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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number:  811-5410

 

Voya Prime Rate Trust (formerly known as, ING Prime Rate Trust)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ

 

85258

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

CT Corporation System, 101 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-992-0180

 

Date of fiscal year end:

February 28

 

 

Date of reporting period:

February 28, 2014

 

 

 



 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1):

 



Funds

Annual Report

February 28, 2014

ING Prime Rate Trust

(Effective May 1, 2014, to be renamed Voya Prime Rate Trust)

E-Delivery Sign-up – details inside

This report is submitted for general information to shareholders of the ING Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective shareholders unless accompanied or preceded by a prospectus which includes details regarding the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information. This information should be read carefully.




ING Prime Rate Trust

ANNUAL REPORT

February 28, 2014

Table of Contents

Portfolio Managers' Report

   

2

   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    

9

   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities    

10

   
Statement of Operations    

11

   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets    

12

   
Statement of Cash Flows    

13

   
Financial Highlights    

14

   
Notes to Financial Statements    

16

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

25

   
Additional Information    

47

   
Tax Information    

50

   
Shareholder Meeting Information    

51

   
Trustee and Officer Information    

52

   

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ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT

Dear Shareholders:

ING Prime Rate Trust(1) (the "Trust") is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in U.S. dollar denominated floating rate secured senior loans.

PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014
 

Net Assets

 

$

898,254,003

   

Total Assets

 

$

1,338,865,589

   

Assets Invested in Senior Loans

 

$

1,301,290,423

   

Senior Loans Represented

   

369

   

Average Amount Outstanding per Loan

 

$

3,526,532

   

Industries Represented

   

35

   

Average Loan Amount per Industry

 

$

37,179,726

   

Portfolio Turnover Rate (YTD)

   

96

%

 

Weighted Average Days to Interest Rate Reset

   

42

   

Average Loan Final Maturity

    62 months    

Total Leverage as a Percentage of Total Assets

   

30.40

%

 

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Trust declared $0.09 of dividends during the fourth fiscal quarter and distributed $0.41 during the year ended February 28, 2014, including a return of capital of $0.01 per share and net investment income of $0.40 per share. Based on the average month-end net asset value (''NAV'') per share of $6.06 for the fourth quarter and $6.05 for the year, the annualized distribution rate(2) was 6.19% for the fourth fiscal quarter and 6.87% for the year. The Trust's total return for the fourth fiscal quarter, based on NAV, was 1.96% versus a total gross return on the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the ''Index'')(3) of 1.30% for the same quarter. For the year ended February 28, 2014, the Trust's total return, based on NAV(4), was 8.15%, versus a total return on the Index of 4.83%. The total market value return(4) for the Trust's common shares during the fourth fiscal quarter was 1.62% and for the year ended February 28, 2014 was -4.04%.

MARKET REVIEW

On the whole, the loan market performed relatively well during the Trust's fiscal year. Changing investor sentiment prompted by "taper-talk" dominated the first half of the period, as investors attempted to find

(1)  Effective May 1, 2014, the Trust will be renamed "Voya Prime Rate Trust."

(2)  The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing dividends and distributions declared during the period using the 30/360 convention and dividing the resulting annualized dividend by the Trust's average net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the average month-end NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of market). The distribution rate is based solely on the actual dividends and distributions, which are made at the discretion of management. The distribution rate includes distributions from net investment income and return of capital, but does not include capital gains or losses.

(3)  The Index is an unmanaged total return index that captures accrued interest, repayments, and market value changes. It represents a broad cross section of leveraged loans syndicated in the United States, including dollar-denominated loans to overseas issuers. Standard & Poor's ("S&P") and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association ("LSTA") conceived the Index to establish a performance benchmark for the syndicated leveraged loan industry. The Index is not subject to any fees or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

(4)  The total return is based on full reinvestment of dividends.


2



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

a balance between the continued state of loose monetary policy and benign credit conditions on the one hand, and obsession with the prospect and implications of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the "Fed") beginning to reduce its long-running bond buying program on the other. After a healthy start to the year, loans in June experienced one of the only negative total return months of 2013 (-0.59%). This occurred during a broad fixed income market correction, which was due largely to selling pressure from high-yield bond funds that were meeting large redemptions by reducing their more liquid loan exposure; a surge in new issue loan volume also was a factor. As Fed comments were absorbed over the ensuing months, investors again embraced risk more readily and markets recovered some, if not all, of their late spring losses.

During the latter half of the Trust's fiscal year, fears over an abrupt end to the Fed's stimulus activities and a protracted government shutdown eventually subsided, and investor sentiment became more open to credit risk. Against that backdrop, demand for loans remained robust, with visible inflows into the asset class consistently strong and dispersed across retail funds and institutional portfolios. As with any spread-driven market, stout demand worked to compress new-issue yields. Though re-pricing activity began to abate by the end of the Trust's fiscal year, increased demand against less than sufficient supply had an adverse impact on average credit spreads. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the current average spread for new issue loans remains in excess of the ten-year running average for the asset class. Hopefully, this will continue at least until LIBOR(1) rises to fill the gap.

As to fundamentals, unforeseen negative credit events were few and far between during the Trust's fiscal year. To-date, trailing default rates at the Index level remain well inside the historical average for the asset class, and the traditional indicators of future default activity appear to be constructive. Although GDP growth has been variable and, for some time now, below what many feel should be the case at this point in the recovery, it has been sufficient for typical, below-investment-grade corporate issuers to comfortably cover their borrowing expenses and capital expenditures, with reasonable cushions.

PORTFOLIO SPECIFICS

The Trust (total return, based on NAV) outperformed the Index for the year ended

TOP TEN SENIOR LOAN ISSUERS
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014
AS A PERCENTAGE OF:

  TOTAL
ASSETS
  NET
ASSETS
 

BJs Wholesale Club

   

2.0

%

   

3.1

%

 

Dell International, LLC

   

1.7

%

   

2.6

%

 

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc.

   

1.6

%

   

2.3

%

 

Univision Communications, Inc.

   

1.4

%

   

2.1

%

 

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc.

   

1.3

%

   

1.9

%

 

Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.

   

1.2

%

   

1.8

%

 

Ineos US Finance, LLC

   

1.2

%

   

1.8

%

 

Asurion, LLC

   

1.2

%

   

1.7

%

 
Caesars Entertainment
Resort Properties, LLC
   

1.1

%

   

1.7

%

 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals
International, Inc.
   

1.1

%

   

1.7

%

 

TOP TEN INDUSTRIES
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014
AS A PERCENTAGE OF:

  TOTAL
ASSETS
  NET
ASSETS
 

Electronics/Electrical

   

10.4

%

   

15.5

%

 

Business Equipment & Services

   

9.9

%

   

14.8

%

 

Retailers (Except Food & Drug)

   

9.3

%

   

13.9

%

 

Health Care

   

9.2

%

   

13.8

%

 

Lodging & Casinos

   

5.9

%

   

8.8

%

 

Chemicals & Plastics

   

4.9

%

   

7.4

%

 

Industrial Equipment

   

4.5

%

   

6.7

%

 

Publishing

   

4.4

%

   

6.6

%

 

Telecommunications

   

4.2

%

   

6.3

%

 

Radio & Television

   

3.2

%

   

4.7

%

 

(1)  The London Interbank Offered Rate is the average interest rate estimated by leading banks in London that they would be charged if borrowing from other banks.


3



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

February 28, 2014, attributable largely to favorable credit selection and the persistent emphasis on relative value positioning within the secured loan asset class. The Trust's use of leverage, which remained within our target range, also had a positive impact on NAV returns during the period. To capture what we believed to be the strongest relative value available during the period, the Trust continued to invest in loans issued at a slight discount to face value in the new issue market. In virtually all cases, these investments featured LIBOR floors, i.e., a minimum LIBOR paid by the issuer pursuant to the underlying loan agreements. Also, we selectively sold those loans that had appreciated beyond our view of fair value.

While the aforementioned decline in credit spreads impacted the Trust along with the rest of the senior loan market, the portfolio continued to reflect a healthy balance between investing for greater yield and maintaining acceptable credit quality. As of period-end, the Trust's weighted average coupon, inclusive of LIBOR floors, was 5.0%, ahead of the Index's 4.6%, even though the Trust's percentage of assets rated CCC/Caa1 or below was 5.5%, lower than the 6.5% exposure of the Index. After suffering from a relative disadvantage by not holding any fixed-rate bonds as longer-term interest rates fell, the Trust benefited from its positioning in loans when the fixed income markets sold off dramatically during May and June 2013.

The Trust's top industry exposures at the end of the reporting period were electronics, business equipment and services, retail, healthcare, and lodging and casinos. These sector exposures were generally beneficial to relative returns during the reporting period. During the period, the Trust held positions in three of the five largest contributors to Index performance: Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Cengage Learning Acquisition Inc. and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. The contribution from these positions was partially offset by much smaller positions in two of the largest detractors from Index performance during the fiscal year: Toys R Us, Inc. and Longview Power, LLC.

The Trust continues to be well diversified with 282 individual issuers and 35 different industry sectors represented. The average issuer exposure at period-end stood at 0.35% of assets under management ("AUM"), while the average industry exposure closed the fiscal year at 2.86% of AUM. Both measures were relatively unchanged from the prior reporting period.

OUTLOOK AND CURRENT STRATEGY

We expect demand to remain buoyant throughout 2014, given the natural desire of both retail and institutional investors for floating-rate assets to balance the interest rate risk in their portfolios. Unless economic conditions take an unexpected and material turn for the worse, we believe concerns over a rogue spike in default activity should remain on the back burner. In light of the fact that the average Index bid is close to par (with most good loan assets at or slightly above), potential price upside is, by definition, limited in our opinion. Of course, the same can be said of virtually all income asset classes. We believe, however, that of the available mainstream income-producing asset classes, loans are the most likely to earn their coupon in 2014 (as opposed to coupon less capital loss). Therefore, our total return expectation for the loan market in 2014 is a positive one. In our view, we find this attractive on both absolute and relative bases, especially since we seemingly continue to creep toward an eventual lift in short-term rates. In such an environment floating-rate loans have consistently outperformed traditional fixed income.

Ratings Distribution
as of February 28, 2014
 

Ba

   

30.09

%

 

B

   

61.90

%

 

Caa and below

   

5.83

%

 

Not rated*

   

2.18

%

 

Ratings distribution shows the percentage of the Trust's loan commitments (excluding cash and foreign cash) that are rated in each ratings category, based upon the categories provided by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Ratings distribution is based on Moody's senior secured facility ratings. Moody's ratings classification methodology: Aaa rating denotes the least credit risk; C rating denotes the greatest credit risk. Loans rated below Baa by Moody's are considered to be below investment grade. Ratings can change from time to time, and current ratings may not fully reflect the actual credit condition or risks posed by a loan.

*  Not rated includes loans to non-U.S. borrowers (which are typically unrated) and loans for which the rating has been withdrawn.


4



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

 

 
Jeffrey A. Bakalar
Senior Vice President
Managing Director
ING Investment Management Co. LLC
  Daniel A. Norman
Senior Vice President
Managing Director
ING Investment Management Co. LLC
 

 

 

ING Prime Rate Trust
April 1, 2014


5



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

    Average Annual Total Returns for the
Years Ended February 28, 2014
 
   

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Based on Net Asset Value (NAV)

   

8.15

%

   

6.80

%

   

17.07

%

   

5.18

%

 

Based on Market Value

   

-4.04

%

   

5.90

%

   

18.24

%

   

4.12

%

 

S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index

   

4.83

%

   

4.88

%

   

12.76

%

   

5.23

%

 

Credit-Suisse Leveraged Loan Index

   

5.55

%

   

5.21

%

   

12.37

%

   

5.02

%

 

The table above illustrates the total return of the Trust against the indices indicated. An index has no cash in its portfolio, imposes no sales charges and incurs no operating expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

Total returns shown include, if applicable, the effect of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Investment Adviser. Had all fees and expenses been considered, the total returns would have been lower.

Performance data represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment in the Trust will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Trust's future performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please log on to www.inginvestment.com or call (800) 992-0180 to get performance through the most recent month end.

Calculation of total return assumes a hypothetical initial investment at the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Composite closing price (in the case of Market Value) on the last business day before the first day of the stated period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested at the actual reinvestment price.

Senior loans are subject to credit risks and the potential for non-payment of scheduled principal or interest payments, which may result in a reduction of the Trust's NAV.

This report contains statements that may be "forward-looking" statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the "forward-looking" statements.

The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. The portfolio managers' views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions.

INDEX DESCRIPTIONS

The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index is an unmanaged total return index that captures accrued interest, repayments, and market value changes. It represents a broad cross section of leveraged loans syndicated in the United States, including dollar-denominated loans to overseas issuers. Standard & Poor's and the Loan Syndications & Trading Association ("LSTA") conceived the Index to establish a performance benchmark for the syndicated leveraged loan industry. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The Credit-Suisse Leveraged Loan Index is an unmanaged index of below investment grade loans designed to mirror the investable universe of the U.S. dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.


6



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

YIELDS AND DISTRIBUTION RATES

 
   

Prime Rate

  NAV 30-day
SEC Yield(A) 
  Mkt. 30-Day
SEC Yield(A) 
  Annualized Dist.
Rate @ NAV(B) 
  Annualized Dist.
Rate @ Mkt.(B) 
 

February 28, 2014

   

3.25

%

   

5.97

%

   

6.18

%

   

6.22

%

   

6.44

%

 

November 30, 2013

   

3.25

%

   

6.59

%

   

6.81

%

   

6.24

%

   

6.44

%

 

August 31, 2013

   

3.25

%

   

6.36

%

   

6.23

%

   

6.98

%

   

6.84

%

 

May 31, 2013

   

3.25

%

   

7.02

%

   

6.78

%

   

7.36

%

   

7.11

%

 

(A)  Yield is calculated by dividing the Trust's net investment income per share for the most recent thirty days by the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of Market) at quarter-end. Yield calculations do not include any commissions or sales charges, and are compounded for six months and annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Trust's yield consistent with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") standardized yield formula.

(B)  The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing dividends and distributions declared during the period and dividing the resulting annualized dividend by the Trust's average net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the average month-end NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of market). The distribution rate is based solely on the actual dividends and distributions, which are made at the discretion of management. The distribution rate includes distributions from net investment income and return of capital, but does not include capital gains or losses.

Risk is inherent in all investing. The following are the principal risks associated with investing in the Trust. This is not, and is not intended to be, a description of all risks of investing in the Trust. A more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Trust is contained in the Trust's current prospectus.

Credit Risk: The Trust invests a substantial portion of its assets in below investment grade senior loans and other below investment-grade assets. Below investment-grade loans commonly known as high-yielding, high risk investments or as "junk" investments involve a greater risk that borrowers may not make timely payment of the interest and principal due on their loans. They also involve a greater risk that the value of such loans could decline significantly. If borrowers do not make timely payments of the interest due on their loans, the yield on the Trust's Common Shares will decrease. If borrowers do not make timely payment of the principal due on their loans, or if the value of such loans decreases, the value of the Trust's NAV will decrease.

Interest Rate Risk: Changes in short-term market interest rates will directly affect the yield on the Trust's common shares. If short-term market interest rates fall, the yield on the Trust's Common Shares will also fall. To the extent that the interest rate spreads on loans in the Trust's portfolio experience a general decline, the yield on the Trust common shares will fall and the value of the Trust's assets may decrease, which will cause the Trust's NAV to decrease. Conversely, when short-term market interest rates rise, because of the lag between changes in such short-term rates and the resetting of the floating rates on assets in the Trust's portfolio, the impact of rising rates will be delayed to the extent of such lag. In the case of inverse securities, the interest rate will generally decrease when the market rate of interest to which the inverse security is indexed increases. As of the date of this report, interest rates in the United States are at, or near, historic lows, which may increase the Trust's exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates.

Leverage Risk: The Trust borrows money for investment purposes. Borrowing increases both investment opportunity and investment risk. In the event of a general market decline in the value of assets such as those in which the Trust invests, the effect of that decline will be magnified in the Trust because of the additional assets purchased with the proceeds of the borrowings. The Trust also faces the risk that it might have to sell assets at relatively less advantageous times if it were forced to de-leverage if a source of leverage becomes unavailable.


7



ING Prime Rate Trust

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT (continued)

The Trust's use of leverage through borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares can adversely affect the yield on the Trust's common shares. To the extent that the Trust is unable to invest the proceeds from the use of leverage in assets which pay interest at a rate which exceeds the rate paid on the leverage, the yield on the Trust's common shares will decrease. In addition, in the event of a general market decline in the value of assets such as those in which the Trust invests, the effect of that decline will be magnified in the Trust because of the additional assets purchased with the proceeds of the leverage. The Trust also faces the risk that it might have to sell assets at relatively less advantageous times if it were forced to de-leverage if a source of leverage becomes unavailable.


8



ING Prime Rate Trust

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees
ING Prime Rate Trust

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of ING Prime Rate Trust, as of February 28, 2014, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the ten-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 28, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ING Prime Rate Trust as of February 28, 2014, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the ten-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Boston, Massachusetts
April 24, 2014


9




ING Prime Rate Trust

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as of February 28, 2014

ASSETS:

 

Investments in securities at value (Cost $1,296,063,177)

 

$

1,303,403,182

   

Cash

   

5,436,650

   

Foreign currencies at value (Cost $4,356,267)

   

4,385,476

   

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

   

18,148,342

   

Interest

   

7,250,926

   

Other fees

   

1,298

   

Unrealized appreciation on unfunded commitments

   

218,116

   

Prepaid arrangement fees on notes payable

   

15,671

   

Prepaid expenses

   

5,928

   

Total assets

   

1,338,865,589

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Notes payable

   

407,000,000

   

Payable for investment securities purchased

   

30,692,051

   

Accrued interest payable

   

131,126

   

Payable for investment management fees

   

795,205

   

Payable for administrative fees

   

248,501

   

Accrued trustees fees

   

8,367

   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

   

1,298,933

   

Other accrued expenses

   

437,403

   

Total liabilities

   

440,611,586

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

898,254,003

   
Net assets value per common share outstanding (net assets divided by
147,787,691 shares of beneficial interest authorized and outstanding,
no par value)
 

$

6.08

   

NET ASSETS WERE COMPRISED OF:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,097,464,804

   

Undistributed net investment income

   

1,286,881

   

Accumulated net realized loss

   

(206,774,124

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   

6,276,442

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

898,254,003

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
10



ING Prime Rate Trust

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the Year Ended February 28, 2014

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

Interest

 

$

73,520,840

   

Dividends

   

156

   

Amendment fees earned

   

1,833,466

   

Other fees

   

1,576,449

   

Total investment income

   

76,930,911

   

EXPENSES:

 

Investment management fees

   

10,245,189

   

Administration fees

   

3,201,622

   

Transfer agent fees

   

77,160

   

Interest expense

   

4,519,563

   

Custody and accounting expense

   

567,195

   

Professional fees

   

108,413

   

Shareholder reporting expense

   

236,320

   

Trustees fees

   

27,971

   

Miscellaneous expense

   

220,848

   

Total expenses

   

19,204,281

   

Net investment income

   

57,726,630

   

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

17,539,129

   

Forward foreign currency contracts

   

(2,351,411

)

 

Foreign currency related transactions

   

1,222

   

Net realized gain

   

15,188,940

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(921,567

)

 

Forward foreign currency contracts

   

(1,930,104

)

 

Foreign currency related transactions

   

(287,187

)

 

Unfunded commitments

   

217,154

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation)

   

(2,921,704

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

12,267,236

   

Increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

69,993,866

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
11



ING Prime Rate Trust

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

    Year Ended
February 28,
2014
  Year Ended
February 28,
2013
 

FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income

 

$

57,726,630

   

$

67,186,081

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

15,188,940

     

(2,597,367

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation or (depreciation)

   

(2,921,704

)

   

31,518,362

   

Increase in net assets resulting from operations

   

69,993,866

     

96,107,076

   

FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:

 

From net investment income

   

(59,356,037

)

   

(62,192,534

)

 

From return of capital

   

(1,626,919

)

   

   
Decrease in net assets from distributions
to common shareholders
   

(60,982,956

)

   

(62,192,534

)

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

 

Reinvestment of distributions from common shares

   

2,115,329

     

1,728,800

   

Proceeds from shares sold

   

80,548

     

125,377

   

Net increase from capital share transactions

   

2,195,877

     

1,854,177

   

Net increase in net assets

   

11,206,787

     

35,768,719

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of year or period

   

887,047,216

     

851,278,497

   
End of year or period (including undistributed net investment
income of $1,286,881 and $5,238,942 respectively)
 

$

898,254,003

   

$

887,047,216

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
12



ING Prime Rate Trust

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended February 28, 2014

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

Interest received

 

$

65,261,747

   

Dividends received

   

28

   

Facility fees paid

   

(259

)

 

Arrangement fees received

   

110

   

Other income received

   

3,092,030

   

Interest paid

   

(4,567,596

)

 

Other operating expenses paid

   

(14,340,667

)

 

Purchases of securities

   

(2,458,647,439

)

 

Proceeds on sale of securities

   

2,426,403,400

   

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

17,201,354

   

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 
Distributions paid to common shareholders from net investment income
(net of reinvestments)
   

(57,240,708

)

 

Distributions paid to common shareholders from return of capital

   

(1,626,919

)

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

80,548

   

Net increase of notes payable

   

36,400,000

   

Net cash flows used in financing activities

   

(22,387,079

)

 

Net decrease

   

(5,185,725

)

 

Cash Impact from Foreign Exchange Fluctuations:

 

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

   

30,015

   

Cash and foreign currency balance

 

Net decrease in cash and foreign currency

   

(5,155,710

)

 

Cash and foreign currency at beginning of period

   

14,977,836

   

Cash and foreign currency at end of period

 

$

9,822,126

   
Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from
Operations To Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

69,993,866

   
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting
from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments

   

921,567

   
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on forward foreign currency
contracts
   

1,930,104

   

Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on unfunded commitments

   

(217,154

)

 
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currency related
transactions
   

287,187

   

Accretion of discounts on investments

   

(7,740,888

)

 

Amortization of premiums on investments

   

809,037

   
Net realized gain on sale of investments, forward foreign currency contracts and
foreign currency related transactions
   

(15,188,940

)

 

Purchases of investment securities

   

(2,458,647,439

)

 

Proceeds from disposition of investment securities

   

2,426,403,400

   

Increase in other assets

   

(683

)

 

Increase in interest and other receivable

   

(1,327,370

)

 

Decrease in prepaid arrangement fees on notes payable

   

110

   

Increase in prepaid expenses

   

(259

)

 

Decrease in accrued interest payable

   

(48,033

)

 

Increase in payable for investment management fees

   

38,090

   

Increase in payable for administrative fees

   

11,903

   

Increase in accrued trustees fees

   

1,845

   

Decrease in other accrued expenses

   

(24,989

)

 

Total adjustments

   

(52,792,512

)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

17,201,354

   

Non Cash Financing Activities

 

Reinvestment of dividends

 

$

2,115,329

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
13




FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.

       

Per Share Operating Performance

     
   

Net asset value, beginning of year or period

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

Distribution to Preferred Shareholders

 

Change in net asset value from Share offerings

 

Total from investment operations

 

Distribution to Common Shareholders from net investment income

 

Distributions from return of capital

 

Total distributions

 

Net asset value, end of year or period

 

Closing market price, end of year or period

 

Year or period ended

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

ING Prime Rate Trust

     

02-28-14

   

6.02

     

0.40

     

0.07

     

     

     

0.47

     

(0.40

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.41

)

   

6.08

     

5.87

   

02-28-13

   

5.79

     

0.46

     

0.19

     

     

     

0.65

     

(0.42

)

   

     

(0.42

)

   

6.02

     

6.55

   

02-29-12

   

6.08

     

0.35

     

(0.32

)

   

(0.00

)*

   

     

0.03

     

(0.32

)

   

     

(0.32

)

   

5.79

     

5.51

   

02-28-11

   

5.72

     

0.30

     

0.38

     

(0.00

)*

   

     

0.68

     

(0.30

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.32

)

   

6.08

     

6.02

   

02-28-10

   

3.81

     

0.28

     

1.95

     

(0.00

)*

   

     

2.23

     

(0.32

)

   

     

(0.32

)

   

5.72

     

5.94

   

02-28-09

   

6.11

     

0.46

     

(2.29

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

(1.89

)

   

(0.41

)

   

     

(0.47

)

   

3.81

     

3.50

   

02-29-08

   

7.65

     

0.75

     

(1.57

)

   

(0.16

)

   

     

(0.98

)

   

(0.56

)

   

     

(0.72

)

   

6.11

     

5.64

   

02-28-07

   

7.59

     

0.71

     

0.06

     

(0.16

)

   

     

0.61

     

(0.55

)

   

     

(0.71

)

   

7.65

     

7.40

   

02-28-06

   

7.47

     

0.57

     

0.12

     

(0.11

)

   

     

0.58

     

(0.46

)

   

     

(0.57

)

   

7.59

     

7.02

   

02-28-05

   

7.34

     

0.45

     

0.16

     

(0.05

)

   

     

0.56

     

(0.43

)

   

     

(0.48

)

   

7.47

     

7.56

   

02-29-04

   

6.73

     

0.46

     

0.61

     

(0.04

)

   

     

1.03

     

(0.42

)

   

     

(0.46

)

   

7.34

     

7.84

   

 

    Total Investment
Return(1) 
  Ratios to average
net assets
  Supplemental
data
 
    Total Investment Return at net asset value(2)    Total Investment Return at closing market price(3)    Expenses, net of fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(4)(7)    Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility)(4)(7)    Expenses, prior to fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(4)(7)    Net investment income (loss)(4)(7)   

Net assets, end of year or period

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

Year or period ended

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

($000's)

 

(%)

 

ING Prime Rate Trust

 

02-28-14

   

8.15

     

(4.04

)

   

2.15

     

1.65

     

2.15

     

6.47

     

898,254

     

96

   

02-28-13

   

11.72

     

27.73

     

2.14

     

1.63

     

2.14

     

7.76

     

887,047

     

93

   

02-29-12

   

0.81

     

(3.11

)

   

2.20

     

1.67

     

2.20

     

6.07

     

851,278

     

81

   

02-28-11

   

12.32

     

7.09

     

1.93

     

1.59

     

1.93

     

4.87

     

893,661

     

60

   

02-28-10

   

60.70

     

81.66

     

1.93

     

1.77

(6)

   

1.99

(6)

   

5.56

     

830,785

     

38

   

02-28-09

   

(31.93

)(5)     

(32.03

)(5)     

3.01

     

1.95

     

3.01

     

7.86

     

552,840

     

10

   

02-29-08

   

(13.28

)

   

(17.25

)

   

4.36

     

2.20

     

4.36

     

10.35

     

886,976

     

60

   

02-28-07

   

8.85

     

13.84

     

4.62

     

2.21

     

4.62

     

9.42

     

1,109,539

     

60

   

02-28-06

   

8.53

     

(0.82

)

   

4.27

     

2.33

     

4.27

     

7.71

     

1,100,671

     

81

   

02-28-05

   

7.70

     

2.04

     

3.17

     

2.29

     

3.18

     

6.04

     

1,082,748

     

93

   

02-29-04

   

15.72

     

28.77

     

2.40

     

2.11

     

2.40

     

6.68

     

1,010,325

     

87

   

(1)  Total investment return calculations are attributable to common shares.

(2)  Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and return of capital distributions/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan.

(3)  Total investment return at market value has been calculated assuming a purchase at market value at the beginning of each period and a sale at market value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions, and return of capital/allocations, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan.

(4)  The Investment Adviser has agreed to limit expenses excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, leverage expenses, other investment related costs and extraordinary expenses, subject to possible recoupment by the Investment Adviser within three years to 1.05% of Managed Assets plus 0.15% of average daily net assets.

(5)  There was no impact on total return due to payments by affiliates.

(6)  Includes excise tax fully reimbursed by the Investment Adviser.

(7)  Annualized for periods less than one year.

*  Amount is less than $0.005 or more than $(0.005).

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
14



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year or period.

    Ratios to average net assets
plus borrowings
 

Supplemental data

 
    Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility)(2)    Expenses, prior to fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(2)    Expenses, net of fee waivers and/or recoupments, if any(2)    Net investment income (loss)(2)   

Preferred Shares — Aggregate amount outstanding

 

Liquidation and market value per share of Preferred Shares

  Asset coverage inclusive of Preferred Shares and debt per share(a)   

Borrowings at end of period

  Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt(a)   

Average borrowings

 

Common shares outstanding at end of year or period

 

Year or period ended

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

(%)

 

($000's)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($000's)

 

($)

 

($000's)

 

(000's)

 

ING Prime Rate Trust

     

02-28-14

   

1.15

     

1.50

     

1.50

     

4.51

     

     

     

3

     

407,000

     

3,207

     

387,979

     

147,788

   

02-28-13

   

1.17

     

1.53

     

1.53

     

5.55

     

     

     

3

     

370,600

     

3,394

     

345,145

     

147,427

   

02-29-12

   

1.24

     

1.64

     

1.64

     

4.51

     

     

     

3

     

364,000

     

3,339

     

293,444

     

147,116

   

02-28-11

   

1.39

     

1.68

     

1.68

     

4.26

     

100,000

     

25,000

     

102,850

     

187,000

     

6,314

     

122,641

     

146,954

   

02-28-10

   

1.67

(1)

   

1.87

(1)

   

1.81

     

5.23

     

200,000

     

25,000

     

98,400

     

83,000

     

13,419

     

46,416

     

145,210

   

02-28-09

   

1.54

     

2.37

     

2.37

     

6.21

     

225,000

     

25,000

     

70,175

     

81,000

     

10,603

     

227,891

     

145,178

   

02-29-08

   

1.60

     

3.17

     

3.17

     

7.53

     

450,000

     

25,000

     

53,125

     

338,000

     

4,956

     

391,475

     

145,094

   

02-28-07

   

1.56

     

3.25

     

3.25

     

6.63

     

450,000

     

25,000

     

62,925

     

281,000

     

6,550

     

459,982

     

145,033

   

02-28-06

   

1.58

     

2.90

     

2.90

     

5.24

     

450,000

     

25,000

     

55,050

     

465,000

     

4,335

     

509,178

     

145,033

   

02-28-05

   

1.63

     

2.27

     

2.26

     

4.32

     

450,000

     

25,000

     

53,600

     

496,000

     

4,090

     

414,889

     

145,033

   

02-29-04

   

1.84

     

2.09

     

2.09

     

5.82

     

450,000

     

25,000

     

62,425

     

225,000

     

7,490

     

143,194

     

137,638

   

(a)  Asset coverage ratios, for fiscal periods beginning after 2011, is presented to represent the coverage available to each $1,000 of borrowings. Asset coverage ratios, for periods prior to fiscal 2009, represented the coverage available for both the borrowings and preferred shares expressed in relation to each $1,000 of borrowings and preferred shares liquidation value outstanding. The Asset coverage ratio per $1,000 of debt for periods subsequent to fiscal 2008, is presented to represent the coverage available

to each $1,000 of borrowings before consideration of any preferred shares liquidation price, while the Asset coverage inclusive of Preferred Shares, presents the coverage available to both borrowings and preferred shares, expressed in relation to the per share liquidation price of the preferred shares.

(1)  Includes excise tax fully reimbursed by the Investment Adviser.

(2)  Annualized for periods less than one year.

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
15




ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION

ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified, closed-end, management investment company. The Trust invests primarily in senior loans, which generally are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and which contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other short-term rates. The investment objective of the Trust is described in the Trust's prospectus.

NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for investment companies.

A.  Senior Loan and Other Security Valuation. All Senior loans and other securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described below. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Trust would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Senior loans held by the Trust are normally valued at the mean of the means of one or more bid and ask quotations obtained from dealers in loans by an independent pricing service or other sources determined by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") to be independent and believed to be reliable. Loans for which reliable market value quotations are not readily available may be valued with reference to another loan or a group of loans for which reliable quotations are readily available and whose characteristics are comparable to the loan being valued. Under this approach, the comparable loan or loans serve as a proxy for changes in value of the loan being valued.

The Trust has engaged independent pricing services to provide market value quotations from dealers in loans and, when such quotations are not readily available, to calculate values under the proxy procedure described above. As of February 28, 2014, 100.0% of total loans were valued based on these procedures. It is expected that most of the loans held by the Trust will continue to be valued with reference to quotations from the independent pricing service or with reference to the proxy procedure described above.

Prices from a pricing service may not be available for all loans and the Investment Adviser or ING Investment Management Co. LLC ("ING IM" or the "Sub-Adviser"), may believe that the price for a loan derived from market quotations or the proxy procedure described above is not reliable or accurate. Among other reasons, this may be the result of information about a particular loan or borrower known to the Investment Adviser that the Investment Adviser believes may not be known to the pricing service or reflected in a price quote. In this event, the loan is valued at fair value, as defined by the 1940 Act, as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees and in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act. Under these procedures, fair value is determined by the Investment Adviser and monitored by the Trust's Board.

In fair valuing a loan, consideration is given to several factors, which may include, among others, the following: (i) the characteristics of and fundamental analytical data relating to the loan, including the cost, size, current interest rate, period until the next interest rate reset, maturity and base lending rate of the loan, the terms and conditions of the loan and any related agreements, and the position of the loan in the borrower's debt structure; (ii) the nature, adequacy and value of the collateral, including the Trust's rights, remedies and interests with respect to the collateral; (iii) the creditworthiness of the borrower and the cash flow coverage of outstanding principal and interest, based on an evaluation of its financial condition, financial statements and information about the borrower's business, cash flows, capital structure and future prospects; (iv) information relating to the market for the loan, including price quotations for, and trading in, the loan and interests in similar loans; (v) the reputation and financial condition of the agent for the loan


16



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

and any intermediate participants in the loan; (vi) the borrower's management; and (vii) the general economic and market conditions affecting the fair value of the loan. Securities for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the official closing price when available or, for certain markets, the last reported sale price on each valuation day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on a valuation date are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask price on such exchange. Securities, other than senior loans, for which reliable market value quotations are not readily available, and all other assets, will be valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by, and under procedures established by, the Board. Investments in securities of sufficient credit quality maturing in 60 days or less from the date of acquisition are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value. To the extent the Trust invests in other registered investment companies, the Trust's NAV is calculated based on the current NAV of the registered investment company in which the Trust invests. The prospectuses for those investment companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

Each investment asset or liability of the Trust is assigned a level at measurement date based on the significance and source of the inputs to its valuation. Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities are classified as "Level 1," inputs other than quoted prices for an asset or liability that are observable are classified as "Level 2" and unobservable inputs, including the Sub-Adviser's judgment about the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability are classified as "Level 3." The inputs used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Short-term securities of sufficient credit quality which are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, are generally considered to be Level 2 securities under applicable accounting rules. A table summarizing the Trust's investments under these levels of classification is included following the Portfolio of Investments.

The Board has adopted methods for valuing securities and other assets in circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, and has delegated the responsibility for applying the valuation methods to the "Pricing Committee" as established by the Trust's Administrator. The Pricing Committee considers all facts they deem relevant that are reasonably available, through either public information or information available to the Investment Adviser or Sub-Adviser, when determining the fair value of the security. In the event that a security or asset cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods established by the Board, the fair value of the security or asset will be determined in good faith by the Pricing Committee. When the Trust uses these fair valuation methods that use significant unobservable inputs to determine its NAV, securities will be priced by a method that the Pricing Committee believes accurately reflects fair value and are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks of investing in those securities valued in good faith at fair value nor can it be assured the Trust can obtain the fair value assigned to a security if they were to sell the security.

To assess the continuing appropriateness of security valuations, the Pricing Committee may compare prior day prices, prices on comparable securities, and traded prices to the prior or current day prices and the Pricing Committee challenges those prices exceeding certain tolerance levels with the independent pricing service or broker source. For those securities valued in good faith at fair value, the Pricing Committee reviews and affirms the reasonableness of the valuation on a regular basis after considering all relevant information that is reasonably available.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. GAAP requires a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported fair values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchases and sales, and transfers in or out of the Level 3 category during the period. The end of period timing recognition is used for the transfers between Levels of the


17



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Trust's assets and liabilities. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Trust has a significant amount of Level 3 investments.

For the year ended February 28, 2014, there have been no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.

B.  Security Transactions and Revenue Recognition. Revolver and delayed draw loans are booked on a settlement date basis. Security transactions and senior loans are accounted for on trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains or losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities sold. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis at the then-current loan rate. The accrual of interest on loans is partially or fully discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is an indication that the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. If determined to be uncollectible, unpaid accrued interest is also written off. Cash collections on non-accrual senior loans are generally applied as a reduction to the recorded investment of the loan. Senior loans are generally returned to accrual status only after all past due amounts have been received and the borrower has demonstrated sustained performance. Premium amortization and discount accretion are deferred and recognized over the shorter of four years or the actual term of the loan. Arrangement fees received on revolving credit facilities, which represent non-refundable fees or purchase discounts associated with the acquisition of loans, are deferred and recognized using the effective yield method over the shorter of four years or the actual term of the loan. No such fees are recognized on loans which have been placed on non-accrual status. Arrangement fees associated with all other loans, except revolving credit facilities, are treated as discounts and are accreted as described above. Dividend income is recorded on the exdividend date. Amendment fees are earned as compensation for evaluating and accepting changes to an original senior loan agreement and are recognized when received. Amendment fees and other fees earned are reported on the Statement of Operations.

C.  Foreign Currency Translation. The books and records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(1)  Market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the day.

(2)  Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

Although the net assets and the market values are presented at the foreign exchange rates at the end of the day, the Trust does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. For securities, which are subject to foreign withholding tax upon disposition, liabilities are recorded on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the estimated tax withholding based on the securities current market value. Upon disposition, realized gains or losses on such securities are recorded net of foreign withholding tax.

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Trust's books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at fiscal year end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. government. These risks include, but are not limited to, revaluation of currencies and future adverse


18



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

political and economic developments which could cause securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. The foregoing risks are even greater with respect to securities of issuers in emerging markets.

D.  Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. The Trust has entered into forward foreign currency contracts primarily to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks on its non-U.S. dollar denominated investment securities. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a foreign currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward foreign currency contracts are marked to market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Trust as an unrealized gain or loss and is reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gains or losses equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed are recorded upon delivery or receipt of the currency and are included in the Statement of Operations along with the change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation. These instruments may involve market risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, the Trust could be exposed to risk if the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the contracts or if the value of the currency changes unfavorably to the U.S. dollar. Open forward foreign currency contracts are presented following the Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended February 28, 2014, the Trust had an average quarterly contract amounts on forward foreign currency contracts to buy and sell of $289,136 and $62,942,241, respectively.

E.  When-Issued Delayed-Delivery. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitment basis may have extended settlement periods. The value of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. Due to the nature of the Senior Loan market, the actual settlement date may not be certain at the time of the purchase or sale for some of the Senior Loans. Interest income on such Senior Loans is not accrued until settlement date.

F.  Federal Income Taxes. It is the policy of the Trust to comply with the requirements of subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, a federal income tax or excise tax provision is not required. Management has considered the sustainability of the Trust's tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years in making this determination. No capital gain distributions shall be made until the capital loss carryforwards have been fully utilized or expire.

G.  Distributions to Common Shareholders. The Trust declares and pays dividends monthly from net investment income. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. The Trust may make additional distributions to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The character and amounts of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP for investment companies. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as return of capital. The Trust records distributions to its shareholders on the ex-dividend date.

H.  Dividend Reinvestments. Pursuant to the Trust's Shareholder Reinvestment Program (the "Program"), BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ("BNY"), the Program administrator, purchases, from time to time, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust on the open market to satisfy dividend reinvestments. Such shares are purchased on the open market only when the closing sale or bid price plus commission is less than the NAV per share of the Trust's common shares on the valuation date. If the market price plus commissions is equal to or exceeds NAV, new shares are issued by the Trust at the greater of (i) NAV or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%.


19



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

I.  Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

J.  Share Offerings. The Trust issues shares under various shelf registration statements, whereby the net proceeds received by the Trust from share sales may not be less than the greater of (i) the NAV per share or (ii) 94% of the average daily market price over the relevant pricing period.

NOTE 3 — INVESTMENTS

For the year ended February 28, 2014, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from principal repayment and sales of investments, excluding short-term notes, totaled $1,252,604,906 and $1,331,657,441, respectively. At February 28, 2014, the Trust held senior loans valued at $1,301,290,423 representing 99.8% of its total investments. The fair value of these assets is established as set forth in Note 2.

The senior loans acquired by the Trust typically take the form of a direct lending relationship with the borrower, and are typically acquired through an assignment of another lender's interest in a loan. The lead lender in a typical corporate loan syndicate administers the loan and monitors the collateral securing the loan.

Common and preferred shares, and stock purchase warrants held in the portfolio were acquired in conjunction with loans held by the Trust. Certain stocks and warrants are restricted and may not be publicly sold without registration under the 1933 Act, or without an exemption under the 1933 Act. In some cases, these restrictions expire after a designated period of time after issuance of the shares or warrants.

Dates of acquisition and cost or assigned basis of restricted securities are as follows:

    Date of
Acquisition
  Cost or
Assigned Basis
 

Ascend Media (Residual Interest)

 

01/05/10

 

$

   
Lincoln Paper & Tissue LLC (Warrants for 291 Common Shares,
Expires August 14, 2015)
 

08/25/05

   

   
Lincoln Pulp and Eastern Fine (Residual Interest in
Bankruptcy Estate)
 

06/08/04

   

   

Total Restricted Securities (fair value $0 at February 28, 2014)

     

$

   

NOTE 4 — MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENTS

The Trust has entered into an investment management agreement ("Management Agreement") with the Investment Adviser, an Arizona limited liability company, to provide advisory and management services. The Management Agreement compensates the Investment Adviser with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Trust's Managed Assets. For purposes of the Management Agreement, "Managed Assets" shall mean the Trust's average daily gross asset value, minus the sum of the Trust's accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred shares and accrued liabilities (other than liabilities for the principal amount of any borrowings incurred, commercial paper or notes issued by the Trust and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares).

The Investment Adviser entered into a sub-advisory agreement with ING IM, a Delaware limited liability company. Subject to such policies as the Board or the Investment Adviser may determine, ING IM manages the Trust's assets in accordance with the Trust's investment objectives, policies, and limitations.


20



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 5 — EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

The Trust has also entered into an administration agreement with ING Funds Services, LLC (the "Administrator") to provide administrative services and also to furnish facilities. For its services, the Administrator is compensated with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Trust's Managed Assets.

The Investment Adviser has agreed to limit expenses, excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, leverage expenses, other investment-related costs, extraordinary expenses, and acquired fund fees and expenses to 1.05% of Managed Assets plus 0.15% of average daily net assets through July 1, 2014.

The Investment Adviser may at a later date recoup from the Trust management fees waived and other expenses assumed by the Investment Adviser during the previous 36 months, but only if, after such recoupment, the Trust's expense ratio does not exceed the percentage described above. Waived and reimbursed fees and any recoupment by the Investment Adviser of such waived and reimbursed fees are reflected on the accompanying Statement of Operations.

The expense limitation agreement is contractual through July 1, 2014 and shall renew automatically for one-year terms unless: (i) the Investment Adviser provides 90 days written notice of its termination and such termination is approved by the Board; or (ii) the Management Agreement has been terminated.

As of February 28, 2014, there were no reimbursed fees that are subject to recoupment by the Investment Adviser.

NOTE 6 — TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES

The Trust has adopted a Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), which allows eligible non-affiliated trustees as described in the Plan to defer the receipt of all or a portion of the trustees fees payable. Amounts deferred are treated as though invested in various "notional" funds advised by ING Investments until distribution in accordance with the Plan.

NOTE 7 — COMMITMENTS

The Trust has entered into a $425 million 364-day revolving credit agreement which matures July 21, 2014, collateralized by assets of the Trust. Borrowing rates under this agreement are based on a fixed spread over LIBOR, and a commitment fee is charged on the unused portion. Prepaid arrangement fees are amortized over the term of the agreement. The amount of borrowings outstanding at February 28, 2014, was $407 million. Weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings during the year was 1.10%, excluding fees related to the unused portion of the facilities, and other fees. The amount of borrowings represented 30.40% of total assets at February 28, 2014. Average borrowings for the year ended February 28, 2014 were $387,979,452 and the average annualized interest rate was 1.16% excluding other fees related to the unused portion of the facility, and other fees.

As of February 28, 2014, the Trust had unfunded loan commitments pursuant to the terms of the following loan agreements:

Longview Power, LLC, DIP Facility

 

$

427,678

   

The net unrealized appreciation on these commitments of $218,116 as of February 28, 2014 is reported as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.


21



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 8 — RIGHTS AND OTHER OFFERINGS

As of February 28, 2014, outstanding share offerings pursuant to shelf registrations were as follows:

Registration
Date
  Shares
Registered
  Shares
Remaining
 
6/27/12    

25,000,000

     

22,368,353

   
6/27/12    

5,000,000

     

5,000,000

   

As of February 28, 2014 the Trust had no Preferred Shares outstanding. The Trust may consider issuing Preferred Shares during the current fiscal year or in the future.

NOTE 9 — SUBORDINATED LOANS AND UNSECURED LOANS

The Trust may invest in subordinated loans and in unsecured loans. The primary risk arising from investing in subordinated loans or in unsecured loans is the potential loss in the event of default by the issuer of the loans. The Trust may acquire a subordinated loan only if, at the time of acquisition, it acquires or holds a senior loan from the same borrower. The Trust will acquire unsecured loans only where the Investment Adviser believes, at the time of acquisition, that the Trust would have the right to payment upon default that is not subordinate to any other creditor. Subject to the aggregate 20% limit on other investments, the Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in unsecured floating rate loans, notes and other debt instruments and 5% of its total assets in floating rate subordinated loans. As of February 28, 2014, the Trust held no unsecured loans.

NOTE 10 — CAPITAL SHARES

Transactions in capital shares and dollars were as follows:

  Year Ended
February 28,
2014
  Year Ended
February 28,
2013
 

Number of Shares

 

Reinvestment of distributions from common shares

   

347,830

     

289,931

   

Proceeds from shares sold

   

12,944

     

20,605

   

Net increase in shares outstanding

   

360,774

     

310,536

   

Dollar Amount ($)

 

Reinvestment of distributions from common shares

 

$

2,115,329

   

$

1,728,800

   

Proceeds from shares sold

   

80,548

     

125,377

   

Net increase

 

$

2,195,877

   

$

1,854,177

   

NOTE 11 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP for investment companies. These book/tax differences may be either temporary or permanent. Permanent differences are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences are not reclassified. Key differences include the treatment of short-term capital gains, foreign currency transactions, and wash sale deferrals. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as return of capital.

The following permanent tax differences have been reclassified as of February 28, 2014:

Paid-in
Capital
  Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Gains/(Losses)
 
$

(560,828

)

 

$

(2,322,654

)

 

$

2,883,482

   

Dividends paid by the Trust from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.


22



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 11 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (continued)

The tax composition of dividends and distributions to shareholders was as follows:

Year Ended February 28, 2014  

Year Ended February 28, 2013

 
Ordinary Income  

Return of Capital

 

Ordinary Income

 
$

59,356,037

   

$

1,626,919

   

$

62,192,534

   

The tax-basis components of distributable earnings and the capital loss carryforwards which may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes as of February 28, 2014 are detailed below. The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Act") provides an unlimited carryforward period for newly generated capital losses. Under the Act, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of the Trust's pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may expire without being utilized due to the fact that post-enactment capital losses are required to be utilized before pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards.

Unrealized
Appreciation/
  Capital Loss Carryforwards  
(Depreciation)  

Amount

 

Character

 

Expiration

 
$

7,469,760

   

$

(41,585,301

)

 

Short-term

   

2017

   

   

(125,812,939

)

 

Short-term

   

2018

   

   

(24,760,715

)

 

Short-term

   

2019

   

   

(14,509,554

)

 

Long-term

   

None

   

 

$

(206,668,509

)

                 

The Trust's major tax jurisdictions are U.S. federal and Arizona. The earliest tax year that remains subject to examination by these jurisdictions is 2009.

As of February 28, 2014, no provision for income tax is required in the Trust's financial statements as a result of tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for open tax years. The Trust's federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state department of revenue.

NOTE 12 — RESTRUCTURING PLAN

In October 2009, ING Groep N.V. ("ING Groep") submitted a restructuring plan (the "Restructuring Plan") to the European Commission in order to receive approval for state aid granted to ING Groep by the Kingdom of the Netherlands in November 2008 and March 2009. To receive approval for this state aid, ING Groep was required to divest its insurance and investment management businesses, including ING U.S., before the end of 2013. In November 2012, the Restructuring Plan was amended to permit ING Groep additional time to complete the divestment. Pursuant to the amended Restructuring Plan, ING Groep must divest at least 25% of ING U.S. by the end of 2013, more than 50% by the end of 2014, and the remaining interest by the end of 2016 (such divestment, the "Separation Plan").

In May 2013, ING U.S. conducted an initial public offering of ING U.S. common stock (the "IPO"). In October 2013, ING Groep divested additional shares in a secondary offering of common stock of ING U.S. In March 2014, ING Groep divested additional shares, reducing its ownership interest in ING U.S. below 50%. ING U.S. did not receive any proceeds from these offerings.

ING Groep has stated that it intends to sell its remaining interest in ING U.S. over time. While the base case for the remainder of the Separation Plan is the divestment of ING Groep's remaining interest in one or more broadly distributed offerings, all options remain open and it is possible that ING Groep's divestment of its remaining interest in ING U.S. may take place by means of a sale to a single buyer or group of buyers.

It is anticipated that one or more of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Plan would result in the automatic termination of the existing investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements under which the


23



ING Prime Rate Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2014 (continued)

NOTE 12 — RESTRUCTURING PLAN (continued)

Investment Adviser and sub-adviser provide services to the Trust. In order to ensure that the existing investment advisory and sub-advisory services can continue uninterrupted, the Board approved new advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Trust in connection with the IPO. Shareholders of the Trust approved the new investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements prompted by the IPO, as well as any future advisory and sub-advisory agreements prompted by the Separation Plan that are approved by the Board and whose terms are not materially different from the current agreements. This means that shareholders may not have another opportunity to vote on a new agreement with the Investment Adviser or an affiliated sub-adviser even if they undergo a change of control, as long as no single person or group of persons acting together gains "control" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of ING U.S.

The Separation Plan, whether implemented through public offerings or other means, may be disruptive to the businesses of ING U.S. and its subsidiaries, including the Investment Adviser and affiliated entities that provide services to the Trust, and may cause, among other things, interruption of business operations or services, diversion of management's attention from day-to-day operations, reduced access to capital, and loss of key employees or customers. The completion of the Separation Plan is expected to result in the Investment Adviser's loss of access to the resources of ING Groep, which could adversely affect its business. Since a portion of the shares of ING U.S., as a standalone entity, are publicly held, it is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as well as other U.S. government and state regulations, and subject to the risk of changing regulation.

The Separation Plan may be implemented in phases. During the time that ING Groep retains a significant interest in ING U.S., circumstances affecting ING Groep, including restrictions or requirements imposed on ING Groep by European and other authorities, may also affect ING U.S. A failure to complete the Separation Plan could create uncertainty about the nature of the relationship between ING U.S. and ING Groep, and could adversely affect ING U.S. and the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. Currently, the Investment Adviser and its affiliates do not anticipate that the Separation Plan will have a material adverse impact on their operations or the Trust and its operation.

NOTE 13 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to February 28, 2014, the Trust paid the following dividends from net investment income:

Per Share Amount  

Declaration Date

 

Record Date

 

Payable Date

 
$

0.029

   

2/28/14

 

3/10/14

 

3/24/14

 
$

0.032

   

3/31/14

 

4/10/14

 

4/22/14

 

Effective May 1, 2014, the Trust is to be renamed Voya Prime Rate Trust.

The Trust has evaluated events occurring after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date (subsequent events) to determine whether any subsequent events necessitated adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements. Other than the above, no such subsequent events were identified.


24




  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 

SENIOR LOANS*: 144.9%

 
       

Aerospace & Defense: 1.3%

 
 

9,440,031

            American
Airlines, Inc.,
Term Loan,
3.750%,
06/27/19
 

$

9,481,331

     

1.1

   
 

1,866,556

            Data Device
Corp. (DDC),
First Lien
Term Loan,
8.000%,
07/11/18
   

1,872,389

     

0.2

   
                 

11,353,720

     

1.3

   
       

Automotive: 3.7%

 
 

11,704,887

            Chrysler
Group LLC,
Upsized Term
Loan B,
3.500%,
05/24/17
   

11,742,472

     

1.3

   
 

3,998,642

            Fram Group
Holdings Inc.,
First Lien
Term Loan,
6.500%,
07/31/17
   

4,015,304

     

0.5

   
 

3,742,140

            Fram Group
Holdings Inc.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
10.500%,
01/29/18
   

3,587,776

     

0.4

   

EUR

1,980,000

            Metaldyne, LLC,
Term Loan E,
6.500%,
12/15/18
   

2,751,784

     

0.3

   
 

3,593,426

            Metaldyne, LLC,
Upsized Term
Loan B,
5.000%,
12/31/18
   

3,620,376

     

0.4

   
 

1,263,705

            Schrader
International,
Lux Term Loan,
5.000%,
04/27/18
   

1,273,973

     

0.1

   
 

972,106

            Schrader
International,
US Term Loan,
5.000%,
04/27/18
   

980,005

     

0.1

   
 

818,813

            TI Group
Automotive
Systems, LLC,
Term Loan B,
5.500%,
03/31/19
   

824,698

     

0.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

4,625,492

     

(1

)

  UCI
International,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.500%,
07/26/17
 

$

4,646,690

     

0.5

   
                 

33,443,078

     

3.7

   
       

Building & Development: 2.7%

 
 

2,150,000

            Capital
Automotive L.P.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
6.000%,
04/30/20
   

2,225,250

     

0.2

   
 

8,120,111

            Capital
Automotive L.P.,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
04/10/19
   

8,177,593

     

0.9

   
 

1,791,000

            Minimax Viking
GmbH, Facility
B1 Loan,
4.500%,
08/30/20
   

1,812,268

     

0.2

   
 

4,269,150

            NCI Building
Systems, Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.250%,
06/24/19
   

4,284,626

     

0.5

   
 

545,000

            Quikrete
Holdings,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
7.000%,
03/23/21
   

560,839

     

0.1

   
 

4,339,125

            Quikrete
Holdings,
Term Loan B,
4.000%,
09/23/20
   

4,367,390

     

0.5

   
 

2,559,077

            Wilsonart LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.000%,
10/31/19
   

2,562,276

     

0.3

   
                 

23,990,242

     

2.7

   
       

Business Equipment & Services: 14.8%

 
 

8,226,455

            Acosta, Inc.,
Upsized Term
Loan B,
4.250%,
03/02/18
   

8,285,587

     

0.9

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
25



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Business Equipment & Services (continued)

 
 

5,095,315

            Advantage
Sales &
Marketing, Inc.,
December 2013
Upsized First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.250%,
12/17/17
 

$

5,129,071

     

0.6

   
 

2,027,143

            Advantage
Sales &
Marketing, Inc.,
Upsized
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.250%,
06/17/18
   

2,082,889

     

0.2

   
 

2,000,000

            AlixPartners LLP,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
9.000%,
07/09/21
   

2,047,500

     

0.2

   
 

4,888,248

            AlixPartners LLP,
Term Loan B-2,
4.000%,
07/09/20
   

4,922,466

     

0.6

   
 

1,995,000

            Allflex
Holdings III,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.250%,
07/17/20
   

2,006,846

     

0.2

   
 

1,300,000

            Allflex
Holdings III,
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.000%,
07/19/21
   

1,323,157

     

0.2

   
 

5,830,968

            Avaya Inc.,
Term B-3 Loan,
4.734%,
10/26/17
   

5,687,474

     

0.6

   
 

4,152,660

            Avaya Inc.,
Term B-6 Loan,
6.500%,
03/31/18
   

4,148,333

     

0.5

   
 

1,521,188

            Coinmach
Service Corp.,
Upsized Term
Loan, 4.250%,
11/15/19
   

1,528,159

     

0.2

   
 

1,860,000

            CorpSource
Finance
Holdings, LLC,
Second Lien,
8.750%,
04/30/19
   

1,895,651

     

0.2

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

6,368,000

            CorpSource
Finance
Holdings, LLC,
First Lien Term
Loan, 5.250%,
04/30/18
 

$

6,430,355

     

0.7

   

EUR

645,000

            CPA Global
Financing,
First Lien Term
Loan Euro,
4.750%,
11/30/20
   

902,164

     

0.1

   
 

450,000

            CPA Global
Financing,
First Lien Term
Loan USD,
4.500%,
11/30/20
   

453,375

     

0.1

   
 

4,198,150

            First American
Payment
Systems, First
Lien Term
Loan, 5.750%,
09/30/18
   

4,203,398

     

0.5

   
 

1,750,000

            First American
Payment
Systems,
Second Lien,
10.750%,
03/30/19
   

1,732,500

     

0.2

   
 

4,511,131

            GCA Services,
Replacement
Term Loan,
4.287%,
11/01/19
   

4,549,196

     

0.5

   
 

10,216,263

            Go Daddy
Operating
Company, LLC,
Term Loan B-3,
4.000%,
12/17/18
   

10,276,927

     

1.1

   
 

997,500

            Information
Resources, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
4.750%,
09/30/20
   

1,004,565

     

0.1

   

EUR

1,285,000

            Intertrust Group,
Term Loan B1
EUR, 4.768%,
04/02/20
   

1,793,087

     

0.2

   
 

784,800

            Intertrust Group,
Term Loan B2
USD, 4.699%,
04/02/20
   

787,743

     

0.1

   
 

1,222,000

            ION Trading
Technologies
Limited, First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.500%,
05/22/20
   

1,232,502

     

0.1

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
26



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Business Equipment & Services (continued)

 
 

1,300,000

            ION Trading
Technologies
Limited,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.250%,
05/21/21
 

$

1,318,688

     

0.1

   
 

2,129,300

            Learning Care
Group, Term
Loan, 5.750%,
05/08/19
   

2,139,946

     

0.2

   
 

4,274,194

            Legal Shield,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.250%,
07/01/19
   

4,306,250

     

0.5

   
 

2,000,000

            Legal Shield,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
9.750%,
07/01/20
   

2,045,000

     

0.2

   
 

4,899,947

            Mercury
Payment
Systems, LLC,
Term Loan B,
5.500%,
07/01/17
   

4,936,697

     

0.6

   
 

3,000,000

            Miller Heiman,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
6.758%,
09/30/19
   

2,962,500

     

0.3

   
 

372,168

            Misys (Magic
Newco 2
S.a.r.l.), Term
Loan B
Add-On,
5.000%,
12/01/18
   

377,053

     

0.0

   
 

2,269,605

            Property Data I,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
7.000%,
01/04/17
   

2,272,442

     

0.3

   
 

2,786,000

            RentPath, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
6.250%,
05/29/20
   

2,711,057

     

0.3

   
 

2,285,938

            SGS
International,
Term Loan,
4.260%,
10/17/19
   

2,300,225

     

0.3

   
 

1,130,000

            Ship US Bidco,
Inc. (Worldpay),
Term Loan
B2A-II, 5.250%,
11/30/19
   

1,142,430

     

0.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

1,900,000

            Ship US Bidco,
Inc. (Worldpay),
Term Loan
B2A-II,
5.250%,
11/30/19
 

$

1,920,900

     

0.2

   

GBP

1,710,000

            Ship US Bidco,
Inc. (Worldpay),
Term Loan C1,
5.750%,
11/30/19
   

2,901,463

     

0.3

   
 

780,000

            Ship US Bidco,
Inc. (Worldpay),
Term Loan C2,
4.750%,
11/29/19
   

790,482

     

0.1

   

EUR

500,000

            Sophos,
Term Loan B
EUR, 5.250%,
01/30/21
   

696,189

     

0.1

   
 

600,000

            Sophos,
Term Loan B
USD, 5.000%,
01/30/21
   

605,000

     

0.1

   
 

2,649,360

            Spotless Group
Ltd., First Lien
Term Facility,
5.000%,
09/20/18
   

2,693,517

     

0.3

   
 

1,032,000

            Spotless Group
Ltd., Second
Lien Term
Facility,
8.750%,
04/02/19
   

1,059,735

     

0.1

   
 

1,156,005

            StoneRiver
Group, LP,
First Lien,
4.500%,
11/30/19
   

1,157,450

     

0.1

   
 

232,661

            StoneRiver
Group, LP,
Second Lien,
8.500%,
05/31/20
   

235,860

     

0.0

   
 

2,871,000

            Sungard Data
Systems Inc.,
Term Loan B,
Tranche D,
4.500%,
01/31/20
   

2,885,355

     

0.3

   
 

4,500,988

            SurveyMonkey.com,
LLC, Term
Loan B,
5.500%,
02/07/19
   

4,557,250

     

0.5

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
27



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Business Equipment & Services (continued)

 
 

898,333

            Sutherland
Global
Services, Term
Loan Cayman,
7.250%,
03/06/19
 

$

901,702

     

0.1

   
 

1,989,167

            Sutherland
Global
Services, Term
Loan US,
7.250%,
03/06/19
   

1,996,626

     

0.2

   
 

5,218,809

            Trans Union LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.250%,
02/10/19
   

5,245,556

     

0.6

   
 

1,584,030

            Transfirst
Holdings, Inc.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
12/27/17
   

1,589,476

     

0.2

   
 

992,500

            Wash
Multi-Family
Services, USD
Term Loan,
4.503%,
02/21/19
   

999,944

     

0.1

   
 

2,318,142

            Web.com Group,
Inc., Term
Loan, 4.500%,
10/27/17
   

2,350,016

     

0.3

   
 

1,103,850

            WIS
International,
First Lien,
5.751%,
12/20/18
   

1,107,989

     

0.1

   
 

500,000

            WIS
International,
Second Lien,
10.250%,
06/01/19
   

505,000

     

0.1

   
                 

133,134,743

     

14.8

   
       

Cable & Satellite Television: 3.9%

 
 

4,157,822

            Liberity
Cablevision of
Puerto Rico,
LLC, First Lien,
6.000%,
06/09/17
   

4,189,006

     

0.5

   

EUR

857,058

            Numericable
(YPSO France
SAS), Total
Facility B
Acq 1-II,
4.972%,
06/16/16
   

1,188,544

     

0.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 

EUR

1,588,213

            Numericable
(YPSO France
SAS), Total
Facility B
Acq 2-II,
4.972%,
06/16/16
 

$

2,202,488

     

0.2

   

EUR

3,054,728

            Numericable
(YPSO France
SAS), Total
Facility B
Recap 1-II,
4.972%,
06/16/16
   

4,236,209

     

0.5

   
 

2,577,938

            RCN Cable,
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
02/25/20
   

2,606,617

     

0.3

   

GBP

4,750,000

            Virgin Media
Investment
Holdings
Limited, Term
Loan B GBP,
4.500%,
06/05/20
   

8,023,716

     

0.9

   
 

12,263,950

            Wideopenwest
Finance, LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.750%,
04/01/19
   

12,352,104

     

1.4

   
                 

34,798,684

     

3.9

   
       

Chemicals & Plastics: 7.4%

 
 

2,560,000

            Armacell,
First Lien
Term Loan,
5.500%,
06/30/20
   

2,569,600

     

0.3

   
 

5,596,875

            Arysta
LifeScience
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.500%,
05/29/20
   

5,642,350

     

0.6

   

EUR

1,240,625

            Axalta Coating
Systems
(fka DuPont
Performance
Coatings),
2014 Specified
Refinancing
Euro Term
Loan, 4.250%,
02/02/20
   

1,726,527

     

0.2

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
28



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Chemicals & Plastics (continued)

 
 

5,955,000

            Axalta Coating
Systems
(fka DuPont
Performance
Coatings),
2014 Specified
Refinancing
Term B Loan,
4.000%,
02/02/20
 

$

6,004,004

     

0.7

   
 

2,226,733

            AZ Chem
US Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.250%,
12/22/17
   

2,245,522

     

0.3

   
 

1,104,732

            Cristal Inorganic
Chemicals, Inc.
(aka Millenium
Inorganic
Chemicals),
Second Lien
Term Loan,
6.060%,
11/15/14
   

1,110,716

     

0.1

   
 

650,000

            Houghton
International,
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 9.500%,
12/20/20
   

667,875

     

0.1

   
 

1,989,900

            Houghton
International,
Inc., USD
Second Lien
Term Loan,
4.000%,
12/20/19
   

2,000,679

     

0.2

   
 

14,784,983

            Ineos US
Finance LLC,
Cash Dollar
Term Loan,
3.750%,
05/04/18
   

14,773,895

     

1.6

   

EUR

993,628

            Ineos US
Finance LLC,
Cash Euro
Term Loan,
4.000%,
05/04/18
   

1,379,341

     

0.2

   
 

900,000

            Kronos
Worldwide, Inc.,
Term Loan B
Facility, 4.750%,
02/21/20
   

909,844

     

0.1

   
 

1,990,000

            MacDermid, Inc.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.000%,
06/07/20
   

2,004,925

     

0.2

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

655,100

            Monarch
(Allnex S.a.r.l.),
First Lien Term
Loan B-1,
4.500%,
10/03/19
 

$

660,013

     

0.1

   
 

339,900

            Monarch
(Allnex S.a.r.l.),
First Lien Term
Loan B-2,
4.500%,
10/03/19
   

342,449

     

0.0

   

EUR

995,000

            Monarch
(Allnex S.a.r.l.),
First Lien Term
Loan Euro,
4.750%,
10/01/19
   

1,378,549

     

0.2

   
 

250,000

            Monarch
(Allnex S.a.r.l.),
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.250%,
04/01/20
   

259,063

     

0.0

   

EUR

1,197,000

            Oxea S.a.r.l.,
First Lien
Term Loan
Euro, 4.500%,
01/15/20
   

1,667,537

     

0.2

   
 

2,339,138

            Oxea S.a.r.l.,
First Lien Term
Loan USD,
4.250%,
01/15/20
   

2,362,529

     

0.3

   
 

1,100,000

            Oxea S.a.r.l.,
Second Lien
Term Loan
USD, 8.250%,
07/15/20
   

1,124,750

     

0.1

   
 

793,467

            Royal
Adhesives &
Sealants,
First Lien Term
Facility,
5.500%,
08/01/18
   

805,493

     

0.1

   
 

6,467,500

            Tronox Pigments
(Netherlands)
BV, Term Loan,
4.500%,
03/19/20
   

6,499,838

     

0.7

   
 

7,034,821

            Univar Inc.,
Term Loan B,
5.000%,
06/30/17
   

7,001,110

     

0.8

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
29



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Chemicals & Plastics (continued)

 
 

2,908,227

            Vantage
Specialties Inc.,
Incremental
Term Loan
Facility,
5.000%,
02/10/19
 

$

2,917,315

     

0.3

   
                 

66,053,924

     

7.4

   
       

Clothing/Textiles: 0.7%

 
 

3,278,525

            Herff Jones, Inc.,
First Lien
Term Loan,
5.500%,
06/25/19
   

3,309,943

     

0.4

   
 

145,717

            Totes Isotoner
Corporation,
Delayed Draw
First Lien Term
Loan, 7.250%,
07/07/17
   

146,446

     

0.0

   
 

1,429,453

            Totes Isotoner
Corporation,
First Lien
Add-On,
7.250%,
07/07/17
   

1,436,600

     

0.1

   
 

1,505,226

            Vince, LLC,
Term Loan,
6.000%,
11/30/19
   

1,531,567

     

0.2

   
                 

6,424,556

     

0.7

   
       

Conglomerates: 1.1%

 

EUR

665,000

            Spectrum
Brands, Inc.,
EURO Term
Loan, 3.750%,
09/30/19
   

925,645

     

0.1

   
 

1,079,972

            Spectrum
Brands, Inc.,
Term Loan C,
3.500%,
08/31/19
   

1,084,311

     

0.1

   
 

2,583,525

            Waterpik,
First Lien,
5.750%,
07/01/20
   

2,591,599

     

0.3

   
 

5,131,094

            WireCo
WorldGroup,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
6.000%,
02/15/17
   

5,179,198

     

0.6

   
                 

9,780,753

     

1.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Containers & Glass Products: 4.6%

 
 

750,000

            Ardagh Group,
Dollar
TermFacility,
4.250%,
12/31/19
 

$

755,391

     

0.1

   
 

800,000

     

(1

)

  Ardagh Group,
Incremental
facililty,
3.000%,
12/31/19
   

802,500

     

0.1

   
 

527,350

            Berlin
Packaging,
LLC, First Lien
Term Loan,
4.750%,
04/02/19
   

531,964

     

0.1

   
 

3,000,000

            Berry Plastics
Corporation,
Term E Loan,
3.750%,
12/20/20
   

2,996,517

     

0.3

   
 

2,985,000

            EveryWare, Inc.,
Term Loan,
7.500%,
05/21/20
   

3,026,044

     

0.3

   
 

3,235,823

            Husky Injection
Molding
Systems, Ltd.,
Incremental
Term Loan,
4.250%,
06/30/18
   

3,256,946

     

0.4

   
 

1,579,500

            Otter Products,
Term Loan B,
5.250%,
04/29/19
   

1,585,423

     

0.2

   
 

2,738,300

            Pro Mach, Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.500%,
07/06/17
   

2,753,703

     

0.3

   

EUR

967,053

            Reynolds Group
Holdings Inc,
Eur Term Loan,
4.250%,
12/15/18
   

1,347,895

     

0.1

   
 

19,295,100

            Reynolds Group
Holdings Inc,
USD Term
Loan, 4.000%,
12/15/18
   

19,449,866

     

2.2

   
 

3,899,271

            TricorBraun,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
05/03/18
   

3,917,551

     

0.4

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
30



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Containers & Glass Products (continued)

 
 

709,282

            WNA Holdings
Inc (a.k.a
Waddington
Group), USD
Term Loan
(Canadian
Borrower),
4.500%,
06/07/20
 

$

712,829

     

0.1

   
 

385,289

            WNA Holdings
Inc (a.k.a
Waddington
Group), USD
Upsized Term
Loan (US
Borrower),
4.503%,
05/23/20
   

387,216

     

0.0

   
                 

41,523,845

     

4.6

   
       

Cosmetics/Toiletries: 0.8%

 
 

3,428,425

            KIK Custom
Products, Inc.,
First Lien with
Incremental,
5.500%,
04/29/19
   

3,425,213

     

0.4

   
 

4,203,125

            Sun Products
Corporation,
Term Loan B,
5.500%,
03/23/20
   

4,032,373

     

0.4

   
                 

7,457,586

     

0.8

   
       

Diversified Insurance: 4.0%

 
 

5,869,569

            AmWINS Group,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.000%,
09/06/19
   

5,921,843

     

0.7

   
 

2,900,000

            Applied Systems
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.250%,
01/15/21
   

2,923,200

     

0.3

   
 

1,700,000

            Applied Systems
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 7.500%,
01/15/22
   

1,742,500

     

0.2

   
 

3,233,750

            Cooper Gay
Swett &
Crawford, Ltd.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 5.000%,
04/16/20
   

3,194,677

     

0.4

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

1,400,000

            Cooper Gay
Swett &
Crawford, Ltd.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.250%,
10/15/20
 

$

1,354,500

     

0.1

   
 

10,972,500

            Hub
International
Limited, Term
Loan B,
4.750%,
10/02/20
   

11,095,941

     

1.2

   
 

4,772,275

            National
Financial
Partners Corp.,
Add-On Term
Loan
B, 5.250%,
07/01/20
   

4,828,946

     

0.5

   
 

5,098,597

            USI, Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.250%,
12/27/19
   

5,124,089

     

0.6

   
                 

36,185,696

     

4.0

   
       

Drugs: 0.4%

 
 

1,700,000

     

(1

)

  Akorn, Inc.,
Term Loan,
3.500%,
11/01/20
   

1,717,000

     

0.2

   
 

2,000,000

            Salix
Pharmaceuticals
Ltd., Term
Loan,
4.250%,
01/02/20
   

2,022,916

     

0.2

   
                 

3,739,916

     

0.4

   
       

Ecological Services & Equipment: 2.5%

 
 

5,065,109

            4L Holdings Inc.,
Term Loan B,
6.765%,
05/07/18
   

5,073,025

     

0.6

   
 

16,879,500

            ADS Waste
Holdings, Inc.,
B-2, 3.750%,
10/09/19
   

16,899,283

     

1.9

   
                 

21,972,308

     

2.5

   
       

Electronics/Electrical: 15.5%

 
 

2,950,000

            Active Network,
Inc., First
Lien Term
Loan, 5.500%,
11/18/20
   

2,972,125

     

0.3

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
31



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Electronics/Electrical (continued)

 
 

2,700,000

     

(1

)

  Aptean Holdings,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.250%,
02/26/20
 

$

2,679,750

     

0.3

   
 

700,000

     

(1

)

  Aptean Holdings,
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 7.500%,
02/26/21
   

700,000

     

0.1

   
 

1,915,789

            Aspect Software,
Inc., Term
Loan, 7.000%,
05/09/16
   

1,926,150

     

0.2

   
 

6,987,093

            Attachmate
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 7.250%,
11/22/17
   

7,053,470

     

0.8

   
 

7,921,638

            Blackboard Inc.,
Term Loan B-3,
4.750%,
10/04/18
   

8,010,757

     

0.9

   
 

3,820,800

            Blue Coat
Systems, Inc.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.000%,
05/31/19
   

3,838,311

     

0.4

   
 

3,100,000

            Blue Coat
Systems, Inc.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
9.500%,
06/28/20
   

3,212,375

     

0.4

   

EUR

4,700,000

            BMC Software,
Inc., Term
Loan Euro,
5.500%,
08/19/20
   

6,555,666

     

0.7

   
 

2,500,000

            BMC Software,
Inc., Term
Loan U.S.,
5.000%,
08/19/20
   

2,511,250

     

0.3

   

EUR

3,740,625

            Dell
International
LLC, Euro
Term Loans,
4.750%,
04/30/20
   

5,173,404

     

0.6

   
 

17,955,000

            Dell
International
LLC, Term B
Loans, 4.500%,
04/30/20
   

17,952,199

     

2.0

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

3,992,068

            Epicor Software
Corporation,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
05/16/18
 

$

4,013,026

     

0.5

   
 

3,645,863

            Epiq Systems,
Inc., Term
Loan, 4.750%,
08/26/20
   

3,668,649

     

0.4

   
 

995,000

            Eze Castle
Software, Inc.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.500%,
04/06/20
   

1,003,913

     

0.1

   
 

225,000

            Eze Castle
Software, Inc.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.500%,
03/18/21
   

228,750

     

0.0

   
 

2,000,000

            FCI International
S.A.S., Term
Loan B,
6.250%,
12/31/20
   

2,015,000

     

0.2

   
 

5,672,187

            Freescale
Semiconductor,
Inc., Tranche
B-4 Term Loan,
5.000%,
03/01/20
   

5,701,257

     

0.6

   
 

2,244,375

            Freescale
Semiconductor,
Inc., Tranche
B-5 Term Loan,
5.000%,
01/15/21
   

2,274,535

     

0.3

   

EUR

2,481,250

            Greeneden U.S.
Holdings II,
LLC, Euro
Term Loan,
4.750%,
02/08/20
   

3,423,442

     

0.4

   
 

1,856,250

            Hyland Software,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.750%,
10/25/19
   

1,868,722

     

0.2

   
 

13,099,348

            Infor (US), Inc.,
Term Loan B5,
3.750%,
06/03/20
   

13,107,536

     

1.5

   
 

10,133,317

            Kronos
Incorporated,
Upsized Term
Loan, 4.500%,
10/30/19
   

10,209,317

     

1.1

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
32



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Electronics/Electrical (continued)

 

EUR

600,000

            Oberthur
Technologies,
Tranche B-1
Term Loans,
6.000%,
10/15/19
 

$

841,638

     

0.1

   
 

1,800,000

            Oberthur
Technologies,
Tranche B-2
Term Loans,
5.750%,
10/15/19
   

1,811,250

     

0.2

   
 

2,030,000

            Omnitracs Inc.,
Upsized First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
10/31/20
   

2,054,528

     

0.2

   
 

575,000

            Omnitracs Inc.,
Upsized
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.750%,
04/30/21
   

583,266

     

0.1

   
 

4,824,540

            Open Link
Financial, Inc.,
Term Loan,
6.250%,
10/30/17
   

4,854,693

     

0.5

   
 

8,344,139

            RedPrairie
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.000%,
12/21/18
   

8,376,731

     

0.9

   
 

2,374,194

            RedPrairie
Corporation,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
11.250%,
12/20/19
   

2,420,937

     

0.3

   
 

4,775,435

            Spansion LLC,
Term Loan B,
3.750%,
12/18/19
   

4,793,343

     

0.5

   
 

1,105,263

            Websense, Inc.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.250%,
12/27/20
   

1,110,789

     

0.1

   
 

2,288,500

            Websense, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
06/27/20
   

2,307,094

     

0.3

   
                 

139,253,873

     

15.5

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Equipment Leasing: 0.4%

 
 

250,000

            Brock Holdings,
Inc., New
Second Lien
Term Loan,
10.000%,
03/16/18
 

$

254,114

     

0.0

   
 

3,295,391

            Brock Holdings,
Inc., New Term
Loan B,
6.002%,
03/16/17
   

3,316,673

     

0.4

   
                 

3,570,787

     

0.4

   
       

Equity REITs and REOCs: 0.2%

 
 

1,945,125

            Guggenheim
Partners
Investment
Management
Holdings, LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.250%,
07/31/20
   

1,967,616

     

0.2

   
       

Financial Intermediaries: 1.0%

 
 

1,745,617

            Duff & Phelps,
Add-On Term
Loan, 4.500%,
04/23/20
   

1,748,890

     

0.2

   
 

1,265,438

            MoneyGram
International,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
4.250%,
03/27/20
   

1,271,917

     

0.1

   
 

3,400,000

            Santander
Asset
Management,
Term Loan B-1
USD, 4.250%,
11/30/20
   

3,415,939

     

0.4

   

EUR

1,000,000

            Santander
Asset
Management,
Term Loan B-2
EURO,
4.500%,
11/30/20
   

1,386,339

     

0.1

   
 

1,480,000

            Walker & Dunlop,
Term Loan,
5.500%,
12/15/20
   

1,502,200

     

0.2

   
                 

9,325,285

     

1.0

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
33



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Food Products: 4.4%

 
 

6,445,000

            Advance
Pierre Foods,
First Lien Term
Loan B,
5.750%,
07/10/17
 

$

6,482,220

     

0.7

   
 

4,500,000

            Advance Pierre
Foods, Second
Lien Term
Loan, 9.500%,
10/10/17
   

4,387,500

     

0.5

   
 

3,549,846

            Atkins
Nutritionals
Holdings II,
Inc., First
Lien Term
Loan, 6.250%,
01/02/19
   

3,594,219

     

0.4

   
 

3,059,625

            CSM Bakery
Supplies, First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
07/03/20
   

3,085,442

     

0.4

   
 

1,000,000

            CSM Bakery
Supplies,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.500%,
06/30/21
   

1,022,500

     

0.1

   

EUR

8,500,000

            D.E. Master
Blenders,
Term Loan B2,
4.500%,
10/01/18
   

11,910,008

     

1.3

   
 

1,100,000

     

(1

)

  Del Monte Foods
Consumer
Products, Inc.,
First Lien,
3.250%,
01/15/21
   

1,103,094

     

0.1

   
 

700,000

     

(1

)

  Del Monte Foods
Consumer
Products, Inc.,
Second Lien,
7.250%,
07/15/21
   

709,844

     

0.1

   
 

4,791,571

            NPC
International,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
12/28/18
   

4,830,503

     

0.5

   
 

992,500

            Reddy Ice
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.751%,
04/01/19
   

988,133

     

0.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 

GBP

1,000,000

            United Biscuits
Holdco Limited,
Facility B1
(GBP),
5.022%,
07/31/20
 

$

1,692,212

     

0.2

   
                 

39,805,675

     

4.4

   
       

Food Service: 1.2%

 
 

1,314,694

            Hearthside Food
Solutions, LLC,
Term Loan,
6.500%,
06/07/18
   

1,321,267

     

0.1

   
 

5,014,550

            Landry's
Restaurants,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
04/24/18
   

5,054,250

     

0.6

   
 

4,196,875

            P.F. Chang's
China Bistro,
Inc., Term
Loan, 4.298%,
06/30/19
   

4,244,090

     

0.5

   
                 

10,619,607

     

1.2

   
       

Food/Drug Retailers: 1.0%

 

EUR

365,724

     

(1

)

  Atrium
Innovations,
Inc., EUR First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.000%,
02/04/21
   

510,489

     

0.1

   
 

500,000

     

(1

)

  Atrium
Innovations,
Inc., USD First
Lien Term
Loan, 3.250%,
02/04/21
   

500,781

     

0.1

   
 

1,834,286

            Del Taco, Term
Loan, 6.266%,
10/01/18
   

1,843,458

     

0.2

   
 

3,863,426

            Roundys
Supermarkets,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
6.465%,
02/13/19
   

3,866,644

     

0.4

   
 

1,984,975

            Vestcom
International,
Inc., Term
Loan, 7.000%,
12/26/18
   

1,989,937

     

0.2

   
                 

8,711,309

     

1.0

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
34



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Forest Products: 0.1%

 
 

744,375

            Xerium
Technologies,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.750%,
05/01/19
 

$

750,268

     

0.1

   
       

Health Care: 13.8%

 
 

1,262,250

            ATI Physical
Therapy, Term
Loan B,
5.000%,
12/20/19
   

1,284,339

     

0.1

   
 

1,670,000

            BSN Medical,
Term Loan
B1B, 4.250%,
08/28/19
   

1,683,221

     

0.2

   

EUR

363,613

            BSN Medical,
Term Loan
B2B, 4.250%,
08/28/19
   

509,703

     

0.1

   
 

1,200,000

     

(1

)

  CareCore
National, LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.750%,
02/20/21
   

1,209,750

     

0.1

   
 

3,760,597

            Catalent
Pharma
Solutions, Inc.,
Dollar Term-2
Loan, 4.250%,
09/15/17
   

3,789,723

     

0.4

   
 

3,072,149

            CHG Medical
Staffing, Inc.,
New First Lien
Term, 4.500%,
11/19/19
   

3,098,072

     

0.3

   
 

601,630

            CHG Medical
Staffing, Inc.,
Upsized
Second Lien
Term Loan,
9.000%,
11/19/20
   

612,159

     

0.1

   
 

2,700,000

     

(1

)

  CHS/Community
Health
Systems, Inc.,
Term Loan D,
4.250%,
01/27/21
   

2,727,632

     

0.3

   
 

3,766,540

            DJO Finance
LLC, Tranche
B-3 Term Loan,
4.750%,
09/15/17
   

3,800,910

     

0.4

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

3,241,875

            Envision
Pharmaceutical
Services,
First Lien
Term Loan,
5.750%,
11/04/20
 

$

3,265,515

     

0.4

   
 

1,246,875

            Genex Services,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan B,
5.250%,
07/26/18
   

1,259,344

     

0.1

   
 

1,417,875

            Harvard Drug
Group LLC,
Term Loan
B-1, 5.000%,
08/15/20
   

1,436,780

     

0.2

   
 

6,186,237

            Iasis Healthcare
LLC, Term B-2,
4.500%,
05/03/18
   

6,222,928

     

0.7

   
 

4,675,000

     

(1

)

  Ikaria
Acquisition
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
5.000%,
02/05/21
   

4,713,569

     

0.5

   
 

1,350,000

     

(1

)

  Ikaria
Acquisition
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.750%,
02/05/22
   

1,373,625

     

0.2

   
 

4,888,311

            Immucor, Inc.,
Term B-2 Loan,
5.000%,
08/17/18
   

4,921,918

     

0.6

   
 

10,788,667

            Kinetic
Concepts, Inc.,
E-1, 4.000%,
05/04/18
   

10,839,913

     

1.2

   
 

5,581,875

            MedSolutions
Holdings, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
5.410%,
07/08/19
   

5,599,318

     

0.6

   
 

9,506,250

            Onex
Carestream
Finance LP,
First Lien,
5.000%,
06/07/19
   

9,633,567

     

1.1

   
 

3,025,000

            Onex
Carestream
Finance LP,
Second Lien,
9.500%,
11/30/19
   

3,100,625

     

0.3

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
35



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Health Care (continued)

 
 

1,000,000

            Packaging
Coordinators,
Inc., Delayed
Draw Term
Loan, 5.503%,
05/10/20
 

$

997,500

     

0.1

   
 

1,400,000

     

(1

)

  Par
Pharmaceutical
Companies,
B-2, 3.000%,
09/28/19
   

1,403,938

     

0.2

   
 

5,678,269

            Par
Pharmaceutical
Companies,
Term Loan B,
4.000%,
09/30/19
   

5,710,919

     

0.6

   
 

5,292,540

            Pharmaceutical
Product
Development,
Inc., Term
Loan B-1,
4.000%,
12/05/18
   

5,326,169

     

0.6

   
 

1,471,313

            PRA
International,
Term B,
5.000%,
10/01/20
   

1,477,742

     

0.2

   
 

2,137,101

            Press Ganey,
First Lien,
4.250%,
04/20/18
   

2,150,457

     

0.2

   
 

1,231,579

            Press Ganey,
Second Lien,
8.250%,
10/20/18
   

1,241,585

     

0.1

   
 

3,036,735

            Progressive
Solutions, Inc.,
First Lien,
5.500%,
10/22/20
   

3,059,510

     

0.3

   
 

7,960,392

            Quintiles
Transnational
Corp., B-3,
3.750%,
06/08/18
   

7,992,679

     

0.9

   
 

1,847,640

            Surgical Care
Affiliates LLC,
Class C Term
Loan, 4.250%,
06/29/18
   

1,858,033

     

0.2

   
 

545,875

            Truven Health,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
4.500%,
05/23/19
   

547,240

     

0.1

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

719,563

            United Surgical
Partners
International,
Inc.,
Incremental
Term Loan,
4.750%,
04/03/19
 

$

726,084

     

0.1

   
 

4,912,999

            United Surgical
Partners
International,
Inc.,
Incremental
Term Loan,
4.750%,
04/03/19
   

4,957,526

     

0.6

   
 

14,980,469

            Valeant
Pharmaceuticals
International,
Inc., Series E-1
Tranche B,
3.750%,
08/05/20
   

15,080,778

     

1.7

   
                 

123,612,771

     

13.8

   
       

Home Furnishings: 2.1%

 
 

11,829,111

            AOT Bedding
Super
Holdings, LLC,
Term Loan B,
4.250%,
10/01/19
   

11,934,733

     

1.3

   
 

3,892,208

            Hillman Group
(The), Inc.,
Term Loan B,
3.750%,
05/28/17
   

3,919,776

     

0.4

   
 

1,338,060

            Hunter Fan
Company,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.500%,
12/31/17
   

1,341,405

     

0.2

   
 

1,989,950

            Monitronics
International,
Inc., Add-On
Term Loan,
4.250%,
03/23/18
   

2,000,313

     

0.2

   
                 

19,196,227

     

2.1

   
       

Industrial Equipment: 6.7%

 
 

5,655,433

            Accudyne
Industries LLC,
Term Loan,
4.000%,
12/13/19
   

5,682,517

     

0.6

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
36



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Industrial Equipment (continued)

 
 

1,033,544

            Alliance Laundry
Systems LLC,
First Lien
Term Loan,
4.250%,
12/10/18
 

$

1,040,650

     

0.1

   
 

1,336,525

            Ameriforge
Group Inc.,
Upsized First
Lien Term
Loan, 5.000%,
12/19/19
   

1,347,385

     

0.2

   
 

582,500

            Ameriforge
Group Inc.,
Upsized
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.750%,
12/19/20
   

598,519

     

0.1

   
 

1,538,375

            Apex Tool Group,
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
01/31/20
   

1,525,683

     

0.2

   
 

1,770,000

            Aquilex LLC
(a.k.a
Hydrochem),
Term Loan,
5.000%,
12/31/20
   

1,781,063

     

0.2

   
 

1,066,745

            CeramTec
GmbH, Dollar
Term B-1
Loan, 4.250%,
08/30/20
   

1,071,412

     

0.1

   
 

105,038

            CeramTec
GmbH, Dollar
Term B-2
Loan, 4.250%,
08/30/20
   

105,498

     

0.0

   
 

324,466

            CeramTec
GmbH, Dollar
Term B-3
Loan, 4.250%,
08/30/20
   

325,886

     

0.0

   

EUR

690,097

            CeramTec
GmbH, Euro
Term B-1
Loan, 4.750%,
08/30/20
   

965,638

     

0.1

   

EUR

209,903

            CeramTec
GmbH, Euro
Term B-2
Loan, 4.750%,
08/30/20
   

293,713

     

0.0

   
 

2,580,500

            Doncasters
Group Limited,
First Lien Term
Loan USD,
5.500%,
04/09/20
   

2,611,680

     

0.3

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

690,000

            Filtration Group
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.500%,
11/30/20
 

$

698,841

     

0.1

   

EUR

3,420,000

            Gardner Denver,
Inc., Term
Loan B Euro,
4.750%,
07/30/20
   

4,743,862

     

0.5

   
 

5,236,875

            Gardner Denver,
Inc., Term
Loan B USD,
4.250%,
07/30/20
   

5,225,270

     

0.6

   
 

6,763,050

            Harvey Gulf
International
Marine, LLC,
Upsized Term
Loan B,
5.500%,
06/15/20
   

6,856,042

     

0.8

   
 

2,800,000

            International
Equipment
Solutions, LLC,
Term Loan,
6.750%,
08/31/19
   

2,812,250

     

0.3

   
 

6,219,413

            Rexnord
Corporation/
RBS Global,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.000%,
08/30/20
   

6,245,329

     

0.7

   

EUR

1,596,602

            Schaeffler AG,
Term Loan C
EUR, 4.750%,
01/27/17
   

2,233,405

     

0.3

   
 

6,300,000

            Schaeffler AG,
Term Loan C
USD, 4.250%,
01/27/17
   

6,348,352

     

0.7

   
 

2,400,000

            Sensus Metering
Systems Inc.,
New Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.500%,
05/09/18
   

2,416,500

     

0.3

   
 

411,869

            Sensus Metering
Systems Inc.,
Upsized First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
05/09/17
   

414,379

     

0.0

   
 

900,000

     

(1

)

  SunSource,
First Lien Term
Loan, 02/15/21
   

905,625

     

0.1

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
37



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Industrial Equipment (continued)

 

EUR

1,131,905

            Terex
Corporation,
Term Loan
Euro Tranche,
4.000%,
04/28/17
 

$

1,574,086

     

0.2

   
 

1,100,000

     

(1

)

  VAT Holding,
Term Loan B,
02/28/21
   

1,109,625

     

0.1

   
 

920,000

            WTG Holdings III
Corp., First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
01/15/21
   

926,900

     

0.1

   
 

325,000

            WTG Holdings III
Corp.,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
8.500%,
01/15/22
   

330,688

     

0.0

   
                 

60,190,798

     

6.7

   
       

Leisure Good/Activities/Movies: 4.1%

 
 

5,580,528

            24 Hour Fitness
Worldwide,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.250%,
04/22/16
   

5,645,893

     

0.6

   
 

3,850,000

            CEC
Entertainment,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
4.250%,
02/14/21
   

3,843,582

     

0.4

   
 

5,895,599

            Delta2 Sarl
Luxembourg
(Formula One
World
Championship),
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
04/30/19
   

5,964,383

     

0.7

   
 

2,977,500

            Equinox
Holdings, Inc.,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.501%,
01/31/20
   

3,006,346

     

0.3

   
 

6,530,319

            FGI Operating,
Fungible Term
Loan B AddOn,
5.500%,
04/19/19
   

6,642,562

     

0.7

   
 

285,714

            NEP/NCP
Holdco, Inc.,
Second Lien,
9.500%,
07/23/20
   

293,691

     

0.0

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

750,000

     

(1

)

  NEP/NCP
Holdco, Inc.,
Term Loan B
with Add-On,
4.500%,
01/22/20
 

$

753,750

     

0.1

   
 

643,500

            NEP/NCP
Holdco, Inc.,
Term Loan B
with Add-On,
4.750%,
01/22/20
   

646,718

     

0.1

   
 

2,985,701

            SRAM, LLC,
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.018%,
04/10/20
   

2,995,652

     

0.3

   
 

950,000

            TWCC Holding
Corporation,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
7.000%,
06/26/20
   

931,000

     

0.1

   
 

2,620,313

            Wilton Brands,
Inc., Term
Loan, 7.500%,
08/31/18
   

2,506,766

     

0.3

   
 

3,949,917

            Zuffa, LLC,
Term Loan,
4.500%,
02/25/20
   

3,978,554

     

0.5

   
                 

37,208,897

     

4.1

   
       

Lodging & Casinos: 8.8%

 
 

1,333,300

            American
Casino and
Entertainment
Properties LLC,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.000%,
07/02/19
   

1,342,466

     

0.2

   
 

2,992,500

            Boyd Gaming
Corporation,
Term Loan B,
4.000%,
08/14/20
   

3,000,281

     

0.3

   
 

6,381,347

            Caesars
Entertainment
Operating
Company, Inc.,
Term Loan B4
(Incremental),
9.500%,
10/31/16
   

6,445,161

     

0.7

   
 

4,584,690

            Caesars
Entertainment
Operating
Company, Inc.,
Term Loan B5,
4.489%,
01/28/18
   

4,332,532

     

0.5

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
38



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Lodging & Casinos (continued)

 
 

3,570,774

            Caesars
Entertainment
Operating
Company, Inc.,
Term Loan B6,
5.489%,
01/28/18
 

$

3,420,969

     

0.4

   
 

15,000,000

            Caesars
Entertainment
Resort
Properties,
LLC, Term
Loan, 7.000%,
10/15/20
   

15,246,435

     

1.7

   
 

2,063,117

            Cannery Casino
Resorts, LLC,
First Lien Term
Loan, 6.000%,
10/02/18
   

2,042,915

     

0.2

   
 

1,215,231

            Centaur
Acquisition,
LLC, First
Lien Term
Loan, 5.250%,
02/21/19
   

1,223,207

     

0.1

   
 

500,000

            Centaur
Acquisition,
LLC, Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.750%,
02/21/20
   

512,500

     

0.1

   
 

5,000,000

            CityCenter
Holdings, LLC,
Term Loan,
5.000%,
10/15/20
   

5,058,035

     

0.6

   
 

535,170

     

^,(2),(3)

    Fontainebleau
Las Vegas,
LLC, Delayed
Draw Term
Loan, 06/06/14
   

123,089

     

0.0

   
 

1,070,339

     

^,(2),(3)

    Fontainebleau
Las Vegas,
LLC, Term
Loan, 06/06/14
   

246,178

     

0.0

   
 

1,537,500

            Golden Nugget,
Inc., Delayed
Draw Term
Loan, 5.500%,
11/21/19
   

1,569,192

     

0.2

   
 

3,587,500

            Golden Nugget,
Inc., Term
Loan, 5.500%,
11/21/19
   

3,661,449

     

0.4

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

800,000

            Horseshoe
Baltimore,
Funded Term
Loan B,
8.250%,
07/02/20
 

$

830,000

     

0.1

   
 

4,000,000

     

(1

)

  La Quinta,
First Lien
Term Loan,
3.000%,
03/01/21
   

4,019,376

     

0.5

   
 

2,970,000

            Peppermill
Casinos, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
7.250%,
11/09/18
   

3,047,962

     

0.3

   

EUR

1,250,000

            Scandic Hotels
AB, Term Loan
B2B, 4.340%,
01/31/17
   

1,719,768

     

0.2

   

EUR

1,250,000

            Scandic Hotels
AB, Term Loan
C2B, 4.340%,
01/31/17
   

1,719,768

     

0.2

   
 

10,000,000

            Scientific Games
International,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
4.250%,
09/30/20
   

10,024,960

     

1.1

   
 

7,195,625

            Station Casinos
LLC, Term
Loan, 5.000%,
02/28/20
   

7,222,609

     

0.8

   
 

1,271,813

            Tropicana
Entertainment
Inc. , Term
Loan, 4.000%,
12/01/20
   

1,276,980

     

0.1

   
 

606,528

            Twin River
Management
Group, Inc.,
Term Loan B,
5.250%,
11/09/18
   

612,972

     

0.1

   
                 

78,698,804

     

8.8

   
       

Nonferrous Metals/Minerals: 1.2%

 
 

2,709,525

            Constellium
Holdco BV,
Term Loan B
USD, 6.000%,
03/25/20
   

2,773,876

     

0.3

   
 

6,297,250

            Fairmount
Minerals, Ltd.,
Tranche B-2
Term Loans,
5.000%,
09/01/19
   

6,388,333

     

0.7

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
39



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Nonferrous Metals/Minerals (continued)

 
 

975,000

            Oxbow Carbon
LLC, Term B
Facility,
4.250%,
07/19/19
 

$

986,578

     

0.1

   
 

500,000

            TMS
International,
Term B Loan,
4.500%,
11/01/20
   

505,313

     

0.1

   
                 

10,654,100

     

1.2

   
       

Oil & Gas: 1.6%

 
 

4,263,073

            Bronco
Midstream
Funding, LLC,
Term Loan,
5.000%,
08/15/20
   

4,311,033

     

0.5

   
 

481,484

            Crestwood
Holdings LLC,
Term Loan,
7.000%,
05/30/19
   

492,317

     

0.1

   
 

8,070,054

            FTS
International,
Inc. (fka
FracTech),
Term Loan
(HoldCo),
8.500%,
05/06/16
   

8,198,311

     

0.9

   
 

1,000,000

            Western
Refining, Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.250%,
11/30/20
   

1,009,375

     

0.1

   
                 

14,011,036

     

1.6

   
       

Publishing: 6.6%

 
 

688,807

            Caribe Media
Inc., Term
Loan, 10.000%,
11/18/14
   

668,143

     

0.1

   
 

8,857,604

     

^,(2)

    Cengage
Learning
Acquisition,
Inc., Extended
Term Loan B,
07/05/17
   

8,248,644

     

0.9

   
 

2,968,504

     

^,(2)

    Cengage
Learning
Acquisition,
Inc., Term
Loan, 5.710%,
07/03/14
   

2,764,419

     

0.3

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

1,246,756

            Dex Media
East, LLC,
Term Loan,
6.000%,
12/30/16
 

$

863,379

     

0.1

   
 

3,735,708

            Dex Media
West, LLC,
Term Loan,
8.000%,
12/30/16
   

2,974,558

     

0.3

   
 

1,515,303

     

^,(3)

    HIBU PLC (fka
Yell Group
PLC), New
Term Loan B
(USD),
07/31/14
   

341,214

     

0.0

   
 

1,785,000

            McGraw Hill
Global
Education,
Term Loan B,
9.000%,
03/22/19
   

1,819,584

     

0.2

   
 

1,216,316

            Merrill
Communications,
LLC, Term
Loan B,
7.250%,
03/08/18
   

1,237,602

     

0.1

   
 

1,691,043

            Nelson Canada,
First Lien-C$
330 mm,
2.810%,
07/03/14
   

1,420,476

     

0.2

   
 

3,092,250

            Penton Media,
Inc., First Lien,
5.500%,
09/30/19
   

3,130,903

     

0.4

   
 

1,250,000

     

(1

)

  Penton Media,
Inc., Second
Lien, 9.000%,
09/30/20
   

1,265,625

     

0.2

   
 

6,300,408

            R.H. Donnelley
Corporation,
Term Loan,
9.750%,
12/31/16
   

3,914,128

     

0.4

   

EUR

1,870,313

            Springer
Science +
Business
Media S.A.,
Initial Term B1
Loan, 5.250%,
08/01/20
   

2,611,328

     

0.3

   
 

7,481,250

            Springer
Science +
Business
Media S.A.,
Initial Term B2
Loan, 5.000%,
08/01/20
   

7,528,008

     

0.8

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
40



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Publishing (continued)

 
 

9,046,388

            SuperMedia,
Inc., Term
Loan,
11.600%,
12/30/16
 

$

6,784,791

     

0.8

   
 

13,750,000

            Tribune
Company,
Term Loan B,
4.000%,
12/31/20
   

13,734,958

     

1.5

   
                 

59,307,760

     

6.6

   
       

Radio & Television: 4.7%

 
 

10,921,330

            Clear Channel
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
3.805%,
01/29/16
   

10,758,362

     

1.2

   
 

5,448,513

            Cumulus Media
Holdings Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.250%,
12/23/20
   

5,501,609

     

0.6

   
 

802,162

            Gray Television,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
4.750%,
10/31/19
   

808,931

     

0.1

   
 

478,648

            Hubbard Radio
LLC, Tranche 1
Term Loan,
4.500%,
04/29/19
   

481,639

     

0.1

   
 

1,275,000

            Learfield
Communications,
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
5.000%,
10/08/20
   

1,282,172

     

0.1

   
 

250,000

            Learfield
Communications,
Inc., Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.750%,
10/08/21
   

256,250

     

0.0

   
 

2,500,000

            Media General,
Inc., DDTerm
Loan-B,
4.250%,
07/31/20
   

2,526,547

     

0.3

   
 

1,698,958

            Salem
Communications
Corporation,
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
03/31/20
   

1,711,701

     

0.2

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

4,652,344

            Univision
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan-C3,
4.000%,
03/01/20
 

$

4,672,214

     

0.5

   
 

14,391,250

            Univision
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan-C4,
4.000%,
03/01/20
   

14,446,714

     

1.6

   
                 

42,446,139

     

4.7

   
       

Retailers (Except Food & Drug): 13.9%

 
 

4,853,481

            99 Cents Only
Stores, Term
Loan Facility,
4.500%,
01/15/19
   

4,907,452

     

0.5

   
 

5,880,563

            Academy Ltd.,
Term Loan
(2012 refi),
4.500%,
08/03/18
   

5,929,895

     

0.7

   

EUR

2,285,000

            Action Holding
B.V., Facility C,
5.293%,
03/08/19
   

3,203,267

     

0.3

   

GBP

3,000,000

            B&M Retail Ltd,
Facility B,
6.021%,
02/28/20
   

5,065,369

     

0.6

   
 

22,899,377

            BJs Wholesale
Club, First Lien
Term Loan,
4.500%,
09/26/19
   

23,075,220

     

2.6

   
 

4,000,000

            BJs Wholesale
Club, Second
Lien Term
Loan, 8.500%,
03/26/20
   

4,116,668

     

0.5

   
 

5,267,459

            Burlington Coat
Factory, Term
Loan B2,
4.250%,
02/23/17
   

5,317,474

     

0.6

   
 

5,382,079

            Harbor Freight
Tools USA,
Inc., Term
Loan,
4.750%,
07/26/19
   

5,467,272

     

0.6

   
 

9,955,921

            Hudson's Bay
Company,
Term Loan,
4.750%,
10/15/20
   

10,123,927

     

1.1

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
41



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Retailers (Except Food & Drug) (continued)

 
 

4,859,300

            Leslies
Poolmart, Inc.,
Term Loan,
4.250%,
10/16/19
 

$

4,893,923

     

0.5

   
 

15,960,000

            Neiman Marcus
Group, Inc.,
Term Loan,
5.000%,
10/31/20
   

16,163,937

     

1.8

   
 

6,047,004

            Ollie's Holdings,
Inc., Term
Loan, 5.253%,
09/25/19
   

6,092,356

     

0.7

   
 

5,579,442

            OneStopPlus,
Term LoanB
Add-on,
5.500%,
02/05/20
   

5,649,185

     

0.6

   
 

5,902,594

            Party City
Holdings Inc.,
Term Loan B,
4.250%,
07/29/19
   

5,928,879

     

0.7

   
 

2,730,484

            Pep Boys, Term
Loan B,
4.250%,
10/11/18
   

2,764,615

     

0.3

   
 

6,304,200

            Savers, Term
Loan B,
5.000%,
07/09/19
   

6,333,092

     

0.7

   
 

4,028,250

            Sleepy's
Holdings, LLC,
Term Loan,
5.750%,
03/30/19
   

4,058,462

     

0.4

   
 

6,874,037

            Toys "R" Us, Inc.,
Term Loan B-1,
6.000%,
09/01/16
   

5,969,675

     

0.7

   
                 

125,060,668

     

13.9

   
       

Steel: 1.7%

 
 

14,677,370

            FMG Resources
(August 2006)
Pty Ltd., Term
Loan, 4.250%,
06/30/19
   

14,842,491

     

1.7

   
       

Surface Transport: 0.9%

 
 

2,772,053

            Baker Tanks,
Inc., Term
Loan, 4.250%,
02/15/20
   

2,782,448

     

0.3

   
Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
 

3,290,878

            Wabash
National
Corporation,
Term Loan B,
4.500%,
05/15/19
 

$

3,314,160

     

0.4

   
 

2,000,000

     

(1

)

  YRC Worldwide
Inc., First Lien
Term Loan,
7.000%,
02/28/19
   

2,012,500

     

0.2

   
                 

8,109,108

     

0.9

   
       

Telecommunications: 6.3%

 
 

1,783,244

            Alcatel-Lucent,
US Term Loan,
4.500%,
01/30/19
   

1,803,863

     

0.2

   
 

15,557,120

            Asurion, LLC,
Incremental
Tranche B-1
Term Loan,
4.500%,
05/24/19
   

15,611,570

     

1.7

   
 

3,970,000

            Consolidated
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
4.250%,
12/19/20
   

4,007,195

     

0.5

   
 

1,716,375

            Cricket
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan C,
4.750%,
03/09/20
   

1,720,934

     

0.2

   
 

4,529,246

            Global Tel*Link
Corporation,
First Lien Term
Loan, 5.000%,
05/23/20
   

4,499,050

     

0.5

   
         

1,700,000

    Global Tel*Link
Corporation,
Second Lien
Term Loan,
9.000%,
11/23/20
   

1,670,250

     

0.2

   
 

2,686,075

            Hawaiian
Telcom
Communications,
Inc., Term
Loan B,
5.000%,
06/06/19
   

2,707,062

     

0.3

   
 

3,300,000

            Level 3
Financing, Inc.,
Term Loan B-4,
4.000%,
01/15/20
   

3,317,015

     

0.4

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
42



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Principal
Amount†
 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Fair Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 
       

Telecommunications (continued)

 
 

3,830,750

            Lightower Fiber
Networks, First
Lien Term
Loan, 4.000%,
04/13/20
 

$

3,846,314

     

0.4

   
 

2,008,650

            Securus
Technologies,
Inc., Upsized
First Lien Term
Loan, 4.750%,
04/30/20
   

2,006,641

     

0.2

   
 

3,052,127

            Syniverse
Holdings, Inc.,
Initial Term
Loan, 4.000%,
04/23/19
   

3,069,295

     

0.3

   
 

5,973,813

            U.S. Telepacific
Corp, First
Lien Term
Loan, 5.750%,
02/23/17
   

6,027,578

     

0.7

   
 

6,208,726

            Zayo Group,
LLC, Term
Loan B,
4.000%,
07/02/19
   

6,234,436

     

0.7

   
                 

56,521,203

     

6.3

   
       

Utilities: 0.8%

 
 

2,600,000

     

(1

)

  Atlantic Power
Limited
Partnership,
Term Loan,
3.750%,
02/28/21
   

2,619,500

     

0.3

   
 

183,291

     

(2

)

  Longview Power,
LLC, DIP
Facility, 2.700%,
11/19/16
   

276,769

     

0.0

   
 

3,736,640

     

^,(2),(3)

    Longview Power,
LLC, Extended
Term Loan,
10/31/17
   

2,064,494

     

0.2

   
 

2,590,000

            Utility Services
Associates,
Term Loan,
6.750%,
10/18/19
   

2,606,187

     

0.3

   
                 

7,566,950

     

0.8

   
                Total Senior Loans
(Cost
$1,294,543,584)
   

1,301,290,423

     

144.9

   

Shares

 

  Borrower/
Tranche
Description
 

Value

  Percentage
of Net
Assets
 

EQUITIES AND OTHER ASSETS: 0.2%

 
 

154

     

@,X

    AR Broadcasting
(Warrants)
 

$

     

0.0

   
 

888,534

     

@,R,X

    Ascend Media
(Residual
Interest)
   

     

0.0

   
 

3,160

     

@,X

    Caribe Media
Inc.
   

     

0.0

   
 

117,133

     

@

    Cumulus Media
Inc. (Class A
Common
Shares)
   

768,393

     

0.1

   
 

14,294

     

@

   

Dex Media Inc.

   

104,203

     

0.0

   
 

9

     

@,X

    Faith Media
Holdings, Inc.
(Residual
Interest)
   

174,607

     

0.0

   
 

92,471

     

@

    Glodyne
Techoserve,
Ltd.
   

9,265

     

0.0

   
 

498,762

     

@,X

   

GTS Corp.

   

     

0.0

   
 

31,238

     

@

    Hawaiian
Telcom
   

899,655

     

0.1

   
 

291

     

@,R,X

    Lincoln Paper &
Tissue, LLC
   

     

0.0

   
 

5,933,579

     

@,R,X

    Lincoln Pulp and
Eastern Fine
(Residual
Interest in
Bankruptcy
Estate)
   

     

0.0

   
 

9,788

     

@

   

Mega Brands

   

156,636

     

0.0

   
 

106,702

     

@,X

    Northeast
Biofuels
(Residual
Interest)
   

     

0.0

   
 

19,404

     

@,X

    U.S. Shipping
Partners, L.P.
   

     

0.0

   
 

275,292

     

@,X

    U.S. Shipping
Partners, L.P.
(Contingency
Rights)
   

     

0.0

   
                Total Equities
and Other
Assets
(Cost
$1,519,593)
   

2,112,759

     

0.2

   
            Total Investments
(Cost
$1,296,063,177)
 

$

1,303,403,182

     

145.1

   
            Liabilities in
Excess of
Other Assets
   

(405,149,179

)

   

(45.1

)

 
           

Net Assets

 

$

898,254,003

     

100.0

   

*  Senior loans, while exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These senior loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
43



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

above the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other short-term rates.

†  Unless otherwise indicated, principal amount is shown in USD.

@  Non-income producing security

R  Restricted Security

X  Fair value determined by ING Funds Valuation Committee appointed by the Board of Directors/Trustees.

^  This Senior Loan Interest is non-income producing.

(1)  Senior loans purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. Contract rates that are not disclosed do not take effect until settlement date and have yet to be determined.

(2)  The borrower filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy code.

(3)  Loan is on non-accrual basis.

EUR  EU Euro

GBP  British Pound

  Cost for federal income tax purposes is $1,296,168,792.

  Net unrealized appreciation consists of:

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

 

$

18,895,306

   

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

   

(11,660,916

)

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation

 

$

7,234,390

   

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
44



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

Fair Value Measurements^

The following is a summary of the fair valuations according to the inputs used as of February 28, 2014 in valuing the assets and liabilities:

    Quoted Prices in
for Identical
Investments
(Level 1)
  Significant
Active Markets
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Significant
Fair Value
at
February 28, 2014
 

Asset Table

 

Investments, at fair value

 

Equities and Other Assets

 

$

1,928,887

   

$

9,265

   

$

174,607

   

$

2,112,759

   

Senior Loans

   

     

1,301,290,423

     

     

1,301,290,423

   

Total Investments, at fair value

 

$

1,928,887

   

$

1,301,299,688

   

$

174,607

   

$

1,303,403,182

   

Other Financial Instruments+

 

Unfunded commitments

   

     

218,116

     

     

218,116

   

Total Assets

 

$

1,928,887

   

$

1,301,517,804

   

$

174,607

   

$

1,303,621,298

   

Liabilities Table

 

Other Financial Instruments+

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

 

$

   

$

(1,298,933

)

 

$

   

$

(1,298,933

)

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

   

$

(1,298,933

)

 

$

   

$

(1,298,933

)

 

^  See Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

+  Other Financial Instruments are derivatives not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments and may include open forward foreign currency contracts and unfunded commitments which are fair valued at the unrealized gain (loss) on the instrument.

At February 28, 2014, the following forward foreign currency contracts were outstanding for the ING Prime Rate Trust:

Counterparty

 

Currency

  Contract
Amount
 

Buy/Sell

  Settlement
Date
  In Exchange
For
 

Fair Value

  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

State Street Bank

 

EU Euro

   

52,095,000

   

Sell

 

03/19/14

 

$

70,771,648

   

$

71,905,991

   

$

(1,134,343

)

 

State Street Bank

 

British Pound

   

10,700,000

   

Sell

 

03/19/14

   

17,751,086

     

17,915,676

     

(164,590

)

 
                           

$

(1,298,933

)

 

A summary of derivative instruments by primary risk exposure is outlined in the following tables.

The fair value of derivative instruments as of February 28, 2014 was as follows:

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

  Location on Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
 

Fair Value

 

Liability Derivatives

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

 

$

1,298,933

   

Total Liability Derivatives

     

$

1,298,933

   

The effect of derivative instruments on the Trust's Statement of Operations for the year ended February 28, 2014 was as follows:

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

  Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Foreign currency related
transactions*
 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

(2,351,411

)

 

Total

 

$

(2,351,411

)

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

  Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Foreign currency related
transactions*
 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

(1,930,104

)

 

Total

 

$

(1,930,104

)

 

*  Amounts recognized for forward foreign currency contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions and net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currency related transactions.

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
45



  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
ING PRIME RATE TRUST  
AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (CONTINUED)

The following is a summary by counterparty of the fair value of OTC derivative instruments subject to Master Netting Agreements and collateral pledged (received), if any, at February 28, 2014:

   

State Street Bank

 

Liabilities:

 

Forward foreign currency contracts

 

$

1,298,933

   

Total Liabilities

 

$

1,298,933

   

Net OTC derivative instruments by counterparty, at fair value

 

$

(1,298,933

)

 

Total collateral pledged by the Trust/(Received from counterparty)

 

$

   

Net Exposure(1)

 

$

(1,298,933

)

 

(1)  Positive net exposure represents amounts due from each respective counterparty. Negative exposure represents amounts due from the Trust. Please refer to Note 2 for additional details regarding counterparty credit risk and credit related contingent features.

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
46




ING Prime Rate Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The Trust offers a Shareholder Reinvestment Program (the "Program") which allows holders of the Trust's common shares a simple way to reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, in additional common shares of the Trust. The Program also offers holders of the Trust's common shares the ability to make optional cash investments in any amount from $100 to $100,000 on a monthly basis.

For dividend and capital gains distribution reinvestment purposes, BNY will purchase shares of the Trust on the open market when the market price plus estimated fees is less than the NAV on the valuation date. The Trust will issue new shares for dividend and capital gains distribution reinvestment purchases when the market price plus estimated fees is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. New shares may be issued at the greater of: (i) NAV; or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%.

For optional cash investments, shares will be purchased on the open market by BNY when the market price plus estimated fees is less than the NAV on the valuation date. New shares will be issued by the Trust for optional cash investments when the market price plus estimated fees is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. Such shares will be issued at a discount to market, determined by the Trust, between 0% and 5%.

There is no charge to participate in the Program. Participants may elect to discontinue participation in the Program at any time. Participants will share, on a pro rata basis, in the fees or expenses of any shares acquired in the open market.

Participation in the Program is not automatic. If you would like to receive more information about the Program or if you desire to participate, please contact your broker or the Trust's Shareholder Services Department at (800) 336-3436.

KEY FINANCIAL DATES — CALENDAR 2014 DIVIDENDS:

DECLARATION DATE  

EX-DIVIDEND DATE

 

PAYABLE DATE

 
January 31, 2014  

February 6, 2014

 

February 25, 2014

 
February 28, 2014  

March 6, 2014

 

March 24, 2014

 
March 31, 2014  

April 8, 2014

 

April 22, 2014

 
April 30, 2014  

May 8, 2014

 

May 22, 2014

 
May 30, 2014  

June 6, 2014

 

June 23, 2014

 
June 30, 2014  

July 8, 2014

 

July 22, 2014

 
July 31, 2014  

August 7, 2014

 

August 22, 2014

 
August 29, 2014  

September 8, 2014

 

September 22, 2014

 
September 30, 2014  

October 8, 2014

 

October 22, 2014

 
October 31, 2014  

November 6, 2014

 

November 24, 2014

 
November 28, 2014  

December 8, 2014

 

December 22, 2014

 
December 19, 2014  

December 29, 2014

 

January 13, 2015

 

Record date will be two business days after each Ex-Dividend Date. These dates are subject to change.

The Trust was granted exemptive relief by the SEC (the "Order"), which under the 1940 Act, would permit the Trust, subject to Board approval, to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year) ("Managed Distribution Policy"). The Trust may in the future adopt a Managed Distribution Policy.


47



ING Prime Rate Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

STOCK DATA

The Trust's common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: PPR). Effective March 1, 2002, the Trust's name changed to ING Prime Rate Trust and its CUSIP number changed to 44977W106. The Trust's NAV and market price are published daily under the "Closed-End Funds" feature in Barron's, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other regional and national publications.

REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END COMPANIES

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, and Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act the Trust may from time to time purchase shares of beneficial interest of the Trust in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions and/or purchase shares to correct erroneous transactions.

NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS

The approximate number of record holders of Common Stock as of February 28, 2014 was 3,165 which does not include approximately 46,058 beneficial owners of shares held in the name of brokers of other nominees.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at 1-800-336-3436; (2) on the Trust's website at www.inginvestment.com and (3) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Trust's website at www.inginvestment.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust's Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Trust's Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330; and is available upon request from the Trust by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at (800) 336-3436.

CERTIFICATIONS

In accordance with Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Trust submitted the Annual CEO Certification on June 27, 2013 certifying that he was not aware, as of that date, of any violation by the Trust of the NYSE's Corporate governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 203 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Trust's principal executive and financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.


48




ING Prime Rate Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

On April 7, 2014, ING U.S., Inc. changed its name to Voya Financial, Inc. Effective May 1, 2014, ING Investments, LLC, the Investment Adviser to the Trust, will be renamed Voya Investments, LLC. ING Investment Management Co. LLC, the Sub-Adviser to the Trust, will be renamed Voya Investment Management Co. LLC. ING Funds Services, LLC, the Administrator for the Trust, will be renamed Voya Funds Services, LLC. The Trust as well as the Registrant that the Trust is organized under will also be renamed.

The new Registrant and Trust name will be as follows:

Current Registrant Name and
Current Trust Name
  New Registrant Name and
New Trust Name, effective May 1, 2014
 

ING Prime Rate Trust

 

Voya Prime Rate Trust

 


49



ING Prime Rate Trust

TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Dividends and distributions paid during the year ended February 28, 2014 were as follows:

Type   Per Share
Amount
 
NII  

$

0.4020

   
ROC  

$

0.0110

   

NII - Net investment income

ROC - Return of capital

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 871(k)(1), the Trust designates 96.51% of net investment income distributions as interest-related dividends.

Above figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (book) purposes and Internal Revenue Service (tax) purposes.

Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Trust. In January, shareholders, excluding corporate shareholders, receive an IRS 1099-DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions they received in the calendar year.


50




ING Prime Rate Trust

SHAREHOLDER MEETING INFORMATION (Unaudited)

An annual shareholder meeting of ING Prime Rate Trust was held May 6, 2013, at the offices of ING Funds, 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

Proposals:

1  To approve a new investment advisory agreement for the Trust with ING Investments prompted by the IPO, and to approve, under certain circumstances, any future advisory agreements prompted by Change of Control Events that occur as part of the Separation Plan.

2  To approve a new investment sub-advisory agreement between ING Investments and ING IM with respect to the Trust prompted by the IPO, and to approve, under certain circumstances, any future sub-advisory agreements prompted by Change of Control Events that occur as part of the Separation Plan.

3  To elect 13 nominees to the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

   

Proposal

  Shares
voted for
  Shares voted
against or
withheld
  Shares
abstained
  Broker
non-vote
  Total Shares
Voted
 

ING Prime Rate Trust

   

1

*

   

77,565,460.909

     

2,554,960.555

     

2,233,592.532

     

16,331,548.562

     

98,685,562.558

   
     

2

*

   

77,344,441.531

     

2,827,093.039

     

2,182,479.426

     

16,331,548.562

     

98,685,562.558

   
   

Proposal

 

For All

 

Withhold All

 

For all Except

  Broker
non-vote
  Total Shares
Voted
 

Colleen D. Baldwin

   

3

*

   

95,782,584.832

     

2,902,977.726

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

John V. Boyer

   

3

*

   

95,902,840.480

     

2,782,722.078

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Patricia W. Chadwick

   

3

*

   

95,815,852.001

     

2,869,710.557

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Albert E. DePrince, Jr.

   

3

*

   

95,799,376.341

     

2,886,186.217

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Peter S. Drotch

   

3

*

   

95,789,427.809

     

2,896,134.749

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

J. Michael Earley

   

3

*

   

95,893,878.954

     

2,791,683.604

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Martin J. Gavin**

   

3

*

   

95,886,917.988

     

2,798,644.570

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Russell H. Jones

   

3

*

   

95,900,701.946

     

2,784,860.612

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Patrick W. Kenny

   

3

*

   

95,894,128.575

     

2,791,433.983

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Shaun P. Mathews

   

3

*

   

95,815,696.315

     

2,869,866.243

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Joseph E. Obermeyer

   

3

*

   

95,914,269.560

     

2,771,292.998

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Sheryl K. Pressler

   

3

*

   

95,885,389.743

     

2,800,172.815

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

Roger B. Vincent

   

3

*

   

95,807,557.663

     

2,878,004.895

     

0.000

     

0.000

     

98,685,562.558

   

*  Proposals Passed

**  Effective close of business September 12, 2013, Mr. Gavin resigned as Trustee.


51




ING Prime Rate Trust

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trust's Board. A Trustee, who is not an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an independent trustee ("Independent Trustee"). The Trustees and Officers of the Trust are listed below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, upon request at (800) 992-0180.

Name, Address
and Age
  Position(s)
held with
the Trust
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served(1) 
  Principal
Occupation(s) -
during the
Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2) 
  Other Board
Positions
held by
Trustee
 

Independent Trustees:

 
Colleen D. Baldwin
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 53
 

Trustee

  October
2007 - Present
 

President, Glantuam Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm (January 2009 - Present).

 

164

 

DSM/Dentaquest, Boston, MA (February 2014 - Present).

 
John V. Boyer
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 60
  Chairperson

Trustee
  January
2014 - Present
January
2005 - Present
 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Bechtler Arts Foundation, an arts and education foundation (January 2008 - Present).

 

164

 

None.

 
Patricia W. Chadwick
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 65
 

Trustee

  January
2006 - Present
 

Consultant and President, Ravengate Partners LLC, a consulting firm that provides advice regarding financial markets and the global economy (January 2000 - Present).

 

164

 

Wisconsin Energy Corporation (June 2006 - Present) and The Royce Funds (35 funds) (December 2009 - Present).

 
Albert E. DePrince, Jr.
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 73
 

Trustee

 

May 2013 - Present

 

Professor of Economics and Finance, Middle Tennessee State University (August 1991 - Present).

 

164

 

None.

 
Peter S. Drotch
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 72
 

Trustee

  October
2007 - Present
 

Retired.

 

164

 

First Marblehead Corporation (September 2003 - Present).

 
J. Michael Earley
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 68
 

Trustee

  February
2002 - Present
 

Retired.

 

164

 

None.

 
Russell H. Jones
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 69
 

Trustee

 

May 2013 - Present

 

Retired.

 

164

 

None.

 
Patrick W. Kenny
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 71
 

Trustee

  January
2005 - Present
 

Retired. Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Insurance Society (June 2001 - June 2009).

 

164

 

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (April 2004 - Present).

 
Joseph E. Obermeyer
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 56
 

Trustee

 

May 2013 - Present

 

President, Obermeyer & Associates, Inc., a provider of financial and economic consulting services (November 1999 - Present).

 

164

 

None.

 
Sheryl K. Pressler
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 63
 

Trustee

  January
2006 - Present
 

Consultant (May 2001 - Present).

 

164

 

None.

 
Roger B. Vincent
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 68
 

Trustee

  February
2002 - Present
 

Retired. Formerly, President, Springwell Corporation, a corporate finance firm (March 1989 - August 2011).

 

164

 

UGI Corporation (February 2006 - Present) and UGI Utilities, Inc. (February 2006 - Present).

 


52



ING Prime Rate Trust

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Name, Address
and Age
  Position(s)
held with
the Trust
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served(1) 
  Principal
Occupation(s) -
during the
Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2) 
  Other Board
Positions
held by
Trustee
 

Trustee who is an "Interested Person":

 
Shaun P. Mathews(3)
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 58
 

Trustee

 

June 2006 - Present

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present).

 

164

 

ING Capital Corporation, LLC (December 2005 - Present) and ING Investments Distributor, LLC (December 2005 - Present; ING Funds Services, LLC, ING Investments LLC and ING Investment Management, LLC (March 2006 - Present); and ING Investment Trust Co. (April 2009 - Present).

 

(1)  Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The tenure of each Trustee ("Independent Trustee") is subject to the Board's retirement policy, which states that each duly elected or appointed Independent Trustee shall retire from and cease to be a member of the Board of Trustees as of the close of business on December 31 of the calendar year in which the Independent Trustee attains the age of 73. A majority vote of the Board's other Independent Trustees may extend the retirement date of an Independent Trustee if the retirement would trigger a requirement to hold a meeting of shareholders of the Trust under applicable law, whether for purposes of appointing a successor to the Trustee or otherwise comply with applicable law, in which case the extension would apply until such time as the shareholder meeting can be held or is no longer required (as determined by a vote of a majority of the other Independent Trustees).

(2)  For the purpose of this table "ING Fund Complex" means the following investment companies: ING Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Balanced Portfolio, Inc.; ING Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund; ING Equity Trust; ING Funds Trust; ING Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund; ING Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; ING Intermediate Bond Portfolio; ING International High Dividend Equity Income Fund; ING Investors Trust; ING Money Market Portfolio; ING Mutual Funds; ING Partners, Inc.; ING Prime Rate Trust; ING Risk Managed Natural Resources Fund; ING Senior Income Fund; ING Separate Portfolios Trust; ING Series Fund, Inc.; ING Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc.; ING Variable Funds; ING Variable Insurance Trust; ING Variable Portfolios, Inc.; and ING Variable Products Trust. The number of funds in the ING Fund Complex is as of March 31,2014.

(3)  "Interested person," as defined in the 1940 Act, by virtue of this Trustee's current affiliation with any of the Funds, ING or any of ING's affiliates.


53



ING Prime Rate Trust

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Name, Address
and Age
  Position(s) held
with the Trust
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served(1) 
  Principal
Occupation(s) -
during the
Past 5 Years
 
Shaun P. Mathews
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 58
 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

November 2006 - Present

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, ING Investments, LLC (November 2006 - Present).

 
Michael J. Roland
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 55
 

Executive Vice President

 

February 2002 - Present

 

Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (April 2012 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, Directed Services LLC and ING Investments, LLC (March 2011 - December 2013); Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (January 2007 - April 2012) and Chief Compliance Officer, ING Funds (March 2011 - February 2012).

 
Stanley D. Vyner
230 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10169
Age: 63
  Executive Vice President
Chief Investment Risk Officer
  August 2003 - Present
September 2009 - Present
 

Executive Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (July 2000 - Present) and Chief Investment Risk Officer, ING Investments, LLC (January 2003 - Present).

 
Kevin M. Gleason
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 47
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

February 2012 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (February 2012 - Present). Formerly, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (June 2004 - January 2012).

 
Todd Modic
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 46
 

Senior Vice President, Chief/Principal Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

March 2005 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2005 - Present).

 
Daniel A. Norman
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 56
  Senior Vice President
Treasurer
  April 1995 - Present
June 1997 - Present
 

Managing Director and Group Head, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (February 2012 - Present). Formerly, Senior Vice President and Group Head, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2000 - January 2012).

 
William H. Rivoir, III
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 63
 

Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

February 2001 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2004 - Present).

 
Kimberly A. Anderson
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 49
 

Senior Vice President

 

November 2003 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (October 2003 - Present).

 
Jeffrey A. Bakalar
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 54
 

Senior Vice President

 

November 1999 - Present

 

Senior Vice President and Group Head, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (January 2000 - Present).

 
Elliot A. Rosen
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 60
 

Senior Vice President

 

May 2002 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, ING Investment Management Co. LLC (February 1999 - Present).

 
Robert Terris
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 43
 

Senior Vice President

 

May 2006 - Present

 

Senior Vice President, Head of Division Operations, ING Funds Services, LLC (January 2006 - Present).

 


54



ING Prime Rate Trust

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Name, Address
and Age
  Position(s) held
with the Trust
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served(1) 
  Principal
Occupation(s) -
during the
Past 5 Years
 
Julius A. Drelick, III
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 47
 

Senior Vice President

 

July 2012 - Present

 

Senior Vice President - Fund Compliance, ING Funds Services, LLC (June 2012 - Present). Chief Compliance Officer of Directed Services LLC and ING Investments LLC (January 2014 - Present). Formerly, Vice President - Platform Product Management & Project Management, ING Investments, LLC (April 2007 - June 2012).

 
Fred Bedoya
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 41
 

Vice President

 

September 2012 - Present

 

Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2012 - Present). Formerly, Assistant Vice President - Director, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2003 - March 2012).

 
Robyn L. Ichilov
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 46
 

Vice President

 

November 1997 - Present

 

Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (November 1995 - Present) and ING Investments, LLC (August 1997 - Present). Formerly, Treasurer, ING Funds (November 1999 - February 2012).

 
Maria M. Anderson
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 55
 

Vice President

 

September 2004 - Present

 

Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2004 - Present).

 
Lauren D. Bensinger
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 60
 

Vice President

 

August 2003 - Present

 

Vice President, ING Investments, LLC and ING Funds Services, LLC (February 1996 - Present); Director of Compliance, ING Investments, LLC (October 2004 - Present); and Vice President and Money Laundering Reporting Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Investments Distributor, LLC (August 1995 - April 2010).

 
Jason Kadavy
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 38
 

Vice President

 

September 2012 - Present

 

Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (July 2007 - Present).

 
Kimberly K. Springer
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 56
 

Vice President

 

March 2006 - Present

 

Vice President - Platform Product Management & Project Management, ING Investments, LLC (July 2012 - Present); Vice President, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present) and Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2006 - Present). Formerly Managing Paralegal, Registration Statements (June 2003 - July 2012).

 
Craig Wheeler
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 45
 

Vice President

 

May 2013 - Present

 

Vice President - Director of Tax, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2013 - Present). Formerly, Assistant Vice President - Director of Tax, ING Funds Services, LLC (March 2008 - March 2013).

 
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 50
 

Secretary

 

August 2003 - Present

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Chief Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (October 2003 - March 2010).

 


55



ING Prime Rate Trust

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Name, Address
and Age
  Position(s) held
with the Trust
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served(1) 
  Principal
Occupation(s) -
during the
Past 5 Years
 
Theresa K. Kelety
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 51
 

Assistant Secretary

 

August 2003 - Present

 

Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010).

 
Paul A. Caldarelli
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Age: 62
 

Assistant Secretary

 

June 2010 - Present

 

Vice President and Senior Counsel, ING Investment Management - ING Funds (March 2010 - Present). Formerly, Senior Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2008 - March 2010).

 

(1)  The Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.


56




Investment Adviser

ING Investments, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258

Sub-Adviser

ING Investment Management Co. LLC
230 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10169

Institutional Investors and Analysts

Call ING Prime Rate Trust
1-800-336-3436, Extension 2217

Administrator

ING Funds Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
1-800-992-0180

Written Requests

Please mail all account inquiries and other comments to:
ING Prime Rate Trust Account
c/o ING Fund Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258

Distributor

ING Investments Distributor, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
1-800-334-3444

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP
Two Financial Center
60 South Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
801 Pennsylvania Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1900 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

Toll-Free Shareholder Information

Call us from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day for account or other information, at (800)-992-0180

For more complete information, or to obtain a prospectus on any ING Fund, please call your Investment Professional or ING Investments Distributor, LLC at (800) 992-0180 or log on to www.inginvestment.com. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Consider the Trust's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this information and other information about the Trust.

AR-UPRT

(0214-042414)




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, Registrant had adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer.  There were no amendments to the Code during the period covered by the report.  The Registrant did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code during the period covered by this report.  The code of ethics is filed herewith pursuant to Item 10(a)(1), Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Board of Trustees has determined that J.Michael Earley, Peter Drotch and Colleen Baldwin are audit committee financial experts, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.  Mr. Earley, Mr. Drotch and Ms. Baldwin are “independent” for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)                                 Audit Fees:  The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements, for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $70,500 for year ended February 28, 2014 and $65,000 for year ended February 28, 2013.

 

(b)                                 Audit-Related Fees:  The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $4,925 for the year ended February 28, 2014 and $12,000 for the year ended February 28, 2013.

 

(c)                                  Tax Fees:  The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $7,339 in the year ended February 28, 2014 and $6,356 in the year ended February 28, 2013.  Such services included review of excise distribution calculations (if applicable), preparation of the Funds’ federal, state and excise tax returns, tax services related to mergers and routine consulting.

 

(d)                                 All Other Fees:  None

 

(e) (1)                Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

2



 

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY

 

I.             Statement of Principles

 

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors or Trustees (the “Committee”) of the ING Funds (each a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”) set out on Exhibit A to this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (“Policy”) is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Funds’ independent auditors.  As part of its responsibilities, the Committee must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the auditors in order to assure that the provision of these services does not impair the auditors’ independence from the Funds.  The Committee has adopted, and the Board has ratified, this Policy, which sets out the procedures and conditions under which the services of the independent auditors may be pre-approved.

 

Under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules promulgated in accordance with the Act, the Funds may establish two different approaches to pre-approving audit and non-audit services.  The Committee may approve services without consideration of specific case-by-case services (“general pre-approval”) or it may pre-approve specific services (“specific pre-approval”).  The Committee believes that the combination of these approaches contemplated in this Policy results in an effective and efficient method for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds’ independent auditors.  Under this Policy, services that are not of a type that may receive general pre-approval require specific pre-approval by the Committee.  Any proposed services that exceed pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require the Committee’s specific pre-approval.

 

For both types of approval, the Committee considers whether the subject services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence and that such services are compatible with maintaining the auditors independence.  The Committee also considers whether a particular audit firm is in the best position to provide effective and efficient services to the Funds.  Reasons that the auditors are in the best position include the auditors’ familiarity with the Funds’ business, personnel, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and other factors, and whether the services will enhance the Funds’ ability to manage and control risk or improve audit quality.  Such factors will be considered as a whole, with no one factor being determinative.

 

The appendices attached to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related, tax-related, and other services that have the Committee’s general pre-approval.  For any service that has been approved through general pre-approval, the general pre-approval will remain in place for a period 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate.  The Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditors without specific pre-approval.  The Committee will revise the list of services subject to general pre-approval as appropriate.  This Policy does not serve as a delegation to Fund management of the Committee’s duty to pre-approve services performed by the Funds’ independent auditors.

 



 

II.            Audit Services

 

The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the Committee’s specific pre-approval.  Audit services are those services that are normally provided by auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements or those that generally only independent auditors can reasonably provide.  They include the Funds’ annual financial statement audit and procedures that the independent auditors must perform in order to form an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements (e.g., information systems and procedural reviews and testing).  The Committee will monitor the audit services engagement and approve any changes in terms, conditions or fees deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.

 

The Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, such as statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.

 

The Committee has pre-approved the audit services listed on Appendix A.  The Committee must specifically approve all audit services not listed on Appendix A.

 

III.          Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Funds’ financial statements or are traditionally performed by the independent auditors.  The Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services will not impair the independent auditors’ independence, and therefore may grant pre-approval to audit-related services.  Audit-related services include accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “audit services;” assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures relating to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR.

 

The Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services listed on Appendix B.  The Committee must specifically approve all audit-related services not listed on Appendix B.

 

IV.          Tax Services

 

The Committee believes the independent auditors can provide tax services to the Funds, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, without compromising the auditors’ independence.  Therefore, the Committee may grant general pre-approval with respect to tax services historically provided by the Funds’ independent auditors that do not, in the Committee’s view, impair auditor independence and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Committee will not grant pre-approval if the independent auditors initially recommends a transaction the sole business purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.  The Committee may consult

 



 

outside counsel to determine that tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this Policy.

 

The Committee has pre-approved the tax-related services listed on Appendix C.  The Committee must specifically approve all tax-related services not listed on Appendix C.

 

V.            Other Services

 

The Committee believes it may grant approval of non-audit services that are permissible services for independent auditors to a Fund.  The Committee has determined to grant general pre-approval to other services that it believes are routine and recurring, do not impair auditor independence, and are consistent with SEC rules on auditor independence.

 

The Committee has pre-approved the non-audit services listed on Appendix D.  The Committee must specifically approve all non-audit services not listed on Appendix D.

 

A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached to this Policy as Appendix E.  The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these impermissible services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the SEC’s prohibitions.

 

VI.          Pre-approval of Fee levels and Budgeted Amounts

 

The Committee will annually establish pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for audit, audit-related, tax and non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditors.  Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts require the Committee’s specific pre-approval.  The Committee considers fees for audit and non-audit services when deciding whether to pre-approve services.  The Committee may determine, for a pre-approval period of 12 months, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for the Fund’s audit, audit-related, and tax services (including fees for services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services for the Fund classified as other services (including any such services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).

 

VII.         Procedures

 

Requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditors will be submitted to management.  If management determines that the services do not fall within those services generally pre-approved by the Committee and set out in the appendices to these procedures, management will submit the services to the Committee or its delagee.  Any such submission will include a detailed description of the services to be rendered.  Notwithstanding this paragraph, the Committee will, on a quarterly basis, receive from the independent auditors a list of services provided for the previous calendar quarter on a cumulative basis by the auditors during the Pre-Approval Period.

 



 

VIII.       Delegation

 

The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Committee’s members.  Any member or members to whom such pre-approval authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions, including any pre-approved services, to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting.  The Committee will identify any member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated in writing.  The member will retain such authority for a period of 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate.  The period of delegated authority may be terminated by the Committee or at the option of the member.

 

IX.          Additional Requirements

 

The Committee will take any measures the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to oversee the work of the independent auditors and to assure the auditors’ independence from the Funds.  This may include reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Funds, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the auditors their methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

Effective April 23, 2008, the KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) audit team for the ING Funds accepted the global responsibility for monitoring the auditor independence for KPMG relative to the ING Funds.  Using a proprietary system called Sentinel, the audit team is able to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest across the member firms of the KPMG International Network and prevent the provision of prohibited services to the ING entities that would impair KPMG independence with the respect to the ING Funds.  In addition to receiving pre-approval from the ING Funds Audit Committee for services provided to the ING Funds and for services for ING entities in the Investment Company Complex, the audit team has developed a process for periodic notification via email to the ING Funds’ Audit Committee Chairpersons regarding requests to provide services to ING Groep NV and its affiliates from KPMG offices worldwide.   Additionally, KPMG provides a quarterly summary of the fees for services that have commenced for ING Groep NV and Affiliates at each Audit Committee Meeting.

 



 

Last Approved:  November 21, 2013

 



 

Appendix A
Pre-Approved Audit Services for the Pre-Approval Period October 1, 2013through December 31, 2014

 

Service

 

The Fund(s)

 

Fee Range

 

Statutory audits or financial audits (including tax services associated with audit services)

 

 

As presented to Audit Committee(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters.

 

 

Not to exceed $9,750 per filing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies.

 

 

Not to exceed $8,000 during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seed capital audit and related review and issuance of consent on the N-2 registration statement

 

 

Not to exceed $13,750 per audit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit of summary portfolio of investments

 

 

Not to exceed $525 per fund

 

 


(1)                                 For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue.  Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling.

 



 

Appendix B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for the Pre-Approval Period October 1, 2013through December 31, 2014

 

Service

 

The Fund(s)

 

Fund Affiliates

 

Fee Range

Services related to Fund mergers (Excludes tax services — See Appendix C for tax services associated with Fund mergers)

 

 

 

Not to exceed $10,000 per merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. [Note: Under SEC rules some consultations may be “audit” services and others may be “audit-related” services.]

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review of the Funds’ semi-annual and quarterly financial statements

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $2,525 per set of financial statements per fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reports to regulatory or government agencies related to the annual engagement

 

 

 

 

Up to $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory compliance assistance

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,000 per quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Training courses

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,000 per course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Prime Rate Trust, agreed upon procedures for quarterly reports to rating agencies

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $9,450 per quarter

 



 

Appendix C
Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval Period October  1, 2013  through December 31, 2014

 

Service

 

The Fund(s)

 

Fund
Affiliates

 

Fee Range

Preparation of federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns for the Funds including assistance and review with excise tax distributions

 

 

 

 

As presented to Audit Committee(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review of IRC Sections 851(b) and 817(h) diversification testing on a real-time basis

 

 

 

 

As presented to Audit Committee(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistance and advice regarding year-end reporting for 1099’s

 

 

 

 

As presented to Audit Committee(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax assistance and advice regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,000 for the Funds or for the Funds’ investment adviser during the Pre-Approval Period

 


(2)                                 For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue.  Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling.

 



 

Service

 

The Fund(s)

 

Fund
Affiliates

 

Fee Range

Tax training courses

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,000 per course during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax services associated with Fund mergers

 

 

 

Not to exceed $4,000 per fund per merger during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other tax-related assistance and consultation, including, without limitation, assistance in evaluating derivative financial instruments and international tax issues, qualification and distribution issues, and similar routine tax consultations.

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $120,000 during the Pre-Approval Period

 



 

Appendix D
Pre-Approved Other Services for the Pre-Approval Period October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014

 

Service

 

The Fund(s)

 

Fund Affiliates

 

Fee Range

Agreed-upon procedures for Class B share 12b-1 programs

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $60,000 during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security counts performed pursuant to Rule 17f-2 of the 1940 Act (i.e., counts for Funds holding securities with affiliated sub-custodians)

 

Cost to be borne 50% by the Funds and 50% by ING Investments, LLC.

 

 

 

Not to exceed $5,300 per Fund during the Pre-Approval Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agreed upon procedures for 15 (c) FACT Books

 

 

 

 

Not to exceed $50,000 during the Pre-Approval Period

 



 

Appendix E

 

Prohibited Non-Audit Services
Dated: October 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014

 

·                  Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Funds

 

·                  Financial information systems design and implementation

 

·                  Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports

 

·                  Actuarial services

 

·                  Internal audit outsourcing services

 

·                  Management functions

 

·                  Human resources

 

·                  Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services

 

·                  Legal services

 

·                  Expert services unrelated to the audit

 

·                  Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

ING ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND

ING BALANCED PORTFOLIO, INC.

ING EMERGING MARKETS LOCAL BOND FUND

ING EMERING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND

ING EQUITY TRUST

ING FUNDS TRUST

ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND

ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND

ING GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

ING INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS, AND MATERIALS FUND

ING INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO

ING INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND

ING INVESTORS TRUST

ING MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

ING MUTUAL FUNDS

ING PARTNERS, INC.

ING PRIME RATE TRUST

ING RISK MANAGED NATURAL RESOURCES FUNDING INVESTORS TRUST

ING SENIOR INCOME FUND

ING SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST

ING SERIES FUND, INC.

ING SHORT DURATION HIGH INCOME FUND

ING STRATEGIC ALLOCATIONS PORTFOLIOS, INC.
ING VARIABLE FUNDS

ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

ING VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS INC,

ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST

 



 

(e) (2)                Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) — (4)(d) that were approved by the audit committee 

 

                                                100% of the services were approved by the audit committee.

 

(f)                                   Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of KPMG if greater than 50%.

 

Not applicable.

 

(g)                                  Non-Audit Fees:  The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to each Registrant by the independent registered public accounting firm for each Registrant’s fiscal years ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees billed to the investment adviser, or any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the registrant, by the independent registered public accounting firm for the same time periods.

 

Registrant/Investment Adviser

 

2014

 

2013

 

Voya Prime Rate Trust

 

$

12,264

 

$

18,356

 

Voya Investments, LLC (1)

 

$

345,500

 

$

461,250

 

 


(1) Each Registrant’s investment adviser and any of its affiliates, which are subsidiaries of Voya Financial, Inc.

 

(h)                                 Principal Accountants Independence:  The Registrant’s Audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence.

 

3



 

Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

a.                                      The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee.  The members are J. Michael Earley, Colleen D. Baldwin, Peter S. Drotch, Patrick W. Kenny, Joseph E. Obermeyer, and Roger B. Vincent.

 

b.                                      Not applicable.

 

Item 6.  Schedule of Investments

 

Schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment companies.

 



 

VOYA FAMILY OF FUNDS

 

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

 

Effective Date:  July 10, 2003

Revision Date:  May 1, 2014

 



 

Table of Contents

 

I.

Introduction

1

II.

Compliance Committee

1

III.

Delegation of Voting Authority

1

IV.

Approval and Review of Procedures

3

V.

Voting Procedures and Guidelines

3

VI.

Conflicts of Interest

7

VII.

Reporting and Record Retention

8

EXHIBIT 1 — List of Voya funds

9

EXHIBIT 2 — Proxy Voting Procedures of the Advisers

10

I.

Introduction

10

II.

Roles and Responsibilities

10

III.

Voting Procedures

14

IV.

Assessment of the Agent and Conflicts of Interest

15

V.

Reporting and Record Retention

17

APPENDIX 1 — Proxy Group

18

EXHIBIT 3 — Proxy Voting Guidelines of the Voya funds

19

I.

Introduction

19

II.

Guidelines

19

General Policies

19

1.

The Board of Directors

20

2.

Proxy Contests

28

3.

Auditors

28

4.

Proxy Contest Defenses

28

5.

Tender Offer Defenses

29

6.

Miscellaneous

31

7.

Capital Structure

33

8.

Executive and Director Compensation

35

9.

State of Incorporation

39

10.

Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

40

11.

Mutual Fund Proxies

40

12.

Social and Environmental Issues

41

13.

Global Proxies

42

 

i



 

I.                                        Introduction

 

The following are the Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines (the “Procedures and Guidelines”) of the Voya family of funds set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto and each portfolio or series thereof, except for any “Sub-Adviser-Voted Series” identified on Exhibit 1 and further described in Section III. below (each non-Sub-Adviser-Voted Series hereinafter referred to as a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).  The purpose of these Procedures and Guidelines is to set forth the process by which each Fund subject to these Procedures and Guidelines will vote proxies related to the equity assets in its investment portfolio (the “portfolio securities”).  The term “proxies” as used herein shall include votes in connection with annual and special meetings of equity stockholders but not those regarding bankruptcy matters and/or related plans of reorganization.  The Procedures and Guidelines have been approved by the Funds’ Boards of Trustees/Directors(1) (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”), including a majority of the independent Trustees/Directors(2) of the Boards.  These Procedures and Guidelines may be amended only by the Boards.  The Boards shall review these Procedures and Guidelines at their discretion, and make any revisions thereto as deemed appropriate by the Boards.

 

II.                                   Compliance Committee

 

The Boards hereby delegate to the Compliance Committee of each Board (each a “Committee” and collectively, the “Committees”) the authority and responsibility to oversee the implementation of these Procedures and Guidelines and, where applicable, to make determinations on behalf of a Board with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of each Fund.  Furthermore, the Boards hereby delegate to each Committee the authority to review and approve material changes to proxy voting procedures of any Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”).  The Proxy Voting Procedures of the Adviser (the “Adviser Procedures”) are attached hereto as Exhibit 2.  Any determination regarding the voting of proxies of each Fund that is made by a Committee, or any member thereof, as permitted herein, shall be deemed to be a good faith determination regarding the voting of proxies by the full Board.  Each Committee may rely on the Adviser through the Proxy Coordinator, Agent, and/or Proxy Group (as such terms are defined in the Adviser Procedures (Exhibit 2, Sections II.A., B., and C., respectively)) to deal in the first instance with the application of these Procedures and Guidelines.  Each Committee shall conduct itself in accordance with its charter.

 

III.                              Delegation of Voting Authority

 

Except as otherwise provided for herein, the Boards hereby delegate to the Adviser to each Fund the authority and responsibility to vote all proxies with respect to all portfolio securities of the

 


(1)         Reference in these Procedures to one or more Funds shall, as applicable, mean those Funds that are under the jurisdiction of the particular Board or Compliance Committee at issue.  No provision in these Procedures is intended to impose any duty upon the particular Board or Compliance Committee with respect to any other Fund.

 

(2)         The independent Trustees/Directors are those Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

1



 

Fund in accordance with the current proxy voting procedures and guidelines that have been approved by the Board.  The Boards may revoke such delegation with respect to any proxy or proposal, and assume the responsibility of voting any Fund proxy or proxies as they deem appropriate.  Non-material amendments to the Procedures and Guidelines may be approved for immediate implementation by the President or Chief Financial Officer of a Fund, subject to ratification at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Compliance Committee.

 

A Board may elect to delegate the voting of proxies to the Sub-Adviser of a portfolio or series of the Voya funds.  In so doing, the Board shall also approve the Sub-Adviser’s proxy policies for implementation on behalf of such portfolio or series (a “Sub-Adviser-Voted Series”).  Sub-Adviser-Voted Series shall not be covered under these Procedures and Guidelines, except as described in Section VII.A. below with respect to vote reporting requirements, but rather shall be covered by such Sub-Adviser’s proxy policies, provided that the Board, including a majority of the independent Trustees/Directors(3), has approved them on behalf of such Sub-Adviser-Voted Series, and ratifies any subsequent changes at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Compliance Committee and the Board.

 

 

When a Fund participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at record date, proxies related to such securities will not be forwarded to the Adviser by the Fund’s custodian and therefore will not be voted.  However, the Adviser shall use best efforts to recall or restrict specific securities from loan for the purpose of facilitating a “material” vote as described in the Adviser Procedures.

 

Funds that are “Funds-of-Funds” will “echo” vote their interests in underlying mutual funds, which may include mutual funds other than the Voya funds (or portfolios or series thereof) set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.  This means that, if the Fund-of-Funds must vote on a proposal with respect to an underlying investment company, the Fund-of-Funds will vote its interest in that underlying fund in the same proportion all other shareholders in the underlying investment company voted their interests.

 

However, if the underlying fund has no other shareholders, the Fund-of-Funds will vote as follows:

 

A.                                    If the Fund-of-Funds and the underlying fund are being solicited to vote on the same proposal (e.g., the election of fund directors/trustees), the Fund-of-Funds will vote the shares it holds in the underlying fund in the same proportion as all votes received from the holders of the Fund-of-Funds’ shares with respect to that proposal; and

 

B.                                    If the Fund-of-Funds is being solicited to vote on a proposal for an underlying fund (e.g., a new Sub-Adviser to the underlying fund), and there is no corresponding proposal at the Fund-of-Funds level, the Board shall determine the most appropriate method of voting with respect to the underlying fund proposal.

 


(3)         The independent Trustees/Directors are those Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

2



 

The foregoing procedure shall also apply to any Voya fund (an “Investing Fund”) that, while not a Fund-of-Funds, invests in one or more underlying funds.  Accordingly:

 

A.                                    Each Investing Fund will “echo” vote its interests in an underlying fund, if the underlying fund has shareholders other than the Investing Fund;

 

B.                                    In the event an underlying fund has no other shareholders, and the Investing Fund and the underlying fund are being solicited to vote on the same proposal, the Investing Fund will vote its interests in the underlying fund in the same proportion as all votes received from the holders of its own shares on that proposal; and

 

C.                                    In the event an underlying fund has no other shareholders, and there is no corresponding proposal at the Investing Fund level, the Board shall determine the most appropriate method of voting with respect to the underlying fund proposal.

 

A fund that is a “Feeder Fund” in a master-feeder structure does not echo vote.  Rather, it passes votes requested by the underlying master fund to its shareholders.  This means that, if the Feeder Fund is solicited by the master fund, it will request instructions from its own shareholders, either directly or, in the case of an insurance-dedicated Fund, through an insurance product or retirement plan, as to the manner in which to vote its interest in an underlying master fund.

 

When a Voya fund is a feeder in a master-feeder structure, proxies for the portfolio securities owned by the master fund will be voted pursuant to the master fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures.  As such, except as described in Section VII.A. below with respect to vote reporting requirements, Feeder Funds shall not be subject to these Procedures and Guidelines.

 

IV.                               Approval and Review of Procedures

 

Each Fund’s Adviser has adopted proxy voting procedures in connection with the voting of portfolio securities for the Funds as attached hereto in Exhibit 2.  The Boards hereby approve such procedures.  All material changes to the Adviser Procedures must be approved by the Boards or the Compliance Committees prior to implementation; however, the President or Chief Financial Officer of a Fund may make such non-material changes as he/she deems appropriate, subject to ratification by the Boards or the Compliance Committees at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

V.                                    Voting Procedures and Guidelines

 

The Guidelines that are set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto specify the manner in which the Funds generally will vote with respect to the proposals discussed therein.

 

Unless otherwise noted, the defined terms used hereinafter shall have the same meaning as defined in the Adviser Procedures (Exhibit 2).

 

A.            Routine Matters

 

The Agent shall be instructed to submit a vote in accordance with the Guidelines where such Guidelines provide a clear policy (e.g., “For,” “Against,” “Withhold,” or “Abstain”)

 

3



 

on a proposal.  However, the Agent shall be directed to refer any proxy proposal to the Proxy Coordinator for instructions as if it were a matter requiring case-by-case consideration under circumstances where the application of the Guidelines is unclear, it appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or an Investment Professional (as such term is defined in the Adviser Procedures (Exhibit 2, Section II.D.)) recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines.

 

B.            Matters Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration

 

The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator where the Guidelines have noted “case-by-case” consideration.

 

Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent, the Proxy Coordinator may solicit additional research from the Agent, Investment Professional(s), as well as from any other source or service.

 

Except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation, the Proxy Coordinator will forward the Agent’s analysis and recommendation and/or any research obtained from the Investment Professional(s), the Agent, or any other source to the Proxy Group.  The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent and/or Investment Professional(s), as it deems necessary.

 

In the event a Proxy Group member believes he/she has a potential conflict of interest that may preclude him/her from making a vote determination in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the applicable Fund, such Proxy Group member shall so advise the Proxy Coordinator.  The Proxy Group member may elect to recuse himself/herself from consideration of the relevant proxy or ask the Proxy Coordinator to solicit the opinion of Counsel (as such term is defined in the Adviser Procedures (Exhibit 2, Section IV.A.) on the matter, recusing himself/herself only in the event Counsel determines that a material conflict of interest (as such term is defined in Section V.B.3. below) exists with respect to the Proxy Group member.  If recusal, whether voluntary or pursuant to a finding of Counsel, does not occur prior to the member’s participation in any Proxy Group discussion of the relevant proxy, any Out-of-Guidelines Vote determination shall be subject to the Compliance Committee referral process described in Section V.B.3. below.

 

The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration.  In the event quorum requirements cannot be timely met in connection with a voting deadline, it shall be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation, unless the Agent’s recommendation is deemed to be materially conflicted as provided for under the Adviser Procedures, in which case no action shall be taken on such matter (i.e., a “Non-Vote”).

 

1.     Within-Guidelines Votes:  Votes in Accordance with a Fund’s Guidelines and/or, where applicable, Agent Recommendation

 

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In the event the Proxy Group and, where applicable, any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, recommend a vote Within Guidelines, the Proxy Group will instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, to vote in this manner, except that the Proxy Coordinator may first consult with a Fund’s Compliance Committee as described in Section V.B.5. below.  Except as provided for herein, no Conflicts Report (as such term is defined in the Adviser Procedures (Exhibit 2, Section IV.B.)) is required in connection with Within-Guidelines Votes.

 

2.     Non-Votes:  Votes in Which No Action is Taken

 

The Proxy Group may recommend that a Fund refrain from voting under circumstances including, but not limited to, the following:  (1) if the economic effect on shareholders’ interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with fractional shares, securities no longer held in the portfolio of a Voya fund or proxies being considered on behalf of a Fund that is no longer in existence; or (2) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security.  In such instances, the Proxy Group may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, not to vote such proxy.  The Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions on parameters that would dictate a Non-Vote without the Proxy Group’s review of a specific proxy.

 

Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the Funds, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders’ rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a Fund’s related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.

 

Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent’s recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as described in Sections V.B. above and V.B.4. below.

 

3.     Out-of-Guidelines Votes:  Votes Contrary to Procedures and Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation; where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent; or Where Agent’s Recommendation is Conflicted

 

If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable; if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures and Guidelines are silent; or the Agent’s recommendation on a matter is deemed to be materially conflicted as provided for under the Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator will then request that all members of the Proxy Group participating in the voting process and each Investment Professional participating in the voting process complete a Conflicts Report.

 

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As provided for in the Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator shall be responsible for identifying to Counsel potential conflicts of interest with respect to the Agent, the Advisers, the Funds’ principal underwriters (“Underwriters”), or an affiliated person (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Funds, their investment advisers, or principal underwriters (hereinafter, “Affiliate”).  Such potential conflicts of interest are identified by the Proxy Coordinator based upon information periodically provided by the Agent; analyses of client, distributor, broker-dealer, and vendor lists; and information derived from other sources, including public filings.  The Proxy Coordinator gathers and analyzes this information on a best efforts basis, as much of this information is provided directly by individuals and groups other than the Proxy Coordinator, and the Advisers rely upon the accuracy of the information received from such parties.  Such potential conflicts of interest shall be documented as deemed appropriate by Counsel, e.g., on a consolidated basis rather than individual Conflicts Reports.  Upon Counsel’s finding that a conflict of interest exists that could unduly influence vote recommendation(s) (a “material conflict of interest”) with respect to the Agent, the Advisers, Underwriters, or Affiliates, the participating members of the Proxy Group shall not be required to complete a Conflicts Report in connection with the relevant proxy.

 

If Counsel determines that a material conflict of interest appears to exist with respect to the Agent, the Advisers, Underwriters, or Affiliates, any participating member of the Proxy Group, or any participating Investment Professional(s), the Proxy Coordinator will then contact the Compliance Committee(s), generally through the Committee Chair, and forward all information relevant to the Committee’s review, including the following materials or a summary thereof:  the applicable Procedures and Guidelines; the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable; the recommendation of the Investment Professional(s), where applicable; any resources used by the Proxy Group in arriving at its recommendation; the Conflicts Report and/or any other written materials establishing whether a conflict of interest exists; and findings of Counsel).

 

If Counsel determines that there does not appear to be a material conflict of interest with respect to the Agent, the Advisers, Underwriters, Affiliates, any participating member of the Proxy Group, or any participating Investment Professional(s), the Proxy Coordinator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group.

 

A vote that is contrary to the Agent’s recommendation, but is based on input from an Investment Professional provided in connection with a Guideline requiring case-by-case review while specifying that primary consideration will be given to such input, shall be not be deemed an Out-of-Guidelines Vote if the Investment Professional completes and returns a Conflicts Report and Counsel determines that no material conflict of interest appears to be present.  The Proxy Group members shall not be required to complete a Conflicts Report in connection with such votes.

 

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4.     Referrals to a Fund’s Compliance Committee

 

A Fund’s Compliance Committee may consider all recommendations, analysis, research and Conflicts Reports provided to it by the Proxy Coordinator, Agent, Proxy Group, and/or Investment Professional(s), and any other written materials used to establish whether a conflict of interest exists, in determining how to vote the proxies referred to the Committee.  The Committee, generally through the Committee Chair, will instruct the Proxy Coordinator how such referred proposals should be voted.

 

The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to timely refer matters to a Fund’s Committee for its consideration.  In the event any such matter cannot be timely referred to or considered by the Committee, it shall be the policy of the Funds, except as noted below, to vote Within Guidelines, except that Counsel may permit the Proxy Group to abstain from voting any proposal(s) subject to the material conflict, provided such abstention does not have the same effect as an “against” vote and therefore has no effect on the outcome of the vote.  If the Agent’s recommendation is deemed by Counsel to be materially conflicted on a matter, no action shall be taken on such matter, either by abstaining from voting any proposal(s) subject to the material conflict or not voting the entire proxy (i.e., a “Non-Vote”), as deemed appropriate by Counsel with respect to the nature of the Agent’s material conflict.

 

The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred to a Fund’s Committee, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports, and vote determinations.

 

5.     Consultation with a Fund’s Compliance Committee

 

The Proxy Coordinator may consult with the Chair of a Fund’s Compliance Committee for guidance on behalf of the Committee if application of the Procedures and Guidelines is unclear or in connection with any unusual or controversial issue or a recommendation received from an Investment Professional.  The Chair may consider all recommendations, analysis, research, or Conflicts Reports provided by the Agent, Proxy Group, and/or Investment Professional(s).  The Chair may provide guidance or direct the Proxy Coordinator to refer the proposal(s) to the full Compliance Committee.  The guidance of the Chair, or the Committee, as applicable, shall be given primary consideration by the Proxy Group in making a vote determination.

 

The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred to the Chair or Committee for guidance, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports and vote determinations.

 

VI.                               Conflicts of Interest

 

In all cases in which a vote has not been clearly determined in advance by the Procedures and Guidelines or for which the Proxy Group recommends an Out-of-Guidelines Vote, and Counsel

 

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has determined that a material conflict of interest appears to exist with respect to the Agent, the Advisers, Underwriters, Affiliates, any participating member of the Proxy Group, or any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, the proposal shall be referred to the Fund’s Committee for determination so that the Adviser shall have no opportunity to exercise voting discretion over a Fund’s proxy in a situation in which the Adviser or its Underwriters or Affiliates or the Agent may be deemed to have a conflict of interest.  In the event a member of a Fund’s Committee believes he/she has a conflict of interest that would preclude him/her from making a vote determination in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the applicable Fund, such Committee member shall so advise the Committee Chair and recuse himself/herself with respect to determinations regarding the relevant proxy.

 

VII.                          Reporting and Record Retention

 

A.            Reporting by the Funds

 

Annually in August, each Fund and each Sub-Adviser-Voted Series will post its proxy voting record, or a link thereto, for the prior one-year period ending on June 30th on the Voya funds’ website.  The proxy voting record for each Fund and each Sub-Adviser-Voted Series will also be available on Form N-PX in the EDGAR database on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  For any Voya fund that is a feeder in a master/feeder structure, no proxy voting record related to the portfolio securities owned by the master fund will be posted on the Voya funds’ website or included in the Fund’s Form N-PX; however, a cross-reference to the master fund’s proxy voting record as filed in the SEC’s EDGAR database will be included in the Fund’s Form N-PX and posted on the Voya funds’ website.  If any Feeder Fund was solicited for vote by its underlying master fund during the reporting period, a record of the votes cast by means of the pass-through process described in Section III. above will be included on the Voya funds’ website and in the Feeder Fund’s Form N-PX.

 

B.            Reporting to a Fund’s Compliance Committee

 

At each regularly scheduled meeting, the Committee will receive a report from the Proxy Coordinator indicating each proxy proposal, or a summary of such proposals, that was (1) voted Out-of-Guidelines, including any proposals voted Out-of-Guidelines pursuant to special circumstances raised by an Investment Professional; (2) voted Within Guidelines in cases in which an Investment Professional’s recommendation was not adopted by the Proxy Group; or (3) referred to the Committee for determination in accordance with Section V. hereof.  Such report shall indicate the name of the issuer, the substance of the proposal, a summary of the Investment Professional’s recommendation, where applicable, and the reasons for voting, or recommending, an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or, in the case of (2) above, a Within-Guidelines Vote.

 

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EXHIBIT 1 — List of Voya funds

 

VOYA ASIA PACIFIC HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND

VOYA BALANCED PORTFOLIO, INC.

VOYA EMERGING MARKETS HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY FUND

VOYA EQUITY TRUST

VOYA FUNDS TRUST

VOYA GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND

VOYA GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND

VOYA INFRASTRUCTURE, INDUSTRIALS AND MATERIALS FUND

VOYA INTERMEDIATE BOND PORTFOLIO

VOYA INTERNATIONAL HIGH DIVIDEND EQUITY INCOME FUND

VOYA INVESTORS TRUST(4)

VOYA MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

VOYA MUTUAL FUNDS

VOYA PARTNERS, INC.

VOYA PRIME RATE TRUST

VOYA NATURAL RESOURCES EQUITY INCOME FUND

VOYA SENIOR INCOME FUND

VOYA SEPARATE PORTFOLIOS TRUST

VOYA SERIES FUND, INC.

VOYA STRATEGIC ALLOCATION PORTFOLIOS, INC.

VOYA VARIABLE FUNDS

VOYA VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

VOYA VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.

VOYA VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST

 


(4)   Sub-Adviser-Voted Series:  VY Franklin Mutual Shares Portfolio

 

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EXHIBIT 2 — Proxy Voting Procedures of the Advisers

 

Voya Investments, LLC

and

Directed Services LLC

 

I.                                        Introduction

 

Voya Investments, LLC and Directed Services LLC (each an “Adviser” and collectively, the “Advisers”) are the investment advisers for the registered investment companies and each series or portfolio thereof (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) comprising the Voya family of funds.  As such, the Advisers have been delegated the authority to vote proxies with respect to securities for certain Funds over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility.

 

The Advisers will abide by the proxy voting guidelines adopted by a Fund’s respective Board of Directors or Trustees (each a “Board” and collectively, the “Boards”) with regard to the voting of proxies unless otherwise provided in the proxy voting procedures adopted by a Fund’s Board.

 

In voting proxies, the Advisers are guided by general fiduciary principles.  Each must act prudently, solely in the interest of the beneficial owners of the Funds it manages.  The Advisers will not subordinate the interest of beneficial owners to unrelated objectives.  Each Adviser will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will do the most to maximize shareholder value.

 

The following are the Proxy Voting Procedures of Voya Investments, LLC and Directed Services LLC (the “Adviser Procedures”) with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of their client Funds as approved by the respective Board of each Fund.

 

Unless otherwise noted, best efforts shall be used to vote proxies in all instances.

 

II.                                   Roles and Responsibilities

 

A.                                    Proxy Coordinator

 

The Proxy Coordinator identified in Appendix 1 will assist in the coordination of the voting of each Fund’s proxies in accordance with the Voya family of funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines (the “Procedures” or “Guidelines” and collectively, the “Procedures and Guidelines”).  The Proxy Coordinator is authorized to direct the Agent to vote a Fund’s proxy in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines unless the Proxy Coordinator receives a recommendation from an Investment Professional (as described below) to vote contrary to the Guidelines.  In such event, and in connection with proxy proposals requiring case-by-case consideration (except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation), the Proxy Coordinator will call a meeting of the Proxy Group (as described below).

 

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Responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Coordinator, or activities in support thereof, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group or employees of the Advisers’ Affiliates as are deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group.

 

Unless specified otherwise, information provided to the Proxy Coordinator in connection with duties of the parties described herein shall be deemed delivered to the Advisers.

 

B.                                    Agent

 

An independent proxy voting service (the “Agent”), as approved by the Board of each Fund, shall be engaged to assist in the voting of Fund proxies for publicly traded securities through the provision of vote analysis, implementation, recordkeeping, and disclosure services.  The Agent is Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a subsidiary of MSCI Inc.  The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the Funds’ custodians to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion.  To the extent applicable, the Agent is required to vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with these Adviser Procedures.  The Agent will retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent.  Such record must reflect all the information required to be disclosed in a Fund’s Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act.  In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to the Adviser upon request.

 

The Agent shall be instructed to vote all proxies in accordance with a Fund’s Guidelines, except as otherwise instructed through the Proxy Coordinator by the Advisers’ Proxy Group or a Fund’s Compliance Committee (“Committee”).

 

The Agent shall be instructed to obtain all proxies from the Funds’ custodians and to review each proxy proposal against the Guidelines.  The Agent also shall be requested to call the Proxy Coordinator’s attention to specific proxy proposals that although governed by the Guidelines appear to involve unusual or controversial issues.

 

Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services voting to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein.  Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no material conflict of interest has been identified.

 

C.                                    Proxy Group

 

The Adviser shall establish a Proxy Group (the “Group” or “Proxy Group”) which shall assist in the review of the Agent’s recommendations when a proxy voting issue is referred to the Group through the Proxy Coordinator.  The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers’ Affiliates, are identified in Appendix 1, as may be amended from time at the Advisers’ discretion.

 

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A minimum of four (4) members of the Proxy Group (or three (3) if one member of the quorum is either the Fund’s Chief Investment Risk Officer or Chief Financial Officer) shall constitute a quorum for purposes of taking action at any meeting of the Group.  The vote of a simple majority of the members present and voting shall determine any matter submitted to a vote, except that tie votes shall be resolved by securing the vote of members not present at the meeting; provided, however, that the Proxy Coordinator shall ensure compliance with all applicable voting and conflict of interest procedures and shall use best efforts to secure votes from as many absent members as may reasonably be accomplished and to provide such members with a substantially similar level of relevant information as that provided at the in-person meeting.  In the event a tie vote cannot be timely resolved in this manner in connection with a voting deadline, or in the event that the vote remains a tie, the Proxy Coordinator shall follow the procedures established by a Fund’s Board for resolving a material conflict of interest.  In the event a tie vote cannot be timely resolved in this manner, the Proxy Coordinator shall follow the procedures established by a Fund’s Board to address a failure to timely meet quorum requirements.  A member of the Proxy Group may abstain from voting on any given matter, provided that the member does not participate in the Proxy Group discussion(s) in connection with the vote determination.  If abstention results in the loss of quorum, the process for resolving tie votes shall be observed.

 

The Proxy Group may meet in person or by telephone.  The Proxy Group also may take action via electronic mail in lieu of a meeting, provided that each Group member has received a copy of any relevant electronic mail transmissions circulated by each other participating Group member prior to voting and provided that the Proxy Coordinator follows the directions of a majority of a quorum (as defined above) responding via electronic mail.  For all votes taken in person or by telephone or teleconference, the vote shall be taken outside the presence of any person other than the members of the Proxy Group and such other persons whose attendance may be deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group from time to time in furtherance of its duties or the day-to-day administration of the Funds.  In its discretion, the Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to perform responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Group, or activities in support thereof, on its behalf, provided that such instructions do not contravene any requirements of these Adviser Procedures or a Fund’s Procedures and Guidelines.

 

A meeting of the Proxy Group will be held whenever (1) the Proxy Coordinator receives a recommendation from an Investment Professional to vote a Fund’s proxy contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, (2) the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures and Guidelines are silent, or (3) a matter requires case-by-case consideration, including those in which the Agent’s recommendation is deemed to be materially conflicted as provided for herein, provided that, if the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation and no issue of conflict must be considered, the Proxy Coordinator may implement the instructions without calling a meeting of the Proxy Group.

 

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For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, it will review (1) the relevant Procedures and Guidelines, (2) the recommendation of the Agent, if any, (3) the recommendation of the Investment Professional(s), if any, and (4) any other resources that any member of the Proxy Group deems appropriate to aid in a determination of a recommendation.

 

If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, it shall instruct the Proxy Coordinator to so advise the Agent, except that the Proxy Coordinator shall follow any procedures established by a Fund’s Board with respect to recommendations received from an Investment Professional.

 

If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, or if the Agent’s recommendation on a matter is deemed to be materially conflicted as provided for herein, it shall follow the procedures for such voting as established by a Fund’s Board.  The Proxy Group may vote contrary to the Guidelines based on a recommendation from an Investment Professional, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process established by a Fund’s Board.

 

The Proxy Coordinator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration.  In the event quorum requirements cannot be timely met in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Coordinator shall follow the procedures for such voting as established by a Fund’s Board.

 

D.                                    Investment Professionals

 

The Funds’ Sub-Advisers and/or portfolio managers (each referred to herein as an “Investment Professional” and collectively, “Investment Professionals”) may submit, or be asked to submit, a recommendation to the Proxy Group regarding the voting of proxies related to the portfolio securities over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility.  The Investment Professionals may accompany their recommendation with any other research materials that they deem appropriate or with a request that the vote be deemed “material” in the context of the portfolio(s) they manage, such that lending activity on behalf of such portfolio(s) with respect to the relevant security should be reviewed by the Proxy Group and considered for recall and/or restriction.  Input from the relevant Investment Professionals shall be given primary consideration in the Proxy Group’s determination of whether a given proxy vote is to be deemed material and the associated security accordingly restricted from lending.  The determination that a vote is material in the context of a Fund’s portfolio shall not mean that such vote is considered material across all Funds voting that meeting.  In order to recall or restrict shares timely for material voting purposes, the Proxy Group shall use best efforts to consider, and when deemed appropriate, to act upon, such requests timely.  Requests to review lending activity in connection with a potentially material vote may be initiated by any relevant Investment Professional and submitted for the Proxy Group’s consideration at any time.

 

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III.                              Voting Procedures

 

A.                                    In all cases, the Adviser shall follow the voting procedures as set forth in the Procedures and Guidelines of the Fund on whose behalf the Adviser is exercising delegated authority to vote.

 

B.                                    Routine Matters

 

The Agent shall be instructed to submit a vote in accordance with the Guidelines where such Guidelines provide a clear policy (e.g., “For,” “Against,” “Withhold,” or “Abstain”) on a proposal.  However, the Agent shall be directed to refer any proxy proposal to the Proxy Coordinator for instructions as if it were a matter requiring case-by-case consideration under circumstances where the application of the Guidelines is unclear, it appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or an Investment Professional recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines.

 

C.                                    Matters Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration

 

The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator where the Guidelines have noted “case-by-case” consideration.

 

Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent, the Proxy Coordinator may solicit additional research from the Agent, Investment Professional(s), as well as from any other source or service.

 

Except in cases in which the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation, the Proxy Coordinator will forward the Agent’s analysis and recommendation and/or any research obtained from the Investment Professional(s), the Agent, or any other source to the Proxy Group.  The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent and/or Investment Professional(s), as it deems necessary.

 

1.              Within-Guidelines Votes:  Votes in Accordance with a Fund’s Guidelines and/or, where applicable, Agent Recommendation

 

In the event the Proxy Group and, where applicable, any Investment Professional participating in the voting process, recommend a vote Within Guidelines, the Proxy Group will instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, to vote in this manner, except that the Proxy Coordinator shall follow any procedures established by a Fund’s Board with respect to recommendations received from an Investment Professional.  Except as provided for herein, no Conflicts Report (as such term is defined herein) is required in connection with Within-Guidelines Votes.

 

2.              Non-Votes:  Votes in Which No Action is Taken

 

The Proxy Group may recommend that a Fund refrain from voting under circumstances including, but not limited to, the following:  (1) if the economic effect on shareholders’ interests or the value of the portfolio holding is

 

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indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with fractional shares, securities no longer held in the portfolio of a Voya fund or proxies being considered on behalf of a Fund that is no longer in existence; or (2) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security.  In such instances, the Proxy Group may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Coordinator, not to vote such proxy.  The Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions on parameters that would dictate a Non-Vote without the Proxy Group’s review of a specific proxy.

 

Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the Funds, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders’ rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a Fund’s related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.

 

Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent’s recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for in the Funds’ Procedures.

 

3.              Out-of-Guidelines Votes:  Votes Contrary to Procedures and Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable; Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent; or Where Agent’s Recommendation is Conflicted

 

If the Proxy Group or, where applicable, an Investment Professional, recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable; if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures and Guidelines are silent; or the Agent’s recommendation on a matter is deemed to be materially conflicted as provided for under these Adviser Procedures, the Proxy Coordinator will then implement the procedures for handling such votes as adopted by the Fund’s Board.

 

The Proxy Coordinator will maintain a record of all recommendations from Investment Professionals to vote contrary to the Guidelines, all proxy questions that have been referred to a Fund’s Compliance Committee, and all applicable recommendations, analysis, research, Conflicts Reports, and vote determinations.

 

IV.                               Assessment of the Agent and Conflicts of Interest

 

In furtherance of the Advisers’ fiduciary duty to the Funds and their beneficial owners, the Advisers shall establish the following:

 

A.                                   Assessment of the Agent

 

The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (1) is independent from the Advisers, (2) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (3) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Funds and their beneficial owners.  The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the

 

15



 

Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy service.  The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agent’s independence, competence, or impartiality.

 

Information provided in connection with assessment of the Agent shall be forwarded to a member of the mutual funds practice group of Voya Investment Management (“Counsel”) for review.  Counsel shall review such information and advise the Proxy Coordinator as to whether a material concern exists and if so, determine the most appropriate course of action to eliminate such concern.

 

B.                                    Conflicts of Interest

 

The Advisers shall establish and maintain procedures to identify and address potential conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent.  Upon the Advisers’ request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agent’s proxy analysis or recommendation(s).  The Proxy Coordinator shall forward all such information to Counsel for review.  Counsel shall review such information and provide the Proxy Coordinator with a brief statement regarding whether or not a material conflict of interest is present.  Matters as to which a material conflict of interest is deemed to be present shall be handled as provided in the Fund’s Procedures and Guidelines.

 

In connection with their participation in the voting process for portfolio securities, each member of the Proxy Group, and each Investment Professional participating in the voting process, must act solely in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the applicable Fund.  The members of the Proxy Group may not subordinate the interests of the Fund’s beneficial owners to unrelated objectives, including taking steps to reasonably insulate the voting process from any conflict of interest that may exist in connection with the Agent’s services or utilization thereof.

 

For all matters for which the Proxy Group or, where applicable, an Investment Professional, recommends an Out-of-Guidelines Vote, or for which a recommendation contrary to that of the Guidelines or, where applicable, the Agent, has been received from an Investment Professional, the Proxy Coordinator will implement the procedures for handling such votes as adopted by the Fund’s Board, including completion of such Conflicts Reports as may be required under the Fund’s Procedures.  Completed Conflicts Reports should be provided to the Proxy Coordinator within two (2) business days and may be submitted to the Proxy Coordinator verbally, provided the Proxy Coordinator documents the Conflicts Report in writing.  Such Conflicts Report should describe any known relationships of either a business or personal nature not previously assessed by Counsel, which may include communications with respect to the referral item, but

 

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excluding routine communications with or submitted to the Proxy Coordinator or Investment Professional(s) on behalf of the subject company or a proponent of a shareholder proposal.  The Conflicts Report should also include written confirmation that any recommendation from an Investment Professional provided in connection with an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other consideration.

 

The Proxy Coordinator shall forward all Conflicts Reports to Counsel for review.  Counsel shall review each report and provide the Proxy Coordinator with a brief statement regarding whether or not a material conflict of interest is present.  Matters as to which a material conflict of interest is deemed to be present shall be handled as provided in the Fund’s Procedures and Guidelines.

 

V.                                    Reporting and Record Retention

 

The Adviser shall maintain the records required by Rule 204-2(c)(2), as may be amended from time to time, including the following: (1) A copy of each proxy statement received regarding a Fund’s portfolio securities.  Such proxy statements received from issuers are available either in the SEC’s EDGAR database or are kept by the Agent and are available upon request. (2) A record of each vote cast on behalf of a Fund. (3) A copy of any document created by the Adviser that was material to making a decision how to vote a proxy, or that memorializes the basis for that decision. (4) A copy of written requests for Fund proxy voting information and any written response thereto or to any oral request for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of a Fund.  All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation will be retained for a minimum of six (6) years, the first two (2) years in the Advisers’ office.

 

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APPENDIX 1 — Proxy Group

 

Name

 

Title or Affiliation

Stanley D. Vyner

 

Chief Investment Risk Officer and Executive Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC

 

 

 

Todd Modic

 

Senior Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC and Voya Investments, LLC; and Chief Financial Officer of the Voya Family of Funds

 

 

 

Maria Anderson

 

Vice President, Fund Compliance, Voya Funds Services, LLC

 

 

 

Sara Donaldson

 

Proxy Coordinator for the Voya Family of Funds and Vice President, Proxy Voting, Voya Funds Services, LLC

 

 

 

Julius A. Drelick III, CFA

 

Senior Vice President, Head of Fund Compliance, Voya Funds Services, LLC

 

 

 

Harley Eisner

 

Vice President, Financial Analysis, Voya Funds Services, LLC

 

 

 

Evan Posner, Esq.

 

Vice President and Counsel, Voya Family of Funds

 

Effective as of May 1, 2014

 

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EXHIBIT 3 — Proxy Voting Guidelines of the Voya funds

 

I.                                        Introduction

 

The following is a statement of the Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Guidelines”) that have been adopted by the respective Boards of Directors or Trustees of each Fund.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, any defined term used herein shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Funds’ and Advisers’ Proxy Voting Procedures (the “Procedures”).

 

Proxies must be voted in the best interest of the Fund(s).  The Guidelines summarize the Funds’ positions on various issues of concern to investors, and give a general indication of how Fund portfolio securities will be voted on proposals dealing with particular issues.  The Guidelines are not exhaustive and do not include all potential voting issues.

 

The Advisers, in exercising their delegated authority, will abide by the Guidelines as outlined below with regard to the voting of proxies except as otherwise provided in the Procedures.  In voting proxies, the Advisers are guided by general fiduciary principles.  Each must act prudently, solely in the interest of the beneficial owners of the Funds it manages.  The Advisers will not subordinate the interest of beneficial owners to unrelated objectives.  Each Adviser will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will do the most to maximize shareholder value.

 

II.                                   Guidelines

 

The following Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders of U.S. issuers:  Board of Directors, Proxy Contests, Auditors, Proxy Contest Defenses, Tender Offer Defenses, Miscellaneous, Capital Structure, Executive and Director Compensation, State of Incorporation, Mergers and Corporate Restructurings, Mutual Fund Proxies, and Social and Environmental Issues.  An additional section addresses proposals most frequently found in global proxies.

 

General Policies

 

These Guidelines apply to securities of publicly traded companies and to those of privately held companies if publicly available disclosure permits such application.  All matters for which such disclosure is not available shall be considered CASE-BY-CASE.

 

In all cases receiving CASE-BY-CASE consideration, including cases not specifically provided for under these Guidelines, unless otherwise determined in accordance with the Procedures or otherwise provided for under these Guidelines, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the recommendation provided by the Funds’ Agent, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a subsidiary of MSCI Inc.

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendation when such recommendation aligns with the recommendation of the relevant issuer’s management or management has made no recommendation.  However, this policy shall not apply to CASE-BY-CASE proposals for which a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) has been received and

 

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is to be utilized, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process required under the Procedures.

 

Recommendations from the Investment Professionals, while not required under the Procedures, may be submitted or requested in connection with any proposal and are likely to be requested with respect to proxies for private equity securities and/or proposals related to merger transactions/corporate restructurings, proxy contests, or unusual or controversial issues.  Such input shall be given primary consideration with respect to CASE-BY-CASE proposals being considered on behalf of the relevant Fund, provided that incorporation of any such recommendation shall be subject to the conflict of interest review process required under the Procedures.

 

Except as otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds not to support proposals that would impose a negative impact on existing rights of the Funds to the extent that any positive impact would not be deemed sufficient to outweigh removal or diminution of such rights.

 

The foregoing policies may be overridden in any case as provided for in the Procedures.  Similarly, the Procedures provide that proposals whose Guidelines prescribe a firm voting position may instead be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when unusual or controversial circumstances so dictate.

 

Interpretation and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement, or other legal requirement to which an issuer may be or become subject.  No proposal shall be supported whose implementation would contravene such requirements.

 

1.                                      The Board of Directors

 

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, the Agent’s standards with respect to determining director independence shall apply.  These standards generally provide that, to be considered completely independent, a director shall have no material connection to the company other than the board seat.

 

Agreement with the Agent’s independence standards shall not dictate that a Fund’s vote shall be cast according to the Agent’s corresponding recommendation.  Votes on director nominees not subject to specific policies described herein should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to lodge disagreement with an issuer’s policies or practices by withholding support from a proposal for the relevant policy or practice rather than the director nominee(s) to which the Agent assigns a correlation.  Support shall be withheld from nominees deemed responsible for governance shortfalls, but if they are not standing for election (e.g., the board is classified), support shall generally not be withheld from others in their stead.  When a determination is made to withhold support due to concerns other than those related to an individual director’s independence or actions, responsibility may be attributed to the entire board, a committee, or an

 

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individual (such as the CEO or committee chair), taking into consideration whether the desired effect is to send a message or to remove the director from service.

 

Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote FOR nominees in connection with issues raised by the Agent if the nominee did not serve on the board or relevant committee during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.

 

WITHHOLD support from a nominee who, during both of the most recent two years, attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings during the nominee’s period of service without a valid reason for the absences.  WITHHOLD support if two-year attendance cannot be ascertained from available disclosure.  DO NOT WITHHOLD support in connection with attendance issues for nominees who have served on the board for less than the two most recent years.

 

Unless a company has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of its poison pill, WITHHOLD support from nominees responsible for implementing excessive anti-takeover measures, including failure to remove restrictive poison pill features or to ensure a pill’s expiration or timely submission to shareholders for vote.  Responsibility will generally be assigned to the board chair or, if not standing for election, the lead director.  If neither is standing for election, WITHHOLD support from all continuing directors.

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to implement a majority-approved shareholder proposal.  Vote FOR if the shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed.  Proposals seeking shareholder ratification of a poison pill may be deemed reasonably addressed if the company has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the pill.  WITHHOLD support if the shareholder proposal at issue is supported under these Guidelines and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to opt out of a state law requiring companies to implement a staggered board structure, generally withholding support when the company:

 

(1)                           Demonstrates sustained poor stock performance (measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns);

 

(2)                           Has a non-shareholder-approved poison pill in place, without provisions to redeem or seek approval in a reasonable period of time; and

 

(3)                           Maintains a dual class capital structure, imposes a supermajority vote requirement, or has authority to issue blank check preferred stock.

 

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If the board has not acted upon negative votes (WITHHOLD or AGAINST, as applicable based on the issuer’s election standard) representing a majority of the votes cast at the previous annual meeting, consider board nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Generally, vote FOR nominees when:

 

(1)                     The issue relevant to the majority negative vote has been adequately addressed or cured, which may include disclosure of the board’s rationale; or

 

(2)                     The Funds’ Guidelines or voting record do not support the relevant issue causing the majority negative vote.

 

If the above provisions have not been satisfied, generally WITHHOLD support from the chair of the nominating committee, or if not standing for election, consider CASE-BY-CASE.

 

WITHHOLD support from inside or affiliated outside directors who sit on the audit committee.

 

Vote FOR inside or affiliated outside directors who sit on the nominating or compensation committee, provided that such committee meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange.

 

Vote FOR inside or affiliated outside directors if the full board serves as the compensation or nominating committee OR has not created one or both committees, provided that the issuer is in compliance with all provisions of the listing exchange in connection with performance of relevant functions (e.g., performance of relevant functions by a majority of independent directors in lieu of the formation of a separate committee).

 

Compensation Practices:

 

It shall generally be the policy of the Funds that matters of compensation are best determined by an independent board and compensation committee, but that support may be withheld from compensation committee members whose actions or disclosure do not appear to support compensation practices aligned with the best interests of the company and its shareholders.  Votes on compensation committee members in connection with compensation practices should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and generally:

 

(1)                     Say on payIf shareholders have been provided with an advisory vote on executive compensation (say on pay, or “SOP”), and practices not supported under these Guidelines have been identified, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to align with the Agent when a vote AGAINST the say on pay proposal has been recommended in lieu of withholding support from certain nominees for compensation concerns.  Issuers receiving negative recommendations on both compensation committee members and say on pay regarding issues not otherwise supported by these Guidelines will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

(2)                     Say on pay responsiveness.  Compensation committee members opposed by the Agent for failure to sufficiently address compensation concerns evidenced by significant opposition to the most recent SOP vote will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the following:

 

(a)                     If the most recent SOP vote received majority opposition, generally vote AGAINST the compensation committee chair if the company has not

 

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demonstrated an adequate level of responsiveness.

 

(b)                     If the most recent SOP vote passed but received significant opposition, generally vote FOR the nominee(s) if a Fund voted FOR that SOP proposal or did not have voting rights on that proposal.  If a Fund voted AGAINST the SOP proposal and the company has not demonstrated an adequate level of responsiveness, generally vote AGAINST the compensation committee chair.

 

(c)                      If the compensation committee chair is not standing for election under circumstances meriting the chair’s opposition, consider the compensation committee member(s) opposed by the Agent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

(3)                     Say on frequency.  If the Agent opposes nominees because the company has implemented an SOP schedule that is less frequent than the frequency most recently preferred by at least a plurality of shareholders, generally WITHHOLD support from the compensation committee chair.  If the compensation committee chair is not standing for election, WITHHOLD support from the other compensation committee members.  If no compensation committee members are standing for election, consider other nominees opposed by the Agent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

(4)                     Tenure.  Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR compensation committee members who did not serve on the compensation committee during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.

 

(5)                     Pay for performance.  Consider compensation committee members receiving an adverse recommendation from the Agent CASE-BY-CASE when the Agent has identified a pay practice (or combination of practices) not otherwise supported under these Guidelines that appears to have created a misalignment between CEO pay and performance with regard to shareholder value.  Generally vote FOR nominees if the company has provided a reasonable rationale regarding pay and performance and/or they appear reasonably correlated.  Generally WITHHOLD support from compensation committee members for structuring compensation packages that unreasonably insulate pay from performance conditions.

 

(6)                     Pay disparity.  Generally DO NOT WITHHOLD support from compensation committee members solely due to internal pay disparity as assessed by the Agent, but consider pay magnitude concerns on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

(7)                     Change in control provisions.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members in connection with overly liberal change in control provisions, including those lacking a double trigger, generally WITHHOLD support from such nominees.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members in connection with potential change in control payments or tax-gross-ups on change in control payments, vote FOR the nominees if the amount appears reasonable and no material governance concerns exist.  Generally WITHHOLD support if the amount is so significant (individually or collectively) as to potentially influence an executive’s decision to enter into a transaction or to effectively act as a poison pill.

 

(8)                     Repricing.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members in connection with their failure to seek, or acknowledge, a

 

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shareholder vote on plans to reprice, replace, buy back, or exchange options, generally WITHHOLD support from such nominees, except that cancellation of options would not be considered an exchange unless the cancelled options were regranted or expressly returned to the plan reserve for reissuance.

 

(9)                     Tax benefits.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members that have approved compensation that is ineligible for tax benefits to the company (e.g., under Section 162(m) of OBRA), generally vote FOR such nominees if the company has provided an adequate rationale or the plan itself is being put to shareholder vote at the same meeting.  If the plan is up for vote, the provisions under Section 8. OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals shall apply.

 

(10)              Director perquisites.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members in connection with director compensation in the form of perquisites, generally vote FOR the nominees if the cost is reasonable in the context of the directors’ total compensation and the perquisites themselves appear reasonable given their purpose, the directors’ duties, and the company’s line of business.

 

(11)              Incentive plans.  Generally consider nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis in connection with short-term incentive plans over which the nominee has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items, and WITHHOLD support if treatment of such items has been inconsistent (e.g., exclusion of losses but not gains).  Generally WITHHOLD support from compensation committee members opposed by the Agent in connection with long-term incentive plans, or total executive compensation packages, inadequately aligned with shareholders because the vesting period is too short, performance period being measured is too short, or the packages lack an appropriate equity component (e.g., overly cash-based plans), except that the latter will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions.

 

(12)              Options backdating.  If the Agent has raised issues of options backdating, consider members of the compensation committee, as well as company executives nominated as directors, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

(13)              Independence from management.  Generally WITHHOLD support from compensation committee members cited by the Agent for permitting named executives to have excessive input into setting their own compensation.

 

(14)              Multiple concerns.  If the Agent recommends withholding support from compensation committee members in connection with other compensation practices such as tax gross-ups, perquisites, retention or recruitment provisions (including contract length or renewal provisions), “guaranteed” awards, pensions/SERPs, or severance or termination arrangements, vote FOR such nominees if the issuer has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure, factoring in any overall adjustments or reductions to the compensation package at issue.  Except as otherwise provided for herein, generally DO NOT WITHHOLD support solely due to any single such practice if the total compensation appears reasonable, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis compensation packages representing a combination of such provisions and deemed by the Agent to be excessive.

 

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(15)              Commitments.  Generally, vote FOR compensation committee members receiving an adverse recommendation from the Agent due to problematic pay practices if the issuer makes a public commitment (e.g., via a Form 8-K filing) to rectify the practice on a going-forward basis.

 

(16)              Other.  If the Agent has raised other considerations regarding poor compensation practices, consider compensation committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Accounting Practices:

 

(1)                     Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR independent outside director nominees serving on the audit committee.

 

(2)                     Where applicable and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote FOR nominees serving on the audit committee, or the company’s CEO or CFO if nominated as directors, who did not serve on that committee or have responsibility over the relevant financial function, as applicable, during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Agent.

 

(3)                     If the Agent has raised concerns regarding poor accounting practices, consider the company’s CEO and CFO, if nominated as directors, and nominees serving on the audit committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Generally vote FOR nominees if the company has taken adequate steps to remediate the concerns cited, which would typically include removing or replacing the responsible executives, and if the concerns are not re-occurring and/or the company has not yet had a full year to remediate the concerns since the time they were identified.

 

(4)                     If total non-audit fees exceed the total of audit fees, audit-related fees, and tax compliance and preparation fees, the provisions under Section 3. Auditor Ratification shall apply.

 

Board Independence:

 

It shall generally be the policy of the Funds that a board should be majority independent and therefore to consider inside or affiliated outside director nominees when the full board is not majority independent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Generally:

 

(1)                     WITHHOLD support from the fewest directors whose removal would achieve majority independence across the remaining board, except that support may be withheld from additional nominees whose relative level of independence cannot be differentiated.

 

(2)                     WITHHOLD support from all non-independent nominees, including the founder, chairman, or CEO, if the number required to achieve majority independence is equal to or greater than the number of non-independent nominees.

 

(3)                     Except as provided above, vote FOR non-independent nominees in the role of CEO, and when appropriate, founder or chairman, and determine support for other non-independent nominees based on the qualifications and contributions of the nominee as well as the Funds’ voting precedent for assessing relative independence to management, e.g., insiders holding senior executive positions are deemed less independent than affiliated outsiders with a transactional or advisory relationship to the

 

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company, and affiliated outsiders with a material transactional or advisory relationship are deemed less independent than those with lesser relationships.

 

(4)                     Non-voting directors (e.g., director emeritus or advisory director) shall be excluded from calculations with respect to majority board independence.

 

(5)                     When conditions contributing to a lack of majority independence remain substantially similar to those in the previous year, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote on nominees in a manner consistent with votes cast by the Fund(s) in the previous year.

 

Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to “over-boarding” issues raised by the Agent unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised.

 

Generally, when the Agent recommends withholding support due to assessment that a nominee acted in bad faith or against shareholder interests in connection with a major transaction, such as a merger or acquisition, or if the Agent recommends withholding support due to other material failures or egregious actions, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the merits of the nominee’s performance and rationale and disclosure provided.  If the Agent cites concerns regarding actions in connection with a candidate’s service on another board, vote FOR the nominee if the issuer has provided adequate rationale regarding the appropriateness of the nominee to serve on the board under consideration.

 

Generally, when the Agent recommends withholding support from any nominee due to share pledging concerns, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the pledged amount, unwind time, and any historical concerns being raised.  Responsibility will generally be assigned to the pledgor, where the pledged amount and unwind time are deemed significant and, therefore, an unnecessary risk to the company.

 

Performance Test for Directors

 

Consider nominees failing the Agent’s performance test, which includes market-based and operating performance measures, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) shall be given primary consideration with respect to such proposals.

 

Support will generally be WITHHELD from nominees receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to sustained poor stock performance (measured by one- and three-year total shareholder returns) combined with multiple takeover defenses/entrenchment devices if the issuer:

 

(1)                     Is a controlled company or has a non-shareholder-approved poison pill in place, without provisions to redeem or seek approval in a reasonable period of time; and

 

(2)                     Maintains a dual class capital structure, imposes a supermajority vote requirement, or has authority to issue blank check preferred stock.

 

Nominees receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to sustained poor stock performance combined with other takeover defenses/entrenchment devices will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Proposals Regarding Board Composition or Board Service

 

Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to impose new board structures or policies, including those requiring that the positions of chairman

 

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and CEO be held separately, but vote FOR proposals in connection with a binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer has or reasonably may expect to become subject, and consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the board is not majority independent or corporate governance concerns have been identified.  Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote FOR management proposals to adopt or amend board structures or policies, except consider such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the board is not majority independent, corporate governance concerns have been identified, or the proposal may result in a material reduction in shareholders’ rights.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals:

 

·                  Asking that more than a simple majority of directors be independent.

 

·                  Asking that the independence of the compensation and/or nominating committees be greater than that required by the listing exchange.

 

·                  Limiting the number of public company boards on which a director may serve.

 

·                  Seeking to redefine director independence or directors’ specific roles (e.g., responsibilities of the lead director).

 

·                  Requesting creation of additional board committees or offices, except as otherwise provided for herein.

 

·                  Limiting the tenure of outside directors or imposing a mandatory retirement age for outside directors (unless the proposal seeks to relax existing standards), but generally vote FOR management proposals in this regard.

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek creation of an audit, compensation, or nominating committee of the board, unless the committee in question is already in existence or the issuer has availed itself of an applicable exemption of the listing exchange (e.g., performance of relevant functions by a majority of independent directors in lieu of the formation of a separate committee).

 

Stock Ownership Requirements

 

Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

 

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

Proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, using Delaware law as the standard.  Vote AGAINST proposals to limit or eliminate entirely directors’ and officers’ liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.  Vote AGAINST indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness.  Vote FOR only those proposals providing such expanded coverage in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if:

 

(1)                     The director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company; and

 

(2)                     Only if the director’s legal expenses would be covered.

 

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2.                                      Proxy Contests

 

These proposals should generally be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) shall be given primary consideration with respect to proposals in connection with proxy contests being considered on behalf of that Fund.

 

Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

 

Votes in a contested election of directors must be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

 

Voting to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses should be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR if associated nominees are also supported.

 

3.                                      Auditors

 

Ratifying Auditors

 

Generally, except in cases of poor accounting practices or high non-audit fees, vote FOR management proposals to ratify auditors.  Consider management proposals to ratify auditors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent cites poor accounting practices.  If fees for non-audit services exceed 50 percent of total auditor fees as described below, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, voting AGAINST management proposals to ratify auditors only if concerns exist that remuneration for the non-audit work is so lucrative as to taint the auditor’s independence.  For purposes of this review, fees deemed to be reasonable, generally non-recurring exceptions to the non-audit fee category (e.g., those related to an IPO) shall be excluded.  Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals asking the issuer to present its auditor annually for ratification.

 

Auditor Independence

 

Generally, consider shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services (or capping the level of non-audit services) on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Audit Firm Rotation

 

Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals asking for mandatory audit firm rotation.

 

4.                                      Proxy Contest Defenses

 

Presentation of management and shareholder proposals on the same matter on the same agenda shall not require a Fund to vote FOR one and AGAINST the other.

 

Board Structure:  Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board or otherwise restrict shareholders’ ability to vote upon directors and FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

 

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Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

Cumulative Voting

 

If the company is controlled or maintains a classified board of directors or a dual class voting structure, generally, vote AGAINST management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting (except that such proposals may be supported irrespective of classification in furtherance of an issuer’s plan to declassify its board or adopt a majority voting standard), and vote FOR shareholder proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting.

 

Time-Phased Voting

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to implement, and FOR proposals to eliminate, time-phased or other forms of voting that do not promote a one share, one vote standard.

 

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings when either (1) the company does not currently permit shareholders to do so or (2) the existing ownership threshold is greater than 25 percent.

 

Consider management proposals to permit shareholders to call special meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR such proposals not opposed by the Agent.  Generally vote FOR such proposals if the Agent’s sole concern relates to a net-long position requirement.

 

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the issuer:

 

(1)                     Permits shareholders to call special meetings;

 

(2)                     Does not impose supermajority vote requirements; and

 

(3)                     Has otherwise demonstrated its accountability to shareholders (e.g., the company has reasonably addressed majority-supported shareholder proposals).

 

Consider management proposals to eliminate the right to act by written consent on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR if the above conditions are present.

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the above conditions are not present.

 

Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals that seek to fix the size of the board or designate a range for its size.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.

 

5.                                      Tender Offer Defenses

 

Poison Pills

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for

 

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shareholder ratification, or to redeem its pill in lieu thereof, unless (1) shareholders have approved adoption of the plan, (2) a policy has already been implemented by the company that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the pill, or (3) the board had determined that it was in the best interest of shareholders to adopt a pill without delay, provided that such plan would be put to shareholder vote within twelve months of adoption or expire, and if not approved by a majority of the votes cast, would immediately terminate.

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill.

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals to approve or ratify a poison pill or any plan or charter amendment (e.g., investment restrictions) that can reasonably be construed as an anti-takeover measure, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals, considering factors such as rationale, trigger level, and sunset provisions.  Votes will generally be cast in a manner that seeks to preserve shareholder value and the right to consider a valid offer, voting AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities that do not meet the Agent’s standards.

 

Fair Price Provisions

 

Vote proposals to adopt fair price provisions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.

 

Greenmail

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

Pale Greenmail

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis restructuring plans that involve the payment of pale greenmail.

 

Unequal Voting Rights

 

Generally, except as otherwise provided for herein, vote AGAINST dual-class exchange offers and dual-class recapitalizations.

 

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote and FOR management or shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements, unless, for companies with shareholder(s) with significant ownership levels, the Agent recommends retention of existing supermajority requirements in order to protect minority shareholder interests.

 

White Squire Placements

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes.

 

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6.                                      Miscellaneous

 

Amendments to Corporate Documents

 

Except to align with legislative or regulatory changes or when support is recommended by the Agent or relevant Investment Professional(s) (including, for example, as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger), generally, vote AGAINST proposals seeking to remove shareholder approval requirements or otherwise remove or diminish shareholder rights, e.g., by (1) adding restrictive provisions, (2) removing provisions or moving them to portions of the charter not requiring shareholder approval, or (3) in corporate structures such as holding companies, removing provisions in an active subsidiary’s charter that provide voting rights to parent company shareholders.  This policy would also generally apply to proposals seeking approval of corporate agreements or amendments to such agreements that the Agent recommends AGAINST because a similar reduction in shareholder rights is requested.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals for charter amendments that support board entrenchment or may be used as an anti-takeover device (or to further anti-takeover conditions), particularly if the proposal is bundled or the board is classified.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals seeking charter or bylaw amendments to remove anti-takeover provisions.

 

Consider proposals seeking charter or bylaw amendments not addressed under these Guidelines on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Confidential Voting

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that request companies to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators, and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows:

 

·                  In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy.

 

·                  If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place.

 

·                  If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

 

Proxy Access

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to provide shareholders with access to management’s proxy material in order to nominate their own candidates(s) to the board.  Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals, unless significant or multiple corporate governance concerns have been identified.  Generally, vote FOR management proposals also supported by the Agent.

 

Majority Voting Standard

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals seeking election of directors by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast in connection with a meeting of shareholders, provided they contain a plurality carve-out for contested elections, and provided such standard does not conflict with state law in which the company is incorporated.  Generally, vote FOR amendments to corporate documents or other actions in furtherance of a majority standard.  (See also Section 11. Mutual Fund Proxies.)

 

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Bundled Proposals

 

Except as otherwise provided for herein, review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals, generally voting AGAINST bundled proposals containing one or more items not supported under these Guidelines if the Agent or  relevant Investment Professional(s) deems the negative impact, on balance, to outweigh any positive impact.

 

Moot Proposals

 

Generally, vote with the Agent’s recommendation to withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from a proposal for which support has become moot (e.g., an incentive grant to a person no longer employed by the company.)

 

Shareholder Advisory Committees

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee.

 

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred

 

Voting to reimburse expenses incurred in connection with shareholder proposals should be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Other Business

 

In connection with proxies of U.S. issuers (e.g., those filing a DEF 14A and considered domestic by the Agent), generally vote FOR management proposals for Other Business, except when the primary proposal is not supported by a Fund or in connection with a proxy contest in which a Fund is not voting in support of management.

 

Quorum Requirements

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to lower quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding.

 

Advance Notice for Shareholder Proposals

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals related to advance notice period requirements, provided that the period requested is in accordance with applicable law and no material governance concerns have been identified in connection with the issuer.

 

Multiple Proposals

 

Multiple proposals of a similar nature presented as options to the course of action favored by management may all be voted FOR, provided that support for a single proposal is not operationally required, no one proposal is deemed superior in the interest of the Fund(s), and each proposal would otherwise be supported under these Guidelines.

 

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7.                                      Capital Structure

 

Common Stock Authorization

 

Review proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Except where otherwise indicated, the Agent’s proprietary approach of determining appropriate thresholds and, for requests above such allowable threshold, applying a company-specific, qualitative review (e.g., considering rationale and prudent historical usage), will generally be utilized in evaluating such proposals.

 

Generally, vote FOR:

 

·                  Proposals to authorize capital increases within the Agent’s allowable thresholds or those in excess but meeting Agent’s qualitative standards, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis those requests failing the Agent’s review for proposals in connection with which a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized (e.g., in support of a merger or acquisition proposal).

 

·                  Proposals to authorize capital increases within the Agent’s allowable thresholds or those in excess but meeting Agent’s qualitative standards, unless the company states that the stock may be used as a takeover defense.  In those cases, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized.

 

·                  Proposals to authorize capital increases exceeding the Agent’s thresholds when a company’s shares are in danger of being delisted or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST:

 

·                  Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of a class of stock if the issuance which the increase is intended to service is not supported under these Guidelines.

 

·                  Nonspecific proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board.

 

Consider management proposals to make changes to the capital structure not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines CASE-BY-CASE, generally voting with the Agent’s recommendation unless a contrary recommendation has been received from the relevant Investment Professional(s) and is to be utilized.

 

Dual Class Capital Structures

 

Generally, vote AGAINST:

 

·                  Proposals to create or perpetuate dual class capital structures unless supported by the Agent (e.g., to avert bankruptcy or generate non-dilutive financing, and not designed to increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder).

 

·                  Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights in companies that have dual class capital structures.

 

However, consider such proposals CASE-BY-CASE if (1) bundled with favorable proposal(s), (2) approval of such proposal(s) is a condition of such favorable proposal(s), or (3) part of a recapitalization for which support is recommended by the Agent or  relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

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Consider management proposals to eliminate or make changes to dual class capital structures CASE-BY-CASE, generally voting with the Agent’s recommendation unless a contrary recommendation has been received from the relevant Investment Professional(s) and is to be utilized.

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to eliminate dual class capital structures unless the relevant Fund owns a class with superior voting rights.

 

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares falls within the Agent’s allowable thresholds, but consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis those proposals exceeding the Agent’s threshold for proposals in connection with which a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) has been received and is to be utilized.

 

Reverse Stock Splits

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals to implement a reverse stock split.  In the event the split constitutes a capital increase effectively exceeding the Agent’s allowable threshold because the request does not proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized, consider management’s rationale and/or disclosure, generally voting FOR, but generally not supporting additional requests for capital increases on the same agenda.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Review proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and except where otherwise indicated, generally utilize the Agent’s approach for evaluating such proposals.  This approach incorporates both qualitative and quantitative measures, including a review of past performance (e.g., board governance, shareholder returns and historical share usage) and the current request (e.g., rationale, whether shares are blank check and declawed, and dilutive impact as determined through the Agent’s proprietary model for assessing appropriate thresholds).

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the issuance of preferred stock or creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock), but vote FOR if the Agent or  relevant Investment Professional(s) so recommends because the issuance is required to effect a merger or acquisition proposal.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to issue or create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense.  Generally vote AGAINST in cases where the company expressly states that, or fails to disclose whether, the stock may be used as a takeover defense, but vote FOR if the Agent or  relevant Investment Professional(s) so recommends because the issuance is required to address special circumstances such as a merger or acquisition.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to authorize or issue preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

 

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Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred shares after analyzing the number of preferred shares available for issue given a company’s industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.

 

Shareholder Proposals Regarding Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to have blank check preferred stock placements, other than those shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business, submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock, unless doing so raises other concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines.

 

Preemptive Rights

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals that seek preemptive rights or management proposals that seek to eliminate them.  In evaluating proposals on preemptive rights, consider the size of a company and the characteristics of its shareholder base.

 

Debt Restructurings

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan.

 

Share Repurchase Programs

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms, but vote AGAINST plans with terms favoring selected parties.  This policy shall also apply to companies incorporated outside the U.S. if they are listed on a U.S. exchange and treated as a U.S. domestic issuer by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals to cancel repurchased shares.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals for share repurchase methods lacking adequate risk mitigation or exceeding appropriate volume or duration parameters for the market.

 

Consider shareholder proposals seeking share repurchase programs on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) to be given primary consideration.

 

Tracking Stock

 

Votes on the creation of tracking stock are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

8.                                      Executive and Director Compensation

 

Except as otherwise provided for herein, votes with respect to compensation and employee benefit plans, or the issuance of shares in connection with such plans, should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such plans, which includes determination of costs and comparison to an allowable cap, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

·                  Generally, vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendations FOR equity-based plans with costs within such cap and AGAINST those with costs in excess of it, except

 

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that plans above the cap may be supported if so recommended by the Agent or relevant Investment Professional(s) as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger.

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST plans if the Agent suggests cost or dilution assessment may not be possible due to the method of disclosing shares allocated to the plan(s).

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST equity-based plans whose awards further a misalignment between CEO pay and performance with regard to shareholder value, including where pay appears unreasonably insulated from performance conditions and/or awards under the plan are concentrated among named executive officers.

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST plans with inadequate disclosure regarding vesting or performance requirements.  However, except as otherwise provided herein, consider plans CASE-BY-CASE if the Agent questions the form or stringency of the vesting or performance criteria.

 

·                  Generally, vote FOR plans with costs within the cap if the primary concerns raised by the Agent pertain to matters that would not result in a negative vote under these Guidelines on a management say on pay proposal or the relevant board or committee member(s).

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST plans administered by potential grant recipients.

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate existing shareholder approval requirements for material plan changes, unless the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the requested changes.

 

·                  Generally vote AGAINST long-term incentive plans that are inadequately aligned with shareholders because the performance period is too short or they lack an appropriate equity component, except that such cases will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions.

 

·                  Generally, vote AGAINST plans that contain an overly liberal change in control definition (e.g., does not result in actual change in control or results in a change in control but does not terminate the employment relationship).

 

·                  Consider plans CASE-BY-CASE if the Agent raises other considerations not otherwise provided for herein.

 

Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals seeking approval to reprice, replace, or exchange options, considering factors such as rationale, historic trading patterns, value-for-value exchange, vesting periods, and replacement option terms.  Generally, vote FOR proposals that meet the Agent’s criteria for acceptable repricing, replacement, or exchange transactions.  Generally, vote AGAINST compensation plans that (1) permit or may permit (e.g., history of repricing and no express prohibition against future repricing) repricing of stock options, or any form or alternative to repricing, without shareholder approval, (2) include provisions that permit repricing, replacement, or exchange transactions that do not meet the Agent’s criteria, or (3) give the board sole discretion to approve option repricing, replacement, or exchange programs.

 

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Director Compensation

 

Votes on stock-based plans for directors are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s quantitative approach described above as well as a review of qualitative features of the plan when costs exceed the Agent’s threshold.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

Votes on employee stock purchase plans, and capital issuances in support of such plans, should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such plans.

 

OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals

 

Votes on plans intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA should be evaluated irrespective of the Agent’s assessment of board independence, provided that the board meets the independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange and no potential recipient under the plan(s) sits on the committee that exercises discretion over the related compensation awards.  Unless the issuer has provided a compelling rationale, generally vote with the Agent’s recommendations AGAINST plans that include practices or features not supported under these Guidelines or deliver excessive compensation that fails to qualify for favorable tax treatment.

 

Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grants or Amend Administrative Features

 

Generally, vote FOR plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

 

Amendments to Add Performance-Based Goals

 

Generally, vote FOR amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA, unless they are clearly inappropriate.

 

Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA

 

Votes on amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting FOR such plans that do not raise any negative concerns under these Guidelines.

 

Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

 

Generally, vote FOR cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA, with primary consideration given to management’s assessment that such plan meets the requirements for exemption of performance-based compensation.  However, consider CASE-BY-CASE when broader compensation concerns exist.

 

Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay

 

Unless evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices, and except as otherwise provided for herein, generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that seek to impose new compensation structures or policies.

 

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Severance and Termination Payments

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals to have parachute arrangements submitted for shareholder ratification (with “parachutes” defined as compensation arrangements related to termination that specify change in control events) and provided that the proposal does not include unduly restrictive or arbitrary provisions such as advance approval requirements.

 

Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking double triggers on change in control cash severance provisions.

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals seeking a specific treatment (e.g., double trigger or pro-rata) of equity that vests upon change in control.  Generally vote FOR management proposals, unless evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices.  Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals regarding the treatment of equity if the change in control cash severance provisions are double-triggered and the company has provided a reasonable rationale regarding the treatment of equity.

 

Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals to submit executive severance agreements for shareholder ratification, if such proposals specify change in control events, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, or deferred executive compensation plans, or if ratification is required by the listing exchange.

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all proposals to approve, ratify, or cancel executive severance or termination arrangements, including those related to executive recruitment or retention.  Generally vote FOR such compensation arrangements if:

 

(1)                     The primary concerns raised by the Agent would not result in a negative vote under these Guidelines on a management say on pay proposal or the relevant board or committee member(s);

 

(2)                     The issuer has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure; or

 

(3)                     Support is recommended by the Agent or relevant Investment Professional(s) (e.g., as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger).

 

However, vote in accordance with the Agent’s recommendations AGAINST new or materially amended plans, contracts, or payments that include single trigger change in control cash severance provisions or do not require an actual change in control in order to be triggered.

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any parachute arrangement proposals opposed by the Agent due to single trigger equity acceleration or legacy single trigger change in control cash severance provisions.  Generally vote FOR such proposals, unless:  (1) the total payout to the named executive officers is deemed excessive versus the transaction equity value of the merger, (2) the single-triggered component of the payout is excessive versus the total payout, or (3) the arrangements contain an overly liberal change in control definition.

 

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).

 

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401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

Holding Periods

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals requiring mandatory periods for officers and directors to hold company stock.

 

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)

 

Generally, management proposals seeking ratification of the company’s compensation program will be voted FOR unless the program includes practices or features not supported under these Guidelines (including those referenced under Section 1. The Board of Directors, Compensation Practices) and the proposal receives a negative recommendation from the Agent.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, proposals not receiving the Agent’s support due to concerns regarding incentive structures, severance/termination payments, or vesting or performance criteria not otherwise supported by these Guidelines will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in whether the issuer has made improvements to its overall compensation program, and generally voting FOR if CEO pay appears aligned with performance and/or the company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the matter(s) under consideration.  For say on pay proposals not supported by the Agent and referencing incentive plan concerns:

 

(1)                     Short-term incentive plans:  Proposals will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if they cite short-term incentive plans over which the board has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items, and voted AGAINST if treatment of such items has been inconsistent (e.g., exclusion of losses but not gains).

 

(2)                     Long-term incentive plans:  Proposals will be voted AGAINST if they cite long-term incentive plans that are inadequately aligned with shareholders because the performance period is too short or they lack an appropriate equity component (e.g., overly cash-based plans), except that the latter will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals when named executives have material input into setting their own compensation.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals presented by issuers subject to Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) provisions if there is inadequate discussion of the process for ensuring that incentive compensation does not encourage excessive risk-taking.

 

Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

 

Generally, support proposals seeking an annual say on pay and oppose those seeking a less frequent say on pay.

 

9.                                      State of Incorporation

 

Voting on State Takeover Statutes

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).

 

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Voting on Reincorporation Proposals

 

Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally supporting management proposals not assessed as a (1) potential takeover defense or (2) significant reduction of minority shareholder rights that outweigh the aggregate positive impact, but if so assessed, weighing management’s rationale for the change.  Generally, vote FOR management reincorporation proposals upon which another key proposal, such as a merger transaction, is contingent if the other key proposal is also supported.  Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder reincorporation proposals not also supported by the company.

 

10.                               Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

 

Input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) shall be given primary consideration with respect to proposals regarding business combinations, particularly those between otherwise unaffiliated parties, or other corporate restructurings being considered on behalf of that Fund.

 

Generally, vote FOR a proposal not typically supported under these Guidelines if a key proposal, such as a merger transaction, is contingent upon its support and a vote FOR is accordingly recommended by the Agent or relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

Mergers and Acquisitions

 

Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals if no input is provided by the relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

Corporate Restructurings

 

Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including demergers, minority squeezeouts, leveraged buyouts, spinoffs, liquidations, dispositions, divestitures, and asset sales, should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals if no input is provided by the relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

Adjournment

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to adjourn a meeting to provide additional time for vote solicitation when the primary proposal, such as a merger or corporate restructuring, is also supported.  Absent such a proposal, vote FOR adjournment if all other proposals are supported and AGAINST if all others are opposed.  Under any other circumstances, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Appraisal Rights

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

Changing Corporate Name

 

Generally, vote FOR changing the corporate name.

 

11.                               Mutual Fund Proxies

 

Approving New Classes or Series of Shares

 

Generally, vote FOR the establishment of new classes or series of shares.

 

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Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Sub-Advisers Without Shareholder Approval

 

Generally, vote FOR these proposals.

 

Master-Feeder Structure

 

Generally, vote FOR the establishment of a master-feeder structure.

 

Establish Director Ownership Requirement

 

Generally, vote AGAINST shareholder proposals for the establishment of a director ownership requirement.

 

The matters below should be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:

 

·                  Election of Directors

·                  Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund

·                  Proxy Contests

·                  Investment Advisory Agreements

·                  Preferred Stock Proposals

·                  1940 Act Policies

·                  Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction

·                  Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental

·                  Name Rule Proposals

·                  Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation

·                  Changes to the Charter Document

·                  Changing the Domicile of a Fund

·                  Change in Fund’s Subclassification

·                  Distribution Agreements

·                  Mergers

·                  Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred

·                  Terminate the Investment Adviser

·                  Majority Voting Proposals

 

12.                               Social and Environmental Issues

 

Boards of directors and company management are responsible for guiding the corporation in connection with matters that are most often the subject of shareholder proposals on social and environmental issues:  ensuring that the companies they oversee comply with applicable legal, regulatory and ethical standards, effectively managing risk, and assessing and addressing matters that may have a financial impact on shareholder value.  The Funds will generally vote in accordance with the board’s recommendation on such proposals unless it appears both that the stewardship noted above has fallen short and the issue is material to the company.  The former may be evidenced by the company’s failure to align its actions and disclosure with market practice and that of its peers, or the company’s having been subject to significant controversies, litigation, fines, or penalties in connection with the relevant issue.  Such instances will be considered CASE-BY-CASE.  The Funds will generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals

 

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seeking to dictate corporate conduct, impose excessive costs or restrictions, duplicate policies already substantially in place, or release information that would not help a shareholder evaluate an investment in the corporation as an economic matter.  The Funds may ABSTAIN from voting on shareholder proposals where application of the Guidelines is unclear.  This may include cases where the concerns raised are considered valid but the policies or actions requested are not deemed appropriate or the issues are not clearly relevant to corporate performance or are not deemed appropriate for shareholder consideration.

 

13.                               Global Proxies

 

Companies incorporated outside the U.S. shall generally be subject to the foregoing U.S. Guidelines if they are listed on a U.S. exchange and treated as a U.S. domestic issuer by the SEC.  Where applicable and not provided for otherwise herein, certain U.S. Guidelines may also be applied to companies incorporated outside the U.S., e.g., companies with a significant base of U.S. operations and employees.  However, the following provide for differing regulatory and legal requirements, market practices, and political and economic systems existing in various global markets.

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to vote AGAINST global proxy proposals when the Agent recommends voting AGAINST such proposal because relevant disclosure by the issuer, or the time provided for consideration of such disclosure, is inadequate.  For purposes of these global Guidelines, “AGAINST” shall mean withholding of support for a proposal, resulting in submission of a vote of AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate for the given market and level of concern raised by the Agent regarding the issue or lack of disclosure or time provided.

 

In connection with practices described herein that are associated with a firm AGAINST vote, it shall generally be the policy of the Funds to consider them on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent recommends their support (1) as the issuer or market transitions to better practices (e.g., having committed to new regulations or governance codes) or (2) as the more favorable choice when shareholders must choose between alternate proposals.

 

Routine Management Proposals

 

Generally, vote FOR the following and other similar routine management proposals:

 

·                  the opening of the shareholder meeting

·                  that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements

·                  the presence of quorum

·                  the agenda for the shareholder meeting

·                  the election of the chair of the meeting

·                  the appointment of shareholders to co-sign the minutes of the meeting

·                  regulatory filings (e.g., to effect approved share issuances)

·                  the designation of inspector or shareholder representative(s) of minutes of meeting

·                  the designation of two shareholders to approve and sign minutes of meeting

·                  the allowance of questions

·                  the publication of minutes

·                  the closing of the shareholder meeting

 

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Consider proposals seeking authority to call shareholder meetings on less than 21 days’ notice on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to consider whether the issuer has provided clear disclosure of its compliance with any hurdle conditions for the authority imposed by applicable law and has historically limited its use of such authority to time-sensitive matters.

 

Discharge of Management/Supervisory Board Members

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals seeking the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless the Agent recommends AGAINST due to concern about the past actions of the company’s auditors or directors or legal action is being taken against the board by other shareholders, including when the proposal is bundled.  Generally do not withhold support from such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as a means of expressing disapproval of broader practices of the issuer or its board.

 

Director Elections

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, the Agent’s standards with respect to determining director independence shall apply.  These standards generally provide that, to be considered completely independent, a director shall have no material connection to the company other than the board seat.

 

Agreement with the Agent’s independence standards shall not dictate that a Fund’s vote shall be cast according to the Agent’s corresponding recommendation.  Further, unless otherwise provided for herein, the application of Guidelines in connection with such standards shall apply only when the nominee’s level of independence can be ascertained based on available disclosure.  These policies generally apply to director nominees in uncontested elections; votes in contested elections, and votes on director nominees not subject to policies described herein, should be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration in contested elections given to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

For issuers domiciled in Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, or tax haven markets, generally vote AGAINST non-independent directors opposed by the Agent when the full board serves as the audit committee, or the company does not have an audit committee.

 

For issuers in all markets, vote AGAINST non-independent nominees to the audit committee, as well as bundled slates including such nominees, unless the Agent otherwise recommends support (e.g., due to market practices or requirements).  If the slate is bundled and audit committee membership is unclear or proposed as a separate agenda item, vote FOR if the Agent otherwise recommends support.  For Canadian issuers, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to audit committees shall apply.  For issuers in all markets, nominees (or slates of nominees) will be voted AGAINST if opposed by the Agent for failing to disclose audit fees broken down by category.  If the Agent opposes audit committee members because fees for non-audit services (excluding significant, one-time events) exceed 50 percent of total auditor fees, the provisions under Section 13. Ratification of Auditors and Approval of Auditors’ Fees shall apply.

 

Generally, vote FOR non-independent directors when the full board serves as the remuneration (compensation) or nominating committee, or the company does not have a remuneration or nominating committee, if the board meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange.  Vote FOR non-independent directors who sit on the remuneration or

 

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nominating committees if such committee meets the applicable independence requirements of the relevant listing exchange.

 

Generally follow the Agent’s recommendations to vote AGAINST individuals nominated as outside/non-executive directors who do not meet the Agent’s standard for independence, unless the slate of nominees is bundled and includes independent nominees, in which case the proposal(s) to elect board members shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Generally follow the Agent’s standards for withholding support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from bundled slates or non-independent directors (typically, but not always, excluding the CEO), as applicable, if the board does not meet the Agent’s independence standards or the board’s independence cannot be ascertained due to inadequate disclosure.

 

For issuers in Italy presenting multiple slates of directors (voto di lista), generally withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from all slates until nominee names are disclosed, and upon disclosure, generally follow the Agent’s standards for assessing which slate is best suited to represent shareholder interests.

 

For issuers in Japan, generally follow the Agent’s recommendations in furtherance of greater board independence and minority shareholder protections, including:

 

·                  At companies with controlling shareholders, if the board after the shareholder meeting does not include at least two directors deemed independent under the Agent’s standards, generally vote AGAINST reelection of top executives.

 

·                  At companies with a three-committee structure, generally vote AGAINST (1) outside director nominees not deemed independent under the Agent’s standards if the board after the shareholder meeting is not majority independent and (2) non-independent directors on the nominating committee if the board does not include at least two directors deemed independent under the Agent’s standards.

 

·                  At all companies, vote AGAINST the top executive if the board does not include at least one outside director.

 

Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis any nominee whom the Agent cites as having failed to implement a majority-approved shareholder proposal.  Vote FOR if the shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed.  Vote AGAINST if the shareholder proposal is supported under these Guidelines and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.

 

Generally, withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from nominees or slates of nominees opposed by the Agent because they are presented in a manner not aligned with market best practice and/or regulation, including:

 

·                  Bundled slates of nominees (e.g., Canada, France, Hong Kong, or Spain);

 

·                  Simultaneous reappointment of retiring directors (e.g., South Africa);

 

·                  In markets with term lengths capped by regulation or market practice, nominees whose terms exceed the caps or are not disclosed; or

 

·                  Nominees whose names are not disclosed in advance of the meeting or far enough in advance relative to voting deadlines to make an informed voting decision.

 

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Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to recommendations that the position of chairman should be separate from that of CEO or otherwise required to be independent, unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised.  The latter would include former CEOs proposed as board chairmen in markets such as the United Kingdom for which best practice and the Agent recommend against such practice.

 

When cumulative or net voting applies, generally vote with the Agent’s recommendation to support nominees asserted by the issuer to be independent, irrespective of audit committee membership, even if independence disclosure or criteria fall short of Agent’s standards.

 

Consider nominees for whom the Agent has raised concerns regarding scandals or internal controls on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally supporting nominees or slates of nominees unless:

 

·                  The scandal or shortfall in controls took place at the company, or an affiliate, for which the nominee is being considered;

 

·                  Culpability can be attributed to the nominee (e.g., nominee manages or audits the relevant function); and

 

·                  The nominee has been directly implicated, with resulting arrest and criminal charge or regulatory sanction.

 

Consider non-independent nominees on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the Agent has raised concerns regarding diminished shareholder value as evidenced by a significant drop in share price, generally voting with Agent’s recommendation AGAINST such nominees when few, if any, outside directors are present on the board and:

 

·                  The founding family has retained undue influence over the company despite a history of scandal or problematic controls;

 

·                  The nominees have engaged in protectionist activities such as introduction of a poison pill or preferential and/or dilutive share issuances; or

 

·                  Evidence exists regarding compliance or accounting shortfalls.

 

If the Agent recommends withholding support due to other material failures or egregious actions, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to such issues shall apply.

 

Consider nominees serving on the remuneration committee on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Agent recommends withholding support from nominees in connection with remuneration practices not otherwise supported by these Guidelines, including cases in which the issuer has not followed market practice by submitting a resolution on executive compensation.  For Canadian issuers, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to Section 1. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections, Compensation Practices, shall apply.

 

For issuers in markets in which it is common practice for nominees’ attendance records to be disclosed, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to director attendance shall apply.  The same two-year attendance policy shall be applied regarding attendance by directors and statutory auditors of Japanese companies if year-over-year data can be tracked by nominee.

 

Consider self-nominated or shareholder-nominated director candidates on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such candidates, except that (1) an unqualified candidate will generally not be supported simply to

 

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effect a “protest vote,” (2) a candidate will generally not be supported if the candidate’s agenda is not in line with the long-term best interests of the company, and (3) cases of multiple self-nominated candidates may be considered as a proxy contest if similar issues are raised (e.g., potential change in control).

 

Generally vote FOR nominees without regard to “over-boarding” issues raised by the Agent unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration have been raised.

 

In cases where a director holds more than one board seat and corresponding votes, manifested as one seat as a physical person plus an additional seat as a representative of a legal entity, generally vote with the Agent’s recommendation to withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from the legal entity and vote on the physical person.

 

Generally, vote with the Agent’s recommendation to withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN, as appropriate) from nominees for whom support has become moot since the time the individual was nominated (e.g., due to death, disqualification, or determination not to accept appointment).

 

Generally, vote with the Agent’s recommendation when more candidates are presented than available seats and no other provisions under these Guidelines apply.

 

Board Structure

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to fix board size, but vote AGAINST if the Agent opposes due to corporate governance, anti-takeover, or board independence concerns.  Generally, vote FOR proposals seeking a board range if the range is reasonable in the context of market practice and anti-takeover considerations.  Proposed article amendments in this regard shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals.  Consider other proposals regarding board structure or policies on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, voting AGAINST if they promote practices not supported under these Guidelines.

 

For Japanese issuers, generally, follow the Agent’s approach to proposals seeking a board structure that would provide greater independence oversight of management and the board.

 

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

Generally, vote in accordance with the Agent’s standards for indemnification and liability protection for officers and directors, voting AGAINST overly broad provisions.

 

Independent Statutory Auditors

 

With respect to Japanese companies that have not adopted the three-committee structure, vote AGAINST any nominee to the position of “independent statutory auditor” whom the Agent considers affiliated, e.g., if the nominee has worked a significant portion of his career for the company, its main bank, or one of its top shareholders.  Where shareholders must vote on multiple nominees in a single resolution, vote AGAINST all nominees.  When multiple slates of statutory auditors are presented, generally vote with the Agent’s recommendation, typically to support nominees deemed to be more independent and/or aligned with interests of minority shareholders.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST incumbent nominees at companies implicated in scandals or exhibiting poor internal controls.

 

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Key Committees

 

Generally, except where market practice otherwise dictates, vote AGAINST proposals that permit non-board members to serve on the audit, remuneration (compensation), or nominating committee, provided that bundled slates, if otherwise acceptable under these Guidelines, may be supported if no slate nominee serves on the relevant committee(s).  If not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines, consider other negative recommendations from the Agent regarding committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Director and Statutory Auditor Remuneration

 

Consider director compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals, while also factoring in the merits of the rationale and disclosure provided.

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to approve the remuneration of directors and auditors as long as the amount is not excessive (e.g., significant increases should be supported by adequate rationale and disclosure), there is no evidence of abuse, the recipient’s overall compensation appears reasonable, and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.

 

For European issuers, vote AGAINST non-executive director remuneration if:

 

·                  The advance general meeting documents do not specify fees paid to non-executive directors;

·                  The company seeks to excessively increase the fees relative to market or sector practices without providing a reasonable rationale for the increase; or

·                  It provides for granting of stock options or similarly structured equity-based compensation.

 

For Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) issuers, the Agent’s limits with respect to equity awards to non-employee directors shall apply.

 

Bonus Payments

 

With respect to Japanese companies, generally follow the Agent’s guidelines on retirement and annual bonus payments, which include voting FOR retirement bonus proposals if all payments are for directors or auditors who have served as executives of the company and AGAINST such proposals if any payments are for outsiders, except when deemed appropriate by the Agent, provided that no payments shall be supported unless the individual or aggregate amounts are disclosed.  In all markets, if issues have been raised regarding a scandal or internal controls, generally vote AGAINST bonus proposals for retiring directors or continuing directors or auditors when culpability can be attributed to the nominee (e.g., if a Fund is also voting AGAINST the nominee under criteria herein regarding issues of scandal or internal controls), unless bundled with bonuses for a majority of directors or auditors a Fund is voting FOR.

 

Stock Option Plans for Independent Internal Statutory Auditors

 

With respect to Japanese companies, follow the Agent’s guidelines with respect to proposals regarding option grants to independent internal statutory auditors or other outside parties, generally voting AGAINST such plans.

 

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Amendment Procedures for Equity Compensation Plans and Employee Share Purchase Plans (ESPPs)

 

For TSX issuers, votes with respect to amendment procedures for security-based compensation arrangements and ESPPs shall generally be cast in a manner designed to preserve shareholder approval rights, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s recommendation.

 

Compensation Plans and Shares Reserved for Equity Compensation Plans

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, votes with respect to equity compensation plans (e.g., option, warrant, restricted stock, or employee share purchase plans or participation in company offerings such as IPOs or private placements) or awards thereunder, the issuance of shares in connection with such plans, cash-based plans where appropriate, or related management proposals (e.g., article amendments), should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such proposals, considering quantitative or qualitative factors as appropriate for the market and utilizing the Agent’s methodology, including classification of a company’s stage of development as growth or mature and the corresponding determination as to reasonability of the share requests.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals that:

 

·                  Exceed Agent’s recommended burn rates or dilution limits, including cases in which the Agent suggests dilution cannot be fully assessed (e.g., due to inadequate disclosure);

·                  Provide deep or near-term discounts (or the equivalent, such as dividend equivalents on unexercised options) to executives or directors, unless discounts to executives are deemed by the Agent to be adequately mitigated by other requirements such as long-term vesting or performance requirements (e.g., Japan) or broad-based employee participation otherwise meeting the Agent’s standards (e.g., France);

·                  Are administered with discretion by potential grant recipients, unless such discretion is deemed acceptable due to market practice or other mitigating provisions;

·                  Provide for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with market practice (e.g., Australia, Belgium, or The Netherlands);

·                  Permit financial assistance to executives, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, or related parties under conditions not supported by the Agent (e.g., misaligned with shareholders’ interests and/or posing excessive risk or independence concerns);

·                  For matching share plans, do not meet the Agent’s standards, considering holding period, discounts, dilution, participation, purchase price, and performance criteria;

·                  Provide for vesting upon change in control if deemed to evidence a potential conflict of interest or anti-takeover device or if the change in control definition is too liberal (e.g., does not result in actual change in control);

·                  Provide inadequate disclosure regarding vesting or performance requirements.

·                  Include vesting or performance periods that do not meet market standards (or the Agent’s standards where market standards are unclear);

·                  Permit post-employment vesting or exercise if deemed inappropriate by the Agent;

·                  Allow plan administrators to make material amendments without shareholder approval unless adequate prior disclosure has been provided, with such voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such plans;

 

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·                  Provide for contract or notice periods or severance/termination payments that exceed market practice, e.g., relative to multiples of annual compensation;

·                  Promote a pay practice (or combination of practices) not otherwise supported under these Guidelines that appears to diminish accountability to shareholders and/or has created a misalignment between CEO pay and performance with regard to shareholder value; or

·                  Provide for retesting in connection with achievement of performance hurdles unless the Agent’s analysis indicates that (1) performance targets are adequately increased in proportion to the additional time available, (2) the retesting is de minimis as a percentage of overall compensation or is acceptable relative to market practice, or (3) the issuer has committed to cease retesting within a reasonable period of time.

 

Generally, vote FOR such plans/awards or the related issuance of shares that (1) do not suffer from the defects noted above or (2) otherwise meet the Agent’s tests if the considerations raised by the Agent pertain primarily to vesting provisions, performance hurdles, discretionary bonuses, recruitment awards, retention incentives, non-compete payments, severance/termination payments, or incentive structures if:

 

(1)                     The company has provided adequate disclosure and/or a reasonable rationale regarding the relevant plan/award, practice, or participation;

(2)                     The recipient’s overall compensation appears reasonable;

(3)                     Potential payments or awards are not so significant (individually or collectively) as to potentially influence an executive’s decision-making (e.g., to enter into a transaction that will result in a change of control payment) or to effectively act as a poison pill; and

(4)                     The board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, market practice of the primary country in which a company does business or competes for talent, or in which an employee is serving, as applicable, shall supersede that of the issuer’s domicile.

 

Consider proposals in connection with such plans or the related issuance of shares in other instances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

Remuneration Reports (Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation)

 

Generally, withhold support (AGAINST or ABSTAIN as appropriate for specific market and level of concerns identified) from remuneration reports/advisory votes on compensation that include compensation plans that:

 

(1)                     Permit practices or features not supported under these Guidelines, including conditions described under Compensation Plans and Shares Reserved for Equity Compensation Plans above;

(2)                     Permit retesting excessive relative to market practice (irrespective of the Agent’s support for the report as a whole);

(3)                     Cite long-term incentive plans deemed to be inadequately aligned with shareholders because the performance period is too short or they lack an appropriate equity component (e.g., overly cash-based plans), except that the latter will be considered CASE-BY-CASE in connection with executives already holding significant equity positions;

 

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(4)                     Cite equity award valuation methods triggering a negative recommendation from the Agent;

(5)                     Include components, metrics, or rationales that have not been disclosed in line with market practice (although retrospective disclosure may be considered adequate);

(6)                     For issuers in Australia, permit open market purchase of shares in support of equity grants in lieu of seeking shareholder approval, but only if the issuer has a history of significant negative votes when formally seeking approval for such grants; or

(7)                     Include provisions for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with market practice, except that reports will generally be voted FOR if contractual components are reasonably aligned with market practices on a going-forward basis (e.g., existing obligations related to retirement benefits or terms contrary to evolving standards would not preclude support for the report).

 

Reports receiving the Agent’s support and not triggering the concerns cited above will generally be voted FOR.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, reports not receiving the Agent’s support due to concerns regarding vesting provisions, performance hurdles, discretionary bonuses, recruitment awards, retention incentives, non-compete payments, severance/termination payments, or incentive structures not otherwise supported by these Guidelines shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voted FOR if:

 

(1)                     The company has provided a reasonable rationale and/or adequate disclosure regarding the matter(s) under consideration;

(2)                     The recipient’s overall compensation appears reasonable;

(3)                     Potential payments or awards are not so significant (individually or collectively) as to potentially influence an executive’s decision-making (e.g., to enter into a transaction that will result in a change of control payment) or to effectively act as a poison pill; and

(4)                     The board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.

 

Reports with typically unsupported features may be voted FOR when the Agent recommends their initial support as the issuer or market transitions to better practices (e.g., having committed to new regulations or governance codes).

 

Proposals to Provide an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

For issuers in Canada, generally support proposals seeking a say on pay, with a preference for an annual vote.

 

Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay

 

Except as otherwise provided for herein, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay shall generally apply.

 

General Share Issuances

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions shall generally be based on the Agent’s practice to determine support for general issuance requests (with or without preemptive rights), or related requests to repurchase and reissue shares, based on their amount relative to currently issued capital, appropriate volume and duration parameters, and market-specific considerations (e.g., priority right protections in France, reasonable levels of dilution and discount in Hong

 

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Kong).  Requests to reissue repurchased shares will not be supported unless a related general issuance request is also supported.

 

Consider specific issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis based on the proposed use and the company’s rationale.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to issue shares (with or without preemptive rights), convertible bonds, or warrants, to grant rights to acquire shares, or to amend the corporate charter relative to such issuances or grants when concerns have been identified by the Agent with respect to inadequate disclosure, inadequate restrictions on discounts, failure to meet the Agent’s standards for general issuance requests, or authority to refresh share issuance amounts without prior shareholder approval.

 

Generally, vote AGAINST nonspecific proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board.

 

Increases in Authorized Capital

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions should generally be based on the Agent’s approach, as follows.  Generally:

 

·                  Vote FOR nonspecific proposals, including bundled proposals, to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding.

·                  Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital, unless:

·                  The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does not meet these Guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or

·                  The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.

·                  Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.

·                  The Agent’s market-specific exceptions to the above parameters shall be applied.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Unless otherwise provided for herein, voting decisions should generally be based on the Agent’s approach, including:

 

·                  Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or issuances of preferred stock up to 50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the rights of existing shareholders.

 

·                  Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets the Agent’s guidelines on equity issuance requests.

 

·                  Vote AGAINST the creation of (1) a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting rights to the common shares or (2) blank check preferred stock, unless the board states that the authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.

 

Poison Pills/Protective Preference Shares

 

Generally, vote AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities (e.g., disclosure requirements or issuances, transfers, or repurchases) that do not meet the Agent’s standards.  Generally vote in accordance with Agent’s recommendation to withhold support from a nominee in connection with poison pill or anti-takeover considerations

 

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when responsibility for the actions can be reasonably attributed to the nominee.  Generally DO NOT VOTE AGAINST director remuneration in connection with poison pill considerations raised by the Agent.

 

Waiver on Tender-Bid Requirement

 

Generally, consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis seeking a waiver for a major shareholder or concert party from the requirement to make a buyout offer to minority shareholders, voting FOR when little concern of a creeping takeover exists and the company has provided a reasonable rationale for the request, and with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such requests.

 

Approval of Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports

 

Generally, vote FOR management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports, unless there is concern about the company’s financial accounts and reporting, which, in the case of related party transactions, would include concerns raised by the Agent regarding inadequate disclosure, remuneration arrangements (including severance/termination payments exceeding local standards for multiples of annual compensation), or consulting agreements with non-executive directors.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, reports not receiving the Agent’s support due to other concerns regarding severance/termination payments not otherwise supported by these Guidelines shall be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the merits of the rationale or disclosure provided and generally voted FOR if the overall remuneration package and/or program at issue appears reasonable and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.  Generally, vote AGAINST board-issued reports receiving a negative recommendation from the Agent due to concerns regarding independence of the board or the presence of non-independent directors on the audit committee.  However, generally do not withhold support from such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as a means of expressing disapproval of broader practices of the issuer or its board.

 

Remuneration of Auditors

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to authorize the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.

 

Indemnification of Auditors

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

Ratification of Auditors and Approval of Auditors’ Fees

 

For Canadian issuers, the Funds’ U.S. Guidelines with respect to auditors and auditor fees shall apply.

 

For other markets, generally, follow the Agent’s standards for proposals seeking auditor ratification or approval of auditors’ fees, which generally indicate a vote FOR such proposals if the level of disclosure and independence meet the Agent’s standards.  However, if fees for non-audit services (excluding significant, one-time events) exceed 50 percent of total auditor fees, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, and vote AGAINST ratification of auditors or approval of auditors’ fees opposed by the Agent if it appears that remuneration for the non-audit work is so lucrative as to taint the auditor’s independence, including circumstances where no rationale is provided.

 

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In other cases, generally vote FOR such proposals unless there are material concerns raised by the Agent about the auditor’s practices or independence.

 

Audit Commission

 

Consider nominees to the audit commission on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such candidates.

 

Allocation of Income and Dividends

 

With respect to Japanese companies, consider management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, including adjustments to reserves to make capital available for such purposes, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, generally voting with the Agent’s recommendations to support such proposals unless:

 

·                  The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or

 

·                  The payout is excessive given the company’s financial position.

 

Generally vote FOR such proposals by issuers in other markets.

 

In any markets, in the event management offers multiple dividend proposals on the same agenda, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration given to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s) and voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s recommendation if no input is received.

 

Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives

 

Generally, vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals, but vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

 

Debt Instruments and Issuance Requests

 

Generally, vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board to issue or set terms for debt instruments (e.g., commercial paper).  Generally, vote FOR debt issuances for companies when the gearing level (current debt-to-equity ratio) is between zero and 100 percent.  Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent, or for which inadequate disclosure precludes calculation of the gearing level, comparing any such proposed debt issuance to industry and market standards, and with voting decisions generally based on the Agent’s approach to evaluating such requests.

 

Financing Plans

 

Generally, vote FOR the adoption of financing plans if they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Consider related party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.  Generally, vote FOR approval of such transactions unless the agreement requests a strategic move outside the company’s charter, contains unfavorable or high-risk terms (e.g., deposits without security interest or guaranty), or is deemed likely to have a negative impact on director independence.

 

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Approval of Donations

 

Generally, vote AGAINST such proposals unless adequate, prior disclosure of amounts is provided; if so, single- or multi-year authorities may be supported.

 

Capitalization of Reserves

 

Generally, vote FOR proposals to capitalize the company’s reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase the par value of shares, unless concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines are raised by the Agent.

 

Investment of Company Reserves

 

These proposals should generally be analyzed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration given to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).

 

Article and Bylaw Amendments

 

Review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all proposals seeking adoption of, or amendments to, the articles of association, bylaws, or related board policies.

 

Generally, vote FOR the proposal if:

 

·                  The change or policy is editorial in nature;

·                  Shareholder rights are protected;

·                  There is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;

·                  Management provides adequate reasons for the amendments or the Agent otherwise supports management’s position;

·                  It seeks to discontinue and/or delist a form of the issuer’s securities when the relevant Fund does not hold the affected security type;

·                  Notice or disclosure requirements are reasonable; or

·                  The company is required to do so by law (if applicable).

 

Generally, vote AGAINST the proposal if:

 

·                  It removes or lowers quorum requirements for board or shareholder meetings below levels recommended by the Agent;

·                  It reduces relevant disclosure to shareholders;

·                  It seeks to align the articles with provisions of another proposal not supported by these Guidelines;

·                  It is not supported under these Guidelines, is presented within a bundled proposal, and the negative impact, on balance, outweighs any positive impact; or

·                  It imposes a negative impact on existing shareholder rights, including rights of the Funds, or diminishes accountability to shareholders to the extent that any positive impact would not be deemed to be sufficient to outweigh removal or diminution of such rights.

 

With respect to article amendments for Japanese companies:

 

·                  Generally vote FOR management proposals to amend a company’s articles to expand its business lines.

·                  Generally vote FOR management proposals to amend a company’s articles to provide for an expansion or reduction in the size of the board, unless the expansion/reduction is clearly disproportionate to the growth/decrease in the scale of the business or raises anti-takeover concerns.

·                  If anti-takeover concerns exist, generally vote AGAINST management proposals,

 

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including bundled proposals, to amend a company’s articles to authorize the Board to vary the annual meeting record date or to otherwise align them with provisions of a takeover defense.

·                  Generally follow the Agent’s guidelines with respect to management proposals regarding amendments to authorize share repurchases at the board’s discretion, voting AGAINST proposals unless there is little to no likelihood of a creeping takeover or constraints on liquidity (free float of shares is low), and where the company is trading at below book value or is facing a real likelihood of substantial share sales; or where this amendment is bundled with other amendments which are clearly in shareholders’ interest.

 

Other Business

 

In connection with global proxies, vote in accordance with the Agent’s market-specific recommendations on management proposals for Other Business, generally AGAINST.

 

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Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

(a) (1) Portfolio Management. The following individuals comprise the investment committee of the Trust and share responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Trust’s portfolio:

 

Dan Norman. Dan is Managing Director and Group Head of the ING U.S. Investment Management Senior Loan Group. He co-manages the Group with Jeff Bakalar, and he is co-chairman of the Group’s Investment Committee and the Loan Valuation Committee. Dan has over twenty-five years of investment experience. He began managing senior loan portfolios in 1995 when ING’s predecessor acquired the management rights to ING Prime Rate Trust. Dan became the co-head of ING’s senior loan business in January of 2000 and, with Jeff Bakalar, created and implemented the ING Senior Loan Strategy and the ING Senior Loan Group in January of 2001. Dan is currently a member of the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and International Association of Credit Portfolio Managers Boards of Directors. Dan has a wide variety of business and investment experience, having begun his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1981. He joined ING’s predecessor in 1992. Dan received his B.A. degree in 1980 from the University of Nebraska and completed the University of Nebraska M.B.A. program in 1981.

 

Jeff Bakalar. Jeff is Managing Director and Group Head of the ING U.S. Investment Management Senior Loan Group. He co-manages the Group with Dan Norman, and he is co-chairman of the Group’s Investment Committee and the Loan Valuation Committee. Jeff has over twenty years of investment and banking experience. Jeff joined ING’s predecessor in 1998 and became part of the investment team for what is now ING Prime Rate Trust. He became the co-head of ING’s senior loan business in January of 2000 and, with Dan Norman, created and implemented the ING Senior Loan Strategy and the ING Senior Loan Group in January of 2001. Jeff began his career as an associate with Continental Bank in 1987, serving in various credit and corporate finance roles, including establishing and managing derivatives trading lines with international bank counterparties, and structuring and monitoring various classes of asset-backed transactions. In 1994, Jeff joined the Communications Division within The First National Bank of Chicago, ultimately serving as a senior underwriter responsible for structuring and managing leveraged transactions for issuers in the broadcasting and media sectors. Jeff received his B.S. degree in finance with honors from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1986, and his M.B.A. in finance with highest distinction from DePaul University in 1992.

 

(a) (2) (i-iii) Other Accounts Managed

 

The following table shows the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers as of February 28, 2011.

 

 

 

Mutual Funds

 

Trusts, Sep Accts and Stable Value

 

 

 

ING Prime Rate Trust

 

Registered Investment Companies

 

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles and Alternative

 

Other Accounts, IIM Managed

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Number of Accts / Total Assets

 

Number of Accts / Total Assets

 

Number of Accts / Total Assets

 

Dan Norman

 

3 accounts/$3,252 million

 

21 accounts/$7,974 million

 

6 accounts/$7,564 million

 

Jeff Bakalar

 

3 accounts/$3,252 million

 

2 account/$787 million

 

4 accounts/$1,186 million

 

 


* Of these other accounts, none have an advisory fee based on performance.

 



 

(a) (2) (iv) Conflicts of Interest

 

A portfolio manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because the portfolio manager is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Trust.  These other accounts may include, among others, other mutual funds, separately managed advisory accounts, commingled trust accounts, insurance separate accounts, wrap fee programs and hedge funds.  Potential conflicts may arise out of the implementation of differing investment strategies for the portfolio manager’s various accounts, the allocation of investment opportunities among those accounts or differences in the advisory fees paid by the portfolio manager’s accounts.

 

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines.  Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio manager’s accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity.  Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment.

 

A portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from those of the Trust.  These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager.  For example, if an account were to sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the Trust maintained its position in that security.

 

A potential conflict may arise when a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees – the difference in the fees may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to particularly appealing investment opportunities.  This conflict may be heightened where an account is subject to a performance-based fee.

 

As part of its compliance program, ING IM has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address the potential conflicts of interest described above.

 

Finally, a potential conflict of interest may arise because the investment mandates for certain other accounts, such as hedge funds, may allow extensive use of short sales, which, in theory, could allow them to enter into short positions in securities where other accounts hold long positions. ING IM has policies and procedures reasonably designed to limit and monitor short sales by the other accounts to avoid harm to the Trust.

 

(a) (3) Compensation

 

Compensation consists of (a) fixed base salary; (b) bonus which is based on ING IM’s performance, one- and three-year pre-tax performance of the accounts the portfolio managers are primarily and jointly responsible for relative to account benchmarks and peer universe performance, and revenue growth of the accounts they are responsible for; and (c) long-term equity awards tied to the performance of our parent company, ING Groep.

 



 

Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in an annual cash incentive plan.  The overall design of the ING IM annual incentive plan was developed to closely tie pay to performance, structured in such a way as to drive performance and promote retention of top talent.  As with base salary compensation, individual target awards are determined and set based on external market data and internal comparators.  Investment performance is measured on both relative and absolute performance in all areas.  ING IM has a defined index, the S&P’s LSTA Leveraged Loan Index and, where applicable, peer groups including but not limited to Russell, Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”), Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. (“Lipper”) and Lehman and set performance goals to appropriately reflect requirements for each investment team.  The measures for each team are outlined on a “scorecard” that is reviewed on an annual basis.  These scorecards reflect a comprehensive approach to measuring investment performance versus both benchmarks and peer groups over one- and three-year periods and year-to-date net cash flow (changes in the accounts’ net assets not attributable to changes in the value of the accounts’ investments) for all accounts managed by the team.  The results for overall IIM scorecards are calculated on an asset weighted performance basis of the individual team scorecards.

 

Investment professionals’ performance measures for bonus determinations are weighted by 25% being attributable to the overall ING IM performance and 75% attributable to their specific team results (60% investment performance and 15% net cash revenue).

 

Based on job function, internal comparators and external market data, portfolio managers participate in the ING Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Plan awards are based on the current year’s performance as defined by the ING IM component of the annual incentive plan.  The awards vest in three years and are paid in a combination of ING restricted stock, stock options and restricted performance units.

 

Portfolio managers whose base salary compensation exceeds a particular threshold may participate in ING’s deferred compensation plan.  The plan provides an opportunity to invest deferred amounts of compensation in mutual funds, ING stock or at an annual fixed interest rate.  Deferral elections are done on an annual basis and the amount of compensation deferred is irrevocable.

 

(a) (4) Ownership of Securities

 

The following table shows the dollar range of shares of the Trust owned by each team member as of February 28, 2013, including investments by their immediate family members and amounts invested through retirement and deferred compensation plans.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Dollar Range of Trust Shares Owned

 

Dan Norman

 

over $100,000

 

Jeff Bakalar

 

$50,001-$100,000

 

 

(b) Not applicable.

 



 

Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

None

 

Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

The Board has a Nominating Committee for the purpose of considering and presenting to the Board candidates it proposes for nomination to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board.  The Committee currently consists of all Independent Trustees of the Board (6 individuals). The Nominating Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board.  The primary purpose of the Nominating Committee is to consider and present to the Board the candidates it proposes for nomination to fill vacancies on the Board.  In evaluating candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider a variety of factors, but it has not at this time set any specific minimum qualifications that must be met. Specific qualifications of candidates for Board membership will be based on the needs of the Board at the time of nomination.

 

The Nominating Committee is willing to consider nominations received from shareholders and shall assess shareholder nominees in the same manner as it reviews its own nominees.  A shareholder nominee for director should be submitted in writing to the Fund’s Secretary.  Any such shareholder nomination should include at a minimum the following information as to each individual proposed for nomination as trustee: such individual’s written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee (if nominated) and to serve as a trustee (if elected), and all information relating to such individual that is required to be disclosed in the solicitation of proxies for election of trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations.

 

The Secretary shall submit all nominations received in a timely manner to the Nominating Committee.  To be timely, any such submission must be delivered to the Fund’s Secretary not earlier than the 90th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made, by either disclosure in a press release or in a document publicly filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)                                 Based on our evaluation conducted within 90 days of the filing date, hereof, the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to the certifying officers by others within the appropriate entities, particularly during the period in which Forms N-CSR are being prepared, and the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures allow timely preparation and review of the information for the registrant’s Form N-CSR and the officer certifications of such Form N-CSR.

 

(b)                                 There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)                  Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CODEETH.

 

(a)(2)                  A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) is attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

 

(b)                                 The officer certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.

 

     (3)                  Not applicable.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant): Voya Prime Rate Trust

 

 

By

/s/ Shaun P. Mathews

 

Shaun P. Mathews

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:

May 7, 2014

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By

/s/ Shaun P. Mathews

 

Shaun P. Mathews

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:

May 7, 2014

 

 

By

/s/ Todd Modic

 

Todd Modic

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

May 7, 2014