As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2019
Securities Act File No. 333-59745
Investment Company Act File No. 811-08895
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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Registration Statement Under The Securities Act Of 1933 |
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 |
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Registration Statement Under The Investment Company Act Of 1940 |
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Amendment No. 110
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VOYA FUNDS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant Specified in Charter)
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 992-0180
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.
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With copies to:
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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x on November 4, 2019, pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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o 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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o on (date), pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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o 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
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o on (date), pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
o This post-effective amendment designated a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of beneficial interest with a par value $0.001.
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
(the Registrant)
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement consists of the following papers and documents:
· Cover Sheet
· Contents of Registration Statement
· Explanatory Note
Registrants Class A, Class C, Class I, Class L, Class O, and Class W Shares Prospectus for Voya Government Money Market Fund II dated November 4, 2019
· Registrants Class A, Class C, Class I, Class L, Class O, and Class W Shares Statement of Additional Information for Voya Government Money Market Fund II dated November 4, 2019
· Part C
· Signature Page
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A for Voya Funds Trust (the Registrant) is being filed pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the purpose of finalizing one new series under the Registrant: Voya Government Money Market Fund II. Attached is the Funds Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, each dated November 4, 2019.
• | Voya Government Money Market Fund II (To be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund on November 9, 2019) |
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E-Delivery Sign-up – details on back cover |
SUMMARY SECTION | |
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Back Cover |
Class | Maximum sales charge (load) as a % of offering price imposed on purchases | Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sales price, whichever is less |
A | None | None |
C | None | 1.00 |
I | None | None |
L | None | None |
O | None | None |
W | None | None |
A | C | I | ||
Management Fee | % | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | % | None | 1.00 | None |
Other Expenses | % | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.22 |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | % | 0.57 | 1.57 | 0.57 |
Waivers and Reimbursements1 | % | (0.17) | (0.17) | (0.17) |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Waivers and Reimbursements | % | 0.40 | 1.40 | 0.40 |
L | O | W | ||
Management Fee | % | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.35 |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | % | None | 0.25 | None |
Other Expenses | % | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.22 |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | % | 0.57 | 0.82 | 0.57 |
Waivers and Reimbursements1 | % | (0.17) | (0.25) | (0.17) |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Waivers and Reimbursements | % | 0.40 | 0.57 | 0.40 |
1 | The adviser is contractually obligated to limit expenses to 0.40%, 1.40%, 0.40%, 0.40%, 0.65%, and 0.40% for Class A, Class C, Class I, Class L, Class O, and Class W shares, respectively, through August 1, 2021. The limitation does not extend to interest, taxes, investment-related costs, leverage expenses, extraordinary expenses, and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. This limitation is subject to possible recoupment by the adviser within |
36 months of the waiver or reimbursement. The adviser and distributor are contractually obligated to waive a portion of their management fees and distribution and/or shareholder services fees, as applicable, and to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to assist the Fund in maintaining a yield of not less than zero through August 1, 2021. There is no guarantee that the Fund will maintain such a yield. Any management fees waived or expenses reimbursed may be subject to possible recoupment by the adviser within 36 months of the waiver or reimbursement. In no event will the amount of the recoupment on any day exceed 20% of the yield (net of all expenses) of the Fund on that day. In addition, the distributor is contractually obligated to waive the shareholder service fee for Class O shares through August 1, 2021. Termination or modification of these obligations requires approval by the Fund’s board. |
1 Yr | 5 Yrs | 10 Yrs |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
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Class A before taxes | % | 1.51 | 0.37 | 0.20 | N/A | 04/15/94 |
Class C before taxes | % | -0.49 | 0.13 | N/A | 0.10 | 07/29/11 |
Class I before taxes | % | 1.50 | 0.37 | 0.20 | N/A | 01/03/92 |
Class L before taxes | % | 1.50 | 0.37 | 0.20 | N/A | 06/30/98 |
Class O before taxes | % | 1.52 | 0.38 | 0.20 | N/A | 11/15/06 |
Class W before taxes | % | 1.50 | 0.37 | 0.20 | N/A | 07/29/11 |
Investment Adviser | Sub-Adviser |
Voya Investments, LLC | Voya Investment Management Co. LLC |
Portfolio Manager | |
David S. Yealy
Portfolio Manager (since inception) |
Class | A, C | I | O | W | |
Non-retirement accounts | $ | 1,000 | 250,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Retirement accounts | $ | 250 | 250,000 | 250 | 1,000 |
Certain omnibus accounts | $ | 250 | — | — | — |
Pre-Authorized Investment Plan | $ | 1,000 | 250,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Management Fee | |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II | 0.350% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. |
Class A | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | None |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | None |
Purchase Maximum | None |
Minimum Initial Purchase/Minimum Account Size | $1,000 ($250 for IRAs)/$1,000 ($250 for IRAs) |
Minimum Subsequent Purchases | None (At least $100/month for Pre-Authorized Investment Plan) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | $5,000 |
Conversion | None |
Class C | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | 1.00% if the shares are sold within one year from the date of purchase |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | 1.00% annually |
Purchase Maximum | $1,000,000 |
Minimum Initial Purchase/Minimum Account Size | $1,000 ($250 for IRAs)/$1,000 ($250 for IRAs) |
Minimum Subsequent Purchases | None (At least $100/month for Pre-Authorized Investment Plan) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | $5,000 |
Conversion | Effective January 2, 2020, automatic conversion to Class A shares after 10 years |
Class I | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | None |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | None |
Purchase Maximum | None |
Minimum Initial Purchase1/Minimum Account Size | $250,000/$250,000 |
Minimum Subsequent Purchases | None (At least $100/month for Pre-Authorized Investment Plan) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | None |
Conversion | None |
Class L | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | None |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | None |
Purchase Maximum | May not be purchased or acquired except by the reinvestment of dividends |
Minimum Initial Purchase/Minimum Account Size | $1,000 ($250 for IRAs)/$1,000 ($250 for IRAs) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | $5,000 |
Conversion | To be converted to Class A shares on or about November 22, 2019 |
Class O | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | None |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% Annually |
Purchase Maximum | $1,000,000 |
Minimum Initial Purchase2/Minimum Account Size | $1,000 ($250 for IRAs)/$1,000 ($250 for IRAs) |
Minimum Subsequent Purchases | None (At least $100/month for Pre-Authorized Investment Plan) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | None |
Conversion | To be converted to Class A shares on or about November 22, 2019 |
Class W | |
Initial Sales Charge | None |
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge | None |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Services (12b-1) Fees | None |
Purchase Maximum | None |
Minimum Initial Purchase/Minimum Account Size | $1,000/$1,000 |
Minimum Subsequent Purchases | None (At least $100/month for Pre-Authorized Investment Plan) |
Minimum Initial Account Balance for Systematic Exchange Privilege | None |
Conversion | None |
1 | There is no minimum initial investment requirement for qualified retirement plans or other defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans that invest in the Voya funds through omnibus arrangements or for employees of Voya IM who are eligible to participate in “notional” bonus programs sponsored by Voya IM. |
2 | For Class O shares, if you are unable to invest at least $1,000 ($250 for retirement accounts/ESAs), you may open your account for $100 and invest an additional $100 per month using the Automatic Investment Plan. This allows you to invest regular amounts at regular intervals until you reach the required minimum. |
Fund | Class A | Class C | Class I | Class L | Class O2 | Class W |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II1 | None | 1.00% | None | None | 0.25% | None |
1 | The Distributor and Adviser have contractually agreed to waive a portion of their distribution and/or shareholder services fees and management fees, as applicable, and to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to assist the Fund in maintaining a yield of not less than zero through August 1, 2021. |
2 | The Distributor is contractually obligated to waive the service fee for Class O shares through August 1, 2021. |
Years after purchase | CDSC on shares being sold |
1st year | 1.00% |
After 1st year | None |
• | Redemptions following the death or permanent disability of a shareholder if made within one year of death or the initial determination of permanent disability. The waiver is available only for shares held at the time of death or initial determination of permanent disability. |
• | Redemptions pursuant to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, up to a maximum of 12% per year of a shareholder's account value based on the value of the account at the time the plan is established and annually thereafter. |
• | Mandatory distributions from “employee benefit plans” or an IRA. |
• | Reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
• | Name; |
• | Date of birth (for individuals); |
• | Physical residential address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and |
• | Social Security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number. |
Minimum Investments | Class | Initial Purchase | Subsequent Purchases |
Non-retirement accounts |
A/C/O1/W
I2 |
$1,000
$250,000 |
No minimum |
Retirement accounts |
A/C/O1
I2 W |
$250
$250,000 $1,000 |
No minimum |
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts | O1 | $250 | No minimum |
Pre-Authorized Investment Plan |
A/C/O1/W
I2 |
$1,000
$250,000 |
At least $100/month |
Certain omnibus accounts | A/C | $250 | No minimum |
1 | For Class O shares, if you are unable to invest at least $1,000 ($250 for retirement accounts/ESAs), you may open your account for $100 and invest an additional $100 per month using the Automatic Investment Plan. This allows you to invest regular amounts at regular intervals until you reach the required minimum. |
2 | There is no minimum initial investment requirement for qualified retirement plans or other defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans that invest in the Voya funds through omnibus arrangements or for employees of Voya IM who are eligible to participate in “notional” bonus programs sponsored by Voya IM. |
Buying Shares | Opening an Account | Adding to an Account |
By Contacting Your Financial Intermediary | A financial intermediary with an authorized firm can help you establish and maintain your account. | Contact your financial intermediary. For Class O Shares, you may purchase additional shares by calling 1-866-590-7629. Additional fees may apply for phone orders. |
By Mail | Make your check payable to Voya Investment Management and mail it with a completed Account Application. Please indicate your financial intermediary on the New Account Application. | Fill out the Account Additions form at the bottom of your account statement and mail it along with your check payable to Voya Investment Management to the address on the account statement. Please write your account number on the check. |
By Wire |
Call Shareholder Services at 1-800-992-0180 to obtain an account number and indicate your financial intermediary on the account.
ABA # 011001234 credit to: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. as Agent for Voya mutual funds A/C #0000733938; for further credit to Shareholder A/C # (A/C # you received over the telephone) Shareholder Name: (Your Name Here) Voya Investment Management P.O. Box 9772 Providence, RI 02940-9772 |
Wire the funds in the same manner described under “Opening an Account.” |
Online (Class O Only) | Complete your application online at www.capitaloneinvesting.com. | Log onto your account at www.capitaloneinvesting.com, go to the Trade>Mutual Funds page and select the “Buy” option. |
Selling Shares | To Sell Some or All of Your Shares |
By Contacting Your Financial Intermediary | You may sell shares by contacting your financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may charge for their services in connection with your redemption request, but neither the Fund nor the Distributor imposes any such charge. |
By Mail |
Send a written request specifying the Fund name and share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered, and the
dollar value or number of shares you wish to redeem to:
P.O. Box 9772 Providence, RI 02940-9772 |
By Telephone - Expedited Redemption |
You may sell shares by telephone on all accounts, other than retirement accounts, unless you check the box on the Account Application which
signifies that you do not wish to use telephone redemptions. To redeem by telephone, call a Shareholder Services Representative at 1-800-992-0180.
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Online (Class O only, applies to all non-retirement accounts up to $100,000) | Log onto your account at www.capitaloneinvesting.com, navigate to the Trade>Mutual Funds page and select the “Sell” option. |
• | Your account must have a current value of at least $10,000. |
• | Minimum withdrawal amount is $100. |
• | You may choose from monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments. |
• | Your account must have a current value of at least $250,000 or $1,000 for Class I and Class W shares, respectively. |
• | Minimum withdrawal amount is $1,000. |
• | You may choose from monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments. |
Income (loss)
from investment operations |
Less distributions | Ratios to average net assets |
Supplemental
data |
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Net asset value, beginning
of year or period |
Net investment income (loss) |
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) |
Total from investment
operations |
From net investment income | From net realized gains | From return of capital | Total distributions | Payments from distribution settlement/affiliate |
Net asset value,
end of year or period |
Total Return(1) |
Expenses before
reductions/additions(2)(3) |
Expenses, net of fee waivers
and/or recoupments, if any(2)(3) |
Expenses, net of all
reductions/additions(2)(3) |
Net investment income
(loss)(2)(3) |
Net assets, end of year or
period |
Portfolio turnover rate | ||||||||||||||||||
Year or Period ended | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | ($000's) | (%) | |||||||||||||||||
Voya Government Money Market Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.00* | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00* | — | 0.02 | — | 1.00 | 1.76 | 0.57 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 1.75 | 157,178 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.50 | 155,574 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | 0.00*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.09 | 0.74 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | 0.00* | 138,169 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.71 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | 0.00* | 144,081 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00 | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.68 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | (0.00)* | 174,152 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.75 | 1.57 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 0.74 | 4,256 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.06 | 1.69 | 1.15(6) | 1.15 | 0.02 | 4,054 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.08 | 1.74 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | (0.00)* | 2,410 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | (0.00)*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 1.71 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | (0.00)* | 3,681 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 1.68 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | 0.00* | 2,526 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Class I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.00* | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00* | — | 0.02 | — | 1.00 | 1.76 | 0.57 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 1.72 | 39,581 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.50 | 39,617 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | 0.00*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.09 | 0.74 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | 0.00* | 39,955 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.71 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | (0.00)* | 46,198 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.68 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | (0.00)* | 59,514 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Class L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.00* | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00* | — | 0.02 | — | 1.00 | 1.76 | 0.57 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 1.72 | 1,146 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.48 | 1,203 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | 0.00*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.09 | 0.74 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | 0.00* | 1,440 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.71 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | (0.00)* | 1,902 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.68 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | (0.00)* | 2,464 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Class O | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.00* | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00* | — | 0.02 | — | 1.00 | 1.77 | 0.82 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 1.57 | 1,248 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.53 | 0.94 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.49 | 6,162 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | 0.00*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.09 | 0.99 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | 0.00* | 6,938 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.96 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | (0.00)* | 7,546 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.93 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | (0.00)* | 8,302 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Class W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-31-19 | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.00* | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00* | — | 0.02 | — | 1.00 | 1.76 | 0.57 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 1.82 | 269 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-18 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.00* | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00* | — | 0.01 | — | 1.00 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.48 | 64 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-17 | 1.00 | (0.00)*• | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.09 | 0.74 | 0.46(3) | 0.46 | (0.00)* | 99 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-16 | 1.00 | —• | 0.00* | 0.00 | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.02 | 0.71 | 0.28(4) | 0.28 | 0.00 | 27 | — | |||||||||||||||||
03-31-15 | 1.00 | (0.00)* | 0.00* | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 0.00* | — | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.68 | 0.19(5) | 0.19 | (0.00)* | 40 | — |
(1) | Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and return of capital distributions, if any, at net asset value and excluding the deduction of sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable. |
(2) | Ratios reflect operating expenses of the Fund. Expenses before reductions/additions do not reflect amounts reimbursed or recouped by the Investment Adviser and/or Distributor or reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements and do not represent the amount paid by the Fund during periods when reimbursements or reductions occur. Expenses net of fee waivers reflect expenses after reimbursement by the Investment Adviser and/or Distributor or recoupment of previously reimbursed fees by the Investment Adviser, but prior to reductions from brokerage service arrangements or other expense offset arrangements. Expenses net of all reductions/additions represent the net expenses paid by the Fund. Net investment income (loss) is net of all such additions or reductions. |
(3) | Expense ratios reflect waivers of 0.26%, 1.26%, 0.26%, 0.26%, 0.51% and 0.26% of management fees, distribution, and shareholder servicing fees for Classes A, C, I, L, O, and W, respectively, in order to maintain a net yield of not less than zero. |
(4) | Expense ratios reflect waivers of 0.41%, 1.41%, 0.41%, 0.41%, 0.66%, and 0.41% of management fees, distribution, and shareholder servicing fees for Classes A, C, I, L, O, and W, respectively, in order to maintain a net yield of not less than zero. |
(5) | Expense ratios reflect waivers of 0.49%, 1.49%, 0.49%, 0.49%, 0.74%, and 0.49% of management fees, distribution, and shareholder servicing fees for Classes A, C, I, L, O, and W, respectively, in order to maintain a net yield of not less than zero. |
(6) | Expense ratios reflect a waiver of 0.49% of distribution and shareholder servicing fees for Class C in order to maintain a net yield of not less than zero. |
* | Amount is less than $0.005 or 0.005% or more than $(0.005) or (0.005)%. |
• | Calculated using average number of shares outstanding throughout the year or period. |
• | Death or disability of the shareholder |
• | Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus |
• | Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account |
• | Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ |
• | Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch |
• | Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement |
• | Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to Class A and Class C shares only) |
• | Death or disability of the shareholder. |
• | Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. |
• | Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account. |
• | Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. |
• | Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James. |
• | Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement. |
Voya Funds Trust | 811-08895 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II |
|
Go Paperless with E-Delivery! |
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Sign up now for on-line prospectuses, fund reports, and proxy statements. In less than five minutes, you can help reduce paper mail and lower fund costs. | ||
Just go to www.individuals.voya.com/page/e-delivery, follow the directions and complete the quick 5 Steps to Enroll. | ||
You will be notified by e-mail when these communications become available on the Internet. Documents that are not available on the Internet will continue to be sent by mail. |
209294 | (1119-110419) |
Asset Class/Investment Technique | Voya Government Money Market Fund II |
Equity Securities | |
Commodities | |
Common Stocks | |
Convertible Securities | |
Initial Public Offerings | |
Master Limited Partnerships | |
Other Investment Companies and Pooled Investment Vehicles | X |
Preferred Stocks | |
Private Investments in Public Companies | |
Real Estate Securities and Real Estate Investment Trusts | |
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Issuers | |
Special Situation Issuers | |
Trust Preferred Securities | |
Debt Instruments | |
Asset-Backed Securities | X |
Bank Instruments | X |
Commercial Paper | X |
Corporate Debt Instruments | X |
Credit-Linked Notes | X |
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates | |
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities | |
Event-Linked Bonds | |
Floating or Variable Rate Instruments | X |
Guaranteed Investment Contracts | X |
High Yield Securities | |
Inflation-Indexed Bonds | |
Inverse Floating Rate Securities | |
Mortgage-Related Securities | X |
Municipal Securities | X |
Senior and Other Bank Loans | |
U.S. Government Securities and Obligations | X |
Zero-Coupon, Deferred Interest and Pay-in-Kind Bonds | X |
Foreign Investments | |
Depositary Receipts | |
Emerging Market Investments | X |
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Instruments | X |
Foreign Currencies | X |
Sovereign Debt | X |
Supranational Entities | X |
Derivative Instruments | |
Forward Commitments | |
Futures Contracts | X |
Hybrid Instruments | X |
Options | X |
Asset Class/Investment Technique | Voya Government Money Market Fund II |
Participatory Notes | |
Rights and Warrants | X |
Swap Transactions and Options on Swap Transactions | X |
Other Investment Techniques | |
Borrowing | X |
Illiquid Securities | X |
Participation on Creditors Committees | |
Repurchase Agreements | X |
Restricted Securities | X |
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Transactions | X |
Securities Lending | |
Short Sales | |
To Be Announced Sale Commitments | X |
When-Issued Securities and Delayed-Delivery Transactions | X |
1. | purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer or the Fund’s ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund’s investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other registered management investment companies; |
2. | purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that: (a) there is no limitation with respect to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or tax exempt securities issued by any state or territory of the United States, or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; (b) notwithstanding this limitation or any other fundamental investment limitation, assets may be invested in the securities of one or more registered management investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations there under and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund; and (c) this restriction will not limit the Fund’s investments in certificates of deposit, fixed-time deposits, bankers acceptances and other short-term instruments issued by banks that are otherwise eligible investments for the Fund under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund; |
3. | make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations, interpretations, and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund; |
4. | issue senior securities except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund; |
5. | purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or lease office space for its own use; (b) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (c) invest in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; or (d) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities; |
6. | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities). This limitation does not apply to foreign currency transactions, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts; |
7. | borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations, interpretations thereunder, and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund; and |
8. | underwrite any issue of securities within the meaning of the 1933 Act except when it might technically be deemed to be an underwriter either: (a) in connection with the disposition of a portfolio security; or (b) in connection with the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof in accordance with its investment objective. This restriction shall not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities issued by other registered management investment companies. |
• | to the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, named herein, for use in providing audit opinions, as well as to the independent registered public accounting firm of an entity affiliated with the Adviser if the Fund is consolidated into the financial results of the affiliated entity; |
• | to financial printers for the purpose of preparing Fund regulatory filings; |
• | for the purpose of due diligence regarding a merger or acquisition involving the Fund; |
• | to a new adviser or sub-adviser or a transition manager prior to the commencement of its management of the Fund; |
• | to rating and ranking agencies such as Bloomberg L.P., Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Leaders Rating System, and S&P (such agencies may receive more raw data from the Fund than is posted on the Fund’s website); |
• | to consultants for use in providing asset allocation advice in connection with investments by affiliated funds-of-funds in the Fund; |
• | to service providers, on a daily basis, in connection with their providing services benefiting the Fund including, but not limited to, the provision of custodial and transfer agency services, the provision of analytics for securities lending oversight and reporting, compliance oversight, and proxy voting or class action service providers; |
• | to a third party for purposes of effecting in-kind redemptions of securities to facilitate orderly redemption of portfolio assets and minimal impact on remaining Fund shareholders; |
• | to certain wrap fee programs, on a weekly basis, on the first business day following the previous calendar week; |
• | to a third party who acts as a “consultant” and supplies the consultant’s analysis of holdings (but not actual holdings) to the consultant’s clients (including sponsors of retirement plans or their consultants) or who provides regular analysis of Fund portfolios. The types, frequency and timing of disclosure to such parties vary depending upon information requested; or |
• | to legal counsel to the Fund and the Trustees. |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years | Number of Funds in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees2 | Other Board Positions Held by Trustees |
Independent Trustees | |||||
Colleen D. Baldwin
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 59 |
Trustee | November 2007 – Present | President, Glantuam Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm (January 2009 – Present). | 146 | Dentaquest, (February 2014 – Present); RSR Partners, Inc., (2016 – Present). |
John V. Boyer
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 66 |
Chairperson
Trustee |
January 2014 – Present
January 2005 – Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer, Bechtler Arts Foundation, an arts and education foundation (January 2008 – Present). | 146 | None. |
Patricia W. Chadwick
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 71 |
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). | 146 | Wisconsin Energy Corporation (June 2006 – Present); The Royce Fund (22 funds) (December 2009 – Present); and AMICA Mutual Insurance Company (1992 – Present). |
Martin J. Gavin
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 69 |
Trustee | August 2015 – Present | Retired. Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (May 2006 – November 2015). | 146 | None. |
Russell H. Jones
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 75 |
Trustee | May 2013 – Present | Retired. | 146 | None. |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years | Number of Funds in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustees2 | Other Board Positions Held by Trustees |
Joseph E. Obermeyer
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 62 |
Trustee | May 2013 – Present | President, Obermeyer & Associates, Inc., a provider of financial and economic consulting services (November 1999 – Present). | 146 | None. |
Sheryl K. Pressler
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 69 |
Trustee | January 2006 – Present | Consultant (May 2001 – Present). | 146 | None. |
Christopher P. Sullivan
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 65 |
Trustee | October 2015 – Present | Retired. | 146 | None. |
Roger B. Vincent
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 74 |
Trustee | February 2002 – Present | Retired. | 146 | None. |
Trustee who is an “Interested Person” | |||||
Dina Santoro3
230 Park Avenue New York, NY 10169 Age: 46 |
Trustee | July 2018 – Present | President, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Capital, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Managing Director, Head of Product and Marketing Strategy, Voya Investment Management (September 2017 – Present). Formerly, Managing Director, Quantitative Management Associates, LLC (January 2004 – August 2017). | 146 | Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Capital, LLC and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present). |
1 | Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The tenure of each Trustee who is not an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund (as defined below, “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 at the close of business on December 31 of the calendar year in which the Independent Trustee attains the age of 75. 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 the purposes of appointing a successor to the Independent Trustee or otherwise complying under 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 purposes of this table, “Fund Complex” means the Voya family of funds, including the following investment companies: 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 Government Money Market Portfolio; Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund; Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio; Voya International High Dividend Equity Income Fund; Voya Investors Trust; Voya Mutual Funds; Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund; Voya Partners, Inc.; Voya Prime Rate Trust; 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.; and Voya Variable Products Trust. The number of funds in the Fund Complex is as of October 31, 2019. |
3 | Ms. Santoro is deemed to be an interested person of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act, because of her current affiliation with any of the Voya funds, Voya Financial, Inc., or Voya Financial, Inc.’s affiliates. |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Michael Bell
One Orange Way Windsor, CT 06095 Age: 50 |
Chief Executive Officer | March 2018 - Present | Chief Executive Officer and Director, Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Capital, LLC, and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (September 2019 – Present); Chief Financial Officer, Voya Investment Management (September 2014 – Present). Formerly, Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (November 2015 – September 2019); Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, Voya Investments, LLC (November 2015 – March 2018); Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Hartford Investment Management (September 2003 – September 2014). |
Dina Santoro
230 Park Avenue New York, NY 10169 Age: 46 |
President | March 2018 - Present | President and Director, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Capital, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Director, Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Director and Senior Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Managing Director, Head of Product and Marketing Strategy, Voya Investment Management (September 2017 – Present). Formerly, Managing Director, Quantitative Management Associates, LLC (January 2004 – August 2017). |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Stanley D. Vyner
230 Park Avenue New York, NY 10169 Age: 69 |
Chief Investment Risk Officer
Executive Vice President |
September 2009 - Present
October 2000 - Present |
Executive Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (July 2000 – Present) and Chief Investment Risk Officer, Voya Investments, LLC (January 2003 – Present). |
James M. Fink
5780 Powers Ferry Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30327 Age: 61 |
Executive Vice President | March 2018 - Present | Managing Director, Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Capital, LLC, and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Chief Administrative Officer, Voya Investment Management (September 2017 – Present). Formerly, Managing Director, Operations, Voya Investment Management (March 1999 – September 2017). |
Kevin M. Gleason
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 53 |
Chief Compliance Officer | February 2012 - Present | Senior Vice President, Voya Investment Management and Chief Compliance Officer, Voya Family of Funds (February 2012- Present). |
Todd Modic
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 52 |
Senior Vice President, Chief/Principal Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary | March 2005 - Present | President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present) and Senior Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (April 2005 – Present). |
Kimberly A. Anderson
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 55 |
Senior Vice President | November 2003 - Present | Senior Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (September 2003 – Present). |
Robert Terris
5780 Powers Ferry Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30327 Age: 49 |
Senior Vice President | May 2006 - Present | Senior Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Senior Vice President, Head of Division Operations, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present) and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2006 – Present). |
Fred Bedoya
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 46 |
Vice President and Treasurer | September 2012 - Present | Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present) and Voya Funds Services, LLC (July 2012 – Present). |
Maria M. Anderson
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 61 |
Vice President | September 2004 - Present | Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present) and Voya Funds Services, LLC (September 2004 – Present). |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Sara M. Donaldson
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 60 |
Vice President | September 2014 - Present | Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present). Formerly, Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (April 2014 – October 2015). |
Micheline S. Faver
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 42 |
Vice President | September 2016 - Present | Vice President, Head of Fund Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer for Voya Investments, LLC (June 2016 – Present). Formerly, Vice President Mutual Fund Compliance (March 2014 – June 2016). |
Robyn L. Ichilov
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 52 |
Vice President | October 2000 - Present | Vice President, Voya Funds Services, LLC (November 1995 – Present) and Voya Investments, LLC (August 1997 – Present). |
Jason Kadavy
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 43 |
Vice President | September 2012 - Present | Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present) and Voya Funds Services, LLC (July 2007 – Present). |
Andrew K. Schlueter
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 43 |
Vice President | March 2018 - Present | Vice President, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (April 2018 – Present); Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2018 – Present); Vice President, Head of Mutual Fund Operations, Voya Investment Management (February 2018 – Present). Formerly, Vice President, Voya Investment Management (March 2014 – February 2018). |
Craig Wheeler
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 50 |
Vice President | May 2013 - Present | Vice President – Director of Tax, Voya Investments, LLC (October 2015 – Present). Formerly, Vice President – Director of Tax, Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2013 – October 2015). |
Monia Piacenti
One Orange Way Windsor, CT 06095 Age: 43 |
Anti-Money Laundering Officer | June 2018 - Present | Anti-Money Laundering Officer, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC, Voya Investment Management, and Voya Investment Management Trust Co. (June 2018 – Present); Compliance Consultant, Voya Financial, Inc. (January 2019 – Present). Formerly, Senior Compliance Officer, Voya Investment Management (December 2009 – December 2018). |
Name, Address and Age | Position(s) Held with the Trust | Term of Office and Length of Time Served1 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years |
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 56 |
Secretary | August 2003 - Present | Senior Vice President and Secretary of Voya Investments, LLC (December 2018 – Present) and Voya Funds Services, LLC (March 2010 – Present); Managing Director and Head of Voya Investment Management Legal (October 2019 – Present); Formerly, Managing Director and Chief Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (March 2019 – October 2019); Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (March 2010 – February 2019). |
Paul A. Caldarelli
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 68 |
Assistant Secretary | June 2010 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (March 2010 – Present). |
Theresa K. Kelety
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034 Age: 56 |
Assistant Secretary | August 2003 - Present | Vice President and Senior Counsel, Voya Investment Management – Mutual Fund Legal Department (March 2010 – Present). |
1 | The Officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board of Trustees and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. |
Fund | Joint IRC | IRC E | IRC F |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II | X |
Fund | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund as of December 31, 2018 | ||||
Colleen D. Baldwin | John V. Boyer | Patricia W. Chadwick | Martin J. Gavin | Russell H. Jones | |
Predecessor Fund | None | None | None | None | None |
Fund | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund as of December 31, 2018 | ||||
Joseph E. Obermeyer | Sheryl K. Pressler | Dina Santoro | Christopher P. Sullivan | Roger B. Vincent | |
Predecessor Fund | None | None | None | None | None |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the Voya family of funds | Over $100,0001 | Over $100,0001 | None | Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000
Over $100,0001 |
1 | Includes the value of shares in which a Trustee has an indirect interest through a deferred compensation plan and/or a 401(K) plan. |
Name of Trustee | Name of Owners and Relationship to Trustee | Company | Title of Class | Value of Securities | Percentage of Class |
Colleen D. Baldwin | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
John V. Boyer | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Patricia W. Chadwick | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Martin J. Gavin | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Russell H. Jones | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Joseph Obermeyer | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sheryl K. Pressler | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Christopher P. Sullivan | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Roger B. Vincent | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fund | Aggregate Compensation | ||||
Colleen D. Baldwin | John V. Boyer | Patricia W. Chadwick | Martin J. Gavin | Russell H. Jones | |
Predecessor Fund | $830.41 | $990.79 | $830.41 | $830.41 | $830.41 |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Total Compensation from the Fund and the Voya family of funds Paid to Trustees | $362,500.00 | $432,500.001 | $362,500.00 | $362,500.001 | $362,500.001 |
Fund | Aggregate Compensation | ||||
Patrick W. Kenny2 | Joseph E. Obermeyer | Sheryl K. Pressler | Christopher P. Sullivan | Roger B. Vincent | |
Predecessor Fund | $501.19 | $825.28 | $910.60 | $830.41 | $756.55 |
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Total Compensation from the Fund and the Voya family of funds Paid to Trustees | $250,000.001 | $360,000.001 | $397,500.001 | $362,500.00 | $330,000.00 |
1 | During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Gavin, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kenny, Mr. Obermeyer, and Ms. Pressler deferred $20,000.00, $166,220.00, $162,500.00, $62,500.00, $36,000.00, and $90,000.00, respectively, of their compensation from the Voya family of funds. |
2 | Mr. Kenny retired as a Trustee effective December 31, 2018. |
Annual Management Fee |
0.350% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. |
Fund | March 31, | ||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
Predecessor Fund | $748,433.00 | $947,529.00 | $1,043,425.00 |
Fund | March 31, | ||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
Predecessor Fund | ($374,308.00) | ($147,477.00) | ($623,344.00) |
Sub-Adviser | Annual Sub-Advisory Fee |
Voya Investment Management Co. LLC (“Voya IM”) | 0.1125% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. |
Fund | March 31, | ||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
Predecessor Fund | $240,568.79 | $334,335.38 | $375,633.45 |
Portfolio Manager | Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | |||
Number of Accounts | Total Assets | Number of Accounts | Total Assets | Number of Accounts | Total Assets | |
David S. Yealy | 3 | $1,417,142,904 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Predecessor Fund Shares Owned |
David S. Yealy | None |
Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Predecessor Fund Shares Allocated Under Deferred Compensation |
David S. Yealy | $50,001-$100,000 |
Dealers’ Reallowance as a Percentage of Offering Price | |
Amount of Transaction | Class A |
$0 to $99,999 | 2.00% |
$100,000 to $499,999 | 1.50% |
$500,000 and over | See below |
Fund | Type of Plan | Type of Fee | ||
Distribution Fee |
Shareholder
Service Fee |
Combined
Distribution and Shareholder Service Fee |
||
Voya Government Money Market Fund II | ||||
Class C |
Distribution and
Service Plan |
0.75% | 0.25% | N/A |
Class O |
Shareholder
Service Plan |
N/A | 0.25% | N/A |
Fund | Class | Advertising | Printing | Salaries & Commissions | Broker Servicing | Miscellaneous | Total |
Predecessor Fund | A | $12,573.48 | $238,896.16 | $37,738.44 | $13,705.11 | $17,028.26 | $319,941.45 |
C | $33.40 | $634.62 | $458.35 | $23,847.77 | $14,241.71 | $39,215.85 | |
I | $133.95 | $2,545.07 | $23,298.47 | $8,467.77 | $3,091.23 | $37,536.49 | |
L | $2.74 | $52.06 | $120.07 | $43.99 | $1,256.21 | $1,475.07 | |
O | $19.82 | $376.65 | $495.47 | $6,272.03 | $2,971.94 | $10,135.92 | |
W | $3.32 | $63.07 | $18.45 | $6.41 | $1.42 | $92.67 |
Fund | March 31, | ||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
Predecessor Fund | $51,692.00 | $50,860.00 | $50,936.00 |
Fund | March 31, | ||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
Predecessor Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
• | Shares that are no longer subject to the applicable holding period; |
• | Redemption of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions; or |
• | Shares that were exchanged for shares of another fund managed by the Adviser provided that the shares acquired in such exchange and subsequent exchanges will continue to remain subject to the CDSC, if applicable, until the applicable holding period expires. |
• | those shares were purchased through an exchange from another Fund within one year (in the case of Class L shares) prior to the redemption; and |
• | the original purchase of the shares exchanged was subject to a CDSC. |
• | Redemptions following the death or disability of the shareholder or beneficial owner if the redemption is made within one year of death or initial determination of permanent disability; |
• | Total or partial redemptions of shares owned by an individual or an individual in joint tenancy (with rights of survivorship) but only for redemptions of shares held at the time of death or initial determination of permanent disability; |
• | Redemptions pursuant to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan provided that such redemptions: |
o | are limited annually to no more than 12% of the original account value and |
o | annually thereafter, provided all dividends and distributions are reinvested and the total redemptions do not exceed 12% annually; and |
• | Total or partial redemption of shares in connection with any mandatory distribution from a tax-advantaged retirement plan or an IRA. This waiver does not apply in the case of a tax-free rollover or transfer of assets, other than the one following a separation from services, except that a CDSC may be waived in certain circumstances involving redemptions in connection with a distribution from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with termination of employment or termination of the employer’s plan and the transfer to another employer’s plan or to an IRA. |
(a) | Proceeds of the redemption may be directly deposited into a predetermined bank account, or mailed to the current address on record. This address cannot reflect any change within the previous 30 days. |
(b) | Certain account information will need to be provided for verification purposes before the redemption will be executed. |
(c) | Only one telephone redemption (where proceeds are being mailed to the address of record) can be processed within a 30 day period. |
(d) | The maximum amount which can be liquidated and sent to the address of record at any one time is $100,000. |
(e) | The minimum amount which can be liquidated and sent to a predetermined bank account is $5,000. |
(f) | If the exchange involves the establishment of a new account, the dollar amount being exchanged must at least equal the minimum investment requirement of the Voya fund being acquired. |
(g) | Any new account established through the exchange privilege will have the same account information and options except as stated in the Prospectus. |
(h) |
Certificated shares cannot be redeemed or exchanged by telephone but must be forwarded to Voya Investment Management at Voya Investment Management
P.O. Box 9772 Providence, RI 02940-9772 and deposited into your account before any transaction may be processed. |
(i) | If a portion of the shares to be exchanged are held in escrow in connection with a Letter of Intent, the smallest number of full shares of the Voya fund to be purchased on the exchange having the same aggregate NAV as the shares being exchanged shall be substituted in the escrow account. Shares held in escrow may not be redeemed until the Letter of Intent has expired and/or the appropriate adjustments have been made to the account. |
(j) | Shares may not be exchanged and/or redeemed unless an exchange and/or redemption privilege is offered pursuant to the Fund’s then-current Prospectus. |
(k) | Proceeds of a redemption may be delayed up to 15 days or longer until the check used to purchase the shares being redeemed has been paid by the bank upon which it was drawn. |
• | Likelihood of payment — capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; |
• | Nature of and provisions of the obligation and the promise we impute; |
• | Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights. |
• | Amortization schedule — the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
• | Source of payment — the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. |
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
VOYA FUNDS
VOYA INVESTMENTS, LLC
Date Last Revised: September 12, 2019
Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines for the Voya Funds and Advisor
Introduction
The purpose of these Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines (the Procedures, the Guidelines) is to set forth the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Voya funds (the Board) instructions to Voya Investments, LLC (referred to as the Advisor) for the voting of proxies for each fund the Board serves as Director/Trustee (the Funds).
The Board may elect to delegate proxy voting to a sub-advisor of the Funds and also approve the sub-advisors proxy policies and procedures for implementation on behalf of such Voya fund (a Sub-Advisor-Voted Fund). A Sub-Advisor-Voted Fund is not covered under these Procedures and Guidelines, except as described in the Reporting and Record Retention section below with respect to vote reporting requirements. However, they are covered by those sub-advisors proxy policies, provided that the Board has approved them.
These Procedures and Guidelines incorporate principles and guidance set forth in relevant pronouncements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its staff on the fiduciary duty of the Board to ensure that proxies are voted in a timely manner and that voting decisions are in the Funds beneficial owners best interest.
The Board, through these instructions, delegates to the Advisors Proxy Coordinator the responsibility to vote the Funds proxies in accordance with these Procedures and Guidelines on behalf of the Board. The Board further delegates to the Compliance Committee of the Board certain oversight duties regarding the Advisors functions as it pertains to the voting of the Funds proxies.
The Board directs the engagement of a Proxy Advisory Firm to be initially appointed and annually reviewed and approved by the Board. The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Proxy Advisory Firm and shall direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote proxies in accordance with the Guidelines.
These Procedures and Guidelines will be reviewed by the Boards Compliance Committee annually, and will be updated when appropriate. No change to these Procedures and Guidelines will be made except pursuant to Board direction. Non-material amendments, however, may be approved for immediate implementation by the Boards Compliance Committee, subject to ratification by the full board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Advisors Roles and Responsibilities
Proxy Coordinator
The Voya Proxy Coordinator shall direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote proxies on behalf of the Funds and the Advisor in connection with annual and special meetings of shareholders (except those regarding bankruptcy matters and/or related plans of reorganization).
The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Proxy Advisory Firm (as defined in the Proxy Advisory Firm section below) and voting the Funds proxies in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines on behalf of the Funds and the Advisor. The Proxy Coordinator is authorized to direct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote a Funds proxy in accordance with the Procedures and Guidelines. Responsibilities assigned to the Proxy Coordinator, or activities that support it, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group (as defined in the Proxy Group section below) or employees of the Advisors affiliates as the Proxy Group deems appropriate.
The Proxy Coordinator is also responsible for identifying and informing Counsel (as defined in the Counsel section below) of potential conflicts between the proxy issuer and the Proxy Advisory Firm, the Advisor, the Funds principal underwriters, or an affiliated person of the Funds. The Proxy Coordinator will identify such potential conflicts of interest based on information the Proxy Advisory Firm periodically provides; client analyses, distributor, broker-dealer, and vendor lists; and information derived from other sources, including public filings.
Proxy Advisory Firm
The Proxy Advisory Firm 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 manner. To the extent applicable, the Proxy Advisory Firm is required to provide research, analysis, and vote
Revision Date: September 12, 2019
recommendations under its Proxy Voting guidelines. Additionally, the Proxy Advisory Firm is required to produce custom vote recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines and their vote recommendations.
Proxy Group
The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisors affiliates, are identified in Exhibit 1, and may be amended from time to time at the Advisors discretion except that the Funds Chief Investment Risk Officer, the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, and the Funds Proxy Coordinator shall be members unless the Board determines otherwise.
Investment Professionals
The Funds sub-advisors and/or portfolio managers are each referred to herein as an Investment Professional and collectively, Investment Professionals. The Board encourages the Funds Investment Professionals to submit a recommendation to the Proxy Group regarding any proxy-voting-related proposal pertaining to the portfolio securities over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility. Additionally, when requested, Investment Professionals are responsible for submitting a recommendation to the Proxy Group regarding proxy voting related proxy contests, proposals related to companies with dual class shares with superior voting rights, or mergers and acquisitions involving the portfolio securities over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility.
Counsel
A member of the mutual funds legal practice group of the Advisor (Counsel) is responsible for determining if a potential conflict of interest involving a proxy issuer is in fact a conflict of interest. If Counsel deems a proxy issuer to be a conflict of interest, the Counsel must notify the Proxy Coordinator, who will in turn notify the Chair of the Compliance Committee of such conflict of interest.
Proxy Voting Procedures
Proxy Group Oversight
A minimum of four (4) members of the Proxy Group (or three (3) if one member of the quorum is either the Funds Chief Investment Risk Officer or the Funds Chief Compliance Officer) will constitute a quorum for purposes of taking action at any meeting of the Group.
The Proxy Group may meet in person or by telephone. The Proxy Group also may take action via email in lieu of a meeting, provided that the Proxy Coordinator follows the directions of a majority of a quorum responding via e-mail.
A Proxy Group meeting will be held whenever:
· The Proxy Coordinator receives a recommendation from an Investment Professional to vote a Funds proxy contrary to the Guidelines.
· The Proxy Advisory Firm has made no recommendation on a matter and the Procedures do not provide instruction.
· A matter requires case-by-case consideration, including those in which the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation is deemed to be materially conflicted.
· The Proxy Coordinator requests the Proxy Groups input and vote recommendation on a matter.
At its discretion, the Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to perform responsibilities and related activities assigned to the Proxy Group, on its behalf, provided that such instructions do not violate any requirements of these Procedures or the Guidelines.
If the Proxy Group has previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions to vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation, these recommendations do not violate any requirements of these Procedures or the Guidelines, and no conflict of interest exists, the Proxy Coordinator may implement the instructions without calling a Proxy Group meeting.
For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, it will review:
· The relevant Procedures and Guidelines,
· The recommendation of the Proxy Advisory Firm, if any,
· The recommendation of the Investment Professional(s), if any,
· Other resources that any Proxy Group member deems appropriate to aid in a determination of a recommendation.
Vote Instruction
While the vote of a simple majority of the voting members present will determine any matter submitted to a vote, tie votes will be resolved by securing the vote of members not present at the meeting. The Proxy Coordinator will ensure compliance with all applicable voting and conflict of interest procedures, and will use best efforts to secure votes from as many absent members as may reasonably be accomplished, providing 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 resolved, or in the event that the vote remains a tie, the Proxy Coordinator will refer the vote to the Compliance Committee Chair for vote determination.
In the event a tie vote cannot be timely resolved in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Coordinator will abstain from voting on the proposal(s). However, the Proxy Coordinator will vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation if abstaining on the vote is not a valid option; i.e., can only vote For, Against, or Withhold.
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 will be observed.
If the Proxy Group recommends that a Fund vote contrary to the Guidelines, as might be the case upon review of a recommendation from an Investment Professional, the Proxy Coordinator will follow the procedures in the Out-of-Guidelines section below.
Vote Classification
These Procedures and Guidelines specify how the Funds generally will vote with respect to the proposals indicated. Unless otherwise noted, the Proxy Group instructs the Proxy Coordinator, on behalf of the Advisor, to vote in accordance with these Procedures and Guidelines.
Within-Guidelines Votes: Votes in Accordance with the Guidelines
In the event the Proxy Group and, where applicable, an Investment Professional participating in the voting process, recommend a vote Within Guidelines, the Proxy Group will instruct the Proxy Advisory Firm, through the Proxy Coordinator, to vote in this manner.
Out-of-Guidelines Votes: Votes Contrary to the Guidelines
A vote would be considered Out-of-Guidelines if the:
· Vote is contrary to the Guidelines based on the Compliance Committee or Proxy Group determination that the application of the Guidelines is inapplicable or inappropriate under the circumstances. Such votes include, but are not limited to votes cast based on the recommendation of an Investment Professional.
· Vote is contrary to the Guidelines unless the Guidelines stipulate Case-by-Case consideration or that primary consideration will be given to input from an Investment Professional, notwithstanding that the vote appears contrary to these Procedures and Guidelines and/or the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation.
Routine Matters
Upon instruction from the Proxy Coordinator, the Proxy Advisory Firm will submit a vote as described in these Procedures and Guidelines where there is a clear policy (e.g., For, Against, Withhold, or Abstain) on a proposal.
Matters Requiring Case-by-Case Consideration
The Proxy Advisory Firm will refer proxy proposals to the Proxy Coordinator when these Procedures and Guidelines indicate Case-by-Case. Additionally, the Proxy Advisory Firm will refer any proxy proposal under circumstances where the application of these Procedures and Guidelines is unclear, appears to involve unusual or controversial issues, or is silent regarding the proposal.
Upon receipt of a referral from the Proxy Advisory Firm, the Proxy Coordinator may solicit additional research or clarification from the Proxy Advisory Firm, Investment Professional(s), or other sources.
The Proxy Coordinator will review matters requiring Case-by-Case consideration to determine if the Proxy
Group had previously provided the Proxy Coordinator with standing vote instructions, or a provision within the Guidelines is applicable based on prior voting history.
If a matter requires input and a vote determination from the Proxy Group, the Proxy Coordinator will forward the Proxy Advisory Firms analysis and recommendation, the Proxy Coordinators recommendation and/or any research obtained from the Investment Professional(s), the Proxy Advisory Firm, or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Proxy Advisory Firm and/or Investment Professional(s) as appropriate.
The Proxy Coordinator will use best efforts to convene a Proxy Group meeting with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event quorum requirements cannot be timely met in connection with a voting deadline, it is the policy of the Funds and Advisor to vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation.
Non-Votes: Votes in which No Action is Taken
The Proxy Coordinator will make reasonable efforts to secure and vote all proxies for the Funds, including markets where shareholders rights are limited. Nevertheless, the Proxy Group may recommend that a Fund refrain from voting under certain circumstances including:
· 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.
· The cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases when share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security.
In such cases, the Proxy Group may instruct the Proxy Advisory Firm, through the Proxy Coordinator, not to vote such proxy. The Proxy Group may provide the Proxy Coordinator with standing instructions on parameters that would dictate a Non-Vote without the Proxy Groups review of a specific proxy.
Further, Counsel may require the Proxy Coordinator to abstain from voting any proposal that is subject to a material conflict of interest provided that abstaining has no effect on the vote outcome.
Matters Requiring Further Consideration
Referrals to the Compliance Committee
If a vote is deemed Out-of-Guidelines and Counsel has determined that a material conflict of interest appears to exist with respect to the party or parties (i.e. Proxy Advisory Firm, the Advisor, underwriters, affiliates, any participating Proxy Group member, or any Investment Professional(s)) participating in the voting process, the Proxy Coordinator will refer the vote to the Compliance Committee Chair.
Further, if an Investment Professional discloses a potential conflict of interest, and Counsel determines that the conflict of interest appears to exist, the proposal will also be referred to the Compliance Committee for review, regardless of whether the vote is Within- or Out-of-Guidelines.
The Compliance Committee will be provided all recommendations (including Investment Professional(s)), analyses, research, and Conflicts Reports and any other written materials used to establish whether a conflict of interest exists, and will instruct the Proxy Coordinator how such referred proposals should be voted.
The Proxy Coordinator will use best efforts to refer matters to the Compliance Committee for its consideration in a timely manner. In the event any such matter cannot be referred to or considered by the Compliance Committee in a timely manner, the Compliance Committees standing instruction is to vote Within Guidelines.
The Compliance Committee will receive a report detailing proposals that were voted Out-of-Guidelines, if the Investment Professionals recommendation was not acted on, or was referred to the Compliance Committee.
Consultation with Compliance Committee
The Proxy Coordinator may consult the Compliance Committee Chair for guidance on behalf of the Committee if application of these Procedures and Guidelines is unclear, or a recommendation is received from an Investment Professional in connection with any unusual or controversial issue.
Conflicts of Interest
The Advisor shall act in the Funds beneficial owners best interests and strive to avoid conflicts of interest.
Conflicts of interest can arise, for example, in situations where:
· The issuer is a vendor whose products or services are material to the Voya Funds, the Advisor or their affiliates;
· The issuer is an entity participating to a material extent in the distribution of the Voya Funds;
· The issuer is a significant executing broker dealer;
· Any individual that participates in the voting process for the Funds including an Investment Professional, a member of the Proxy Group, an employee of the Advisor, or Director/Trustee of the Board serves as a director or officer of the issuer; or
· The issuer is Voya Financial.
Potential Conflicts with a Proxy Issuer
The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for identifying and informing Counsel of potential conflicts with the proxy issuer. In addition to obtaining potential conflict of interest information described in the Roles and Responsibilities section above, members of the Proxy Group are required to disclose to the Proxy Coordinator any potential conflicts of interests prior to discussing the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation.
The Proxy Group member will advise the Proxy Coordinator in the event he/she believes that a potential or perceived conflict of interest exists that may preclude him/her from making a vote determination in the best interests of the Funds beneficial owners. The Proxy Group member may elect to recuse himself/herself from consideration of the relevant proxy or have Counsel consider the matter, recusing him/herself only in the event Counsel determines that a material conflict of interest exists. If recusal, whether voluntary or pursuant to Counsels findings, does not occur prior to the members participation in any Proxy Group discussion of the relevant proxy, any Out-of-Guidelines Vote determination is subject to the Compliance Committee referral process. Should members of the Proxy Group verbally disclose a potential conflict of interest, they are required to complete a Conflict of Interest Report, which will be reviewed by Counsel.
Investment Professionals are also required to complete a Conflict of Interest Report or confirm that they do not have any potential conflicts of interests when submitting a vote recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator.
The Proxy Coordinator gathers and analyzes the information provided by the Proxy Advisory Firm, the Advisor, the Funds principal underwriters, affiliates of the Funds, Proxy Group members, Investment Professionals, and the Directors and Officers of the Funds. Counsel will document such potential material conflicts of interest on a consolidated basis as appropriate.
The Proxy Coordinator will instruct the Proxy Advisory Firm to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group if Counsel determines that a material conflict of interest does not appear to exist with respect to a proxy issuer, any participating Proxy Group member, or any participating Investment Professional(s).
Compliance Committee Oversight
The Proxy Coordinator will refer a proposal to the Funds Compliance Committee if the Proxy Group recommends an Out-of-Guidelines Vote, and Counsel has determined that a material conflict of interest appears to exist in order that the conflicted party(ies) have no opportunity to exercise voting discretion over a Funds proxy.
The Proxy Coordinator will refer the proposal to the Compliance Committee Chair, forwarding all information relevant to the Compliance Committees review, including the following or a summary of its contents:
· The applicable Procedures and Guidelines
· The Proxy Advisory Firm recommendation
· The Investment Professional(s)s recommendation, if available
· Any resources used by the Proxy Group in arriving at its recommendation
· Counsels findings
· Conflicts Report(s) and/or any other written materials establishing whether a conflict of interest exists.
In the event a member of the Funds Compliance 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 applicable Funds beneficial owners, the Compliance Committee member will advise the Compliance Committee Chair and recuse himself/herself with respect to the relevant proxy determinations.
Conflicts Reports
Investment Professionals, the Proxy Advisory Firm, and members of the Compliance Committee, the Proxy Group, and the Proxy Coordinator are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and/or confirm they do not have a conflict of interest in connection with their participation in the voting process for portfolio securities. The Conflicts Report should describe any known relationships of either a business or personal nature that Counsel has not previously assessed, which may include communications with respect to the referral item, but 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 the Investment Professional based the recommendation in connection with an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists solely on the investment merits of the proposal and without regard to any other consideration.
Completed Conflicts Reports should be provided to the Proxy Coordinator as soon as possible and may be submitted to the Proxy Coordinator verbally, provided the Proxy Coordinator completes the Conflicts Report, and the submitter reviews and approves the Conflict Report in writing.
The Proxy Coordinator will forward all Conflicts Reports to Counsel for review. Upon review, Counsel will provide the Proxy Coordinator with a brief statement indicating if a material conflict of interest is present.
Counsel will document such potential conflicts of interest on a consolidated basis as appropriate rather than maintain individual Conflicts Reports.
Assessment of the Proxy Advisory Firm
The Proxy Coordinator, on behalf of the Board and the Advisor, will assess if the Proxy Advisory Firm:
· Is independent from the Advisor
· Has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues
· Can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Funds and their beneficial owners
· Has adequate compliance policies and procedures to:
· Ensure that its proxy voting recommendations are based on current and accurate information
· Identify and address conflicts of interest.
The Proxy Coordinator will utilize, and the Proxy Advisory Firm will comply with, such methods for completing the assessment as the Proxy Coordinator may deem reasonably appropriate. The Proxy Advisory Firm will also promptly notify the Proxy Coordinator in writing of any material change to information previously provided to the Proxy Coordinator in connection with establishing the Proxy Advisory Firms independence, competence, or impartiality.
Information provided in connection with the Proxy Advisory Firms potential conflict of interest will be forwarded to Counsel for review. Counsel will 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.
Voting Funds of Funds, Investing Funds and Feeder Funds
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 indicated on Voyas website (www.voyainvestments.com). Meaning 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:
· 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.
· If the Fund-of-Funds is being solicited to vote on a proposal for an underlying fund (e.g., a new Sub-Advisor to the underlying fund), and there is no corresponding proposal at the Fund-of-Funds level, the Board will determine the most appropriate method of voting with respect to the underlying fund proposal.
An Investing Fund (e.g., any Voya fund), while not a Fund-of-Funds will have the foregoing Fund-of-Funds procedure applied to any Investing Fund that invests in one or more underlying funds. Accordingly:
· Each Investing Fund will echo vote its interests in an underlying fund, if the underlying fund has shareholders other than the Investing Fund.
· 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.
· In the event an underlying fund has no other shareholders, and there is no corresponding proposal at the Investing Fund level, the Board will 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 passes votes requested by the underlying master fund to its shareholders. Meaning that, if the master fund solicits the Feeder Fund, the Feeder Fund 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 how it should 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 funds proxy voting policies and procedures. As such, except as described in the Reporting and Record Retention section below, Feeder Funds will not be subject to these Procedures and Guidelines.
Securities Lending
Many of the Funds participate in securities lending arrangements to generate additional revenue for the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund will not be able to vote securities that are on loan under these arrangements. However, under certain circumstances, for voting issues that may have a significant impact on the investment, the Proxy Group or Proxy Coordinator may request to recall securities that are on loan if they determine that the benefit of voting outweighs the costs and lost revenue to the Fund and the administrative burden of retrieving the securities.
Investment Professionals may also deem a vote is material in the context of the portfolio(s) they manage. Therefore, they may request that lending activity on behalf of their portfolio(s) with respect to the relevant security be reviewed by the Proxy Group and considered for recall and/or restriction. The Proxy Group will give primary consideration to relevant Investment Professional input in its determination of whether a given proxy vote is material and the associated security accordingly restricted from lending. The determination that a vote is material in the context of a Funds portfolio will not mean that such vote is considered material across all Funds voting at that meeting. In order to recall or restrict shares on a timely basis for material voting purposes, the Proxy Coordinator, on behalf of the Proxy Group, will use best efforts to consider, and when appropriate, to act upon, such requests on a timely basis. Requests to review lending activity in connection with a potentially material vote may be initiated by any relevant Investment Professional and submitted for the Proxy Groups consideration at any time.
Reporting and Record Retention
Reporting by the Funds
Annually, as required, each Fund and each Sub-Advisor-Voted Fund will post its proxy voting record, or a link to the prior one-year period ending on June 30th on the Voya Funds website. The proxy voting record for each Fund and each Sub-Advisor-Voted Fund 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 Funds Form N-PX; however, a cross-reference to the master funds proxy voting record as filed in the SECs EDGAR database will be included in the Funds Form N-PX and posted on the Voya funds website. If an underlying master fund solicited any Feeder Fund for a vote during the reporting period, a record of the votes cast by means of the pass-through process described above will be included on the Voya funds website and in the Feeder Funds Form N-PX.
Reporting to the Compliance Committee
At each regularly scheduled quarterly Compliance Committee meeting, the Compliance 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 as a result of special circumstances raised by an Investment Professional;
2. Voted Within-Guidelines in cases when the Proxy Group did not agree with an Investment Professionals recommendation;
3. Referred to the Compliance Committee for determination.
The report will indicate the name of the company, the substance of the proposal, a summary of the Investment Professionals recommendation, where applicable, and the reasons for voting, or recommending, an Out-of-Guidelines Vote or, in the case of (2) above, a Within-Guidelines Vote.
Reporting by the Proxy Coordinator on behalf of the Advisor
The Advisor will maintain the records required by Rule 204-2(c)(2), as may be amended from time to time, including the following:
· A copy of each proxy statement received regarding a Funds portfolio securities. Such proxy statements the issuers send are available either in the SECs EDGAR database or upon request from the Proxy Advisory Firm.
· A record of each vote cast on behalf of a Fund.
· A copy of any Advisor-created document that was material to making a proxy vote decision, or that memorializes the basis for that decision.
· 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 Advisor voted proxies on behalf of a Fund.
· A record of all recommendations from Investment Professionals to vote contrary to the Guidelines.
· All proxy questions/recommendations that have been referred to the Compliance Committee, and all applicable recommendations, analyses, research, Conflict Reports, and vote determinations.
All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation will be retained for a minimum of six years, the first two years in the Advisors office.
Records Maintained by the Proxy Advisory Firm
The Proxy Advisory Firm will retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Proxy Advisory Firm. Such record must reflect all the information required to be disclosed in a Funds Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the Proxy Advisory Firm is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to the Advisor upon request.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Introduction
Proxies must be voted in the best interest of the Funds beneficial owners. The Guidelines summarize the Funds positions on various issues of concern to investors, and give an indication of how the Funds ballots will be voted on proposals dealing with particular issues. Nevertheless, the Guidelines are not exhaustive, do not include all potential voting issues, and proposals may be addressed, as necessary, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis rather than according to the Guidelines, factoring in the merits of the rationale and disclosure provided.
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 will be considered CASE-BY-CASE.
The Board encourages Investment Professionals to submit a recommendation to the Proxy Group regarding proxy voting related to the portfolio securities over which they have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility. Recommendations from the Investment Professionals may be submitted or requested in connection with any proposal and are likely to be requested with respect to proxies for private equity or fixed income securities and/or proposals related to merger transactions/corporate restructurings, proxy contests, or unusual or controversial issues.
These 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 will be supported whose implementation would contravene such requirements.
General Policies
The Funds policy is generally to support the recommendation of the relevant companys management when the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation also aligns with such recommendation and to vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation when management has made no recommendation. However, this policy will not apply to CASE-BY-CASE proposals for which a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) is being utilized.
The rationale and vote recommendation from Investment Professionals will be given primary consideration with respect to CASE-BY-CASE proposals being considered on behalf of the relevant Fund.
The Funds policy is to not support proposals that would negatively impact the existing rights of the Funds beneficial owners. Depending on the relevant market, appropriate opposition may be expressed as an ABSTAIN, AGAINST, or WITHHOLD vote.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis competing shareholder and board proposals that appear on the same agenda at uncontested proxies.
International Policies
Companies incorporated outside the U.S. are 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, 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, given the differing regulatory and legal requirements, market practices, and political and economic systems existing in various international markets, the Funds will:
· Vote AGAINST international proxy proposals when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends voting AGAINST such proposal because relevant disclosure by the company, or the time provided for consideration of such disclosure, is inadequate;
· Consider proposals that are associated with a firm AGAINST vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends their support when:
· The company or market transitions to better practices (e.g., having committed to new regulations or governance codes);
· The market standard is stricter than the Funds guidelines; or
· It is the more favorable choice when shareholders must choose between alternate proposals.
Proposal Specific Policies
As mentioned above, these 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.
Proxy Contests:
Consider votes in contested elections on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with primary consideration given to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).
Uncontested Proxies:
1- The Board of Directors
Overview
The Funds may lodge disagreement with a companys policies or practices by withholding support from the relevant proposal rather than from the director nominee(s) to which the Proxy Advisory Firm assigns a correlation.
In cases where the lodging of disagreement by the Funds is assigned to the board of directors, support will be withheld from the director(s) deemed responsible. Responsibility may be attributed to the entire board, a committee, or an individual, and the Funds will apply a vote accountability guideline (Vote Accountability Guideline) specific to the concerns under review. For example:
· Relevant committee chair
· Relevant committee member(s)
· Board chair.
If director(s) to whom responsibility has been attributed is not standing for election (e.g., the board is classified), support will typically not be withheld from other directors in their stead. Additionally, the Funds will typically vote FOR a director in connection with issues raised by the Proxy Advisory Firm if the director did not serve on the board or relevant committee during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited by the Proxy Advisory Firm.
Vote with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation when more candidates are presented than available seats and no other provisions under these Guidelines apply.
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 Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation to withhold support from the legal entity and vote on the physical person.
Bundled Director Slates
WITHHOLD support from directors or slates of directors when they are presented in a manner not aligned with market best practice and/or regulation, irrespective of complying with independence requirements, such as:
· Bundled slates of directors (e.g., Canada, France, Hong Kong, or Spain);
· In markets with term lengths capped by regulation or market practice, directors whose terms exceed the caps or are not disclosed; or
· Directors 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.
For companies with multiple slates in Italy, follow the Proxy Advisory Firms standards for assessing which slate is best suited to represent shareholder interests.
Independence
Director and Board/Committee Independence
The Fund will consider the relevant country or market listing exchange and the Proxy Advisory Firms standards with respect to determining director independence and Board/Committee independence levels. Note: Non-voting directors (e.g., director emeritus or advisory director) shall be excluded from calculations with respect to board independence.
The Funds will consider non-independent directors standing for election on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the full board or committee does not meet the market independence requirements.
· WITHHOLD support from the fewest non-independent directors including the Founder, Chairman or CEO if their removal would achieve the independence requirements across the remaining board, except that support may be withheld from additional directors whose relative level of independence cannot be differentiated, or the number required to achieve the independence requirements is equal to or greater than the number of non-independent directors standing for election.
· WITHHOLD support from slates of directors if the boards independence cannot be ascertained due to inadequate disclosure or when the boards independence does not meet the applicable independence requirements of the relevant country or market listing exchange.
· WITHHOLD support from key committee slates if they contain non-independent directors in the election.
· WITHHOLD support from non-independent directors if the full board serves or the board has not established such a committee, and relevant country or market listing exchange requires the establishment of such committee.
Self-Nominated/Shareholder-Nominated Director Candidates
Consider self-nominated or shareholder-nominated director candidates on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. WITHHOLD support from the candidate when:
· Adequate disclosure has not been provided (e.g., rationale for candidacy and candidates qualifications relative to the company);
· The candidates agenda is not in line with the long-term best interests of the company; or
· Multiple self-nominated candidates are being considered as a proxy contest if similar issues are raised (e.g., potential change in control).
Management Proposals Seeking Non-Board Member Service on Key Committees
Vote AGAINST proposals that permit non-board members to serve on the audit, remuneration (compensation), nominating and/or governance committee, provided that bundled slates may be supported if no slate nominee serves on the relevant committee(s) except where best market practice otherwise dictates.
Consider other concerns regarding committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Shareholder Proposals Regarding Board/Key Committee Independence
· Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals asking that the independence be greater than that required by the country or market listing exchange, or asking to redefine director independence.
Board Member Roles and Responsibilities
Attendance
WITHHOLD support from a director who, during both of the most recent two years, has served on the board during the two-year period but attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid reason for the absences or if the two-year attendance record cannot be ascertained from available disclosure (e.g., the company did not disclose which director(s) attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings during the directors period of service without a valid reason for the absences).
The two-year attendance policy shall be applied to attendance of statutory auditors at Japanese companies.
Over-boarding
Vote FOR directors without regard to over-boarding issues, unless when in conjunction with attendance issues during the most recent year. Consider such circumstances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals limiting the number of public company boards on which a director may serve.
Combined Chairman / CEO Role
Vote FOR directors without regard to recommendations that the position of chairman should be separate from that of CEO, or should otherwise require to be independent, unless other concerns requiring CASE-BY-CASE consideration are raised (e.g., former CEOs proposed as board chairmen in markets, such as the United Kingdom, for which best practice recommends against such practice).
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the positions of chairman and CEO be held separately, unless significant corporate governance concerns have been cited. Consider such circumstances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Cumulative/Net Voting Markets (e.g., Russia)
When cumulative or net voting applies, generally follow the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to vote FOR nominees, such as when asserted by the issuer to be independent, irrespective of key committee membership, even if independence disclosure or criteria fall short of the Proxy Advisory Firms standards.
Board Accountability
Diversity (excluding Japan)
Consider directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if there is an absence of diversity on the board or the company fails to disclose an adequate diversity policy or practice.
Consider shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis that request the company to improve / promote diversity and/or diversity-related disclosure.
Return on Equity
Vote FOR the top executive at companies in Japan if the only reason the Proxy Advisory Firms Withhold recommendation is due to the company underperforming in terms of capital efficiency or company performance; e.g. net losses or low return on equity (ROE).
Compensation Practices (U.S. and Canada)
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.
Where applicable, votes on compensation committee members in connection with compensation practices should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:
· Say on Pay responsiveness. Compensation committee members may be opposed for failure to sufficiently address compensation concerns prompting significant opposition to the most recent say on pay vote or continuing to maintain problematic pay practices will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in considerations such as level of shareholder opposition, subsequent actions taken by the compensation committee, and level of responsiveness disclosure.
· Say on Pay frequency. WITHHOLD support according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the Proxy Advisory Firm opposes directors because the company has failed to include a Say on Pay proposal and/or a Frequency of Say on Pay proposal when required under SEC or market regulatory provisions; or implemented a say on pay schedule that is less frequent than the frequency most recently preferred by at least a plurality of shareholders; or is an externally-managed issuer (EMI) or externally-managed REIT (EMR) and has failed to include a Say on Pay proposal or adequate disclosure of the compensation structure.
· Commitments. Vote FOR compensation committee members receiving an adverse recommendation by the Proxy Advisory Firm due to problematic pay practices or thresholds (e.g. burn rate) if the company makes a public commitment (e.g., via a Form 8-K filing) to rectify the practice on a going-forward basis. However, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the company does not rectify the practice by the following years annual general meeting.
For all other markets in which the issuer has not followed market practice by submitting a resolution on executive compensation, consider remuneration committee members on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Accounting Practices
Consider audit committee members and the companys CEO and CFO, if nominated as directors, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if poor accounting practice concerns are raised, factoring in considerations such as if the:
· Audit committee failed to remediate known on-going material weaknesses in the companys internal controls for more than a year.
· Company has not yet had a full year to remediate the concerns since the time they were identified.
· 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.
Vote FOR audit committee members, or the companys CEO or CFO if nominated as directors, who did not serve on the committee or did not have responsibility over the relevant financial function, during the majority of the time period relevant to the concerns cited.
WITHHOLD support on audit committee members according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the company has failed to disclose auditors fees and has not provided an auditor ratification or remuneration proposal for shareholder vote.
Problematic Actions
Consider directors the Proxy Advisory Firm cites for actions in bad faith against shareholders due to a lack of due diligence in relation to a major transaction (e.g. a merger or an acquisition) or the presence of material failures or problematic actions related to scandals, malfeasance, or negligent internal controls at the company or that of an affiliate on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in the merits of the directors performance, rationale, and disclosure when:
· Culpability can be attributed to the director (e.g., director manages or is responsible for the relevant function); or
· The director has been directly implicated, resulting in arrest, criminal charge, or regulatory sanction.
Vote FOR directors when the above factors are not present.
Vote FOR a director if the Proxy Advisory Firm cites concerns regarding actions in connection with a directors service on an unaffiliated board and the company has provided adequate rationale regarding the appropriateness of the director to serve on the board under consideration.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends withholding support from any director due to share pledging concerns, factoring in the pledged amount, unwind time, and any historical concerns being raised. Responsibility will be assigned to the pledgor, where the pledged amount and unwind time are deemed significant and, therefore, an unnecessary risk to the company.
WITHHOLD support from (a) all members of the governance committee, or nominating committee if a formal governance committee has not been established, and (b) directors holding shares with superior voting rights if the company, is controlled by means of a dual class share with superior / exclusive voting rights and does not have a reasonable sunset provision; i.e., fewer than five years.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis all directors if no governance or nominating committee directors are under consideration or if the company does not have a governance or nominating committee. Investment Professionals that have day-to-day portfolio management responsibility for such companies may be requested to submit a recommendation to the Proxy Coordinator.
WITHHOLD support from directors according to the Vote Accountability Guideline when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends withholding support due to the board (a) unilaterally adopting by-law amendments that have a negative impact on existing shareholder rights or functions as a diminution of shareholder rights, and which are not specifically addressed under the Guidelines, or (b) failing to remove or subject to a reasonable sunset provision such by-laws.
Anti-Takeover Measures
WITHHOLD support according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the company implements excessive anti-takeover measures.
WITHHOLD support according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the company fails to remove restrictive poison pill features, ensure a pills expiration, or submit the poison pill in a timely manner to shareholders for vote, unless a company has implemented a policy that should reasonably prevent abusive use of its poison pill.
Board Responsiveness
Vote FOR if the majority-supported shareholder proposal has been reasonably addressed or the Funds Guidelines or voting record did not support the relevant proposal or issue.
· In the U.S., 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 according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the majority-supported shareholder proposal at issue is supported under these Guidelines and the board has not disclosed a credible rationale for not implementing the proposal.
If the board has not acted upon a director who did not receive shareholder support representing a majority of the votes cast at the previous annual meeting, consider directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote FOR when:
· The issue relevant to the majority negative vote has been adequately addressed or cured, which may include disclosure of the boards rationale; or
· The Funds Guidelines or voting record do not support the relevant proposal or issue causing the majority negative vote.
WITHHOLD support according to the Vote Accountability Guideline if the above provisions have not been satisfied.
BoardRelated Proposals
Classified/Declassified Board Structure
Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board unless the proposal represents an increased frequency of a directors election in the staggered cycle (e.g., seeking to move from a three-year cycle to a two-year cycle).
Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.
Board Structure
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 does not meet the country or market listing exchange independence requirements, corporate governance concerns have been identified, or the proposal may result in a material reduction in shareholders rights.
For companies in Japan, generally follow the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to proposals seeking a board structure that would provide greater independence oversight of management and the board.
Board Size
Vote FOR proposals seeking a board range if the range is reasonable in the context of market practice and anti-takeover considerations; however, vote AGAINST if seeking to remove shareholder approval rights or the board fails to meet market independence requirements.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection, using Delaware law as the standard.
Vote AGAINST proposals to limit or eliminate entirely directors and officers liability in connection with
monetary damages for violating the duty of care.
Vote AGAINST indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond legal expenses to acts that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation, such as negligence.
Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
Vote in accordance with the Proxy Advisory Firms standards (e.g. overly broad provisions).
Discharge of Management/Supervisory Board Members
Vote FOR management proposals seeking the discharge of management and supervisory board members (including when the proposal is bundled), unless concerns are raised about the past actions of the companys auditors or directors, or legal or regulatory action is being taken against the board by other shareholders.
Vote FOR such proposals in connection with remuneration practices otherwise supported under these Guidelines or as a means of expressing disapproval of broader practices of the company or its board.
Establish Board Committee
Vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek creation of a key committee of the board, unless the company claims an exemption of the listing exchange or the committee is not required under the listing exchange.
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requesting creation of additional board committees or offices, except as otherwise provided for herein.
Filling Board Vacancies / Removal of Directors
Vote AGAINST proposals that allow directors to be removed only for cause.
Vote FOR proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.
Vote AGAINST proposals that allow only continuing directors to elect replacements to fill board vacancies.
Vote FOR proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.
Stock Ownership Requirements
Vote AGAINST such shareholder proposals.
Term Limits / Retirement Age
Vote FOR management proposals and AGAINST shareholder proposals limiting the tenure of outside directors or imposing a mandatory retirement age for outside directors, unless the proposal seeks to relax existing standards.
2- Compensation
Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation
Vote FOR proposals seeking an annual say on pay, and AGAINST those seeking less frequent.
Proposals to Provide an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Canada)
Vote FOR if it is an ANNUAL vote, unless the company already provides shareholders with an annual vote.
Executive Pay Evaluation
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay) and Remuneration Reports or Committee Members in Absence of Such Proposals
Vote FOR management proposals seeking ratification of the companys executive compensation structure unless the program includes practices or features not supported under these Guidelines, and the proposal receives a negative recommendation from the Proxy Advisory Firm.
Listed below are examples of compensation practices and provisions, and respective consideration and treatment under the Guidelines, factoring in whether the company has provided reasonable rationale/disclosure for such factors or the proposal as a whole.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis:
· Single Trigger Equity Provisions.
· Short-Term Investment Plans where the board has exercised discretion to exclude extraordinary items.
· Retesting in connection with achievement of performance hurdles.
· Long-Term Incentive Plans where executives already hold significant equity positions.
· Long-Term Incentive Plans where the vesting or performance period is too short or stringency of the performance criteria is called into question.
· Pay Practices (or combination of practices) that appear to have created a misalignment between CEO pay and performance with regard to shareholder value.
· Long-Term Incentive Plans that lack an appropriate equity component (e.g., cash-based only).
· Excessive levels of discretionary bonuses, recruitment awards, retention awards, non-compete payments, severance/termination payments, perquisites (unreasonable levels in context of total compensation or purpose of the incentive awards or payouts).
Vote AGAINST:
· Provisions that permit or give the Board sole discretion for repricing, replacement, buy back, exchange, or any other form of alternative options. (Note: cancellation of options would not be considered an exchange unless the cancelled options were re-granted or expressly returned to the plan reserve for reissuance.)
· Single Trigger Cash Severance Provisions in new or materially amended plans, contracts, or payments that do not require an actual change in control in order to be triggered, or such provisions that are maintained in agreements previously opposed by a Fund.
· Plans that allow named executive officers to have material input into setting their pay.
· Short-Term Incentive Plans where treatment of payout factors has been inconsistent (e.g., exclusion of losses but not gains).
· Company plans in international markets that provide for contract or notice periods or severance/termination payments that exceed market practices, e.g., relative to multiple of annual compensation.
· Compensation structures at externally-managed issuers (EMI) or externally-managed REITs (EMR) that lack adequate disclosure, based on the Proxy Advisory Firms assessment.
Golden Parachutes
Vote to ABSTAIN on golden parachutes if it is determined that the Funds would not have an economic interest, such as the case in an all-cash transaction, regardless of payout terms, amounts, thresholds, etc.
However, if an economic interest exists, vote AGAINST due to single or modified-single trigger cash severance provisions; otherwise consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into account if any of the following factors exist:
· Total NEO payout as a percentage of the total equity value.
· Aggregate of all single-triggered components (cash and equity) as a percentage of the total NEO payout.
· Excessive payout.
· Recent material amendments or new agreements that incorporate problematic features.
· CEO/NEO remains employed by merged/acquired company.
Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans Including OBRA
Equity Compensation
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis compensation and employee benefit plans, including those in connection with OBRA, or the issuance of shares in connection with such plans. Vote the plan or issuance based on factors and related vote treatment under the Executive Pay Evaluation section above or based on circumstances specific to such equity plans as follows:
Vote FOR the plan, if:
· Board independence is the only concern
· Amendment places a cap on annual grants
· Amendment adopts or changes administrative features to comply with Section 162(m) of OBRA
· Amendment adds performance-based goals to comply with Section 162(m) of OBRA
· Cash or cash-and-stock bonus components are being approved for exemption from taxes under Section 162(m) of OBRA
· Give primary consideration to managements assessment that such plan meets the requirements for exemption of performance-based compensation.
Vote AGAINST if the plan:
· Exceeds recommended costs (U.S. or Canada).
· Incorporates share allocation disclosure methods that prevent a cost or dilution assessment.
· Exceeds recommended burn rates and/or dilution limits, including cases in which dilution cannot be fully assessed (e.g., due to inadequate disclosure).
· Allows deep or near-term discounts (or the equivalent, such as dividend equivalents on unexercised options) to executives or directors.
· Provides for retirement benefits or equity incentive awards to outside directors if not in line with market practice.
· Allows financial assistance to executives, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, or related parties that is not in line with market practice.
· Allows plan administrators to benefit from the plan as potential recipients.
· Allows for an overly liberal change in control definition. (This refers to plans that would reward recipients even if the event does not result in an actual change in control or results in a change in control but does not terminate the employment relationship.)
· Allows for post-employment vesting or exercise of options if deemed inappropriate.
· Allows plan administrators to make material amendments without shareholder approval.
· Allows procedure amendments that do not preserve shareholder approval rights.
Amendment Procedures for Equity Compensation Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) (Toronto Stock Exchange Issuers)
Vote AGAINST if the amendment procedures do not preserve shareholder approval rights.
Stock Option Plans for Independent Internal Statutory Auditors (Japan)
Vote AGAINST.
Matching Share Plans
Vote AGAINST if the matching share plan does not meet recommended standards, considering holding period, discounts, dilution, participation, purchase price, or performance criteria.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans or Capital Issuance in Support Thereof
Voting decisions are generally based on the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to evaluating such proposals.
Director Compensation
Non-Executive Director Compensation
Vote FOR cash-based proposals.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis equity-based proposals and patterns of excessive pay.
Bonus Payments (Japan)
Vote FOR if all payments are for directors or auditors who have served as executives of the company, and AGAINST if any payments are for outsiders.
Bonus Payments Scandals
Vote AGAINST bonus proposals for a retiring director or continuing director or auditor when culpability can be attributed to the nominee.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis bundled bonus proposals for retiring directors or continuing directors or auditors when culpability cannot be attributed to all nominees.
Severance Agreements
Vesting of Equity Awards upon Change in Control
Vote FOR management proposals seeking a specific treatment (e.g., double trigger or pro-rata) of equity that vests upon change in control, unless evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices.
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.
Executive Severance or Termination Arrangements, including those Related to Executive Recruitment or Retention
Vote FOR such compensation arrangements if:
· The primary concerns raised 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);
· The company has provided adequate rationale and/or disclosure; or
· Support is recommended as a condition to a major transaction such as a merger.
Treatment of Cash Severance Provisions
Vote 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.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking double triggers on change in control cash severance provisions.
Compensation-Related Shareholder Proposals
Executive and Director Compensation
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that seek to impose new compensation structures or policies; however, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if evidence exists of abuse in historical compensation practices.
Holding Periods
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring mandatory periods for officers and directors to hold company stock.
Submit Severance and Termination Payments for Shareholder Ratification
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.
3- Audit-Related
Auditor Ratification and/or Remuneration
Vote FOR management proposals except in such cases as indicated below.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if:
· The Proxy Advisory Firm raises questions of disclosure or auditor independence; or
· Total fees for non-audit services exceed 50 percent of the total auditor fees (including audit-related fees, and tax compliance and preparation fees if applicable) and the company has not provided adequate rationale regarding the non-audit fees. (For purposes of this review, fees deemed to be reasonable, non-recurring exceptions to the non-audit fee category (e.g., significant, one-time events such as those related to an IPO) will be excluded).
· There is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.
Vote AGAINST if the company has failed to disclose auditors fees.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals asking the company to present its auditor annually for ratification.
Auditor Independence
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services (or capping the level of non-audit services).
Audit Firm Rotation
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals asking for mandatory audit firm rotation.
Indemnification of Auditors
Vote AGAINST the indemnification of auditors.
Independent Statutory Auditors (Japan)
Vote AGAINST if the candidate is or was affiliated with the company, its main bank, or one of its top shareholders.
Vote AGAINST incumbent directors at companies implicated in scandals or exhibiting poor internal controls.
Vote FOR remuneration as long as the amount is not excessive (e.g., significant increases should be supported by adequate rationale and disclosure), there is no evidence of abuse, the recipients overall compensation appears reasonable, and the board and/or responsible committee meet exchange or market standards for independence.
4- Shareholder Rights and Defenses
Advance Notice for Shareholder Proposals
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 company.
Corporate Documents / Article and Bylaw Amendments or Related Director Actions
Vote FOR if the change or policy is editorial in nature or if shareholder rights are protected.
Vote AGAINST if it seeks to impose a negative impact on shareholder rights or diminishes accountability to shareholders, including where the company failed to opt out of a law that affects shareholder rights (e.g. staggered board).
With respect to article amendments for Japanese companies:
· Vote FOR management proposals to amend a companys articles to expand its business lines in line with its current industry.
· Vote FOR management proposals to amend a companys articles to provide for an expansion or reduction in the size of the board, unless the expansion/reduction is clearly disproportionate to the growth/decrease in the scale of the business or raises anti-takeover concerns.
· If anti-takeover concerns exist, vote AGAINST management proposals, including bundled proposals, to amend a companys articles to authorize the Board to vary the annual meeting record date or to otherwise align them with provisions of a takeover defense.
· Follow the Proxy Advisory Firms guidelines with respect to management proposals regarding amendments to authorize share repurchases at the boards discretion, voting AGAINST proposals unless there is little to no likelihood of a creeping takeover 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.
Majority Voting Standard
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 applicable law in the country in which the company is incorporated.
Vote FOR amendments to corporate documents or other actions promoting a majority standard.
Cumulative Voting
Vote FOR shareholder proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting.
Vote AGAINST management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting if the company:
· Is controlled;
· Maintains a classified board of directors; or
· Maintains a dual class voting structure.
Proposals may be supported irrespective of classified board status if a company plans to declassify its board or adopt a majority voting standard.
Confidential Voting
Vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.
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.
Fair Price Provisions
Consider proposals to adopt fair price provisions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.
Poison Pills
Vote AGAINST management proposals in connection with poison pills or anti-takeover activities (e.g., disclosure requirements or issuances, transfers, or repurchase that can be reasonably construed as an anti-takeover measure, based on the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to evaluating such proposals.
DO NOT VOTE AGAINST director remuneration in connection with poison pill considerations.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification, or to redeem its pill in lieu thereof, unless:
· Shareholders have approved adoption of the plan;
· A policy has already been implemented by the company that should reasonably prevent abusive use of the pill; or
· 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.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder proposals to redeem a companys poison pill.
Proxy Access
Vote FOR proposals to allow shareholders to nominate directors and have those nominees listed in the companys proxy statement and on the companys proxy card, provided that the criteria meet the Funds internal thresholds, provided such standard does not conflict with applicable law in the country in which the company is incorporated. However, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis shareholder and management proposals that appear on the same agenda.
Vote FOR management proposals also supported by the Proxy Advisory Firm.
Quorum Requirements
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to lower quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding.
Exclusive Forum
Vote FOR management proposals to designate Delaware or New York as the exclusive forum for certain legal actions as defined by the company (Exclusive Forum) if the companys state of incorporation is the same as its proposed Exclusive Forum, otherwise consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reincorporation Proposals
Consider proposals to change a companys state of incorporation on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote FOR management proposals not assessed as:
· A potential takeover defense; or
· A significant reduction of minority shareholder rights that outweigh the aggregate positive impact, but if so assessed, weighing managements rationale for the change.
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.
Vote AGAINST shareholder reincorporation proposals not also supported by the company.
Shareholder Advisory Committees
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee.
Right to Call Special Meetings
Consider management proposals to permit shareholders to call special meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings when any of the following applies:
· Company does not currently permit shareholders to do so;
· Existing ownership threshold is greater than 25 percent; or
· Sole concern relates to a net-long position requirement.
Written Consent
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the company:
· Permits shareholders to call special meetings;
· Does not impose supermajority vote requirements on business combinations/actions (e.g., a merger or acquisition) and on bylaw or charter amendments; and
· 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, voting FOR if the above conditions are present.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals seeking the right to act by written consent if the above conditions are not present.
State Takeover Statutes
Consider 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, freeze-out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).
Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement
Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote and FOR proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements; except,
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if the company has shareholder(s) with significant ownership levels and the retention of existing supermajority requirements would protect minority shareholder interests.
Time-Phased Voting
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.
5- Capital and Restructuring
Consider management proposals to make changes to the capital structure not otherwise addressed under these Guidelines on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, voting with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendation unless a contrary recommendation from the relevant Investment Professional(s) is utilized.
Vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board.
Capital
Common Stock Authorization
Consider proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. The Proxy Advisory Firms proprietary approach of determining appropriate thresholds will be utilized in evaluating such proposals. In cases where the requests are above the allowable threshold,
a company-specific qualitative review (e.g., considering rationale and prudent historical usage) will be utilized.
Vote FOR proposals within the Proxy Advisory Firms allowable thresholds, or those in excess but meeting Proxy Advisory Firms qualitative standards, to authorize capital increases, unless the company states that the stock may be used as a takeover defense.
Vote FOR proposals to authorize capital increases exceeding the Proxy Advisory Firms thresholds when a companys shares are in danger of being delisted.
Notwithstanding the above, 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 (e.g., merger or acquisition proposals).
Dual Class Capital Structures
Vote AGAINST:
· Proposals to create or perpetuate dual class capital structures (e.g., exchange offers, conversions, and recapitalizations) unless supported by the Proxy Advisory Firm (e.g., utilize a one share, one vote standard, contains a sunset provision of five years or fewer, to avert bankruptcy or generate non-dilutive financing, or 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.
Vote FOR proposals to eliminate dual class capital structures.
General Share Issuances / Increases in Authorized Capital
Consider specific issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis based on the proposed use and the companys rationale.
Voting decisions to determine support for requests for general issuances (with or without preemptive rights), authorized capital increases, convertible bonds issuances, warrants issuances, or related requests to repurchase and reissue shares, will be based on the Proxy Advisory Firms assessment.
Preemptive Rights
Consider 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.
Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock
Vote FOR management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock, unless doing so raises other concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines.
Preferred Stock
Utilize the Proxy Advisory Firms approach for evaluating issuances or authorizations of preferred stock, taking into account the Proxy Advisory Firms support of special circumstances, such as mergers or acquisitions, as well as the following criteria:
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase the number of shares of blank check preferred shares or preferred stock authorized for issuance. 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 Proxy Advisory Firms model for assessing appropriate thresholds).
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).
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 or not utilize a disparate voting rights structure.
Vote AGAINST where the company expressly states that, or fails to disclose whether, the stock may be used as a takeover defense.
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.
Preferred Stock (International)
Voting decisions should generally be based on the Proxy Advisory Firms 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 Proxy Advisory Firms 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.
Shareholder Proposals Regarding Blank Check Preferred Stock
Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting to have shareholder ratification of 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.
Share Repurchase Programs
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.
Vote FOR management proposals to cancel repurchased shares.
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, giving primary consideration to input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).
Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends
Vote FOR management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares falls within the Proxy Advisory Firms allowable thresholds.
Reverse Stock Splits
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, taking into account managements rationale and/or disclosure if the split constitutes a capital increase effectively exceeding the Proxy Advisory Firms allowable threshold due to the lack of a proportionate reduction in the number of shares authorized.
Allocation of Income and Dividends
With respect to Japanese and South Korean 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, voting with the Proxy Advisory Firms recommendations to oppose such proposals when:
· The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation; or
· The payout is excessive given the companys financial position.
Vote FOR such management proposals by companies in other markets.
Vote AGAINST proposals where companies are seeking to establish or maintain disparate dividend distributions between stockholders of the same share class (e.g., long-term stockholders receiving a higher dividend ratio (Loyalty Dividends)).
In any market, in the event multiple proposals regarding dividends are on the same agenda, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives
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.
Tracking Stock
Consider the creation of tracking stock on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving primary consideration to the input from the relevant Investment Professional(s).
Capitalization of Reserves
Vote FOR proposals to capitalize the companys reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase the par value of shares, unless concerns not otherwise supported under these Guidelines are raised by the Proxy Advisory Firm.
Debt Instruments and Issuance Requests (International)
Vote AGAINST proposals authorizing excessive discretion to a board to issue or set terms for debt instruments (e.g., commercial paper).
Vote FOR debt issuances for companies when the gearing level (current debt-to-equity ratio) is not excessive as defined by the Proxy Advisory Firms thresholds.
Vote AGAINST proposals where the issuance of debt will result in an excessive gearing level as defined by the Proxy Advisory Firms thresholds, or for which inadequate disclosure precludes calculation of the gearing level, unless the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to evaluating such requests results in support of the proposal.
Acceptance of Deposits (India)
Voting decisions generally are based on the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to evaluating such proposals.
Debt Restructurings
Consider 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.
Financing Plans
Vote FOR the adoption of financing plans if they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.
Investment of Company Reserves (International)
Consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Restructuring
Mergers and Acquisitions, Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) and Corporate Restructurings
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 recommended by the Proxy Advisory Firm or relevant Investment Professional(s).
Votes will be reviewed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis with voting decisions based on the Proxy Advisory Firms approach to evaluating such proposals if no input is provided by the relevant Investment Professional(s).
Waiver on Tender-Bid Requirement
Consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if 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.
Related Party Transactions
Vote FOR approval of such transactions unless the agreement requests a strategic move outside the companys 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 or related party independence.
6- Environmental and Social Issues
Environmental and Social Proposals
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 environmental and social issues. Such matters may include:
· Ensuring that the companies they oversee comply with applicable legal, regulatory and ethical standards;
· Managing risk effectively, and
· Assessing and addressing matters that may have a financial impact on shareholder value.
The Funds will vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to:
· Dictate corporate conduct;
· Impose excessive costs or restrictions; or
· Duplicate policies already substantially in place.
Shareholder proposals will be considered CASE-BY-CASE if it appears that the
· Information requested would be helpful to shareholders, and is not duplicative to existing disclosed policies or practices;
· Stewardship has fallen short as evidenced by the companys failure to align its actions and disclosure with market practice and that of its peers; or
· Company has been subject to significant controversies, litigation, fines, or penalties in connection with the relevant issue; or
· Issue is material to the company.
Approval of Donations
Vote FOR proposals if they are for single- or multi-year authorities and prior disclosure of amounts is provided. Otherwise, vote AGAINST such proposals.
7- Routine/Miscellaneous
Routine Management Proposals
Consider proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the Proxy Advisory Firm recommends voting AGAINST.
Authority to Call Shareholder Meetings on Less than 21 Days Notice
For companies in the United Kingdom, consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, factoring in whether the company 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.
Approval of Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports
Vote AGAINST if there are concerns regarding inadequate disclosure, remuneration arrangements (including severance/termination payments exceeding local standards for multiples of annual compensation), or consulting agreements with non-executive directors.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis if there are other concerns regarding severance/termination payments.
Vote AGAINST if there is concern about the companys financial accounts and reporting, including related party transactions.
Vote AGAINST board-issued reports receiving a negative recommendation from the Proxy Advisory Firm due to concerns regarding independence of the board or the presence of non-independent directors on the audit committee.
Vote FOR if the only reason for a negative recommendation by the Proxy Advisory Firm is to express disapproval of broader practices of the company or its board.
Other Business
Vote AGAINST proposals for Other Business.
Adjournment
· Vote FOR when presented with a primary proposal such as a merger or corporate restructuring that is also supported.
· Consider other circumstances on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Changing Corporate Name
Vote FOR management proposals requesting a change in corporate name.
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.
Vote AGAINST any proposals that would otherwise be opposed under these Guidelines.
Bundled Proposals
Vote FOR if all of the bundled items are supported by these Guidelines.
Consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, if one or more items are not supported by these Guidelines and/or the Proxy Advisory Firm deems the negative impact, on balance, to outweigh any positive impact.
Moot Proposals
This instruction is in regard to items for which support has become moot (e.g., a director 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)); WITHHOLD support if recommended by the Proxy Advisory Firm.
8- Mutual Fund Proxies
Approving New Classes or Series of Shares
Vote FOR the establishment of new classes or series of shares.
Hire and Terminate Sub-Advisors
Vote FOR management proposals that authorize the board to hire and terminate sub-advisors.
Master-Feeder Structure
Vote FOR the establishment of a master-feeder structure.
Establish Director Ownership Requirement
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals for the establishment of a director ownership requirement. All other matters should be examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Exhibit 1 Voting Members of the Proxy Group
Name |
|
Title or Affiliation |
|
|
|
Stanley D. Vyner |
|
Chief Investment Risk Officer and Executive Vice President, Voya Investments, LLC |
|
|
|
Kevin M. Gleason |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Voya Family of Funds |
|
|
|
Jason Kadavy |
|
Vice President, Reporting, Fund Accounting, 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, Investment Stewardship, Voya Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Harley Eisner |
|
Vice President, Financial Analysis, Voya Funds Services, LLC |
|
|
|
Andrew Schlueter |
|
Vice President, Mutual Funds Operations, Voya Funds Services LLC |
|
|
|
Joanne Osberg, Esq. |
|
Vice President and Counsel II, Voya Fund Services, LLC |
Effective as of February 6, 2019
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
(Registrant)
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. EXHIBITS
(a) (1) Trust Instrument dated July 30, 1998 Filed as an Exhibit to the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on October 28, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Amendment dated February 22, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on March 1, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Certificate of Amendment dated February 27, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on June 15, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Certificate of Amendment dated May 9, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Amendment No. 1 dated November 2, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on February 27, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Amendment No. 2 dated November 2, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on February 27, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Amendment No. 3 dated November 2, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on February 27, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Certificate of Amendment dated December 17, 2001 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on August 1, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Certificate of Amendment dated February 15, 2002 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Amendment No. 4 dated March 1, 2002 to the Trust Instrument Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(11) Amendment No. 5, effective September 23, 2002, to the Trust Instrument, Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(12) Amendment No. 6, effective September 23, 2002, to the Trust Instrument, Name Change of Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(13) Amendment No. 7, effective November 22, 2002, to the Trust Instrument, Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(14) Amendment No. 8, effective June 2, 2003, to the Trust Instrument, Establishment of New Share Class Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(15) Amendment No. 9, effective August 25, 2003, to the Trust Instrument (ING National Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund), Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(16) Amendment No. 10, effective August 25, 2003, to the Trust Instrument (ING Classic Money Market Fund), Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(17) Amendment No. 11, effective April 23, 2004, to the Trust Instrument (ING Strategic Bond Fund), Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(18) Amendment No. 12, effective March 24, 2004, to the Trust Instrument (Class O shares of ING Intermediate Bond), Establishing of New Share Class Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(19) Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution of Series to the Trust Instrument (ING Strategic Bond Fund), effective February 26, 2004 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(20) Amendment No. 13, effective September 2, 2004, to the Trust instrument (ING High Yield Opportunity Fund), Dissolution of Share Class Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 13, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(21) Amendment No. 14, effective October 25, 2004, (ING High Yield Opportunity Fund), Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 13, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(22) Amendment No. 15, effective March 15, 2005, (ING Lexington Money Market Trust), Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 21, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(23) Amendment No. 16, effective July 29, 2005, (ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund) Establishment of New Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 21, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(24) Amendment No. 17, effective January 3, 2007, Conversion of Series, Shares and Classes, and the Abolition of a Class of Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(25) Amendment No. 18, effective November 19, 2007, (ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund) Establishment of Class IS shares and Re-designation of Current Shares to Class I Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on December 4, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(26) Amendment No. 19, effective November 19, 2007, (ING GNMA Income Fund and ING Intermediate Bond Fund) Establishment of Class W Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on December 4, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(27) Amendment No. 20, effective July 21, 2008, (ING High Yield Bond Fund) Establishment of Class I shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on August 1, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
(28) Amendment No. 21, effective October 23, 2008, (ING National Tax-Exempt Bond Fund) Abolition of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
(29) Amendment No. 22, effective November 20, 2009, Conversion of Series, Shares and Classes, and the Abolition of a Class of Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
(30) Amendment No. 23, effective May 27, 2010, (ING Floating Rate Fund) Establishment of New Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
(31) Amendment No. 24, effective May 19, 2011, (ING GNMA Income Fund and ING High Yield Bond Fund) Establishment of Class R Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(32) Amendment No. 25, effective May 19, 2011, (ING High Yield Bond Fund) Establishment of Class W Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(33) Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution of Series, effective November 4, 2010, (ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
(34) Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution of Series, effective January 25, 2011, (ING Classic Money Market Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
(35) Amendment No. 26, effective July 12, 2012, (ING Strategic Income Fund) Establishment of New Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on October 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(36) Amendment No. 27, effective July 12, 2012, (ING Short Term Bond Fund) Establishment of New Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on November 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(37) Amendment No. 28, effective September 6, 2012, (ING Floating Rate Fund and ING High Yield Bond Fund) Establishment of Class P Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on November 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(38) Amendment No. 29, effective September 6, 2012, (ING Floating Rate Fund, ING GNMA Income Fund, and ING Intermediate Bond Fund) Establishment of Class R6 shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(39) Amendment No. 30, effective January 10, 2013 (Mandatory Trustee Retirement Age) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(40) Amendment No. 31, effective May 23, 2013, (ING Short Term Bond Fund) Establishment of Class R6 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(41) Amendment No. 32, effective May 1, 2014, (Name Change of Each Series) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(42) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Trust (Name Change of Trust) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(43) Amendment No. 33, effective May 22, 2014, (Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Establishment of Class R Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(44) Amendment No. 34, effective December 1, 2014 (Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Name change of Fund Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(45) Amendment No. 35, effective July 9, 2015 (Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Establishment of Class R6 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(46) Amendment No. 36, effective September 10, 2015 to Increase the Number of Trustees Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration
Statement on May 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(47) Amendment No. 37, effective May 12, 2016 (Voya High Yield Bond Fund) Establishment of Class R6 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(48) Amendment No. 38, effective January 12, 2017 (Voya Floating Rate Fund, Voya GNMA Income Fund, Voya High Yield Bond Fund, Voya Intermediate Bond Fund, Voya Short Term Bond Fund, and Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Establishment of Class T Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on March 23, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(49) Amendment No. 39, effective May 8, 2017 (Voya GNMA Income Fund, Voya High Yield Bond Fund, and Voya Intermediate Bond Fund) Abolition of Class B Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(50) Amendment No. 40, effective January 11, 2018 (Voya Floating Rate Fund, Voya High Yield Bond Fund, Voya Intermediate Bond Fund, and Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Establishment of Class P3 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(51) Amendment No. 41, effective September 14, 2018 (Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Establishment of Class P3 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(52) Amendment No. 42, effective January 25, 2019 (Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Establishment of Class P Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(53) Amendment No. 43, effective May 23, 2019 (Voya Government Money Market Fund II) Establishment of New Series Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on October 21, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(54) Amendment No. 44, effective September 12, 2019 (Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Establishment of Class P2 Shares Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on October 21, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(55) Amendment No. 45, effective November 8, 2019 (Voya Government Money Market Fund II) Name change of series Filed herein.
(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 18, 2018 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The rights of holders of the securities being registered are set out in Articles II, VII, IX, and X of the Declaration of Trust referenced in Exhibit (a) above and in Articles IV, VI, and XIII of the Bylaws referenced in Exhibit (b) above.
(d) (1) Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC Filed herein.
(ii) Waiver letter, dated August 1, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Class P shares of Voya Floating Rate Fund and Voya High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Waiver letter, dated February 1, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Class P shares of Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Amended Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Voya GNMA Income Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A, effective January 1, 2018, to the Amended Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Voya GNMA Income Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Expense Limitation Agreement, effective January 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, effective January 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC Filed herein.
(ii) Expense Limitation Recoupment Letter dated January 1, 2016 (with respect to Voya Intermediate Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Expense Limitation Agreement, effective August 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A, effective August 1, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, effective August 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC (with respect to Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Money Market Fund Expense Limitation Agreement, effective November 5, 2019, among Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC, and the Registrant (with respect to Voya Government Money Market Fund II) Filed herein.
(6) Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) First Amendment, dated January 1, 2018, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Second Amendment, dated February 1, 2018, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, as amended, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC Filed herein.
(iv) Waiver letter, dated February 1, 2019, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, as amended, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC (with respect to Class P shares of Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(e) (1) Underwriting Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, between the Registrant and Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (formerly, ING Investments Distributor, LLC) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Underwriting Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, between the Registrant and Voya Investments Distributor, LLC Filed herein.
(f) Not Applicable.
(g) (1) Custody Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amendment, effective January 1, 2019, to the Custody Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Custody Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed herein.
(2) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed herein.
(ii) Amended Schedule 1, effective May 1, 2003, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Amended Schedule 2, effective June 4, 2008, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on August 1, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Amended Master Repurchase Agreement, effective August 4, 2006, between the Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Fund Accounting Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Form N-1A Registrants Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amendment, effective January 1, 2019, to the Fund Accounting Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Investment Company Reporting Modernization Services Amendment, dated February 1, 2018, to the Fund Accounting Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Fund Accounting Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed herein.
(5) Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amendment, effective October 1, 2011, to Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Amendment, effective March 21, 2019, to Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Amendment, effective March 26, 2019, to Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iv) Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Filed herein.
(6) Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement, dated November 1, 2001, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) First Amendment, dated March 1, 2002, to the Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement, dated November 1, 2001 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Second Amendment, dated October 1, 2007, to the Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement, dated November 1, 2001 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Third Amendment, dated August 2, 2010, to the Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement, dated November 1, 2001 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Service Agreement, dated February 12, 2018, between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(h) (1) Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., (formerly, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.), effective April 20, 2009 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amendment, effective February 8, 2011, to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Amendment, effective January 1, 2019, to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Amendment, effective May 1, 2019, to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(iv) Amendment, effective November 5, 2019, to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Filed herein.
(i) (1) Opinion and Consent of Counsel Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class W shares of ING GNMA Income Fund and ING Intermediate Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on December 14, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class IS shares of ING Institutional Prime Money Market Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on December 4, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class I shares of ING High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on August 1, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (ING Floating Rate Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on August 13, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class W shares of ING High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (ING Strategic Income Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on November 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(9) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R6 shares for ING Intermediate Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class P shares for ING Floating Rate Fund and ING High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on November 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(11) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (ING Short Term Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on December 13, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(12) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R6 shares for ING Short Term Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(13) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R shares for ING High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(14) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R shares for Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(15) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R6 shares for Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 29, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(16) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class R6 shares for Voya High Yield Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(17) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class T shares for Voya Floating Rate Fund, Voya GNMA Income Fund, Voya High Yield Bond Fund, Voya Intermediate Bond Fund, Voya Short Term Bond Fund, and Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on March 23, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(18) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class P3 shares for Voya Floating Rate Fund, Voya High Yield Bond Fund, Voya Intermediate Bond Fund, and Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2018 and incorporated herein by
reference.
(19) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class P shares for Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on January 31, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(20) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class P3 shares for Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(21) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Voya Government Money Market Fund II) Filed herein.
(22) Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Class P2 shares for Voya Short Term Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on October 21, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
(j) (1) Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP Filed herein.
(2) Consent of KPMG LLP Filed herein.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) (1) Third Amended and Restated Service and Distribution Plan (Class A shares), effective November 16, 2017 (with respect to Voya GNMA Income Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Fourth Amended and Restated Distribution Plan (Class C shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Third Amended and Restated Service and Distribution Plan (Class C shares), effective November 16, 2017 (with respect to Voya GNMA Income Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Service and Distribution Plan (Class C shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed herein.
(4) Fifth Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan (Class A and Class C shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Service and Distribution Plan (Class R shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Service and Distribution Plan (Class R shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed herein.
(6) Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan (Class O shares), effective November 16, 2017 (with respect to Voya Intermediate Bond Fund) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(i) Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan (Class O shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed herein.
(ii) Fee Waiver Letter dated November 5, 2019 for the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan (Class O shares), effective November 16, 2017 with regard to Class O shares of Voya Government Money Market Fund II, for the period from November 5, 2019 through August 1, 2021 Filed herein.
(7) Amended and Restated Service and Distribution Plan (Class T shares), effective November 16, 2017 Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(n) Seventeenth Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, effective November 5, 2019 Filed herein.
(o) Not applicable.
(p) Voya Funds and Advisers Code of Ethics amended July 1, 2019 Filed herein.
ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
None.
ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION
Article X of the Registrants Declaration of Trust provides the following:
Section 10.1 Limitation of Liability. A trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person other than the Trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee. A trustee shall not be liable for any act or omission or any conduct whatsoever in his capacity as trustee, provided that nothing contained herein or in the Delaware Act shall protect any trustee against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of trustee hereunder.
Section 10.2 Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Section (b) below:
(i) every person who is, or has been a trustee or officer of the Trust (hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof;
(ii) the words claim, action, suit, or proceeding shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, or
proceedings (civil, criminal, or other, including appeals) actual or threatened while in office or thereafter, and the words liability and expenses shall include, without limitation, attorneys fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office,
(A) by the court or other body approving the settlement;
(B) by at least a majority of those trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or
(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) provided; however, that any Shareholder may, by appropriate legal proceedings, challenge any such determination by the trustees or by independent counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification therein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) Expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 10.2 may be paid by the Trust or Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.2 provided; however, that either: (a) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking; (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments; or (c) either a majority of the trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.2.
Article IX of the Registrants By-Laws provides the following:
The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Covered Person or employee of the Trust, including any Covered Person or employee of the Trust who is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, officer, or employee of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the trustees would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability.
The Trust may not acquire or obtain a contract for insurance that protects or purports to protect any trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Reference is made to Article IX of the Registrants By-Law and paragraph 1.11 of the Distribution Agreement.
The Registrant is covered under an insurance policy, insuring its officers and trustees against liabilities, and certain costs of defending claims against such officers and trustees; to the extent such officers and trustees are not found to have committed conduct constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. The insurance policy also insures the Registrant against the cost of indemnification payments to officers under certain circumstances.
Section 12 of the Management Agreement between the Registrant and investment manager, Section 8 of the Sub-Advisory Agreement and Section 20 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and the distributor limit the liability of the investment manager, the sub-advisor and the distributor to liabilities arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties, or from reckless disregard by them of their respective obligations and duties under the agreements.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provisions of its Trust Instrument, By-Laws, Management Agreement, and Distribution Agreement in a manner consistent with Release No. 11330 of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended so long as the interpretations of Section 17 (h) and 17(i) of such Act remain in effect and are consistently applied.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) may be permitted to trustees, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant understands that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
Information as to the directors and officers of the investment adviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of the investment adviser in the last two years, is included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File No. 801-48282) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Information as to the directors and officers of the sub-adviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of the sub-adviser in the last two years, are included in its application for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV for Voya Investment Management Co. LLC (File No. 801-55232).
ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Voya Investments Distributor, LLC is the principal underwriter for Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc.; Voya Equity Trust; Voya Funds Trust; Voya Government Money Market Portfolio; Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio; Voya Investors Trust; Voya Mutual Funds; Voya Partners, Inc.; Voya Prime Rate Trust; 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.; and Voya Variable Products Trust.
(b) Information as to the directors and officers of the distributor, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of the distributor in the last two years, is included in the table below:
Name and Principal Business
|
|
Positions and Offices with
|
|
Positions and Offices
|
Raj Badhwar
|
|
Chief Information Security Officer |
|
None |
Michael Bell
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Stephen Easton
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None |
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.
|
|
Secretary |
|
Secretary |
James M. Fink
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
Executive Vice President |
David Pendergrass
|
|
Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
|
None |
Monia Piacenti
|
|
Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
|
Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
Dina Santoro
|
|
Director and Senior Vice President |
|
President |
Andrew K. Schlueter
|
|
Vice President |
|
Vice President |
Charles Shaffer
|
|
Director and Executive Vice President |
|
None |
Michael S. Smith
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer |
|
None |
Robert P. Terris
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
Senior Vice President |
Jacob J. Tuzza
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
None |
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder are maintained at the offices of: (a) the Registrant; (b) the adviser; (c) the administrator; (d) the distributor; (e) the sub-adviser; (f) the custodian; and (g) the transfer agent. The address of each is as follows:
(a) Voya Funds Trust
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034
(b) Voya Investments, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034
(c) Voya Funds Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034
(d) Voya Investments Distributor, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258-2034
(e) Voya Investment Management Co. LLC
230 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10169
(f) The Bank of New York Mellon
225 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10286
State Street Bank and Trust Company
801 Pennsylvania Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64105
(g) BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Scottsdale and State of Arizona on the 31st day of October, 2019.
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VOYA FUNDS TRUST |
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By: |
/s/ Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Secretary |
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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Michael Bell* |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Todd Modic* |
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Senior Vice President and
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October 31, 2019 |
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Dina Santoro* |
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Interested Trustee and President |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Colleen D. Baldwin* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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John V. Boyer* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Patricia W. Chadwick* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Martin J. Gavin* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Russell H. Jones* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Joseph E. Obermeyer* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Sheryl K. Pressler* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Christopher P. Sullivan* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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Roger B. Vincent* |
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Trustee |
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October 31, 2019 |
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* By: |
/s/ Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Attorney-in-fact ** |
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** Powers of Attorney for Michael Bell, Todd Modic, and each Trustee (except Dina Santoro) were filed as attachments to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on May 25, 2018 and are incorporated herein by reference. Power of Attorney for Dina Santoro was filed as an attachment to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Form N-1A Registration Statement on July 27, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference.
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
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Exhibit Description |
(a)(55) |
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Amendment No. 45, effective November 8, 2019 (Voya Government Money Market Fund II) Name change of series |
(d)(1)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated May 1, 2015, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC |
(d)(3)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Expense Limitation Agreement, effective January 1, 2016, between the Registrant and Voya Investments, LLC |
(d)(5) |
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Money Market Fund Expense Limitation Agreement, effective November 5, 2019, among Voya Investments, LLC, Voya Investments Distributor, LLC, and the Registrant (with respect to Voya Government Money Market Fund II) |
(d)(6)(iii) |
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Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, effective November 18, 2014, as amended, between Voya Investments, LLC and Voya Investment Management Co. LLC |
(e)(1)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Underwriting Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, between the Registrant and Voya Investments Distributor, LLC |
(g)(1)(ii) |
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Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Custody Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
(g)(2)(i) |
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Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
(g)(4)(iii) |
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Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Fund Accounting Agreement, dated January 6, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
(g)(5)(iv) |
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Amended Exhibit A, effective November 5, 2019, to the Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon |
(h)(1)(iv) |
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Amendment, effective November 5, 2019, to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. |
(i)(21) |
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Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding the legality of shares being registered (Voya Government Money Market Fund II) |
(j)(1) |
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Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP |
(j)(2) |
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Consent of KPMG LLP |
(m)(3)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Service and Distribution Plan (Class C shares), effective November 16, 2017 |
(m)(5)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Service and Distribution Plan (Class R shares), effective November 16, 2017 |
(m)(6)(i) |
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Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan (Class O shares), effective November 16, 2017 |
(m)(6)(ii) |
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Fee Waiver Letter dated November 5, 2019 for the Third Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan (Class O shares), effective November 16, 2017 with regard to Class O shares of Voya Government Money Market Fund II, for the period from November 5, 2019 through August 1, 2021 |
(n) |
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Seventeenth Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, effective November 5, 2019 |
AMENDMENT NO. 45 TO TRUST INSTRUMENT OF
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
Name Change of Series
Effective: November 8, 2019
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 45 TO THE TRUST INSTRUMENT OF VOYA FUNDS TRUST (VFT), a Delaware statutory trust, dated July 30, 1998, as amended (the Trust Instrument), reflects resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of VFT on May 23, 2019, with respect to Voya Government Money Market Fund II, a series of VFT (the Fund), acting pursuant to the Trust Instrument, including Article XI, Section 11.8 of VFTs Trust Instrument. The resolutions serve to change the name of the Fund, effective November 8, 2019 .
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
SECRETARYS CERTIFICATE
I, Huey P. Falgout, Jr., Secretary of Voya Funds Trust (VFT), do hereby certify that the following is a true copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Trustees of VFT at a meeting held on May 23, 2019 with regard to the name change of one series of VFT, effective November 8, 2019:
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 11.8 of the Trust Instrument dated July 30, 1998 (the Trust Instrument) of Voya Funds Trust (VFT) provides that the Board of Trustees may amend the Trust Instrument; so be it
RESOLVED, that the change in name from Voya Government Money Market Fund II to Voya Government Money Market Fund, or a substantially similar name be, and it hereby is, approved, and the officers of VFT be, and each hereby is, authorized, with the advice of counsel, to take any and all such actions they determine, in their discretion, to be necessary to prepare, execute and deliver an amendment to the Trust Instrument to change the name of the series, to be effective on a date deemed appropriate by the officers of VFT; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of VFT be, and each hereby is, authorized to prepare, execute and deliver such instruments as are necessary to effect such name change, including, but not limited to, filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission supplement(s) and post-effective amendment(s) to VFTs Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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/s/ Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
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Secretary |
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Dated: |
August 1, 2019 |
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November 5, 2019
Mr. Todd Modic
Senior Vice President
Voya Investments, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Dear Mr. Modic:
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended and restated on May 1, 2015, as amended, between Voya Funds Trust (VFT) and Voya Investments, LLC (the Agreement), we hereby notify you of our intention to retain you as Manager to render investment advisory services to Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund, the Fund), effective on November 5, 2019, upon all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.
Upon your acceptance, the Agreement will be modified to give effect to the foregoing by adding the Fund to the Amended Schedule A of the Agreement. The Amended Schedule A, which indicates the annual investment management fee rate for the Fund, is attached hereto.
Please signify your acceptance to act as Manager to the aforementioned Fund under the Agreement with respect to the Fund by signing below where indicated.
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Very sincerely, |
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By: |
/s/ Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Senior Vice President |
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Voya Funds Trust |
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
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Voya Investments, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
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Name: |
Todd Modic |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, Duly Authorized |
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AMENDED SCHEDULE A
with respect to the
AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
between
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
and
VOYA INVESTMENTS, LLC
Series |
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Annual Management Fee
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Voya Floating Rate Fund |
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0.65% on all assets |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
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0.350% on all assets |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
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0.61% on first $500 million of assets;
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Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
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0.27% on all assets |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
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0.45% on all assets |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
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0.50% on all assets |
Effective Date: November 5, 2019, to reflect the addition of Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund).
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
to the
EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
OPERATING EXPENSE LIMITS
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Maximum Operating Expense Limit
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Classes |
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Fund(1) |
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A |
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C |
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I |
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L |
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O |
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P |
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P2 |
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P3 |
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R |
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R6 |
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T |
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W |
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Voya Floating Rate Fund Initial Term Expires August 1, 2012 Initial Term for Class P Expires August 1, 2014 Term for Class W Expires August 1, 2018 Initial Term for Class T Expires August 1, 2018 Initial Term for Class P3 Expires August 1, 2019 |
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1.00 |
% |
1.75 |
% |
0.75 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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0.15 |
% |
N/A |
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0.00 |
% |
1.25 |
% |
N/A |
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1.00 |
% |
0.75 |
% |
Voya GNMA Income Fund Term Expires August 1, 2016 Initial Term for Class T Expires August 1, 2018 |
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0.95 |
% |
1.70 |
% |
0.65 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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0.95 |
% |
0.70 |
% |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) Initial Term Expires August 1, 2021 |
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0.40 |
% |
1.40 |
% |
0.40 |
% |
0.40 |
% |
0.65 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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0.40 |
% |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund Initial Term for Classes A, B, and C Expires August 1, 2007 Initial Term for Class I Expires August 1, 2010 Initial Term for Class W Expires August 1, 2012 Initial Term for Class P Expires August 1, 2014 Initial Term for Class R Expires August 1, 2015 Initial Term for Class R6 Expires August 1, 2017 Initial Term for Class T Expires August 1, 2018 Initial Term for Class P3 Expires August 1, 2019 |
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1.10 |
% |
1.85 |
% |
0.85 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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0.15 |
% |
N/A |
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0.00 |
% |
1.35 |
% |
0.83 |
% |
1.10 |
% |
0.85 |
% |
(1) This Agreement shall automatically renew for one-year terms with respect to a Fund unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the Agreement.
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Maximum Operating Expense Limit
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Classes |
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Fund(1) |
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A |
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C |
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I |
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L |
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O |
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P |
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P2 |
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P3 |
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R |
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R6 |
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T |
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W |
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Voya Intermediate Bond Fund Term Expires August 1, 2010 Initial Term for Class R6 Expires August 1, 2014 Initial Term for Class T Expires August 1, 2018 Initial Term for Class P3 Expires August 1, 2019 |
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0.75 |
% |
1.50 |
% |
0.50 |
% |
N/A |
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0.75 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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0.00 |
% |
1.00 |
% |
0.50 |
% |
0.75 |
% |
0.50 |
% |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund Initial Term for Class A, C, I, and W Expires August 1, 2014 Initial Term for Class R6 Expires August 1, 2014 Initial Term for Class R Expires August 1, 2015 Initial Term for Class T Expires August 1, 2018 Initial Term for Class P3 Expires August 1, 2019 Initial Term for Class P2 Expires August 1, 2021 |
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0.80 |
% |
1.55 |
% |
0.50 |
% |
N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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0.15 |
% |
0.00 |
% |
1.05 |
% |
0.47 |
% |
0.80 |
% |
0.55 |
% |
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/s/ H.E. |
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HE |
Effective Date: November 5, 2019 to add Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund).
(1) This Agreement shall automatically renew for one-year terms with respect to a Fund unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the Agreement.
MONEY MARKET FUND EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
This MONEY MARKET FUND EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (this Agreement), effective November 5, 2019, is made by and among Voya Investments, LLC (the Investment Manager), Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (the Distributor), and Voya Funds Trust (the Registrant). If the Registrant is a series fund investment company, then the Registrant is entering into this Agreement on behalf of, and this Agreement shall apply to, each series of the Registrant set forth on Schedule A hereto (each a Fund, collectively the Funds), as such schedule may be amended from time to time to add or delete series. If the Registrant is not a series fund investment company, then this Agreement shall apply to the Registrant, and the use of the terms Fund or Funds herein shall refer to the Registrant.
WHEREAS, the Registrant is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management company; and
WHEREAS, the Registrant, the Distributor, and the Investment Manager desire that the provisions of this Agreement do not adversely affect a Funds status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), do not interfere with a Funds ability to compute its taxable income under Code Section 852, do not adversely affect the status of the distributions a Fund makes as deductible dividends under Code Section 562, and do comply with the requirements of Revenue Procedure 99-40 (or any successor pronouncement of the Internal Revenue Service); and
WHEREAS, the Registrant and the Investment Manager have entered into an investment management agreement (the Management Agreement), pursuant to which the Investment Manager provides investment advisory services to each Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Registrant has adopted one or more plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for certain classes of shares permitting a Fund to make shareholder servicing and/or distribution payments, as applicable, to the Distributor (12b-1 Plans); and
WHEREAS, the Registrant, the Distributor, and the Investment Manager have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund to reserve a daily yield of at least 0.00%.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Expense Limitation.
1.1 Applicable Expense Limit. To the extent that expenses incurred by a class of a Fund listed on Schedule A on any business day exceed the gross income, for such class for such business day, such excess amount (the Excess Amount) shall be the liability of the Distributor and/or Investment Manager. As such, the Distributor and/or Investment Manager may waive all or a portion
of certain fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to assist the Registrant in maintaining a yield of not less than 0.00%.
1.2 Daily Computation. The Investment Manager shall determine on each business day whether the expenses for any class of a Fund exceed the gross income for such class of a Fund on such business day. If, on any business day, the expenses for any class of a Fund do not equal the gross income for such class, the amount of such difference shall be netted against the previous days accrued amount for Excess Amounts or Recoupment Amounts (as defined below and subject to the limitations noted below), and the difference shall be accrued for that day as an Excess Amount or Recoupment Amount as applicable.
1.3 Payment. At the end of each month, the accruals made pursuant to Section 1.2 above shall be netted, and the result shall be remitted by the Distributor and/or Investment Manager to the Fund if such netting results in an Excess Amount, and it shall be remitted to the Distributor and/or Investment Manager if such netting results in a Recoupment Amount and the Distributor and/or Investment Manager is entitled to a Recoupment Amount pursuant to Section 2 below. Any such amounts remitted to a Fund, or repaid by a Fund, shall be allocated among the classes of the Fund in accordance with the terms of the Funds Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Any payments made pursuant to Section 1.1 and this Section 1.3 may include waivers of (1) all or a portion of certain fees and/or reimbursements of expenses to the extent necessary to assist the Registrant in maintaining a yield of not less than 0.00% and (2) Fund-level expenses, such as management fees, custodian fees, and other expenses related to the management of the Funds assets which must be allocated proportionately among all classes (but may be waived in different amounts pursuant to the Funds Differential Fee Waiver Procedures), and waivers or reimbursements of class-specific expenses, which may be waived or reimbursed at different amounts for individual classes. The Registrant may offset amounts owed to a Fund pursuant to this Agreement against the Funds advisory fee payable to the Investment Manager or the distribution and/or shareholder services fee payable to the Distributor.
2. Right to Recoupment. Upon notice to the Board of Trustees (the Board) of the Registrant, if the Investment Manager made any payments pursuant to Section 1.3 above, including waivers and/or reimbursements of certain fees and/or expenses, relating to any of the 36 months immediately preceding any month end calculation pursuant to Section 1.3 above, the Investment Manager shall be entitled to recoup from a Fund any such fees waived or reduced and any such payments made (collectively, a Recoupment Amount), if (i) on the date of any calculation under Section 1.2, the days gross income for any class of a Fund is greater than that days expenses for that class, and (ii) such Recoupment Amounts have not already been recouped. Any amounts recouped from a class of a Fund shall be recouped in accordance with the principles of the Funds Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Amounts recouped shall be allocated to the oldest Recoupment Amounts during such 36 month period until fully recouped, and thereafter to the next oldest Recoupment Amounts, and so forth. Such recoupment may not result in: (i) more than 20% of the daily yield for that class of the Fund prior to such recoupment; (ii) any class of the Fund having a daily yield of less than 0.00%; and (iii) the Distributor recouping any amounts. Additionally, such recoupment is also subject to limitations pursuant to any existing expense limitation agreement for the Fund.
3. Term and Termination. This Agreement shall have an initial term with respect to each Fund ending on the date indicated on Schedule A, as such schedule may be amended from time to time. In addition, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to a Fund upon termination of the Management Agreement with respect to such Fund, the termination of the 12b-1 Plan with respect to a class of such Fund, or it may be terminated by the Registrant, without payment of any penalty, upon written notice to each of the Investment Manager and Distributor at their respective principal place of business within 90 days of the end of the then current term for a Fund and such termination is approved by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant.
4. Miscellaneous.
4.1 Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
4.2 Interpretation. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Registrant or a Fund to take any action contrary to the Registrants articles of incorporation, declaration of trust, or similar governing document, an applicable prospectus or statement of additional information, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement, or to relieve or deprive the Registrants Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Registrant or the Funds.
4.3 Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment management fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Management Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Management Agreement or the 1940 Act.
4.4 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto and such amendment is approved by the Board of Trustees of the Registrant.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
VOYA FUNDS TRUST |
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VOYA INVESTMENTS, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Kimberly A. Anderson |
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By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
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Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Todd Modic |
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Senior Vice President |
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Senior Vice President |
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VOYA INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Vice President |
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SCHEDULE A
to the
MONEY MARKET FUND EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
OPERATING EXPENSE LIMITS
Name of Fund |
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Expiration of Term of Money Market Fund Expense
|
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
|
|
Term Expires August 1, 2021 |
|
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/s/ HE |
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HE |
Effective Date: November 5, 2019
November 5, 2019
Christopher Kurtz
Vice President, Finance
Voya Investment Management Co. LLC
One Orange Way, C1-N
Windsor, CT 06095
Dear Mr. Kurtz:
Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated November 18, 2014, as amended (the Agreement), between Voya Investment Management Co. LLC (the Sub-Adviser) and Voya Investments, LLC, we hereby notify you of our intention to retain you as Sub-Adviser to render investment advisory services to Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be named Voya Government Money Market Fund) (the Fund), a newly established series of Voya Funds Trust, effective on November 5, 2019, upon all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.
Upon your acceptance, the Agreement will be modified to give effect to the foregoing by adding the Fund to the Amended Schedule A of the Agreement. The Amended Schedule A, with the annual sub-advisory fee rate indicated for the Fund, is attached hereto.
Please signify your acceptance to act as Sub-Adviser to the aforementioned Fund under the Agreement with respect to the Fund by signing below where indicated.
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Very sincerely, |
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By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
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Todd Modic |
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Senior Vice President |
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Voya Investments, LLC |
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
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Voya Investment Management Co. LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Christopher Kurtz |
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Name: |
Christopher Kurtz |
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Title: |
VP Finance |
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AMENDED SCHEDULE A
with respect to the
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
between
VOYA INVESTMENTS, LLC
and
VOYA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO. LLC
Series |
|
Annual Sub-Advisory Fee
|
Voya Floating Rate Fund |
|
0.2475% |
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
0.2115% on first $1 billion;
|
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
|
|
0.1125% on all assets |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
0.2295% on first $1 billion;
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
0.0765% |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
0.0675% |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
0.1800% |
Effective Date: November 5, 2019, to reflect the addition of Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund).
November 5, 2019
Andrew K. Schlueter
Vice President
Voya Investments Distributor, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Dear Mr. Schlueter:
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (the Agreement), dated November 18, 2014, between Voya Funds Trust (VFT) and Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (the Underwriter), we hereby notify you of our intention to retain you as Underwriter to render underwriting services to Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), (the Fund), a newly established series of VFT, effective on November 5, 2019, upon all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.
Upon your acceptance, the Agreement will be modified to give effect to the foregoing by adding the Fund to the Amended Schedule A of the Agreement. The Amended Schedule A is attached hereto.
Please signify your acceptance to act as Underwriter under the Agreement with respect to the aforementioned Fund by signing below where indicated.
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Very sincerely, |
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By: |
/s/ Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Senior Vice President |
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Voya Funds Trust |
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ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
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||
Voya Investments Distributor, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Name: |
Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Title: |
Vice President, Duly Authorized |
|
|
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
with respect to the
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
between
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
and
VOYA INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC
Name of Fund |
|
|
Voya Floating Rate Fund |
|
|
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
|
|
|
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
|
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
|
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
|
November 5, 2019
Michael Rothemeyer
The Bank of New York Mellon
135 Santilli Highway
Room 026-0026
Everett, MA 02149
Dear Mr. Rothemeyer:
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Custody Agreement, Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, and Fund Accounting Agreement, each dated January 6, 2003, the Fund Accounting, Custody & Transfer Agency for Voya Funds Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2019, and the Letter of Instruction and Indemnification Agreement In Connection With Signature Guarantees and Signature Verifications, dated January 12, 2011 (collectively, the Agreements), we hereby notify you of the addition of Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund), Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund), Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund), and Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund), each a newly established series of Voya Equity Trust, Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), a newly established series of Voya Funds Trust, and Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund), a newly established series of Voya Mutual Funds, (collectively, the Funds), effective on November 5, 2019, to be included on the Amended Exhibit A to the Agreements. This Amended Exhibit A supersedes the previous Amended Exhibit A dated May 1, 2019.
The Amended Exhibit A has also been updated to reflect: 1) the recent name changes of VY® Oppenheimer Global Portfolio to VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio and VY® Goldman Sachs Bond Portfolio to VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio; and 2) the removal of Voya CBRE Long/Short Fund, VY® Pioneer High Yield Portfolio and VY® Templeton Global Growth Portfolio, because these series recently liquidated or merged away.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Please signify your acceptance to provide services under the Agreements with respect to the Funds by signing below. If you have any questions, please contact me at (480) 477-2190.
|
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Sincerely, |
||
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By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
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|
Name: |
Todd Modic |
|
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
|
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|
|
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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By: |
/s/ Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
|
Name: |
Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
|
Title: |
Vice President |
, Duly Authorized |
AMENDED EXHIBIT A
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
March 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® Trust Fund Series B |
|
May 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund |
|
April 26, 2011 |
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Large-Cap Growth Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Value Fund |
|
December 4, 2007 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya MidCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Real Estate Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya SMID Cap Growth Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya U.S. High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
December 17, 2012 |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
October 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
March 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
|
January 26, 2010 |
|
|
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya International High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
August 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
Voya Balanced Income Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
VY® BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2007 |
VY® Clarion Global Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
VY® Clarion Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Government Liquid Assets Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
Voya High Yield Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
VY® Invesco Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
May 3, 2004 |
Voya Large Cap Value Portfolio |
|
May 11, 2007 |
Voya Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
VY® Morgan Stanley Global Franchise Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Retirement Conservative Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya U.S. Stock Index Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
Voya CBRE Global Infrastructure Fund |
|
July 14, 2017 |
Voya Diversified Emerging Markets Debt Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
Voya Global Bond Fund |
|
June 19, 2006 |
Voya Global Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Equity Dividend Fund |
|
September 2, 2003 |
Voya Global Equity Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Fund |
|
March 28, 2013 |
Voya Global Real Estate Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya International Real Estate Fund |
|
February 28, 2006 |
Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Equity Fund |
|
December 15, 2010 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Factors Fund |
|
February 1, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Small Cap Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russia Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund |
|
October 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
VY® American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Baron Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Contrarian Core Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Small Cap Value II Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
Voya Global Bond Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Index Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Index Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Index Solution Income Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Comstock Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Equity and Income Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Solution Aggressive Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Solution Balanced Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
Voya Solution Conservative Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Income Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution Moderately Aggressive Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Moderately Conservative Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Growth Equity Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust |
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Local Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Investment Grade Credit Fund |
|
May 16, 2007 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Securitized Credit Fund |
|
August 6, 2014 |
Voya Target In-Retirement Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
October 15, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Series Fund, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
June 11, 2008 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund |
|
March 5, 2008 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Conservative Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Growth Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Moderate Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Funds |
|
|
Voya Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Australia Index Portfolio |
|
February 28, 2011 |
Voya Emerging Markets Index Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2011 |
Voya Euro STOXX 50® Index Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya FTSE 100 Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Global Equity Portfolio |
|
January 16, 2008 |
Voya Hang Seng Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Index Plus LargeCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus MidCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus SmallCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya International Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Japan TOPIX Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Value Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Small Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Small Company Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya U.S. Bond Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Products Trust |
|
|
Voya MidCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
November 5, 2019
Michael Rothemeyer
The Bank of New York Mellon
135 Santilli Highway
Room 026-0026
Everett, MA 02149
Dear Mr. Rothemeyer:
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Custody Agreement, Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, and Fund Accounting Agreement, each dated January 6, 2003, the Fund Accounting, Custody & Transfer Agency for Voya Funds Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2019, and the Letter of Instruction and Indemnification Agreement In Connection With Signature Guarantees and Signature Verifications, dated January 12, 2011 (collectively, the Agreements), we hereby notify you of the addition of Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund), Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund), Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund), and Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund), each a newly established series of Voya Equity Trust, Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), a newly established series of Voya Funds Trust, and Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund), a newly established series of Voya Mutual Funds, (collectively, the Funds), effective on November 5, 2019, to be included on the Amended Exhibit A to the Agreements. This Amended Exhibit A supersedes the previous Amended Exhibit A dated May 1, 2019.
The Amended Exhibit A has also been updated to reflect: 1) the recent name changes of VY® Oppenheimer Global Portfolio to VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio and VY® Goldman Sachs Bond Portfolio to VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio; and 2) the removal of Voya CBRE Long/Short Fund, VY® Pioneer High Yield Portfolio and VY® Templeton Global Growth Portfolio, because these series recently liquidated or merged away.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Please signify your acceptance to provide services under the Agreements with respect to the Funds by signing below. If you have any questions, please contact me at (480) 477-2190.
|
|
Sincerely, |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
|
Name: |
Todd Modic |
|
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
|
Name: |
Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
|
Title: |
Vice President |
, Duly Authorized |
AMENDED EXHIBIT A
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
March 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® Trust Fund Series B |
|
May 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund |
|
April 26, 2011 |
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Large-Cap Growth Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Value Fund |
|
December 4, 2007 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya MidCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Real Estate Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya SMID Cap Growth Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya U.S. High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
December 17, 2012 |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
October 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
March 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
|
January 26, 2010 |
|
|
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya International High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
August 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
Voya Balanced Income Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
VY® BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2007 |
VY® Clarion Global Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
VY® Clarion Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Government Liquid Assets Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
Voya High Yield Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
VY® Invesco Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
May 3, 2004 |
Voya Large Cap Value Portfolio |
|
May 11, 2007 |
Voya Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
VY® Morgan Stanley Global Franchise Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Retirement Conservative Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya U.S. Stock Index Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
Voya CBRE Global Infrastructure Fund |
|
July 14, 2017 |
Voya Diversified Emerging Markets Debt Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
Voya Global Bond Fund |
|
June 19, 2006 |
Voya Global Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Equity Dividend Fund |
|
September 2, 2003 |
Voya Global Equity Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Fund |
|
March 28, 2013 |
Voya Global Real Estate Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya International Real Estate Fund |
|
February 28, 2006 |
Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Equity Fund |
|
December 15, 2010 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Factors Fund |
|
February 1, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Small Cap Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russia Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund |
|
October 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
VY® American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Baron Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Contrarian Core Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Small Cap Value II Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
Voya Global Bond Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Index Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Index Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Index Solution Income Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Comstock Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Equity and Income Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Solution Aggressive Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Solution Balanced Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
Voya Solution Conservative Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Income Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution Moderately Aggressive Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Moderately Conservative Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Growth Equity Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust |
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Local Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Investment Grade Credit Fund |
|
May 16, 2007 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Securitized Credit Fund |
|
August 6, 2014 |
Voya Target In-Retirement Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
October 15, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Series Fund, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
June 11, 2008 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund |
|
March 5, 2008 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Conservative Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Growth Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Moderate Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Funds |
|
|
Voya Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Australia Index Portfolio |
|
February 28, 2011 |
Voya Emerging Markets Index Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2011 |
Voya Euro STOXX 50® Index Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya FTSE 100 Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Global Equity Portfolio |
|
January 16, 2008 |
Voya Hang Seng Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Index Plus LargeCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus MidCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus SmallCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya International Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Japan TOPIX Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Value Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Small Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Small Company Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya U.S. Bond Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Products Trust |
|
|
Voya MidCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
November 5, 2019
Michael Rothemeyer
The Bank of New York Mellon
135 Santilli Highway
Room 026-0026
Everett, MA 02149
Dear Mr. Rothemeyer:
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Custody Agreement, Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, and Fund Accounting Agreement, each dated January 6, 2003, the Fund Accounting, Custody & Transfer Agency for Voya Funds Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2019, and the Letter of Instruction and Indemnification Agreement In Connection With Signature Guarantees and Signature Verifications, dated January 12, 2011 (collectively, the Agreements), we hereby notify you of the addition of Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund), Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund), Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund), and Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund), each a newly established series of Voya Equity Trust, Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), a newly established series of Voya Funds Trust, and Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund), a newly established series of Voya Mutual Funds, (collectively, the Funds), effective on November 5, 2019, to be included on the Amended Exhibit A to the Agreements. This Amended Exhibit A supersedes the previous Amended Exhibit A dated May 1, 2019.
The Amended Exhibit A has also been updated to reflect: 1) the recent name changes of VY® Oppenheimer Global Portfolio to VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio and VY® Goldman Sachs Bond Portfolio to VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio; and 2) the removal of Voya CBRE Long/Short Fund, VY® Pioneer High Yield Portfolio and VY® Templeton Global Growth Portfolio, because these series recently liquidated or merged away.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Please signify your acceptance to provide services under the Agreements with respect to the Funds by signing below. If you have any questions, please contact me at (480) 477-2190.
|
Sincerely, |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
Name: |
Todd Modic |
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
|
|
|
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
Name: |
Michael Rothemeyer |
|
|
Title: |
Vice President |
, Duly Authorized |
AMENDED EXHIBIT A
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
March 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® Trust Fund Series B |
|
May 17, 2004 |
|
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund |
|
April 26, 2011 |
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Large-Cap Growth Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Value Fund |
|
December 4, 2007 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya MidCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Real Estate Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya SMID Cap Growth Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya U.S. High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
April 7, 2003 |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
December 17, 2012 |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
October 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
March 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
|
January 26, 2010 |
|
|
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya International High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
August 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
Voya Balanced Income Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
VY® BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2007 |
VY® Clarion Global Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
VY® Clarion Real Estate Portfolio |
|
January 3, 2006 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Government Liquid Assets Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
Voya High Yield Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
VY® Invesco Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® JPMorgan Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
May 3, 2004 |
Voya Large Cap Value Portfolio |
|
May 11, 2007 |
Voya Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio |
|
January 6, 2003 |
VY® Morgan Stanley Global Franchise Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
Voya Retirement Conservative Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Growth Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Portfolio |
|
August 12, 2009 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio |
|
January 13, 2003 |
VY® T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya U.S. Stock Index Portfolio |
|
November 5, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
Voya CBRE Global Infrastructure Fund |
|
July 14, 2017 |
Voya Diversified Emerging Markets Debt Fund |
|
October 15, 2012 |
Voya Global Bond Fund |
|
June 19, 2006 |
Voya Global Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund) |
|
November 5, 2019 |
Voya Global Equity Dividend Fund |
|
September 2, 2003 |
Voya Global Equity Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Fund |
|
March 28, 2013 |
Voya Global Real Estate Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
December 5, 2016 |
Voya International Real Estate Fund |
|
February 28, 2006 |
Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
September 30, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Equity Fund |
|
December 15, 2010 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Factors Fund |
|
February 1, 2011 |
Voya Multi-Manager International Small Cap Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russia Fund |
|
November 3, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund |
|
October 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
VY® American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Baron Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Contrarian Core Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Columbia Small Cap Value II Portfolio |
|
April 28, 2006 |
Voya Global Bond Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Index Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya Index Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Index Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Index Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Index Solution Income Portfolio |
|
March 7, 2008 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Comstock Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Equity and Income Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
September 28, 2011 |
Voya Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
December 4, 2009 |
Voya Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
Voya Solution Aggressive Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2013 |
Voya Solution Balanced Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
Voya Solution Conservative Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Income Portfolio |
|
April 29, 2005 |
Voya Solution Moderately Aggressive Portfolio |
|
April 30, 2010 |
Voya Solution Moderately Conservative Portfolio |
|
June 29, 2007 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Growth Equity Portfolio |
|
January 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust |
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Emerging Markets Local Currency Debt Fund |
|
July 20, 2012 |
Voya Investment Grade Credit Fund |
|
May 16, 2007 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Securitized Credit Fund |
|
August 6, 2014 |
Voya Target In-Retirement Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
December 19, 2012 |
Voya Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
October 15, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Series Fund, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
June 11, 2008 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund |
|
March 5, 2008 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund |
|
June 2, 2003 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
Voya Small Company Fund |
|
June 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Conservative Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Growth Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Moderate Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Funds |
|
|
Voya Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio |
|
February 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Australia Index Portfolio |
|
February 28, 2011 |
Voya Emerging Markets Index Portfolio |
|
November 30, 2011 |
Voya Euro STOXX 50® Index Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya FTSE 100 Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Global Equity Portfolio |
|
January 16, 2008 |
Voya Hang Seng Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Index Plus LargeCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus MidCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya Index Plus SmallCap Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya International Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Japan TOPIX Index® Portfolio |
|
August 3, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Value Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
May 1, 2009 |
Fund |
|
Effective Date |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Russell Small Cap Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
Voya Small Company Portfolio |
|
July 7, 2003 |
Voya U.S. Bond Index Portfolio |
|
March 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Products Trust |
|
|
Voya MidCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
October 6, 2003 |
November 5, 2019
Ms. Katherine Dinella
Vice President
The Bank of New York Mellon Securities Lending
101 Barclay Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10286
Dear Ms. Dinella:
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Securities Lending Agreement and Guaranty, dated August 7, 2003, and the Subscription Agreement for Registered Investment Companies, dated August 8, 2003, (together, the Agreements), we hereby notify you of the addition of Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund), Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund), Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund), and Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund), each a newly established series of Voya Equity Trust, Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), a newly established series of Voya Funds Trust, and Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund), a newly established series of Voya Mutual Funds, (collectively, the Funds), effective on November 5, 2019, to be included on the Amended Exhibit A to the Agreements. This Amended Exhibit A supersedes the previous Amended Exhibit A dated May 1, 2019.
The Amended Exhibit A has also been updated to reflect: 1) the recent name changes of VY® Oppenheimer Global Portfolio to VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio and VY® Goldman Sachs Bond Portfolio to VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio; and 2) the removal of Voya CBRE Long/Short Fund, VY® Pioneer High Yield Portfolio and VY® Templeton Global Growth Portfolio, because these series recently liquidated or merged away.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Please signify your acceptance to provide services under the Agreements with respect to the Funds by signing below. If you have any questions, please contact me at (480) 477-2190.
|
|
Sincerely, |
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
|
Name: |
Todd Modic |
|
|
|
Title:
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
|
|
||
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
|
|
||
The Bank of New York Mellon |
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
By: |
/s/ William P. Kelly |
|
|
|
Name: |
William P. Kelly |
|
|
|
Title: |
Managing Director |
, Duly Authorized |
AMENDED EXHIBIT A
with respect to the
SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT AND GUARANTY AND
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT FOR REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Fund |
|
BNY Account Number
|
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
Composite 405906
|
|
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Balanced Portfolio |
|
464428 |
|
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund |
|
Composite 405899
|
|
|
|
Voya Equity Trust |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya Large-Cap Growth Fund |
|
464733 |
Voya Large Cap Value Fund |
|
471164 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya MidCap Opportunities Fund |
|
464741 |
Voya Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund |
|
Composite 472138
|
Voya Real Estate Fund |
|
464746 |
Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Fund |
|
464743 |
Voya SMID Cap Growth Fund |
|
473002 |
Voya U.S. High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
473010 |
|
|
|
Voya Funds Trust |
|
|
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
464012 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
464010 |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
464006 |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
473565 |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
473423 |
Fund |
|
BNY Account Number
|
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
Composite 405880
|
|
|
|
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund |
|
Composite 405889
|
|
|
|
Voya Government Money Market Portfolio |
|
464412 |
|
|
|
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund |
|
Equity 471149
|
|
|
|
Voya Intermediate Bond Portfolio |
|
464400 |
|
|
|
Voya International High Dividend Equity Income Fund |
|
Composite 405893
|
|
|
|
Voya Investors Trust |
|
|
Voya Balanced Income Portfolio |
|
Composite 405867
|
VY® BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
|
470551 |
VY® Clarion Global Real Estate Portfolio |
|
464280 |
VY® Clarion Real Estate Portfolio |
|
058086 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Portfolio |
|
473354 |
Voya Government Liquid Assets Portfolio |
|
058081 |
Voya High Yield Portfolio |
|
464018 |
VY® Invesco Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
058090 |
VY® JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio |
|
058096 |
VY® JPMorgan Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
|
279610 |
Voya Large Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
464706 |
Voya Large Cap Value Portfolio |
|
470567 |
Voya Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio |
|
058082 |
VY® Morgan Stanley Global Franchise Portfolio |
|
279605 |
Voya Retirement Conservative Portfolio |
|
471092 |
Voya Retirement Growth Portfolio |
|
464996 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Growth Portfolio |
|
464994 |
Voya Retirement Moderate Portfolio |
|
464992 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Portfolio |
|
058084 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio |
|
058087 |
VY® T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio |
|
464576 |
Fund |
|
BNY Account Number
|
Voya U.S. Stock Index Portfolio |
|
464701 |
|
|
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
Voya CBRE Global Infrastructure Fund |
|
939952 |
Voya Diversified Emerging Markets Debt Fund |
|
473424 |
Voya Global Bond Fund |
|
464773 |
Voya Global Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
473004 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund) |
|
[TBD] |
Voya Global Equity Dividend Fund |
|
405876 |
Voya Global Equity Fund |
|
464218 |
Voya Global Perspectives® Fund |
|
473352 |
Voya Global Real Estate Fund |
|
464220 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Fund |
|
473009 |
Voya International Real Estate Fund |
|
464298 |
Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
Composite 472158
|
Voya Multi-Manager International Equity Fund |
|
Composite 472499
|
Voya Multi-Manager International Factors Fund |
|
Composite 472496
|
Voya Multi-Manager International Small Cap Fund |
|
Composite 464301
|
Voya Russia Fund |
|
464208 |
|
|
|
Voya Natural Resources Equity Income Fund |
|
464763 |
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
|
VY® American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
464515/464521
|
VY® Baron Growth Portfolio |
|
464504 |
VY® Columbia Contrarian Core Portfolio |
|
464546 |
VY® Columbia Small Cap Value II Portfolio |
|
Team II, Sleeve 1 464785
|
Voya Global Bond Portfolio |
|
464548 |
Voya Index Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
472397 |
Fund |
|
BNY Account Number
|
Voya Index Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
471154 |
Voya Index Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
472495 |
Voya Index Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
471158 |
Voya Index Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
472399 |
Voya Index Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
471159 |
Voya Index Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
472493 |
Voya Index Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
471368 |
Voya Index Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
472157 |
Voya Index Solution Income Portfolio |
|
471151 |
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio |
|
405916 |
VY® Invesco Comstock Portfolio |
|
464512 |
VY® Invesco Equity and Income Portfolio |
|
464536 |
VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio |
|
464508 |
VY® JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Portfolio |
|
464506 |
Voya Solution 2020 Portfolio |
|
472588 |
Voya Solution 2025 Portfolio |
|
464594 |
Voya Solution 2030 Portfolio |
|
472590 |
Voya Solution 2035 Portfolio |
|
464596 |
Voya Solution 2040 Portfolio |
|
472398 |
Voya Solution 2045 Portfolio |
|
464574 |
Voya Solution 2050 Portfolio |
|
472589 |
Voya Solution 2055 Portfolio |
|
471370 |
Voya Solution 2060 Portfolio |
|
472798 |
Voya Solution Aggressive Portfolio |
|
473350 |
Voya Solution Balanced Portfolio |
|
471083 |
Voya Solution Conservative Portfolio |
|
471928 |
Voya Solution Income Portfolio |
|
464586 |
Voya Solution Moderately Aggressive Portfolio |
|
471926 |
Voya Solution Moderately Conservative Portfolio |
|
471082 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid Cap Growth Portfolio |
|
464534 |
VY® T. Rowe Price Growth Equity Portfolio |
|
464530 |
|
|
|
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust |
|
|
Voya Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund |
|
472953 |
Voya Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Fund |
|
472951 |
Voya Emerging Markets Local Currency Debt Fund |
|
472952 |
Voya Investment Grade Credit Fund |
|
470568 |
Voya Securitized Credit Fund |
|
Composite 473623
|
Voya Target In-Retirement Fund |
|
473564 |
Voya Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
|
473556 |
Voya Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
|
473557 |
Voya Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
|
473558 |
Voya Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
473559 |
Voya Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
473560 |
Voya Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
473561 |
Fund |
|
BNY Account Number
|
Voya Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
473562 |
Voya Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
473563 |
Voya Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
473566 |
|
|
|
Voya Series Fund, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund |
|
471161 |
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund |
|
471174 |
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund |
|
464722 |
Voya Government Money Market Fund |
|
464064 |
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund |
|
464727 |
Voya Small Company Fund |
|
464729 |
|
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Strategic Allocation Conservative Portfolio |
|
464420 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Growth Portfolio |
|
464418 |
Voya Strategic Allocation Moderate Portfolio |
|
464416 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Funds |
|
|
Voya Growth and Income Portfolio |
|
464402 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
|
|
VY® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio |
|
[TBD] |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc. |
|
|
Voya Australia Index Portfolio |
|
472489 |
Voya Emerging Markets Index Portfolio |
|
472592 |
Voya Euro STOXX 50® Index Portfolio |
|
471356 |
Voya FTSE 100 Index® Portfolio |
|
471369 |
Voya Global Equity Portfolio |
|
471145 |
Voya Hang Seng Index Portfolio |
|
471349 |
Voya Index Plus LargeCap Portfolio |
|
464406 |
Voya Index Plus MidCap Portfolio |
|
464408 |
Voya Index Plus SmallCap Portfolio |
|
464410 |
Voya International Index Portfolio |
|
471167 |
Voya Japan TOPIX Index® Portfolio |
|
471417 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
471346 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Index Portfolio |
|
471172 |
Voya Russell Large Cap Value Index Portfolio |
|
471352 |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Growth Index Portfolio |
|
471354 |
Voya Russell Mid Cap Index Portfolio |
|
471168 |
Voya Russell Small Cap Index Portfolio |
|
471166 |
Voya Small Company Portfolio |
|
464414 |
Voya U.S. Bond Index Portfolio |
|
471169 |
|
|
|
Voya Variable Products Trust |
|
|
Voya MidCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
464444 |
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Portfolio |
|
464450 |
Execution
Amendment
To
Transfer Agency Services Agreement
(Unified Agreement)
This Amendment To Transfer Agency Services Agreement (Amendment), dated as of November 5, 2019 (Effective Date), is being entered into by and between BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYM) and each of the investment companies listed on the signature page to this Amendment (individually, Investment Company; collectively, Investment Companies), on its own behalf and to the extent the Investment Company has portfolios listed on Exhibit A hereto (individually, Portfolio; collectively, Portfolios), on behalf of each such Portfolio.
Background
BNYM (under its former name, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) and the Investment Companies previously entered into that certain Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2009, several amendments thereto amending Exhibit A, an Adoption Agreement, dated August 2, 2010, an Amendment To Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of January 1, 2019 and an Amendment To Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of May 1, 2019 (collectively, the Current Unified Agreement). The parties intend that the Current Unified Agreement be amended as set forth in this Amendment.
Terms
In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree to all statements made above and as follows:
1. Modifications to Current Unified Agreement. The Current Unified Agreement is hereby amended by deleting and replacing Exhibit A in its entirety with the Exhibit A attached to this Amendment, dated as of November 5, 2019, between BNYM and the Investment Companies (the Current Unified Agreement as so amended being the Amended Unified Agreement).
2. Adoption of Amended Unified Agreement by New Portfolios. Each Portfolio that has been added to Exhibit A by virtue of this Amendment acknowledges and agrees that (i) by virtue of its execution of this Amendment, it becomes and is a party to the Amended Unified Agreement as of the Effective Date, or if BNYM commenced providing services to the Portfolio prior to the Effective Date, as of the date BNYM first provided services to the Portfolio, and (ii) it is bound by all terms and conditions of the Amended Unified Agreement as of such date. The term Portfolio has the same meaning in this Amendment as it has in the Amended Unified Agreement.
3. Remainder of Amended Unified Agreement. Except as specifically modified by this Amendment, all terms and conditions of the Amended Unified Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
4. Governing Law. The governing law provision of the Amended Unified Agreement shall be the governing law provision of this Amendment.
5. Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the final, complete, exclusive and fully integrated record of the agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and the amendment of the Amended Unified Agreement with respect to such subject matter, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous proposals, agreements, contracts, representations and understandings, whether written, oral or electronic, between the parties with respect to the same subject matter.
6. Facsimile Signatures; Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one more counterparts; such execution of counterparts may occur by manual signature, facsimile signature, manual signature transmitted by means of facsimile transmission or manual signature contained in an imaged document attached to an email transmission; and each such counterpart executed in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed an original, with all such counterparts together constituting one and the same instrument. The exchange of executed copies of this Amendment or of executed signature pages to this Amendment by facsimile transmission or as an imaged document attached to an email transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery hereof and may be used for all purposes in lieu of a manually executed copy of this Amendment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment To Transfer Agency Services Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the Effective Date.
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. |
|
Voya Equity Trust |
||
|
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Voya Funds Trust |
||
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|
Voya Investors Trust |
||
By: |
/s/ Michael Rothemeyer |
|
Voya Mutual Funds |
|
|
|
|
Voya Partners, Inc. |
|
Name: |
Michael Rothemeyer |
|
Voya Prime Rate Trust |
|
|
|
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Voya Senior Income Fund |
|
Title: |
Vice President |
|
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust |
|
|
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Voya Variable Insurance Trust |
||
|
|
Voya Variable Products Trust |
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Each on its own behalf and, to the extent applicable, on behalf of each of its Portfolios listed on Exhibit A to the Amended Unified Agreement, each in its individual and separate capacity |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Todd Modic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Todd Modic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Senior Vice President |
EXHIBIT A
(Unified Agreement)
(Dated: November 5, 2019)
THIS EXHIBIT A (Unified Agreement) is Exhibit A to that certain Transfer Agency Services Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2009, between BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., formerly PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., and the Investment Companies and Portfolios listed below.
Voya Equity Trust
Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund II (to be renamed Voya Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund effective November 8, 2019)(1)
Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Multi-Asset Fund effective November 8, 2019)(1)
Voya Large-Cap Growth Fund
Voya Large Cap Value Fund
Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund II (to be renamed Voya Mid Cap Research Enhanced Index Fund effective November 8, 2019) (1)
Voya MidCap Opportunities Fund
Voya Multi-Manager Mid Cap Value Fund
Voya Real Estate Fund
Voya Small Company Fund II (to be renamed Voya Small Company Fund effective November 8, 2019)(1)
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Fund
Voya SMID Cap Growth Fund
Voya U.S High Dividend Low Volatility Fund
Voya Funds Trust
Voya Floating Rate Fund
Voya GNMA Income Fund
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund effective November 8, 2019)(1)
Voya High Yield Bond Fund
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund
Voya Short Term Bond Fund
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
Voya Investors Trust
Voya Balanced Income Portfolio
Voya Global Perspectives® Portfolio
Voya Government Liquid Assets Portfolio
Voya High Yield Portfolio
Voya Large Cap Growth Portfolio
Voya Large Cap Value Portfolio
Voya Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
Voya Retirement Conservative Portfolio
Voya Retirement Growth Portfolio
Voya Retirement Moderate Growth Portfolio
Voya Retirement Moderate Portfolio
Voya U.S. Stock Index Portfolio
VY® BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio
VY® Clarion Global Real Estate Portfolio
VY® Clarion Real Estate Portfolio
VY® Invesco Growth and Income Portfolio
VY® JPMorgan Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
VY® JPMorgan Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio
VY® Morgan Stanley Global Franchise Portfolio
(1) BNYM servicing expected to commence November 5, 2019.
VY® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Portfolio
VY® T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
VY® T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
VY® Templeton Global Growth Portfolio(2)
Voya Mutual Funds
Voya CBRE Global Infrastructure Fund
Voya CBRE Long/Short Fund(3)
Voya Diversified Emerging Markets Debt Fund
Voya Global Bond Fund
Voya Global Corporate Leaders® 100 Fund
Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund II (to be renamed Voya Global Diversified Payment Fund effective November 8, 2019)(1)
Voya Global Equity Dividend Fund
Voya Global Equity Fund
Voya Global Perspectives® Fund
Voya Global Real Estate Fund
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Fund
Voya International Real Estate Fund
Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Voya Multi-Manager International Equity Fund
Voya Multi-Manager International Factors Fund
Voya Multi-Manager International Small Cap Fund
Voya Russia Fund
Voya Partners, Inc.
Voya Global Bond Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2020 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2025 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2030 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2035 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2040 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2045 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2050 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2055 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution 2060 Portfolio
Voya Index Solution Income Portfolio
Voya International High Dividend Low Volatility Portfolio
Voya Solution 2020 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2025 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2030 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2035 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2040 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2045 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2050 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2055 Portfolio
Voya Solution 2060 Portfolio
Voya Solution Aggressive Portfolio
Voya Solution Balanced Portfolio
Voya Solution Conservative Portfolio
Voya Solution Income Portfolio
Voya Solution Moderately Aggressive Portfolio
Voya Solution Moderately Conservative Portfolio
(2) Merged at the close of business on August 23, 2019 into a portfolio of Voya Variable Portfolios, Inc. serviced by BNYM under a separate Transfer Agency Services Agreement. Will not appear on future Exhibit A.
(3) Liquidated at the close of business on June 7, 2019. Will not appear on future Exhibit A.
VY® American Century Small-Mid Cap Value Portfolio
VY® Baron Growth Portfolio
VY® Columbia Contrarian Core Portfolio
VY® Columbia Small Cap Value II Portfolio
VY® Invesco Comstock Portfolio
VY® Invesco Equity and Income Portfolio
VY® Invesco Oppenheimer Global Portfolio (formerly, VY® Oppenheimer Global Portfolio effective June 27, 2019)
VY® JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Portfolio
VY® Pioneer High Yield Portfolio(4)
VY® T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
VY® T. Rowe Price Growth Equity Portfolio
Voya Prime Rate Trust
Voya Senior Income Fund
Voya Separate Portfolios Trust
Voya Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund
Voya Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Fund
Voya Emerging Markets Local Currency Debt Fund
Voya Investment Grade Credit Fund
Voya Securitized Credit Fund
Voya Target In-Retirement Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Voya Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Voya Variable Insurance Trust
VY ® BrandywineGLOBAL Bond Portfolio (formerly VY® Goldman Sachs Bond Portfolio effective August 9, 2019)
Voya Variable Products Trust
Voya MidCap Opportunities Portfolio
Voya SmallCap Opportunities Portfolio
(4) Merged into Voya High Yield Portfolio of Voya Investors Trust at the close of business on August 23, 2019. Will not appear on future Exhibit A.
|
|
ROPES & GRAY LLP PRUDENTIAL TOWER 800 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02199 WWW.ROPESGRAY.COM |
October 31, 2019
Voya Funds Trust
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is being furnished in connection with the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement) being filed today by Voya Funds Trust (the Trust) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), relating to the issuance of Class A, Class C, Class I, Class L, Class O, and Class W shares of beneficial interest of Voya Government Money Market Fund II, a series of the Trust (the Shares).
We are familiar with the actions taken by the Trustees of the Trust to authorize the issuance of the Shares. In connection with this opinion, we have examined such certificates, documents, and records and have made such investigation of fact and such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate in order to enable us to render the opinion set forth herein. In conducting such investigation, we have relied, without independent verification, upon certificates of officers of the Trust, public officials and other appropriate persons. We assume that upon sale of the Shares by the Trust, the Trust will receive the net asset value thereof.
In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have, with your approval, relied solely on the opinion, dated the date hereof, of Richards, Layton & Finger, PA insofar as such opinion relates to the laws of the State of Delaware (subject to all of the assumptions and qualifications to which such opinion is subject), and we have made no independent examination of the laws of that jurisdiction. We are providing a copy of that opinion together with this opinion, which is subject to the same assumptions as those set forth in the opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, PA.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares of the Trust have been duly authorized and, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable beneficial interests in the Trust.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm as legal counsel for the Trust in the Registration Statement. This consent shall not constitute an acknowledgment that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ropes & Gray LLP |
|
Ropes & Gray LLP |
CONSENT OF COUNSEL
We hereby consent to the use of our name and the references to our firm under the caption Legal Counsel included in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registration Statement of Voya Funds Trust (File No. 333-59745) on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
/s/ Ropes & Gray LLP |
|
Ropes & Gray LLP |
Boston, MA
October 31, 2019
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Trustees
Voya Funds Trust
We consent to the use of our report dated May 23, 2019, with respect to the financial statements of Voya Government Money Market Fund, a series of Voya Series Fund, Inc., incorporated herein by reference, and to the references to our firm under the headings Financial Highlights in the Prospectus and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
October 30, 2019
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
CLASS C SHARES
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16, 2017
WHEREAS, Voya Funds Trust (the Trust) engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are currently divided into series, and the series to which this Service and Distribution Plan (the Plan) applies (each a Fund and collectively the Funds) are listed on Schedule A hereto (the Funds), as such schedule may be revised from time to time;
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of each of the Funds are divided into classes of shares, one of which is designated Class C;
WHEREAS, the Trust employs Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (the Distributor) as distributor of the securities of which it is the issuer;
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor have entered into an Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Trust has employed the Distributor in such capacity during the continuous offering of shares of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to adopt the Plan of the Funds with respect to each Class C shares as set forth hereinafter.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan on behalf of the Funds with respect to each Funds Class C shares, in accordance with Rule 12b-l under the Act, on the following terms and conditions:
1. A. Each of the Funds shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of the Class C shares of such Fund, a fee for distribution of the shares at the rate of 0.75% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Funds Class C shares, provided that, at any time such payment is made, whether or not this Plan continues in effect, the making thereof will not cause the limitation upon such payments established by this Plan to be exceeded. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such intervals as the Board of Trustees shall determine, subject to any applicable restriction imposed by rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
B. In addition to the amount provided in 1.A. above, each of the Funds shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of the Class C shares of the Fund, a service fee at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of such Funds Class C shares, provided that, at any time such payment is made, whether or not this Plan continues in effect, the making thereof will not cause the limitation upon such payments established by this Plan to be exceeded. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such intervals
as the Board of Trustees shall determine, subject to any applicable restriction imposed by rules of the FINRA.
2. The amount set forth in paragraph 1.A. of this Plan shall be paid for the Distributors services as distributor of the shares of a Fund in connection with any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Class C shares of a Fund, including, but not limited to, payment of compensation, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers (which may include the Distributor itself) and other financial institutions and organizations (collectively, the Service Organizations) to obtain various distribution related and/or administrative services for the Fund. These services may include, among other things, processing new shareholder account applications, preparing and transmitting to a Funds Transfer Agent computer processable tapes of all transactions by customers and serving as the primary source of information to customers in providing information and answering questions concerning a Fund and their transactions with a Fund. The Distributor is also authorized to engage in advertising, the preparation and distribution of sales literature and other promotional activities on behalf of a Fund. In addition, this Plan hereby authorizes payment by the Funds of the cost of printing and distributing Fund Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to prospective investors and of implementing and operating the Plan. Distribution expenses also include an allocation of overhead of the Distributor and accruals for interest on the amount of distribution expenses that exceed distribution fees and contingent deferred sales charges received by the Distributor. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to actual distribution and service expenses, and the payments may exceed distribution and service expenses actually incurred.
The amount set forth in paragraph 1.B. of this Plan may be used by the Distributor to pay securities dealers (which may include the Distributor itself) and other financial institutions and organizations for servicing shareholder accounts, including a continuing fee which may accrue immediately after the sale of shares.
3. This Plan shall not take effect until it, together with any related agreements, has been approved by votes of a majority of both (a) the Trusts Board of Trustees and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-l Trustees), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements.
4. After approval as set forth in paragraph 3, and any other approvals required pursuant to the Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder, this Plan shall take effect at the time specified by the Trusts Board of Trustees. The Plan shall continue in full force and effect as to the Class C shares of the Funds for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 3.
5. The Distributor shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. This Plan may be terminated as to a Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-l Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Class C shares of a Fund on not more than thirty (30) days written notice to any other party to the Plan. Any agreement related to this Plan with respect to the Class C shares of the Fund may be likewise terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class C shares of such Fund, on not more than sixty (60) days written notice to the Distributor. Such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution fee (including any service fee) provided for in paragraph 1 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the shareholders of the Class C shares of the Funds, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in paragraph 3 hereof.
8. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not such interested persons.
9. The Trustees shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, any such agreement or any such report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
10. In providing services under this Plan, the Distributor will comply with all applicable state and federal laws and the rules and regulations of authorized regulatory agencies.
Last Revised: November 16, 2017
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
with respect to the
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
CLASS C SHARES
Fund(s) (Current)
Voya GNMA Income Fund
Fund(s) (to be added, effective November 5, 2019)
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
(to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund)
Date last amended: May 23, 2019
(m)(5)(i)
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICE
AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
CLASS R SHARES
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16, 2017
WHEREAS, Voya Funds Trust (the Trust) engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are currently divided into series and the series to which this Shareholder Service and Distribution Plan (the Plan) applies (each a Fund and collectively the Funds) are listed on Schedule A, hereto, (the Funds), as such schedule may be revised from time to time;
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of each of the Funds are divided into classes of shares, one of which is designated Class R;
WHEREAS, the Trust employs Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (the Distributor) as distributor of the securities of which it is the issuer;
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor have entered into an Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Trust has employed the Distributor in such capacity during the continuous offering of shares of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to adopt this Plan of the Funds with respect to each Class R shares as set forth hereinafter; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan on behalf of the Funds with respect to each Funds Class R shares, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, on the following terms and conditions:
1. In consideration of shareholder services and account maintenance services provided by the Distributor to the Funds under this Plan, the Funds shall pay to the Distributor a shareholder service fee at the rate of 0.25%, on an annualized basis, of the average daily net assets of the Funds Class R shares. At any time such payment is made, whether or not this Plan continues in effect, the making of a payment for shareholder services under this Plan will not cause the limitation upon such payments established by this Plan to be exceeded. The shareholder service fee shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such intervals as the Board of Trustees (the Trustees) shall determine, subject to any applicable restriction imposed by rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
2. The amount set forth in paragraph 1 of this Plan shall be used by the Distributor to pay securities dealers (which may include the Distributor itself) and other financial institutions, plan administrators and organizations for servicing shareholder accounts, including a continuing fee that may accrue immediately after the sale of shares.
(a) Shareholder services provided under this Paragraph 2 may include, among other things, acting as the shareholder of record; processing purchase and redemption orders; maintaining participant account records; answering participant questions regarding the Funds; facilitating the tabulation of shareholder votes in the event of a meeting; conveying information with respect to such Fund shares purchased and redeemed and share balances to the Funds and to service providers; providing shareholder support services; providing other services to shareholders, plan participants, plan sponsors and plan administrators.
(b) Shareholder services expenses payable under this Plan include an allocation of overhead of the Distributor and accruals for interest on the amount of servicing expenses that exceed shareholder servicing fees received by the Distributor.
(c) Payments under this Plan are not tied exclusively to actual shareholder services and distribution expenses, and these payments may exceed shareholder services and distribution expenses actually incurred.
3. Each of the Funds shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of the Class R shares of such Fund, a fee for distribution of the shares at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of such Funds Class R shares. At any time such payment is made, whether or not this Plan continues in effect, the making of a payment will not cause the limitation upon such payments established by this Plan to be exceeded. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such intervals as the Board shall determine, subject to any applicable restriction imposed by rules of the FINRA.
4. The amount set forth in paragraph 3 of this Plan shall be paid for the Distributors services as distributor of the shares of a Fund in connection with any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Class R shares of a Fund. Such activities include, but are not limited to, payment of compensation, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers (which may include the Distributor itself), plan administrators and other financial institutions and organizations to obtain various distribution related and/or administrative services for each of the Funds.
(a) Distribution services provided under this Paragraph 4 may include, among other things, processing new shareholder account applications; preparing and transmitting to a Funds Transfer Agent computer processable tapes of all transactions by customers; and serving as the primary source of information to customers in providing information and answering questions concerning a Fund and their transactions with a Fund; providing other services to shareholders, plan participants, plan sponsors and plan administrators.
(b) The Distributor is authorized under this Plan to engage in advertising, the preparation and distribution of sales literature and other promotional activities on behalf of the Fund.
(c) The Funds are authorized under this Plan to pay the cost of printing and distributing Fund Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to prospective investors and of implementing and operating this Plan.
(d) Distribution expenses payable under this Plan include an allocation of overhead of the Distributor and accruals for interest on the amount of distribution expenses that exceed distribution fees received by the Distributor.
(e) Payments under this Plan are not tied exclusively to actual shareholder services and distribution expenses, and these payments may exceed shareholder services and distribution expenses actually incurred.
5. This Plan shall not take effect until it, together with any related agreements, has been approved by votes of a majority of both (a) the Trusts Board of Trustees and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements.
6. After approval as set forth in paragraph 5, and any other approvals required pursuant to the Act and Rule 12b-1 under the Act, this Plan shall take effect at the time specified by the Trusts Board of Trustees. This Plan shall continue in full force and effect as to the Class R shares of the Funds for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 5.
7. The Distributor shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
8. This Plan may be terminated as to each Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Class R shares of a Fund, on not more than thirty (30) days written notice to the Distributor. Any agreement related to this Plan with respect to a Fund may be likewise terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Class R shares of such Fund, on not more than sixty (60) days written notice to the Distributor. Such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of shareholder service fee provided for in Paragraph 1 or the distribution fee provided for in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the shareholders of the Class R shares of the Funds, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and initial approval and annual renewal in
paragraph 5 of this Plan. This Plan may be amended by mutual written consent of the Trust and the Distributor, including amending Schedule A to reflect changes to the series identified on the Schedule.
10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not such interested persons.
11. The Trustees shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Plan, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan. Any such agreement or report will be maintained for the first two years in an easily accessible place.
12. In providing services under this Plan, the Distributor will comply with all applicable state and federal laws and the rules and regulations of authorized regulatory agencies.
13. The provisions of this Plan are severable as to each Fund, and any action to be taken with respect to this Plan shall be taken separately for each Fund affected by the matter.
Last Revised: November 16, 2017
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
to the
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
CLASS R SHARES
Fund(s) (Current)
Voya Floating Rate Fund
Voya GNMA Income Fund
Voya High Yield Bond Fund
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund
Voya Short Term Bond Fund
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
Fund(s) (to be added, effective November 5, 2019)
Voya Government Money Market Fund II
(to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund)
Date last amended: May 23, 2019
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
CLASS O
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16, 2017
WHEREAS, Voya Funds Trust (the Trust) engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust to which this Shareholder Services Plan (the Plan) applies currently consist of the series (each a Fund, and collectively the Funds) listed on Schedule A hereto, as such schedule may be revised from time to time;
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of each of the Funds are divided into classes of shares, one of which is designated Class O;
WHEREAS, the Trust employs Voya Investments Distributor, LLC (the Distributor) as distributor of the securities of which it is the issuer;
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor have entered into an Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Trust has employed the Distributor in such capacity during the continuous offering of shares of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Trust wishes to adopt the Plan of the Funds with respect to Class O shares as set forth hereinafter.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan on behalf of the Funds with respect to each Funds Class O shares, in accordance with Rule 12b-l under the Act, on the following terms and conditions:
1. Each of the Funds shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of the Class O shares of such Fund, a service fee at the rate of 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of such Funds Class O shares, provided that, at any time such payment is made, whether or not this Plan continues in effect, the making thereof will not cause the limitation upon such payments established by this Plan to be exceeded. Such fee shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such intervals as the Board of Trustees (the Trustees) shall determine, subject to any applicable restriction imposed by rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
2. The amount set forth in paragraph 1 of this Plan may be used by the Distributor to pay securities dealers (which may include the Distributor itself) and other financial institutions and organizations for servicing shareholder accounts, including a continuing fee which may accrue immediately after the sale of shares.
3. This Plan shall not take effect until it, together with any related agreements, has been approved by votes of a majority of both (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-l Trustees), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements.
4. After approval as set forth in paragraph 3, and any other approvals required pursuant to the Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder, this Plan shall take effect at the time specified by the Trustees of the Trust. The Plan shall continue in full force and effect as to the Class O shares of the Funds for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 3.
5. The Distributor shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
6. This Plan may be terminated as to a Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the Trustees of the Fund, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-l Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Class O shares of such Fund on not more than 30 days written notice to any other party to the Plan; and any agreement related to the Plan shall provide that it may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement.
7. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of service fee provided for in paragraph 1 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the shareholders of the Class O shares of the Funds, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in paragraph 3 hereof.
8. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not such interested persons.
9. In providing services under this Plan, the Distributor will comply with all applicable state and federal laws and the rules and regulations of authorized regulatory agencies.
10. Any agreement related to the Plan shall provide that it will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
11 The Trustees shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, any such agreement or any such report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
12 The provisions of this Plan are severable as to each Fund. Any action required to be taken under this Plan will be taken separately for each Fund affected by the matter.
Last Revised: November 16, 2017
November 5, 2019
Voya Funds Trust
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd.
Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Re: Waiver of Fee Payable under the Shareholder Services Plan for Class O Shares
Ladies and Gentlemen:
By this letter dated November 5, 2019, we have agreed to waive the service fee payable to us under the Shareholder Services Plan (the Plan) for Class O Shares of Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) (the Fund), a series of Voya Funds Trust, in the amount of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds Class O Shares, as if the service fee specified in the Plan were 0.00%, for the period from November 5, 2019 through August 1, 2021.
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Please indicate your agreement to this reduction in fee by executing below in the place indicated.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination or modification of this letter requires approval by the Board of Trustees of Voya Funds Trust.
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Sincerely, |
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By: |
/s/ Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Andrew K. Schlueter |
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Vice President |
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Voya Investments Distributor, LLC |
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Agreed and Accepted: |
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Voya Funds Trust |
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(on behalf of Voya Government Money Market Fund II, |
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to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
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By: |
/s/ Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Kimberly A. Anderson |
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Senior Vice President |
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SEVENTEENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
FOR
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
I. Introduction
VOYA FUNDS TRUST (the Trust), on behalf of its series listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as such schedule may be amended from time to time to add additional series, (referred to herein collectively as the Funds and each individually as a Fund), hereby adopts this Multiple Class Plan (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
II. Multiple Class Structure
Each of the Funds continuously offers the classes of shares indicated by the Funds name on Schedule A.
Shares of each class of a Fund shall represent an equal pro rata interest in such Fund and, generally, shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a)each class shall have a different designation; (b) each class shall bear any Class Expenses, as defined in Section C below; and (c) each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its distribution arrangement and each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class. In addition, Class A, Class C, Class I, Class L, Class O, Class P, Class P2, Class P3, Class R, Class R6, Class T, and Class W shares shall have the features described below.
A. Sales Charge Structure
(1) Class A Shares. Class A shares of a Fund shall be offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge. The front-end sales charge shall be in such amount as is disclosed in the Funds prospectus or supplements thereto and shall be subject to reductions for larger purchases and such waivers or reductions as are disclosed in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto. Class A shares generally shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC); however, a CDSC in such amount as may be described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto may be imposed on redemptions of Class A shares acquired in a purchase of five hundred thousand dollars or more that are redeemed within a specified number of months of their purchase, as described in the Funds prospectus or supplements thereto. Additional
CDSCs may be imposed in such other cases as the Board of Trustees (the Board) may approve and as are disclosed in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto.
(2) Class C Shares. Class C shares of a Fund shall be offered at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. A CDSC in such amount as is described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto shall be imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year from the first day of the month after purchase, subject to waivers or reductions as are disclosed in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto. Class C shares do not automatically convert to Class A shares.
(3) Class I Shares. Class I shares may be offered to certain institutional investors and individuals, and to certain investors holding Fund investments through omnibus accounts in the name of their financial intermediaries, as indicated in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto, at the then-current net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC. A minimum initial investment for Class I shares is imposed as described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto.
(4) Class L Shares. Class L shares shall be offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC. A minimum initial investment, a purchase maximum and minimum initial account balance for systemic exchange privileges for Class L shares is imposed as described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto.
(5) Class O Shares. Class O shares are distributed with no sales charge, but are subject to a service fee based on the average daily net assets attributable to Class O shares. This fee is imposed pursuant to a shareholder service fee based on the average daily net assets attributable to Class O shares in such amount as is described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto. Class O shares are not subject to a CDSC.
(6) Class P Shares. Class P shares of a Fund shall be offered at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. Class P shares shall not be subject to a CDSC. Class P shares do not automatically convert to Class A shares.
(7) Class P2 Shares. Class P2 shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge, CDSC, a shareholder servicing fee, or a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee.
(8) Class P3 Shares. Class P3 shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge, CDSC, a shareholder servicing fee, or a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee.
(9) Class R Shares. Class R shares of a Fund shall be offered at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. Class R shares shall not be subject to a CDSC. Class R shares do not automatically convert to Class A shares.
(10) Class R6 Shares. Class R6 shares shall be offered to certain investors, as indicated in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto, at the then-current net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC. A minimum initial investment for Class R6 shares is imposed as described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto.
(11) Class T Shares. Class T shares of a Fund shall be offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge. The front-end sales charge shall be in such amount as is disclosed in the Funds prospectus or supplements thereto and shall be subject to reductions and/or waivers as disclosed in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto. Class T shares generally shall not be subject to a CDSC.
(12) Class W Shares. Class W shares may be offered to certain institutional investors, including wrap program sponsors, as indicated in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto, at the then-current net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge or a CDSC. A minimum initial investment for Class W shares is imposed as described in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto.
B. Service and Distribution Plans
Each Fund has adopted a 12b-1 plan for each class of shares of that Fund (other than Class I, Class L, Class P, Class P2, Class P3, Class R6, and Class W shares) with the terms contained in Schedule B attached hereto. For purposes of this agreement and the information contained in Schedule B hereto, distribution and service activities are defined as follows:
(1) The term distribution activities shall include services rendered by the underwriter of the shares of a Fund (the Underwriter) in connection with any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of a Fund, including, but not limited to, compensation to registered representatives or other employees of the Underwriter or to other broker-dealers that have entered into an Authorized Dealer Agreement with the Underwriter, compensation to and expenses of employees of the Underwriter who engage in or support distribution of the Funds shares; telephone expenses; interest expense; printing of prospectuses and reports
for other than existing shareholders; preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials; and profit and overhead on the foregoing.
(2) The term service activities shall mean activities in connection with the provision of personal, continuing services to investors in each Fund, excluding transfer agent and sub-transfer agent services for beneficial owners of shares of a Fund, aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders, providing beneficial owners with account statements, processing dividend payments, providing sub-accounting services for Fund shares held beneficially, forwarding shareholder communications to beneficial owners and receiving, tabulating and transmitting proxies executed by beneficial owners; provided, however, that if the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) adopts a definition of service fee for purposes of Section 2830 of the Conduct Rules that differs from the definition of service activities hereunder, or if FINRA adopts a related definition intended to define the same concept, the definition of service activities in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the Board, to conform to such FINRA definition. Overhead and other expenses of the Underwriter related to its service activities, including telephone and other communications expenses, may be included in the information regarding amounts expended for such activities.
C. Allocation of Income and Expenses
(1) The gross income of each Fund shall, generally, be allocated to each class on the basis of net assets. To the extent practicable, certain expenses (other than Class Expenses and Transfer Agency Expenses, each as defined below, which shall be allocated more specifically) shall be subtracted from the gross income on the basis of the net assets of each class of each Fund. These expenses include:
(a) Expenses incurred by the Trust (for example, fees of Trustees, auditors and legal counsel) not attributable to a particular Fund or to a particular class of shares of a Fund (Trust Level Expenses); and
(b) Expenses incurred by a Fund not attributable to any particular class of the Funds shares (for example, advisory fees, custodial fees, or other expenses relating to the management of the Funds assets) (Fund Expenses).
(2) Expenses (other than Transfer Agency Expenses, as defined below) attributable to a particular class (Class Expenses) shall be limited to: (i) payments made pursuant to a 12b-1 plan; (ii) printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as
shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxies to current shareholders of a specific class; (iii) Blue Sky registration fees incurred by a class; (iv) SEC registration fees incurred by a class; (v) the expense of administrative personnel and services to support the shareholders of a specific class; (vi) litigation or other legal expenses relating solely to one class; and (vii) Trustees fees incurred as a result of issues relating to one class. Expenses in category (i) above must be allocated to the class for which such expenses are incurred. All other Class Expenses listed in categories (ii) - (vii) above may be allocated to a class but only if the President and Treasurer have determined, subject to Board approval or ratification, which of such categories of expenses will be treated as Class Expenses, consistent with applicable legal principles under the Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Therefore, expenses of a Fund shall be apportioned to each class of shares depending on the nature of the expense item. Trust Expenses and Fund Expenses will be allocated among the classes of shares based on their relative net asset values. Approved Class Expenses shall be allocated to the particular class to which they are attributable.
In the event a particular expense is no longer reasonably allocable by class or to a particular class, it shall be treated as a Trust Expense or Fund Expense, and in the event a Trust Expense or Fund Expense becomes allocable at a different level, including as a Class Expense, it shall be so allocated, subject to compliance with Rule 18f-3 and to approval or ratification by the Board.
The initial determination of expenses that will be allocated as Class Expenses and any subsequent changes thereto shall be reviewed by the Board and approved by such Board and by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act.
(3) Transfer agency fees and expenses, including any expenses of broker-dealers, sub-transfer agents and other third parties providing shareholder services to shareholders of a Fund (Transfer Agency Expenses), shall be allocated to each class of the Fund as set forth below:
(a) Transfer Agency Expenses attributable to Class I shares of a Fund shall be allocated exclusively to Class I shares of such Fund and shall be subtracted from the gross income of the Fund attributable to such Class I shares;
(b) Transfer Agency Expenses, if any, attributable to Class P shares of a Fund shall be allocated exclusively to Class P shares of such Fund and shall be subtracted from the gross income of the Fund attributable to such Class P shares;
(c) Transfer Agency Expenses, if any, attributable to Class P2 shares of a Fund shall be allocated exclusively to Class P2 shares of such Fund and shall be subtracted from the gross income of the Fund attributable to such Class P2 shares;
(d) Transfer Agency Expenses attributable to Class P3 shares of a Fund shall be allocated exclusively to Class P3 shares of such Fund and shall be subtracted from the gross income of the Fund attributable to such Class P3 shares;
(e) Transfer Agency Expenses, if any, attributable to Class R6 shares of a Fund shall be allocated exclusively to Class R6 shares of such Fund and shall be subtracted from the gross income of the Fund attributable to such Class R6 shares;
(f) Transfer Agency Expenses attributable to all other classes of a Fund shall be allocated to all classes of the Fund, other than Class I, Class P, Class P2, Class P3, and Class R6 shares, on a pro rata basis in accordance with the relative net assets of each class of the Fund (other than Class I, Class P, Class P2, Class P3, and Class R6 shares) in relation to the net assets of the Fund (excluding the net assets of the Fund attributable to Class I, Class P, Class P2, Class P3, and Class R6 shares) and shall be subtracted from the gross income attributable to each such class of the Fund.
(4) Fund Expenses may be waived and/or reimbursed in different amounts for different classes provided that: (1) one class does not subsidize the Fund Expenses (including advisory fees) of any other class; and (2) any such waivers comply with procedures adopted by the Funds to guard against cross-subsidization of Fund-level fees between classes.
D. Exchange Privileges
Shares of one class of a Fund (other than Class T shares) may be exchanged for shares of that same class of any other Voya fund without payment of any additional front-end sales charge, except as provided below, and except that a CDSC that was applicable to the original Voya fund being held by the shareholder shall continue to apply to the investment in the Voya fund into which the shareholder has exchanged. Class T shares of a Fund are not eligible for exchange into shares of any other Voya fund. If a shareholder exchanges into Voya Senior Income Fund and subsequently offers his or her common shares for repurchase by that fund, the CDSC will apply from the original Voya fund from which he or she exchanged. A sales charge, equal to the excess, if any, of the sales charge rate applicable to the shares being acquired over the sales charge rate previously paid, may be assessed on exchanges from the Fund. If a shareholder exchanges and subsequently redeems his or her shares, any applicable CDSC will be based on the full period of the share ownership.
If shares of an Voya fund that are subject to a CDSC are exchanged into shares of an Voya fund that are not subject to a CDSC (e.g., an exchange from the Class C shares of an Voya fund into the Class L shares of Voya Government Money Market Fund II) (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund), the time that a shareholder holds Class L shares of Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) will not count towards the CDSC holding period. If such shares are later exchanged into another Voya fund that bears a CDSC, the CDSC period of the original Voya fund will recommence aging.
A shareholder may also exchange shares of a class of any Fund (other than Class T shares) for shares of a different class of the same Fund, which the shareholder is eligible to purchase, as disclosed in the Funds current prospectus or supplements thereto and subject to the discretion of Voya Investments Distributor, LLC to permit or reject such an exchange; provided that shares that are subject to a CDSC may not be exchanged for Class T shares until the CDSC period has expired. Class T shares of a Fund are not eligible for exchange into shares of any other class of the same Fund.
E. Waiver or Reimbursement of Expenses
Expenses may be waived or reimbursed by any adviser, by the Underwriter or any other provider of services to the Funds without the prior approval of the Board.
III. Board Review
A. Approval of Amendments
This Plan may not be amended materially unless the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds and the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act, have found that the proposed amendment, including any proposed related expense allocation, is in the best interests of each class individually and the Fund as a whole. Such finding shall be based on information requested by the Board and furnished to them which the Board then deems reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment. Said amendments may be approved at an in-person or telephonic meeting of the Board or by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act.
B. Quarterly and Annual Reports
The Board shall receive quarterly and annual statements concerning all allocated Class Expenses and distribution and servicing expenditures complying with paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of Rule 12b-1, as it may be amended from time to time. In the statements, only expenditures properly attributable to the sale or servicing of a particular class of shares will be used to justify any distribution or servicing fee or other expenses charged to that class. Expenditures not related to the sale or servicing of a particular class shall not be presented to the Board to justify any fee
attributable to that class. The statements, including the allocations upon which they are based, shall be subject to the review and approval of the independent Trustees in the exercise of their fiduciary duties.
IV. Miscellaneous
A. Limitation of Liability
The Board and the shareholders of each Fund shall not be liable for any obligations of the Trust or any Fund under this Plan, and the Underwriter or any other person, in asserting any rights or claims under this Plan, shall look only to the assets and property of the Trust or such Funds in settlement of such right or claim, and not to such Trustees or shareholders.
Last Approved: May 23, 2019
Last Amended: November 5, 2019 to add Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed, Voya Government Money Market Fund) and to add Class L shares.
SCHEDULE A
to the
SEVENTEENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
for
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
|
|
Classes of Shares |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Funds |
|
A |
|
C |
|
I |
|
L |
|
O |
|
P |
|
P2 |
|
P3 |
|
R |
|
R6 |
|
T |
|
W |
Voya Floating Rate Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
N/A |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
|
Ö |
Schedule A Last Amended: November 5, 2019 to add Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) and to add Class L shares.
SCHEDULE B
to the
SEVENTEENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
for
VOYA FUNDS TRUST
12b-1 Distribution and Service Fees
Paid Each Year by the Funds
(as a percentage of average net assets)
|
|
Classes of Shares |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Funds |
|
A |
|
C |
|
I |
|
L |
|
O |
|
P |
|
P2 |
|
P3 |
|
R |
|
R6 |
|
T |
|
W |
Voya Floating Rate Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Voya GNMA Income Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Voya High Yield Bond Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Voya Intermediate Bond Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Voya Short Term Bond Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Voya Strategic Income Opportunities Fund |
|
0.25 |
|
1.00 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
0.50 |
|
N/A |
|
0.25 |
|
N/A |
Schedule B Last Amended: November 5, 2019 to add Voya Government Money Market Fund II (to be renamed Voya Government Money Market Fund) and to add Class L shares.
CODE OF ETHICS
Dated July 1, 2019
Code of Ethics
of
Voya Financial, Inc.
Voya Investment Management, LLC
Voya Investments, LLC
Voya Investment Management Co. LLC
Directed Services LLC
Voya Investment Management (UK) Limited
Voya Alternative Asset Management LLC
Pomona Management, LLC
Voya Investments Distributor, LLC
Voya Realty Group, LLC
Voya Investment Trust Co.
Voya Investment Management (UK) Limited
Voya funds
A. Adoption of Code of Ethics
This Code of Ethics (the Code) has been adopted by each of the registered investment companies advised by Voya Investments LLC (or an affiliate) and operating under the Voya funds umbrella (the Voya funds) and by each of the following Voya Entities (collectively, referred to as Voya Entities):
Voya Investment Management LLC
Voya Investments LLC
Voya Investment Management Co. LLC
Directed Services LLC
Voya Alternative Asset Management LLC
Pomona Management, LLC
Voya Investments Distributor, LLC
Voya Realty Group, LLC
Voya Investment Trust Co.
Voya Investment Management (UK) Limited
The provisions of the Code are applicable to all directors, trustees, officers and persons employed or appointed by one or more of the Voya Entities as well as their immediate family members living in such designated persons household (collectively, referred to as Employees) unless otherwise noted.
In addition, the Code is applicable to the trustees/directors of each of the Voya funds (the Voya funds Directors).
All Employees and the Directors of the Voya funds (collectively, referred to as Covered Persons) will be provided with a copy of this Code upon employment with the Voya Entities or appointment and notified when any material amendments are made to the Code.
The Code is not intended to supersede or otherwise replace the Voya Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. All of the policies and guidelines contained in the Voya Code of Business Conduct and Ethics shall remain in full force and effect as to Employees.
B. Statement of Fiduciary Standards
A fiduciary is a person or organization that manages money or property for another, usually a client, and, as a result, has a legal duty to act in the best interests of that client. This Code is based on the overriding principle that the Employees have a fiduciary duty to clients, including the Voya funds, while the Voya funds Directors of the have a fiduciary duty only to the Voya funds. Accordingly, Covered Persons shall conduct their activities in accordance with the following standards:
1. Clients Interests Come First. In the course of fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, Covered Persons must at all times place the interests of the clients (or, in the case of the Voya funds Directors, the Voya funds) first. In particular, Covered Persons shall avoid putting their own personal interests ahead of the interests of a client.
2. Conflicts of Interest Shall Be Avoided. Covered Persons must avoid any situations involving an actual or potential conflict of interest or possible impropriety with respect to their duties and responsibilities to, in the case of an Employee, a Voya Entity or a client of a Voya Entity or in the case of a Voya funds Director, the Voya funds.
3. Compromising Situations Shall Be Avoided. Covered Persons shall never take advantage of their position of trust and responsibility. Covered Persons must avoid any situation that might compromise or call into question their exercise of full independent judgment in the best interests of clients.
All activities of Covered Persons shall be guided by, and adhere to, these fiduciary standards. The remainder of this Code sets forth specific rules and procedures that are consistent with these fiduciary standards. However, all activities by Employees are required to conform to these standards regardless of whether the activity is specifically covered in this Code. Any violation of the Code by an Employee may include but not be limited to reprimand, suspension, disgorgement of trading profits and termination of employment.
C. Duty of Confidentiality
Covered Persons must keep confidential any non-public information regarding Voya, a Voya Entity, a Voya fund, and any client or any entity whose securities they know or should know are under investment review by a portfolio management team acting on behalf of a Voya Entity. Covered Persons have the highest fiduciary obligation not to reveal confidential information of any nature to any party that does not have an explicitly clear and compelling need to know such information.
D. Covered Persons Duty to Comply with Federal Securities Laws
Voya Entities activities are governed by the federal securities laws, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Covered Persons are expected to adhere to the federal securities laws, whether or not the activity is specifically covered in this Code.
E. Prohibitions on Insider Trading
1. Trading on Knowledge of Clients Activities. Covered Persons are prohibited from taking advantage of their knowledge of recent or impending research generated by a Voya Entity or securities activities of clients. In particular, Covered Persons are prohibited from trading (purchasing, selling or disposing in any manner, including by gift, directly or indirectly) any security when they have actual knowledge that the security is being purchased or sold, or considered for purchase or sale, on behalf of a client account. This prohibition applies to all securities in which a Covered Person has acquired, or will acquire, beneficial ownership. For these purposes, a Covered Person is considered to have beneficial ownership in all securities over which the Covered Person enjoys economic benefits substantially equivalent to ownership (for example, securities held in trust for the persons benefit), regardless of who is the registered owner.
2. Trading on Knowledge of Material Non-Public Information. All Covered Persons are prohibited from taking personal advantage of their knowledge of material non-public information, particularly buying or selling any security while in the possession of material non-public information about the issuer of the security. The Code also prohibits Covered Persons from communicating to outside parties any material non-public information about any security or the company that issues the security.
(a) Identifying Material Non-Public Information.
Material Information. Information is material when there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important when making investment decisions. Generally, this is information that, if disclosed, would have an effect on the price of a companys securities.
Material information often relates to a companys results and operations, including dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released estimates, merger or acquisition proposals, major litigation, liquidity problems and management developments. Material information may also relate to the market for a companys securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may also be deemed material.
Unfortunately, there is no simple test to determine when information is material. You are encouraged to direct any questions to the Voya IM Compliance Department.
Non-Public Information. Information is considered public when it has been circulated broadly to investors in the marketplace. Tangible evidence of such circulation is the best indication that the information is public. For example, information can be considered public when it has been made available through a public filing with a regulatory body, or through a mainstream media source such as The Wall Street Journal.
(b) Reporting Material Non-Public Information. Before executing any trade for yourself or a client, you must determine whether you have knowledge of any material non-public information. If you think you might have such knowledge, you must:
· Report the information and proposed trade immediately to the Voya IM Compliance Department;
· Refrain from trading in the security on behalf of yourself or clients; and
· Refrain from communicating the information to anyone outside or inside of the Voya Entities other than the Voya IM Compliance Department.
The Voya IM Compliance Department, in consultation with the Law Department, will determine whether the information is material and non-public and, if so, what actions need to be taken.
3. Disciplinary Sanctions. Trading securities while in the possession of material non-public information, or improperly communicating that information, may expose you and the Voya Entities to stringent penalties, including fines, suspensions and imprisonment. Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, the Voya Entities view seriously any violations of this Code.
F. Additional Personal Trading Restrictions
The restrictions of this section apply to all Employees, covered under the personal trading policies and procedures of Voya Investment Management (Voya IM), and to accounts over which they have the authority to make investment decisions, for all transactions involving securities.
1. Pre-Clearance of Securities Transactions. Except for the transactions listed below, approval must be obtained from the Voya IM Compliance Department before entering an order to buy or sell or transfer securities by gift, engaging in derivative transactions, or selling of shares in connection with margin calls. An approval to trade is only valid on the business day it is received (note: such approvals terminate at close of business day on the date such approval is granted). If you receive an approval and do not complete the trade that same day, you must seek pre-clearance to complete the trade the next (or any subsequent) business day. Except as noted below, an approval must be received for every transaction. Pre-clearance approvals for securities traded on a U.S. exchange or in a U.S. market are effective until the close of business on the day that your pre-clearance request has been approved. Pre- clearance approvals for securities traded on a foreign exchange or in a foreign market are effective until the close of business on the business day following approval of your pre-clearance request. If you want to modify your trade request previously submitted in any way (e.g., date of execution or share quantity), you must submit a new pre-clearance request.
The Voya Entities utilize a vendor system to process personal trading. All preclearance requests shall be made via the system, which can be accessed at: https:/voya.ptaconnect.com/
Employees assigned portfolio management or trading responsibility are prohibited from knowingly buying or selling the same security traded in an associated client account for a period of 15 days (7 days prior to the client trade and 7 days after the client trade).
Private Placement investment personnel must obtain pre-clearance to purchase or sell private placements.
2. Pre-Clearance and Holding Period Requirements for Voya Financial, Inc. securities.
Employees must obtain pre-clearance for transactions involving Voya Financial Inc. securities, including:
· Open market purchases and sales;
· Gifting or making a charitable contribution of your holdings;
· Transactions in Voya Company Stock Fund in the 401k (other than automatic purchases made pursuant to an established payroll-deduction program, or transactions involving automatic and/or pro-rata rebalances); or
· Sales of Restricted Stock (other than the immediate sales upon vesting of securities).
Employees who wish to transact in Voya securities should consider the following before seeking pre-clearance and transacting:
· Voya Securities must be held for a minimum of 60 calendar days from the acquisition date, including the Voya Company Stock Fund in Voya 401K accounts.
· Employees are prohibited from shorting any securities issued by Voya.
· Employees are prohibited from trading securities issued by Voya during the Closed Period for Voya Financial Instruments, including trades in Voya 401k accounts.
Warning: Failure to Pre-Clear will result in sanctions including suspension of personal trading privileges!
3. Exceptions to Pre-Clearance of Securities Transactions.
· Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
· High quality short-term debt instruments, including bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, money market securities and repurchase agreements;
· Shares of open-end funds, including shares held in Voyas 401(k) plan (as defined in Section G, below);
· Transactions in accounts over which an Employee has no direct or indirect control or influence (managed or discretionary accounts);
· Transactions under any incentive compensation plan sponsored by the Voya Entities;
· Transactions made through an automatic dividend reinvestment plan, automatic payroll deduction or similar program (excluding Self Directed Brokerage Accounts) where the timing of purchases and sales is controlled by someone other than the Employee;
· Transactions involving Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies;
· Transactions made through a fully discretionary Robo-Advisor program;
· An exercise of pro-rata rights issued by a company to all the holders of a class of its securities;
· On any given day, transactions involving 100 shares or less (per account) of common stock issued by companies included in the S&P 500 Index; and
· On any given day, transactions involving 100 shares or less (per account) of Exchange-Traded Funds.
· Transactions involving penny stocks.
· Transactions involving options on an index.
· Transactions involving interval closed-end funds.
While the securities transactions noted above may not need to be pre-cleared, they may need to be held and reported in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in Section H., below.
4. Prohibition on Initial Public Offerings and Initial Coin Offerings. Employees are prohibited from acquiring securities in initial public offerings, or initial coin offerings; except for transactions made pursuant to an employee incentive compensation, retention or other program put in place by a Voya Entity.
5. Restrictions on Private Placements. Employees are prohibited from acquiring non-public securities (a private placement) without the prior approval of the Voya IM Compliance Department. If an Employee is granted approval to make such a personal investment, that Employee will not participate in any consideration of whether clients should invest in the same issuers public or non-public securities.
6. Prohibition on Short-Term Trading Profits. Employees are prohibited from profiting from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or related) securities or exchangetraded funds as well as shares of Voya open-end funds. Profits made in connection with short-term trades may be subject to disgorgement.
Holding period requirements are as follows:
· Shares of securities (including, Voya Company Stock Fund, individual stocks, bonds, closed-end funds, derivatives, etc.) must be held for 60 calendar days from the purchase date.
· Shares of exchange-traded funds must be held for 30 calendar days from the purchase date.
· Shares of Voya open-end funds (including 401 k transactions other than those involving the Voya Company Stock Fund) must be held for 30 calendar days from the purchase date. Note: The 30 day holding period for shares of Voya open- end mutual funds is measured from the time of the most recent purchase of the shares of the relevant Voya fund.
7. Prohibition of Short Selling and Derivatives of Voya Securities.
Because of the heightened legal risk, the potential misalignment of your interests and those of Voya Financial and its shareholders, and the inappropriateness of engaging in speculative transactions involving Voya Financial securities, you may not engage in:
· Short sales of Voya Financial common stock. For example, you cannot sell Voya Financial common stock that you do not own, or if you own the stock, you cannot deliver it against such sale, and borrowing shares to complete the sale; or
· Hedging or other transactions involving options (including exchange-traded options), puts, calls, forward contracts or other derivatives involving Voya Financial securities (excluding stock
awards granted under any Voya Financial incentive plan).
8. Prohibition of Trading in Voya Securities during the Closed Period. Employees are prohibited from trading Voya Securities, including the Voya Company Stock Fund in Voyas 401k Plan, during the Closed Period for Voyas Financial Instruments as set forth by Voya Financial. The Voya Closed Periods are set forth on the vendor system utilized to process personal trading requests, which can be accessed at: https://voya.ptaconnect.com/
G. TRANSACTIONS IN VOYA FUND SHARES
The following restrictions and requirements apply to all purchases and sales of shares of open-end funds issued by the Voya funds other than money market and short-term bond funds (Voya fund Shares) and all holdings of Voya fund Shares by Covered Persons, including those in which they have a beneficial ownership interest, except as provided below.
These restrictions and requirements do not apply to purchases of Voya fund Shares through (1) an automatic dividend reinvestment plan; or (2) through any other automatic investment plan, automatic payroll deduction plan, or other automatic plan approved by the Voya IM Compliance Department.
Compliance with Prospectus.
All transactions in Voya fund Shares must be in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the relevant fund, including but not limited to the funds policies and procedures relating to short term trading and forward pricing of securities.
Additional Restrictions
Certain Covered Persons may be considered insiders to a closed-end Voya fund. In such cases, these persons will be notified of their status as well as advised of additional restrictions imposed on them and their ability to transact in such Voya closed-end fund.
Solely to facilitate compliance with timely Form 4 and 5 filing requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all such insiders must submit a written report of any transaction involving a closed-end Voya fund on the trade date of such transaction to the Voya IM Compliance Department.
H. Reporting Requirements
1. Disinterested Directors/Trustees
Voya funds Directors who are not deemed to be interested persons (as that term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (IC Act) of a Voya fund, its investment adviser or the advisers affiliate (the Disinterested Directors) must submit a quarterly report containing the information set forth in paragraph 2, below, only with respect to those transactions for which such person knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Disinterested Director, should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the Disinterested Directors transaction in securities that are otherwise subject to the reporting requirements described herein, an applicable Voya und
had purchased or sold the security at issue or that an investment adviser or sub-adviser for an applicable Voya fund had considered purchasing or selling such security.
2. Employees
Personal Securities Holdings and Transactions. The requirements of this section apply to all Employees for all holdings and transactions involving securities in which the Employee acquired, or will acquire, beneficial ownership (economic benefits equivalent to ownership, such as securities held in trust for the Employees benefit, regardless of who is the registered owner).
However, these reporting requirements do not apply to holdings or transactions involving the following excluded securities:
· direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
· high quality short-term debt instruments, including bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, money market securities and repurchase agreements; and
· shares of open-end mutual funds that are not managed by the Voya Entities.
a. Initial Disclosure of Personal Holdings. Employees are required to disclose all their personal securities holdings to the Voya IM Compliance Department within 10 days of commencing employment with a Voya Entity. The holdings report must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the commencement of employment.
b. Securities Transaction Records. Employees should be aware that the Voya Entities maintain a list of designated broker-dealers with whom Employees may maintain a brokerage account. Employees shall notify the Voya IM Compliance Department if they intend to open, or have opened, a brokerage account. If requested, Employees shall direct their brokers to supply Compliance with duplicate confirmation statements of their securities transactions and copies of all periodic statements for their accounts. Employees must report new authorized brokerage accounts to the Compliance Department within thirty (30) days of funding the account. Note: Employees may not trade in the new account prior to reporting the account. Any brokerage account opened to facilitate cryptocurrency trading is a reportable account under the Code and must be held with an approved designated broker.
c. Quarterly Account and Transaction Reports. Employees are required to submit a report listing their securities transactions made during the previous quarter within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.
d. Annual Holdings Report. Employees are required to submit a report listing all securities held as of December 31 of the year reported within 30 days of the end of the calendar year. The holdings reports must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.
e. Information to be Reported. Employees are required to provide the following information when submitting reports as required by a. through d., above:
i. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports must include the:
· title or description and type of security, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of shares or principal amount of each security;
· broker-dealer or bank where accounts are held; and
· date the report is submitted.
ii. Quarterly Transaction Reports must include the:
· title or description and type of security, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the number of shares and principal amount of each security (as well as the interest rate and maturity date, if applicable);
· trade date and type of transaction (i.e. buy, sell, open, close, etc.):
· price of the security;
· broker-dealer or bank account through which the transaction was effected; and
· date the report is submitted.
f. All reports, other than the Initial Disclosure of Personal Holdings, shall be made via the vendor system, which can be accessed at: https://voya.ptaconnect.com/
3. Employees
Receipt of Gifts or Entertainment. No Employee may receive any gift or entertainment from any one person or entity doing business with the Voya Entities in contravention of the Voya IM Gift & Entertainment Policy. Employees who receive a gift or entertainment from any person or entity that raises potential issues under the Voya IM Gift & Entertainment Policy must immediately contact the Voya IM Compliance Department to determine the proper handling of such gift. Employees should refer to the Voya IM Gift & Entertainment Policy.
Outside Activities. Employees are expected to devote their full business day to the business of the Voya Entities. In addition, no one may make use of their position as an Employee, make use of information acquired during employment, or make personal investments in a manner that may create a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between the Employees personal interests and the interests of the Voya Entities or their clients. All Outside Activities requests shall be submitted via the vendor system the Voya Entities utilize, which can be accessed at https://voya.ptaconnect.com/.
To assist in ensuring that such conflicts are avoided, an Employee must obtain the written approval of the Employees supervising manager and the Voya IM Compliance Department prior to an Employee personally:
· Serving as a director, officer, general partner or trustee of, or as a consultant to, any business, corporation or partnership, including family-owned businesses and charitable, non-profit and political organizations;
· Forming or participating in any stockholders or creditors committee (other than on behalf of Voya Entities) that purports to represent security holders or claimants in connection with a bankruptcy or distressed situation or in making demands for changes in the management or policies of any company, or becoming actively involved
in a proxy contest; or
· Making any monetary investment in any non-publicly traded business, corporation or partnership, including passive investments in private companies.
In addition, every Employee of the Voya Entities must obtain the written approval of their supervisor and the Voya IM Compliance Department prior to:
· Receiving compensation of any nature, directly or indirectly, from any person, firm, corporation, estate, trust or association, other than the Voya Entities, whether as a fee, commission, bonus or other consideration such as stock, options or warrants;
· Accepting a second job of any kind or engaging in any other business outside of the Voya Entities; or
· Participating as a plaintiff, defendant or witness in any non-family related litigation or arbitration.
Every Employee is also required to disclose to the Voya IM Compliance Department if any of their immediate family members hold positions as directors or executive officers of any public company. Limitations may be placed on an Employees investment activities in the event an Employees immediate family member holds such a position.
Similarly, every Employee is required to maintain the data reported in connection with an outside activity and notify the Voya IM Compliance Department in the event of any change to the employees outside activity after initial approval.
4. Covered Persons
Certification of Compliance. All Covered Persons are required to certify to the Voya IM Compliance Department annually, or whenever this Code is materially amended, that they have:
· read and understand the provisions contained in the Code;
· complied with all the requirements of the Code; and
· reported all transactional information required by the Code.
I. The Voya Entities Duty of Confidentiality
All information submitted by a Covered Person to the Voya IM Compliance Department pursuant to this Code will be treated as confidential information. It may, however, be made available to senior management, governmental and governmental agencies with regulatory authority over the Voya Entities, as well as to the Voya funds Directors, and each of their auditors and legal advisors, as appropriate.
J. Violations of the Code
Employees are required to report any known or suspected violations of the Code to the Voya IM Compliance Department immediately. An Employee who violates this Code or fails to report a violation of the Code may be subject to sanctions. For example, if the same security is purchased or sold on the same day by an Employee, the Employee following a violation, may be required to disgorge profits to charity. In addition, any Employee that violates the Codes pre-clearance or transaction reporting provisions may also be suspended from further trading for a period.
K. Exceptions to the Code
Exceptions to the Code will only be made under extraordinary circumstances. No exception may be granted for those sections of the Code that are mandated by regulation.
Exceptions may be made only upon prior request, and no exception will be granted subsequent to a violation of the Code. To be granted an exception to the Code, a written request regarding the nature of the exception must be made and submitted to Voya IMs Chief Compliance Officer and approved by her or him and a member of Voya IMs Management Committee. Exceptions to the Code shall be reported as applicable to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Voya funds and the Voya funds Directors.