FlexShares Enters Actively Managed ETF Space

FlexShares® Exchange Traded Funds, sponsored and managed by Northern Trust, today launched its first actively managed ETF, a cash management fund designed for liquidity-focused investors seeking higher yields (NYSE: RAVI). The RAVI ETF has a variable net asset value (NAV) and can invest beyond the limits of traditional money market funds.

RAVI, reflecting decades of Northern Trust’s cash investing experience, provides investors with liquidity via its shorter term holdings and the daily trading feature of an ETF. The fund invests in a global portfolio of investment grade fixed-income instruments, such as bonds, debt securities and other debt issued by governments, corporations and banks.

“Investors in cash products face a tradeoff between safety of principal, income and liquidity given today’s ultra-low rate environment,” said Shundrawn Thomas, head of Northern Trust's Exchange Traded Funds Group. "Going forward, investors will have to segment their cash portfolios on this basis and determine what products fit their needs. We believe RAVI can be used to achieve liquidity and relative higher yields, for investors that can accept some degree of variability in their principal."

The new fund invests in what Northern Trust believes are fundamentally sound corporate, sovereign and asset-backed securities, including those that fall beyond the SEC Rule 2a7 restrictions imposed on registered fixed NAV money market funds (Rule 2a7 puts limits on the quality, maturity and diversity of investments in money market funds). Holdings are evaluated with regard to their relative value for credit and market risk before being included in RAVI’s portfolio.

For more information, please visit www.flexshares.com.

An investment in FlexShares is subject to numerous risks, including possible loss of principal. Fund returns may not match the return of the respective indexes. The Funds are subject to the following principal risks: asset class; credit (or default) risk; concentration; currency; debt extension; derivatives; emerging markets; financial sector; foreign securities; interest rate / maturity risk; issuer; leveraging; liquidity; management; market; market trading; mortgage-related and other asset-backed risks; municipal market volatility; new fund; non-diversification; prepayment; and U.S. Government Securities risk. A full description of risks is in the prospectus.

Before investing carefully consider the FlexShares investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting www.flexshares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

FlexShares ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

The FlexShares Ready Access Variable Income Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate a specified index. Additionally, the Fund may invest without limitation in the fixed-income and debt securities of foreign issuers in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund is at increased credit and default risk, where there is an inability or unwillingness by the issuer of a fixed-income security to meet its financial obligations, debt extension risk, where an issuer may exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation later than expected, as well as interest rate / maturity risk, where the value of the Fund’s fixed-income assets will decline because of rising interest rates. The Fund may also be subject to increased concentration risk as it may invest more than 25% of its assets into the securities of a single developed market. Additionally, the Fund may invest without limitation in mortgage or asset-backed securities which puts it at increased risk for interest rate / maturity risk, debt extension risk, and prepayment (or Call) risk. Also, the Fund is “non-diversified” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified funds.

About FlexShares

FlexShares is a suite of ETF products designed to pursue real-world goals by evolving the process of ETF development, providing flexibility for meeting investor needs. FlexShares Funds are sponsored by Northern Trust. Individual investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor or online broker.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 U.S. states and 16 international locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of June 30, 2012, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$4.6 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$704.3 billion. For more than 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.