mark Wiedman* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
John E. Martinez* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
George G.C. Parker* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
Cecilia H. Herbert* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
Charles A. Hurty* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 |
John E. Kerrigan* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
Robert H. Silver* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
Madhav V. Rajan* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
Robert S. Kapito* | ||
Director | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
/s/ Jack Gee | ||
Jack Gee | ||
Treasurer | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 | ||
*By: |
/s/ Jack Gee | |
Jack Gee | ||
Attorney-in-fact | ||
Date: October 29, 2014 |
* | Powers of Attorney, each dated December 31, 2013, for Manish Mehta, Mark Wiedman, Charles A. Hurty, Cecilia H. Herbert, John E. Kerrigan, Robert H. Silver, George G.C. Parker, John E. Martinez, Madhav V. Rajan and Robert S. Kapito are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 349. |
Exhibit Index | ||
(a.33) | Articles Supplementary, dated October 28, 2014. | |
(h.7) | Second Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement. |
Exhibit (a.33)
ISHARES, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
iShares, Inc., a Maryland corporation registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT) that:
FIRST: Under a power contained in Article FIFTH of the Charter (the Charter) of the Corporation, and pursuant to Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors), by resolutions duly adopted, at a meeting duly called and held, classified 25,000,000 undesignated shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share (the Common Stock), as shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF, with the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of a series of Common Stock as set forth in the Charter.
SECOND: Immediately before these Articles Supplementary were accepted for record by the SDAT, the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock was 33,850,000,000, with an aggregate par value of $33,850,000, of which 1,733,375,000 were shares without further classification or designation and 32,116,625,000 were classified and designated as follows:
Series |
Number of Shares |
|||
iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares International DR Completion Index ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares Latin America Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI ACWI with EM Exposure ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Australia ETF |
627,800,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Austria Capped ETF |
100,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped ETF |
136,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI BRIC ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Canada ETF |
340,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Colombia Capped ETF |
25,000,000 |
iShares MSCI EFM Africa ex South Africa Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
2,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Horizon ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI EMU ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Europe Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI France ETF |
340,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets APEX Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI GCC Countries ex Saudi Arabia Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Germany ETF |
382,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Greece Index Fund |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF |
375,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Israel Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Italy Capped ETF |
295,400,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Japan ETF |
2,124,600,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF |
300,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF |
255,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF |
255,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Portugal Index Fund |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF |
300,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF |
400,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF |
127,800,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF |
63,600,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF |
318,625,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF |
900,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Thailand Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Turkey ETF |
200,000,000 |
2
iShares MSCI USA ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI USA High Dividend ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Vietnam ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI World ETF |
500,000,000 |
THIRD: Immediately after these Articles Supplementary are accepted for record by the SDAT, the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock is 33,850,000,000, with an aggregate par value of $33,850,000, of which 1,708,375,000 are shares without further classification or designation and 32,141,625,000 are classified and designated as follows:
Series |
Number of Shares |
|||
iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Global ex USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares Global High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares International DR Completion Index ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares Latin America Bond ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI ACWI with EM Exposure ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Australia ETF |
627,800,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Austria Capped ETF |
100,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Belgium Capped ETF |
136,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI BRIC ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Canada ETF |
340,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Colombia Capped ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI EFM Africa ex South Africa Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Consumer Discretionary ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Energy Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF |
2,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Horizon ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF |
500,000,000 |
3
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF |
25,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI EMU ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Europe Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI France ETF |
340,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Frontier Emerging Markets APEX Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI GCC Countries ex Saudi Arabia Index Fund |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Germany ETF |
382,200,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Greece Index Fund |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF |
375,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Israel Capped ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Italy Capped ETF |
295,400,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Japan ETF |
2,124,600,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF |
300,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF |
255,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF |
255,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Portugal Index Fund |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF |
1,000,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF |
300,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF |
400,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF |
127,800,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF |
63,600,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF |
318,625,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF |
900,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Thailand Capped ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Turkey ETF |
200,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI USA ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI USA High Dividend ETF |
250,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI Vietnam ETF |
500,000,000 | |||
iShares MSCI World ETF |
500,000,000 |
FOURTH: The shares of Common Stock described above have been reclassified by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the Charter. These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.
4
FIFTH: The undersigned Vice President acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Vice President acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Vice President and attested to by its Secretary on this 28th day of October, 2014.
ATTEST: | ISHARES, INC. | |||||||
/s/ Eileen M. Clavere |
By: | /s/ Edward Baer |
(SEAL) | |||||
Eilleen M. Clavere | Edward Baer | |||||||
Secretary | Vice President |
6
Exhibit (h.7)
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
SECURITIES LENDING AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of January 1, 2014, between iShares, Inc., a Maryland corporation, iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc. (f/k/a iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund, Inc.), a Maryland corporation, iShares U.S. ETF Company, Inc., a Maryland corporation, iShares U.S. ETF Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, and iShares Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (each singly and together, the Company), acting on behalf of the funds listed on Schedule A hereto and any future series or portfolio of the Company (each, a Fund), and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association (BTC) and its successors.
WHEREAS, the Company is registered as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act);
WHEREAS, BTC acts as the agent for iShares, Inc., iShares Trust, iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc., iShares U.S. ETF Company, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust for the purpose of lending Securities in the Account (as defined below) pursuant to a securities lending agency agreement, dated as of December 6, 2011, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to amend and restate such agreement on the terms set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Definitions. |
Whenever used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
1.1 Account shall mean the custodial account or accounts established and maintained by the Custodian on behalf of each Fund for the safekeeping of Securities and monies of the Fund from time to time.
1.2 Approved Investment shall mean any type of investment permitted for Cash Collateral under the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.3 Authorized Person shall be any officer of the Company and any other person, whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Company, duly authorized by resolutions of the Company to give Oral Instructions and/or Written Instructions on behalf of the Company, such persons to be designated in a Certificate which contains a specimen signature of such person.
1.4 Book-Entry System shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering Government Securities (as defined herein), its successors or equivalent and nominees.
1.5 Borrower shall mean any entity which is permitted to borrow Securities from the Company pursuant to then applicable law, regulation, and/or interpretation and pursuant to the Securities Lending Guidelines, and which has a valid Securities Lending Agreement in place with BTC.
1.6 Business Day shall mean, with respect to a Fund for which Securities loans are outstanding pursuant to this Agreement, a day on which both such Fund and BTC are open for business.
1.7 Cash Collateral shall mean either Fed funds or New York Clearing House funds or their equivalent if denominated in U.S. dollars, or the equivalent if the Cash Collateral is denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, as applicable for a particular loan of Securities.
1.8 Cash Management Costs shall mean the expenses incurred in connection with the management and investment of a Funds Cash Collateral, including fees and expenses payable to BTC, BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) or any other affiliate of BTC (or its successors) as a result of the investment of Cash Collateral in any joint account, fund or similar vehicle.
1.9 Certificate shall mean any notice, instruction, schedule or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to BTC, which is actually received by BTC and signed on behalf of the Company by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by BTC to be an Authorized Person.
1.10 Collateral shall mean Cash Collateral, Government Securities and Letters of Credit, plus such other collateral as may be then permitted by applicable law, regulation and/or interpretation, and the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.11 Collateral Account shall mean a segregated account or accounts established and maintained by the Custodian for the purpose of holding Collateral and Approved Investments, and interest, dividends and other payments and distributions received with respect to Collateral and Approved Investments (Distributions). A Collateral Account may include a joint account as permitted by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.12 Custodian shall mean State Street Bank and Trust Company, a trust company organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or such other company that may from time to time be retained as custodian by the Company with respect to one or more Funds.
1.13 Depository shall mean the Depository Trust Company, Euroclear, and any other securities depository, sub-depository or clearing agency (and their respective successors and nominees) authorized under applicable law or regulation to act as a securities depository, sub-depository or clearing agency, including any foreign securities depository or sub-depository for the Company.
- 2 -
1.14 Earnings Account shall mean a segregated account established and maintained by the Custodian for the purpose of receiving any Securities Loan Fee paid by Borrowers in connection with Securities loans hereunder.
1.15 Government Security shall mean book-entry Treasury securities (as defined in Subpart 0 of Treasury Department Circular No. 300, 31 C.F.R. 306) and any other securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government.
1.16 Lending Complex shall mean the Funds as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
1.17 Lending Income and 2013 Lending Income have the meanings set forth in Section 5.6(a)(i) of this Agreement.
1.18 Letter of Credit shall mean an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit in favor of BTC as agent for the Fund issued by a bank other than the Borrower, the creditworthiness of which has been deemed to be acceptable by BTC and which meets any applicable requirements in the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.19 Oral Instructions shall mean verbal instructions actually received by BTC from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by BTC to be an Authorized Person.
1.20 Rebate shall mean the amount payable by the Fund to a Borrower in connection with Securities loans at any time collateralized by Cash Collateral.
1.21 Securities Lending Agreement shall mean with respect to any Borrower, the agreement pursuant to which BTC lends securities on behalf of its customers (including the Fund) to such Borrower, as amended from time to time, which agreement shall meet any applicable requirements in the Securities Lending Guidelines. The Securities Lending Agreement may be in the form of a master agreement covering a series of Securities lending transactions from multiple lenders, including the Company.
1.22 Securities Lending Guidelines shall mean guidelines governing the Companys Securities lending program adopted by the Company and provided to BTC from time to time. The Securities Lending Guidelines may address any aspect of the Companys Securities lending program, including without limitation the kinds of Securities that may be lent, permissible forms of Collateral, permissible Approved Investments, the selection of Borrowers, and regular reporting to the Company.
1.23 Securities Loan Fee shall mean the amount payable by a Borrower to BTC, as agent for the Fund, pursuant to the applicable Securities Lending Agreement in connection with Securities loans, if any, collateralized by Collateral other than Cash Collateral.
1.24 Security shall mean any Government Securities, non-U.S. securities, U.S. common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures, corporate debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, which are available for lending pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
- 3 -
1.25 Written Instructions shall mean written communications actually received by BTC from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by BTC to be an Authorized Person by letter, memorandum, telecopy facsimile, computer, video (CRT) terminal or other on-line system, or any other method whereby BTC is able to verify with a reasonable degree of certainty the identity of the sender.
2. | Appointment; Scope of Agency Authority. |
2.1 Appointment. The Company, on behalf of each Fund, hereby appoints BTC as its agent to lend Securities in the Account to Borrowers from time to time as hereinafter set forth, and BTC hereby accepts appointment as such agent and agrees to so act.
2.2 Securities Subject to Lending. Unless the Company provides BTC Written Instructions to the contrary, all Securities maintained in the Account shall be available for lending pursuant to this Agreement.
2.3 | Securities Lending Agreement. |
(a) Attached hereto as Exhibit A are the standard forms of Securities Lending Agreements in effect between BTC and the Borrowers as of the date hereof. BTC shall provide the Company with any proposed material amendments or changes, and notify the Company of any such amendments or changes, to any form of Securities Lending Agreement to be used prior to their effectiveness. The Company may elect, without penalty, to terminate any Borrower if it opposes the change.
(b) BTC is hereby authorized to lend Securities in the Account to Borrowers pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreements, this Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines.
2.4 Loan Opportunities. The Company on behalf of each Fund acknowledges and agrees that BTC shall have the right to decline to make any loans of Securities under any Securities Lending Agreement, to discontinue lending or to terminate any loans of Securities under any Securities Lending Agreement in its sole discretion. The Company on behalf of each Fund agrees that it shall have no claim against BTC based on, or relating to, loans made for other customers, or loan opportunities refused hereunder, whether or not BTC has made fewer or more loans for any other customer than for the Fund, and whether or not any loan for another customer, or the opportunity refused, could have resulted in loans made hereunder.
2.5 Use of Book-Entry System and Depositories. The Company on behalf of each Fund hereby authorizes BTC on a continuous and on-going basis, to deposit in the Book-Entry System and any Depositories all Securities eligible for deposit therein and to utilize the Book-Entry System and Depositories to the extent possible in connection with its receipt and delivery of Securities, Collateral, Approved Investments and monies under this Agreement. Where Securities, Collateral (other than Cash Collateral) and Approved Investments eligible for deposit in the Book-Entry System or a Depository are transferred to the Account, BTC shall identify or
- 4 -
cause to be identified as belonging to the Fund a quantity of securities in a fungible bulk of securities shown on BTCs account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the applicable Depository. Securities, Collateral and Approved Investments deposited in the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be commingled in accounts which include assets held by BTC for customers, including but not limited to accounts in which BTC acts in a fiduciary or agency capacity, as well as assets held by or on behalf of other clients or participants of the Book-Entry System or Depository.
2.6 Use of Third-Party Service Providers. The Company on behalf of each Fund hereby acknowledges and agrees that BTC may utilize third-party service providers to perform or analyze the functions described herein, including service providers in which BTC may have an ownership interest. As permitted by Section 5.8 below, these services may require the transmission, use or sharing of data created in Securities lending transactions involving the Funds. BTC shall bear the cost of any such service providers out of its portion of the proceeds from Securities lending.
3. | Representations and Warranties. |
3.1 Companys Representations. The Company hereby represents and warrants to BTC, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing and to be reaffirmed on any day that a Securities loan hereunder is outstanding, that:
(a) This Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines have been approved by the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the Company (as applicable); this Agreement is, and, if properly entered into under the terms of this Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines, each Securities loan and Approved Investment will be, legally and validly entered into by the Company on behalf of each Fund, does not, and will not, violate any statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on the Fund, or any provision of the Companys charter or by-laws, or any agreement binding on the Company or affecting its property, and is enforceable against the Company and each Fund in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or by equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors rights generally;
(b) The person executing this Agreement and all Authorized Persons acting on behalf of the Company or any Fund has and have been duly and properly authorized to do so;
(c) Each Fund is lending Securities as principal for its own account and it will not transfer, assign or encumber its interest in, or rights with respect to, any Securities loans; and
(d) All Securities available for lending pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement are free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances that would preclude their being lent as contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify BTC in the manner agreed between the parties from time to time when any Securities are no longer subject to the representations contained in this sub-paragraph (d).
- 5 -
3.2 BTCs Representations. BTC hereby represents and warrants to the Company, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing and to be reaffirmed on any day that a Securities loan hereunder is outstanding, that:
(a) This Agreement is legally and validly entered into by BTC, does not and will not, violate any statute, regulation, rule, order or, judgment binding on BTC, or any provision of BTCs charter or by-laws, or any agreement binding on BTC or affecting its property, and is enforceable against BTC in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or by equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors rights generally;
(b) Both the person executing this Agreement on behalf of BTC and all persons acting on BTCs behalf pursuant to this Agreement have been duly and properly authorized to do so; and
(c) It will comply with all laws, rules and regulations, including without limitation the conditions of any exemptive orders granted to the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to securities lending transactions, if required, applicable to the Securities lending transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4. | Securities Lending Transactions. |
4.1 Compliance with Securities Lending Guidelines. BTC hereby acknowledges receipt of the current Securities Lending Guidelines. The Company shall promptly notify BTC of any changes to the Securities Lending Guidelines. BTC acknowledges and agrees that it shall only lend Securities on behalf of the Funds in accordance with the conditions of the Securities Lending Guidelines applicable to the Funds lending agent.
4.2 Loan Initiation. From time to time BTC may lend Securities to Borrowers and deliver such Securities against receipt of Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines. If instructed by the Company in writing, BTC shall refrain from lending a particular Security or from making loans to a particular Borrower.
4.3 | Receipt of Collateral; Approved Investments. |
(a) With respect to any Securities loan entered into on behalf of a Fund, BTC shall require that the Borrower deliver and maintain collateral that is equal at all times during the term of the loan to at least the market value of the Securities loaned and any accrued interest thereon. If Cash Collateral is received, BTC is hereby authorized and directed, without obtaining any further approval from the Fund, to invest and reinvest all or substantially all of the Cash Collateral received in any Approved Investments, including in the name of and on behalf of the Fund to redeem, withdraw or sell the same, and to receive distributions in the name of and on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the Securities Lending Guidelines. The Company hereby agrees to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions reasonably requested by BTC in order to permit BTC to so act with regard to Approved Investments. BTC shall instruct the Custodian to credit all Collateral, Approved Investments and Distributions received with respect to Collateral and Approved Investments to the Collateral Account and mark its books and records to identify the Funds ownership thereof as appropriate.
- 6 -
(b) All Approved Investments shall be for the account and risk of the Fund. To the extent any loss arising out of Approved Investments results in a deficiency in the amount of Collateral available for return to a Borrower pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreement, the Fund agrees to pay BTC on demand cash in an amount equal to such deficiency.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, all Collateral, Approved Investments and Distributions credited to the Collateral Account shall be controlled by, and subject only to the instructions of, BTC, and BTC shall not be required to comply with any instructions of the Company with respect to the same.
4.4 Distributions on Loaned Securities. Except as provided in the next sentence, all amounts received from the Borrower equivalent to all interest, dividends, and other distributions which the owner of the loaned Securities is entitled to receive shall be credited to the Funds Account on the date such amounts are delivered by the Borrower to the Custodian. Any non-cash distribution on loaned Securities which is in the nature of a stock split or a stock dividend shall be added to the applicable loan (and shall be considered to constitute loaned Securities) as of the date such non-cash distribution is declared payable whether or not it has been received by the Borrower, provided that any such addition shall be conditional upon the actual receipt of such non-cash distribution and may be reversed by the Custodian to the extent that such non-cash distribution is not received.
4.5 Mark to Market. BTC shall on each Business Day mark to market in U.S. dollars the value of all Collateral (other than Cash Collateral) and Securities loaned hereunder and accordingly receive and release Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
4.6 Collateral Substitutions. BTC may accept substitutions of Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines and shall credit all such substitutions to the Collateral Account; provided, however, that unless other Collateral has been mutually agreed upon in writing by BTC and the Fund (including by means of the Securities Lending Guidelines), no other Collateral may be substituted for Cash Collateral.
4.7 Termination of Loans. In addition to BTCs authority to terminate a loan of Securities pursuant to the terms of the applicable Securities Lending Agreement as described in Section 2.4 above, BTC shall terminate any Securities loan to a Borrower in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement promptly:
(a) upon receipt by BTC of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions instructing it to terminate a Securities loan; provided that the Company may require that each Security must be returned to the Fund by no later than the date which is the standard settlement date for trades of such Security entered into on the date such Oral Instruction or Written Instruction is received by BTC;
- 7 -
(b) upon receipt by BTC of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions pursuant to the Securities Lending Guidelines to no longer lend to a particular Borrower;
(c) upon receipt of written notice from the Company terminating this Agreement with respect to one or more Funds in accordance with Section 6; or
(d) as contemplated by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
4.8 Securities Loan Fee. BTC shall receive any applicable Securities Loan Fee paid by any Borrower pursuant to a Securities Lending Agreement and credit all such amounts received to the Earnings Account.
4.9 Borrowers Financial Condition. BTC has delivered to BFA, the investment adviser to the Funds, each Borrowers most recent statements required to be furnished to customers by Rule 17a-5(c) of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other documents as may be required, as have been made available to BTC pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreements. BTC shall promptly deliver to any investment adviser for the Funds all statements and financial information subsequently delivered to BTC and required to be furnished to BTC under the Securities Lending Agreements.
4.10 Transfer Taxes and Necessary Costs. All transfer taxes and necessary costs with respect to the transfer of the loaned Securities by the Fund to the Borrower and the Borrower to the Fund upon the termination of the loan shall be paid by the Borrower in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
4.11 BTCs Obligation. Except as specifically set forth herein, or in any applicable Securities Lending Agreement, BTC shall have no duty or obligation to take action to effect payment by a Borrower of any amounts owed by such Borrower pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreement.
4.12 Loans to Affiliated Borrowers. The Company and BTC have obtained an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits BTC to lend Securities on behalf of the Funds to Affiliated Borrowers, provided that such loans are made in accordance with the conditions and procedures outlined in the exemptive order. BTC shall only make loans to Affiliated Borrowers in accordance with such conditions and procedures, as they may be amended from time to time, and only so long as they remain applicable, and in accordance with the Securities Lending Guidelines.
5. | Concerning BTC. |
5.1 | Standard of Care: Indemnification. |
(a) It is expressly understood and agreed that in exercising its rights and performing its obligations hereunder, BTC owes no fiduciary duty to the Fund. BTC shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys and accountants fees) incurred by the Fund, except to the extent those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims result from BTCs material breach of this Agreement or BTCs negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.
- 8 -
Neither the Company nor BTC shall have any obligation hereunder for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys and accountants fees), which are sustained or incurred by reason of any action or inaction by the Book-Entry System or any Depository or their respective successors or nominees. In no event shall either party be liable to the other for special, punitive or consequential damages, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages.
(b) The Company on behalf of each Fund agrees to indemnify BTC and to hold it harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which BTC may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against BTC by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted by BTC in connection with or arising out of BTCs operating under and in compliance with this Agreement, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BTCs negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. Actions taken or omitted in reasonable reliance upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, any Certificate, or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument reasonably believed by BTC to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons reasonably believed by BTC to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons reasonably believed to be authorized to sign, countersign or execute the same, shall be presumed to have been taken or omitted in good faith.
(c) BTC shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each Fund, its Board of Trustees or Board of Directors (as applicable) and its agents, BFA and any investment adviser for the Funds from any and all loss, liability, costs, damages, actions, and claims (Loss) to the extent that any such Loss arises out of the material breach of this Agreement by or negligent acts or omissions, bad faith or willful misconduct of BTC, its officers, directors or employees or any of its agents or subcustodians in connection with the Securities lending activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that BTCs indemnification obligation with respect to the acts or omissions of its subcustodians shall not exceed the indemnification provided by the applicable subcustodian to BTC.
(d) prior to lending on behalf of any Fund or Funds, BTC shall have obtained a Guaranty and Indemnity from BlackRock, Inc. or another entity, the creditworthiness of which is reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors (as applicable) of the Company, in favor of such Fund or Funds. Upon the termination of that guaranty, BTC shall obtain, and bear the costs of obtaining, a guaranty from BlackRock, Inc. or another entity, the creditworthiness of which is reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors (as applicable) of the Company, pursuant to which the guarantor will indemnify the Funds for losses due to a Borrower default on terms that are consistent in all material respects with the existing Guaranty and Indemnity by BlackRock, Inc. The Funds and/or Company, at their expense, may obtain further indemnification against losses due to a Borrower default from a third party to which BTC is not a party.
5.2 No Obligation to Inquire. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BTC shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for, the validity of the issue of any Securities at any time held in the Account or Approved Investments held in the Collateral Account.
- 9 -
5.3 Advice of Counsel. BTC may, with respect to questions of law, apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel which may be counsel to the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed to be a waiver by the Company of any conflict of such counsel.
5.4 No Collection Obligations. BTC shall be under no obligation or duty to take action to effect collection from the issuer of any amounts payable in respect of Securities or Approved Investments if the issuer of such Securities or Approved Investments is in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentation.
5.5 Pricing Methods. BTC is authorized to utilize any recognized pricing information service or any other means of valuation specified in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement (Pricing Methods) in order to perform its valuation responsibilities with respect to loaned Securities, Collateral and Approved Investments, and the Fund agrees to hold BTC harmless from and against any loss or damage suffered or incurred as a result of errors or omissions of any such Pricing Methods.
5.6 | BTCs Fee as Securities Lending Agent, etc. |
(a) (i) In the case of a Fund identified as a Fund of Funds in accordance with the methodology agreed between BTC and the Company, in connection with each Securities loan hereunder, the Fund shall, subject to Section 5.6(a)(ii) and 5.6(f), pay to BTC a percentage (the BTC Fund of Funds Fee Percentage) of Lending Income (as defined herein). As used herein, Lending Income means (A) amounts earned from securities lending activities (for the avoidance of doubt, prior to payment of compensation to BTC), consisting of income earned on the investment and reinvestment of Cash Collateral plus any Securities Loan Fees otherwise paid by the Borrowers after deducting (B) the sum of (x) any Rebate due to the Borrowers under the applicable Securities Lending Agreement with the Borrowers and (y) applicable Cash Management Costs, if any. BTC has agreed to cap Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.05% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral; such cap, which may be raised or reduced upon mutual agreement between BTC and the Board of the Company, may be effected through caps of expenses incurred by a joint account, fund or similar vehicle in which Cash Collateral is invested or, to the extent such cap does not reduce Cash Management Costs to the agreed-upon percentage, through a waiver of fees received by BTC pursuant to this Agreement. BTC and the Board of the Company have further agreed that for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, BTC shall waive the Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral. The BTC Fund of Funds Fee Percentage shall be such percentage as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Board of the Company and BTC and shall be set forth in writing. Effective as of January 1, 2014, the BTC Fund of Funds Fee Percentage is twenty five percent (25%); provided, however, that if at any point during a calendar year, the sum of the (A) Lending Income earned by a Fund and the other Funds in the Lending Complex from the lending of their securities plus (B) aggregate Cash Management Costs paid by the Fund and the other Funds in the Lending Complex (collectively, the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs), exceeds the Lending Income earned by the Lending Complex from the lending of Securities during calendar year 2013 (2013 Lending Income), from the next Business Day after the date that the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income until December 31 of such calendar year, the BTC Fund of Funds Fee Percentage shall be reduced to twenty percent (20%).
- 10 -
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.6(a)(i), for any Fund that has been identified as a Fund of Funds, if the fee calculated pursuant to such Section 5.6(a)(i) would result in an effective fee split for the Fund of less than sixty five percent (65%) of the sum of the relevant Funds Lending Income and the applicable Cash Management Costs for any day (the Fund of Funds Effective Fee Split Floor), then BTCs fees for such day shall be reduced to the extent necessary to provide the relevant Fund with the Fund of Funds Effective Fee Split Floor.
(b) (i) In the case of a Fund identified as a US Equity Fund in accordance with the methodology agreed between BTC and the Company, in connection with each Securities loan hereunder, the Fund shall, subject to Section 5.6(b)(ii) and 5.6(f), pay to BTC a percentage (the BTC US Equity Fee Percentage) of the Lending Income. BTC has agreed to cap Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.05% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral; such cap, which may be raised or reduced upon mutual agreement between BTC and the Board of the Company, may be effected through caps of expenses incurred by a joint account, fund or similar vehicle in which Cash Collateral is invested or, to the extent such cap does not reduce Cash Management Costs to the agreed-upon percentage, through a waiver of fees received by BTC pursuant to this Agreement. BTC and the Board of the Company have further agreed that for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, BTC shall waive the Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral. The BTC US Equity Fee Percentage shall be such percentage as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Board of the Company and BTC and shall be set forth in writing. Effective as of January 1, 2014, the BTC US Equity Fee Percentage is thirty percent (30%); provided, however, that if at any point during a calendar year, the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income, from the next Business Day after the date that the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income until December 31 of such calendar year, the BTC US Equity Fee Percentage shall be reduced to twenty five percent (25%).
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.6(b)(i), for any Fund that has been identified as a US Equity Fund, if the fee calculated pursuant to such Section 5.6(b)(i) would result in an effective fee split for the Fund of less than sixty five percent (65%) of the sum of the relevant Funds Lending Income and the applicable Cash Management Costs for any day (the US Equity Effective Fee Split Floor), then BTCs fees for such day shall be reduced to the extent necessary to provide the relevant Fund with the US Equity Effective Fee Split Floor.
(c) (i) In the case of a Fund identified as an International Equity Fund in accordance with the methodology agreed between BTC and the Company, in connection with each Securities loan hereunder, the Fund shall, subject to Section 5.6(c)(ii) and 5.6(f), pay to BTC a percentage (the BTC International Equity Fee Percentage) of the Lending Income. BTC has agreed to cap Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.05% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral; such cap, which may be raised or reduced upon mutual agreement between BTC and the Board of the Trust, may be effected through caps of expenses incurred by a joint account, fund or similar vehicle in which Cash Collateral is invested or, to the extent such cap does not reduce Cash Management Costs to the agreed-upon percentage, through a waiver of fees received by BTC pursuant to this Agreement. BTC and the Board of the Company have further agreed that for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, BTC shall waive the Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral. The
- 11 -
BTC International Equity Fee Percentage shall be such percentage as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Board of the Company and BTC and shall be set forth in writing. Effective as of January 1, 2014, the BTC International Equity Fee Percentage is thirty percent (30%); provided, however, that for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, the BTC International Equity Fee Percentage shall be twenty five percent (25%). In addition, if at any point during a calendar year, the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income, from the next Business Day after the date that the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income until December 31 of such calendar year, the BTC International Equity Fee Percentage shall be reduced to twenty five percent (25%); provided, however, that for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, the next Business Day after the occurrence of the events described in the previous sentence, the BTC International Equity Fee Percentage shall be reduced to twenty percent (20%).
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.6(c)(i), for any Fund that has been identified as an International Equity Fund, if the fee calculated pursuant to such Section 5.6(c)(i) would result in an effective fee split for the Fund of less than sixty five percent (65%) of the sum of the relevant Funds Lending Income and the applicable Cash Management Costs for any day (the International Equity Effective Fee Split Floor), then BTCs fees for such day shall be reduced to the extent necessary to provide the relevant Fund with the International Equity Effective Fee Split Floor.
(d) (i) In the case of a Fund identified as a Fixed Income Fund in accordance with the methodology agreed between BTC and the Company, in connection with each Securities loan hereunder, the Fund shall, subject to Section 5.6(d)(ii) and 5.6(f), pay to BTC a percentage (the BTC Fixed Income Fee Percentage) of the Lending Income. BTC has agreed to cap Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.05% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral; such cap, which may be raised or reduced upon mutual agreement between BTC and the Board of the Trust, may be effected through caps of expenses incurred by a joint account, fund or similar vehicle in which Cash Collateral is invested or, to the extent such cap does not reduce Cash Management Costs to the agreed-upon percentage, through a waiver of fees received by BTC pursuant to this Agreement. BTC and the Board of the Company have further agreed that for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, BTC shall waive the Cash Management Costs on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the daily value of the Cash Collateral. The BTC Fixed Income Fee Percentage shall be such percentage as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Board of the Company and BTC and shall be set forth in writing. Effective as of January 1, 2014, the BTC Fixed Income Fee Percentage is twenty five (25%); provided, however, that if at any point during a calendar year, the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income, from the next Business Day after the date that the Aggregate Lending Income and Cash Management Costs exceeds the 2013 Lending Income until December 31 of such calendar year, the BTC Fixed Income Fee Percentage shall be reduced to twenty percent (20%).
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.6(d)(i), for any Fund that has been identified as a Fixed Income Fund, if the fee calculated pursuant to such Section 5.6(c)(i) would result in an effective fee split for the Fund of less than seventy percent (70%) of the sum of the relevant Funds Lending Income and the applicable Cash Management Costs for any day (Fixed Income Effective Fee Split Floor), then BTCs fees for such day shall be reduced to the extent necessary to provide the relevant Fund with the Fixed Income Effective Fee Split Floor.
- 12 -
(e) BTC is authorized on a monthly basis to charge the fee owed to it by a Fund under this Section 5.6 against the applicable Collateral Account or Earnings Account. Such fee shall be charged and paid at the end of each month. Subject to Section 5.6(f), BTC shall simultaneously therewith direct the Custodian to pay to the applicable Fund the net amount earned from Securities lending activities, as described in Sections 5.6(a)(i) through 5.6(d)(ii), that is not paid to BTC as its fee.
(f) BTC shall be responsible for all transaction fees and all other operational costs relating to Securities lending activities, other than Cash Management Costs to the extent borne by the Fund as provided in Sections 5.6(a), 5.6(b), 5.6(c) and 5.6(d) above, as applicable, and extraordinary expenses (e.g., litigation and indemnification expenses).
5.7 Reliance on Certificates and Instructions. The Company agrees to furnish to BTC a new Certificate whenever any then Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or additional Authorized Persons are appointed and authorized. BTC shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any Certificate, any information contained on any schedule hereto as may be amended in accordance with the terms hereof, and any Written or Oral Instruction actually received by BTC and reasonably believed by BTC to be duly authorized and delivered. The Company agrees to forward to BTC Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions in such manner so that such Written Instructions are received by BTC by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to BTC. The Company agrees that the fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received on a timely basis or that contrary instructions are received by BTC shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Company. BTC shall use reasonable efforts to report any subsequently received contrary instructions. In this regard, the records of BTC shall be presumed to reflect accurately any Oral Instructions given by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by BTC to be an Authorized Person.
5.8 Disclosure of Information. BTC may not disclose or supply any information regarding the Company or Fund unless required by any law or governmental regulation now or hereafter in effect or requested to do so by Company; provided that BTC may disclose or supply information regarding the Company and/or Fund and any transactions authorized by this Agreement as necessary in the sole discretion of BTC in order to facilitate, effect or continue any Securities loans hereunder or to assist in the analysis of the performance of the Securities lending program.
5.9 Reports. BTC shall furnish the Company and the Fund with reports relating to loans hereunder and other information requested by the Company and shall provide such reports to the Companys Board of Trustees or Board of Directors (as applicable) upon request or as may be required by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
5.10 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall a party to this Agreement be liable to the other party or any third party for losses resulting from (i) any acts of God, fires, floods, or other disturbances of nature, epidemics, strikes,
- 13 -
riots, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, terrorist activity, or insurrection, or (ii) other happenings or events beyond the reasonable control or anticipation of the party affected, provided that (A) the affected party has in place appropriate business continuity procedures, systems and facilities and (B) the affected party uses its best efforts to avoid or remove the cause of such losses.
5.11 | No Implied Duties. |
(a) BTC shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BTC in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Neither the Company nor any Fund shall have any duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Company or any Fund in connection with this Agreement.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall be understood to imply that in performing the functions described herein, BTC is acting in the capacity of an investment adviser or is providing advice as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities.
6. | Termination. |
6.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to one or more Funds by either party upon delivery to the other party of a written notice specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than 60 days after the date of receipt of such notice.
6.2 Cooperation. Both parties shall take all commercially reasonable steps to cooperate to provide a smooth transition in the event of a termination.
6.3 Termination of Loans, etc. upon Termination of Agreement. Notwithstanding any such notice, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any loans of Securities that remain outstanding as of the date of termination; provided, however, that BTC shall promptly terminate all loans of Securities made pursuant to this Agreement and shall not make any further loans of Securities pursuant to this Agreement.
7. | Miscellaneous. |
7.1 Exclusivity. During the term of this Agreement, the Company agrees that it shall not enter into any other agreement with any third party whereby such third party is permitted to make loans on behalf of any Fund of any Securities held by BTC in the Account from time to time; provided, however, that nothing in this provision shall prevent the Company from terminating this Agreement and/or hiring a securities lending agent other than BTC. The parties agree that this provision does not prohibit the Company from maintaining this Agreement during any transition period to another Securities lending agent.
- 14 -
7.2 | Notices. |
(a) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to BTC, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to BTC and received by it at its offices at 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, Attention: Securities Lending Department, with a copy to the General Counsel or at such other place as BTC may from time to time designate in writing.
(b) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Company shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and/or Company and received by - Mutual Fund Administration, c/o BlackRock Fund Advisors, 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, California 94105, with a copy to: Legal Department, or at such other place as the Company may from time to time designate in writing.
7.3 Cumulative Rights and No Waiver. Each and every right granted to a party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of a party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by a party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
7.4 Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
7.5 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties.
7.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
7.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
7.8 No Third Party Beneficiaries. In performing hereunder, BTC is acting solely on behalf of the Company and, except as specifically provided herein, no contractual or service relationship shall be deemed to be established hereby between BTC and any other person.
7.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
7.10 SIPA Notice. THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT THE FUND WITH RESPECT TO LOANS HEREUNDER AND, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO BTC AS AGENT
- 15 -
FOR THE FUND MAY CONSTITUTE THE ONLY SOURCE OF SATISFACTION OF A BORROWERS OBLIGATION IN THE EVENT SUCH BORROWER FAILS TO RETURN THE LOANED SECURITIES.
7.11 Survival of Indemnification. The indemnifications provided by a party hereunder shall be a continuing obligation of such party, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of any loans hereunder or of this Agreement.
7.12 No Personal Liability. It is understood and agreed that none of the shareholders, officers, agents, Directors or Trustees (as applicable) of the Company or any Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. All persons contracting with or having a claim against the Company with respect to a Fund shall look solely to the assets of such Fund for payment of such contract or claim, and no Fund shall be liable for the obligations of any other Fund.
7.13 Separate Agreement. Execution of this Agreement by more than one Company or on behalf of more than one Fund shall not create any contractual or other obligation between or among such Companies or Funds, and this Agreement shall constitute a separate agreement and between BTC and each Company on behalf of each respective Fund. Every reference to a Company or Fund shall be construed to be a reference solely to the particular Company or Fund that is a party to the relevant transaction. Each of the parties agrees that under no circumstances shall any rights, obligations, remedies or liabilities of a particular Company or Fund, or with respect to transactions to which a particular Company or Fund is a party, be deemed to constitute rights, obligations, remedies or liabilities applicable to any other Company or Fund or to transactions to which other Companies or Funds are parties, and BTC shall have no right to set off claims of any Company or Fund against property or liabilities of any other Company or Fund. All transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Agreement constitutes a separate agreement between BTC and the Company or Fund.
[End of Text]
- 16 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
iSHARES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Jack Gee | |
Name: Jack Gee | ||
Title: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
iSHARES TRUST | ||
By: | /s/ Jack Gee | |
Name: Jack Gee | ||
Title: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
iSHARES MSCI RUSSIA CAPPED ETF, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Jack Gee | |
Name: Jack Gee | ||
Title: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
iSHARES U.S. ETF COMPANY, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Jack Gee | |
Name: Jack Gee | ||
Title: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
iSHARES U.S. ETF TRUST | ||
By: | /s/ Jack Gee | |
Name: Jack Gee | ||
Title: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
BLACKROCK INSTITUTIONAL TRUST COMPANY, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Michael Weaver | |
Name: Michael Weaver | ||
Title: Managing Director |
Approved by the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust, the Board of Directors of iShares, Inc., the Board of Directors of iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF, Inc., the Board of Directors of iShares U.S. ETF Company, Inc., and the Board of Trustees of iShares U.S. ETF Trust as of January 1, 2014.
[Signature page to Securities Lending Agency Agreement]
Schedule A
[List of Funds on File with BFA]
Exhibit A
(Forms of Securities Lending Agreements)
XH`Y*);AOV MBM3%M+'&_P#9"9+H6&,KVR*`+=ZERGQWT`7,T/K2+:LITN4Q-EQ^\.P/QZ<,*`*K>+$7PQI.MBR '$,D5Y/+:W4,KPRPM$S;'1BI&5!!&1UH`N_$#2 M%USP#K6GL5!>W9E+=`R_,#^8H`74/#UN_P`.9_#X`$"Z<;=?083`/Y@&@!WA M*P7P]X`TJTB`?[-9H3S@,VW)_,DT` &M5\2W\D%M,-7O/M,*+.PV#GACL]^U`%3Q%HNN:YHFAQ7!L MA>6VI_VE,1,^S:)&.Q?DST(&3B@#J9=5U:]UNSFCMK:*PM%DDE'GL9)&*D*` M-F`.<]:`,7P'H$VE>'M:T75H+:YAO9Y[EA'(2I1P!M.5'/'6@!W@2'6/"NAW M&BWA@N[.!W:Q83-O2(GA'RO49ZB@!WPVTR^\(^%+S3KQ;>:5)I+@-%*VTAB. M.5&*`(?`<&H^#/#4NF7$%M 'M:@2W6WT223S$>5@TF[`&,*0.E`' M1^)[R_FTNWM[.VMV%SL:<33,H$>06484Y)'';K0!F_$'1V\5>`FL8(H8;JX9 M'A=G($3J<@Y"Y/0CIWH`Q/$NGZQXC_X161UM$GT>YCN+DF9L2E0-VWY.Y!ZT M`;7CS0KKQ#IVA:O:-#'<:3>1WIBE8[74?>7F.*`*'BVSOO$'B'PKJMM' M;QQ:3/\`:9%DE; 0E'0'^%A@C/T-`'G<'A3Q''X9F\!7 ,QA<%EXQ\P'`H`V/A[I_B#0K%/#VHR6$MIIF42>`MOE4DE05(`! M'.3D_P!:`+_CKP%VF6WD7`M=4L)Q WEE.&@C.,,RG[S=R`0*`(-,T[5-`^'.G>&X$M;F1'>*>1Y616C$ MQW`84G)7(]LT`:?C_1SXJ\`26,,,,-S<[6B9G(6-U.0&M&T]UM$O;*Y@N)Y#,VUR@^;'R9Y/3-`'23ZKJU]K%@\5M;16-J7FFS.QD MD.Q@H`V8`R TN9[[4);R+%PRJH?&`QV9[=J`+]O M/K<(T."]M[*=+3,MT1.PWRL#MV@IT&X]?;TH`;X_T2\OM<\-ZEI(MHKS2KGS MRTKE0\9X=.%/7`_6@">72)=&\3R^-;#RQ%?P+'J-HS$;B/NR(V.HZ$$<^M`# MO[*NM?\`'&A^*UDBBM+));<0')=MRGYLXQU`X_7M0!0L]-OT^+=SXG9+?[)< M6BV8C$K;P0P^;[N,<>M`%G4K.]D^*6GZ^B0?9;*VDM&0RD.Q8\,!MQ^M`%4V M-_;?%>Z\4^7;M:M8?8A%YS!]P<'=]W&./6@#:M]1U>Y\0RZC+!:QZ=;6C)'$ MD[%WD9UR6^4`#`]Z`,OX9Z/?>'6U>UO!`_V^^EO$:*0G:K8PI!4 O>P2(Q#*K#[K`CJ,=C0!9@@OK&\\0*B0,-2O#(I,A&U/* M5#GY>N5_6@#/.F:A+X4T/0RMMC3_`+&9'\QOG,;*6Q\O3"G'U[4`=Y;:?9V= 3NL%M:Q11+G"JH`Y.3^9)-`'_V3\_ ` end
1$5AR%?.6)(4GC'45Q[^+_"^CZ3K$'AC2=1ANM5@:VE:[G5HX8V^\%`Y/ M<#/3U[4B?$&T3XHVGBS[#/\`9X(1&8-PWG]R8\YZ=3F@"7P9X)T;Q%967FPZ M_!G\9%\#^&])\/W>J>(;_4L6>KS::ZV(3, MI3@%0PX/!)R3P,8S2:;X]T./2O#J:CI^IO=:&P,,-M<*EO*P;<'=2,[@>>.I M'7FLWQ'XUM-:\-WNEPVDT;W&N2ZH'=A@*X8;..X+4`=39_"G3)/[/@FA\022 M:C$)DNX(D:"T5\E%DX^8@8W8(%9^E?#G3H]#>]U:'6+Z5+Z6SN%TG8WV3RVV MEG4@LW3/`Z?A5)?&V@:E;:;/K^FZG-J.GVZVX6UNA'!=*OW?,&,@^NWK^E-\ M.^,?#VF&UO)K#5;/4K>=Y7DTRZVI=*6+!)`W8?=XZC/K0!RVIVFCVUL18WTU MQ O]4,*PF[G>;RUZ+DYQ[_6L^@84 M444`%%%%`!1110`4444`%=)HOC[Q3H$<<.GZS<)!'PL,A$B*/0*P(`^F*YNB M@#J_%OQ`U;QI965OJD5J&M&9EDA0J6W`=021V[8J.T\*#4M)L[BTN"+F6W:1 MH60D.WF2(JJ?5BBKCU.:YBK]GK.H6#VY@NI`ML_F0QLVY(WYPP4\`@G(..M` M'7^$-$LE'BB.\A@NI+!(E21K9IPI\X(Q5%()R,C@^]3^-/``L]7L8]$L[@?; M[J2,1[B\<(WJ(QDC*\-SN.1T[5P=KJ-[8L[6EY<6[2##F&5D+#WP>:FCUS5H MHC%'JEZD9)8HMPX!).2<9]>:!'>:Q\/M)T6.]U`MJ5_IR&`6\=NZ+*=Q=79C MM88!3@`#[ZY([W=$\"Z/:ZCH]S*LM[%>6WF.DN&CMV-D9B)0!DDL05`[*>2> M!YE;ZIJ%HJK;7US"J;MHCF90N[&[WP,^N*(]5U&)F:._ND9D",5F8$J!@` M\]`.,>E`'I=_X'T2:^TPK;71%[+;6C2: 3@;,@!E`)R<@-P#7%1ZMJ4,/DQ:A=)% ML\O8LS!=N<[<9Z9)X]Z:FIZA%;K;QWURD*9VQK*P5<@@X&<<@D'ZF@#5\3:5 MIVB7T^FPK>F[@D5?-E9#',FT?.H`X#'D
|
1875 K Street N.W. Washington, DC 20006-1238 Tel: 202 303 1000 Fax: 202 303 2000 |
October 29, 2014
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Re: | iShares, Inc. (the Company) |
(Securities Act File No. 33-97598
Investment Company Act File No. 811-09102)
Post-Effective Amendment No. 407
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Company, we hereby transmit for filing under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, Post-Effective Amendment No. 407 (the Amendment) to the Companys Registration Statement on Form N-1A. The Amendment relates to the following series of the Company:
iShares MSCI Emerging Workforce ETF (the Fund)
The Amendment is being filed pursuant to Rule 485(a)(2) under the 1933 Act for the sole purpose of adding a new series to the Company, and it will become automatically effective 75 days after the filing.
The following information is provided to assist the Staff of the Commission (the Staff) in its review of the Registration Statement.
(1) | Investment Objectives and Policies |
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Workforce Index (the Underlying Index), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (MSCI). The Underlying Index is designed to track the equity performance of companies in countries from the universe of MSCI Emerging + Frontier Markets Index (the Parent Index) that have favorable demographic criteria. The Underlying Index selects countries based on the following demographic criteria: a higher percentage of population below a specified age and the potential for a greater number of higher productivity employment opportunities based on higher education levels, higher relative urbanization and lower dependency on agriculture.
The constituents of the resulting eligible countries are market-capitalization weighted. Countries with less than 0.25% market capitalization weight are excluded and the weights of the remaining countries are rescaled proportionately. The maximum market capitalization of country weights are capped at 20% and the remaining countries weights are rescaled proportionately. Once country weights are determined, securities within each country are weighted by their market capitalization within their country weights.
As of October 1, 2014, the Underlying Index consisted of 467 companies from the following 14 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and Turkey. The Underlying Index may include large- and mid-capitalization companies, and components primarily include financials, consumer staples and telecommunications companies. The components of the Underlying Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain industries, may change over time.
(2) | Changes from Recent Filings |
The Funds description of its investment strategy and risk factors are specific to this Fund. The portfolio managers are specific to this Fund. Fee information will be specific to this Fund.
The Amendment follows the general format used in prior Company filings prepared in accordance with the revised Form N-1A, for example, Post-Effective Amendment No. 384 filed pursuant to Rule 485(a)(2) on July 23, 2014 relating to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Horizon ETF, which became effective on October 6, 2014.
(3) | Prior Filings with Similar Disclosure |
Much of the disclosure in the Amendment is substantially similar to that in prior filings submitted by the Company and reviewed by the Staff. In particular, we invite your attention to Post-Effective Amendment No. 384, filed pursuant to Rule 485(a)(2) on July 23, 2014, which became effective on October 6, 2014.
In the Prospectus:
Portfolio Holdings Information, Management Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent, Management Conflicts of Interest, Shareholder Information Buying and Selling Shares, Shareholder Information Book Entry, Shareholder Information Share Prices, Shareholder Information Dividends and Distributions, Shareholder Information Taxes, Shareholder Information Taxes on Distributions, Shareholder Information Creations and Redemptions, Shareholder Information Costs Associated with Creations and Redemptions, Shareholder Information Householding, Distribution and Financial Highlights.
In the Statement of Additional Information:
Proxy Voting Policy, Portfolio Holdings Information, Investment Restrictions, Continuous Offering, Management, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Codes of Ethics, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Investment Adviser, Investment Advisory, Administrative and
- 2 -
Distribution Services Portfolio Managers, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Code of Ethics, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Anti-Money Laundering Requirements, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Distributor, Investment Advisory, Administrative and Distribution Services Payments by BFA and its Affiliates, Determination of Net Asset Value, Brokerage Transactions, Additional Information Concerning the Company Termination of the Company or the Fund, Additional Information Concerning the Company - DTC as Securities Depository for Shares of the Fund, Financial Statements, Miscellaneous Information
* * * * *
The operations of the Fund, the description of the shares offered and the other information that is typically common in a fund complex do not appear to raise novel issues or problem areas that warrant particular attention of the Staff in reviewing the Registration Statement. Consequently, on behalf of the Company, we request that the Registration Statement be given selective review by the Staff.1
If you have any questions or need further information, please call me at (202) 303-1124.
Sincerely, |
/s/ Benjamin Haskin |
Benjamin Haskin |
cc: | Edward Baer, Esq. |
Michael Gung
Katherine Drury
Seong Kim
1 | See Inv. Co. Act. Rel. No. 13768 (Feb. 15, 1984). |
- 3 -