Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt
Bond ETF
Prospectus
XX, 2023
Exchange-traded fund shares that are not individually redeemable and are listed on XX
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (XXXX)
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus
Dated December 22, 2022
Information contained in this prospectus is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective.
Shares of Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
This is the Fund's initial prospectus, so it does not contain performance data.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Contents
ETF Summary |
XX |
Investing in Vanguard ETF®Shares |
XX |
Investing in Index Funds |
XX |
Investing in Tax-Exempt Funds |
XX |
More on the Fund and ETF Shares |
XX |
The Fund and Vanguard |
XX |
Investment Advisor |
XX |
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes |
XX |
Share Price and Market Price |
XX |
Additional Information |
XX |
Financial Highlights |
XX |
Glossary of Investment Terms |
XX |
ETF Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment-grade segment of the U.S. municipal bond market with remaining maturities between one month and seven years.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell ETF Shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.
Shareholder Fees
(Fees paid directly from your investment)
Transaction Fee on Purchases and Sales |
None* |
Transaction Fee on Reinvested Dividends |
None* |
Transaction Fee on Conversion to ETF Shares |
None* |
* None through Vanguard (Broker fees vary) |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees |
XX% |
12b-1 Distribution Fee |
None |
Other Expenses |
XX% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses1 |
0.07% |
1 The expense information shown in the table reflects estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
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Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's ETF Shares with the cost of investing in other funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you were to invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. This example assumes that the shares provide a return of 5% each year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. You would incur these hypothetical expenses whether or not you were to sell your shares at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year |
3 Years |
$XX |
$XX |
This example does not include the brokerage commissions that you may pay to buy and sell shares of the Fund.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Fund's performance. The Fund has no operating history and therefore has no portfolio turnover information.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing approach designed to track the performance of the S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. This Index measures the performance of the investment-grade, fixed-rate U.S. municipal bond market with maturities between one month and seven years as determined by the Index provider, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. This Index includes municipal bonds from state and local governments or agencies whose interest is exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) (excluding bonds issued by U.S. territories and commonwealths and certain other bonds as determined by the Index Provider). To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, each bond must have a rating of at least investment- grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) (e.g., at least BBB– by Fitch Ratings, Inc), the lowest rating will be used in determining if the bond is investment grade. Each bond must also be denominated in U.S. dollars; generally must be a constituent of a deal where the original offering amount was at least $100 million; and generally
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have a minimum par amount of $25 million. In addition, to be included in the Index, each bond must have a minimum term to maturity or call date greater than one calendar month.
The Fund invests by sampling the Index, meaning that it holds a range of securities that, in the aggregate, approximates the full Index in terms of key risk factors and other characteristics. All of the Fund's investments will be selected through the sampling process, and at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in securities held in the Index. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in securities whose income will be exempt from federal income taxes and the federal AMT. The Fund seeks to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity consistent with that of the Index. As of XX, 2023, the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Index was XX years.
Principal Risks
The Fund is designed for investors with a low tolerance for risk, but you could still lose money by investing in it. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's performance, and the level of risk may vary based on market conditions:
•Interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices overall will decline because of rising interest rates.
•Income risk, which is the chance that the Fund's income will decline because of falling interest rates.
•Call risk, which is the chance that during periods of falling interest rates, issuers of callable bonds may call (redeem) securities with higher coupon rates or interest rates before their maturity dates. The Fund would then lose any price appreciation above the bond's call price and would be forced to reinvest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund's income. Such redemptions and subsequent reinvestments would also increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate.
•Extension risk, which is the chance that during periods of rising interest rates, certain debt securities will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated, and the value of those securities may fall.
•Credit risk, which is the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest or principal in a timely manner or that negative perceptions of the issuer's ability to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. In general, credit risk should be relatively low for the Fund because it invests primarily in bonds that are considered to be of high quality.
•Index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Fund's target index. Index sampling risk for the Fund is expected to be low to moderate.
•Liquidity risk, which is the chance that the Fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner at a desired price.
•Tax risk, which is the chance that all or a portion of the tax-exempt income from municipal bonds held by the Fund will be declared taxable, possibly with
4
retroactive effect, because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or state or local tax authorities, or noncompliant conduct of a bond issuer.
•Regional risk, which is the chance that economic, political or regulatory occurrences within a certain state may adversely affect the value of securities offered by issuers located within that state. Because the Fund may invest a large portion of its assets in securities located in any one state, the Fund's performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of its investments in that area.
Because the Fund is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and the Fund's shares are traded on an exchange, the Fund is subject to additional risks:
•The Fund's ETF Shares are listed for trading on XX and are bought and sold on the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of an ETF Share typically will approximate its net asset value (NAV), there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ significantly. Thus, you may pay more or less than NAV when you buy ETF Shares on the secondary market, and you may receive more or less than NAV when you sell those shares.
•Although the Fund's ETF Shares are listed for trading on XX, it is possible that an active trading market may not be maintained.
•Trading of the Fund's ETF Shares may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of the Fund's ETF Shares may also be halted if (1) the shares are delisted from XX without first being listed on another exchange or (2) XX officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or for the protection of investors.
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
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Annual Total Returns
This is the Fund's initial prospectus, so it does not contain performance data.
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard)
Portfolio Manager
Stephen M. McFee, CFA, Portfolio Manager at Vanguard. He has managed the Fund since its inception in 2023.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
ETF Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through a brokerage firm. The price you pay or receive for ETF Shares will be the prevailing market price, which may be more (premium) or less (discount) than the NAV of the shares. The brokerage firm may charge you a commission to execute the transaction. Unless imposed by your brokerage firm, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest and no minimum number of shares you must buy. ETF Shares of the Fund cannot be directly purchased from or redeemed with the Fund, except by certain authorized broker-dealers. These broker-dealers may purchase and redeem ETF Shares only in large blocks (Creation Units), typically in exchange for baskets of securities.
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase ETF Shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for ETF Shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (bid-ask spread). Recent information, including information on the Fund's NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available online at vanguard.com.
Tax Information
The Fund's distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. A majority of the income dividends that you receive from the Fund are expected to be exempt from federal income and alternative minimum taxes. However, a portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to federal income and alternative minimum taxes. Dividend and capital gains distributions that you receive may also be subject to state and local income taxes.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its investment advisor do not pay financial intermediaries for sales of Fund shares.
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Investing in Vanguard ETF®Shares
What Are Vanguard ETF Shares?
Vanguard ETF Shares are an exchange-traded class of shares issued by certain Vanguard funds. ETF Shares represent an interest in the portfolio of stocks or bonds held by the issuing fund.
How Are Vanguard ETF Shares Different From Conventional Mutual Fund Shares?
Conventional mutual fund shares can be directly purchased from and redeemed with the issuing fund for cash at the net asset value (NAV), typically calculated once a day. ETF Shares, by contrast, cannot be purchased directly from or redeemed directly with the issuing fund by an individual investor. Rather, ETF Shares can only be purchased or redeemed directly from the issuing fund by certain authorized broker-dealers. These broker-dealers may purchase and redeem ETF Shares only in large blocks (Creation Units), usually in exchange for baskets of securities and not for cash (although some funds issue and redeem Creation Units in exchange for cash or a combination of cash and securities).
An organized secondary trading market is expected to exist for ETF Shares, unlike conventional mutual fund shares, because ETF Shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange. Individual investors can purchase and sell ETF Shares on the secondary market through a broker. Secondary-market transactions occur not at NAV, but at market prices that are subject to change throughout the day based on the supply of and demand for ETF Shares, changes in the prices of the fund's portfolio holdings, and other factors.
The market price of a fund's ETF Shares typically will differ somewhat from the NAV of those shares. The difference between market price and NAV is expected to be small most of the time, but in times of market disruption or extreme market volatility, the difference may become significant.
How Do I Buy and Sell Vanguard ETF Shares?
ETF Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on XX. You can buy and sell ETF Shares on the secondary market in the same way you buy and sell any other exchange-traded security—through a broker. Your broker may charge a commission to execute a transaction. You will also incur the cost of the "bid-ask spread," which is the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase ETF Shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for ETF Shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market. Because secondary-market transactions occur at market prices, you may pay
8
more (premium) or less (discount) than NAV when you buy ETF Shares and receive more or less than NAV when you sell those shares. In times of severe market disruption, the bid-ask spread and premiums/discounts can increase significantly. Unless imposed by your broker, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest and no minimum number of ETF Shares you must buy.
Your ownership of ETF Shares will be shown on the records of the broker through which you hold the shares. Vanguard will not have any record of your ownership. Your account information will be maintained by your broker, which will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales of ETF Shares, and tax information. Your broker also will be responsible for ensuring that you receive income and capital gains distributions, as well as shareholder reports and other communications from the fund whose ETF Shares you own. You will receive other services (e.g., dividend reinvestment and average cost information) only if your broker offers these services.
9
Investing in Index Funds
What Is Indexing?
Indexing is an investment strategy for tracking the performance of a specified market benchmark, or "index." An index is a group of securities whose overall performance is used as a standard to measure the investment performance of a particular market. There are many types of indexes. Some represent entire markets—such as the U.S. stock market or the U.S. bond market. Other indexes cover market segments—such as small-capitalization stocks or short-term bonds. One cannot invest directly in an index.
The index sponsor determines the securities to include in the index and the weighting of each security in the index. Under normal circumstances, the index sponsor will rebalance an index on a regular schedule. An index sponsor may carry out additional ad hoc index rebalances or delay or cancel a scheduled rebalance. Generally, the index sponsor does not provide any warranty, or accept any liability, with respect to the quality, accuracy, or completeness of either the target index or its related data. Errors made by the index sponsor may occur from time to time and may not be identified by the index sponsor for a period of time or at all. Vanguard does not provide any warranty or guarantee against such errors. Therefore, the gains, losses, or costs associated with the index sponsor's errors will generally be borne by the index fund and its shareholders.
An index fund seeks to hold all, or a representative sample, of the securities that make up its target index. Index funds attempt to mirror the performance of the target index, for better or worse. However, an index fund generally does not perform exactly like its target index. For example, index funds have operating expenses and transaction costs. Market indexes do not, and therefore they will usually have a slight performance advantage over funds that track them. The ability of an index fund to match its performance to that of its target index can also be impacted by, among other things, the timing and size of cash flows, asset valuation differences, and the size of the fund. Market disruptions and regulatory or policy restrictions could also have an adverse effect on a fund's ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track the index. The risk that a fund may not track the performance of its target index may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions.
Index funds typically have the following characteristics:
•Variety of investments. Depending on a fund's benchmark index, the fund may invest in the securities of a variety of companies, industries, and/or governments or government agencies.
•Relative performance consistency. Because they seek to track market benchmarks, index funds usually do not perform dramatically better or worse than their benchmarks.
•Low cost. Index funds are generally inexpensive to run compared with actively managed funds. They have low or no research costs and typically keep trading activity—and thus dealer markups and other transaction costs—to a minimum compared with actively managed funds.
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Investing in Tax-Exempt Funds
What Are Municipal Bond Funds?
Municipal bond funds invest primarily in interest-bearing securities issued by state and local governments and by other governmental authorities to support their needs or to finance public projects. A municipal bond—like a bond issued by a corporation or the U.S. government—obligates the issuer to pay the bondholder a fixed or variable amount of interest periodically and to repay the principal value of the bond on a specific maturity date. Unlike most other bonds, however, municipal bonds generally pay interest that is exempt from federal income taxes and, in some cases, from state and local taxes. For certain shareholders, the interest may be subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Taxable Versus Tax-Exempt Funds
Yields on tax-exempt bonds—such as some municipal bonds—are typically lower than those on taxable bonds, so investing in a tax-exempt fund makes sense only if you stand to save more in taxes than you would earn as additional income while invested in a taxable fund.
To determine whether a tax-exempt fund—such as Vanguard Short-Term Tax- Exempt Bond ETF—makes sense for you, compute the tax-exempt fund's taxable-equivalent yield. This figure enables you to take taxes into account when comparing your potential return on a tax-exempt fund with the potential return on a taxable fund.
To compute the taxable-equivalent yield, divide the tax-exempt fund's yield by the difference between 100% and your federal tax bracket. For example, if you are in the 37% tax bracket and subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax, and can earn a tax- exempt yield of 5%, the taxable-equivalent yield would be 8.45% (5% divided by 59.2% [i.e., 100% – 37% – 3.8%]).
In this example, you would choose the tax-exempt fund if its taxable-equivalent yield of 8.45% were greater than the yield of a similar, though taxable, investment.
Remember that we have used an assumed tax rate and bracket in this example. Actual taxable-equivalent yields depend on your individual tax situation. Make sure to verify your actual effective marginal rate before calculating taxable- equivalent yields of your own.
There is no guarantee that all of a tax-exempt fund's income from its municipal bonds will remain exempt from federal, state, or local income taxes. Income from municipal bonds held by a fund could be declared taxable, possibly with retroactive effect, because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state or local tax authorities, or noncompliant conduct of a bond issuer.
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More on the Fund and ETF Shares
This prospectus describes the principal risks you would face as a Fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind one of the main principles of investing: generally, the higher the risk of losing money, the higher the potential reward. The reverse, also, is generally true: the lower the risk, the lower the potential reward. As you consider an investment in any fund, you should take into account your personal tolerance for fluctuations in the securities markets.
Look for this symbol throughout the prospectus. It is used to mark detailed information about the more significant risks that you would confront as a Fund shareholder. To highlight terms and concepts important to fund investors, we have provided Plain Talk® explanations along the way. Reading the prospectus will help you decide whether the Fund is the right investment for you. We suggest that you keep this prospectus for future reference.
A Note to Investors
Vanguard ETF Shares can be purchased directly from the issuing Fund only by certain authorized broker-dealers in exchange for a basket of securities (or, in some cases, for cash or a combination of cash and securities). Individual investors generally will not be able to purchase ETF Shares directly from the Fund. Instead, these investors will purchase ETF Shares on the secondary market through a broker.
Plain Talk About Fund Expenses
All funds have operating expenses. These expenses, which are deducted from a fund's gross income, are expressed as a percentage of the net assets of the fund. Assuming that operating expenses remain as stated in the Fees and Expenses section, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares' expense ratio would be 0.07%, or $0.70 per $1,000 of average net assets.
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Plain Talk About Costs of Investing
Costs are an important consideration in choosing an ETF. That is because you, as a shareholder, pay a proportionate share of the costs of operating a fund and any transaction costs incurred when the fund buys or sells securities. These costs can erode a substantial portion of the gross income or the capital appreciation a fund achieves. Even seemingly small differences in expenses can, over time, have a dramatic effect on a fund's performance.
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its investment objective. The Fund's board of trustees, which oversees the Fund's management, may change investment strategies or policies in the interest of shareholders without a shareholder vote, unless those strategies or policies are designated as fundamental. The Fund's policy of investing at least 80% of its assets in securities that are held in its target index may be changed only upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
Market Exposure
The Fund invests mainly in municipal bonds issued by state and local governments or agencies that provide tax-exempt income. As a result, the Fund is subject to certain risks.
The Fund is subject to interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates.
Although fixed income securities (commonly referred to as bonds) are often thought to be less risky than stocks, there have been periods when bond prices have fallen significantly because of rising interest rates. For instance, prices of long-term bonds fell by almost 48% between December 1976 and September 1981.
To illustrate the relationship between bond prices and interest rates, the following table shows the effect of a 1% and a 2% change (both up and down) in interest rates on the values of three noncallable bonds (i.e., bonds that cannot be redeemed by the issuer) of different maturities, each with a face value of $1,000.
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How Interest Rate Changes Affect the Value of a $1,000 Bond1
Type of Bond (Maturity) |
After a 1% |
After a 1% |
After a 2% |
After a 2% |
Increase |
Decrease |
Increase |
Decrease |
|
Short-Term (2.5 years) |
$977 |
$1,024 |
$954 |
$1,049 |
Intermediate-Term (10 years) |
922 |
1,086 |
851 |
1,180 |
Long-Term (20 years) |
874 |
1,150 |
769 |
1,328 |
1 Assuming a 4% coupon rate. |
|
|
|
|
These figures are for illustration only; you should not regard them as an indication of future performance of the bond market as a whole or the Fund in particular.
Plain Talk About Bonds and Interest Rates
As a rule, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall. The opposite is also true: Bond prices go up when interest rates fall. Why do bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions? Let's assume that you hold a bond offering a 4% yield. A year later, interest rates are on the rise and bonds of comparable quality and maturity are offered with a 5% yield. With higher- yielding bonds available, you would have trouble selling your 4% bond for the price you paid—you would probably have to lower your asking price. On the other hand, if interest rates were falling and 3% bonds were being offered, you should be able to sell your 4% bond for more than you paid.
Changes in interest rates can affect bond income as well as bond prices.
The Fund is subject to income risk, which is the chance that the Fund's income will decline because of falling interest rates. A fund's income declines when interest rates fall because the fund then must invest new cash flow and cash from maturing bonds in lower-yielding bonds.
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Plain Talk About Bond Maturities
A bond is issued with a specific maturity date—the date when the issuer must pay back the bond's principal (face value). Bond maturities range from less than 1 year to more than 30 years. Typically, the longer a bond's maturity, the more price risk you, as a bond investor, will face as interest rates rise—but also the higher the potential yield you could receive. Longer-term bonds are generally more suitable for investors willing to take a greater risk of price fluctuations to get higher and more stable interest income. Shorter-term bond investors should be willing to accept lower yields and greater income variability in return for less fluctuation in the value of their investment. The stated maturity of a bond may differ from the effective maturity of a bond, which takes into consideration that an action such as a call or refunding may cause bonds to be repaid before their stated maturity dates.
Although falling interest rates tend to strengthen bond prices, they can cause another problem for bond fund investors—bond calls.
The Fund is subject to call risk, which is the chance that during periods of falling interest rates, issuers of callable bonds may call (redeem) securities with higher coupon rates or interest rates before their maturity dates. The Fund would then lose any price appreciation above the bond's call price and would be forced to reinvest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund's income. Such redemptions and subsequent reinvestments would also increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate.
Call risk is generally low for short-term bonds, moderate for intermediate-term bonds, and higher for long-term bonds. The greater the call risk, the greater the chance for a decline in income and the potential for taxable capital gains.
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Plain Talk About Callable Bonds
Although bonds are issued with clearly defined maturities, in some cases the bond issuer has a right to call in (redeem) the bond earlier than its maturity date. When a bond is called, the bondholder may have to replace it with another bond that may have a lower yield than the original bond. One way for bond investors to protect themselves against call risk is to purchase a bond early in its lifetime, long before its call date. Another way is to buy bonds with lower coupon rates or interest rates, which make them less likely to be called.
The Fund is subject to extension risk, which is the chance that during periods of rising interest rates, certain debt securities will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated, and the value of those securities may fall.
The Fund is subject to credit risk, which is the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest or principal in a timely manner or that negative perceptions of the issuer's ability to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. In general, credit risk should be relatively low for the Fund because it invests primarily in bonds that are considered to be of high quality.
Plain Talk About Credit Quality
A bond's credit quality rating is an assessment of the issuer's ability to pay interest on the bond and, ultimately, to repay the principal. The lower the credit quality, the greater the perceived chance that the bond issuer will default, or fail to meet its payment obligations. All things being equal, the lower a bond's credit quality, the higher its yield should be to compensate investors for assuming additional risk.
The Fund tries to minimize credit risk by purchasing a wide selection of municipal securities included in the Fund's target index. As a result, there is less chance that the Fund will be seriously affected by a particular bond issuer's failure to pay either interest or principal.
The Fund is subject to liquidity risk, which is the chance that the Fund may not be able to sell a security in a timely manner at a desired price.
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Municipal securities are traded via a network among dealers and brokers that connect buyers with sellers. Liquidity in the tax-exempt bond market may be reduced as a result of overall economic conditions and credit tightening. There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular bonds and other debt securities, which may make them more difficult to value or sell.
Market disruptions can adversely affect local and global markets as well as normal market conditions and operations. Any such disruptions could have an adverse impact on the value of the Fund's investments and Fund performance.
Security Selection
Index sampling strategy. Because it would be very expensive and inefficient to buy and sell all bonds held in its target index—which is an indexing strategy called "replication"—the Fund uses index "sampling" techniques to select securities. Using sophisticated computer programs, the Fund's advisor generally selects a representative sample of securities that approximates the full target index in terms of key risk factors and other characteristics. These factors include duration, cash flow, quality, and callability of the underlying bonds. In addition, the Fund keeps industry sector and subsector exposure within tight boundaries relative to its target index. Because the Fund does not hold all of the securities included in its target index, some of the securities (and issuers) that are held will likely be overweighted (or underweighted) compared with the target index. The maximum overweight (or underweight) is constrained at the issuer level with the goal of producing well-diversified credit exposure in the portfolio. As of XX, 2023, the number of bonds held in the Fund's target index were XX.
The Fund is subject to index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Fund's target index. Index sampling risk for the Fund is expected to be low to moderate.
Other Investment Policies and Risks
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in securities held in its target index. Up to 20% of the Fund's assets may be used to purchase nonpublic, investment- grade securities, generally referred to as 144A securities, as well as smaller public issues or medium-term notes not included in the index because of the small size of the issue. We expect that the vast majority of these securities will have characteristics similar to those in the target index. Subject to the same 20% limit, the Fund may also purchase other investments that are outside of its target index or may hold bonds that, when acquired, were included in the index
17
but subsequently were removed. Some of these investments may generate taxable income, and thus the Fund may need to distribute income subject to federal personal income tax or the alternative minimum tax.
The Fund reserves the right to substitute a different index for the index it currently tracks if the current index is discontinued, if the Fund's agreement with the sponsor of its target index is terminated, or for any other reason determined in good faith by the Fund's board of trustees. In any such instance, the substitute index would represent the same market segment as the current index.
The Fund may purchase tax-exempt securities on a "when-issued" basis. When investing in "when-issued" securities, the Fund agrees to buy the securities at a certain price on a certain date, even if the market price of the securities at the time of delivery is higher or lower than the agreed-upon purchase price.
Generally speaking, a derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a stock, a bond, or a currency), a physical asset (such as gold, oil, or wheat), a market index, or a reference rate. The Fund may invest in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards of the derivatives are consistent with the investment objective, policies, strategies, and risks of the Fund as disclosed in this prospectus. In particular, derivatives will be used only when they may help the advisor to accomplish one or more of the following:
•Invest in eligible asset classes with greater efficiency and lower cost than is possible through direct investment.
•Add value when these instruments are attractively priced.
•Adjust sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
The Fund's derivative investments may include fixed income futures contracts, fixed income options, interest rate swaps, total return swaps, credit default swaps, or other derivatives. Losses (or gains) involving futures contracts can sometimes be substantial—in part because a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in an immediate and substantial loss (or gain) for a fund. Similar risks exist for other types of derivatives.
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Plain Talk About Derivatives
Derivatives can take many forms. Some forms of derivatives—such as exchange-traded futures and options on securities, commodities, or indexes— have been trading on regulated exchanges for decades. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold and whose market values are determined and published daily. On the other hand, non-exchange-traded derivatives—such as certain swap agreements—tend to be more specialized or complex and may be more difficult to accurately value.
The Fund may invest a small portion of its assets in fixed income futures, which are a type of derivative, and/or shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These fixed income futures and ETFs typically provide returns similar to those of the bonds listed in the index, or in a subset of the index, the Fund seeks to track. The Fund may purchase futures or ETFs when doing so will reduce the Fund's transaction costs, facilitate cash management, mitigate risk, or have the potential to add value because the instruments are favorably priced. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in ETF Shares of other Vanguard funds. Fund assets invested in ETF Shares of other Vanguard funds are excluded when allocating to the Fund its share of the costs of Vanguard operations.
Cash Management
The Fund's daily cash balance may be invested in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and/or Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund (each, a CMT Fund), which are low-cost money market funds. When investing in a CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a CMT Fund. Investment in a CMT Fund may generate taxable income for the Fund and potentially may require the Fund to distribute income subject to federal personal income tax or the alternative minimum tax.
Redemption Requests
Methods Used to Meet Redemption Requests. Redemptions of ETF Shares are typically met through a combination of cash and securities held by the Fund; see "How Are Vanguard ETF Shares Different From Conventional Mutual Fund Shares?" If cash is used to meet redemptions, the Fund typically obtains such cash through positive cash flows or the sale of Fund holdings consistent with the Fund's investment objective and strategy. Please consult the Fund's Statement of Additional Information for further information on redemptions of ETF Shares.
19
Under certain circumstances, the Fund may borrow money (subject to certain regulatory conditions and if available under board-approved procedures) through an interfund lending facility; through a bank line-of-credit, including a joint committed credit facility; or through an uncommitted line-of-credit from Vanguard in order to meet redemption requests.
Potential redemption activity impacts. At times, the Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, or multiple shareholders comprising significant ownership of the Fund, redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Large redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so. This may result in the Fund distributing capital gains or other taxable income to non-redeeming shareholders. Large redemptions may also increase the Fund's transaction costs. Redemption activity can occur for many reasons, including shareholder reactions to market movements or other events unrelated to Vanguard's actions, or when Vanguard makes product changes that, for example, may result in a shareholder redeeming shares of the Fund to purchase shares of another similar fund or investment vehicle.
Temporary Investment Measures
The Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies when the advisor believes that doing so is in the Fund's best interest, so long as the strategy or policy employed is consistent with the Fund's investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange-traded funds that are consistent with the Fund's investment objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case when the Fund receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately. By temporarily departing from its normal investment policies, the Fund may distribute income subject to federal personal income tax or the alternative minimum tax and may otherwise fail to meet its objective.
27
Special Risks of Exchange-Traded Shares
ETF Shares are not individually redeemable. They can be redeemed with the issuing Fund at NAV only by certain authorized broker-dealers and only in large blocks known as Creation Units. Consequently, if you want to liquidate some or all of your ETF Shares, you must sell them on the secondary market at prevailing market prices.
The market price of ETF Shares may differ from NAV. Although it is expected that the market price of an ETF Share typically will approximate its NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ
significantly. Thus, you may pay more (premium) or less (discount) than NAV when you buy ETF Shares on the secondary market, and you may receive more or less than NAV when you sell those shares. These discounts and premiums are likely to be greatest during times of market disruption or extreme market volatility.
Vanguard's website at vanguard.com shows the previous day's closing NAV and closing market price for the Fund's ETF Shares. The website also discloses, in the Premium/Discount Analysis section of the ETF Shares' Price & Performance page, how frequently the Fund's ETF Shares traded at a premium or discount to NAV (based on closing NAVs and market prices) and the magnitudes of such premiums and discounts.
An active trading market may not exist. Although Vanguard ETF Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, it is possible that an active trading market may not be maintained. Although this could happen at any time, it is more likely to occur during times of severe market disruption. If you attempt to sell your ETF Shares when an active trading market is not functioning, you may have to sell at a significant discount to NAV. In extreme cases, you may not be able to sell your shares at all.
Trading may be halted. Trading of Vanguard ETF Shares on an exchange may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of ETF Shares may also be halted if (1) the shares are delisted from the listing exchange without first being listed on another exchange or (2) exchange officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or for the protection of investors.
27
A precautionary note to investment companies: The Fund's ETF Shares are issued by a registered investment company, and therefore the acquisition of such shares by other investment companies and private funds is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). SEC Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act permits registered investment companies to invest in other registered investment companies beyond the limits in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain conditions, including that funds with different investment advisors must enter into a fund of funds investment agreement.
Shareholder Rights
The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, requires a shareholder bringing a derivative action on behalf of Vanguard Wellington Fund (the Trust) that is subject to a pre-suit demand to collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series or class to which the demand relates and to undertake to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any counsel or advisors used when considering the merits of the demand in the event that the board of trustees determines not to bring such action. In each case, these requirements do not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws to the extent that any such federal securities laws, rules, or regulations do not permit such application.
Frequent Trading and Market-Timing
Unlike frequent trading of a Vanguard fund's conventional (i.e., not exchange- traded) classes of shares, frequent trading of ETF Shares does not disrupt portfolio management or otherwise harm fund shareholders. The vast majority of trading in ETF Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because these trades do not involve the issuing fund, they do not harm the fund or its shareholders. Certain broker-dealers are authorized to purchase and redeem ETF Shares directly with the issuing fund. Because these trades typically are effected in kind (i.e., for securities and not for cash), or are assessed a transaction fee when effected in cash, they do not cause any of the harmful effects to the issuing fund (as previously noted) that may result from frequent trading. For these reasons, the board of trustees of each fund that issues ETF Shares has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter frequent trading and market-timing of ETF Shares.
Portfolio Holdings
Please consult the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings.
Turnover Rate
Although the Fund generally seeks to invest for the long term, it may sell securities regardless of how long they have been held. The Fund has no operating history and therefore has no portfolio turnover information.
27
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), a family of over 200 funds. All of the funds that are members of Vanguard (other than funds of funds) share in the expenses associated with administrative services and business operations, such as personnel, office space, and equipment.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation provides marketing services to the funds. Although fund shareholders do not pay sales commissions or 12b-1 distribution fees, each fund (other than a fund of funds) or each share class of a fund (in the case of a fund with multiple share classes) pays its allocated share of the Vanguard funds' marketing costs.
Plain Talk About Vanguard's Unique Corporate Structure
Vanguard is owned jointly by the funds it oversees and thus indirectly by the shareholders in those funds. Most other mutual funds are operated by management companies that are owned by third parties—either public or private stockholders—and not by the funds they serve.
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc., P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482, which began operations in 1975, serves as advisor to the Fund through its Fixed Income Group. As of XX, 2023, Vanguard served as advisor for approximately $XX trillion in assets. Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the Funds' Service Agreement and subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
Under the terms of an SEC exemption, the Fund's board of trustees may, without prior approval from shareholders, change the terms of an advisory agreement with
athird-party investment advisor or hire a new third-party investment advisor— either as a replacement for an existing advisor or as an additional advisor. Any significant change in the Fund's advisory arrangements will be communicated to shareholders in writing. As the Fund's sponsor and overall manager, Vanguard may provide investment advisory services to the Fund at any time. Vanguard may also recommend to the board of trustees that an advisor be hired, terminated, or replaced or that the terms of an existing advisory agreement be revised. The Fund has filed an application seeking a similar SEC exemption with respect to investment advisors that are wholly owned subsidiaries of Vanguard. If the exemption is granted, the Fund may rely on the new SEC relief.
27
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Fund's investment advisory agreement, see the Fund's first annual or semi-annual report to shareholders following the Fund's commencement of operations.
The manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:
Stephen M. McFee, CFA, Portfolio Manager and co-lead of the municipal revenue team in Vanguard's Fixed Income Group. He has been with Vanguard since 2005, has worked in investment management since 2007, and has managed the Fund since its inception in 2023. Education: B.A./B.S., East Stroudsburg University; M.S., St. Joseph's University.
The Fund's Statement of Additional Information provides information about the portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts under management, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes
Fund Distributions
The Fund distributes to shareholders virtually all of its net income (interest less expenses) as well as any net short-term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of its holdings. From time to time, the Fund may also make distributions that are treated as a return of capital. Income dividends generally are declared monthly and distributed as soon as practicable thereafter; capital gains distributions, if any, generally occur annually in December and distributed as soon as practicable thereafter. In addition, the Fund may occasionally make one or more supplementals distribution at other times during the year.
Plain Talk About Distributions
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's income from interest as well as capital gains from the fund's sale of investments. Income consists of interest the fund earns from its money market and bond investments. The portion of such dividends that is exempt from federal income tax will be designated as "exempt-interest dividends." Capital gains are realized whenever the fund sells securities for higher prices than it paid for them. These capital gains are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund held the securities for one year or less or for more than one year.
27
Reinvestment of Distributions
In order to reinvest dividend and capital gains distributions, investors in the Fund's ETF Shares must hold their shares at a broker that offers a reinvestment service. This can be the broker's own service or a service made available by a third party, such as the broker's outside clearing firm or the DTC. If a reinvestment service is available, distributions of income and capital gains can automatically be reinvested in additional whole and fractional ETF Shares of the Fund. If a reinvestment service is not available, investors will receive their distributions in cash. To determine whether a reinvestment service is available and whether there is a commission or other charge for using this service, consult your broker.
As with all exchange-traded funds, reinvestment of dividend and capital gains distributions in additional ETF Shares will occur four business days or more after the ex-dividend date (the date when a distribution of dividends or capital gains is deducted from the price of the Fund's shares). The exact number of days depends on your broker. During that time, the amount of your distribution will not be invested in the Fund and therefore will not share in the Fund's income, gains, and losses.
Basic Tax Points
Investors in taxable accounts should be aware of the following basic federal income tax points:
•A majority of the income dividends that you receive are expected to be exempt from federal and alternative minimum taxes.
•Distributions of capital gains and any investment income that is not exempt from federal income tax are taxable to you whether or not you reinvest these amounts in additional ETF Shares.
•Distributions declared in December—if paid to you by the end of January—are taxable as if received in December.
•Any short-term capital gains distribution that you receive is taxable to you as ordinary income.
•Any distribution of net long-term capital gains is taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned ETF Shares.
•Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of the Fund's normal investment activities and cash flows.
•Your cost basis in the Fund will be decreased by the amount of any return of capital that you receive. This, in turn, will affect the amount of any capital gain or loss that you realize when selling or exchanging your Fund shares.
•Return of capital distributions generally are not taxable to you until your cost basis has been reduced to zero. If your cost basis is at zero, return of capital distributions will be treated as capital gains.
•Exempt-interest dividends from a tax-exempt fund are taken into account in determining the taxable portion of any Social Security or railroad retirement benefits that you receive.
27
•Income paid from tax-exempt bonds whose proceeds are used to fund private, for-profit organizations may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
•A sale of ETF Shares is a taxable event. This means that you may have a capital gain to report as income, or a capital loss to report as a deduction, when you complete your tax return.
Individuals, trusts, and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on "net investment income." Net investment income takes into account distributions paid by the Fund (except exempt-interest dividends) and capital gains from any sale of ETF Shares.
Income dividends and capital gains distributions that you receive, as well as your gains or losses from any sale of ETF Shares, may be subject to state and local income taxes.
Income dividends from interest earned on municipal securities of a state or its political subdivisions are generally exempt from that state's income taxes. Almost all states, however, tax interest earned on municipal securities of other states. Vanguard (or your intermediary) will annually provide you with information to help report your earnings by state from the Fund on your annual tax returns.
This prospectus provides general tax information only. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed information about any tax consequences for you.
Share Price and Market Price
Share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time, on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a business day). In the rare event the NYSE experiences unanticipated disruptions and is unavailable at the close of the trading day, NAVs will be calculated as of the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq (or another alternate exchange if the Nasdaq is unavailable, as determined at Vanguard's discretion), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. Each share class has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Fund does not sell or redeem shares.
28
Remember: If you buy or sell ETF Shares on the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price, which may be higher or lower than NAV. Your transaction will be priced at NAV only if you purchase or redeem your ETF Shares in Creation Unit blocks (an option available only to certain authorized broker- dealers) or if you convert your conventional fund shares to ETF Shares.
Debt securities held by a Vanguard fund are valued based on information furnished by an independent pricing service or market quotations. When a fund determines that pricing-service information or market quotations either are not readily available or do not accurately reflect the value of a security, the security is priced at its fair value (the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security).
The values of any foreign securities held by a fund are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from an independent third party as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. The values of any mutual fund shares, including institutional money market fund shares, held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF shares or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
The fund also may use fair-value pricing on bond market holidays when the fund is open for business (such as Columbus Day and Veterans Day). Fair-value prices are determined by Vanguard according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the fund to calculate the NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
The Fund has authorized certain financial intermediaries and their designees, and may, from time to time, authorize certain funds of funds for which Vanguard serves as the investment advisor (Vanguard Funds of Funds), to accept orders to buy or sell fund shares on its behalf. The Fund will be deemed to receive an order when accepted by the financial intermediary, its designee, or one of the Vanguard Funds of Funds, and the order will receive the NAV next computed by the Fund after such acceptance.
Vanguard's website will show the previous day's closing NAV and closing market price for the Fund's ETF Shares.
29
Additional Information
The Fund's Bylaws require, unless the Trust otherwise consents in writing, that the U.S. Federal District Courts be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of complaints under the Securities Act of 1933. This provision may limit a shareholder's ability to bring a claim in a different forum and may result in increased shareholder costs in pursuing such a claim.
|
Inception |
Vanguard |
CUSIP |
|
Fund |
||
|
Date |
Number |
Number |
|
|
|
|
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF |
XX |
XX |
XX |
Certain affiliates of the Fund and the advisor may purchase and resell ETF Shares pursuant to the prospectus.
CGS identifiers have been provided by CUSIP Global Services, managed on behalf of the American Bankers Association by Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC, and are not for use or dissemination in a manner that would serve as a substitute for any CUSIP service. The CUSIP Database, ©2023 American Bankers Association. "CUSIP" is a registered trademark of the American Bankers Association.
CFA® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
32
Glossary of Investment Terms
Authorized Participant. Institutional investors that are permitted to purchase Creation Units directly from, and redeem Creation Units directly with, the issuing fund. To be an Authorized Participant, an entity must be a participant in the Depository Trust Company and must enter into an agreement with the fund's Distributor.
Average Maturity. The average length of time until bonds held by a fund reach maturity and are repaid. In general, the longer the average maturity, the more a fund's share price fluctuates in response to changes in market interest rates. In calculating average maturity, a fund uses a bond's maturity or, if applicable, an earlier date on which the advisor believes it is likely that a maturity-shortening device (such as a call, put, refunding, prepayment, or redemption provision or an adjustable coupon rate) will cause the bond to be repaid.
Bid-Ask Spread. The difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase ETF Shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for ETF Shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market.
Capital Gains Distributions. Payments to fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Coupon Rate. The interest rate paid by the issuer of a debt security until its maturity. It is expressed as an annual percentage of the face value of the security.
Creation Unit. A large block of a specified number of ETF Shares. Certain broker- dealers known as "Authorized Participants" may purchase and redeem ETF Shares from the issuing fund in Creation Unit size blocks.
Dividend Distributions. Payments to fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a fund's investments.
Duration. A measure of the sensitivity of bond—and bond fund—prices to interest rate movements. For example, if a bond has a duration of two years, its price would fall by approximately 2% when interest rates rise by 1%. On the other hand, the bond's price would rise by approximately 2% when interest rates fall by 1%.
Ex-Dividend Date. The date when a distribution of dividends and/or capital gains is deducted from the share price of a mutual fund, ETF, or stock. On the ex- dividend date, the share price drops by the amount of the distribution per share (plus or minus any market activity).
33
Expense Ratio. A fund's total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the fund's average net assets. The expense ratio includes management and administrative expenses, but it does not include the transaction costs of buying and selling portfolio securities.
Face Value. The amount to be paid at a bond's maturity; also known as the par value or principal.
Fixed Income Security. An investment, such as a bond, representing a debt that must be repaid by a specified date, and on which the borrower may pay a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest.
Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the fund's investment objective. For funds with a subscription period, the inception date is the day after that period ends. Investment performance is generally measured from the inception date.
Indexing. A low-cost investment strategy in which a fund attempts to track— rather than outperform—a specified market benchmark, or "index."
Investment-Grade Bond. A debt security whose credit quality is considered by independent bond rating agencies, or through independent analysis conducted by a fund's advisor, to be sufficient to ensure timely payment of principal and interest under current economic circumstances. Debt securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories are considered investment-grade. Other debt securities may be considered by an advisor to be investment-grade.
Joint Committed Credit Facility. The Fund participates, along with other funds managed by Vanguard, in a committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement that may be renewed annually; each Vanguard fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facility. The amount and terms of the committed credit facility are subject to approval by the Fund's board of trustees and renegotiation with the lender syndicate on an annual basis.
Municipal Bond. A bond issued by a state or local government or by other governmental authorities. Interest income from municipal bonds, and therefore dividend income from municipal bond funds, is generally free from federal income taxes and generally exempt from taxes in the state in which the bonds were issued.
34
Mutual Fund. An investment company that pools the money of many people and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time.
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A stock exchange based in New York City that is open for regular trading on business days, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.
Par. The amount to be paid at a bond's maturity; also known as the face value.
Principal. The face value of a debt instrument or the amount of money put into an investment.
Return of Capital. A return of capital occurs when a fund's distributions exceed its earnings in a fiscal year. A return of capital is a return of all or part of your original investment or amounts paid in excess of your original investment in a fund. In general, a return of capital reduces your cost basis in a fund's shares and is not taxable to you until your cost basis has been reduced to zero.
S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. An index that measures the performance of the investment-grade, fixed-rate U.S. municipal bond market with maturities between one month and seven years.
Securities. Stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other investments.
Total Return. A percentage change, over a specified time period, in a fund's net asset value, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Volatility. The fluctuations in value of a mutual fund or other security. The greater a fund's volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investment's price.
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Connect with Vanguard®> vanguard.com
For More Information
If you would like more information about Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual/Semiannual Reports to
Shareholders
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI) The SAI provides more detailed information about the Fund's ETF Shares and is incorporated by reference into (and thus legally a part of) this prospectus.
To receive a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report (once available) or the SAI, or to request additional information about Vanguard ETF Shares, please visit vanguard.com or contact us as follows:
Telephone: 866-499-8473; Text telephone for
people with hearing impairment: 800-749- 7273
Information Provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Reports and other information about the Fund are available in the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov, or you can receive copies of this information, for a fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Fund's Investment Company Act file number: 811-00121
© 2022 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved.U.S. Patent No. 6,879,964.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
P xx 122022
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Statement of Additional Information
Dated December 22, 2022
Information contained in this Statement of Additional Information is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement for Vanguard Wellington Fund to add a new Series, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF, has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective.
Shares of Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior
to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not a
prospectus.
PART B
VANGUARD® WELLINGTON™ FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
XX, 2023
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Fund's current prospectus (dated XX, 2023). To obtain, without charge, a prospectus or the most recent Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains the Fund's financial statements as hereby incorporated by reference, please contact The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard).
Phone: Investor Information Department at 800-662-7447
Online: vanguard.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description of the Trust................................................................................................................................................................................ |
B-x |
Fundamental Policies.................................................................................................................................................................................... |
B-x |
Investment Strategies, Risks, and Nonfundamental Policies.................................................................................................................... |
B-x |
Share Price..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
B-xx |
|
|
Management of the Fund.............................................................................................................................................................................. |
B-xx |
Investment Advisory and Other Services.................................................................................................................................................... |
B-xx |
Portfolio Transactions.................................................................................................................................................................................. |
B-xx |
Proxy Voting................................................................................................................................................................................................. |
B-xx |
Information About the ETF Share Class...................................................................................................................................................... |
B-xx |
Financial Statements.................................................................................................................................................................................... |
B-xx |
Description of Bond Ratings........................................................................................................................................................................ |
B-xx |
Appendix A..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
B-xx |
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Vanguard Wellington Fund (the Trust) currently offers the following funds and share classes (identified by ticker symbol):
|
Share Classes1 |
|
|
Vanguard Fund |
Investor |
Admiral |
ETF |
Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF |
— |
— |
VFLQ2 |
Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF |
— |
— |
VFMV2 |
Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF |
— |
— |
VFMO2 |
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF |
— |
— |
VFMF2 |
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund |
— |
VFMFX |
— |
Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF |
— |
— |
VFQY2 |
Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF |
— |
— |
VFVA2 |
Vanguard Wellington Fund |
VWELX |
VWENX |
— |
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF |
— |
— |
XX3 |
1Individually, a class; collectively, the classes.
2Exchange: Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.
3Exchange: XX
This Statement of Additional Information relates only to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF. A separate Statement of Additional Information dated March 30, 2022, which relates to the Trust's other funds, can be obtained free of charge by contacting Vanguard. The Trust has the ability to offer additional funds or classes of shares. There is no limit on the number of full and fractional shares that may be issued for a single fund or class of shares.
Organization
The Trust was organized as a Delaware corporation in 1928, was reorganized as a Maryland corporation in 1973, and then was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust in 1998. Prior to its reorganization as a Delaware statutory trust, the Trust was known as Vanguard Wellington Fund, Inc. The Trust is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company. All Funds within the Trust are classified as diversified within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
Service Providers
Custodian. State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund's custodian. The custodian is responsible for maintaining the Fund's assets, keeping all necessary accounts and records of Fund assets, and appointing any foreign subcustodians or foreign securities depositories.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. XX serves as the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the Fund's annual financial statements and provides other related services.
Transfer and Dividend-Paying Agent. The Fund's transfer agent and dividend-paying agent is Vanguard, P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
Characteristics of the Funds' Shares
Restrictions on Holding or Disposing of Shares. There are no restrictions on the right of shareholders to retain or dispose of the Fund's shares, other than those described in the Fund's current prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund or class may be terminated by reorganization into another mutual fund or class or by liquidation and distribution of the assets of the Fund or class. Unless terminated by reorganization or liquidation, each Fund and share class will continue indefinitely.
Shareholder Liability. The Trust is organized under Delaware law, which provides that shareholders of a statutory trust are entitled to the same limitations of personal liability as shareholders of a corporation organized under Delaware law. This means that a shareholder of the Fund generally will not be personally liable for payment of the Fund's debts. Some state courts, however, may not apply Delaware law on this point. We believe that the possibility of such a situation arising is remote.
Dividend Rights. The shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions declared by the Fund for each such class. No shares of the Fund have priority or preference over any other shares of the Fund with respect to distributions. Distributions will be made from the assets of the Fund and will be paid ratably to all shareholders of a particular class according to the number of shares of the class held by shareholders on the record date. The amount of dividends per share may vary between separate share classes of the Fund based upon differences in the net asset values of the different classes and differences in the way that expenses are allocated between share classes pursuant to a multiple class plan approved by the Fund's board of trustees.
Voting Rights. Shareholders are entitled to vote on a matter if (1) the matter concerns an amendment to the Declaration of Trust that would adversely affect to a material degree the rights and preferences of the shares of the Fund or any class;
(2)the trustees determine that it is necessary or desirable to obtain a shareholder vote; (3) a merger or consolidation, share conversion, share exchange, or sale of assets is proposed and a shareholder vote is required by the 1940 Act to approve the transaction; or (4) a shareholder vote is required under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires a shareholder vote under various circumstances, including to elect or remove trustees upon the written request of shareholders representing 10% or more of the Fund's net assets, to change any fundamental policy of the Fund (please see Fundamental Policies), and to enter into certain merger transactions. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, shareholders of a Fund receive one vote for each dollar of net asset value owned on the record date and a fractional vote for each fractional dollar of net asset value owned on the record date. However, only the shares of the Fund or the class affected by a particular matter are entitled to vote on that matter. In addition, each class has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class, and each class has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of another. Voting rights are noncumulative and cannot be modified without a majority vote by the shareholders.
Liquidation Rights. In the event that the Fund is liquidated, shareholders will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the Fund's net assets. In the event that a class of shares is liquidated, shareholders of that class will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the Fund's net assets that are allocated to that class. Shareholders may receive cash, securities, or a combination of the two.
Preemptive Rights. There are no preemptive rights associated with the Fund's shares.
Conversion Rights. There are no conversion rights associated with Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF.
Redemption Provisions. The Fund's redemption provisions are described in its current prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information.
Sinking Fund Provisions. The Fund has no sinking fund provisions.
Calls or Assessment. The Fund's shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable.
Shareholder Rights. Any limitations on a shareholder's right to bring an action do not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws to the extent that any such federal securities laws, rules, or regulations do not permit such limitations.
Tax Status of the Fund
The Fund expects to qualify each year for treatment as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the IRC). This special tax status means that the Fund will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to preserve its tax status, the Fund must comply with certain requirements relating to the source of its income and the diversification of its assets. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements in any taxable year, the Fund will, in some cases, be able to cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, and/or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund is ineligible to or otherwise does not cure such failure for any year, it will be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long- term capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before regaining its tax status as a regulated investment company.
The Fund may declare a capital gain dividend consisting of the excess (if any) of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforwards of the Fund. Capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as either short-term or long-term.
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
The Fund is subject to the following fundamental investment policies, which cannot be changed in any material way without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's shares. For these purposes, a "majority" of shares means shares representing the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the Fund's net assets voted, so long as shares representing more than 50% of the Fund's net assets are present or represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's net assets.
80% Policy. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in tax-exempt securities under normal market conditions. For purposes of these 80% policies, assets include net assets and borrowings for investment purposes.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow money only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Commodities. The Fund may invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Diversification.
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not (1) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or (2) purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in that issuer's securities. This limitation does not apply to obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
Industry Concentration.
The Fund will not concentrate its investments in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry or group of industries.
Loans. The Fund may make loans to another person only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Real Estate. The Fund may not invest directly in real estate unless it is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments (1) issued by companies that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or (2) backed or secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
Senior Securities. The Fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Underwriting. The Fund may not act as an underwriter of another issuer's securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
Compliance with the fundamental policies previously described is generally measured at the time the securities are purchased. Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act (as is the case with borrowing), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time the investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in the market value of assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. All fundamental policies must comply with applicable regulatory requirements. For more details, see Investment Strategies, Risks, and Nonfundamental Policies.
None of these policies prevents the Fund from having an ownership interest in Vanguard. As a part owner of Vanguard, the Fund may own securities issued by Vanguard, make loans to Vanguard, and contribute to Vanguard's costs or other financial requirements. See Management of the Funds for more information.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, RISKS, AND NONFUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
Some of the investment strategies and policies described on the following pages and in the Fund's prospectus set forth percentage limitations on the Fund's investment in, or holdings of, certain securities or other assets. Unless otherwise required by law, compliance with these strategies and policies will be determined immediately after the acquisition of such securities or assets by the Fund. Subsequent changes in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the Fund's investment strategies and policies.
The following investment strategies, risks, and policies supplement the Fund's investment strategies, risks, and policies set forth in the prospectus. With respect to the different investments discussed as follows, the Fund may acquire such investments to the extent consistent with its investment strategies and policies.
Borrowing. A fund's ability to borrow money is limited by its investment policies and limitations; by the 1940 Act; and by applicable exemptions, no-action letters, interpretations, and other pronouncements issued from time to time by the SEC and its staff or any other regulatory authority with jurisdiction. Under the 1940 Act, a fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage (i.e., total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the fund's total assets (at the time of borrowing) made for temporary or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary purposes in excess of 5% of the fund's total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or for other reasons, a fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days (excluding Sundays and holidays) to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a fund's portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased with the proceeds of such borrowing. A fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
A borrowing transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act.
Cybersecurity Risks. The increased use of technology to conduct business could subject a fund and its third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, investment advisors, transfer agents, and custodians) to risks associated with cybersecurity. In general, a cybersecurity incident can occur as a result of a deliberate attack designed to gain unauthorized access to digital systems. If the attack is successful, an unauthorized person or persons could misappropriate assets or sensitive information, corrupt data, or cause operational disruption. A cybersecurity incident could also occur unintentionally if, for example, an authorized person inadvertently released proprietary or confidential information. Vanguard has developed robust technological safeguards and business continuity plans to prevent, or reduce the impact of, potential cybersecurity incidents. Additionally, Vanguard has a process for assessing the information security and/or cybersecurity programs implemented by a fund's third-party service providers, which helps minimize the risk of potential incidents that could impact a Vanguard fund or its shareholders. Despite these measures, a cybersecurity incident still has the potential to disrupt business operations, which could negatively impact a fund and/or its shareholders. Some examples of negative impacts that could occur as a result of a cybersecurity incident include, but are not limited to, the following: a fund may be unable to calculate its net asset value (NAV), a fund's shareholders may be unable to transact business, a fund may be unable to process transactions, or a fund may be unable to safeguard its data or the personal information of its shareholders.
Debt Securities. A debt security, sometimes called a fixed income security, consists of a certificate or other evidence of a debt (secured or unsecured) upon which the issuer of the debt security promises to pay the holder a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest for a specified length of time and to repay the debt on the specified maturity date. Some debt securities, such as zero-coupon bonds, do not make regular interest payments but are issued at a discount to their principal or maturity value. Debt securities include a variety of fixed income obligations, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, government securities, municipal securities, convertible securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. Debt securities include investment-grade securities, non-investment-grade securities, and unrated securities. Debt securities are subject to a variety of risks, such as interest rate risk, income risk, call risk, prepayment risk, extension risk, inflation risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, coupon deferral risk, lower recovery value risk, and (in the case of foreign securities) country risk and currency risk. The reorganization of an issuer under the federal bankruptcy laws or an out-of-court restructuring of an issuer's capital structure may result in the issuer's debt securities being cancelled without repayment, repaid only in part, or repaid in part or in whole through an exchange thereof for any combination of cash, debt securities, convertible securities, equity securities, or other instruments or rights in respect to the same issuer or a related entity.
Debt Securities—Commercial Paper. Commercial paper refers to short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. It is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding 9 months. High-quality commercial paper typically has the following characteristics: (1) liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; (2) long-term senior debt is also high credit quality; (3) the issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing; (4) basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances; (5) typically, the issuer's industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry; and (6) the reliability and quality of management are unquestioned. In assessing the credit quality of commercial paper issuers, the following factors may be considered: (1) evaluation of the management of the issuer, (2) economic evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and the appraisal of speculative-type risks that may be inherent in certain areas, (3) evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to competition and customer acceptance, (4) liquidity, (5) amount and quality of long-term debt, (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years, (7) financial strength of a parent company and the relationships that exist with the issuer, and (8) recognition by the management of obligations that may be present or may arise as a result of public-interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than longer-term fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Additionally, an issuer may expect to repay commercial paper obligations at maturity from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper payment obligations, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may suffer from reduced liquidity due to certain circumstances, in particular, during stressed markets. In addition, as with all fixed income securities, an issuer may default on its commercial paper obligation.
Variable-amount master-demand notes are demand obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to an arrangement between the issuer and a commercial bank acting as agent for the payees of such notes, whereby both parties have the right to vary the amount of the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. Because variable-amount master-demand notes are direct lending arrangements between a lender and a borrower, it is not generally contemplated that such instruments will be traded, and there is no secondary market for these notes, although they are redeemable (and thus immediately repayable by the borrower) at face value, plus accrued interest, at any time. In connection with a fund's investment in variable-amount master-demand notes, Vanguard's investment management staff will monitor, on an ongoing basis, the earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, along with the borrower's ability to pay principal and interest on demand.
Debt Securities—Non-Investment-Grade Securities. Non-investment-grade securities, also referred to as "high-yield securities" or "junk bonds," are debt securities that are rated lower than the four highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., lower than Baa3/P-2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or below BBB–/A-2 by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (Standard & Poor's)) or, if unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by the fund's advisor. These securities are generally considered to be, on balance, predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation, and they will generally involve more credit risk than securities in the investment-grade categories. Non-investment-grade securities generally provide greater income and opportunity for capital appreciation than higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and principal and income risk.
Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high-yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of investment- grade securities. Thus, reliance on credit ratings in making investment decisions entails greater risks for high-yield securities than for investment-grade securities. The success of a fund's advisor in managing high-yield securities is more dependent upon its own credit analysis than is the case with investment-grade securities.
Some high-yield securities are issued by smaller, less-seasoned companies, while others are issued as part of a corporate restructuring such as an acquisition, a merger, or a leveraged buyout. Companies that issue high-yield securities are often highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them.
Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with investment-grade securities. Some high-yield securities were once rated as investment-grade but have been downgraded to junk bond status because of financial difficulties experienced by their issuers.
The market values of high-yield securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do investment-grade securities, which in general react to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. High-yield securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are investment-grade securities. An actual or anticipated economic downturn or sustained period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in junk bond prices because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. If an issuer of high-yield securities defaults, in addition to risking payment of all or a portion of interest and principal, a fund investing in such securities may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.
The secondary market on which high-yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for investment-grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the ability of a fund's advisor to sell a high- yield security or the price at which a fund's advisor could sell a high-yield security, and it could also adversely affect the daily net asset value of fund shares. When secondary markets for high-yield securities are less liquid than the market for investment-grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because such valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation of the securities.
Except as otherwise provided in a fund's prospectus, if a credit rating agency changes the rating of a portfolio security held by a fund, the fund may retain the portfolio security if the advisor deems it in the best interests of shareholders.
Debt Securities—Variable and Floating Rate Securities. Variable and floating rate securities are debt securities that provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark or reference rate (such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or another reference rate) or the issuer's credit quality. There is a risk that the current interest rate on variable and floating rate securities may not accurately reflect current market interest rates or adequately compensate the holder for the current creditworthiness of the issuer. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with liquidity features such as (1) put options or tender options that permit holders (sometimes subject to conditions) to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries or (2) auction-rate features, remarketing provisions, or other maturity-shortening devices designed to enable the issuer to refinance or redeem outstanding debt securities (market-dependent liquidity features). Variable or floating rate securities that include market-
dependent liquidity features may have greater liquidity risk than other securities. The greater liquidity risk may exist, for example, because of the failure of a market-dependent liquidity feature to operate as intended (as a result of the issuer's declining creditworthiness, adverse market conditions, or other factors) or the inability or unwillingness of a participating broker-dealer to make a secondary market for such securities. As a result, variable or floating rate securities that include market-dependent liquidity features may lose value, and the holders of such securities may be required to retain them until the later of the repurchase date, the resale date, or the date of maturity. Such liquidity risk may be heightened for certain types of variable rate securities called "extendible municipal securities," in which the holder of a security is required to retain the investment for the length of the remarketing period (the time frame in which a remarketing agent seeks a new buyer for the security). Extendible municipal securities typically have extended remarketing periods of up to 13 months after a tender date. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security. Extendible municipal securities that have been "extended" into a longer remarketing period may also be considered illiquid.
Derivatives. A derivative is a financial instrument that has a value based on—or "derived from"—the values of other assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying references, such as commodities, stocks, bonds, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and related indexes. Derivatives include futures contracts and options on futures contracts, certain forward-commitment transactions, options on securities, caps, floors, collars, swap agreements, and certain other financial instruments. Some derivatives, such as futures contracts and certain options, are traded on U.S. commodity and securities exchanges, while other derivatives, such as swap agreements, may be privately negotiated and entered into in the over-the-counter market (OTC Derivatives) or may be cleared through a clearinghouse (Cleared Derivatives) and traded on an exchange or swap execution facility. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), certain swap agreements, such as certain standardized credit default and interest rate swap agreements, must be cleared through a clearinghouse and traded on an exchange or swap execution facility. This could result in an increase in the overall costs of such transactions. While the intent of derivatives regulatory reform is to mitigate risks associated with derivatives markets, the regulations could, among other things, increase liquidity and decrease pricing for more standardized products while decreasing liquidity and increasing pricing for less standardized products. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities or assets on which the derivatives are based.
Derivatives may be used for a variety of purposes, including—but not limited to—hedging, managing risk, seeking to stay fully invested, seeking to reduce transaction costs, seeking to simulate an investment in equity or debt securities or other investments, and seeking to add value by using derivatives to more efficiently implement portfolio positions when derivatives are favorably priced relative to equity or debt securities or other investments. Some investors may use derivatives primarily for speculative purposes while other uses of derivatives may not constitute speculation. There is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by a fund's advisor will succeed. The other parties to a fund's OTC Derivatives contracts (usually referred to as "counterparties") will not be considered the issuers thereof for purposes of certain provisions of the 1940 Act and the IRC, although such OTC Derivatives may qualify as securities or investments under such laws. A fund's advisor(s), however, will monitor and adjust, as appropriate, the fund's credit risk exposure to OTC Derivative counterparties.
Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions.
When a fund enters into a Cleared Derivative, an initial margin deposit with a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) is required. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of a Cleared Derivative over a fixed period. If the value of the fund's Cleared Derivatives declines, the fund will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. If the value of the fund's Cleared Derivatives increases, the FCM will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to the fund to settle the change in value. This process is known as "marking-to-market" and is calculated on a daily basis.
For OTC Derivatives, a fund is subject to the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. Additionally, the use of credit derivatives can result in losses if a fund's advisor does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit derivative is based.
Derivatives may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular derivative is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with certain OTC Derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.
Derivatives may be subject to pricing or "basis" risk, which exists when a particular derivative becomes extraordinarily expensive relative to historical prices or the prices of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity.
Because certain derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. A derivative transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
Like most other investments, derivative instruments are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a fund's interest. A fund bears the risk that its advisor will incorrectly forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other financial or economic factors in establishing derivative positions for the fund. If the advisor attempts to use a derivative as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the derivative will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many derivatives (in particular, OTC Derivatives) are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies ("Rule 18f-4"). The Funds were required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminates the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, treats derivatives as senior securities and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.
The Fund intends to comply with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), under which a fund may be excluded from the definition of the term Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) if the fund meets certain conditions such as limiting its investments in certain CEA-regulated instruments (e.g., futures, options, or swaps) and complying with certain marketing restrictions. Accordingly, Vanguard is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO with respect to each Fund under the CEA. The Fund will only enter into futures contracts and futures options that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity or that are quoted on an automated quotation system.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Considerations. Vanguard's Investment Stewardship Team, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of each Vanguard-advised fund, administers proxy voting for the equity holdings of the Vanguard-advised funds. The Investment Stewardship Team may engage with issuers to better understand how they are addressing material risks, including ESG risks. Specifically, the Investment Stewardship Team may engage with companies on how they disclose significant risks to shareholders, develop their risk mitigation approach, and report on progress.
Each fund has adopted procedures and guidelines for monitoring portfolio holding human rights practices and violations pursuant to which it may assess regulatory, reputational, or other risks associated with the alleged activity. In extraordinary circumstances a fund may divest of a portfolio holding where doing so is deemed appropriate.
Exchange-Traded Funds. A fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Typically, a fund would purchase ETF shares for the same reason it would purchase (and as an alternative to purchasing) futures contracts: to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. ETF shares enjoy several advantages over futures. Depending on the market, the holding period, and other factors, ETF shares can be less costly and more tax-efficient than futures. In addition, ETF shares can be purchased for smaller sums, offer exposure to market sectors and styles for which there is no suitable or liquid futures contract, and do not involve leverage.
An investment in an ETF generally presents the same principal risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF's shares may trade at a discount or a premium to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an
ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained; and (3) trading of an ETF's shares may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of an ETF's shares may also be halted if the shares are delisted from the exchange without first being listed on another exchange or if the listing exchange's officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or for the protection of investors.
Most ETFs are investment companies. Therefore, a fund's purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, a fund's investments in other investment companies, which are described under the heading "Other Investment Companies."
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are derivatives. Each Fund's obligation under futures contracts will not exceed 20% of its total assets. The reasons for which a Fund may invest in futures include (1) to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions or other needs while simulating full investment in bonds or (2) to reduce the Fund's transaction costs or add value when these instruments are favorably priced.
A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell at a specific time in the future a specific quantity of a commodity at a specific price. The commodity may consist of an asset, a reference rate, or an index. A security futures contract relates to the sale of a specific quantity of shares of a single equity security or a narrow-based securities index. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying commodity. The buyer of a futures contract enters into an agreement to purchase the underlying commodity on the settlement date and is said to be "long" the contract. The seller of a futures contract enters into an agreement to sell the underlying commodity on the settlement date and is said to be "short" the contract. The price at which a futures contract is entered into is established either in the electronic marketplace or by open outcry on the floor of an exchange between exchange members acting as traders or brokers. Open futures contracts can be liquidated or closed out by physical delivery of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount on the settlement date, depending on the terms of the particular contract. Some financial futures contracts (such as security futures) provide for physical settlement at maturity. Other financial futures contracts (such as those relating to interest rates, foreign currencies, and broad-based securities indexes) generally provide for cash settlement at maturity. In the case of cash-settled futures contracts, the cash settlement amount is equal to the difference between the final settlement or market price for the relevant commodity on the last trading day of the contract and the price for the relevant commodity agreed upon at the outset of the contract. Most futures contracts, however, are not held until maturity but instead are "offset" before the settlement date through the establishment of an opposite and equal futures position.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying commodity unless the contract is held until the settlement date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures commission merchant (FCM) when the futures contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of a contract over a fixed period. If the value of the fund's position declines, the fund will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. If the value of the fund's position increases, the FCM will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to the fund to settle the change in value. This process is known as "marking-to-market" and is calculated on a daily basis. A futures transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
An option on a futures contract (or futures option) conveys the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) a specific futures contract at a specific price (called the "exercise" or "strike" price) any time before the option expires. The seller of an option is called an option writer. The purchase price of an option is called the premium. The potential loss to an option buyer is limited to the amount of the premium plus transaction costs. This will be the case, for example, if the option is held and not exercised prior to its expiration date. Generally, an option writer sells options with the goal of obtaining the premium paid by the option buyer. If an option sold by an option writer expires without being exercised, the writer retains the full amount of the premium. The option writer, however, has unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received when the option was written, is equal to the amount the option is "in-the-money" at the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying futures contract exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying futures contract. Generally, any profit realized by an option buyer represents a loss for the option writer.
A fund that takes the position of a writer of a futures option is required to deposit and maintain initial and variation margin with respect to the option, as previously described in the case of futures contracts. A futures option transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts—Risks. The risk of loss in trading futures contracts and in writing futures options can be substantial because of the low margin deposits required, the extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures and options pricing, and the potential high volatility of the futures markets. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures position may result in immediate and substantial loss (or gain) for the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract, and the writing of a futures option, may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the position. In the event of adverse price movements, a fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements (and segregation requirements, if applicable) at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, on the settlement date, a fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying the futures positions it holds.
A fund could suffer losses if it is unable to close out a futures contract or a futures option because of an illiquid secondary market. Futures contracts and futures options may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for such products. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures product at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or option position. Moreover, most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day, and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of future positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses. The inability to close futures and options positions also could have an adverse impact on the ability to hedge a portfolio investment or to establish a substitute for a portfolio investment. U.S. Treasury futures are generally not subject to such daily limits.
A fund bears the risk that its advisor will incorrectly predict future market trends. If the advisor attempts to use a futures contract or a futures option as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the futures position will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving futures products can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments.
A fund could lose margin payments it has deposited with its FCM if, for example, the FCM breaches its agreement with the fund or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In that event, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM's other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund.
Hybrid Instruments. A hybrid instrument, or hybrid, is an interest in an issuer that combines the characteristics of an equity security, a debt security, a commodity, and/or a derivative. A hybrid may have characteristics that, on the whole, more strongly suggest the existence of a bond, stock, or other traditional investment, but a hybrid may also have prominent features that are normally associated with a different type of investment. Moreover, hybrid instruments may be treated as a particular type of investment for one regulatory purpose (such as taxation) and may be simultaneously treated as a different type of investment for a different regulatory purpose (such as securities or commodity regulation). Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including increased total return, duration management, and currency hedging. Because hybrids combine features of two or more traditional investments and may involve the use of innovative structures, hybrids present risks that may be similar to, different from, or greater than those associated with traditional investments with similar characteristics.
Examples of hybrid instruments include convertible securities, which combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks; perpetual bonds, which are structured like fixed income securities, have no maturity date, and may be characterized as debt or equity for certain regulatory purposes; contingent convertible securities, which are fixed income securities that, under certain circumstances, either convert into common stock of the issuer or undergo a principal write- down by a predetermined percentage if the issuer's capital ratio falls below a predetermined trigger level; and trust- preferred securities, which are preferred stocks of a special-purpose trust that holds subordinated debt of the corporate parent. Another example of a hybrid is a commodity-linked bond, such as a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.
In the case of hybrids that are structured like fixed income securities (such as structured notes), the principal amount or the interest rate is generally tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency, securities index, interest rate, or other economic factor (each, a benchmark). For some hybrids, the principal amount payable at maturity or the interest rate may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. Other hybrids do not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark, thus magnifying movements within the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond with a fixed principal amount that pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes a fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. Depending on the level of a fund's investment in hybrids, these risks may cause significant fluctuations in the fund's net asset value. Hybrid instruments may also carry liquidity risk since the instruments are often "customized" to meet the needs of an issuer or, sometimes, the portfolio needs of a particular investor, and therefore the number of investors that are willing and able to buy such instruments in the secondary market may be smaller than that for more traditional securities.
Certain issuers of hybrid instruments known as structured products may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a fund's investments in these products may be subject to the limitations described under the heading "Other Investment Companies."
Interfund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemption permitting registered open-end Vanguard funds to participate in Vanguard's interfund lending program. This program allows the Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank for a comparable transaction, (2) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan, and (3) a fund's interfund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund's net assets. In addition, a Vanguard fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the fund's investment objective and investment policies. The boards of trustees of the Vanguard funds are responsible for overseeing the interfund lending program. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Low or Negative Interest Rates. In a low or negative interest rate environment, debt securities may trade at, or be issued with, negative yields, which means the purchaser of the security may receive at maturity less than the total amount invested. In addition, in a negative interest rate environment, if a bank charges negative interest, instead of receiving interest on deposits, a depositor must pay the bank fees to keep money with the bank. To the extent a fund holds a negatively-yielding debt security or has a bank deposit with a negative interest rate, the fund would generate a negative return on that investment. Cash positions may also subject a fund to increased counterparty risk to the fund's bank.
Debt market conditions are highly unpredictable and some parts of the market are subject to dislocations. In response to recent market volatility and economic uncertainty, the U.S. government and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to stabilize markets by, among other things, reducing interest rates. As a result, interest rates in the United States are at historically low levels, and certain European countries and Japan have pursued negative interest rate policies. These actions present heightened risks to debt securities, and such risks could be even further heightened if these actions are unexpectedly or suddenly reversed or are ineffective in achieving their desired outcomes.
If low or negative interest rates become more prevalent in the market and/or if low or negative interest rates persist for a sustained period of time, some investors may seek to reallocate assets to other income-producing assets, such as investment-grade and higher-yield debt securities, or equity securities that pay a dividend, absent other market risks that may make such alternative investments unattractive. This increased demand for higher income-producing assets may cause the price of such securities to rise while triggering a corresponding decrease in yield over time, thus reducing the value of such alternative investments. These considerations may limit a fund's ability to locate fixed income instruments containing the desired risk/return profile. Changing interest rates, including, but not limited to, rates that fall below zero, could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility and potential illiquidity.
A low or negative interest rate environment could, and a prolonged low or negative interest rate environment will, impact a fund's ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders, pay expenses out of current income, and/or achieve its investment objective, including maintaining a stable NAV of $1 per share. In a prolonged environment of low to negative interest rates, the Funds' board of trustees may consider taking various actions including, but not limited to, enacting mechanisms to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00, and discontinuing use of the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable NAV of $1 per share and establishing a fluctuating NAV rounded to four decimal places by using available market quotations or equivalents.
Market Disruption. Significant market disruptions, such as those caused by pandemics, natural or environmental disasters, war, acts of terrorism, or other events, can adversely affect local and global markets and normal market operations. Market disruptions may exacerbate political, social, and economic risks discussed above and in a fund's prospectus. Additionally, market disruptions may result in increased market volatility; regulatory trading halts; closure of domestic or foreign exchanges, markets, or governments; or market participants operating pursuant to business continuity plans for indeterminate periods of time. Such events can be highly disruptive to economies and markets and significantly impact individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a fund's investments and operation of a fund. These events could also result in the closure of businesses that are integral to a fund's operations or otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of fund service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of a fund.
Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds are debt obligations issued by states, municipalities, U.S. jurisdictions or territories, and other political subdivisions and by agencies, authorities, and instrumentalities of states and multistate agencies or authorities (collectively, municipalities). Typically, the interest payable on municipal bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer at the time of issuance, exempt from federal income tax.
Municipal bonds include securities from a variety of sectors, each of which has unique risks, and can be divided into government bonds (i.e., bonds issued to provide funding for governmental projects, such as public roads or schools) and conduit bonds (i.e., bonds issued to provide funding for a third-party permitted to use municipal bond proceeds, such as airports or hospitals). Except for the money market funds (see Fundamental Policies), the Funds will not concentrate in any one industry or group of industries; tax-exempt securities issued by states, municipalities, and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of an industry. However, if a municipal bond's income is derived from a specific project, the securities will be considered to be from the industry of that project. Municipal bonds include, but are not limited to, general obligation bonds, limited obligation bonds, and revenue bonds, including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to federal tax law.
General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue or special tax bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but not from general tax revenues.
Revenue bonds involve the credit risk of the underlying project or enterprise (or its corporate user) rather than the credit risk of the issuing municipality. Under the IRC, certain limited obligation bonds are considered "private activity bonds," and interest paid on such bonds is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of calculating federal alternative minimum tax liability. Tax-exempt private activity bonds and industrial development bonds generally are also classified as revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer's general revenues. The credit and quality of private activity bonds and industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds are the responsibility of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor). Some municipal bonds may be issued as variable or floating rate securities and may incorporate market-dependent liquidity features (see discussion of "Debt Securities—Variable and Floating Rate Securities"). A tax-exempt fund will generally invest only in securities deemed tax-exempt by a nationally recognized bond counsel, but there is no guarantee that the interest payments on municipal bonds will continue to be tax-exempt for the life of the bonds.
Some longer-term municipal bonds give the investor a "put option," which is the right to sell the security back to the issuer at par (face value) prior to maturity, within a specified number of days following the investor's request—usually one to seven days. This demand feature enhances a security's liquidity by shortening its maturity and enables it to trade at a price equal to or very close to par. If a demand feature terminates prior to being exercised, a fund would hold the longer- term security, which could experience substantially more volatility. Municipal bonds that are issued as variable or floating rate securities incorporating market-dependent liquidity features may have greater liquidity risk than other municipal bonds (see discussion of "Debt Securities—Variable and Floating Rate Securities").
Some municipal bonds feature credit enhancements, such as lines of credit, letters of credit, municipal bond insurance, and standby bond purchase agreements (SBPAs). SBPAs include lines of credit that are issued by a third party, usually a bank, to enhance liquidity and ensure repayment of principal and any accrued interest if the underlying municipal bond should default. Municipal bond insurance (which is usually purchased by the bond issuer from a private, nongovernmental insurance company) provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee that the insured bond's principal and interest will be paid when due. Insurance does not guarantee the price of the bond or the share price of any fund. The credit quality of an insured bond reflects the higher of the credit quality of the insurer, based on its claims-paying ability, or the credit quality of the underlying bond issuer or obligor. The obligation of a municipal bond insurance company to pay a claim extends over the life of each insured bond. Although defaults on insured municipal bonds have been historically low and municipal bond insurers historically have met their claims, there is no assurance this will continue. A higher-than- expected default rate could strain the insurer's loss reserves and adversely affect its ability to pay claims to bondholders. The number of municipal bond insurers is relatively small, and not all of them are assessed as high credit quality. An SBPA can include a liquidity facility that is provided to pay the purchase price of any bonds that cannot be remarketed. The obligation of the liquidity provider (usually a bank) is only to advance funds to purchase tendered bonds that cannot be remarketed and does not cover principal or interest under any other circumstances. The liquidity provider's obligations under the SBPA are usually subject to numerous conditions, including the continued creditworthiness of the underlying borrower or bond issuer.
Municipal bonds also include tender option bonds, which are municipal bond structured products created by dividing the income stream provided by an underlying security, such as municipal bonds or preferred shares issued by a tax-exempt bond fund, to create two securities issued by a special-purpose trust, one short-term and one long-term. The interest rate on the short-term component is periodically reset. The short-term component has negligible interest rate risk, while the long-term component has all of the risk of the underlying security. After income is paid on the short-term securities at current rates, the residual income goes to the long-term securities. Therefore, rising short-term interest rates result in lower income for the longer-term portion, and vice versa. The longer-term components can be very volatile and may be less liquid than other municipal bonds of comparable maturity. These securities have been developed in the secondary market to meet the demand for short-term, tax-exempt securities.
Municipal securities also include a variety of structures geared toward accommodating municipal-issuer short-term cash- flow requirements. These structures include, but are not limited to, general market notes, commercial paper, put bonds, and variable-rate demand obligations (VRDOs). VRDOs comprise a significant percentage of the outstanding debt in the short-term municipal market. VRDOs can be structured to provide a wide range of maturity options (1 day to over 360 days) to the underlying issuing entity and are typically issued at par. The longer the maturity option, the greater the degree of liquidity risk (the risk of not receiving an asking price of par or greater) and reinvestment risk (the risk that the proceeds from maturing bonds must be reinvested at a lower interest rate).
Although most municipal bonds are exempt from federal income tax, some are not. Taxable municipal bonds include Build America Bonds (BABs). The borrowing costs of BABs are subsidized by the federal government, but BABs are
subject to state and federal income tax. BABs were created pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to offer an alternative form of financing to state and local governments whose primary means for accessing the capital markets had been through the issuance of tax-exempt municipal bonds. BABs also include Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, which are subsidized more heavily by the federal government than other BABs and are designed to finance certain types of projects in distressed geographic areas.
Under ARRA, an issuer of a BAB is entitled to receive payments from the U.S. Treasury over the life of the BAB equal to 35% of the interest paid (or 45% of the interest paid in the case of a Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond). For example, if a state or local government were to issue a BAB at a taxable interest rate of 10% of the par value of the bond, the U.S. Treasury would make a payment directly to the issuing government of 35% of that interest (3.5% of the par value of the bond) or 45% of the interest (4.5% of the par value of the bond) in the case of a Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond. Thus, the state or local government's net borrowing cost would be 6.5% or 5.5%, respectively, on BABs that pay 10% interest. In other cases, holders of a BAB receive a 35% or 45% tax credit, respectively. The BAB program expired on December 31, 2010. BABs outstanding prior to the expiration of the program continue to be eligible for the federal interest rate subsidy or tax credit, which continues for the life of the BABs; however, the federal interest rate subsidy or tax credit has been reduced by the government sequester. Additionally, bonds issued following expiration of the program are not eligible for federal payment or tax credit. In addition to BABs, a fund may invest in other municipal bonds that pay taxable interest.
The reorganization under the federal bankruptcy laws of an issuer of, or payment obligor with respect to, municipal bonds may result in the municipal bonds being canceled without repayment; repaid only in part; or repaid in part or whole through an exchange thereof for any combination of cash, municipal bonds, debt securities, convertible securities, equity securities, or other instruments or rights in respect to the same issuer or payment obligor or a related entity. Certain issuers are not eligible to file for bankruptcy.
Municipal Bonds—Risks. Municipal bonds are subject to credit risk. The yields of municipal bonds depend on, among other things, general money market conditions, conditions in the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, maturity of the obligation, and credit quality of the issue. Consequently, municipal bonds with the same maturity, coupon, and credit quality may have different yields, while municipal bonds of the same maturity and coupon, but with different credit quality, may have the same yield. It is the responsibility of a fund's investment management advisor to appraise independently the fundamental quality of bonds held by the fund. Information about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal bonds may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations whose securities are publicly traded. Obligations of issuers of municipal bonds are generally subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.
Congress, state legislatures, or other governing authorities may seek to extend the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or to impose other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. For example, from time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Also, from time to time, proposals have been introduced before state and local legislatures to restrict or eliminate the state and local income tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future. If any such proposal were enacted, it might restrict or eliminate the ability of a fund to achieve its respective investment objective. In that event, the fund's trustees and officers would reevaluate its investment objective and policies and consider recommending to its shareholders changes in such objective and policies.
There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal on their municipal bonds may be materially affected or their obligations may be found to be invalid or unenforceable. Such litigation or conditions may, from time to time, have the effect of introducing uncertainties in the market for municipal bonds or certain segments thereof or of materially affecting the credit risk with respect to particular bonds. Adverse economic, business, legal, or political developments might affect all or a substantial portion of a fund's municipal bonds in the same manner. For example, a state specific tax-exempt fund is subject to state-specific risk, which is the chance that the fund, because it invests primarily in securities issued by a particular state and its municipalities, is more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that state than are funds that invest in municipal securities of many states. Unfavorable developments in any economic sector may have far-reaching ramifications on a state's overall municipal market. In the event that a particular obligation held by a fund is assessed at a credit quality below the minimum investment level permitted by the investment policies of such fund, the fund's investment advisor, pursuant to oversight from the trustees, will carefully assess the creditworthiness of the obligation to determine whether it continues to meet the policies and objective of the fund.
Municipal bonds are subject to interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices will decline over short or even long periods because of rising interest rates. Interest rate risk is higher for long-term bonds, whose prices are much
more sensitive to interest rate changes than are the prices of shorter-term bonds. Generally, prices of longer-maturity issues tend to fluctuate more than prices of shorter-maturity issues. Prices and yields on municipal bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, such as the financial condition of the issuer, the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. A number of these factors, including the ratings of particular issues, are subject to change from time to time.
Municipal bonds are subject to call risk, which is the chance that during periods of falling interest rates, issuers of callable bonds may call (redeem) securities with higher coupons or interest rates before their maturity dates. A fund would then lose any price appreciation above the bond's call price and would be forced to reinvest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the fund's income. Call risk is generally high for long-term bonds. Conversely, municipal bonds are also subject to extension risk, which is the chance that during periods of rising interest rates, certain debt securities will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated, and the value of those securities may fall. Extension risk is generally high for long-term bonds.
Municipal bonds may be deemed to be illiquid as determined by or in accordance with methods adopted by a fund's board of trustees. In determining the liquidity and appropriate valuation of a municipal bond, a fund's advisor may consider the following factors relating to the security, among others: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the willingness of dealers to undertake to make a market; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer; and (5) the factors unique to a particular security, including general creditworthiness of the issuer and the likelihood that the marketability of the securities will be maintained throughout the time the security is held by the fund.
Options. An option is a derivative. An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for the payment of a "premium," the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call option) or sell to (in the case of a put option) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price (in the case of a call option) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security (in the case of a put option). The writer of an option on an index has the obligation upon exercise of the option to pay an amount equal to the cash value of the index minus the exercise price, multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. The multiplier for an index option determines the size of the investment position the option represents. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of over- the-counter (OTC) options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. Although this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve credit risk to the counterparty, whereas for exchange-traded, centrally cleared options, credit risk is mutualized through the involvement of the applicable clearing house.
The buyer (or holder) of an option is said to be "long" the option, while the seller (or writer) of an option is said to be "short" the option. A call option grants to the holder the right to buy (and obligates the writer to sell) the underlying security at the strike price, which is the predetermined price at which the option may be exercised. A put option grants to the holder the right to sell (and obligates the writer to buy) the underlying security at the strike price. The purchase price of an option is called the "premium." The potential loss to an option buyer is limited to the amount of the premium plus transaction costs. This will be the case if the option is held and not exercised prior to its expiration date. Generally, an option writer sells options with the goal of obtaining the premium paid by the option buyer, but that person could also seek to profit from an anticipated rise or decline in option prices. If an option sold by an option writer expires without being exercised, the writer retains the full amount of the premium. The option writer, however, has unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received when the option was written, is equal to the amount the option is "in- the-money" at the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying position exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying position. Generally, any profit realized by an option buyer represents a loss for the option writer. The writing of an option will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
If a trading market, in particular options, were to become unavailable, investors in those options (such as the funds) would be unable to close out their positions until trading resumes, and they may be faced with substantial losses if the value of the underlying instrument moves adversely during that time. Even if the market were to remain available, there may be times when options prices will not maintain their customary or anticipated relationships to the prices of the underlying instruments and related instruments. Lack of investor interest, changes in volatility, or other factors or conditions might adversely affect the liquidity, efficiency, continuity, or even the orderliness of the market for particular options.
A fund bears the risk that its advisor will not accurately predict future market trends. If the advisor attempts to use an option as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the option will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment, which could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving options can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many options, in particular OTC options, are complex and often valued based on subjective factors. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
OTC Swap Agreements. An over-the-counter (OTC) swap agreement, which is a type of derivative, is an agreement between two parties (counterparties) to exchange payments at specified dates (periodic payment dates) on the basis of a specified amount (notional amount) with the payments calculated with reference to a specified asset, reference rate, or index.
Examples of OTC swap agreements include, but are not limited to, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, equity swaps, commodity swaps, foreign currency swaps, index swaps, excess return swaps, and total return swaps. Most OTC swap agreements provide that when the periodic payment dates for both parties are the same, payments are netted and only the net amount is paid to the counterparty entitled to receive the net payment. Consequently, a fund's current obligations (or rights) under an OTC swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. OTC swap agreements allow for a wide variety of transactions. For example, fixed rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a different currency; and payments tied to the price of one asset, reference rate, or index may be exchanged for payments tied to the price of another asset, reference rate, or index.
An OTC option on an OTC swap agreement, also called a "swaption," is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based "premium." A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.
The use of OTC swap agreements by a fund entails certain risks, which may be different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities and other investments that are the referenced asset for the swap agreement. OTC swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of an OTC swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions.
OTC swap agreements may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. If an OTC swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many OTC swaps), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. In addition, OTC swap transactions may be subject to a fund's limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
OTC swap agreements may be subject to pricing risk, which exists when a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive or inexpensive relative to historical prices or the prices of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity or to realize the intrinsic value of the OTC swap agreement.
Because certain OTC swap agreements have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Certain OTC swaps have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. A
leveraged OTC swap transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
Like most other investments, OTC swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a fund's interest. A fund bears the risk that its advisor will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing OTC swap positions for the fund. If the advisor attempts to use an OTC swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the OTC swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving OTC swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many OTC swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
The use of an OTC swap agreement also involves the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. Additionally, the use of credit default swaps can result in losses if a fund's advisor does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit swap is based.
Other Investment Companies. A fund may invest in other investment companies, including ETFs, non-exchange traded U.S. registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds), and closed-end investment companies, to the extent permitted by applicable law or SEC exemption. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, a fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of investment companies generally and up to 5% of its assets in any one investment company, as long as no investment represents more than 3% of the voting stock of an acquired investment company. In addition, no funds for which Vanguard acts as an advisor may, in the aggregate, own more than 10% of the voting stock of a closed-end investment company. SEC Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act permits registered investment companies to invest in other registered investment companies beyond the limits in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain conditions, including that funds with different investment advisors must enter into a fund of funds investment agreement. Rule 12d1-4 is also designed to limit the use of complex fund structures. Under Rule 12d1-4, an acquired fund is prohibited from purchasing or otherwise acquiring the securities of another investment company or private fund if, immediately after the purchase, the securities of investment companies and private funds owned by the acquired fund have an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the acquired fund's total assets, subject to certain limited exceptions. Accordingly, to the extent a fund's shares are sold to other investment companies in reliance on Rule 12d1-4, the acquired fund will be limited in the amount it could invest in other investment companies and private funds. If a fund invests in other investment companies, shareholders will bear not only their proportionate share of the fund's expenses (including operating expenses and the fees of the advisor), but they also may indirectly bear similar expenses of the underlying investment companies. Certain investment companies, such as business development companies (BDCs), are more akin to operating companies and, as such, their expenses are not direct expenses paid by fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the fund's net asset value. SEC rules nevertheless require that any expenses incurred by a BDC be included in a fund's expense ratio as "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses." The expense ratio of a fund that holds a BDC will thus overstate what the fund actually spends on portfolio management, administrative services, and other shareholder services by an amount equal to these Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are not included in a fund's financial statements, which provide a clearer picture of a fund's actual operating expenses. Shareholders would also be exposed to the risks associated not only with the investments of the fund but also with the portfolio investments of the underlying investment companies. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that typically trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or discount to their net asset value. Others are continuously offered at net asset value but also may be traded on the secondary market.
A fund may be limited to purchasing a particular share class of other investment companies (underlying funds). In certain cases, an investor may be able to purchase lower-cost shares of such underlying funds separately, and therefore be able to construct, and maintain over time, a similar portfolio of investments while incurring lower overall expenses.
Reliance on Service Providers, Data Providers, and Other Technology. Vanguard funds rely upon the performance of service providers to execute several key functions, which may include functions integral to a fund's operations. Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to a fund could disrupt the business of the fund and could have an adverse effect on the fund's performance. A fund's service providers' reliance on certain technology or information vendors (e.g., trading systems, investment analysis tools, benchmark analytics, and tax and accounting tools) could also adversely affect a fund and its shareholders. For example, a fund's investment advisor may use models and/or data with respect to potential investments for the fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance upon such models or data expose a fund to potential risks.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities/Investments (including Private Placements). Illiquid securities/investments are investments that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The SEC generally limits aggregate holdings of illiquid securities/investments by a mutual fund to 15% of its net assets (5% for money market funds). A fund may experience difficulty valuing and selling illiquid securities/investments and, in some cases, may be unable to value or sell certain illiquid securities for an indefinite period of time. Illiquid securities may include a wide variety of investments, such as (1) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days (unless the agreements have demand/redemption features), (2) OTC options contracts and certain other derivatives (including certain swap agreements), (3) fixed time deposits that are not subject to prepayment or do not provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits), (4) certain loan interests and other direct debt instruments, (5) certain municipal lease obligations, (6) private equity investments, (7) commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, and (8) securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws. Illiquid securities/investments may include restricted, privately placed securities (such as private investments in public equity (PIPEs) or special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs)) that, under the federal securities laws, generally may be resold only to qualified institutional buyers. If a market develops for a restricted security held by a fund, it may be treated as a liquid security in accordance with guidelines approved by the board of trustees.
Tax Matters—Federal Tax Discussion. Discussion herein of U.S. federal income tax matters summarizes some of the important, generally applicable U.S. federal tax considerations relevant to investment in a fund based on the IRC, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authorities. These authorities are subject to change by legislative, administrative, or judicial action, possibly with retroactive effect. Each Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters discussed in this Statement of Additional Information. In some cases, a fund's tax position may be uncertain under current tax law and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such a position could adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including the fund's ability to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company or to continue to pursue its current investment strategy. A shareholder should consult his or her tax professional for information regarding the particular situation and the possible application of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign, and other taxes.
Tax Matters—Federal Tax Treatment of Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions. A fund's transactions in derivative instruments (including, but not limited to, options, futures, forward contracts, and swap agreements), as well as any of the fund's hedging, short sale, securities loan, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules that accelerate income to the fund, defer losses to the fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax.
Tax Matters—Federal Tax Treatment of Exempt-Interest Dividends. If, at the end of each quarter of a fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the fund's total asset value consists of securities generating interest that is exempt from federal tax under IRC section 103(a), the fund may pay dividends that pass through to shareholders the tax-exempt character of exempt interest earned by the fund. These dividends generally are not taxable to fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but they may result in liability for the federal alternative minimum tax.
Tax Matters—Federal Tax Treatment of Futures Contracts. For federal income tax purposes, a fund generally must recognize, as of the end of each taxable year, any net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts, as well as any gains and losses actually realized during the year. In these cases, any gain or loss recognized with respect to a futures contract is considered to be 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, without regard to the holding period of the contract. Gains and losses on certain other futures contracts (primarily non-U.S. futures contracts) are not recognized until the contracts are closed and are treated as long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period of the contract. Sales of futures contracts that are intended to hedge against a change in the value of securities held by a fund may affect the holding period of such securities and, consequently, the nature of the gain or loss on such securities upon disposition. A fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on one position, such as futures contracts, to the extent of any unrecognized gains on a related offsetting position held by the fund.
A fund will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains that have been recognized for federal income tax purposes on futures transactions. Such distributions will be combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the fund's other investments, and shareholders will be advised on the nature of the distributions.
Tax Matters—Market Discount or Premium. The price of a bond purchased after its original issuance may reflect market discount or premium. Depending on the particular circumstances, market discount may affect the tax character and amount of income required to be recognized by a fund holding the bond. In determining whether a bond is purchased with market discount, certain de minimis rules apply. Premium is generally amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. Depending on the type of bond, premium may affect the amount of income required to be recognized by a fund holding the bond and the fund's basis in the bond.
Tax Matters—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. If a fund invests directly or indirectly, including through a REIT or other pass-through entity, in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs), a portion of the fund's income that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (such portion referred to in the IRC as an "excess inclusion") will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events—including potentially at the fund level—under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and U.S. Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (1) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions); (2) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan, or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income; and (3) in the case of a non-U.S. investor, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the IRC. As a result, a fund investing in such interests may not be suitable for charitable remainder trusts. See "Tax Matters—Tax-Exempt Investors."
Tax Matters—Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Investors. U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investments made by non-U.S. investors in Vanguard funds.
Tax Matters—Tax-Exempt Investors. Income of a fund that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the fund. Notwithstanding this "blocking" effect, a tax- exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of IRC Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a fund recognizes "excess inclusion income" derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. See "Tax Matters—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits."
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts that invest in a fund that invests directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Charitable remainder trusts and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a fund.
Tender Option Bond Programs. Tender option bond programs are a type of municipal bond structured product, which is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. These programs provide for tax-exempt income at a variable rate. In such programs, underlying securities in the form of high-quality longer-term municipal bonds or preferred shares issued by a tax-exempt bond fund are held inside a trust and varying economic interests in the underlying securities are created and sold to investors. One class of investors earns interest at a rate based on current short-term tax-exempt interest rates
and may tender its holdings at par to the program sponsor at agreed-upon intervals. This class is an eligible security for municipal money market fund investments. A second class of investors has a residual income interest (earning any net income produced by the underlying securities that exceeds the variable income paid to the other class of investors) and bears the risk that the underlying bonds or preferred shares of the tax-exempt bond fund will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. These holdings will generally underperform the fixed-rate municipal securities market in a rising interest rate environment. The Funds do not invest in this second class of investors. Under the terms of such programs, both investor classes bear the risk of loss that would result from a payment default on the underlying bonds or preferred shares as well as from other potential, yet remote, credit or structural events. If a tender option bond program would fail to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or if the IRS were to disagree with the tax allocation mechanisms or treatment of the credit enhancement used in a program, a Fund invested in that program could realize more taxable ordinary income than it otherwise would have.
Time Deposits. Time deposits are subject to the same risks that pertain to domestic issuers of money market instruments, most notably credit risk (and, to a lesser extent, income risk, market risk, and liquidity risk). Additionally, time deposits of foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign branches of foreign banks may be subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of U.S. dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments, the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions, the imposition of foreign withholding taxes, and expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers. However, time deposits of such issuers will undergo the same type of credit analysis as domestic issuers in which a Vanguard fund invests and will have at least the same financial strength as the domestic issuers approved for the fund.
Variable-Rate Demand-Preferred Securities. The Fund may purchase certain variable-rate demand-preferred securities (VRDPs) issued by closed-end municipal bond funds, which, in turn, invest primarily in portfolios of tax-exempt municipal bonds. The Fund may invest in securities issued by single-state or national closed-end municipal bond funds. VRDPs are issued by closed-end funds to leverage returns for common shareholders. Under the 1940 Act, a closed-end fund that issues preferred shares must maintain an asset coverage ratio of at least 200% at all times in order to issue preferred shares. It is anticipated that the interest on the VRDPs will be exempt from federal income tax and, with respect to any such securities issued by single-state municipal bond funds, exempt from the applicable state's income tax. The VRDPs will pay a variable dividend rate, determined weekly, typically through a remarketing process, and include a demand feature that provides a fund with a contractual right to tender the securities to a liquidity provider. The Fund could lose money if the liquidity provider fails to honor its obligation, becomes insolvent, or files for bankruptcy. The Fund has no right to put the securities back to the closed-end municipal bond funds or demand payment or redemption directly from the closed-end municipal bond funds. Further, the VRDPs are not freely transferable, and therefore the Fund may only transfer the securities to another investor in compliance with certain exemptions under the 1933 Act, including Rule 144A.
A fund's purchase of VRDPs issued by closed-end municipal bond funds is subject to the restrictions set forth under the heading "Other Investment Companies."
When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery, and Forward-Commitment Transactions. When-issued, delayed-delivery, and forward-commitment transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date. However, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss. A fund may renegotiate a when- issued or forward-commitment transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund. When-issued, delayed-delivery, and forward-commitment transactions will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a "senior security," as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the fund, if the fund complies with Rule 18f-4.
SHARE PRICE
A Fund's share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time, on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a business day). In the rare event the NYSE experiences unanticipated disruptions and is unavailable at the close of the trading day, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and calculate NAVs as of the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq (or another alternate exchange if the Nasdaq is unavailable, as determined at Vanguard's discretion), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. The NAV per share is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Fund does not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of the Fund's assets may be affected to the extent that the Fund holds securities that change in value on those days (such as foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open).
The NYSE typically observes the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday); Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth National Independence Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day. Although each Fund expects the same holidays to be observed in the future, the NYSE may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Vanguard
The Fund is part of the Vanguard group of investment companies, which consists of over 200 funds. Each fund is a series of a Delaware statutory trust. The funds obtain virtually all of their corporate management, administrative, and distribution services through the trusts' jointly owned subsidiary, Vanguard. Vanguard may contract with certain third- party service providers to assist Vanguard in providing certain administrative and/or accounting services with respect to the funds, subject to Vanguard's oversight. Vanguard also provides investment advisory services to certain Vanguard funds. All of these services are provided at Vanguard's total cost of operations pursuant to the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement (the Agreement).
Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and administrative personnel needed to provide the requisite services to the funds and also furnishes the funds with necessary office space, furnishings, and equipment. Each fund (other than a fund of funds) pays its share of Vanguard's total expenses, which are allocated among the funds under methods approved by the board of trustees of each fund. In addition, each fund bears its own direct expenses, such as legal, auditing, and custodial fees.
The funds' officers are also employees of Vanguard.
Vanguard, Vanguard Marketing Corporation (VMC), the funds, and the funds' advisors have adopted codes of ethics designed to prevent employees who may have access to nonpublic information about the trading activities of the funds (access persons) from profiting from that information. The codes of ethics permit access persons to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be held by a fund, but place substantive and procedural restrictions on the trading activities of access persons. For example, the codes of ethics require that access persons receive advance approval for most securities trades to ensure that there is no conflict with the trading activities of the funds.
Vanguard was established and operates under the Agreement. The Agreement provides that each Vanguard fund may be called upon to invest up to 0.40% of its net assets in Vanguard. The amounts that each fund has invested are adjusted from time to time in order to maintain the proportionate relationship between each fund's relative net assets and its contribution to Vanguard's capital.
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has not commenced operations and therefore had not contributed capital to Vanguard.
Management. Corporate management and administrative services include (1) executive staff, (2) accounting and financial, (3) legal and regulatory, (4) shareholder account maintenance, (5) monitoring and control of custodian relationships, (6) shareholder reporting, and (7) review and evaluation of advisory and other services provided to the funds by third parties.
Distribution. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the principal underwriter for the funds and in that capacity performs and finances marketing, promotional, and distribution activities (collectively, marketing and distribution activities) that are primarily intended to result in the sale of the funds' shares. VMC offers shares of each fund for sale on a continuous basis and will use all reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of shares of the funds. VMC performs marketing and distribution activities in accordance with the conditions of a 1981 SEC exemptive order that permits the Vanguard funds to internalize and jointly finance the marketing, promotion, and distribution of their shares. The funds' trustees review and approve the marketing and distribution expenses incurred by the funds, including the nature and cost of the activities and the desirability of each fund's continued participation in the joint arrangement.
To ensure that each fund's participation in the joint arrangement falls within a reasonable range of fairness, each fund contributes to VMC's marketing and distribution expenses in accordance with an SEC-approved formula. Under that formula, one half of the marketing and distribution expenses are allocated among the funds based upon their relative net assets. The remaining half of those expenses is allocated among the funds based upon each fund's sales for the preceding 24 months relative to the total sales of the funds as a group, provided, however, that no fund's aggregate quarterly rate of contribution for marketing and distribution expenses shall exceed 125% of the average marketing and distribution expense rate for Vanguard and that no fund shall incur annual marketing and distribution expenses in excess of 0.20% of its average month-end net assets. Each fund's contribution to these marketing and distribution expenses helps to maintain and enhance the attractiveness and viability of the Vanguard complex as a whole, which benefits all of the funds and their shareholders.
VMC's principal marketing and distribution expenses are for advertising, promotional materials, and marketing personnel. Other marketing and distribution activities of an administrative nature that VMC undertakes on behalf of the funds may include, but are not limited to:
⬛Conducting or publishing Vanguard-generated research and analysis concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing views, opinions, advice, or commentary concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing analytical, statistical, performance, or other information concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing administrative services in connection with investments in the funds or other investments, including, but not limited to, shareholder services, recordkeeping services, and educational services.
⬛Providing products or services that assist investors or financial service providers (as defined below) in the investment decision-making process.
VMC performs most marketing and distribution activities itself. Some activities may be conducted by third parties pursuant to shared marketing arrangements under which VMC agrees to share the costs and performance of marketing and distribution activities in concert with a financial service provider. Financial service providers include, but are not limited to, investment advisors, broker-dealers, financial planners, financial consultants, banks, and insurance companies. Under these cost- and performance-sharing arrangements, VMC may pay or reimburse a financial service provider (or a third party it retains) for marketing and distribution activities that VMC would otherwise perform. VMC's cost- and performance- sharing arrangements may be established in connection with Vanguard investment products or services offered or provided to or through the financial service providers.
VMC's arrangements for shared marketing and distribution activities may vary among financial service providers, and its payments or reimbursements to financial service providers in connection with shared marketing and distribution activities may be significant. VMC, as a matter of policy, does not pay asset-based fees, sales-based fees, or account-based fees to financial service providers in connection with its marketing and distribution activities for the Vanguard funds. VMC does make fixed dollar payments to financial service providers when sponsoring, jointly sponsoring, financially supporting, or participating in conferences, programs, seminars, presentations, meetings, or other events involving fund shareholders, financial service providers, or others concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy, such as industry conferences, prospecting trips, due diligence visits, training or education meetings, and sales presentations. VMC also makes fixed dollar payments to financial service providers for data regarding funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of fund shares. In addition, VMC makes fixed dollar payments for expenses associated with financial service providers' use of Vanguard's funds including, but not limited to, the use of funds in
model portfolios. These payments may be used for services including, but not limited to, technology support and development; platform support and development; due diligence related to products used on a platform; legal, regulatory and compliance expenses related to a platform; and other platform-related services.
In connection with its marketing and distribution activities, VMC may give financial service providers (or their representatives) (1) promotional items of nominal value that display Vanguard's logo, such as golf balls, shirts, towels, pens, and mouse pads; (2) gifts that do not exceed $100 per person annually and are not preconditioned on achievement of a sales target; (3) an occasional meal, a ticket to a sporting event or the theater, or comparable entertainment that is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety and is not preconditioned on achievement of a sales target; and (4) reasonable travel and lodging accommodations to facilitate participation in marketing and distribution activities.
VMC policy prohibits marketing and distribution activities that are intended, designed, or likely to compromise suitability determinations by, or the fulfillment of any fiduciary duties or other obligations that apply to, financial service providers. Nonetheless, VMC's marketing and distribution activities are primarily intended to result in the sale of the funds' shares, and as such, its activities, including shared marketing and distribution activities and fixed dollar payments as described above, may influence applicable financial service providers (or their representatives) to recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class. In addition, Vanguard or any of its subsidiaries may retain a financial service provider to provide consulting or other services, and that financial service provider also may provide services to investors. Investors should consider the possibility that any of these activities, relationships, or payments may influence a financial service provider's (or its representatives') decision to recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class. Each financial service provider should consider its suitability determinations, fiduciary duties, and other legal obligations (or those of its representatives) in connection with any decision to consider, recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class.
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations and therefore had not incurred any annual shared fund operating expenses.
Officers and Trustees
Each Vanguard fund is governed by the board of trustees of its trust and a single set of officers. Consistent with the board's corporate governance principles, the trustees believe that their primary responsibility is oversight of the management of each fund for the benefit of its shareholders, not day-to-day management. The trustees set broad policies for the funds; select investment advisors; monitor fund operations, regulatory compliance, performance, and costs; nominate and select new trustees; and elect fund officers. Vanguard manages the day-to-day operations of the funds under the direction of the board of trustees.
The trustees play an active role, as a full board and at the committee level, in overseeing risk management for the funds. The trustees delegate the day-to-day risk management of the funds to various groups, including portfolio review, investment management, risk management, compliance, legal, fund accounting, and fund financial services. These groups provide the trustees with regular reports regarding investment, valuation, liquidity, and compliance, as well as the risks associated with each. The trustees also oversee risk management for the funds through regular interactions with the funds' internal and external auditors.
The full board participates in the funds' risk oversight, in part, through the Vanguard funds' compliance program, which covers the following broad areas of compliance: investment and other operations; recordkeeping; valuation and pricing; communications and disclosure; reporting and accounting; oversight of service providers; fund governance; and codes of ethics, insider trading controls, and protection of nonpublic information. The program seeks to identify and assess risk through various methods, including through regular interdisciplinary communications between compliance professionals and business personnel who participate on a daily basis in risk management on behalf of the funds. The funds' chief compliance officer regularly provides reports to the board in writing and in person.
The audit committee of the board, which is composed of F. Joseph Loughrey, Mark Loughridge, Sarah Bloom Raskin, and Peter F. Volanakis, each of whom is an independent trustee, oversees management of financial risks and controls. The audit committee serves as the channel of communication between the independent auditors of the funds and the board with respect to financial statements and financial reporting processes, systems of internal control, and the audit process. Vanguard's head of internal audit reports directly to the audit committee and provides reports to the committee in writing and in person on a regular basis. Although the audit committee is responsible for overseeing the management of financial risks, the entire board is regularly informed of these risks through committee reports.
All of the trustees bring to each fund's board a wealth of executive leadership experience derived from their service as executives (in many cases chief executive officers), board members, and leaders of diverse public operating companies, academic institutions, and other organizations. In determining whether an individual is qualified to serve as a trustee of the funds, the board considers a wide variety of information about the trustee, and multiple factors contribute to the board's decision. Each trustee is determined to have the experience, skills, and attributes necessary to serve the funds and their shareholders because each trustee demonstrates an exceptional ability to consider complex business and financial matters, evaluate the relative importance and priority of issues, make decisions, and contribute effectively to the deliberations of the board. The board also considers the individual experience of each trustee and determines that the trustee's professional experience, education, and background contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the board. The business acumen, experience, and objective thinking of the trustees are considered invaluable assets for Vanguard management and, ultimately, the Vanguard funds' shareholders. The specific roles and experience of each board member that factor into this determination are presented on the following pages. The mailing address of the trustees and officers is P.O. Box 876, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
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Vanguard |
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
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Position(s) |
Vanguard |
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Funds' |
During the Past Five Years, |
Funds |
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Held With |
Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
Name, Year of Birth |
Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
Interested Trustee1 |
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Mortimer J. Buckley |
Chairman of the |
January 2018 |
Chairman of the board (2019–present) of Vanguard and |
xx |
(1969) |
Board, Chief |
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of each of the investment companies served by |
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Executive |
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Vanguard; chief executive officer (2018–present) of |
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Officer, and |
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Vanguard; chief executive officer, president, and |
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President |
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trustee (2018–present) of each of the investment |
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companies served by Vanguard; president and director |
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(2017–present) of Vanguard; and president |
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(2018–present) of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. |
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Chief investment officer (2013–2017), managing |
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director (2002–2017), head of the Retail Investor Group |
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(2006–2012), and chief information officer (2001–2006) |
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of Vanguard. Trustee and vice chair of The Shipley |
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School. Member of the board of governors of the |
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Investment Company Institute and of FINRA. |
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1 Mr. Buckley is considered an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act because he is an officer of the Trust.
Independent |
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Tara Bunch |
Trustee |
November 2021 |
Head of Global Operations at Airbnb (2020–present). |
xx |
(1962) |
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Vice President of AppleCare (2012–2020). Member of |
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the board of Out & Equal (2002–2006), the University of |
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California, Berkeley School of Engineering (2020– |
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present), and Santa Clara University's School of |
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Business (2018–present). |
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Emerson U. Fullwood |
Trustee |
January 2008 |
Executive chief staff and marketing officer for North |
xx |
(1948) |
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America and corporate vice president (retired 2008) of |
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Xerox Corporation (document management products |
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and services). Former president of the Worldwide |
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Channels Group, Latin America, and Worldwide |
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Customer Service and executive chief staff officer of |
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Developing Markets of Xerox. Executive in residence |
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and 2009–2010 Distinguished Minett Professor at the |
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Rochester Institute of Technology. Member of the |
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board of directors of the University of Rochester |
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Medical Center, the Monroe Community College |
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Foundation, the United Way of Rochester, North |
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Carolina A&T University, Roberts Wesleyan College, |
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and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Trustee of |
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the University of Rochester. |
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F. Joseph Loughrey |
Trustee |
October 2009 |
President and chief operating officer (retired 2009) and |
xx |
(1949) |
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vice chairman of the board (2008–2009) of Cummins |
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Inc. (industrial machinery). Chairman of the board of |
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Hillenbrand, Inc. (specialized consumer services). |
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Director of the V Foundation. Member of the advisory |
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council for the College of Arts and Letters at the |
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University of Notre Dame. Chairman of the board of |
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Saint Anselm College. |
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Mark Loughridge |
Lead |
March 2012 |
Senior vice president and chief financial officer (retired |
xx |
(1953) |
Independent |
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2013) of IBM (information technology services). |
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Trustee |
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Fiduciary member of IBM's Retirement Plan |
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Committee (2004–2013), senior vice president and |
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general manager (2002–2004) of IBM Global |
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Financing, vice president and controller (1998–2002) of |
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IBM, and a variety of other prior management roles at |
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IBM. Member of the Council on Chicago Booth. |
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Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
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Position(s) |
Vanguard |
Vanguard |
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During the Past Five Years, |
Funds |
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Held With |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
Name, Year of Birth |
Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
Scott C. Malpass |
Trustee |
March 2012 |
Adjunct professor of finance at the University of Notre |
xx |
(1962) |
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Dame (2020–present). Chief investment officer and |
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vice president of the University of Notre Dame (retired |
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2020). Assistant professor of finance at the Mendoza |
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College of Business, University of Notre Dame (retired |
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2020), and member of the Notre Dame 403(b) |
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Investment Committee. Member of the board of |
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Catholic Investment Services, Inc. (investment |
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advisors), the board of superintendence of the Institute |
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for the Works of Religion, and the board of directors of |
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Paxos Trust Company (finance). |
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Deanna Mulligan |
Trustee |
January 2018 |
Chief executive officer of Purposeful (2021–present). |
xx |
(1963) |
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Board chair (2020), chief executive officer (2011– |
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2020), and president (2010–2019) of The Guardian Life |
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Insurance Company of America. Chief operating officer |
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(2010–2011) and executive vice president (2008–2010) |
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of Individual Life and Disability of The Guardian Life |
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Insurance Company of America. Member of the board |
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of the Economic Club of New York. Trustee of the |
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Partnership for New York City (business leadership), |
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the Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, and the |
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New York-Presbyterian Hospital. |
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André F. Perold (1952)
Sarah Bloom Raskin (1961)
Trustee |
December 2004 |
Trustee |
January 2018 |
George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking, Emeritus at the Harvard Business School (retired 2011). Chief investment officer and co-managing partner of HighVista Strategies LLC (private investment firm). Board member (2018–present) of RIT Capital Partners (investment firm); investment committee member of Partners Health Care System.
Deputy secretary (2014–2017) of the United States Department of the Treasury. Governor (2010–2014) of the Federal Reserve Board. Commissioner (2007–2010) of financial regulation for the State of Maryland. Colin W. Brown Distinguished Professor of the Practice (2021–present), Professor (2020–present), Distinguished Fellow of the Global Financial Markets Center (2020–present), and Rubenstein Fellow (2017– 2020) of Duke University; trustee
(2017–present) of Amherst College; member of the Amherst College Investment Committee (2019–present); and member of the Regenerative Crisis Response Committee (2020–present).
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David Thomas (1956)
Peter F. Volanakis (1955)
Trustee |
July 2021 |
President of Morehouse College (2018–present). |
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Professor of Business Administration Emeritus at |
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Harvard University (2017–2018) and Dean (2011– |
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2016) and Professor of Management at Georgetown |
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University, McDonough School of Business |
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(2016–2017). Director of DTE Energy Company (2013– |
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present). Trustee of Common Fund |
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(2019–present). |
Trustee |
July 2009 |
President and chief operating officer (retired 2010) of |
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Corning Incorporated (communications equipment) and |
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director of Corning Incorporated (2000–2010) and Dow |
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Corning (2001–2010). Director (2012) of SPX |
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Corporation (multi-industry manufacturing). Overseer of |
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the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, |
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Dartmouth College (2001–2013). Member of the BMW |
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Group Mobility Council. |
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Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
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Position(s) |
Vanguard |
Vanguard |
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During the Past Five Years, |
Funds |
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Held With |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
Name, Year of Birth |
Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
Executive Officers |
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Jacqueline Angell |
Chief |
November 2022 |
Principal of Vanguard. Chief compliance officer |
xx |
(1974) |
Compliance |
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(November 2022–present) of Vanguard and of each of |
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Officer |
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the investment companies served by Vanguard. Chief |
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compliance officer (2018–2022) and deputy chief |
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compliance officer (2017–2019) of State Street. |
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Christine M. Buchanan |
Chief Financial |
November 2017 |
Principal of Vanguard. Chief financial officer |
xx |
(1970) |
Officer |
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(2021–present) and treasurer (2017–2021) of each of |
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the investment companies served by Vanguard. |
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Partner (2005–2017) at KPMG (audit, tax, and advisory |
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services). |
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David Cermak |
Finance Director |
October 2019 |
Principal of Vanguard. Finance director (2019–present) |
xx |
(1960) |
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of each of the investment companies served by |
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Vanguard. Managing director and head (2017–present) |
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of Vanguard Investments Singapore. Managing director |
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and head (2017–2019) of Vanguard Investments Hong |
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Kong. Representative director and head (2014–2017) |
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of Vanguard Investments Japan. |
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John Galloway (1973)
Ashley Grim (1984)
Peter Mahoney (1974)
Anne E. Robinson (1970)
Michael Rollings (1963)
Investment |
September 2020 |
Principal of Vanguard. Investment stewardship officer |
xx |
Stewardship |
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(2020–present) of each of the investment companies |
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Officer |
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served by Vanguard. Head of Investor Advocacy |
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(2020–present) and head of Marketing Strategy and |
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Planning (2017–2020) at Vanguard. Special Assistant |
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to the President of the United States (2015). |
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Treasurer |
February 2022 |
Treasurer (February 2022–present) of each of the |
xx |
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investment companies served by Vanguard. Fund |
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transfer agent controller (2019–2022) and director of |
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Audit Services (2017–2019) at Vanguard. Senior |
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manager (2006–2017) at PriceWaterhouseCoopers |
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(audit and assurance, consulting, and tax services). |
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Controller |
May 2015 |
Principal of Vanguard. Controller (2015–present) of |
xx |
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each of the investment companies served by Vanguard. |
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Head of International Fund Services (2008– 2014) at |
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Vanguard. |
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Secretary |
September 2016 |
General counsel (2016–present) of Vanguard. |
xx |
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Secretary (2016–present) of Vanguard and of each of |
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the investment companies served by Vanguard. |
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Managing director (2016–present) of Vanguard. |
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Managing director and general counsel of Global Cards |
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and Consumer Services (2014–2016) at Citigroup. |
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Counsel (2003–2014) at American Express. |
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Non-executive director of the board of National Grid |
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(energy). |
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Finance Director |
February 2017 |
Finance director (2017–present) and treasurer (2017) |
xx |
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of each of the investment companies served by |
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Vanguard. Managing director (2016–present) of |
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Vanguard. Chief financial officer (2016–present) of |
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Vanguard. Director (2016–present) of Vanguard |
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Marketing Corporation. Executive vice president and |
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chief financial officer (2006–2016) of MassMutual |
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Financial Group. |
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All but one of the trustees are independent. The independent trustees designate a lead independent trustee. The lead independent trustee is a spokesperson and principal point of contact for the independent trustees and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the independent trustees, including calling regular executive sessions of the independent trustees; developing the agenda of each meeting together with the chairman; and chairing the meetings of the independent trustees. The lead independent trustee also chairs the meetings of the audit, compensation, and nominating committees. The board also has two investment committees, which consist of independent trustees and the sole interested trustee.
The independent trustees appoint the chairman of the board. The roles of chairman of the board and chief executive officer currently are held by the same person; as a result, the chairman of the board is an "interested" trustee. The independent trustees generally believe that the Vanguard funds' chief executive officer is best qualified to serve as chairman and that fund shareholders benefit from this leadership structure through accountability and strong day-to-day leadership.
Board Committees: The Trust's board has the following committees:
⬛Audit Committee: This committee oversees the accounting and financial reporting policies, the systems of internal controls, and the independent audits of each fund. The following independent trustees serve as members of the committee: Mr. Loughrey, Mr. Loughridge, Ms. Raskin, and Mr. Volanakis.
⬛Compensation Committee: This committee oversees the compensation programs established by each fund for the benefit of its trustees. All independent trustees serve as members of the committee.
⬛Investment Committees: These committees assist the board in its oversight of investment advisors to the funds and in the review and evaluation of materials relating to the board's consideration of investment advisory agreements with the funds. Each trustee serves on one of two investment committees.
⬛Nominating Committee: This committee nominates candidates for election to the board of trustees of each fund. The committee also has the authority to recommend the removal of any trustee. All independent trustees serve as members
of the committee.
The Nominating Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for trustee nominees. Shareholders may send recommendations to Mr. Loughridge, chairman of the committee.
Trustee Compensation
The same individuals serve as trustees of all Vanguard funds and each fund pays a proportionate share of the trustees' compensation. Vanguard funds also employ their officers on a shared basis; however, officers are compensated by Vanguard, not the funds.
Independent Trustees. The funds compensate their independent trustees (i.e., the ones who are not also officers of the funds) in two ways:
⬛The independent trustees receive an annual fee for their service to the funds, which is subject to reduction based on absences from scheduled board meetings.
⬛The independent trustees are reimbursed for the travel and other expenses that they incur in attending board meetings.
"Interested" Trustee. Mr. Buckley serves as a trustee, but is not paid in this capacity. He is, however, paid in his role as an officer of Vanguard.
Compensation Table. The following table provides compensation details for each of the trustees. We list the amounts paid as compensation and accrued as retirement benefits by the Funds for each trustee. In addition, the table shows the total amount of benefits that we expect each trustee to receive from all Vanguard funds upon retirement and the total amount of compensation paid to each trustee by all Vanguard funds.
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
TRUSTEES' COMPENSATION TABLE
|
Aggregate |
Pension or Retirement |
Accrued Annual |
Total Compensation |
|
Compensation |
Benefits Accrued as Part |
From All Vanguard |
|
|
From |
of |
Retirement Benefit at |
Funds Paid to |
Trustee |
the Fund1 |
the Fund's Expenses1 |
January 1, 2022 |
Trustees2 |
Mortimer J. Buckley |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Tara Bunch3 |
— |
— |
— |
$ 94,286 |
Emerson U. Fullwood |
— |
— |
— |
330,000 |
Amy Gutmann4 |
— |
— |
— |
330,000 |
F. Joseph Loughrey |
— |
— |
— |
350,000 |
Mark Loughridge |
— |
— |
— |
400,000 |
Scott C. Malpass |
— |
— |
— |
330,000 |
Deanna Mulligan |
— |
— |
— |
330,000 |
André F. Perold |
— |
— |
— |
330,000 |
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
— |
— |
— |
350,000 |
David A. Thomas5 |
— |
— |
— |
188,571 |
Peter F. Volanakis |
— |
— |
— |
350,000 |
1As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations.
2The amounts reported in this column reflect the total compensation paid to each trustee for his or her service as trustee of 217 Vanguard funds for the 2021 calendar year.
3Ms. Bunch became a member of the Funds' board effective November 18, 2021.
4Ms. Gutmann retired from the Funds' board effective February 2022.
5Mr. Thomas became a member of the Funds' board effective July 22, 2021.
Ownership of Fund Shares
All current trustees allocate their investments among the various Vanguard funds based on their own investment needs. The following table shows each trustee's ownership of shares of the Fund and of all Vanguard funds served by the trustee as of December 31, 2021. As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations.
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
|
|
Dollar Range of |
Aggregate Dollar Range |
|
|
of Vanguard Fund |
|
|
|
Fund Shares |
Shares |
Vanguard Fund |
Trustee |
Owned by Trustee |
Owned by Trustee |
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF |
Mortimer J. Buckley |
— |
— |
|
Tara Bunch |
— |
— |
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
— |
— |
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
— |
— |
|
Mark Loughridge |
— |
— |
|
Scott C. Malpass |
— |
— |
|
Deanna Mulligan |
— |
— |
|
André F. Perold |
— |
— |
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
— |
— |
|
David Thomas |
— |
— |
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
— |
— |
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures
Introduction
Vanguard and the boards of trustees of the Vanguard funds (the Boards) have adopted Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures (Policies and Procedures) to govern the disclosure of the portfolio holdings of each Vanguard fund. Vanguard and the Boards considered each of the circumstances under which Vanguard fund portfolio holdings may be disclosed to different categories of persons under the Policies and Procedures. Vanguard and the Boards also considered actual and potential material conflicts that could arise in such circumstances between the interests of Vanguard fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the fund's investment advisor, distributor, or any affiliated person of the fund, its investment advisor, or its distributor, on the other. After giving due consideration to such matters and after the exercise of their fiduciary duties and reasonable business judgment, Vanguard and the Boards determined that the Vanguard funds have a legitimate business purpose for disclosing portfolio holdings to the persons described in each of the circumstances set forth in the Policies and Procedures and that the Policies and Procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that disclosure of portfolio holdings and information about portfolio holdings is in the best interests of fund shareholders and appropriately addresses the potential for material conflicts of interest.
The Boards exercise continuing oversight of the disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Policies and Procedures, the Code of Ethics, and the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information (collectively, the portfolio holdings governing policies) by the chief compliance officer of Vanguard and the Vanguard funds; (2) considering reports and recommendations by the chief compliance officer concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940) that may arise in connection with any portfolio holdings governing policies; and (3) considering whether to approve or ratify any amendment to any portfolio holdings governing policies.
Vanguard and the Boards reserve the right to amend the Policies and Procedures at any time and from time to time without prior notice at their sole discretion. For purposes of the Policies and Procedures, the term "portfolio holdings" means the equity and debt securities (e.g., stocks and bonds) held by a Vanguard fund and does not mean the cash investments, derivatives, and other investment positions (collectively, other investment positions) held by the fund.
Online Disclosure of Ten Largest Stock Holdings
Each actively managed Vanguard fund generally will seek to disclose the fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the fund's total assets that each of these holdings represents as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter (quarter-end ten largest stock holdings with weightings) online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard index fund generally will seek to disclose the fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the fund's total assets that each of these holdings represents as of the end of the most recent month (month-end ten largest stock holdings with weightings) online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the month. In addition, Vanguard funds generally will seek to disclose the fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the aggregate percentage of the fund's total assets (and, for balanced funds, the aggregate percentage of the fund's equity securities) that these holdings represent as of the end of the most recent month (month- end ten largest stock holdings) online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's Portfolio & Management page, 10 business days after the end of the month. Together, the quarter-end and month-end ten largest stock holdings are referred to as the ten largest stock holdings. Online disclosure of the ten largest stock holdings is made to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, affiliated persons of a Vanguard fund, and all other persons.
Online Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings
Each actively managed Vanguard fund, unless otherwise stated, generally will seek to disclose the fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard fund relying on Rule 6c-11 under the 1040 Act generally will seek to disclose complete portfolio holdings, including other investment positions, at the beginning of each business day. These portfolio holdings, including other investment positions, will be disclosed online at vanguard.com. In accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, each of the Vanguard money market funds will disclose the fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the prior month online at vanguard.com no later than the fifth business day of the current month. The complete portfolio holdings information for money market funds will remain available online for at least six months after the initial posting. Vanguard Market Neutral Fund and Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund generally will seek to disclose the Fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard fund relying on exemptive relief from the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the operation of actively-managed ETFs, other than those Vanguard index funds relying on Rule 6c-11, generally will seek to disclose the fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent month online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the month. Online disclosure of complete portfolio holdings is made to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, affiliated persons of a Vanguard fund, and all other persons. Vanguard will review complete portfolio holdings before disclosure is made and, except with respect to the complete portfolio holdings of the Vanguard money market funds, may withhold any portion of the fund's complete portfolio holdings from disclosure when deemed to be in the best interests of the fund after consultation with a Vanguard fund's investment advisor.
Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings to Service Providers Subject to Confidentiality and Trading Restrictions
Vanguard, for legitimate business purposes, may disclose Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings at times it deems necessary and appropriate to rating and ranking organizations; financial printers; proxy voting service providers; pricing information vendors; issuers of guaranteed investment contracts for stable value portfolios; third parties that deliver analytical, statistical, or consulting services; and other third parties that provide services (collectively, Service Providers) to Vanguard, Vanguard subsidiaries, and/or the Vanguard funds. Disclosure of complete portfolio holdings to a Service Provider is conditioned on the Service Provider being subject to a written agreement imposing a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information.
The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed to a Service Provider, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed to the Service Provider, is determined based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure to a Service Provider varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings by Vanguard to a Service Provider must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department or Legal and Compliance Division. Any disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings to a Service Provider as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the fund, such as cash investments and derivatives.
Currently, Vanguard discloses complete portfolio holdings to the following Service Providers as part of ongoing arrangements that serve legitimate business purposes: Abel/Noser Corporation; Advisor Software, Inc.; Alcom Printing Group, Inc.; Apple Press, L.C.; Bloomberg L.P.; Brilliant Graphics, Inc.; Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.; Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; Charles River Systems, Inc.; FactSet Research Systems Inc.; Innovation Printing & Communications; Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.; Intelligencer Printing Company; Investment Technology Group, Inc.; Lipper, Inc.; Markit WSO Corporation; McMunn Associates, Inc.; Reuters America Inc.; R.R. Donnelley, Inc.; State Street Bank and Trust Company; and Trade Informatics LLC.
Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings to Vanguard Affiliates and Certain Fiduciaries Subject to Confidentiality and Trading Restrictions
Vanguard may disclose complete portfolio holdings between and among the following persons (collectively, Affiliates and Fiduciaries) for legitimate business purposes within the scope of their official duties and responsibilities, subject to such persons' continuing legal duty of confidentiality and legal duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information, as such duties are imposed under the Code of Ethics, the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information, by agreement, or under applicable laws, rules, and regulations: (1) persons who are subject to the Code of Ethics or the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information; (2) an investment advisor, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, or custodian to a Vanguard fund; (3) an accounting firm, an auditing firm, or outside legal counsel retained by Vanguard, a Vanguard subsidiary, or a Vanguard fund; (4) an investment advisor to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes when the advisor is in merger or acquisition talks with a Vanguard fund's current advisor; and (5) a newly hired investment advisor or sub- advisor to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed prior to the time it commences its duties.
The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among Affiliates and Fiduciaries, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed between and among the Affiliates and Fiduciaries, is determined by such Affiliates and Fiduciaries based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure between and among Affiliates and Fiduciaries varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no
lag. Any disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings to any Affiliates and Fiduciaries as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the fund, such as cash investments and derivatives. Disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard, VMC, or a Vanguard fund to Affiliates and Fiduciaries must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
Currently, Vanguard discloses complete portfolio holdings to the following Affiliates and Fiduciaries as part of ongoing arrangements that serve legitimate business purposes: Vanguard and each investment advisor, custodian, and independent registered public accounting firm identified in each fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to Trading Counterparties in the Normal Course of Managing a Fund's Assets
An investment advisor, administrator, or custodian for a Vanguard fund may, for legitimate business purposes within the scope of its official duties and responsibilities, disclose portfolio holdings (whether partial portfolio holdings or complete portfolio holdings) and other investment positions that make up the fund to any trading counterparty, including one or more broker-dealers or banks, during the course of, or in connection with, normal day-to-day securities and derivatives transactions with or through such trading counterparties subject to the counterparty's legal obligation not to use or disclose material nonpublic information concerning the fund's portfolio holdings, other investment positions, securities transactions, or derivatives transactions without the consent of the fund or its agents. The Vanguard funds have not given their consent to any such use or disclosure and no person or agent of Vanguard is authorized to give such consent except as approved in writing by the Boards of the Vanguard funds. Disclosure of portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard to broker-dealers must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
In addition to the disclosures described below to Authorized Participants, a Vanguard fund investment advisor or administrator may also disclose portfolio holdings information to other current or prospective fund shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units (as defined below) or other large transactions with a Vanguard fund. Such shareholders are typically Authorized Participants or other financial institutions that have been authorized by VMC to purchase and redeem large blocks of shares (Creation Units), but may also include market makers and other institutional market participants and entities to whom a Vanguard fund advisor or administrator may provide information in connection with transactions in a Vanguard fund.
Disclosure of Nonmaterial Information
The Policies and Procedures permit Vanguard fund officers, Vanguard fund portfolio managers, and other Vanguard representatives (collectively, Approved Vanguard Representatives) to disclose any views, opinions, judgments, advice, or commentary, or any analytical, statistical, performance, or other information, in connection with or relating to a Vanguard fund or its portfolio holdings and/or other investment positions (collectively, commentary and analysis) or any changes in the portfolio holdings of a Vanguard fund that occurred after the end of the most recent calendar quarter (recent portfolio changes) to any person if (1) such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose, (2) such disclosure does not effectively result in the disclosure of the complete portfolio holdings of any Vanguard fund (which can be disclosed only in accordance with the Policies and Procedures), and (3) such information does not constitute material nonpublic information. Disclosure of commentary and analysis or recent portfolio changes by Vanguard, VMC, or a Vanguard fund must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
An Approved Vanguard Representative must make a good faith determination whether the information constitutes material nonpublic information, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. Vanguard believes that in most cases recent portfolio changes that involve a few or even several securities in a diversified portfolio or commentary and analysis would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to a recipient in making an investment decision concerning a Vanguard fund. Nonexclusive examples of commentary and analysis about a Vanguard fund include (1) the allocation of the fund's portfolio holdings and other investment positions among various asset classes, sectors, industries, and countries; (2) the characteristics of the stock and bond components of the fund's portfolio holdings and other investment positions; (3) the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry, and country; and (4) the volatility characteristics of the fund. Approved Vanguard Representatives may, at their sole
discretion, deny any request for information made by any person, and may do so for any reason or for no reason. Approved Vanguard Representatives include, for purposes of the Policies and Procedures, persons employed by or associated with Vanguard or a subsidiary of Vanguard who have been authorized by Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department to disclose recent portfolio changes and/or commentary and analysis in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, Including Other Investment Positions, in Accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Exemptive Orders and Rule 6c-11
Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit may disclose to the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), Authorized Participants, and other market makers the daily portfolio composition files (PCFs) that identify a basket of specified securities that may overlap with the actual or expected portfolio holdings of the Vanguard funds that offer a class of shares known as Vanguard ETF Shares (ETF Funds). Each Vanguard fund relying on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act generally will seek to disclose complete portfolio holdings, including other investment positions, at the beginning of each business day. These portfolio holdings, including other investment positions, will be disclosed online at vanguard.com in the "Portfolio" section of a fund's Portfolio & Management page. The disclosure of PCFs and portfolio holdings, including other investment positions, will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of related exemptive orders (Vanguard ETF Exemptive Orders) issued by the SEC or Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act, as described in this section.
Unlike the conventional classes of shares issued by ETF Funds, the ETF Shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange. Each ETF Fund issues and redeems ETF Shares in large blocks, known as "Creation Units." To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, an investor must be an "Authorized Participant" or the investor must purchase or redeem through a broker-dealer that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) that has executed a "Participant Agreement" with VMC. Each ETF Fund issues Creation Units in exchange for a "portfolio deposit" consisting of a basket of specified securities (Deposit Securities) and a cash payment (Balancing Amount). Each ETF Fund also redeems Creation Units in kind; an investor who tenders a Creation Unit will receive, as redemption proceeds, a basket of specified securities together with a Balancing Amount.
In connection with the creation and redemption process, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Vanguard ETF Exemptive Orders, Vanguard makes available to the NSCC (a clearing agency registered with the SEC and affiliated with the DTC), for dissemination to NSCC participants on each business day prior to the opening of trading on the listing exchange, a PCF containing a list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security for each ETF Fund. In addition, the listing exchange disseminates (1) continuously throughout the trading day, through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, the market value of an ETF Share; and (2) every 15 seconds throughout the trading day, a calculation of the estimated NAV of an ETF Share (expected to be accurate to within a few basis points). Comparing these two figures allows an investor to determine whether, and to what extent, ETF Shares are selling at a premium or at a discount to NAV. ETF Shares are listed on the exchange and traded on the secondary market in the same manner as other equity securities. The price of ETF Shares trading on the secondary market is based on a current bid/offer market.
In addition to making PCFs available to the NSCC, as previously described, Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit may disclose the PCF for any ETF Fund to any person, or online at vanguard.com to all categories of persons, if (1) such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose and (2) such disclosure does not constitute material nonpublic information. Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit must make a good faith determination whether the PCF for any ETF Fund constitutes material nonpublic information, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. Vanguard believes that in most cases the PCF for any ETF Fund would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to the recipient in making an investment decision concerning the ETF Fund, if sufficient time has passed between the date of the PCF and the date on which the PCF is disclosed. Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit may, at its sole discretion, determine whether to deny any request for the PCF for any ETF Fund made by any person, and may do so for any reason or for no reason. Disclosure of a PCF must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Related Information to the Issuer of a Security for Legitimate Business Purposes
Vanguard, at its sole discretion, may disclose portfolio holdings information concerning a security held by one or more Vanguard funds to the issuer of such security if the issuer presents, to the satisfaction of Vanguard's Enterprise Financial Services unit, convincing evidence that the issuer has a legitimate business purpose for such information. Disclosure of this information to an issuer is conditioned on the issuer being subject to a written agreement imposing a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information. The frequency with which portfolio holdings information concerning a security may be disclosed to the issuer of such security, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed to the issuer, is determined based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure to an issuer cannot be determined in advance of a specific request and will vary based upon the particular facts and circumstances and the legitimate business purposes, but in unusual situations could be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Disclosure of portfolio holdings information concerning a security held by one or more Vanguard funds to the issuer of such security must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department or Legal and Compliance Division.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings as Required by Applicable Law
Vanguard fund portfolio holdings (whether partial portfolio holdings or complete portfolio holdings) and other investment positions that make up a fund shall be disclosed to any person as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Examples of such required disclosure include, but are not limited to, disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings (1) in a filing or submission with the SEC or another regulatory body, (2) in connection with seeking recovery on defaulted bonds in a federal bankruptcy case, (3) in connection with a lawsuit, or (4) as required by court order. Disclosure of portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard, VMC, or a Vanguard fund as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
Prohibitions on Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
No person is authorized to disclose Vanguard fund portfolio holdings or other investment positions (whether online at vanguard.com, in writing, by fax, by email, orally, or by other means) except in accordance with the Policies and Procedures. In addition, no person is authorized to make disclosure pursuant to the Policies and Procedures if such disclosure is otherwise unlawful under the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act). Furthermore, Vanguard's management, at its sole discretion, may determine not to disclose portfolio holdings or other investment positions that make up a Vanguard fund to any person who would otherwise be eligible to receive such information under the Policies and Procedures, or may determine to make such disclosures publicly as provided by the Policies and Procedures.
Prohibitions on Receipt of Compensation or Other Consideration
The Policies and Procedures prohibit a Vanguard fund, its investment advisor, and any other person or entity from paying or receiving any compensation or other consideration of any type for the purpose of obtaining disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings or other investment positions. "Consideration" includes any agreement to maintain assets in the fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the investment advisor or by any affiliated person of the investment advisor.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Fund receives all investment advisory services from Vanguard, through its Fixed Income Group. These services are provided by an experienced investment advisory staff employed directly by Vanguard. The compensation and other expenses of the advisory staff are allocated among the funds utilizing these services.
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF had not commenced operations and therefore had not incurred any advisory expenses.
1. Other Accounts Managed
The following table provides information relating to the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund as of the fiscal year ended XX (unless otherwise noted):
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Total assets in |
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No. of accounts with |
accounts with |
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No. of |
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performance- |
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performance-based |
based |
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Portfolio Manager |
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accounts |
Total assets |
fees |
fees |
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Registered investment |
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XX |
XX |
XX |
Stephen M. McFee |
XX |
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companies |
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||
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Other pooled investment |
XX |
XX |
XX |
XX |
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vehicles |
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Other accounts |
XX |
XX |
XX |
XX |
2. Material Conflicts of Interest
At Vanguard, individual portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition to mutual funds, these accounts may include separate accounts, collective trusts, and offshore funds. Managing multiple funds or accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest including, for example, conflicts among investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities. Vanguard manages potential conflicts between funds or accounts through allocation policies and procedures, internal review processes, and oversight by trustees and independent third parties. Vanguard has developed trade allocation procedures and controls to ensure that no one client, regardless of type, is intentionally favored at the expense of another. Allocation policies are designed to address potential conflicts in situations where two or more funds or accounts participate in investment decisions involving the same securities.
3. Description of Compensation
All Vanguard portfolio managers are Vanguard employees. This section describes the compensation of the Vanguard employees who manage Vanguard mutual funds. As of XX, a Vanguard portfolio manager's compensation generally consists of base salary, bonus, and payments under Vanguard's long-term incentive compensation program. In addition, portfolio managers are eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Vanguard employees. Also, certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that Vanguard adopted in the 1980s to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of tax law changes. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement plans.
In the case of portfolio managers responsible for managing multiple Vanguard funds or accounts, the method used to determine their compensation is the same for all funds and investment accounts. A portfolio manager's base salary is determined by the manager's experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses performed by Vanguard's Human Resources Department. A portfolio manager's base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs.
A portfolio manager's bonus is determined by a number of factors. One factor is gross, pre-tax performance of a fund relative to expectations for how the fund should have performed, given the fund's investment objective, policies, strategies, and limitations, and the market environment during the measurement period. This performance factor is not based on the amount of assets held in any individual fund's portfolio. The performance factor depends on how successfully the portfolio manager outperforms these expectations and maintains the risk parameters of the Fund generally over a three-year period. For the Municipal Money Market Fund, the performance factor depends on how successfully the portfolio manager maintains the credit quality of the Fund and, consequently, how the Fund performs relative to the expectations described above over a one-year period. For the Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund, the performance factor depends on how closely the portfolio manager tracks the Fund's benchmark index over a one-year
period. Additional factors include the portfolio manager's contributions to the investment management functions within the sub-asset class, contributions to the development of other investment professionals and supporting staff, and overall contributions to strategic planning and decisions for the investment group. The target bonus is expressed as a percentage of base salary. The actual bonus paid may be more or less than the target bonus, based on how well the manager satisfies the objectives previously described. The bonus is paid on an annual basis.
Under the long-term incentive compensation program, all full-time employees receive a payment from Vanguard's long- term incentive compensation plan based on their years of service, job level, and, if applicable, management responsibilities. Each year, Vanguard's independent directors determine the amount of the long-term incentive compensation award for that year based on the investment performance of the Vanguard funds relative to competitors and Vanguard's operating efficiencies in providing services to the Vanguard funds.
4. Ownership of Securities
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations, and therefore the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fund.
Duration and Termination of Investment Advisory Agreement
Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Funds pursuant to the terms of the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement. This agreement will continue in full force and effect until terminated or amended by mutual agreement of the Vanguard funds and Vanguard.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The advisor decides which securities to buy and sell on behalf of the Fund and then selects the brokers or dealers that will execute the trades on an agency basis or the dealers with whom the trades will be effected on a principal basis. For each trade, the advisor must select a broker-dealer that it believes will provide "best execution." Best execution does not necessarily mean paying the lowest spread or commission rate available. In seeking best execution, the SEC has said that an advisor should consider the full range of a broker-dealer's services. The factors considered by the advisor in seeking best execution include, but are not limited to, the broker-dealer's execution capability, clearance and settlement services, commission rate, trading expertise, willingness and ability to commit capital, ability to provide anonymity, financial responsibility, reputation and integrity, responsiveness, access to underwritten offerings and secondary markets, and access to company management, as well as the value of any research provided by the broker-dealer. In assessing which broker-dealer can provide best execution for a particular trade, the advisor also may consider the timing and size of the order and available liquidity and current market conditions. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the advisor may select a broker based partly on brokerage or research services provided to the advisor and its clients, including the Fund. The advisor may cause the Fund to pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the advisor determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of services provided. The advisor also may receive brokerage or research services from broker-dealers that are provided at no charge in recognition of the volume of trades directed to the broker. To the extent research services or products may be a factor in selecting brokers, services and products may include written research reports analyzing performance or securities, discussions with research analysts, meetings with corporate executives to obtain oral reports on company performance, market data, and other products and services that will assist the advisor in its investment decision-making process. The research services provided by brokers through which the Fund effects securities transactions may be used by the advisor in servicing all of its accounts, and some of the services may not be used by the advisor in connection with the Fund.
The types of securities in which the Fund invests are generally purchased and sold in principal transactions, meaning that the Fund normally purchases securities directly from the issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal for the securities on a net basis. Explicit brokerage commissions are not paid on these transactions, although purchases of new issues from underwriters of securities typically include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market-makers typically include a dealer's markup (i.e., a spread between the bid and the asked prices). Brokerage commissions will also be paid in connection with opening and closing out futures positions.
As previously explained, the types of securities that the Fund purchases do not normally involve the payment of explicit brokerage commissions. If any such brokerage commissions are paid, however, the advisor will evaluate their reasonableness by considering: (1) the historical commission rates; (2) the rates that other institutional investors are paying, based upon publicly available information; (3) the rates quoted by brokers and dealers; (4) the size of a particular transaction, in terms of the number of shares, the dollar amount, and the number of clients involved; (5) the complexity of a particular transaction in terms of both execution and settlement; (6) the level and type of business done with a particular firm over a period of time; and (7) the extent to which the broker or dealer has capital at risk in the transaction.
As of the date of this SAI Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has not commenced operations, and therefore has not incurred any brokerage commissions.
Some securities that are considered for investment by the Fund may also be appropriate for other Vanguard funds or for other clients served by the advisors. If such securities are compatible with the investment policies of the Fund and one or more of the advisor's other clients, and are considered for purchase or sale at or about the same time, then transactions in such securities may be aggregated by the advisor, and the purchased securities or sale proceeds may be allocated among the participating Vanguard funds and the other participating clients of the advisor in a manner deemed equitable by the advisor. Although there may be no specified formula for allocating such transactions, the allocation methods used, and the results of such allocations, will be subject to periodic review by the Fund's board of trustees.
The ability of Vanguard and external advisors to purchase or dispose of certain fund investments, or to exercise rights on behalf of the Fund, is or may be restricted or impaired because of limitations imposed by law, regulation, or by certain regulators or issuers. As a result, Vanguard and external advisors on behalf of certain Funds are currently, and other Funds may in the future be required to limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise limit the exercise of shareholder rights by the Fund, including voting rights. These ownership restrictions and limitations can impact the Fund's performance. For index funds, this impact generally takes the form of tracking error, which can arise when a fund is not able to acquire its desired amount of a security. For actively managed funds, this impact can result, for example, in missed investment opportunities otherwise desired by a fund's investment advisor. If the Fund is required to limit its investment in a particular issuer, then the Fund may seek to obtain regulatory or corporate consents or ownership waivers. Other options the Fund may pursue include seeking to obtain economic exposure to that issuer through alternative means, such as through a derivative, which may be more costly than owning securities of the issuer directly, or through investment in a wholly-owned subsidiary. In the event a derivative, such as a swap, is used as an alternative means of exposure, Vanguard and external advisors on behalf of a Fund are not able to guarantee the availability of derivatives necessary to allow economic exposure to the security, sector, or industry. This limited availability may have additional impacts to Fund performance. Additionally, use of derivatives as an alternative means of exposure subjects a Fund to derivative-related risks.
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has not commenced operations, and therefore the Fund has not held securities of its "regular brokers or dealers," as that term is defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act.
PROXY VOTING
I. Proxy Voting Policies
Each Vanguard fund advised by Vanguard retains the authority to vote proxies received with respect to the shares of equity securities held in a portfolio advised by Vanguard. The Board of Trustees of the Vanguard-advised funds (the Board) has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern proxy voting for each portfolio retaining proxy voting authority, which are summarized in Appendix A.
Vanguard has entered into agreements with various state, federal, and non-U.S. regulators and with certain issuers that limit the amount of shares that the funds may vote at their discretion for particular securities. For these securities, the funds are able to vote a limited portion of the shares at their discretion. Any additional shares generally are voted in the same proportion as votes cast by the issuer's entire shareholder base (i.e., mirror voted), or the fund is not permitted to vote such shares. Further, the Board has adopted policies that will result in certain funds mirror voting a higher proportion of the shares they own in a regulated issuer in order to permit certain other funds (generally advised by managers not affiliated with Vanguard) to mirror vote none, or a lower proportion, of their shares in such regulated issuer.
II. Securities Lending
There may be occasions when Vanguard needs to restrict lending of and/or recall securities that are out on loan in order to vote the full position at a shareholder meeting. For the funds managed by Vanguard, Vanguard has processes to monitor securities on loan and to evaluate any circumstances that may require it to restrict and/or attempt to recall the security based on the criteria set forth in Appendix A.
To obtain a free copy of a report that details how the funds voted the proxies relating to the portfolio securities held by the funds for the prior 12-month period ended June 30, log on to vanguard.com or visit the SEC's website at sec.gov.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ETF SHARE CLASS
The Fund offers and issues an exchange-traded class of shares called ETF Shares. The Fund issues and redeems Shares in large blocks, known as "Creation Units."
To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, you must be an Authorized Participant or you must transact through a broker that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) that has executed a Participant Agreement with Vanguard Marketing Corporation, the Fund's Distributor (the Distributor). For a current list of Authorized Participants, contact the Distributor.
Investors that are not Authorized Participants must hold ETF Shares in a brokerage account. As with any stock traded on an exchange through a broker, purchases and sales of ETF Shares will be subject to usual and customary brokerage commissions.
The Fund issues Creation Units in kind in exchange for a basket of securities that are part of—or soon to be part of— its target index (Deposit Securities). The Fund also redeems Creation Units in kind; an investor who tenders a Creation Unit will receive, as redemption proceeds, a basket of securities that are part of the Fund's portfolio holdings (Redemption Securities). As part of any creation or redemption transaction, the investor will either pay or receive some cash in addition to the securities, as described more fully on the following pages. The Fund reserves the right to issue Creation Units for cash, rather than in kind.
Exchange Listing and Trading
The ETF Shares have been approved for listing on a national securities exchange and will trade on the exchange at market prices that may differ from net asset value (NAV). There can be no assurance that, in the future, ETF Shares will continue to meet all of the exchange's listing requirements. The exchange will institute procedures to delist the Fund's ETF Shares if the Fund's ETF Shares do not continuously comply with the exchange's listing rules. The exchange will also delist the Fund's ETF Shares upon termination of the ETF share class.
The exchange disseminates, through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, an updated "indicative optimized portfolio value" (IOPV) for the Fund as calculated by an information provider. The Fund is not involved with or responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IOPVs, and it makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPVs. An IOPV for the Fund's ETF Shares is disseminated every 15 seconds during regular exchange trading hours. An IOPV has a securities value component and a cash component. The IOPV is designed as an estimate of the ETF Fund's NAV at a particular point in time, but it is only an estimate and should not be viewed as the actual NAV, which is calculated once each day.
Book Entry Only System
ETF Shares issued by the Fund are registered in the name of the DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and are deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC. The DTC is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold securities of its participants (DTC Participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among them through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which is owned by certain participants of the DTCC's subsidiaries, including the DTC. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect Participants).
Beneficial ownership of ETF Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants, and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in ETF Shares (owners of such
beneficial interests are referred to herein as Beneficial Owners) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by the DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from, or through, the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of ETF Shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in ETF Shares.
The Fund recognizes the DTC or its nominee as the record owner of all ETF Shares for all purposes. Beneficial Owners of ETF Shares are not entitled to have ETF Shares registered in their names and will not receive or be entitled to physical delivery of share certificates. Each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the DTC and any DTC Participant and/or Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests to exercise any rights of a holder of ETF Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements, and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. The DTC will make available to the Fund, upon request and for a fee, a listing of the ETF Shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Fund shall obtain from each DTC Participant the number of Beneficial Owners holding ETF Shares, directly or indirectly, through the DTC Participant. The Fund shall provide each DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement, or other communication, in form, in number, and at such place as the DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that these communications may be transmitted by the DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to the Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Fund shall pay to each DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to the DTC or its nominee as the registered holder of all ETF Shares. The DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit the DTC Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in ETF Shares of the appropriate Fund as shown on the records of the DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of ETF Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a "street name," and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Fund has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners; for payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such ETF Shares; for maintenance, supervision, or review of any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests; or for any other aspect of the relationship between the DTC and DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
The DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to ETF Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Fund shall take action either to find a replacement for the DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of ETF Shares, unless the Fund makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the exchange.
Purchase and Issuance of ETF Shares in Creation Units
The Fund issues and sells ETF Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any business day. The Fund does not issue fractional Creation Units.
A business day is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the NYSE observes the following U.S. holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday); Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth National Independence Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit from the Fund generally consists of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (Deposit Securities) and an amount of cash (Cash Component) consisting of a purchase balancing amount and a transaction fee (both described in the following paragraphs). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the fund deposit.
The purchase balancing amount is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities (Deposit Amount). It ensures that the NAV of a fund deposit (not including the transaction fee) is identical to the NAV of the Creation Unit it is used to purchase. If the purchase balancing amount is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities), then that amount will be paid by the purchaser to the Fund in cash. If the purchase balancing amount is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities), then that amount will be paid by the Fund to the purchaser in cash (except as offset by the transaction fee).
Vanguard, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), makes available after the close of each business day a list of the names and the number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the next business day's fund deposit for the Fund (subject to possible amendment or correction). The Fund reserves the right to accept a nonconforming fund deposit.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a fund deposit may change from one day to another to reflect rebalancing adjustments, corporate actions, and interest payments on underlying bonds or to respond to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the relevant target index.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash—referred to as "cash in lieu"—to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. This might occur, for example, if a Deposit Security is not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, is not eligible for transfer through the applicable clearance and settlement system, or is not eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor for which an Authorized Participant is acting. Trading costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities with cash- in-lieu amounts will be an expense of the Fund. However, Vanguard may adjust the transaction fee to protect existing shareholders from this expense.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the appropriate Fund, and the Fund's determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Purchasing Creation Units. To initiate a purchase order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an order in proper form to the Distributor and such order must be received by the Distributor prior to the closing time of regular trading of the NYSE (Closing Time) (ordinarily 4 p.m., Eastern time) to receive that day's NAV. Authorized Participants must transmit orders using a transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement.
Neither the Trust, the Fund, the Distributor, nor any affiliated party will be liable to an investor who is unable to submit a purchase order by Closing Time, even if the problem is the responsibility of one of those parties (e.g., the Distributor's phone or email systems were not operating properly).
If you are not an Authorized Participant, you must place your purchase order in an acceptable form with an Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant may request that you make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order (e.g., to provide for payments of cash when required).
Placement of Purchase Orders. An Authorized Participant must deliver the cash and government securities portion of a fund deposit through the Federal Reserve's Fedwire System and the corporate securities portion of a fund deposit through the DTC. If a fund deposit is incomplete on the second business day after the trade date (the trade date, known as "T," is the date on which the trade actually takes place; two business days after the trade date is known as "T+2") because of the failed delivery of one or more of the Deposit Securities, the Fund shall be entitled to cancel the purchase order.
The Fund may issue Creation Units in reliance on the Authorized Participant's undertaking to deliver the missing Deposit Securities at a later date. Such undertaking shall be secured by the delivery and maintenance of cash collateral in an amount determined by the ETF Fund in accordance with the terms of the Participant Agreement.
Rejection of Purchase Orders. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a purchase order. By way of example, and not limitation, the Fund will reject a purchase order if:
⬛The order is not in proper form.
⬛The Deposit Securities delivered are not the same (in name or amount) as the published basket.
⬛Acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund.
⬛Acceptance of the fund deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful.
⬛Acceptance of the fund deposit would otherwise, at the discretion of the Fund or Vanguard, have an adverse effect on the Fund or any of its shareholders.
⬛Circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Trust, the transfer agent, the custodian, the Distributor, and Vanguard make it for all practical purposes impossible to process the order. Examples include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, public service disruptions, or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions, and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy, and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the aforementioned parties as well as the DTC, the NSCC, the Federal Reserve, or any other participant in the purchase process; and similar extraordinary events.
If a purchase order is rejected, the Distributor shall notify the Authorized Participant that submitted the order. The Fund, the Trust, the transfer agent, the custodian, the Distributor, and Vanguard are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of a fund deposit, nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Transaction Fee on Purchases of Creation Units. The Fund may impose a transaction fee (payable to the Fund) to compensate the Fund for costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The amount of the fee, which may be changed by the Fund from time to time at its sole discretion, is made available daily to Authorized Participants, market makers, and other interested parties through Vanguard's proprietary portal system. When the Fund permits (or requires) a purchaser to substitute cash in lieu of depositing one or more Deposit Securities, the purchaser may be assessed an additional charge on the cash-in-lieu portion of the investment. The amount of this charge will be disclosed to investors before they place their orders. The amount will be determined by the Fund at its sole discretion. The maximum transaction fee on purchases of Creation Units, including any additional charges as described, shall be 2% of the value of the Creation Units.
The Fund reserves the right to not impose a transaction fee or to vary the amount of the transaction fee imposed, up to the maximum amount listed above. To the extent a creation transaction fee is not charged or does not cover the costs associated with the issuance of the Creation Units, certain costs may be borne by the Fund.
Redemption of ETF Shares in Creation Units
To be eligible to place a redemption order, you must be an Authorized Participant. Investors that are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant in order to redeem a Creation Unit.
ETF Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other transaction costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of ETF Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Redemption requests received on a business day in good order will receive the NAV next determined after the request is made.
Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, an investor tendering a Creation Unit generally will receive redemption proceeds consisting of (1) a basket of Redemption Securities; plus (2) a redemption balancing amount in cash equal to the difference between (x) the NAV of the Creation Unit being redeemed, as next determined after receipt of a request in proper form, and (y) the value of the Redemption Securities; less (3) a transaction fee. If the Redemption Securities have a value greater than the NAV of a Creation Unit, the redeeming investor will pay the redemption balancing amount in cash to the Fund, rather than receive such amount from the Fund.
Vanguard, through the NSCC, makes available after the close of each business day a list of the names and the number of shares of each Redemption Security to be included in the next business day's redemption basket for the Fund (subject to possible amendment or correction). The basket of Redemption Securities provided to an investor redeeming a Creation Unit may not be identical to the basket of Deposit Securities required of an investor purchasing a Creation Unit. The Fund may provide a redeeming investor with a basket of Redemption Securities that differs from the composition of the redemption basket published through the NSCC.
The Fund reserves the right to deliver cash in lieu of any Redemption Security for the same reason it might accept cash in lieu of a Deposit Security, as previously discussed, or if the Fund could not lawfully deliver the security or could not do so without first registering such security under federal or state law.
Neither the Trust, the Fund, the Distributor, nor any affiliated party will be liable to an investor who is unable to submit a redemption order by Closing Time, even if the problem is the responsibility of one of those parties (e.g., the Distributor's phone or email systems were not operating properly).
Transaction Fee on Redemptions of Creation Units. The Fund may impose a transaction fee (payable to the Fund) to compensate the Fund for costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The amount of the fee, which may be changed by the Fund from time to time at its sole discretion, is made available daily to Authorized Participants, market makers, and other interested parties through Vanguard's proprietary portal system. An additional charge may be imposed for redemptions of Creation Units effected outside the Clearing Process. When the Fund permits (or requires) a redeeming investor to receive cash in lieu of one or more Redemption Securities, the Fund may assess an additional variable charge on the cash portion of the redemption. The amount will vary as determined by the Fund at its sole discretion and is made available daily to Authorized Participants, market makers, and other interested parties through Vanguard's proprietary portal system. The maximum transaction fee, including any variable charges, on redemptions of Creation Units shall be 2% of the value of the Creation Units.
The Fund reserves the right to not impose a transaction fee or to vary the amount of the transaction fee imposed, up to the maximum amount listed above. To the extent a redemption transaction fee is not charged or does not cover the costs associated with the redemption of the Creation Units, certain costs may be borne by the Fund.
Placement of Redemption Orders. To initiate a redemption order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit such order in proper form to the Distributor before Closing Time in order to receive that day's NAV. Authorized Participants must transmit orders using a transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement.
If on the settlement date (typically T+2) an Authorized Participant has failed to deliver all of the Vanguard ETF Shares it is seeking to redeem, the Fund shall be entitled to cancel the redemption order. Alternatively, the Fund may deliver to the Authorized Participant the full complement of Redemption Securities and cash in reliance on the Authorized Participant's undertaking to deliver the missing ETF Shares at a later date. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant's delivery and maintenance of cash collateral in accordance with collateral procedures that are part of the Participant Agreement. In all cases the Fund shall be entitled to charge the Authorized Participant for any costs (including investment losses, attorney's fees, and interest) incurred by the Fund as a result of the late delivery or failure to deliver.
If an Authorized Participant, or a redeeming investor acting through an Authorized Participant, is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the basket of Redemption Securities, such investor may be paid an equivalent amount of cash in lieu of the security. In addition, the Fund reserves the right to redeem Creation Units partially for cash to the extent that the Fund could not lawfully deliver one or more Redemption Securities or could not do so without first registering such securities under federal or state law.
Suspension of Redemption Rights. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the NYSE or listing exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE or listing exchange is suspended or restricted, (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Fund's portfolio securities or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable, or (4) in such other circumstances as the SEC permits.
Precautionary Notes
A precautionary note to ETF investors: The DTC or its nominee will be the registered owner of all outstanding ETF Shares. Your ownership of ETF Shares will be shown on the records of the DTC and the DTC Participant broker through which you hold the shares. Vanguard will not have any record of your ownership. Your account information will be maintained by your broker, which will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales of ETF Shares, and tax information. Your broker also will be responsible for distributing income and capital gains distributions and for ensuring that you receive shareholder reports and other communications from the fund whose ETF Shares you own. You will receive other services (e.g., dividend reinvestment and average cost information) only if your broker offers these services.
You should also be aware that investments in ETF Shares may be subject to certain risks relating to having large shareholders. To the extent that a large number of the Fund's ETF Shares are held by a large shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor, an investment advisor or an affiliate of an investment advisor, an authorized participant, a lead
market maker, or another entity), a large redemption by such a shareholder could result in an increase in the ETF's expense ratio, cause the ETF to incur higher transaction costs, cause the ETF to fail to comply with applicable listing standards of the listing exchange upon which it is listed, lead to the realization of taxable capital gains, or cause the remaining shareholders to receive distributions representing a disproportionate share of the ETF's ordinary income and long-term capital gains. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on an exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the ETF Shares.
A precautionary note to purchasers of Creation Units: You should be aware of certain legal risks unique to investors purchasing Creation Units directly from the issuing fund.
Because new ETF Shares may be issued on an ongoing basis, a "distribution" of ETF Shares could be occurring at any time. Certain activities that you perform as a dealer could, depending on the circumstances, result in your being deemed a participant in the distribution in a manner that could render you a statutory underwriter and subject you to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). For example, you could be deemed a statutory underwriter if you purchase Creation Units from the issuing fund, break them down into the constituent ETF Shares, and sell those shares directly to customers or if you choose to couple the creation of a supply of new ETF Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for ETF Shares. Whether a person is an underwriter depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that person's activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could cause you to be deemed an underwriter.
Dealers who are not "underwriters" but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary- market transactions), and thus dealing with ETF Shares as part of an "unsold allotment" within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the 1933 Act.
A precautionary note to shareholders redeeming Creation Units: An Authorized Participant that is not a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act will not be able to receive, as part of the redemption basket, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
A precautionary note to investment companies: Vanguard ETF Shares are issued by registered investment companies, and therefore the acquisition of such shares by other investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Vanguard has obtained SEC exemptive orders that allow registered investment companies to invest in the issuing funds beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including the requirement to enter into a participation agreement with Vanguard. In connection with the recent adoption of new Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the orders were rescinded on January 19, 2022, and a fund's investments in Vanguard ETF Shares beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) are subject to the conditions of Rule 12d1-4, as described under the heading "Other Investment Companies."
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF has not commenced operations, and therefore financial statements are not yet available for the Fund. For a more complete discussion of each Fund's performance, please see the Funds' Annual and Semiannual Reports to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge.
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
Moody's Rating Symbols
The following describe characteristics of the global long-term (original maturity of 1 year or more) bond ratings provided by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's):
Aaa—Judged to be obligations of the highest quality, they are subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa—Judged to be obligations of high quality, they are subject to very low credit risk. Together with the Aaa group, they make up what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
A—Judged to be upper-medium-grade obligations, they are subject to low credit risk.
Baa—Judged to be medium-grade obligations, subject to moderate credit risk, they may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba—Judged to be speculative obligations, they are subject to substantial credit risk. B—Considered to be speculative obligations, they are subject to high credit risk.
Caa—Judged to be speculative obligations of poor standing, they are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca—Viewed as highly speculative obligations, they are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C—Viewed as the lowest rated obligations, they are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal and interest.
Moody's also supplies numerical indicators (1, 2, and 3) to rating categories. The modifier 1 indicates that the security is in the higher end of its rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking toward the lower end of the category.
The following describe characteristics of the global short-term (original maturity of 13 months or less) bond ratings provided by Moody's. This ratings scale also applies to U.S. municipal tax-exempt commercial paper.
Prime-1 (P-1)—Judged to have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Prime-2 (P-2)—Judged to have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Prime-3 (P-3)—Judged to have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
Not Prime (NP)—Cannot be judged to be in any of the prime rating categories.
The following describe characteristics of the U.S. municipal short-term bond ratings provided by Moody's:
Moody's ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term (up to 3 years) obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG).
MIG 1—Indicates superior quality, enjoying the excellent protection of established cash flows, liquidity support, and broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2—Indicates strong credit quality with ample margins of protection, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3—Indicates acceptable credit quality, with narrow liquidity and cash-flow protection and less well-established market access for refinancing.
SG—Indicates speculative credit quality with questionable margins of protection.
Standard and Poor's Rating Symbols
The following describe characteristics of the long-term (original maturity of 1 year or more) bond ratings provided by Standard and Poor's:
AAA—These are the highest rated obligations. The capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA—These also qualify as high-grade obligations. They have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and they differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
A—These are regarded as upper-medium-grade obligations. They have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB—These are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity in this regard. This group is the lowest that qualifies for commercial bank investment.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C—These obligations range from speculative to significantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest.
D—These obligations are in default, and payment of principal and/or interest is likely in arrears.
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
The following describe characteristics of short-term (original maturity of 365 days or less) bond and commercial paper ratings designations provided by Standard and Poor's:
A-1—These are the highest rated obligations. The capacity of the obligor to pay interest and repay principal is strong. The addition of a plus sign (+) would indicate a very strong capacity.
A-2—These obligations are somewhat susceptible to changing economic conditions. The obligor has a satisfactory capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
A-3—These obligations are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changing economic conditions, which could lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
B—These obligations are vulnerable to nonpayment and are significantly speculative, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C—These obligations are vulnerable to nonpayment, but the obligor must rely on favorable economic conditions to meet its financial commitment.
D—These obligations are in default, and payment of principal and/or interest is likely in arrears.
The following describe characteristics of U.S. municipal short-term (original maturity of 3 years or less) note ratings provided by Standard and Poor's:
SP-1—This designation indicates a strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
SP-2—This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
SP-3—This designation indicates a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
APPENDIX A
Summary of the Vanguard-Advised Funds Proxy Voting Policy
The funds for which Vanguard acts as investment advisor (Vanguard-advised funds) retain authority to vote proxies received for the shares of equity securities held in each fund. The Board of Trustees (the Board) for the Vanguard- advised funds has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern proxy voting for each portfolio retaining proxy voting authority.
The Investment Stewardship Oversight Committee (the Committee), comprised primarily of fund officers and subject to the procedures described below, oversees the Vanguard-advised funds' proxy voting. The Committee reports directly to the Board. Vanguard is subject to these procedures and the proxy voting policies to the extent that they call for Vanguard to administer the voting process and implement the resulting voting decisions, and for these purposes the voting policies have also been approved by the Board of Directors of Vanguard.
The voting principles and policies adopted by the Board provide a framework for assessing each proposal and seek to ensure that each vote is cast in the best interests of each fund. Under the voting policies, each proposal is evaluated on its merits, based on the particular facts and circumstances presented at the company in question. For more information on the funds' proxy voting policies, please visit about.vanguard.com/investment-stewardship.
I. Investment Stewardship Team
The Investment Stewardship Team administers the day-to-day operation of the funds' proxy voting process, overseen by the Committee. The Investment Stewardship Team performs the following functions: (1) managing and conducting
due diligence of proxy voting vendors; (2) reconciling share positions; (3) analyzing proxy proposals using factors described in the voting policies; (4) determining and addressing potential or actual conflicts of interest that may be presented by a particular proxy; and (5) voting proxies. The Investment Stewardship Team also prepares periodic and special reports for the Board and proposes amendments to the procedures and voting policies.
II. Investment Stewardship Oversight Committee
The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees, appoints the members of the Committee (which is comprised primarily of fund officers). The Committee works with the Investment Stewardship Team to provide reports and other guidance to the Board regarding proxy voting by the funds. The Committee has an obligation to exercise its decision- making authority in accordance with the Board's instructions as set forth in the funds' proxy voting procedures and voting policies and subject to the fiduciary standards of good faith, fairness, and Vanguard's Code of Ethics. The Committee may advise the Investment Stewardship Team on how to best apply the Boards' instructions as set forth in the voting policies or refer the matter to the Board, which has ultimate decision-making authority for the funds. The Board reviews the procedures and voting policies annually and modifies them from time to time upon the recommendation of the Committee and in consultation with the Investment Stewardship Team.
III. Proxy Voting Principles
Vanguard's investment stewardship activities are grounded in four principles of good governance:
1)Board composition: We believe good governance begins with a great board of directors. Our primary interest is to ensure that the individuals who represent the interests of all shareholders are independent, committed, capable, and diverse in personal characteristics, skills, and experience.
2)Oversight of strategy and risk: We believe that boards are responsible for effective oversight of a company's long-term strategy and material risks, including environmental, social, and governance risks.
3)Executive compensation: We believe that performance-linked compensation (or remuneration) policies and practices are fundamental drivers of sustainable, long-term value.
4)Shareholder rights: We believe that companies should have in place governance structures that serve to safeguard and support foundational rights for shareholders.
IV. Evaluation of Proxies
For ease of reference, the procedures and guidelines often refer to all funds. However, the processes and practices seek to ensure that proxy voting decisions are suitable for individual funds. For most proxy proposals, particularly those involving corporate governance, the evaluation could result in the funds having a common interest in the matter and, accordingly, each fund casting votes in the same manner. In other cases, however, a fund may vote differently from other funds if doing so is in the best interest of the individual fund.
The voting policies do not permit the Board to delegate voting discretion to a third party that does not serve as a fiduciary for the funds. Because many factors bear on each decision, the voting policies incorporate factors that should be considered in each voting decision. A fund may refrain from voting some or all of its shares or vote in a particular way if doing so would be in the fund's and its shareholders' best interests. These circumstances may arise, for example, if the expected cost of voting exceeds the expected benefits of voting, if exercising the vote would result in the imposition of trading or other restrictions, or if a fund (or all Vanguard funds in the aggregate) were to own more than the permissible maximum percentage of a company's stock (as determined by the company's governing documents or by applicable law, regulation, or regulatory agreement).
In evaluating proxy proposals, the Investment Stewardship team considers information from many sources, which could include, but is not limited to, the perspectives of the company management or shareholders presenting a proposal, independent proxy research services or proprietary research. Additionally, data and recommendations from proxy advisors serve as one of many inputs into our research process.
While serving as a framework, the voting policies cannot contemplate all possible proposals with which a fund may be presented. In the absence of a specific guideline for a particular proposal (e.g., in the case of a transactional issue or contested proxy), the Investment Stewardship Team, under the supervision of the Committee, will evaluate the matter and cast the fund's vote in a manner that is in the fund's best interest, subject to the individual circumstances of the fund.
V. Conflicts of Interest
Vanguard takes seriously its commitment to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Vanguard funds invest in thousands of publicly listed companies worldwide. Those companies may include clients, potential clients, vendors, or competitors. Some companies may employ Vanguard trustees, former Vanguard executives, or family members of Vanguard personnel who have direct involvement in Vanguard's Investment Stewardship program.
Vanguard's approach to mitigating conflicts of interest begins with the funds' proxy voting procedures. The procedures require that voting personnel act as fiduciaries, and must conduct their activities at all times in accordance with the following standards: (i) fund shareholders' interests come first; (ii) conflicts of interest must be avoided; (iii) and compromising situations must be avoided.
We maintain an important separation between Vanguard's Investment Stewardship Team and other groups within Vanguard that are responsible for sales, marketing, client service, and vendor/partner relationships. Proxy voting personnel are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest, and must recuse themselves from all voting decisions and engagement activities in such instances. In certain circumstances, Vanguard may refrain from voting shares of a company, or may engage an independent third-party fiduciary to vote proxies.
Each externally managed fund has adopted the proxy voting guidelines of its advisor(s) and votes in accordance with the external advisors' guidelines and procedures. Each advisor has its own procedures for managing conflicts of interest in the best interests of fund shareholders.
VI. Shareholder Proposals
Shareholder proposals are evaluated in the context of the general corporate governance principle that a company's board has ultimate responsibility for providing effective ongoing oversight of relevant sector and company-specific risks, including risks related to environmental and social matters. Each proposal is evaluated on its merits and in the context of the particular facts and circumstances at the company in question and supported when there is a logically demonstrable linkage between the specific proposal and long-term shareholder value of the company. Some of the factors considered when evaluating shareholder proposals include the materiality of the risk addressed by the proposal, the quality of the current disclosures/business practices, and any progress by the company toward the adoption of best practices and/or industry norms.
VII. Voting in Markets Outside the United States
Corporate governance standards, disclosure requirements, and voting mechanics vary greatly among the markets outside the United States (U.S.) in which the funds may invest. Each fund's votes will be used, where applicable, to support improvements in governance and disclosure by each fund's portfolio companies. Matters presented by non-U.S. portfolio companies will be evaluated in the foregoing context, as well as in accordance with local market standards and best practices. Votes are cast for each fund in a manner philosophically consistent with the voting policies, taking into account differing practices by market.
In many other markets, voting proxies will result in a fund being prohibited from selling the shares for a period of time due to requirements known as "share-blocking" or reregistration. Generally, the value of voting is unlikely to outweigh the loss of liquidity imposed by these requirements on the funds. In such instances, the funds will generally abstain from voting.
The costs of voting (e.g., custodian fees, vote agency fees) in other markets may be substantially higher than for U.S. holdings. As such, the fund may limit its voting on foreign holdings in instances in which the issues presented are unlikely to have a material impact on shareholder value.
VIII. Voting Shares of a Company That Has an Ownership Limitation
Certain companies have provisions in their governing documents or other agreements that restrict stock ownership in excess of a specified limit. Typically, these ownership restrictions are included in the governing documents of real estate investment trusts but may be included in other companies' governing documents. A company's governing documents normally allow the company to grant a waiver of these ownership limits, which would allow a fund to exceed the stated ownership limit. Sometimes a company will grant a waiver without restriction. From time to time, a company may grant a waiver only if a fund (or funds) agrees to not vote the company's shares in excess of the normal specified limit. In such a circumstance, a fund may refrain from voting shares if owning the shares beyond the company's specified limit is in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
In addition, applicable law may require prior regulatory approval to permit ownership of certain regulated issuers' voting securities above certain limits or may impose other restrictions on owners of more than a certain percentage of a regulated issuer's voting shares. The Board has authorized the funds to vote shares above these limits in the same proportion as votes cast by the issuer's entire shareholder base (i.e., mirror vote), or to refrain from voting excess shares. Further, the Board has adopted policies that will result in certain funds mirror voting a higher proportion of the shares they own in a regulated issuer in order to permit certain other funds (generally advised by managers not affiliated with Vanguard) to mirror vote none, or a lower proportion, of their shares in such regulated issuer.
IX. Voting on a Fund's Holdings of Other Vanguard Funds
Certain Vanguard funds (owner funds) may, from time to time, own shares of other Vanguard funds (underlying funds). If an underlying fund submits a matter to a vote of its shareholders, votes for and against such matters on behalf of the owner funds will be cast in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders in the underlying fund.
X. Securities Lending
There may be occasions when Vanguard needs to restrict lending of and/or recall securities that are out on loan in order to vote in a shareholder meeting. Vanguard has processes to monitor securities on loan and to evaluate any circumstances that may require us to restrict and/or recall the stock. In making this decision, we consider:
⬛The subject of the vote and whether, based on our knowledge and experience, we believe the topic is potentially material to the corporate governance and/or long-term performance of the company;
⬛The Vanguard funds' individual and/or aggregate equity investment in a company, and whether we estimate that voting Vanguard funds' shares would affect the shareholder meeting outcome; and
⬛The long-term impact to our fund shareholders, evaluating whether we believe the benefits of voting a company's shares would outweigh the benefits of stock lending revenues in a particular instance.
SAI XX 122022
PART C
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a)Articles of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, to be filed by amendment.
(b)By-Laws, Amended and Restated By-Laws, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 dated March 29, 2021, are hereby incorporated by reference.
(c)Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, reference is made to Articles III and V of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, refer to Exhibit (a) above.
(d)Investment Advisory Contracts, for Wellington Management Company LLP, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 dated March 25, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference. The Vanguard Group, Inc., provides investment advisory services to Vanguard Factor Funds, and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF pursuant to the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement, refer to Exhibit (h) below.
(e)Underwriting Contracts, not applicable.
(f)Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts, reference is made to the section entitled "Management of the Funds" in Part B of this Registration Statement.
(g)Custodian Agreements, for State Street Bank and Trust Company, to be filed by amendment. For The Bank of New York Mellon and JPMorgan Chase Bank, are filed herewith.
(h)Other Material Contracts, Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 116, dated March 27, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference. Form Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, dated March 30, 2022, are hereby incorporated by reference.
(i)Legal Opinion, not applicable.
(j)Other Opinions, Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, not applicable.
(k)Omitted Financial Statements, not applicable.
(l)Initial Capital Agreements, not applicable.
(m)Rule 12b-1 Plan, not applicable.
(n)Rule 18f-3 Plan, is filed herewith.
(o)Reserved.
(p)Codes of Ethics, for Wellington Management Company LLP, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 118, dated March 29, 2021, are hereby incorporated by reference. For The Vanguard Group, Inc., is filed herewith.
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 30. Indemnification
The Registrant's organizational documents contain provisions indemnifying Trustees and officers against liability incurred in their official capacities. Article VII, Section 2 of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Registrant may indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee and officer from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages whatsoever arising out of or related to the performance of his or her duties as a Trustee or officer. Article VI of the By-Laws generally provides that the Registrant shall indemnify its Trustees and officers from any liability arising out of their past or present service in that capacity. Among other things, this provision excludes any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's or officer's office with the Registrant.
C-1
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) may be permitted for directors, officers, or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The list required by this Item 31 of officers and partners of Wellington Management, together with any information as to any business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and partners during the past two years, is incorporated herein by reference from Form ADV filed by Wellington Management pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-15908).
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Vanguard, together with any information as to any business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated herein by reference from Form ADV filed by Vanguard pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801- 11953).
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
(a)Vanguard Marketing Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the principal underwriter of each fund within the Vanguard group of investment companies, a family of over 200 funds.
(b)The principal business address of each named director and officer of Vanguard Marketing Corporation is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355.
Name |
|
Positions and Office with Underwriter |
|
Positions and Office with Funds |
Matthew J. Benchener |
Vice President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
None |
|
|
|
Designee |
|
|
Karin A. Risi |
Vice President |
None |
||
Thomas M. Rampulla |
Vice President |
|
None |
|
Michael Rollings |
Vice President |
Finance Director |
||
John Bisordi |
General Counsel and Vice President |
Assistant Secretary |
||
Tara Buckley |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
None |
||
Matthew C. Brancato |
Vice President |
|
None |
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
President |
|
Chief Executive Officer and President |
|
Beth Morales Singh |
Secretary |
None |
||
Erica Green |
Chief Compliance Officer |
None |
||
Sarah Green |
Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
None |
||
Nitin Tandon |
Chief Information Officer |
None |
||
Manish Nagar |
Chief Information Security Officer |
None |
||
Salvatore L. Pantalone |
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer |
None |
||
Matthew Tretter |
Financial Operations Officer |
None |
||
Danielle Corey |
Annuity and Insurance Officer |
None |
||
Jeff Seglem |
Annuity and Insurance Officer |
None |
||
Barbara Bock |
Controller |
|
None |
|
Jason Botzler |
Vice President |
None |
||
Jon Cleborne |
Vice President |
None |
||
Kaitlyn Holmes |
Vice President |
None |
||
Andrew Kadjeski |
Vice President |
None |
C-2
Name |
|
Positions and Office with Underwriter |
|
Positions and Office with Funds |
Amy M. Laursen |
Vice President |
None |
Paul M. Jakubowski |
Vice President |
None |
John James |
Vice President |
None |
James D. Martielli |
Vice President |
None |
Armond E. Mosley |
Vice President |
None |
David Petty |
Vice President |
None |
David MacBride |
Vice President |
None |
Massy Williams |
Vice President |
None |
(c) Not applicable. |
|
|
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books, accounts, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained at the offices of the Registrant, 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355; the Registrant's Transfer Agent, The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355; the Registrant's Custodians, State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, and Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286; and the Registrant's investment advisors at their respective locations identified in this Registration Statement.
Item 34. Management Services
Other than as set forth in the section entitled "Management of the Funds" in Part B of this Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
C-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Valley Forge and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 22nd day of December, 2022.
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
BY: /s/ Mortimer J. Buckley*
Mortimer J. Buckley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature |
Title |
Date |
/s/ Mortimer J. Buckley* |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
|
|
/s/ Tara Bunch* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Tara Bunch |
|
|
/s/ Emerson U. Fullwood* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
|
|
/s/ F. Joseph Loughrey* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
|
|
/s/ Mark Loughridge* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Mark Loughridge |
|
|
/s/ Scott C. Malpass* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Scott C. Malpass |
|
|
/s/ Deanna Mulligan* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Deanna Mulligan |
|
|
/s/ André F. Perold* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
André F. Perold |
|
|
/s/ Sarah Bloom Raskin* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
|
|
/s/ David Thomas* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
David Thomas |
|
|
/s/ Peter F. Volanakis* |
Trustee |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
|
|
/s/ Christine Buchanan* |
Chief Financial Officer |
December 22, 2022 |
|
|
|
Christine Buchanan |
|
|
*By: /s/ Anne E. Robinson
Anne E. Robinson, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on October 11, 2022 (see File Number 333-11763), Incorporated by Reference.
AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT, dated as of August 29, 2017 between each open-end management investment company listed on Schedule II hereto as amended from time to time (each such investment company, a "Fund"), each a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), on behalf of certain of their series (each a "Series") having their principal office and place of business at P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482, and The Bank of New York Mellon, a bank organized under the laws of the State of New York and authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286 ("Custodian").
WITNESSETH:
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth each Fund and Custodian, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:
1."Authorized Person" shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of a Fund, duly authorized to execute any Certificate or to give any Instructions or Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.
2."Autofax" shall mean an unsigned hard copy facsimile generated by a Fund's computer system and transmitted to Custodian.
3."BNY Affiliate" shall mean any office, branch or subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
4."Book"Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book"entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.
5."Business Day" shall mean any day on which Custodian, Book"Entry System and relevant Depositories are open for business:
6."Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of a Fund by an Authorized Person of the Fund or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
7."Composite Currency Unit" shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.
8."Confidential Information" means, with respect to a party, any and all oral or written information, in whatever kind and in whatever form, of such party and/or of third parties in the possession of such party that is furnished, disclosed or otherwise made available to the other party in connection with this Agreement and: (i) which a reasonably prudent business person
1
would regard as being treated as secret by such party (that is, it is the subject of efforts by the disclosing party that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy), or (ii) that is designated by such party as confidential, restricted, or proprietary, or with a similar designation; including, without limitation, any past, present or future business and business activities, financial or technical information (including portfolio holdings information and transaction information); products, services, research and development; processes, techniques; designs; financial planning practices; client information (including clients' identities and any client related data or information); and marketing plans. With respect to a Fund or its affiliates, Confidential Information shall also include the Personal Information of any shareholders, customers, partners, employees, trustees, and officers of the Fund or its affiliates. The term "Personal Information" shall mean (i) an individual's name (first initial and last name or first name and last name) plus (a) social security number, (b) driver's license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number, (f) passport identification number, or (g) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person's account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual's account. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is publicly available when disclosed by a party or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, (ii) was in the possession of the receiving party prior to its disclosure by the disclosing party and was not the subject of a pre"existing confidentiality obligation, (iii) is lawfully disclosed to the receiving party on a non"confidential basis by a third party who is not under a duty of confidentiality to the disclosing party, or (iv) is required to be disclosed by or to any regulatory authority, any external or internal accountant, auditor or counsels of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administration process or otherwise by applicable law.
9."Depository" shall include (a) the Book"Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the SEC identified to a Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
10."Foreign Depository" shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f"7 under the 1940 Act, identified to a Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.
11."Instructions" shall mean communications transmitted by electronic or telecommunications media, including S.W.I.F.T., computer"to"computer interface, dedicated transmission lines, telex, Autofax or such other methods that may be agreed to by the Funds and Custodian from time to time.
12."Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
13."Securities" shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or Foreign Depository or by a Subcustodian).
14."Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of a Fund listed on Schedule II hereto, and if none are listed references to Series shall be references to the Fund.
2
15."Subcustodian" shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located within or outside the U.S. that is eligible to serve as a custodian pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (with respect to foreign Subcustodians, the reference to eligibility to serve pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder shall apply if Custodian acts as foreign custody manager for the applicable Series as contemplated in Rule 17f"5 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 17f"5")), which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to a Fund from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS
1.This Agreement amends and restates the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement dated as of June 19, 2001 between each open"end management investment company listed on Schedule II thereto (as amended from time to time) and The Bank of New York (the "Prior Agreement"), and the terms of this Agreement replace the terms of the Prior Agreement effective as of the date of this Agreement. For clarity, matters relating to the time period prior to the date of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Prior Agreement. For further clarity, the continuation of amendments to and other agreements that reference the Prior Agreement is not intended to be affected by the fact of the amendment and restatement of the Prior Agreement by this Agreement, and reference in such amendments and agreements to the Prior Agreement shall be considered to be a reference to this Agreement effective as of the date of this Agreement (provided that matters relating to the time period prior to the date of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Prior Agreement).
2.(a) Each Fund hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for each Series in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Custodian shall maintain books and records segregating the assets of each Series from the assets of any other Series. Such accounts (each, an "Account"; collectively, the "Accounts") shall be in the name of the Fund on behalf of the relevant Series. Except as precluded by Section 8"501(d) of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC"), Custodian shall hold all Securities and other financial assets, other than cash, of a Series that are delivered to it in a "securities account" with Custodian for and in the name of such Series and shall treat all such assets other than cash as "financial assets" as those terms are used in the UCC.
(b)Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub"accounts within each Account as a Fund and Custodian may reasonably agree upon (each a "Special Account"), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.
(c)Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as a Fund and Custodian shall reasonably agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions. Custodian shall upon receipt of a Certificate or Instructions on behalf of each applicable Series, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Series, into which
3
account or accounts may be transferred cash, securities, or other assets of the Series and collateral provided to the Series by its counterparties, including securities maintained in an account by Custodian (1) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of a Series, Custodian and a broker dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Series, (2) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund, on behalf of a Series, Custodian and any futures commission merchant (registered under the Commodity Exchange Act) relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract market, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Series, (3) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by a Series or commodity futures contract options thereon purchased or sold by a Series, (4) for the purposes of compliance by a Series with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the SEC, or no"action letter of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered management investment companies, and (5) for any other purpose in accordance with a Certificate or Instructions and as agreed by the parties.
3.Each Fund hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by such Fund, that:
(a)It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b)This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, approved by a resolution of its board of trustees, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting generally the enforceability of creditors' rights or by equitable principles generally applied, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by"laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(c)It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted;
(d)It will not use the services provided by Custodian hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Fund;
(e)Its board of trustees or its foreign custody manager, as defined in Rule 17f" 5 under the 1940 Act, has determined that use of each Subcustodian (including any Replacement Custodian) and each Depository which Custodian or any Subcustodian is authorized to utilize in accordance with Section 1(a) of Article III hereof, satisfies the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and Rules 17f"4 or 17f"5 thereunder, as the case may be;
4
(f)Upon receiving from Custodian an initial analysis of and information concerning changes in the custody risks associated with maintaining assets at a Foreign Depository, the Fund or its investment adviser has determined that the custody arrangements of each Foreign Depository provide reasonable safeguards against the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Foreign Depository within the meaning of Rule 17f"7 under the 1940 Act;
(g)It is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with various methods of transmitting Instructions and Oral Instructions and delivering Certificates to Custodian, understands that there may be more secure methods of transmitting or delivering the same than the methods selected by the Fund, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be utilized provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, acknowledges and agrees that Instructions need not be reviewed by Custodian if such Instructions require authentication codes and have such codes, acknowledges and agrees the same may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;
(h)It shall manage its borrowings, including, without limitation, any advance or overdraft (including any day"light overdraft) in the Accounts, so that the aggregate of its total borrowings for each Series does not exceed the amount such Series is permitted to borrow under the 1940 Act;
(i)Its transmission or giving of, and Custodian acting upon and in reliance on, Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the 1940 Act;
(j)It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose; and
(k)It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right or prior claim of any other person or entity (except as otherwise provided by law), such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith (except as otherwise provided by law).
4.The Fund hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian's request a Form FR U"l (or successor form) whenever the Fund borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.
5.Custodian hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each receipt of a Certificate or each receipt of Oral Instructions or Instructions by Custodian, that:
(a)It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(b)This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Custodian, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Custodian, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws
5
affecting generally the enforceability of creditors' rights or by equitable principles generally applied, and there is no statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on it, and no provision of its charter or by"laws, nor of any mortgage, indenture, credit agreement or other contract binding on it or affecting its property, which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(c)It is conducting its business in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; and
(d)It will not provide services hereunder in any manner that is, or will result in, a violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to Custodian.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES
1.(a) Subject to the terms hereof, each Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities and cash received by it from time to time for such Fund's account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (e) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian's or a BNY Affiliate's agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular Subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depository or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to each Fund and their Series, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the "Replacement Subcustodian"). In the event Custodian selects a Replacement Subcustodian, Custodian shall not utilize such Replacement Subcustodian until after the Fund's board or foreign custody manager has determined that utilization of such Replacement Subcustodian satisfies the requirements of the 1940 Act and Rule 17f"5 thereunder.
(b)Custodian may employ one or more Subcustodians located in the United States for a Fund, but only in accordance with applicable law and upon receipt of written approval from the Fund. The approval of a particular Subcustodian by the Fund shall not limit Custodian's liability with respect to the use of the Subcustodian under this Agreement.
(c)With respect to Losses (as defined below) incurred by a Fund as a result of any action or omission of a Subcustodian relating to the Subcustodian's provision of sub"custody services in a market listed in Schedule III hereto, Custodian will be liable for such Losses to the same extent as if such action or omission was performed by Custodian itself, unless a higher standard of care is required by law, rule, or regulation, in which case the higher standard of care will apply. Custodian shall take full responsibility for, and shall indemnify the Fund from and
6
against, any Losses incurred by a Fund as a result of any action or omission of a Subcustodian relating to the Subcustodian's provision of sub"custody services in a market listed in Schedule
IIIhereto to the same extent as if such action or omission was performed by Custodian itself, or the insolvency of any Subcustodian that is a BNY Affiliate, and Custodian shall promptly reimburse the Fund in the amount of any such Losses. Where Custodian no longer maintains any client assets with a Subcustodian in a market listed in Schedule III or where Custodian intends to remove all client assets from all Subcustodians in a market listed in Schedule III, Custodian may remove that market from the list in Schedule III upon prior notice to the applicable Fund. In all other circumstances, Custodian may not remove a market listed in Schedule III without prior agreement of the applicable Fund.
(d)Assuming that Custodian acts as foreign custody manager for the applicable Series as contemplated in Rule 17f"5, unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold such Series' Foreign Assets (as defined in Rule 17f"5) indirectly through a Subcustodian only if Custodian determines that (1) the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Subcustodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f"5(c)(1); and (2) the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with such Subcustodian selected by Custodian will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f"5(c)(2), including but not limited to: (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Fund by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of cash or value other than for safe custody or administration.
(e)With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Fund with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Fund or the Fund's investment adviser of any material change in such risks. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall include information concerning, but no evaluation of, Country Risks. As used herein the term "Country Risks" shall mean with respect to any Foreign Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country's prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country's regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the orderly execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities.
2.Promptly after the close of business on each Business Day or the next Business Day in the case of a Subcustodian or Foreign Depositary, or in accordance with practices in the related local market, Custodian shall furnish each Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis, of all transfers to or from the Accounts, either hereunder or with any Subcustodian appointed in accordance with this Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to an Account for a Series, Custodian shall also by book"entry or otherwise identify as belonging to such Series a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on Custodian's account on the books of the Book"Entry System
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or a Depository. At least monthly and from time to time, Custodian shall furnish each Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series basis, of the Securities and cash held by Custodian for such Fund.
3.With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:
(a)Collect and receive all income and other payments and in this regard Custodian shall promptly notify a Fund in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing, if any amount payable with respect to portfolio Securities or other assets of a Series is not received by Custodian when due. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, a Fund and Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of Custodian relating to such measures;
(b)Give notice to each Fund and present payment and collect the amount payable upon such Securities that are called, but only if either (i) Custodian receives a written notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in or is received from a nationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes;
(c)Unless otherwise instructed by a Fund, Custodian shall retain in the appropriate account any stock dividends, subscription rights and other non"cash distributions on the Securities, or the proceeds from the sale of any distributions. Custodian shall notify a Fund upon the receipt of any non"cash item.
(d)Present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all Securities which may mature, promptly deposit or withdraw such proceeds as designated therein and advise each Fund as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;
(e)Surrender Securities in temporary form for definitive Securities;
(f)Forward to each Fund copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which, in the opinion of Custodian, are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;
(g)Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupons;
(h)Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and
(i)Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.
4.(a) Custodian shall notify each Fund of rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken (each a "Notice" and collectively "Notices"), provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes (each a "Notice Provider" and collectively "Notice Providers"), timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action
8
must be taken. Absent actual receipt of Notices, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify a Fund except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph or as otherwise specifically agreed by Custodian in writing in an amendment to or other document separate from this Agreement. Custodian shall use reasonable care in forwarding such Notice to the relevant Fund. Custodian shall use reasonable care in the selection of a Notice Provider other than a Foreign Depository. To the extent an officer of the Custodian, with working knowledge of the Accounts, has actual knowledge that a Notice Provider has failed to provide Notices to the Custodian, the Custodian shall use reasonable care to obtain a mailing of such Notice from such Notice Provider or except in the case of a Foreign Depository use an alternative Notice Provider.
(b)Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non"mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on a Fund or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by a Fund, the Fund shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Fund's Certificate or Instructions at Custodian's offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, at such date or time as Custodian may specify to the Fund. Absent Custodian's timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.
5.Custodian shall perform the custody services provided for under this Agreement in a manner that meets or exceeds any service levels that may be agreed upon by the parties in writing from time to time. If Custodian fails to satisfy any service level that has been designated as "critical," Custodian will be required to pay the Fund agreed upon credit amounts, if any.
6.All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Fund or its designee. For Securities issued in the United States, Custodian's only duty shall be to mail to the Funds any documents (including proxy statements, annual reports and signed proxies) actually received by Custodian relating to the exercise of such voting rights. With respect to Securities issued outside of the United States, Custodian's only duty shall be to provide the Funds with access to a provider of global proxy services at a Fund's request. The Fund using the services shall be responsible for all associated costs.
7.Custodian shall promptly advise a Fund upon Custodian's actual receipt of notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Fund has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non"discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.
8.Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.
9.Each Fund shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto ("Taxes"), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of such Fund or any transaction related thereto. Each Fund shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or
9
distributions made to or for the account of the Fund (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold). Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of a Fund, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Fund shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Fund is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Fund under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Fund all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax is obtainable only by means of an application for refund, Custodian and the applicable Subcustodian shall have no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of information provided by a Fund on any forms or documentation provided by the Fund to Custodian hereunder. Each Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of information provided by a Fund on any such forms or other documentation, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of such Fund, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
10.(a) Upon receipt of a proper Certificate or proper Instructions in a format agreeable to the applicable Fund and Custodian, Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions for such Fund. For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, each Fund shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, "sufficient immediately available funds" shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide each Fund with immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as a Fund may specify to Custodian.
(b)Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a BNY Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels. Each Fund may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Funds. Each Fund shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.
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(c)To the extent that Custodian has agreed to provide pricing or other information services in connection with this Agreement, Custodian is authorized to utilize any vendor (including brokers and dealers of Securities) reasonably believed by Custodian to be reliable to provide such information. Each Fund understands that certain pricing information with respect to complex financial instruments (e.g., derivatives) may be based on calculated amounts rather than actual market transactions and may not reflect actual market values, and that the variance between such calculated amounts and actual market values may or may not be material. Where vendors do not provide pricing information for particular Securities or other property, an Authorized Person may advise Custodian in a Certificate regarding the fair market value of, or provide other information with respect to, such Securities or property as determined by it in good faith. Subject to the immediately following sentence, Custodian is entitled to rely without investigation on the accuracy and completeness of pricing and other information provided to Custodian by a Fund or third party. Nevertheless, Custodian shall be liable for the performance of any vendor selected by Custodian that is a BNY Affiliate to the same extent as Custodian would have been liable if it performed such services itself.
11.Custodian shall promptly send to a Fund (a) any reports it receives from a Depository on such Depository's system of internal accounting control, and (b) such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
12.Subject to Article III, Section 4(a), Custodian shall transmit promptly to a Fund for each Series all written information received by Custodian from issuers of the Securities and other financial assets being held for the Series, including among other things, maturities of domestic securities and notices of exercise of call and put options. Also subject to Article III, Section 4(a), Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer. Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund for each Series all written information received by Custodian regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to Securities or other financial assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class action period during the term of this Agreement by Custodian for the account of a Fund for a Series, including, but not limited to, opt"out notices and proof"of"claim forms.
13.Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program, in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations (including any similar international laws) applicable to Custodian, that contains reasonable and appropriate security measures designed to safeguard the Confidential Information of a Fund that Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes, transmits or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. In this regard, Custodian will establish and maintain policies, procedures, and technical, physical, and administrative safeguards, designed to: (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of all Confidential Information of a Fund that Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder; (ii) protect against any reasonably foreseeable threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such Confidential Information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of such Confidential Information; (iv) maintain reasonable procedures to detect and respond to any internal or external security breaches; and (v) ensure appropriate disposal of such Confidential Information.
Custodian will monitor and review its information security program and revise it, as necessary and in its sole discretion, to address as it deems necessary any reasonably foreseeable and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Custodian shall periodically test and audit its information security program.
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Custodian shall respond to the Funds' reasonable requests for information concerning Custodian's information security program and once each calendar year, upon request, Custodian will permit authorized representatives of the Funds to review, at Custodian's site, its applicable policies and procedures to the extent it is able to do so without divulging sensitive, proprietary, or Custodian Confidential Information. Upon reasonable request, Custodian shall discuss with the Funds the information security program of Custodian. Custodian also agrees, when requested but not more frequently than once per year, to complete any reasonable security questionnaire regarding Custodian's information security program provided by the Funds and return it in a commercially reasonable period of time. The parties may also agree upon other matters relating to access management and information security which the parties consider to be appropriate from time to time.
Custodian shall: (i) promptly notify a Fund of any unauthorized access to Confidential Information of the Fund in the possession or control of Custodian ("Breach of Security"); (ii) promptly furnish to the relevant Fund full details of such Breach of Security to the extent it is available and not privileged information or part of an investigation; (iii) provide reasonable cooperation to a Fund in any litigation and investigation of third parties deemed necessary by the Fund to protect its proprietary and other rights; (iv) take all reasonable and appropriate action to end the Breach of Security and to mitigate any continuing or future harm to a Fund resulting from the Breach of Security, and (v) use reasonable precautions to prevent a recurrence of a Breach of Security. This provision will survive termination or expiration of this Agreement for so long as Custodian or any Subcustodian continues to possess or have access to Confidential Information of a Fund. Information and materials provided by Custodian in accordance with this Section are hereby designated by Custodian as confidential.
14.Custodian has and shall maintain business continuation and disaster recovery plans with respect to its global custody business, which, in the event of a significant business disruption affecting Custodian (which could include a Force Majeure Event as defined below), will be designed to ensure the continued processing capability and availability of the services provided by Custodian under this Agreement without undue delay or disruption. Custodian shall update and test the operability of such plans at least annually. On an annual basis, Custodian shall, upon reasonable request, meet with the Funds to review any business continuation and disaster recovery plans of Custodian relevant to the services provided by Custodian under this Agreement. Custodian represents that its business continuation and disaster recovery plans are appropriate for its business as a provider of custodian services to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. Information and materials provided by Custodian in accordance with this Section are hereby designated by Custodian as confidential.
15.Each Fund represents that it maintains compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the Fund from violating any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders or requirements administered by any governmental authority of the United States (including the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control) concerning economic sanctions. Unless otherwise prohibited, a Fund will promptly provide to Custodian such information as Custodian reasonably requests in connection with the matters referenced in this Section 15, including information regarding its Accounts, the assets held or to be held in the Accounts, the source thereof, and the identity of any individual or entity having or claiming an interest therein. Custodian may decline to act or provide services in respect of any Account, and take such other actions as it, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or advisable, in connection with the matters referenced in this Section 15. If Custodian declines to act or provide services as provided in the preceding sentence, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law or official request, Custodian will inform the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable.
16.Each Fund hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program ("CIP") requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its
12
implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Fund. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder, Custodian will ask the Fund to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Fund's name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Fund's identity, such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. Each Fund agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Fund's identity in accordance with Custodian's CIP.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES;
CREDITS TO ACCOUNT
1.Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by a Fund, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or if agreed between the Fund and Custodian Oral Instructions, specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.
2.Each Fund understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities. Each Fund assumes full responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities, except the foregoing shall not excuse Custodian's acting in accordance with such practices and procedures in a manner that constitutes negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
3.Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with a Fund, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian's actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Custodian shall notify the appropriate Fund at least 48 hours prior to any such reversal, but such reversal shall be made as of the date Custodian determines it has not received final payment. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be "final" until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.
ARTICLE V
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1.If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day"light overdraft) because the cash held by Custodian in an Account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate Account of a Series for
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some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to a Series (except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this Article), Custodian shall promptly notify the appropriate Fund of any such advance and the time at which such advance or overdraft must be paid. Such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum agreed by such Fund and Custodian from time to time, or, in the absence of an agreement, at the rate ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Fund hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to such Securities of such Series as shall have a fair market value equal to the aggregate amount of all overdrafts of, or advances to, such Series, together with accrued interest, such lien, security interest and security entitlement to be effective only so long as such advance, overdraft, or accrued interest thereon remains outstanding. The Fund authorizes Custodian to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to such Series' credit on Custodian's books; provided, however, that Custodian shall provide the Fund with two (2) business days' advance notice before effecting any such charge, during which time the Fund shall be entitled to determine the priority order in which Securities, cash, and other assets are to be used to set off the outstanding balance. For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section do not apply to any amounts owed to Custodian pursuant to any other Section of this Agreement, including, in particular, any amounts owed to Custodian pursuant to Section 6 of Article VIII of this Agreement.
2.If a Fund borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) the amount of the borrowing, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (e) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (f) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the 1940 Act and the Fund's prospectus. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities. In this event, Custodian shall notify the Fund that the Securities were not delivered, and the information that the Fund failed to specify in the Certificate.
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ARTICLE VI
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1.Whenever a Fund shall sell any shares issued by the Fund ("Shares") it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or if agreed between the Fund and Custodian Oral Instructions, specifying the amount of cash and/or Securities to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an Account for such Series.
2.Upon receipt of such cash from a Fund's transfer agent, Custodian shall credit such cash to an Account in the name of the Series for which such cash was received.
3.Except as provided hereinafter, whenever a Fund desires Custodian to make payment out of the cash held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or if agreed between the Fund and Custodian Oral Instructions, specifying the total amount to be paid for such Shares. Custodian shall make payment of such total amount to the transfer agent specified in such Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions out of the cash held in an Account of the appropriate Series.
4.Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the redemption of any Shares, whenever any Shares are redeemed pursuant to any check redemption privilege which may from time to time be offered by a Fund, Custodian, unless otherwise instructed by a Certificate or Instructions (or if agreed between the Fund and Custodian Oral Instructions) shall, upon presentment of such check, charge the amount thereof against the cash held in the Account of the Series of the Shares being redeemed, provided, that if the Fund or its agent timely advises Custodian that such check is not to be honored, Custodian shall return such check unpaid.
ARTICLE VII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1.Whenever a Fund shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions, Oral Instructions (if agreed between the Fund and Custodian) or a Certificate setting forth with respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.
2.Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions, Oral Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the cash held for the Account of such Series the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Fund with respect to the Series specified therein.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING CUSTODIAN
1.(a) Custodian shall exercise such good faith, reasonable care, diligence and prudence as a professional custodian would exercise under the facts and circumstances and to act without negligence, fraud, bad faith, or willful misconduct in carrying out the duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement, unless a higher standard of care is required by law, rule, or regulation, in which case such higher standard of care will apply. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys' and accountants' fees (collectively, "Losses"), incurred by or asserted against a Fund, except those Losses arising out of Custodian's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depositories, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of Custodian's failure
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to fulfill its duties hereunder, of any Foreign Depositories. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Fund as a result of the acts or any failures to act by any Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository, Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository; and with regard to a Depository or Foreign Depository or with regard to a Loss relating to the Subcustodian's provision of sub"custody services in a market other than one listed in Schedule III hereto, Custodian's sole responsibility and liability to the Fund shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian), except to the extent that (A) Custodian's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct is the direct cause of such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository's act or omission (it being agreed that Custodian's decision to use any such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository shall not constitute negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct), or (B) a transaction or other matter between Custodian and such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository in which Custodian acts with negligence, fraud, bad faith, or willful misconduct and which is unrelated to the Fund was the cause of the loss or damage, in each of which events, Custodian shall be liable for such Losses. At a Fund's election and to the extent practicable under the circumstances and allowable under the applicable agreement and/or the law pursuant to which such agreement is construed, a Fund shall be subrogated on behalf of its Series to the rights of Custodian with respect to any claims against a Depository or Foreign Depository or against a Subcustodian with respect to the provision of sub"custody services in a market other than one listed in Schedule III hereto as a consequence of any Losses if and to the extent that such Series has not been made whole for any Losses within a reasonable period of time by such Subcustodian, Depository or Foreign Depository. Upon the occurrence of any event that causes or may cause any Losses to a Fund, Custodian shall (i) promptly notify the Fund of the occurrence of such event and (ii) take all reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to the Fund.
(b)Provided Custodian's actions or omissions are without gross negligence, fraudulent conduct, bad faith, or willful misconduct, Custodian shall not be liable to a Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising in connection with this Agreement. In addition, neither Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be liable: (i) for acting in accordance with any Certificate or Oral Instructions actually received by Custodian and reasonably believed by Custodian to be given by an Authorized Person; (ii) for acting in accordance with Instructions requiring authentication codes if such Instructions have authentication codes without reviewing the same; (iii) for conclusively presuming that all disbursements of cash directed by the Fund, whether by a Certificate, an Oral Instruction, or an Instruction, are in accordance with Section 3(i) of Article II hereof; (iv) for holding property in any particular country, including, but not limited to, Losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or securities industry; exchange or currency controls or restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; availability of cash or Securities or market conditions which prevent the transfer of property or execution of Securities transactions or affect the value of property; (v) for the insolvency of any Subcustodian (other than a BNY Affiliate), any Depository, or, except to the extent such action or inaction is a direct result of Custodian's failure to fulfill its duties hereunder, any Foreign Depository; or (vi) for any Losses arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, including, without limitation, implementation or adoption of any rules or procedures of a Foreign Depository, which may affect, limit, prevent or impose costs or burdens on, the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any currency or Composite Currency Unit in any country or on the transfer of any Securities, and in no event shall Custodian be obligated to substitute another currency for a currency (including a currency that is a component of a Composite Currency Unit) whose transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected, limited, or prevented by such law,
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regulation or event, and to the extent that any such law, regulation or event imposes a cost or charge upon Custodian in relation to the transferability, convertibility, or availability of any cash currency or Composite Currency Unit, such cost or charge shall be for the Account of the Fund, and Custodian may treat any Account denominated in an affected currency as a group of separate accounts denominated in the relevant component currencies. Provided that Custodian shall maintain an information security program as set forth in Article III, Section 13, and business continuation and disaster recovery procedures as set forth in Article III, Section 14, Custodian shall not be liable for any Losses due to forces beyond the control of Custodian, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear or natural catastrophes, or acts of God, or interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services ("Force Majeure Event"). Custodian shall endeavor to promptly notify the Funds when it becomes aware of any situation outlined above, but shall not be liable for a failure to do so. The Funds shall not be responsible for temporary delays in the performance of their duties and obligations hereunder and correspondingly shall not be liable for any Losses attributable to such delay in consequence of an event as described above affecting the Funds' principal place of business operations or administration.
(c)Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any BNY Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder. No such subcontract, agreement or understanding shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder. With respect to Losses incurred by a Fund as a result of an action or omission of a BNY Affiliate, Custodian will be liable for such Losses to the same extent that Custodian would be liable under the Agreement if the applicable action or omission was that of Custodian.
(d)The Funds agree to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian's performance hereunder, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Fund; provided however, that the Funds shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian's own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of each Fund, their successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
(e)Without limiting any provisions of Article III, Section 1, Custodian agrees to indemnify each Fund against and hold each Fund harmless from and against any and all direct damages sustained or incurred because of or in connection with this Agreement; provided however, that Custodian shall only indemnify the Funds for those direct damages arising out of the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of Custodian, or any affiliate of Custodian or any BNY Affiliate. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.
2.Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for (except to the extent that either (a) or (b) involves Custodian's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct):
(a)Any Losses incurred by a Fund or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;
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(b)The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;
(c)The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;
(d)The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution
by a Fund;
(e)The legality of any borrowing by a Fund;
(f)The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;
(g)The sufficiency or value of any amounts of cash and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by a Fund; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of Custodian's receipt or non"receipt of any such payment except that Custodian shall as promptly as practical under the circumstances notify a Fund of any difference between the amount the Fund has specified in a Certificate or Instructions as the amount to be received and the amount Custodian actually receives or does not receive; or
(h)Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of a Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by a Fund, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Fund.
3.Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel at its own expense (without limiting Article VIII, Section 1(d)) and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice provided that Custodian has selected and retained such counsel using reasonable care and any action taken pursuant to the advice must be consistent with Custodian's responsibilities under this Agreement.
4.Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment, unless and
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until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a Certificate or Instructions and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of its reasonable costs and expenses in connection with any such action except that Custodian shall as promptly as practical under the circumstances notify the affected Fund in writing of such default or refusal to pay.
5.Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.
6.Each Fund shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at agreed rates for such services as may be applicable.
7.In addition to, and not as a limitation of, Custodian's rights under Section 1 of Article V, Custodian has the right to debit a cash account in advance for any amount payable by a Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Fund to Custodian, provided Custodian has given the Fund at least two (2) business days' prior notice of such debit during which time the Fund shall be entitled to determine the priority order in which any cash accounts are to be debited.
8.Each Fund agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. Each Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. Under either of the two foregoing circumstances, Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund. If a Fund elects to transmit Instructions through an on"line communications system offered by Custodian, the Fund's use thereof shall be subject to the terms and conditions contained in a separate written agreement.
9.The books and records pertaining to a Fund which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of such Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The Fund, or its authorized representatives (including the Fund's independent public accountants), shall have access to such books and records during Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of a Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Fund or its authorized representative (including the Fund's independent public accountants). Upon the reasonable request of a Fund, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained.
10.Upon reasonable request of a Fund, Custodian shall provide the Fund with a copy of Custodian's Service Organizational Control (SOC) 1 reports (or any successor reports) prepared in accordance with the requirements of AT"C Section 320, Reporting on an Examination of Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to User Entities' Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (or successor governing standard). In addition, from time to time as reasonably requested, Custodian will furnish the Fund a "gap" or "bridge" letter that will address any material changes that might have occurred in Custodian's controls covered in the SOC Report from the end of the SOC Report period through a specified requested date. Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Fund with such reports as the Fund may reasonably request or otherwise reasonably require to fulfill its duties under Rule 38a"l of the 1940 Act or similar legal and regulatory requirements. Upon reasonable request of the Fund, Custodian shall also provide to the Fund sub"
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certifications in connection with Sarbanes"Oxley Act of 2002 certification requirements. Information and materials provided by Custodian in accordance with this Section are hereby designated by Custodian as confidential.
11.In addition, Custodian shall cooperate with and promptly supply necessary information reasonably requested to any entity or entities appointed by a Fund to keep its books of account and/or compute its net asset value. Custodian shall take all such reasonable actions as a Fund may from time to time request to enable a Fund to obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from a Fund's independent accountants with respect to Custodian's activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of any registration statement of a Fund and any other reports required by a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund, and (ii) the fulfillment by a Fund of any other requirements of a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund.
12.It is understood that Custodian is authorized to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. Custodian shall provide each Fund with any report obtained by Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as a Fund may reasonably request from time to time.
13.Neither Custodian nor any Fund shall have any duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
1.Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall not take effect sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing if termination is being sought by a Fund on behalf of a Series and not sooner than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of such delivery or mailing if termination is being sought by the Custodian. A Fund may immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee or a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Termination of the Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Series shall in no way affect the rights and duties under the Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Series. In the event such notice is given by either party, the Fund shall designate a successor custodian or custodians on or before the termination date. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $25,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, and which shall be satisfactory to the Funds. Upon the date set forth in such notice, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to the affected Fund(s), and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and cash then owned by the Fund(s) and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled, provided that the Fund shall be entitled to determine the reasonable priority order in which the cash or other assets of any Series are to be deducted by the Custodian to obtain reimbursement.
2.If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or Custodian in accordance with the preceding section, the Fund shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of
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this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and cash then owned by the Fund be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.
3.In the event of any termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Custodian shall, for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days after termination of the Agreement, (i) continue to provide all or part of the services under this Agreement if requested by the Fund, which services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement during the transition period unless otherwise agreed to by the parties; (ii) provide to the Fund or any successor custodian all assistance reasonably requested to enable the Fund or the successor custodian to commence providing services similar to those under this Agreement; and (iii) subject to the same limitations in place during the term of this Agreement, provide the Fund with access to all records in the possession of Custodian relating to the Fund which belong to the Fund and which are required to be maintained pursuant to the 1940 Act.
4.In connection with any termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the parties shall promptly develop a transition plan setting forth a reasonable timetable for the transition and describing the parties' respective responsibilities for transitioning the services back to the Fund or any successor custodian in an orderly and uninterrupted fashion.
5.If Custodian is prevented from carrying out its obligations under this Agreement as a result of any Force Majeure Event for a period of thirty (30) days, a Fund may terminate this Agreement by giving Custodian not less than thirty (30) days' notice, without prejudice to any of the rights of any party accrued prior to the date of termination.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
1.Each Fund agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates, Instructions or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.
2.Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
3.Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and received by it at its offices at Attn.; Chief Financial Officer, The Vanguard Group, Inc., 400 Devon Park Drive, A29, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time designate in writing.
4.Each and every right granted to a party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise
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by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
5.In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Fund and any amendment to Schedule III hereto may be made as provided in Article III, Section 1(c). This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
6.This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Fund and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Each Fund hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each Fund and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
7.This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of each Fund as Trustees and not individually and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Funds; further, the assets of a particular Series of such Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with liabilities attributable to any other Series of such Fund and that all persons extending credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against a particular Series of such Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment of such credit, contract or claim.
8.Each party hereto agrees that it shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all Confidential Information of any other party. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all Confidential Information of a party hereto shall not be used by any other party hereto except solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of such providing party. Custodian may disclose a Fund's Confidential Information to Custodian's affiliates, legal counsel, consultants, accountants, agents, or service providers (i) who have a business need to know such Confidential Information solely for purposes of carrying out services with respect to the Funds in connection with this Agreement, and
(ii)who are subject to fiduciary, professional, or contractual obligations of confidentiality substantially similar to, and no less restrictive than, the obligations set forth herein, and as otherwise required by law or legal process (each such recipient being a "Custodian Agent"). Custodian shall remain ultimately responsible for any impermissible or unlawful use, disclosure, or distribution of a Fund's Confidential Information by Custodian Agents.
9.This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Funds and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
EACH OF THE OPEN-END
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE II
HERETO
By: |
/s/ Thomas J. Higgins |
Name: Thomas J. Higgins
Title: Chief Financial Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By: |
/s/ Kenneth C. Roehner |
Name: Kenneth C. Roehner
Title: Managing Director
SCHEDULE II
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard CMT Funds
Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Vanguard Money Market Reserves
Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Capital Growth Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
Short-Term Investment-Grade Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Schedule II-1
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Schedule II-2
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Argentina |
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Ireland |
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Slovenia |
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Australia |
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Israel |
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South Africa |
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Austria |
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Italy |
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South Korea |
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Bahrain |
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Japan |
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Spain |
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Bangladesh |
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Jordan |
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Sri Lanka |
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Belgium |
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Kazakhstan |
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Swaziland |
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Bermuda |
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Kenya |
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Sweden |
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Botswana |
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Kuwait |
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Switzerland |
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Brazil |
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Latvia |
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Taiwan |
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Bulgaria |
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Lebanon |
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Thailand |
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Canada |
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Lithuania |
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Tunisia |
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Cayman Islands |
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Luxembourg |
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Turkey |
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Channel Islands |
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Malaysia |
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Uganda |
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Chile |
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Malta |
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Ukraine |
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China Shanghai |
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Mauritius |
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United Arab Emirates |
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China Shenzhen |
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Mexico |
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United Kingdom |
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Colombia |
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Morocco |
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United States |
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Costa Rica |
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Namibia |
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Uruguay |
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Croatia |
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Netherlands |
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Venezuela |
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Cyprus |
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New Zealand |
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Vietnam |
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SCHEDULE II AMENDMENT #2
The following is an amended and restated Schedule II ("Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2017 (the "Agreement"), by and between The Bank of New York Mellon ("Custodian") and each open-end management investment company listed on this Schedule II (each, a "Fund"). This Amendment serves to update Schedule II. Custodian and the Funds agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Funds listed below.
Schedule II is amended as follows:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard CMT Funds
Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Money Market Reserves
Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
Short-Term Investment-Grade Portfolio
Total Bond Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Funds
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund
Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF
Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard International Growth Fund
(Rest of page left intentionally blank)
AGREED TO as of _______, 2018 BY: |
| |
The Bank of New York Mellon |
Each of the Open-End Management Investment Companies Listed | |
|
|
on Schedule II Hereto |
By: |
/s/ Robert Hladky |
By: /s/ Thomas J. Higgins |
Name: Robert Hladky |
Name: Thomas J. Higgins | |
Title: |
Vice President |
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
SCHEDULE II -AME NDMENT #3
The following is an amended and restated Schedule II ("Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2017 (the "Agreement"), by and between The Bank of New York Mellon ("Custodian") and each open-end management investment company listed on this Schedule II (each, a "Fund"). This Amendment serves to update Schedule
II.Custodian and the Funds agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Funds listed below.
Schedule II is amended as follows:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard CMT Funds
Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Money Market Reserves
Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Money Market Portfolio
Short-Term Investment-Grade Portfolio
Total Bond Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund
Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF
Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF
Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard International Growth Fund
AGREED TO AS OF March 15, 2022
(Rest of page left intentionally blank)
The Bank of New York Mellon |
Each of the Open-End Management Investment |
|
Companies Listed on Schedule II Hereto |
By: /s/ Michelle Ross__________ |
By: /s/ Christine Buchanan_____________ |
Name: Michelle Ross________ |
Name: Christine Buchanan_____________ |
Title: Director______________ |
Title: Principal VGI, Funds CFO________ |
AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, is between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Bank"), a national banking association with a place of business at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179; and each of the open-end management investment companies listed on Exhibit 1 of this Agreement, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), organized as Delaware statutory trusts (each a "Trust"), severally and for and on behalf of certain of their respective portfolios listed on Exhibit 1 (each a "Fund"), each Trust and their respective Funds with a place of business at P.O. Box 2600 Valley Forge, PA 19482. Each Trust for which Bank serves as custodian under this Agreement, shall individually be referred to as "Customer."
1.INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
1.1INTENTION OF THE PARTIES.
(a)This Agreement sets out the terms governing custodial, settlement and certain other associated services offered by Bank to Customer. Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only those duties that are set forth in this Agreement or expressly contained in Instructions that are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement and with Bank's operations and procedures. Customer acknowledges that Bank is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in providing the services hereunder.
(b)Investing in foreign markets may be a risky enterprise. The holding of Global Assets and cash in foreign jurisdictions may involve risks of loss or other special features. Bank shall not be liable for any loss that results from the general risks of investing or Country Risk.
1.2DEFINITIONS.
(a)As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
"ACCOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
"AFFILIATE" means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, Bank.
"AFFILIATED SUBCUSTODIAN" means a Subcustodian that is an Affiliate.
"APPLICABLE LAW" means any statute, whether national, state or local, applicable in the United States or any other country, the rules of the treaty establishing the European Community, other applicable treaties, any other law, rule, regulation or interpretation of any governmental entity, any applicable common law, and any decree, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, or writ of any governmental entity.
"AUTHORIZED PERSON" means any person (including an investment manager or other agent) who has been designated by written notice from Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of Customer hereunder. Such persons shall continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as Bank receives Instructions from Customer or its designated agent that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.
"BANK INDEMNITEES" means Bank, its Subcustodians, and their respective nominees, directors, officers and employees.
"BANK'S LONDON BRANCH" means the London branch office of Bank.
"CASH ACCOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii).
"CORPORATE ACTION" means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, calls, redemptions, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, conversions, consolidation, subdivision, takeover offer or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that requires discretionary action by the holder, but does not include proxy voting.
"COUNTRY RISK" means the risk of investing or holding assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to, risks arising from: nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; the country's financial infrastructure, including prevailing custody and settlement practices; laws applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and cash held in custody; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets.
"CUSTOMER" means individually each Trust and their respective Funds as listed on Exhibit 1 hereto.
"ENTITLEMENT HOLDER" means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
"FINANCIAL ASSET" means, as the context requires, either the asset itself or the means by which a person's claim to it is evidenced, including a Security, a security certificate, or a Securities Entitlement. "Financial Asset" includes any Global Assets but does not include cash.
"FUND" means each portfolio of each Trust and listed on Exhibit 1 hereto.
"GLOBAL ASSET" means any "Financial Asset" (a) for which the principal trading market is located outside of the United States; (b) for which presentment for payment is to be made outside of the United States; or (c) which is acquired outside of the United States.
"INSTRUCTIONS" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.
"LIABILITIES" means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys', accountants', consultants' or experts' fees and disbursements).
"SECURITIES" means stocks, bonds, rights, warrants and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets. "Securities" also means other obligations of an issuer, or shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in the country in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and any other property as may be acceptable to Bank for the Securities Account.
"SECURITIES ACCOUNT" means each Securities custody account on Bank's records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited pursuant hereto.
"SECURITIES DEPOSITORY" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
"SECURITIES ENTITLEMENT" means the rights and property interest of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
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"SECURITIES INTERMEDIARY" means Bank, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
"SUBCUSTODIAN" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 and includes Affiliated Subcustodians.
"TRUST" means each open-end investment company organized as a Delaware business trust and listed on Exhibit 1 hereto.
(b)All terms in the singular shall have the same meaning in the plural unless the context otherwise provides and vice versa.
2.WHAT BANK IS REQUIRED TO DO
2.1Set Up Accounts.
(a)Bank shall establish and maintain the following accounts ("Accounts"):
(i)a Securities Account in the name of Customer on behalf of each Fund for Financial Assets, which may be received by Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and
(ii)an account in the name of Customer ("Cash Account") for any and all cash in any currency received by Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of Customer.
Notwithstanding paragraph (ii), cash held in respect of those markets where Customer is required to have a cash account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian shall be held in that manner and shall not be part of the Cash Account. Bank shall notify Customer prior to the establishment of such an account.
(b)At the request of Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, which shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
(c)Except as precluded by Section 8-501(d) of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC"), Bank shall hold all Securities and other Financial Assets, other than cash, of a Fund that are delivered to it in a "securities account" with Bank for and in the name of such Fund and shall treat all such assets other than cash as "financial assets" as those terms are used in the UCC.
2.2Cash Account.
Except as otherwise provided in Instructions acceptable to Bank, all cash held in the Cash Account shall be deposited during the period it is credited to the Account in one or more deposit accounts at Bank or at Bank's London Branch. Any cash so deposited with Bank's London Branch shall be payable exclusively by Bank's London Branch in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with any Applicable Law, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed by the country of the applicable currency.
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2.3Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name.
(a)Bank shall identify in its records that Financial Assets credited to Customer's Securities Account belong to Customer on behalf of the relevant Fund (except as otherwise may be agreed by Bank and Customer).
(b)To the extent permitted by Applicable Law or market practice, Bank shall require each Subcustodian to identify in its own records that Financial Assets credited to Customer's Securities Account belong to customers of Bank, such that it is readily apparent that the Financial Assets do not belong to Bank or the Subcustodian.
(c)Bank is authorized, in its discretion, to hold in bearer form, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to Bank or its Subcustodian in bearer form; and to register in the name of the Customer, Bank, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form. Customer authorizes Bank or its Subcustodian to hold Financial Assets in omnibus accounts and shall accept delivery of Financial Assets of the same class and denomination as those deposited with Bank or its Subcustodian.
(d)Upon receipt of Instruction, Bank shall establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each Fund for purposes of segregating cash, government securities, and other assets in connection with derivative transactions entered into by a Fund or options purchased, sold or written by the Fund.
2.4Settlement of Trades.
When Bank receives an Instruction directing settlement of a trade in Financial Assets that includes all information required by Bank, Bank shall use reasonable care to effect such settlement as instructed. Settlement of purchases and sales of Financial Assets shall be conducted in accordance with prevailing standards of the market in which the transaction occurs. The risk of loss shall be Customer's whenever Bank delivers Financial Assets or payment in accordance with applicable market practice in advance of receipt or settlement of the expected consideration. In the case of the failure of Customer's counterparty to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, Bank shall contact the counterparty to seek settlement and, if the settlement is not received, notify Customer, but Bank shall not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
2.5Contractual Settlement Date Accounting.
(a)Bank shall effect book entries on a "contractual settlement date accounting" basis as described below with respect to the settlement of trades in those markets where Bank generally offers contractual settlement day accounting and shall notify Customer of these markets from time to time.
(i)Sales: On the settlement date for a sale, Bank shall credit the Cash Account with the sale proceeds of the sale and transfer the relevant Financial Assets to an account pending settlement of the trade if not already delivered.
(ii)Purchases: On the settlement date for the purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), Bank shall debit the Cash Account with the settlement monies and credit a separate account. Bank then shall post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. Customer shall not be entitled to the delivery of Financial Assets that are awaiting receipt until Bank or a Subcustodian actually receives them.
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Bank reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual day settlement accounting for credit reasons. Bank, whenever reasonably possible, will notify Customer prior to imposing such restrictions.
(b)Bank may (in its discretion) upon at least 48 hours prior oral or written notification to Customer, reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction's actual settlement, and Customer shall be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in this sub-section are of an administrative nature, and Bank does not undertake to make loans and/or Financial Assets available to Customer.
2.6Actual Settlement Date Accounting.
With respect to any sale or purchase transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, Bank shall post the transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received by Bank.
2.7Income Collection; Autocredit.
(a)Bank shall credit the Cash Account with income and redemption proceeds on Financial Assets in accordance with the times notified by Bank from time to time on or after the anticipated payment date, net of any taxes that are withheld by Bank or any third party. Where no time is specified for a particular market, income and redemption proceeds from Financial Assets shall be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation. Bank may reverse such credits upon at least 48 hours prior oral or written notification to Customer when Bank believes that the corresponding payment shall not be received by Bank within a reasonable period or such credit was incorrect.
(b)Bank shall make reasonable endeavors in its discretion to contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends or redemption proceeds, but neither Bank nor its Subcustodians shall be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action.
2.8Fractions / Redemptions by Lot.
In the event that, as a result of holding Financial Assets in an omnibus account, the Customer receives fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a corporate action or class action litigation, Bank will credit the Customer with the amount of cash the Customer would have received, as reasonably determined by Bank, had the Financial Assets not been held in an omnibus account, and the Customer shall relinquish to Bank its interest in such fractional interests. If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Asset is called for redemption, Bank may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such class of Financial Asset in any manner Bank reasonably deems to be fair and equitable. Bank will promptly notify Customer of any action taken pursuant to this section.
2.9Presentation of Coupons; Certain Other Ministerial Acts. Until Bank receives Instructions to the contrary, Bank shall:
(a)present all Financial Assets for which Bank has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation;
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(b)execute in the name of Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets; and
(c)exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive documents of title.
2.10Corporate Actions; Class Action Litigation.
(a)Bank will follow Corporate Actions through receipt of notices from issuers, from Subcustodians, Securities Depositories and notices published in industry publications and reported in reporting services. Bank will promptly notify Customer of any Corporate Action of which information is either (i) received by it or by a Subcustodian to the extent that Bank's central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of the Corporate Action in time to notify its customers in a timely manner; or (ii) published via a formal notice in publications and reporting services routinely used by Bank for this purpose in time for Bank to notify its customers in a timely manner. Any notices received by Bank's corporate actions department about U.S. settled securities class action litigation that requires action by affected owners of the underlying Financial Assets will be promptly provided to Customer if Bank, using reasonable care and diligence in the circumstances, identifies that Customer was a shareholder and held the relevant Financial Assets in custody with Bank at the relevant time. Bank will not make filings in the name of Customer in respect to such notifications except as otherwise agreed in writing between Customer and Bank.
(b)If an Authorized Person fails to provide Bank with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action or class action, neither Bank nor its Subcustodians or their respective nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action or class action, except as otherwise agreed in writing by Bank and Customer or as may be set forth by Bank as a default action in the notification it provides under Section 2.10(a) with respect to that Corporate Action or class action. If Customer provides Bank with Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action after the deadline set by Bank but before the deadline set by a Securities Depository, Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to act on such Instructions. If Bank fails to act on Instructions provided by Customer prior to the deadline set by Bank with respect to any Corporate Action, Bank will be liable for direct losses incurred by Customer.
2.11Proxy Voting.
(a)Bank shall provide Customer or its agent with details of Securities in the Account on a daily basis ("Daily Holdings Data"), and Bank or its agent shall act in accordance with Instructions from an Authorized Person in relation to matters Customer or its agent determine in their absolute discretion are to be voted upon at meetings of holders of Financial Assets, based upon such Daily Holdings Data ("the proxy voting service"). Neither Bank nor its agent shall be under any duty to provide Customer or its agent with information which it or they receive on matters to be voted upon at meetings of holders of Financial Assets.
(b)Bank or its agent shall act upon Instructions to vote, provided Instructions are received by Bank or its agent at its proxy voting department by the relevant deadline for such Instructions as determined by Bank or its agent. If Instructions are not received in a timely manner, neither Bank nor its agent shall be obligated to provide further notice to Customer.
(c)In markets where the proxy voting service is not available or where Bank has not received a duly completed enrollment form or other relevant documentation, Bank or its agent shall endeavor to act upon Instructions to vote on matters before meetings of holders of Financial Assets where it is reasonably
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practicable for Bank or its agent (or its Subcustodians or nominees as the case may be) to do so and where such Instructions are received in time for Bank or its agent to take timely action.
(d)Customer acknowledges that the provision of the proxy voting service may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to: (i) the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration, (ii) the pendency of conversion or another corporate action, or (iii) Financial Assets being held at Customer's request in a name not subject to the control of Bank or its Subcustodian, in a margin or collateral account at Bank or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting, local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer. Additionally, in some markets, Bank may be required to vote all shares held for a particular issue for all of Bank's customers in the same way. Bank or its agent shall inform Customer or its agent where this is the case.
(e)Notwithstanding the fact that Bank may act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to Customer under other agreements or otherwise hereunder, in performing the proxy voting service Bank shall be acting solely as the agent of Customer, and shall not exercise any discretion with regard to such proxy voting service or vote any proxy except when directed by an Authorized Person.
2.12Statements and Information Available On-Line.
(a)Bank will send, or make available on-line, to Customer, at times mutually agreed, a statement of account in Bank's standard format for each Account maintained by Customer with Bank, identifying the Financial Assets and cash held in each Account. Bank also will provide to Customer, upon request, the capability to reformat the information contained in each statement of account. In addition, Bank will send, or make available on-line, to Customer an advice or notification of any transfers of cash or Financial Assets with respect to each Account. Bank will not be liable with respect to any matter set forth in those portions of any such statement of account or advice (or reasonably implied therefrom) to which Customer has not given Bank a written exception or objection within ninety days of receipt of such statement, provided such matter is not the result of Bank's willful misconduct or bad faith.
(b)Prices and other information obtained from third parties which may be contained in any statement sent to Customer have been obtained from sources Bank believes to be reliable. Bank does not, however, make any representation as to the accuracy of such information or that the prices specified necessarily reflect the proceeds that would be received on a disposal of the relevant Financial Assets.
(c)Customer understands that records and reports, other than statements of account, that are available to it on-line on a real-time basis may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. Bank will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the inaccuracy of any such records or reports that are accessed on-line on a real-time basis.
2.13Access to Bank's Records.
(a)Bank shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of Customer under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be property of Customer. Bank will allow Customer's duly authorized officers, employees, and agents, including Customer's independent public accountants, and the employees and agents of the SEC access at all times during the regular business hours of Bank to such records. Except, in the case of access by the SEC as otherwise required by the SEC, such access will be subject to reasonable notice to Bank. Subject to restrictions under Applicable Law, Bank also will obtain an undertaking to permit Customer's independent
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public accountants reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian of Securities held in the Securities Account as may be required in connection with such examination.
(b)In addition, Bank shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to any entity or entities appointed by the Customer to keep its books of account and/or compute its net asset value. Bank shall provide reports and other data as Customer may from time to time reasonably request to enable Customer to obtain, from year to year, favorable opinions from Customer's independent accountants with respect to Bank's activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of any registration statement of Customer and any other reports required by a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund, and (ii) the fulfillment by Customer of any other requirements of a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund.
(c)Upon reasonable request of Customer, Bank shall provide Customer with a copy of Bank's Service Organizational Control (SOC) 1 reports (or any successor reports) prepared in accordance with the requirements of AT-C section 320, Reporting on an Examination of Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to User Entities' Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (or any successor attestation standard). In addition, from time to time as requested, Bank will furnish Customer a "gap" or "bridge" letter that will address any material changes that might have occurred in Customer's controls covered in the SOC Report from the end of the SOC Report period through a specified requested date. Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Customer with such reports as Customer may reasonably request or otherwise reasonably require to fulfill its duties under Rule 38a-l of the 1940 Act or similar legal and regulatory requirements. Upon reasonable request by Customer, Bank shall also provide to Customer customary sub- certifications in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 certification requirements. Upon written request, Bank shall provide Customer with information about Bank's processes for the management and monitoring of Subcustodians for safeguarding Financial Assets.
2.14Maintenance of Financial Assets at Bank and at Subcustodian Locations.
(a)Unless Instructions require another location acceptable to Bank, Global Assets shall be held in the country or jurisdiction in which their principal trading market is located, where such Global Assets may be presented for payment, where such Financial Assets were acquired, or where such Financial Assets are held. Bank reserves the right to refuse to accept delivery of Global Assets or cash in countries and jurisdictions other than those referred to in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as in effect from time to time.
(b)Bank shall not be obliged to follow an Instruction to hold Financial Assets with, or have them registered or recorded in the name of, any person not chosen by Bank. However, if Customer does instruct Bank to hold Securities with or register or record Securities in the name of a person not chosen by Bank, the consequences of doing so are at Customer's own risk and Bank shall not be liable therefor.
2.15Tax Reclaims.
Bank shall provide tax reclamation services as provided in Section 8.2.
2.16Foreign Exchange Transactions.
To facilitate the administration of Customer's trading and investment activity, Bank may, but shall not be obliged to, enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with Customer, or an Authorized Person, and may also provide foreign exchange contracts and facilities through its Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts, but Bank may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available. In all cases where Bank, its Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a master foreign exchange contract that covers foreign
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exchange transactions for the Accounts, the terms and conditions of that foreign exchange contract and, to the extent not inconsistent, this Agreement, shall apply to such transactions.
2.17Compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rule 17f-5 ("rule 17f-5").
(a)Customer's board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter 'Board') hereby delegates to Bank, and, except as to the country or countries as to which Bank may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept such delegation, Bank hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to perform as Customer's 'Foreign Custody Manager' (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3) as promulgated under the 1940 Act), including for the purposes of: (i) selecting Eligible Foreign Custodians (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(1), and as the same may be amended from time to time, or that have otherwise been exempted pursuant to an SEC exemptive order) to hold foreign Financial Assets and cash, (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians (as set forth in rule 17f- 5(c)(2)), and (iii) monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)).
(b)In connection with the foregoing, Bank shall:
(i)provide written reports notifying Customer's Board of the placement of Financial Assets and cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer's Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of Customer's foreign custody arrangements (and until further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and with reasonable promptness upon the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians);
(ii)exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign Financial Assets and cash would exercise;
(iii)in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined that foreign Financial Assets and cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such foreign Financial Assets and cash, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f- 5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
(iv)determine that the written contract with an Eligible Foreign Custodian requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian shall provide reasonable care for foreign Financial Assets and cash based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(v)have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of maintaining foreign Financial Assets and cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of the governing contractual arrangements; it being understood, however, that in the event that Bank shall have determined that the existing Eligible Foreign Custodian in a given country would no longer afford foreign Financial Assets and cash reasonable care and that no other Eligible Foreign Custodian in that country would afford reasonable care, Bank shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected foreign Financial Assets and cash.
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(c)Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, Bank is hereby authorized to place and maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by Bank. Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last paragraph of this subsection (c), include provisions that provide:
(i)For indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) that will adequately protect Customer against the risk of loss of Financial Assets and cash held in accordance with such contract;
(ii)That Customer's Financial Assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such Eligible Foreign Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
(iii)That beneficial ownership of Customer's Assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration;
(iv)That adequate records will be maintained identifying Customer's Assets as belonging to Customer or as being held by a third party for the benefit of Customer;
(v)That Customer's independent public accountants will be given access to those records described in (iv) above or confirmation of the contents of those records; and
(vi)That Customer will receive sufficient and timely periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of Customer's Assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from Customer's account or a third party account containing Assets held for the benefit of Customer.
Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this subsection (c), such other provisions that Bank determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for Customer's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
(d)Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign Financial Assets and cash hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders as promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.
(e)Bank represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to Bank that: (1) the foreign Financial Assets and cash being placed and maintained in Bank's custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board has determined that it is reasonable to rely on Bank to perform as Customer's Foreign Custody Manager; and
(3)its Board or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash in each country in which Customer's Financial Assets and cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept Country Risk. Nothing contained herein shall require Bank to make any selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk.
(f)Bank shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country Risk as is specified in Appendix 1 hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular markets; and (ii) Bank has gathered the information from sources it considers reliable,
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but that Bank shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information, provided that Bank transmits the information using reasonable care.
2.18Compliance with SEC rule 17f-7 ("rule 17f-7").
(a)Bank shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer's foreign Financial Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository used by Bank as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not used by Bank as of the date hereof, prior to the initial placement of Customer's foreign Financial Assets at such Depository) and at which any foreign Financial Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing analysis will be provided to Customer at Bank's Website. In connection with the foregoing, Customer shall notify Bank of any Eligible Securities Depositories at which it does not choose to have its foreign Financial Assets held. Bank shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer's Financial Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify Customer or its investment adviser of any material changes in such risks.
(b)Bank shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the requirements set forth in Section 2.18(a) above.
(c)Based on the information available to it in the exercise of diligence, Bank shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7 of each depository before including it on Schedule 3 hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible. (Eligible Securities Depositories used by Bank as of the date hereof are set forth in Schedule 3 hereto, and as the same may be amended on notice to Customer from time to time.)
2.19Service Level Agreement.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank agrees to perform the custody services provided for under this Agreement in a manner that meets or exceeds any service levels as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time in a written document that is executed by both parties on or after the date of this Agreement, unless that written document specifically states that it is not contractually binding. For the avoidance of doubt, Bank's Service Directory shall not be deemed to be such a written document.
3.INSTRUCTIONS
3.1Acting on Instructions; Unclear Instructions.
(a)Bank is authorized to act under this Agreement (or to refrain from taking action) in accordance with the instructions received by Bank, via telephone, telex, facsimile transmission, or other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information system acceptable to Bank ("Instructions"). Bank shall have no responsibility for the authenticity or propriety of any Instructions that Bank believes in good faith to have been given by Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions that Bank may specify. Customer authorizes Bank to accept and act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. Customer shall indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Bank Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instructions or other directions upon which Bank is authorized to rely under the terms of this Agreement, provided that Bank shall not be indemnified against or held harmless from any Liabilities arising out of Bank's negligence, bad faith, fraud, or willful misconduct.
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(b)Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full force and effect until canceled or superseded.
(c)Bank may (in its sole discretion and without affecting any part of this Section 3.1) seek clarification or confirmation of an Instruction from an Authorized Person and may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. Bank shall not, except as provided in Section 7.1 hereof, be liable for any loss arising from any delay while it seeks such clarification or confirmation.
(d)In executing or paying a payment order Bank may rely upon the identifying number (e.g. Fedwire routing number or account) of any party as instructed in the payment order. Customer assumes full responsibility for any inconsistency within an Instruction between the name and identifying number of any party in payment orders issued to Bank in Customer's name.
3.2Security Devices.
Either party may record any of their telephonic communications. Customer shall comply with any security procedures reasonably required by Bank from time to time with respect to verification of Instructions. Customer shall be responsible for safeguarding any test keys, identification codes or other security devices that Bank shall make available to Customer or any Authorized Person.
3.3Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice.
Bank need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice but shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. Bank shall notify Customer as soon as reasonably practicable if it does not act upon Instructions under this Section.
3.4Cut-off Times.
Bank has established cut-off times for receipt of some categories of Instruction, which shall be made available to Customer. If Bank receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, it shall attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if Bank deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable on the next business day.
3.5Electronic Access.
Access by the Customer to certain systems, applications or products of Bank shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A Electronic Access.
4.FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO BANK
4.1Fees and Expenses.
Customer shall pay Bank for its services hereunder the fees set forth in Schedule 2 hereto or such other amounts as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time.
4.2Overdrafts.
If a debit to any currency in the Cash Account results in a debit balance in that currency then Bank may, in its discretion, advance an amount equal to the overdraft and such an advance shall be deemed a loan to
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Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the rate agreed by Customer and Bank for the Accounts from time to time, or, in the absence of such an agreement, at the rate charged by Bank from time to time, for overdrafts incurred by customers similar to Customer, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (both after as well as before judgment) and otherwise on the terms on which Bank makes similar advances available from time to time. Bank shall promptly notify Customer of such an advance. No prior action or course of dealing on Bank's part with respect to the settlement of transactions on Customer's behalf shall be asserted by Customer against Bank for Bank's refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or to settle any transaction for which Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the applicable currency in the Account.
4.3Bank's Right Over Securities; Set-off.
(a)Customer grants Bank a security interest in and a lien on the Financial Assets held in the Securities Account of a particular Fund as shall have a fair market value equal to the aggregate amount of all overdrafts of such Fund, together with accrued interest, as security for any and all amounts which are now or become owing to Bank with respect to that Fund under any provision of this Agreement, whether or not matured or contingent ("Indebtedness"). Such lien and security interest shall be effective only so long as such advance, overdraft, or accrued interest thereon remains outstanding and Bank shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York Uniform Commercial Code in respect of the repayment of the advance, overdraft or accrued interest. In this regard, Bank shall be entitled to (i) without notice to Customer, withhold delivery of such Financial Assets, and (ii) with two business days' prior notice to the Customer and an opportunity for the Customer to satisfy such Indebtedness to Bank, sell or otherwise realize any of such Financial Assets and to apply the proceeds and any other monies credited to the Cash Account in satisfaction of such Indebtedness solely to the extent of such Indebtedness, provided, however, that Bank shall only be obligated to provide the Customer with same-day prior notice if Bank, in its reasonable business judgment, determines that, due to market conditions or other special circumstances, a delay would be likely to materially prejudice its ability to recover the Indebtedness. During any such notice period, Bank will, at Customer's request, consult with Customer regarding the selection of Financial Assets to be sold by Bank to satisfy the Indebtedness. For the avoidance of doubt, only advances made by Bank under Section 4.2 are "Indebtedness" subject to this Section 4.3. No other outstanding amounts payable by Customer to Bank (including, without limitation, amounts payable by Customer under Section 4.1) are "Indebtedness" subject to this Section 4.3.
(b)Bank shall be further entitled to set any such Indebtedness off against any cash or deposit account of the Fund that incurred the Indebtedness with Bank or any of its Affiliates of which the Fund is the beneficial owner, regardless of the currency involved; Bank shall provide prior notice to Customer of its intent to exercise its set off rights against any cash or deposit account of the Fund, which notice shall be provided at least on the same day as the set off is effected, provided however that no prior notice is required in cases where Bank, in its reasonable business judgment, determines that, due to market conditions or other special circumstances, the delay required in order to provide prior notice would be likely to materially prejudice its ability to recover the Indebtedness.
5.SUBCUSTODIANS, SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES, AND OTHER AGENTS
5.1Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories.
(a)Bank is authorized under this Agreement to act through and hold Customer's Global Assets with subcustodians, being at the date of this Agreement the entities listed in Schedule 1 and/or such other entities as Bank may appoint as subcustodians ("Subcustodians"). At the request of Customer, Bank may, but need not, add to Schedule 1 an Eligible Foreign Custodian where Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the selection thereof. Bank shall notify Customer in the event that it elects to add
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any such entity. Bank shall use reasonable care, prudence and diligence in the selection and continued appointment of such Subcustodians. In addition, Bank and each Subcustodian may deposit Global Assets with, and hold Global Assets in, any securities depository, settlement system, dematerialized book entry system or similar system (together a "Securities Depository") on such terms as such systems customarily operate and Customer shall provide Bank with such documentation or acknowledgements that Bank may require to hold the Global Assets in such systems.
(b)Any agreement Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for holding Bank's customers' assets shall provide that: (i) such assets shall not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors, except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws; (ii) beneficial ownership of such assets shall be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration; (iii) adequate records will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to Customer or as being held by a third party for the benefit of Customer; (iv) Customer and Customer's independent public accountants will be given reasonable access to those records or confirmation of the contents of those records; and (v) Customer will receive periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of Customer's assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from Customer's account or a third party account containing assets held for the benefit of Customer. Where a Subcustodian deposits Securities with a Securities Depository, Bank shall cause the Subcustodian to identify on its records as belonging to Bank, as agent, the Securities shown on the Subcustodian's account at such Securities Depository. The foregoing shall not apply to the extent of any special agreement or arrangement made by Customer with any particular Subcustodian.
(c)Bank shall have no responsibility for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event Customer incurs a loss due to the negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, or insolvency of a Securities Depository, Bank shall make reasonable endeavors to seek recovery from the Securities Depository.
(d)The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:
(i)a "U.S. Bank" as such term is defined in rule 17f-5; and
(ii)an "Eligible Foreign Custodian" as such term is defined in rule 17f-5 and any other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.
(iii)For purposes of clarity, it is agreed that as used in Section 5.2(a), the term Subcustodian shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodian as to which Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager.
(e)The term 'securities depository' as used herein when referring to a securities depository located outside the U.S. shall mean an "Eligible Securities Depository" as defined in rule 17f-7, or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order.
(f)The term 'securities depository' as used herein when referring to a securities depository located in the U.S. shall mean a "Securities Depository" as defined in rule 17f-4.
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5.2Liability for Subcustodians.
(a)Subject to the exculpation from consequential damages set forth in Section 7.1(b), Bank shall be liable for direct Liabilities incurred by Customer that result from: (i) the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian selected by Bank, whether domestic or foreign, to the same extent as if such act or omission was performed by Bank itself, taking into account the standards and market practice prevailing in the relevant market; or (ii) the insolvency of any Affiliated Subcustodian. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the exculpation from consequential damages set forth in Section 7.1(b), Bank shall take full responsibility for any Liabilities that result from or that are caused by the fraud, willful misconduct, or negligence of its Subcustodians or the insolvency of an Affiliated Subcustodian. In the event of any Liabilities suffered or incurred by Customer caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian for which Bank would otherwise be liable, Bank shall promptly reimburse Customer in the amount of any such Liabilities.
(b)Subject to Section 7.1(a) and Bank's duty to use reasonable care, prudence and diligence in the monitoring of a Subcustodian's financial condition as reflected in its published financial statements and other publicly available financial information concerning it, Bank shall not be responsible for the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or an Affiliated Subcustodian.
(c)Bank reserves the right to add, replace or remove Subcustodians. Bank shall give Customer prompt notice of any such action, which shall be advance notice if practicable. Upon request by Customer, Bank shall identify the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
5.3Use of Agents.
(a)Bank may provide certain services under this Agreement through third parties. These third parties may be Affiliates. Except to the extent provided in Section 5.2 with respect to Subcustodians, Bank shall not be responsible for any loss as a result of a failure by any broker or any other third party that it selects and retains using reasonable care and without negligence to provide ancillary services, such as pricing, proxy voting, and corporate action services, that it does not customarily provide itself. Nevertheless, Bank shall be liable for the performance of any such service provider selected by Bank that is an Affiliate to the same extent as Bank would have been liable if it performed such services itself.
(b)Bank shall execute transactions involving Financial Assets of United States origin through a broker which is an Affiliate (i) in the case of the sale under Section 2.8 of a fractional interest or (ii) if an Authorized Person directs Bank to use the affiliated broker or otherwise requests that Bank select a broker for that transaction, unless, in either case, the Affiliate does not execute similar transactions in such Financial Assets. The affiliated broker may charge its customary commission (or retain its customary spread) with respect to either such transaction.
6.ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUSTOMER
6.1Representations of Customer and Bank.
(a)Customer represents and warrants to Bank that: (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents, to deposit and control the Financial Assets and cash in the Accounts, to use Bank as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and to incur indebtedness, pledge Financial Assets as contemplated by Section 4.3, and enter into foreign exchange transactions; and (ii) this Agreement is its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance
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with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement. Bank may rely upon the above or the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer Bank's obligations hereunder.
(b)Bank represents and warrants to Customer that this Agreement is its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement. Customer may rely upon the above or the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer Customer's obligations hereunder.
6.2Customer to Provide Certain Information to Bank.
Upon request, Customer shall promptly provide to Bank such information about itself and its financial status as Bank may reasonably request, including Customer's organizational documents and its current audited and unaudited financial statements.
6.3Customer is Liable to Bank Even if it is Acting for Another Person.
If Customer is acting as an agent for a disclosed or undisclosed principal in respect of any transaction, cash, or Financial Asset, Bank nevertheless shall treat Customer as its principal for all purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, Customer shall be liable to Bank as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account. The foregoing shall not affect any rights Bank might have against Customer's principal.
6.4Several Obligations of the Trusts and the Funds.
This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of each Fund as Trustees and not individually and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund severally and not jointly. With respect to any obligations of Customer arising out of this Agreement, Bank shall look for payment or satisfaction of any obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates as though Bank had separately contracted by separate written instrument with respect to the Fund.
7.WHEN BANK IS LIABLE TO CUSTOMER
7.1Standard of Care; Liability.
(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Bank shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in carrying out all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement (except to the extent Applicable Law provides for a higher standard of care, in which case such higher standard shall apply), and shall be liable to Customer for any and all Liabilities suffered or incurred by Customer resulting from the failure of Bank to exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence or resulting from Bank's negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud and to the extent provided in Section 5.2(a). Unless otherwise specified or required by Applicable Law, Bank shall not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied the standard of care under this Agreement.
(b)Bank shall not be liable under any circumstances for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) of any form incurred by any person, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts or Bank's performance hereunder or Bank's role as custodian.
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(c)Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, each Customer severally and not jointly shall indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the Bank Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of Bank's performance under this Agreement, provided the Bank Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question. Nevertheless, Customer shall not be obligated to indemnify any Bank Indemnitee under the preceding sentence with respect to any Liability for which Bank is liable under Section 5.2 of this Agreement. Bank shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any Liability for which indemnity is sought hereunder (provided, however, that reasonable expenses incurred with respect to such mitigation shall be Liabilities subject to indemnification hereunder).
(d)Subject to any obligation Customer may have to indemnify Bank with respect to amounts claimed by third parties, Customer shall have no liability whatsoever for any consequential, special, indirect or speculative loss or damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) suffered by Bank Indemnitees in connection with the transactions and services contemplated hereby and the relationship established hereby even if Customer has been advised as to the possibility of the same and regardless of the form of action.
(e)Without limiting Subsections 7.1 (a) or (b), Bank shall have no duty or responsibility to:
(i)question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions, provided that Bank believes in good faith that such Instructions have been given by Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions that Bank may specify; (ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets; (iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income of any security other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; (iv) except as otherwise expressly required herein, evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which Bank is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash; or (v) except for trades settled at DTC where the broker provides DTC trade confirmation and Customer provides for Bank to receive the trade instruction, review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers (and Customer or its Authorized Persons issuing Instructions shall bear any responsibility to review such confirmations against Instructions issued to and statements issued by Bank).
(f)Bank shall indemnify the Customer from and against any and all Liabilities which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Customer resulting directly either from Bank's negligence, bad faith, fraud or willful misconduct in the performance of its obligations or duties hereunder, or from any act or omission by a Subcustodian in the performance of its subcustodial obligations or duties hereunder for which Bank is expressly liable under Section 5.2, taking into account the standards and market practice prevailing in the relevant market, provided that (i) in no event shall the Bank be obliged to indemnify Customer from against any Liability (or any claim for a Liability) to the extent such Liability is described in clause 7.1(b) this Agreement and (ii) the Customer shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any Liability for which indemnity is sought hereunder (provided, however, that reasonable expenses incurred with respect to such mitigation shall be Liabilities subject to indemnification hereunder).
7.2Force Majeure.
So long as Bank maintains and updates its business continuation and disaster recovery procedures as set forth in Section 10.8, Bank shall have no liability for any damage, loss or expense of any nature that Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery (except by Bank or Bank Indemnitees), malfunction of equipment or software (except to the extent such malfunction is primarily attributable to Bank's negligence, or willful misconduct in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds
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transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any cause beyond the reasonable control of Bank (including without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange). Bank shall endeavor to promptly notify Customer when it becomes aware of any situation outlined above, but shall not be liable for failure to do so. If Bank is prevented from carrying out its obligations under this Agreement for a period of thirty days, Customer may terminate the Agreement by giving Bank not less than thirty days' notice, without prejudice to any of the rights of any party accrued prior to the date of termination.
7.3Bank May Consult With Counsel.
Bank shall be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisers in relation to matters of law, regulation or market practice (which may be the professional advisers of Customer), and shall not be liable to Customer for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice; provided that Bank has selected and retained such professional advisers using reasonable care and acts reasonably in reliance on the advice.
7.4Bank Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result.
Customer acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by Customer with respect to the Account or that circumstances are such that Bank may have a potential conflict of duty or interest. For example, Bank or its Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets, or earn profits from any of these activities. Customer acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of Customer. Bank is not under any duty to disclose any such information.
8.TAXATION
8.1Tax Obligations.
(a)Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account any taxes or levies required by any revenue or Governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of Customer's Accounts.
(b)If Bank does not receive appropriate declarations, documentation and information then additional United Kingdom taxation shall be deducted from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued outside the United Kingdom (which shall for this purpose include United Kingdom Eurobonds) and any applicable United States tax (including, but not limited to, non-resident alien tax) shall be deducted from United States source income. Customer shall provide to Bank such certifications, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contains all material information. Customer undertakes to notify Bank immediately if any information requires updating or correcting.
(c)Customer shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account, and Customer shall pay, indemnify and hold Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities, penalties, interest or additions to tax with respect to or resulting from, any delay in, or failure by, Bank (1) to pay, withhold or report any U.S. federal, state or local taxes or foreign taxes imposed on, or (2) to report interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account, whether
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such failure or delay by Bank to pay, withhold or report tax or income is the result of (x) Customer's failure to comply with the terms of this paragraph, or (y) Bank's own acts or omissions; provided however, Customer shall not be liable to Bank for any penalty or additions to tax due as a result of Bank's failure to pay or withhold tax or to report interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account solely as a result of Bank's negligent acts or omissions.
8.2Tax Reclaims.
(a)Subject to the provisions of this Section, Bank shall apply for a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits in respect of income payments on Financial Assets credited to the Securities Account that Bank believes may be available.
(b)The provision of a tax reclamation service by Bank is conditional upon Bank receiving from Customer (i) a declaration of its identity and place of residence and (ii) certain other documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from Bank). If Financial Assets credited to the Account are beneficially owned by someone other than Customer, this information shall be necessary with respect to the beneficial owner. Customer acknowledges that Bank shall be unable to perform tax reclamation services unless it receives this information.
(c)Bank shall perform tax reclamation services only with respect to taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries advised to Customer from time to time and Bank may, by notification in writing, in its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the countries in which the tax reclamation services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 8.2, Bank shall have no responsibility with regard to Customer's tax position or status in any jurisdiction.
(d)Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to disclose any information requested by any revenue authority or any governmental body in relation to the processing of any tax reclaim.
9.TERMINATION
(a)Either party may terminate this Agreement by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty days after the date of such delivery or mailing if termination is being sought by Customer, for itself or on behalf of a Fund, and not sooner than one hundred twenty days after the date of such delivery or mailing if termination is being sought by Bank. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund. If Customer gives notice of termination, it must provide full details of the persons to whom Bank must deliver Financial Assets and cash. If Bank gives notice of termination, then Customer must, within one hundred twenty days following receipt of the notice, notify Bank of details of its new custodian, failing which Bank may elect (at any time after one hundred twenty days following Customer's receipt of the notice) either to retain the Financial Assets and cash until such details are given, continuing to charge fees due (in which case Bank's sole obligation shall be for the safekeeping of the Financial Assets and cash), or deliver the Financial Assets and cash to Customer. Bank shall in any event be entitled to deduct any uncontested amounts owing to it prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash (and, accordingly, Bank shall be entitled to deduct cash from the Cash Account in satisfaction of uncontested amounts owing to it); provided, however, that Bank shall first provide Customer with a statement setting forth such amounts owing to it and provide Customer two days' advance notice before effecting any such deduction, during which time Customer shall be entitled to determine the priority order in which such Financial Assets and cash are to be used to satisfy the outstanding uncontested amounts. Customer shall reimburse Bank promptly for all reasonable out-of- pocket expenses it incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination by Customer. Termination
19
pursuant to this Section shall not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.
(b)In the event of any termination of the Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Bank shall, for a period of up to one hundred twenty days after termination of the Agreement, (i) continue to provide all or part of the services under the Agreement if requested by Customer, which services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement during the transition period unless otherwise agreed to by the parties; (ii) provide to Customer or any successor custodian all assistance reasonably requested to enable Customer or the successor custodian to commence providing services similar to those under the Agreement; and (iii) subject to the same limitations in place during the term of the Agreement, provide Customer with access to all records in the possession of Bank relating to Customer. In connection with any termination of the Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the parties shall also promptly develop a transition plan setting forth a reasonable timetable for the transition of Financial Assets and cash to Customer or any successor custodian and describing the parties' respective responsibilities for transitioning the services back to Customer or any successor custodian in an orderly and uninterrupted fashion. Customer will use all reasonable efforts to transition to a successor custodian as soon as possible following the effective date of termination.
10.MISCELLANEOUS
10.1Notices.
Notices (other than Instructions) shall be served by registered mail or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. Notice shall not be deemed to be given unless it has been received.
10.2Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding on each of the parties' successors and assigns, but the parties agree that neither party can assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
10.3Interpretation.
Headings are for convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation. References to sections are to sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear.
10.4Entire Agreement.
This Agreement amends and restates the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement dated as of June 25, 2001 between Customer and Bank (the "Prior Agreement"), and the terms of this Agreement replace the terms of the Prior Agreement effective as of the date of this Agreement. This Agreement, including any Schedules, Appendices, Annexes, Exhibits, and Riders (and any separate agreement which Bank and Customer may enter into with respect to the services provided under this Agreement), sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter, and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement, or representation relating to the services provided under this Agreement, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties. For clarity, however, the continuation of any other agreements that reference the Prior Agreement is not intended to be affected by the fact of the amendment and restatement of the Prior Agreement by this Agreement, and reference in such agreements to the Prior Agreement shall be considered
20
to be a reference to this Agreement effective as of the date of this Agreement (provided that matters relating to the time period prior to the date of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Prior Agreement).
10.5Information Concerning Deposits at Bank.
(a)Under U.S. federal law, deposit accounts that the Customer maintains in Bank's foreign branches (outside of the U.S.) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the event of Bank's liquidation, foreign branch deposits have a lesser preference than U.S. deposits, and such foreign deposits are subject to cross-border risks.
(b)Bank's London Branch is a participant in the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the "FSCS"), and the following terms apply to the extent any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account is deposited in one or more deposit accounts at Bank's London Branch. The terms of the FSCS offer protection in connection with deposits to certain types of claimants to whom Bank's London Branch provides services in the event that they suffer a financial loss as a direct consequence of Bank's London Branch being unable to meet any of its obligations and, subject to the FSCS rules regarding eligible deposits, the Customer may have a right to claim compensation from the FSCS. Subject to the FSCS rules, the maximum compensation payable by the FSCS, as at the date of this Agreement, in relation to eligible deposits is £85,000.
(c)In the event that Bank incurs a loss attributable to Country Risk with respect to any cash balance it maintains on deposit at a Subcustodian or other correspondent bank in regard to its global custody or trust businesses in the country where the Subcustodian or other correspondent bank is located, Bank may set such loss off against Customer's Cash Account to the extent that such loss is directly attributable to Customer's investments in that market.
10.6Confidentiality.
The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party shall be used by the other party solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement, and except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this provision, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any regulatory authority, any external or internal accountant, auditor or counsels of the parties, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law, or to any disclosure made by a party if such party's counsel has advised that such party could be liable under any Applicable Law or any judicial or administrative order or process for failure to make such disclosure.
10.7Data Privacy and Security.
Bank will implement and maintain a written information security program, in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations (including any similar international laws) applicable to Bank, that contains reasonable and appropriate security measures designed to safeguard the personal information of the Funds' shareholders, employees, trustees and/or officers that Bank or any Subcustodian receives, stores, maintains, processes, transmits or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. In this regard, Bank will establish and maintain policies, procedures, and technical, physical, and administrative safeguards, designed to (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of all personal information and any other confidential information that Bank receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder, (ii) protect against any
21
reasonably foreseeable threats or hazards to the security or integrity of personal information or other confidential information, (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of personal information or other confidential information, (iv) maintain reasonable procedures to detect and respond to any internal or external security breaches, and (v) ensure appropriate disposal of personal information or other confidential information.
Bank will monitor and review its information security program and revise it, as necessary and in its sole discretion, to ensure it appropriately addresses any applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Bank shall periodically test and review its information security program.
Bank shall respond to Customer's reasonable requests for information concerning Bank's information security program and, upon request, Bank will provide a copy of its applicable policies and procedures, or in Bank's discretion, summaries thereof, to Customer, to the extent Bank is able to do so without divulging information Bank reasonably believes to be proprietary or Bank confidential information. Upon reasonable request, Bank shall discuss with Customer the information security program of Bank. Bank also agrees, upon reasonable request, to complete any security questionnaire provided by Customer to the extent Bank is able to do so without divulging sensitive, proprietary, or Bank confidential information and return it in a commercially reasonable period of time (or provide an alternative response that reasonably addresses the points included in the questionnaire). Customer acknowledges that certain information provided by Bank, including internal policies and procedures, may be proprietary to Bank, and agrees to protect the confidentiality of all such materials it receives from Bank.
Bank agrees to resolve promptly any applicable control deficiencies that come to its attention that do not meet the standards established by federal and state privacy and data security laws, rules, regulations, and/or generally accepted industry standards related to Bank's information security program.
Bank shall: (i) promptly notify Customer of any confirmed unauthorized access to personal information or other confidential information of Customer ("Breach of Security"); (ii) promptly furnish to Customer appropriate details of such Breach of Security and assist Customer in assessing the Breach of Security to the extent it is not privileged information or part of an investigation; (iii) reasonably cooperate with Customer in any litigation and investigation of third parties reasonably deemed necessary by Customer to protect its proprietary and other rights; (iv) use reasonable precautions to prevent a recurrence of a Breach of Security; and (v) take all reasonable and appropriate action to mitigate any potential harm related to a Breach of Security, including any reasonable steps requested by Customer that are practicable for Bank to implement. Nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall obligate Bank to provide Customer with information regarding any of Bank's other customers or clients that are affected by a Breach of Security, nor shall the immediately preceding sentence limit Bank's ability to take any actions that Bank believes are appropriate to remediate any Breach of Security unless such actions would prejudice or otherwise limit Customer's ability to bring its own claims or actions against third parties related to the Breach of Security. If Bank discovers or becomes aware of a suspected data or security breach that may involve an improper access, use, disclosure, or alteration of personal information or other confidential information of Customer, Bank shall, except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law or directed otherwise by a governmental authority not to do so, promptly notify Customer that it is investigating a potential breach and keep Customer informed as reasonably practicable of material developments relating to the investigation until Bank either confirms that such a breach has occurred (in which case the first sentence of this paragraph will apply) or confirms that no data or security breach involving personal information or other confidential information of Customer has occurred.
For these purposes, "personal information" shall mean (i) an individual's name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) driver's license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account
22
number, (f) passport number, or (g) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person's account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual's account. This provision will survive termination or expiration of the Agreement for so long as Bank or any Subcustodian continues to possess or have access to personal information related to Customer. Notwithstanding the foregoing "personal information" shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.
10.8Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.
Bank shall maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global custody business, which are designed, in the event of a significant business disruption affecting Bank, to be sufficient to enable Bank to resume and continue to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement without undue delay or disruption. Bank shall test the operability of such procedures at least annually. Bank shall enter into and shall maintain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement reasonable provision for (i) periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to Customer and (ii) use of alternative electronic data processing equipment to provide services under this Agreement. Upon reasonable request, Bank shall discuss with Customer any business continuation and disaster recovery procedures of Bank. Bank represents that its business continuation and disaster recovery procedures are appropriate for its business as a global custodian to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
10.9Insurance.
Bank shall not be required to maintain any insurance coverage for the benefit of Customer.
10.10Governing Law and Jurisdiction, Certification of Residency.
This Agreement shall be construed, regulated, and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York's principles regarding conflict of laws. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York shall have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts shall have proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Customer certifies that it is a resident of the United States and shall notify Bank of any changes in residency. Bank may rely upon this certification or the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer Bank's obligations hereunder. Customer shall indemnify Bank against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly or indirectly from any such certifications.
10.11Severability and Waiver.
(a)If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
23
(b)Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
10.12Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
[Signature page to follow.]
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON EXHIBIT 1 HERETO
By: |
/s/ Thomas J. Higgins | |
|
|
|
Name: |
Thomas J. Higgins | |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By: |
/s/ Teresa Heitsenrether |
Name: |
Teresa Heitsenrether |
Title: |
Managing Director |
EXHIBIT 1
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard CMT Funds
Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard REIT II Index Fund
Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Government Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Government Bond Index Fund Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Government Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Fund
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Total Bond Market Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard International Growth Fund
The terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement (except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2) apply with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds
Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Montgomery Funds
Vanguard Market Neutral Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard REIT Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Balanced Portfolio
Capital Growth Portfolio
Diversified Value Portfolio
Equity Income Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
International Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
APPENDIX 1
Information Regarding Country Risk
1.To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, Bank shall furnish annually and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and cash into a country the following information (check items applicable):
A.Opinions of local counsel concerning:
_X_ i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded Customer's independent public accountants to books and records kept by an eligible foreign custodian located in that country.
_X_ ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's ability to recover its Financial Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.
_X_ iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer's ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country.
B.Written information concerning:
_X_ |
i. The foreseeability of expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of |
Customer's Financial Assets. | |
_X_ |
ii. Whether difficulties in converting Customer's cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars |
are reasonably foreseeable.
C.A market report with respect to the following topics:
(i)securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) depositories (including depository evaluation), if any.
2.To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, Bank shall furnish Customer the following additional information:
Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in market reports.
ANNEX A - Electronic Access
1.Bank may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems and applications (collectively, the "Products") and to access or receive electronically Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement. Bank may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. Bank shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, including suspension or cancelation of any User Codes, but may do so immediately if Bank determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is known or reasonably suspected to be at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedure.
2.In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to Bank and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to Bank-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application and Applicable Law, Bank grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products or transferred electronically (the "Data") for the Customer's internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by the Customer's Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex. The Customer acknowledges that elements of the Data, including prices, Corporate Action information, and reference data, may have been licensed by Bank from third parties and that any use of such Data beyond that authorized by the foregoing license, may require the permission of one or more third parties in addition to Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 2, or elsewhere in this Annex, shall be deemed to give Bank or its licensors ownership of, or any rights in or to, any confidential information of the Customer, including as it may be accessible or receivable through the Products, and all rights in and to such information shall be retained exclusively by the Customer.
3.The Customer acknowledges that there are security, cyberfraud, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks; for clarity, however, the foregoing shall not relieve Bank of its obligation under the first sentence of Section 4 of this Annex. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all systems, software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with Bank's software. Each of the Customer and Bank shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment.
4.In cases where Bank's website is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, Bank shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct Bank or obtain reports from Bank. Provided that Bank complies with its obligation to provide such other appropriate means, Bank shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of the Customer's inability to access or use the Products via Bank's website in the absence of Bank's gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct.
5.Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording, and will ensure that all persons using the Products through or on behalf of Customer are advised of and have consented to this monitoring, tracking and recording, and Bank's right to disclose data derived from such activity in accordance with the Agreement, including this Annex. Bank shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting Customer's usage of the Products or Bank's website (including, but not limited to, general usage
data and aggregated transaction data). For clarity, the foregoing shall not be deemed to give Bank ownership of, or any rights in or to, the Customer's confidential information (whether or not in aggregated form), the use or disclosure of which shall at all times be subject to Section 10.6 of this Agreement other otherwise agreed to by the Parties.
6.The Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) "junk mail", "spam", "chain letters" or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail.
7.The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to Bank the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to Bank that the Customer shall not access the Products from any jurisdiction which Bank informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the Products are not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer's behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable Bank to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products.
8.Bank and Customer will be subject to and shall comply with all Applicable Law concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the "Privacy Regulations"). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal "Privacy of Consumer Financial Information" Regulation (12 CFR Part 40) and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards (App B to 12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC, 2009/136/EC and 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as amended from time to time, and applicable implementing legislation in connection with the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.
9.The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex.
SCHEDULE 1 AGENT AND CASH NETWORK (CUSTODY & FUND SERVICES)
MARKET |
SUBCUSTODIAN |
CASH CORRESPONDENT BANK |
ARGENTINA |
HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. |
HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. |
|
Bouchard 680, 9th Floor |
Buenos Aires |
|
C1106ABJ Buenos Aires |
|
|
ARGENTINA |
|
AUSTRALIA |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
Australia and New Zealand Banking |
|
Level 31, 101 Collins Street |
Group Ltd. |
|
Melbourne 3000 |
Melbourne |
|
AUSTRALIA |
|
AUSTRIA |
UniCredit Bank Austria AG |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Julius Tandler Platz 3 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
A 1090 Vienna |
|
|
AUSTRIA |
|
BAHRAIN |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
|
Road No 2832 |
Al Seef |
|
Al Seef 428 |
|
|
BAHRAIN |
|
BANGLADESH |
Standard Chartered Bank |
Standard Chartered Bank |
|
Portlink Tower |
Dhaka |
|
Level 6, 67 Gulshan Avenue |
|
|
Gulshan |
|
|
Dhaka 1212 |
|
|
BANGLADESH |
|
BELGIUM |
BNP Paribas Securities Services S.C.A. |
J.P. Morgan A.G.** |
|
Central Plaza Building |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
Rue de Loxum, 25 |
|
|
7th Floor |
|
|
1000 Brussels |
|
|
BELGIUM |
|
BERMUDA |
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited |
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited |
|
6 Front Street |
Hamilton |
|
Hamilton HM 11 |
|
|
BERMUDA |
|
BOTSWANA |
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited |
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana |
|
5th Floor, Standard House |
Limited |
|
P.O. Box 496 |
Gaborone |
|
Queens Road, The Mall |
|
|
Gaborone |
|
|
BOTSWANA |
|
*COSTA RICA* Banco BCT, S.A. |
Banco BCT, S.A. |
150 Metros Norte de la Catedral |
San Jose |
Metropolitana |
|
Edificio BCT |
|
San Jose |
|
COSTA RICA |
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
CROATIA |
Privredna banka Zagreb d.d. |
Zagrebacka banka d.d. |
|
Radnicka cesta 50 |
Zagreb |
|
10000 Zagreb |
|
|
CROATIA |
|
CYPRUS |
HSBC Bank plc |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
109 111, Messogian Ave. |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
115 26 Athens |
|
|
GREECE |
|
CZECH |
UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, |
Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka, a.s. |
REPUBLIC |
a.s. |
Prague |
|
BB Centrum FILADELFIE |
|
|
Zeletavska 1525 1 |
|
|
140 92 Prague 1 |
|
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
|
DENMARK |
Nordea Bank AB (publ) |
Nordea Bank AB (publ) |
|
Christiansbro |
Copenhagen |
|
Strandgade 3 |
|
|
P.O. Box 850 |
|
|
DK 0900 Copenhagen |
|
|
DENMARK |
|
EGYPT |
Citibank, N.A. |
Citibank, N.A. |
|
4 Ahmed Pasha Street |
Cairo |
|
Garden City |
|
|
Cairo |
|
|
EGYPT |
|
ESTONIA |
Swedbank AS |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Liivalaia 8 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
15040 Tallinn |
|
|
ESTONIA |
|
FINLAND |
Nordea Bank AB (publ) |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Aleksis Kiven katu 3 5 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
FIN 00020 NORDEA Helsinki |
|
|
FINLAND |
|
FRANCE |
BNP Paribas Securities Services S.C.A. |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
3, rue d'Antin |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
75002 Paris |
|
|
FRANCE |
|
GERMANY |
Deutsche Bank AG |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Alfred Herrhausen Allee 16 24 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
D 65760 Eschborn |
|
|
GERMANY |
|
|
J.P. Morgan AG#** |
|
|
Taunustor 1 (TaunusTurm) |
|
|
60310 Frankfurt am Main |
|
|
GERMANY |
|
|
# Custodian for local German custody clients |
|
|
only. |
|
GHANA |
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited |
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited |
|
Accra High Street |
Accra |
|
P.O. Box 768 |
|
|
Accra |
|
|
GHANA |
|
GREECE |
HSBC Bank plc |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Messogion 109 111 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
11526 Athens |
|
|
GREECE |
|
HONG KONG |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
48th Floor, One Island East |
Hong Kong |
|
18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay |
|
|
HONG KONG |
|
HUNGARY |
Deutsche Bank AG |
ING Bank N.V. |
|
Hold utca 27 |
Budapest |
|
H 1054 Budapest |
|
|
HUNGARY |
|
*ICELAND* |
Islandsbanki hf. |
Islandsbanki hf. |
|
Kirkjusandur 2 |
Reykjavik |
|
IS 155 Reykjavik |
|
|
ICELAND |
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
INDIA |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
6th Floor, Paradigm 'B' Wing |
Mumbai |
|
Mindspace, Malad (West) |
|
|
Mumbai 400 064 |
|
|
INDIA |
|
INDONESIA |
PT Bank HSBC Indonesia |
PT Bank HSBC Indonesia |
|
Menara Mulia 25th Floor |
Jakarta |
|
Jl. Jendral Gatot Subroto Kav. 9 11 |
|
|
Jakarta 12930 |
|
|
INDONESIA |
|
IRELAND |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
London E14 5JP |
|
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
|
ISRAEL |
Bank Leumi le Israel B.M. |
Bank Leumi le Israel B.M. |
|
35, Yehuda Halevi Street |
Tel Aviv |
|
65136 Tel Aviv |
|
|
ISRAEL |
|
ITALY |
BNP Paribas Securities Services S.C.A. |
J.P. Morgan AG** |
|
Piazza Lina Bo Bardi, 3 |
Frankfurt am Main |
|
20124 Milan |
|
|
ITALY |
|
JAPAN |
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
2 15 1, Konan |
Tokyo |
|
Minato ku |
|
|
Tokyo 108 6009 |
|
|
JAPAN |
|
|
The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. |
|
|
1 3 2 Nihombashi Hongoku cho |
|
|
Chuo ku |
|
|
Tokyo 103 0021 |
|
|
JAPAN |
|
JORDAN |
Standard Chartered Bank |
Standard Chartered Bank |
|
Shmeissani Branch |
Amman |
|
Al Thaqafa Street |
|
|
Building # 2 |
|
|
P.O. Box 926190 |
|
|
Amman |
|
|
JORDAN |
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
JSC Citibank Kazakhstan |
Subsidiary Bank Sberbank of Russia Joint |
|
Park Palace, Building A, Floor 2 |
Stock Company |
|
41 Kazybek Bi |
Almaty |
|
Almaty 050010 |
|
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
|
KENYA |
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited |
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited |
|
Chiromo |
Nairobi |
|
48 Westlands Road |
|
|
Nairobi 00100 |
|
|
KENYA |
|
KUWAIT |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
|
Kuwait City, Sharq Area |
Safat |
|
Abdulaziz Al Sager Street |
|
|
Al Hamra Tower, 37F |
|
|
Safat 13017 |
|
|
KUWAIT |
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
SWITZERLAND |
UBS Switzerland AG |
UBS Switzerland AG |
|
45 Bahnhofstrasse |
Zurich |
|
8021 Zurich |
|
|
SWITZERLAND |
|
TAIWAN |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
8th Floor, Cathay Xin Yi Trading Building |
Taipei |
|
No. 108, Section 5, Xin Yi Road |
|
|
Taipei 11047 |
|
|
TAIWAN |
|
*TANZANIA* |
Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited |
Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited |
|
Stanbic Centre |
Dar es Salaam |
|
Corner Kinondoni and A.H. Mwinyi Roads |
|
|
P.O. Box 72648 |
|
|
Dar es Salaam |
|
|
TANZANIA |
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
THAILAND |
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public |
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public |
|
Company Limited |
Company Limited |
|
14th Floor, Zone B |
Bangkok |
|
Sathorn Nakorn Tower |
|
|
90 North Sathorn Road Bangrak |
|
|
Silom, Bangrak |
|
|
Bangkok 10500 |
|
|
THAILAND |
|
TRINIDAD AND |
Republic Bank Limited |
Republic Bank Limited |
TOBAGO |
9 17 Park Street |
Port of Spain |
|
Port of Spain |
|
|
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO |
|
TUNISIA |
Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie, S.A. |
Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie, |
|
70 72 Avenue Habib Bourguiba |
S.A. |
|
P.O. Box 520 |
Tunis |
|
Tunis 1000 |
|
|
TUNISIA |
|
TURKEY |
Citibank A.S. |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
Inkilap Mah., Yilmaz Plaza |
Istanbul |
|
O. Faik Atakan Caddesi No: 3 |
|
|
34768 Umraniye, Istanbul |
|
|
TURKEY |
|
UGANDA |
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited |
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited |
|
5 Speke Road |
Kampala |
|
P.O. Box 7111 |
|
|
Kampala |
|
|
UGANDA |
|
*UKRAINE* |
PJSC Citibank |
PJSC Citibank |
|
16 G Dilova Street |
Kiev |
|
03150 Kiev |
|
|
UKRAINE |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.** |
|
|
New York |
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
VIETNAM |
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. |
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. |
|
Centre Point |
Ho Chi Minh City |
|
106 Nguyen Van Troi Street |
|
|
Phu Nhuan District |
|
|
Ho Chi Minh City |
|
|
VIETNAM |
|
*WAEMU |
Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire SA |
Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire SA |
BENIN, |
23 Boulevard de la Republique 1 |
Abidjan |
BURKINA |
01 B.P. 1141 |
|
FASO, GUINEA |
Abidjan 17 |
|
BISSAU, IVORY |
IVORY COAST |
|
COAST, MALI, |
|
|
NIGER, |
|
|
SENEGAL, |
|
|
TOGO* |
|
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
ZAMBIA |
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc |
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc |
|
Standard Chartered House |
Lusaka |
|
Cairo Road |
|
|
P.O. Box 32238 |
|
|
Lusaka 10101 |
|
|
ZAMBIA |
|
*ZIMBABWE* |
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited |
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited |
|
Stanbic Centre, 3rd Floor |
Harare |
|
59 Samora Machel Avenue |
|
|
Harare |
|
|
ZIMBABWE |
|
*RESTRICTED SERVICE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
** J.P. Morgan affiliate |
Correspondent banks are listed for information only. |
This document is for information only and its contents are subject to change. This document is intended neither to influence your investment decisions nor to amend or supplement any agreement governing your relations with J.P. Morgan. Neither this document nor any of its contents may be disclosed to any third party or used for any other purpose without the proper written consent of J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan has gathered the information from a source it considers reliable, however, it cannot be responsible for inaccuracies, incomplete information or updating of the information furnished hereby.
SCHEDULE 3 SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES
Market |
Depository |
Instruments |
ARGENTINA |
CVSA |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Caja de Valores S.A.) |
|
AUSTRALIA |
ASX Settlement |
Equity |
|
(ASX Settlement Pty Limited) |
|
|
Austraclear |
Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Austraclear Limited) |
|
AUSTRIA |
OeKB CSD GmbH |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Oesterreichische Kontrollbank CSD |
|
|
GmbH) |
|
BAHRAIN |
CSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Bahrain Bourse - Clearing, Settlement and |
|
|
Central Depository) |
|
BANGLADESH |
BB |
Government Debt |
|
(Bangladesh Bank) |
|
|
CDBL |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository Bangladesh Limited) |
|
BELGIUM |
Euroclear Belgium |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Euroclear Belgium SA/NV) |
|
|
NBB |
Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(The National Bank of Belgium) |
|
BERMUDA |
BSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Bermuda Stock Exchange - Bermuda |
|
|
Securities Depository) |
|
BOTSWANA |
BoB |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank of Botswana) |
|
|
CSDB |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Securities Depository of Botswana |
|
|
Ltd) |
|
BRAZIL |
BM&FBOVESPA |
Equity |
|
(B3 S.A. - BM&FBOVESPA) |
|
|
CETIP |
Corporate Debt |
|
(B3 S.A. - CETIP) |
|
|
SELIC |
Government Debt |
|
(Banco Central do Brasil - Sistema Especial |
|
|
de Liquida÷÷o e Cust÷dia) |
|
BULGARIA |
CDAD |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository AD) |
|
|
BNB |
Government Debt |
|
(Bulgarian National Bank) |
|
CANADA |
CDS Clearing |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(CDS Clearing and Depository Services |
|
|
Inc.) |
|
CHILE |
DCV |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Dep÷sito Central de Valores S.A.) |
|
CHINA A-SHARE |
CSDCC |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(China Securities Depository and Clearing |
|
|
Corporation Limited) |
|
|
SCH |
Short-term Corporate Debt |
|
(Shanghai Clearing House) |
|
|
CCDC |
Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(China Central Depository & Clearing Co., |
|
|
Ltd.) |
|
CHINA B-SHARE |
CSDCC |
Equity |
|
(China Securities Depository and Clearing |
|
|
Corporation Limited) |
|
CHINA |
HKSCC - for China Connect |
Equity |
CONNECT |
(Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company |
|
|
Limited) |
|
COLOMBIA |
DCV |
Government Debt |
|
(Banco de la Républica de Colombia - |
|
|
Dep÷sito Central de Valores) |
|
|
DECEVAL |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Dep÷sito Centralizado de Valores de |
|
|
Colombia S.A.) |
|
COSTA RICA |
InterClear |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(InterClear, S.A.) |
|
CROATIA |
SKDD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Središnje klirinško depozitarno društvo |
|
|
d.d.) |
|
CYPRUS |
CDCR |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Cyprus Stock Exchange - Central |
|
|
Depository and Central Registry) |
|
CZECH |
CNB |
Short-Term Corporate Debt, Short-Term |
REPUBLIC |
(Ceská národn÷ banka) |
Government Debt |
|
CDCP |
Equity, Long-Term Corporate Debt, Long- |
|
(Centráln÷ depozitár cenn÷ch pap÷ru, a.s.) |
Term Government Debt |
DENMARK |
VP |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(VP Securities A/S) |
|
EGYPT |
MCDR |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Treasury Bonds |
|
(Misr for Central Clearing, Depository and |
|
|
Registry) |
|
|
CBE |
Treasury Bills |
|
(Central Bank of Egypt) |
|
ESTONIA |
ECSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Eesti V÷÷rtpaberikeskus AS) |
|
FINLAND |
Euroclear Finland |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Euroclear Finland Oy) |
|
FRANCE |
Euroclear France |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Euroclear France SA) |
|
GERMANY |
CBF |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Clearstream Banking AG) |
|
GHANA |
CSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Central Securities Depository (GH) Ltd.) |
|
GREECE |
BoG |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank of Greece) |
|
|
ATHEXCSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Hellenic Central Securities Depository) |
|
HONG KONG |
HKSCC |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company |
|
|
Limited) |
|
|
CMU |
Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Hong Kong Monetary Authority - Central |
|
|
Moneymarkets Unit) |
|
HUNGARY |
KELER |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(K÷zponti Elszámol÷ház és ÷rtéktár |
|
|
(Budapest) Zrt.) |
|
ICELAND |
Nasdaq CSD Iceland hf. |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Nasdaq ver÷bréfami÷st÷÷ hf.) |
|
INDIA |
NSDL |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(National Securities Depository Limited) |
|
|
CDSL |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository Services (India) |
|
|
Limited) |
|
|
RBI |
Government Debt |
|
(Reserve Bank of India) |
|
INDONESIA |
KSEI |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt* |
|
(PT Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia) |
(*acts as sub-registry) |
|
BI |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank Indonesia) |
|
INTERNATIONAL |
Euroclear Bank |
Internationally Traded Debt, Equity |
SECURITIES |
(Euroclear Bank SA/NV) |
|
MARKET |
CBL |
Internationally Traded Debt, Equity |
| ||
|
(Clearstream Banking S.A.) |
|
IRELAND |
EUI |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Euroclear U.K. & Ireland Limited) |
|
ISRAEL |
TASE-CH |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing House |
|
|
Ltd.) |
|
ITALY |
Monte Titoli |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Monte Titoli S.p.A.) |
|
JAPAN |
JASDEC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Japan Securities Depository Center, |
|
|
Incorporated) |
|
|
BOJ |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank of Japan) |
|
JORDAN |
SDC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Securities Depository Center) |
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
KACD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Central Securities Depository Joint-Stock |
|
|
Company) |
|
KENYA |
CDS |
Government Debt |
|
(Central Bank of Kenya - Central |
|
|
Depository System) |
|
|
CDSC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository and Settlement |
|
|
Corporation Limited) |
|
KUWAIT |
KCC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(The Kuwait Clearing Company K.S.C.) |
|
LATVIA |
LCD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Latvian Central Depository) |
|
LITHUANIA |
CSDL |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Central Securities Depository of |
|
|
Lithuania) |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
CBL |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Clearstream Banking S.A.) |
|
MALAYSIA |
Bursa Depository |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd) |
|
|
BNM |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank Negara Malaysia) |
|
MAURITIUS |
CDS |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository & Settlement Co. Ltd) |
|
|
BOM |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank of Mauritius) |
|
MEXICO |
Indeval |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(S.D. Indeval S.A. de C.V.) |
|
MOROCCO |
Maroclear |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Maroclear) |
|
NETHERLANDS |
Euroclear Nederland |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Euroclear Nederland) |
|
NEW ZEALAND |
NZCSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(New Zealand Central Securities |
|
|
Depository Limited) |
|
NIGERIA |
CSCS |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Securities Clearing System Plc) |
|
|
CBN |
Government Debt |
|
(Central Bank of Nigeria) |
|
NORWAY |
VPS |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Verdipapirsentralen ASA) |
|
OMAN |
MCD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Muscat Clearing and Depository Co. |
|
|
(S.A.O.C)) |
|
PAKISTAN |
SBP |
Government Debt |
|
(State Bank of Pakistan) |
|
|
CDC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository Company of Pakistan |
|
|
Limited) |
|
PERU |
CAVALI |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(CAVALI S.A. I.C.L.V.) |
|
PHILIPPINES |
PDTC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Philippine Depository and Trust |
|
|
Corporation) |
|
|
RoSS |
Government Debt |
|
(Bureau of Treasury - Registry of Scripless |
|
|
Securities) |
|
POLAND |
KDPW |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Long-Term |
|
(Krajowy Depozyt Papier÷w |
Government Debt |
|
Wartosciowych S.A.) |
|
|
RPW |
Short-Term Government Debt |
|
(National Bank of Poland - Registry of |
|
|
Securities) |
|
PORTUGAL |
INTERBOLSA |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Sociedade Gestora de Sistemas de |
|
|
Liquida÷÷o e de Sistemas Centralizados de |
|
|
Valores Mobiliários, S.A.) |
|
QATAR |
QCSD |
Equity, Government Debt |
|
(Qatar Central Securities Depository) |
|
ROMANIA |
CD S.A. |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository S.A.) |
|
|
NBR |
Government Debt |
|
(National Bank of Romania) |
|
RUSSIA |
NSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(National Settlement Depository) |
|
SAUDI ARABIA |
SDCC |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Securities Depository Center Company) |
|
SERBIA |
CSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Central Securities Depository and Clearing |
|
|
House) |
|
SINGAPORE |
CDP |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government |
|
(The Central Depository (Pte) Limited) |
Securities |
|
MAS |
Government Securities |
|
(Monetary Authority of Singapore) |
|
SLOVAK |
CDCP |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
REPUBLIC |
(Centrálny depozitár cenn÷ch papierov SR, |
|
|
a.s.) |
|
SLOVENIA |
KDD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Centralna klirinško depotna družba d.d.) |
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
Strate |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Strate (Pty) Limited) |
|
SOUTH KOREA |
KSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Korea Securities Depository) |
|
SPAIN |
IBERCLEAR |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Sociedad de Sistemas) |
|
SRI LANKA |
CDS |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Central Depository Systems (Pvt.) Ltd.) |
|
|
LankaSecure |
Government Debt |
|
(Central Bank of Sri Lanka - LankaSecure) |
|
SWEDEN |
Euroclear Sweden |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Euroclear Sweden AB) |
|
SWITZERLAND |
SIS |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(SIX SIS AG) |
|
TAIWAN |
TDCC |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Taiwan Depository and Clearing |
|
|
Corporation) |
|
|
CBC |
Government Debt |
|
(Central Bank of the Republic of China |
|
|
(Taiwan)) |
|
TANZANIA |
CDS |
Equity, Corporate Debt |
|
(Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange Central |
|
|
Depository System) |
|
THAILAND |
TSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
|
(Thailand Securities Depository Company |
|
|
Limited) |
|
TRINIDAD AND |
TTCD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
TOBAGO |
(Trinidad and Tobago Central Depository |
|
|
Limited) |
|
WAEMU - BENIN, |
DC/BR |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Government Debt |
BURKINA FASO, |
(Le Dépositaire Central / Banque de |
|
GUINEA-BISSAU, |
Règlement) |
|
IVORY COAST, |
|
|
MALI, NIGER, |
|
|
SENEGAL, TOGO |
|
|
ZAMBIA |
LuSE CSD |
Equity, Corporate Debt, Treasury Bonds |
|
(Lusaka Stock Exchange Central Shares |
|
|
Depository) |
|
|
BoZ |
Government Debt |
|
(Bank of Zambia) |
|
ZIMBABWE |
CDC |
Equity |
|
(Chengetedzai Depository Company |
|
|
Limited) |
|
This document is for information only and its contents are subject to change. This document is intended neither to influence your investment decisions nor to amend or supplement any agreement governing your relations with J.P. Morgan. Neither this document nor any of its contents may be disclosed to any third party or used for any other purpose without the proper written consent of J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan has gathered the information from a source it considers reliable, however, it cannot be responsible for inaccuracies, incomplete information or updating of the information furnished hereby.
EXHIBIT 1Amendment 2
The following is an amendment, dated as of December 22, 2017 ("Amendment"), to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). This Amendment serves to update the names of the Trusts and certain of their portfolios (each, a "Fund") listed on Exhibit 1. Bank and Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the following Trusts and Funds listed below. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard REIT II Index Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund
Vanguard REIT Index Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Payout Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
(Rest of page left intentionally blank)
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Structured Broad Market Fund
Vanguard Structured Large-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard REIT Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard REIT Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Telecommunications Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
(Rest of page left intentionally blank)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | |
|
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
|
EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
By: |
/s/ Thomas J. Higgins |
Name: |
Name: |
Thomas J. Higgins |
Title: |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following is an amendment, dated July __, 2018, (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1.Information Concerning Deposits at Bank. Section 10.5(c) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
(c) In the event that (i) Bank incurs a loss attributable to Country Risk with respect to any cash balance it maintains on deposit at a Subcustodian or other correspondent bank in regard to its global custody or trust businesses in the country where the Subcustodian or other correspondent bank is located or (ii) J.P. Morgan Bank International LLC incurs a loss attributable to Country Risk with respect to any cash balance it maintains on deposit at its correspondent bank in Russia in regard to its direct custody business, Bank may set such loss off against Customer's Cash Account to the extent that such loss is directly attributable to Customer's investments in that market.
2.Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard REIT II Index Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund
Vanguard REIT Index Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Payout Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Structured Broad Market Fund
Vanguard Structured Large-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard REIT Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard REIT Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Telecommunications Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
3.Miscellaneous. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified, in full force and effect and all terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.
(Rest of page left intentionally blank)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | ||
|
|
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
|
|
EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
/s/ Brian Eckert |
By: |
/s/ Thomas J. Higgins |
Name: |
Brian Eckert |
Name: |
Thomas J. Higgins |
Title: |
Executive Director |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following is an amendment, dated October _2_, 2018, (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1.Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Payout Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Structured Broad Market Fund
Vanguard Structured Large-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard REIT Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
2.Miscellaneous. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified, in full force and effect and all terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | ||
|
|
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
|
|
EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
/s/ Alan Liang |
By: |
/s/ John Bendl |
Name: |
Alan Liang |
Name: |
John Bendl |
Title: |
Vice President |
Title: |
Chief Accounting Officer |
|
|
|
Controller |
AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following is an amendment, dated April _9_, 2019, (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
3.Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Payout Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with
respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Structured Broad Market Fund
Vanguard Structured Large-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard REIT Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
4.Miscellaneous. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified, in full force and effect and all terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | ||
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INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
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EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
/s/ Carl Mehldau |
By: |
/s/ Thomas J. Higgins |
Name: |
Carl Mehldau |
Name: |
Thomas J. Higgins |
Title: |
Vice President |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following is an amendment, dated August _12_, 2019, (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
5.Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard International Core Stock Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Payout Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG US Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Structured Broad Market Fund
Vanguard Structured Large-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard REIT Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
6.Miscellaneous. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified, in full force and effect and all terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | ||
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INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
|
|
EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
/s/ Carl Mehldau |
By: |
/s/ Peter C. Mahoney |
Name: |
Carl Mehldau |
Name: |
Peter C. Mahoney |
Title: |
Vice President |
Title: |
Controller |
AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
The following is an amendment, dated August 6, 2020, (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement, dated August 14, 2017, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"), by and between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and each open-end management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 thereto (each, a "Trust"). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
7.Exhibit 1. Exhibit 1 to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard International Core Stock Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Allocation Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation Portfolio
Real Estate Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard Real Estate Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund
8.Miscellaneous. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified, in full force and effect and all terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. |
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT | ||
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|
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON | |
|
|
EXHIBIT 1 HERETO | |
By: |
/s/ Carl Mehldau |
By: |
/s/ John Bendl |
Name: |
Carl Mehldau |
Name: |
John Bendl |
Title: |
Vice President |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY
AGREEMENT
This Amendment (this "Amendment") to the AMENDED AND RESTATEDGLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT, dated August 14, 2017, as amended or supplementedas of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Bank") and each open-ended management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 attached hereto (each,a "Trust") is entered into and effective as of January 25 , 2022 (the "Effective Date").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, each Trust and Bank entered into the Agreement pursuant to which Bank provides custody and related services as more fully described therein; and
WHEREAS, the parties now wish to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1.Definitions. Terms defined in the Agreement shall, save to the extent that the context otherwise requires, bear the same respective meanings in this Amendment.
2.Amendments. The Agreement shall be amended as follows:
a.The current Exhibit 1 is hereby deleted in its entirely and replaced with the revised Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
b.Save as varied by this Amendment, the Agreement is confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect.
3.Representations. Each party represents to the other party that all representations contained in the Agreement are true and accurate as of the date of this Amendment, and that such representations are deemed to be given or repeated by each party, as the case may be, on the date of this Amendment.
4.Entire Agreement. This Amendment and the Agreement and any documents referred to in each of them, constitutes the whole agreement between the parties relating to their subject matter and supersedes and extinguishes any other drafts, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties and arrangements of any nature, whether in writing or oral, relating to such subject matter. If any of the provisions of this Amendment are inconsistent with or in conflict with any of the provisions of theAgreement, then, to the extent of any such inconsistency or conflict, the provisions of this Amendment shall prevail.
5.Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
6.Law and Jurisdiction. This Amendment shall be construed, regulated, and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York's principles regarding conflict of laws.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A HERETO
By: /s/Christine M. Buchanan
Name: Christine M. Buchanan
Title: Funds CFO
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By: /s/Carl Mehldau
Name: Carl Mehldau
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT 1
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard International Core Stock Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Vanguard ST AR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Allocation Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation PortfolioReal Estate Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Global Value Fund
Vanguard China Select Stock Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund Vanguard Russell I 000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell I 000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard Real Estate Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Global Value Fund
Vanguard China Select Stock Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL
CUSTODYAGREEMENT
This Amendment (this "Amendment") to the AMENDED AND RESTATEDGLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT, dated August 14, 2017, as amended or supplementedas of the date hereof (the "Agreement"), between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Bank") and each open-ended management investment company listed on Exhibit 1 attached hereto (each,a "Trust") is
entered into and effective as of March 25, 2022 (the "Effective Date").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, each Trust and Bank entered into the Agreement pursuant to which Bank provides custody and related services as more fully described therein; and
WHEREAS, the parties now wish to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1.Definitions. Terms defined in the Agreement shall, save to the extent that the context otherwise requires, bear the same respective meanings in this Amendment.
2.Amendments. The Agreement shall be amended as follows:
a.The current Exhibit 1 is hereby deleted in its entirely and replaced with the revised Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
b.Save as varied by this Amendment, the Agreement is confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect.
3.Representations. Each party represents to the other party that all representations contained in the Agreement are true and accurate as of the date of this Amendment, and that such representations are deemed to be given or repeated by each party, as the case may be, on the date of this Amendment.
4.Entire Agreement. This Amendment and the Agreement and any documents referred to in each of them, constitutes the whole agreement between the parties relating to their subject matter and supersedes and extinguishes any other drafts, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties and arrangements of any nature, whether in writing or oral, relating to such subject matter. If any of the provisions of this Amendment are inconsistent with or in conflict with any of the provisions of theAgreement, then, to the extent of any such inconsistency or conflict, the provisions of this Amendment shall prevail.
5.Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
6.Law and Jurisdiction. This Amendment shall be construed, regulated, and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York's principles regarding conflict of laws.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON
SCHEDULE A HERETO
By: /s/ Christine Buchanan
Name: Christine Buchanan
Title: Principal VGI, Funds CFO
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Carl Mehldau
Name: Carl Mehldau
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT 1
Vanguard Admiral Funds
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund
Vanguard Bond Index Funds
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
Vanguard Charlotte Funds
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
Vanguard GNMA Fund
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard International Core Stock Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Core Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard Total World Bond ETF
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund
Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund
Vanguard STAR Fund
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds
Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund
Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Diversified Equity Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund
Vanguard Managed Allocation Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Conservative Allocation Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Global Bond Index Portfolio Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Moderate Allocation PortfolioReal Estate Index Portfolio
Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio
Total Stock Market Index Portfolio
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard International Explorer Fund
Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Global Value Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund
Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund
Vanguard Global Wellington Fund
Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF
Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Bank and each following Customer hereby agree that all of the terms and conditions as set forth in the Agreement except for Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to the Trusts and Funds listed below limited to their use of account number P 62749 in Vanguard Directly Managed Securities Lending transactions:
Vanguard Chester Funds
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Explorer Fund
Vanguard Fenway Funds
Vanguard Equity Income Fund
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
Vanguard Horizon Funds
Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
Vanguard Index Funds
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds Vanguard Explorer Value Fund Vanguard Russell I 000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell I 000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard International Value Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Vanguard Balanced Portfolio
Vanguard Capital Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Diversified Value Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Income Portfolio
Vanguard Equity Index Portfolio
Vanguard Growth Portfolio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
Vanguard Real Estate Index Portfolio
Vanguard Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard International Portfolio
Vanguard Whitehall Funds
Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund
Vanguard Advice Select Global Value Fund
Vanguard Windsor Funds
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund
Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund
Nicole Olech
Vice President
October 20, 2022
VANGUARD FUNDS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
I.INTRODUCTION
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") describes seven separate classes of shares that may be offered by investment company members of The Vanguard Group of Mutual Funds (collectively the "Funds," individually a "Fund"). The Plan has been adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") to allow each Fund to offer multiple classes of shares in a manner permitted by Rule 18f-3, subject to the requirements imposed by the Rule. Each Fund may offer any one or more of the specified classes.
The Plan has been approved by the Board of Directors of The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("VGI"). In addition, the Plan has been adopted by a majority of the Board of Trustees of each Fund ("Fund Board"), including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of each Fund. The classes of shares offered by each Fund are designated in Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time.
II.SHARE CLASSES
A Fund may offer any one or more of the following share classes:
Investor Shares
Admiral Shares
Institutional Shares
Institutional Plus Shares
Institutional Select Shares
ETF Shares
Transition Shares
III.DISTRIBUTION, AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY
Distribution arrangements for all classes are described below. Distribution arrangements vary by VGI business line depending on the eligibility of the client segments to whom they market. Each Fund retains sole discretion in determining share class availability, and VGI retains discretion in determining whether Fund shares shall be offered either directly or through certain financial intermediaries, or on certain financial intermediary platforms. Eligibility requirements for purchasing shares of each class will differ, as follows:
A.Investor Shares
Investor Shares of actively-managed Funds generally will be available to investors who are not permitted to purchase other classes of shares, subject to the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Investor Shares of actively-managed Funds will normally be lower than the amount required for any other class of shares of such Funds. Investor Shares of actively-
1
managed Funds are typically distributed by all VGI business lines. Investor Shares of index Funds generally will be available to Funds that operate as a Fund-of-Funds and certain retirement plan clients receiving recordkeeping services from VGI.
B.Admiral Shares
Admiral Shares generally will be available to retail, institutional, and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. These eligibility requirements may include, but are not limited to the following factors: (i) the total amount invested in the Fund; or (ii) any other factors deemed appropriate by a Fund's Board. Admiral Shares are typically distributed by all VGI business lines.
C.Institutional Shares
Institutional Shares generally will be available to institutional and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount per account for Institutional Shares will be substantially higher than the amounts required for Investor Shares or Admiral Shares. Institutional Shares are typically distributed by Vanguard's financial advisory services and institutional business lines.
D.Institutional Plus Shares
Institutional Plus Shares generally will be available to institutional and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Institutional Plus Shares will be substantially higher than the amount required for Institutional Shares. Institutional Plus Shares are typically distributed by VGI's financial advisory services and institutional business lines.
E.Institutional Select Shares
Institutional Select Shares generally will be available to institutional investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Institutional Select Shares will be the highest among all Fund share classes. Institutional Select Shares are typically distributed by VGI's institutional business line.
F.ETF Shares
A Fund will sell ETF Shares to investors that are (or who purchase through) Authorized Participants and who generally pay for their ETF shares by depositing a prescribed basket consisting predominantly of securities with the Fund. An Authorized Participant is an institution, usually a broker-dealer, that is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) and that has executed a Participant Agreement with the Fund's distributor. Additional eligibility requirements may be specified in
2
Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. Investors who are not Authorized Participants may buy and sell ETF shares through various exchanges and market centers. ETF Shares are typically distributed by all VGI business lines.
G.Transition Shares
Transition Shares generally will be available solely to Funds that operate as Funds-of-Funds and meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. Transition Shares are only internally distributed.
IV. SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS
Shareholders in all share classes will receive a range of shareholder services provided by VGI. These services may include transaction processing and shareholder recordkeeping, as well as the mailing of updated prospectuses, shareholder reports, tax statements, confirmation statements, quarterly portfolio summaries, and other items. Each share class will bear its proportionate share of VGI's cost of providing such services in accordance with Section VI of the Plan.
V.CONVERSION FEATURES
A. Self-Directed Conversions
1.Conversion into Investor Shares, Admiral Shares, Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, and Institutional Select Shares. Shareholders may conduct self-directed conversions from one share class into another share class of the same Fund for which they are eligible. Self-directed conversions may be initiated by the shareholder; however, depending upon the particular share class and the complexity of the shareholder's accounts, such conversions may require the assistance of a VGI representative. Shareholders may convert from one share class into another share class provided that following the conversion the shareholder meets the then applicable eligibility requirements for the share class into which they are converting. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's receipt of the shareholder's request in good order.
2.Conversion into ETF Shares. Except as otherwise provided, a shareholder may convert Investor Shares, Admiral Shares, or Institutional Shares into ETF Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that: (i) the share class out of which the shareholder is converting and the ETF Shares declare and distribute dividends on the same schedule; (ii) the shares to be converted are not held through an employee benefit plan; and (iii) following the conversion, the shareholder will hold ETF Shares through a brokerage account. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's receipt of the shareholder's request in good order. VGI or the Fund may charge an administrative fee to process conversion transactions.
3
B.Automatic Conversions
1.Automatic conversion into Admiral Shares. VGI may automatically convert Investor Shares into Admiral Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that following the conversion the shareholder meets the eligibility requirements for Admiral Shares. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's conversion without the imposition of any charge. Such automatic conversions may occur on a periodic, or one-time basis. Automatic conversions may not apply to certain financial types of accounts (e.g., accounts held through certain intermediaries, or other accounts as may be excluded by VGI management).
2.Automatic conversion into Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, or Institutional Select Shares. VGI may conduct automatic conversions of any share class into either Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, or Institutional Select Shares in accordance with then-current eligibility requirements.
C.Involuntary Conversions and Cash Outs
1.Cash Outs. If a shareholder in any class of shares no longer meets the eligibility requirements for such shares, the Fund may, if permitted under applicable law, cash out the shareholder's remaining account balance. Any such cash out will be preceded by written notice to the shareholder and will be subject to the Fund's normal redemption fees, if any.
2.Conversion of Admiral Shares, Institutional Shares, and Institutional Plus Shares. If a shareholder no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the share class currently held, the Fund may convert the shareholder's holdings into the share class for which such shareholder is eligible. Any such conversion will be preceded by written notice to the shareholder and will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes without the imposition of any sales load, fee, or other charge.
3.Conversions of Transition Shares. When a Fund that issues Transition Shares has completed the relevant portfolio transition, the Fund will convert the Transition Shares to another share class of the same Fund as appropriate, based on the eligibility requirements of such class as specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time.
VI. EXPENSE ALLOCATION AMONG CLASSES
A.Background
VGI is a jointly-owned subsidiary of the Funds. VGI provides the Funds, on an at-cost basis, virtually all of their corporate management, administrative, and distribution services. VGI also may provide investment advisory services on an at-cost basis to the Funds. VGI was established and operates pursuant to a Funds'
4
Service Agreement between itself and the Funds (the "Agreement"), and pursuant to certain exemptive orders granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("Exemptive Orders"). VGI's direct and indirect expenses of providing corporate management, administrative, and distribution services to the Funds are allocated among such Funds in accordance with methods specified in the Agreement or such other methods as may be approved by the Board of Directors of VGI ("VGI Board") as permitted under the Agreement and by the Fund Board.1
B.Class Specific Expenses
1.Expenses for Account-Based Services. Expenses associated with
VGI's provision of account-based services to the Funds will be allocated among the share classes of each Fund on the basis of the amount incurred by each such class as follows:
(a)Account maintenance expenses. Expenses associated with the maintenance of investor accounts will be proportionately allocated among each Fund's share classes based upon a monthly determination of the costs to service each class of shares. Factors considered in this determination are (i) the percentage of total shareholder accounts represented by each class and (ii) the relative percentage of total net assets of each class.
(b)Expenses of special servicing arrangements. Expenses relating to any special servicing arrangements for a specific class will be proportionally allocated among each eligible Fund's share classes primarily based on their percentage of total shareholder accounts receiving the special servicing arrangements.
(c)Literature production and mailing expenses. Expenses associated with shareholder reports, proxy materials and other literature will be allocated among each Fund's share classes based upon the number of such items produced and mailed for each class.
2.Other Class Specific Expenses. Expenses for the primary benefit of a particular share class will be allocated to that share class. Such expenses would include any legal fees attributable to a particular class.
C.Fund-Wide Expenses
1.Marketing and Distribution Expenses. Each share class will bear marketing and distribution expenses proportionate to the marketing and distribution expenses of the business lines that distribute that share class.
1In accordance with the methods set out in the Agreement and VGI Board and Fund Board approved methods, the expenses that would otherwise have been allocated to each Fund that operates as a Fund-of-Funds are reallocated to the approved share class of the underlying Funds in the Fund-of-Funds' portfolio on a pro rata basis based on the Fund-of-Fund's relative net assets invested in the underlying Fund's share class.
5
Retail and institutional businesses expenses will be allocated based on the percentage of client accounts in each share class serviced by the respective business. Financial advisory service expenses will be apportioned based on the percentage of assets in each share class.
Expenses associated with each share class will be allocated only among the Funds that have such share class according to the "Vanguard Modified Formula," with each share class or each Fund treated as if it were a separate Fund. The Vanguard Modified Formula is set forth in the Agreement and in certain of the SEC Exemptive Orders. This allocation has been deemed an appropriate allocation methodology by each Fund Board under paragraph (c)(1)(v) of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
2.Asset Management Expenses. Expenses associated with management of a Fund's assets (including all advisory, tax preparation, and custody fees) will be allocated among the Fund's share classes on the basis of their relative net assets.
3.Other Fund Expenses. Any other Fund expenses not described above will be allocated among the share classes on the basis of their relative net assets.
VII. ALLOCATION OF INCOME, GAINS, AND LOSSES
Income, gains, and losses will be allocated among each Fund's share classes on the basis of their relative net assets. As a result of differences in allocated expenses, it is expected that the net income of, and dividends payable to, each class of shares will vary. Dividends and distributions paid to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, on the same day and at the same time.
VIII. VOTING AND OTHER RIGHTS
Each share class will have: (i) exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its service or distribution arrangements; and (ii) separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of the other class; and (iii) in all other respects the same rights, obligations, and privileges as each other, except as described in the Plan.
IX. AMENDMENTS
All material amendments to the Plan must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of each Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund. In addition, any material amendment to the Plan must be approved by the Board of Directors of VGI.
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Approved by Board: December 17, 2021
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SCHEDULE A to
VANGUARD FUNDS MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
Note: Transition Shares, when offered by a Fund, are available for a limited period of time and are then converted into another share class. For this reason, Transition Shares are not shown on Schedule A.
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
| |
Vanguard Admiral Funds |
|
| |
• |
Treasury Money Market Fund |
Investor | |
• S&P 500 Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P 500 Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
• S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | ||
Vanguard Bond Index Funds |
|
| |
• Short-Term Bond Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
• Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund |
Institutional Plus, ETF | ||
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | |||
|
|
Plus, ETF | |
• Long-Term Bond Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, Institutional Plus, | ||
|
|
ETF | |
• Total Bond Market Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | ||
• Total Bond Market II Index Fund |
Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | ||
Investor, Institutional | |||
• |
Inflation-Protected Securities Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional | |
• |
Ultra-Short Bond ETF |
ETF | |
Vanguard California Tax-Free Funds |
|
| |
• Municipal Money Market Fund |
Investor | ||
• |
Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• |
Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Charlotte Funds |
|
| |
• Total International Bond Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Select, ETF | |
• Global Credit Bond Fund |
Investor, Admiral | ||
• Total International Bond II Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional |
1
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Chester Funds |
| |
• |
PRIMECAP Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Target Retirement Income Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2065 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2070 Fund |
Investor | |
Vanguard Explorer Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Fenway Funds |
| |
• |
Equity Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
Investor |
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds |
| |
• |
Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Real Estate II Index Fund |
Institutional Plus | |
• |
Short-Term Treasury Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Short-Term Federal Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional |
• |
Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
GNMA Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Long-Term Treasury Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
High-Yield Corporate Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Horizon Funds |
| |
• |
Capital Opportunity Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Global Equity Fund |
Investor |
• |
Strategic Equity Fund |
Investor |
• |
Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund |
Investor |
• International Core Stock Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
2
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
| |
Vanguard Index Funds |
|
| |
• |
500 Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional Select, ETF | |
• Extended Market Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
• |
|
Institutional Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | |
Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• |
Large-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
• Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF | ||
• |
Mid-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
• Mid-Cap Value Index Fund |
Institutional Plus, ETF | ||
Investor, Admiral, ETF | |||
• Small-Cap Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• |
Small-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
• Small-Cap Value Index Fund |
Institutional Plus, ETF | ||
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |||
• Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | ||
• |
|
Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | |
Value Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds |
|
| |
• |
Institutional Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus | |
• Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus | ||
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds |
|
| |
• Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Plus | |
|
FTSE Emerging Markets ETF |
ETF | |
• European Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Plus | |
|
FTSE Europe ETF |
ETF | |
• FTSE All-World ex US Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | ||
|
|
Plus, ETF | |
• Pacific Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional | ||
|
FTSE Pacific ETF |
ETF | |
• Total World Stock Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• FTSE All World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF |
3
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Malvern Funds
•Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities
4
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Quantitative Funds |
| |
• Growth and Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds |
| |
• |
Short-Term Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
• |
Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
• Long-Term Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Explorer Value Fund |
Investor |
• Russell 1000 Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 1000 Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 2000 Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 2000 Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Russell 3000 Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Total Corporate Bond ETF |
ETF | |
• Total World Bond ETF |
ETF | |
Vanguard Specialized Funds |
| |
• |
Energy Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Global Capital Cycles Fund |
Investor | |
• |
Health Care Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Dividend Growth Fund |
Investor |
• Real Estate Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
• Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• Global ESG Select Stock Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard STAR Funds |
| |
• |
LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund |
Investor |
• |
LifeStrategy Growth Fund |
Investor |
• |
LifeStrategy Income Fund |
Investor |
• LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund |
Investor | |
• |
STAR Fund |
Investor |
• Total International Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
|
|
Institutional Plus, Institutional Select, |
|
|
ETF |
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds |
| |
• |
Tax-Managed Balanced Fund |
Admiral |
• Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund |
Admiral, Institutional | |
• Developed Markets Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
|
|
Institutional Plus |
|
FTSE Developed Markets ETF |
ETF |
• |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund |
Admiral, Institutional |
5
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
6
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Whitehall Funds |
| |
• |
Selected Value Fund |
Investor |
• |
Mid-Cap Growth Fund |
Investor |
• |
International Explorer Fund |
Investor |
• High Dividend Yield Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
•Emerging Markets Government
|
Bond Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF |
• Global Minimum Volatility Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• International High Dividend Yield Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• Advice Select International Growth Fund |
Admiral | |
• Advice Select Global Value Fund |
Admiral | |
• Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund |
Admiral | |
Vanguard Windsor Funds |
| |
• |
Windsor Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Windsor II Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard World Fund |
| |
• Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus, ETF | |
• FTSE Social Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional | |
• Global Wellesley Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• |
Global Wellington Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
International Growth Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Mega Cap Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Mega Cap Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Mega Cap Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• |
U.S. Growth Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Consumer Discretionary Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• Consumer Staples Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Energy Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• |
Financials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Health Care Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Industrials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Information Technology Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Materials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Communication Services Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Utilities Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• ESG U.S. Stock ETF |
ETF | |
• |
ESG International Stock ETF |
ETF |
• ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF |
ETF |
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Updated: December 12, 2022
7
SCHEDULE B
to
VANGUARD FUNDS MULTIPLE CLASS
PLAN
VGI has policies and procedures designed to ensure consistency and compliance with the offering of multiple classes of shares within this Multiple Class Plan's eligibility requirements.2 These policies are reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis in conjunction with VGI's Compliance Department.
Investor Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Investor Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000. Personal Advisor Services clients, clients investing through financial intermediaries, and institutional clients may hold Investor Shares without restriction in Funds that do not offer Admiral Shares. Investor Shares of index Funds generally are available only to Funds that operate as a Fund- of-Funds and certain retirement plan clients receiving recordkeeping services from VGI. A Vanguard Fund may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Investor Shares. Each Fund and VGI also reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors.
Financial intermediaries that serve as mutual fund supermarkets may only invest in Investor Shares of Funds in which Investor Shares are available and may not invest in other share classes of such Funds.3 Mutual fund supermarket means a program or platform offered by a financial intermediary through which such intermediary's retail clients may purchase and sell mutual funds offered by a variety of independent fund families on a self-directed basis without advice or recommendation from a financial advisor or broker. This definition may be changed or amended at any time and without prior notice as may be determined in the discretion of VGI management. Nothing in the definition of mutual fund supermarket should be construed to prohibit Vanguard Brokerage Services from offering the Funds' other share classes to its eligible clients.
Admiral Shares Eligibility Requirements
Admiral Shares generally are intended for clients who meet the required minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000 for retail clients in index Funds and $50,000 for retail clients in actively-managed Funds. Personal Advisor Services clients, clients investing through financial intermediaries and institutional clients may hold Admiral Shares of both index and actively-managed Funds without restriction. Funds may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Admiral Shares, and each Fund and VGI reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Admiral Share class eligibility also is subject to the following rule:
•Certain Retirement Plans Admiral Shares of actively-managed Funds generally are not available for SIMPLE IRAs and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.4
•Mutual Fund Supermarkets Admiral Shares are not available to mutual fund supermarkets, except where a Fund does not have Investor Shares.
2The eligibility of a Fund that operates as a Fund-of-Funds to invest in a particular share class of an underlying Fund is determined by VGI and the Fund Board.
3Admiral Shares of the Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund are available to financial intermediaries that serve as mutual fund supermarkets.
4Admiral Share classes of all Funds are available to 403(b) plan participants in Vanguard's Retail 403(b) business, which is serviced by The Newport Group. Admiral Shares of the Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund are available to SIMPLE IRAs and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Institutional Shares Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of
$5,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors.
Institutional Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
•Retail clients. Retail clients may hold Institutional Shares by aggregating up to 3 accounts held by the same client (same tax I.D. number) in a single Fund. Single family offices serviced by the Retail Investor Group with $200 million or more in assets in the Funds through the Retail Investor Group may hold Institutional Shares by aggregating assets across all family members who are part of a single family office.
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above;
and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
Home office model portfolios offered on wealth management platforms administered by financial intermediaries5 may offer Institutional Shares, provided:
(1)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, has total assets of at least $25 billion invested in Vanguard; and
(2)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, meets the investment minimum of Institutional Shares for the Fund.
A home office model portfolio must meet the following criteria:
(1)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are set and selected by the financial intermediary (i.e., the firm itself);
(2)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are not subject to change by individual financial advisors; and
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such a client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $5 million (or such higher minimum required by the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) that the client acts as a common-decision maker6 for each account; and (2) the total
5For purposes of this Schedule B, this is not intended to include robo advisors.
6For purposes of this Schedule B, a common-decision maker includes, but is not limited to, a corporate entity that controls multiple pools of assets invested in a Fund. For example, a corporate entity that acts as a plan sponsor for a retirement plan may have one or more investment committees or boards of trustees overseeing both the retirement plan account as well as other accounts invested in the Fund. In this case, the corporate entity would be considered a common-decision maker for each account where there is a common membership across each investment committee or governing body making investment decisions for each account. Common-decision makers do not include financial intermediaries.
balance in each account in the Fund.
•Institutional clients with assets in certain Vanguard collective investment trusts and Funds. Institutional clients with assets in the following collective investment trusts and Funds may aggregate such assets with assets invested in the corresponding Funds listed below in the right column ("Corresponding Funds") for purposes of meeting the investment minimum for
Institutional Shares of the Corresponding Funds.
•Investment by Vanguard Target Retirement Collective Trust. A Vanguard Target Retirement Trust that is a collective trust exempt from regulation under the Investment Company Act and that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in underlying Funds (a "TRT") may hold
Institutional Shares of an underlying Fund whether or not its investment meets the minimum investment threshold specified above.
•Accumulation Period ⎯ Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g., employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
Institutional Plus Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Plus Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $100,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Institutional Plus Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
•Retail clients. Retail clients may hold Institutional Plus Shares by aggregating up to 3 accounts held by the same client (same tax I.D. number) in a single Fund. For purposes of this rule, VGI management is authorized to permit aggregation of a greater number of accounts in the case of clients whose aggregate assets within the Funds are expected to generate substantial economies in the servicing of their accounts. Single family offices serviced by the Retail Investor Group with $200 million or more in assets in the Funds through the Retail Investor Group may hold Institutional Plus Shares by aggregating assets across all family members who are part of a single family office.
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Plus Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $100 million (or such higher or lower minimum required by the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) that the client acts as a common-decision maker for each account; and
(2) the total balance in each account held in the Fund.
•Institutional clients with assets in certain Vanguard collective investment trusts and Funds. Institutional clients with assets in the following collective investment trusts and Funds may aggregate such assets with assets invested in the corresponding Funds listed below in the right column ("Corresponding Funds") for purposes of meeting the investment minimum for Institutional Plus Shares of the Corresponding Funds.
Vanguard Employee Benefit Index |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Fund |
|
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Plus Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above;
and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
Home office model portfolios offered on wealth management platforms administered by financial intermediaries may offer Institutional Plus Shares, provided:
(1)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, has total assets of at least $25 billion invested in Vanguard; and
(2)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, meets the investment minimum of Institutional Plus Shares for the Fund.
A home office model portfolio must meet the following criteria:
(1)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are set and selected by the financial intermediary (i.e., the firm itself);
(2)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are not subject to change by individual financial advisors; and
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Accumulation Period - Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g., employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Plus Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Plus Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
•Asset Allocation Models - Clients with defined asset allocation models whose assets meet eligibility requirements may qualify for Institutional Plus Shares if such models comply with policies and procedures that have been approved by VGI management.
Institutional Select Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Select Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Institutional Select Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Select Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $3 billion (or such higher or lower minimum required by the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) the client acts as a common-decision maker for each account; and (2) the total balance in each account in the Fund.
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Select Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above; and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Accumulation Period - Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g., employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Select Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up, if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Select Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
•Investment by VGI collective investment trusts with a similar mandate. A VGI collective investment trust exempt from regulation under the Investment Company Act and that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in an underlying Fund with an index-based mandate may hold Institutional Select Shares of an underlying Fund with a similar index-based mandate whether or not its investment meets the minimum investment threshold specified above.
ETF Shares Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements for ETF Shares will be set forth in the Fund's registration statement. To be eligible to purchase ETF Shares directly from a Fund, an investor must be (or must purchase through) an Authorized Participant, as defined in Paragraph III.F of the Multiple Class Plan. Investors purchasing ETF Shares from a Fund must purchase a minimum number of shares, known as a Creation Unit. The number of ETF Shares in a Creation Unit may vary from Fund to Fund. The value of a Fund's Creation Unit will vary with the net asset value of the Fund's ETF Shares but is expected to be several million dollars. An eligible investor generally must purchase a Creation Unit by depositing a prescribed basket consisting predominantly of securities with the Fund.
Transition Shares Eligibility Requirements
Transition Shares will be offered only to Funds that operate as a Fund-of-Funds and only by an underlying Fund (i) that is receiving assets in kind from one or more Funds and (ii) that will "transition" those in-kind assets by selling some or all of them and using the proceeds to purchase different assets. There is no minimum investment amount for Transition Shares.
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Approved by Board: March 19, 2021
Access Person Code of Conduct
Effective Date: 01 March 2022 | Contact: Code_of_Ethics@vanguard.com
Background Why This Access Person Code of Conduct Matters
Vanguard was founded with a singular focus on clients and serving their best interests, and this has been the foundation of our strong ethical culture. One way in which we consistently seek to earn and maintain the trust and loyalty of our clients is by adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior. Acting with integrity and complying with applicable laws and regulations necessarily extends to your conduct in general and to your personal investing and trading activities in particular.
Some crew and contingent workers at Vanguard, by virtue of their role or department, are designated as an "Access Person" (i.e., an Advisor Access Person, Fund Access Person, or Investment Access Person) because they or their department are authorized to know about present or future transactions by Vanguard funds, or have the authority to influence those transactions, or otherwise have access to sensitive market or client activity. Because of that knowledge, authority, and access, Access Persons are subject to additional standards of business conduct, stricter personal investment rules, and greater oversight, among other things. These standards and rules, as set forth in this Access Person Code of Conduct (APCC)1, have been adopted with the goals of ensuring we comply with applicable law and avoiding conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. This is especially true regarding any potential conflicts of interest that could arise between the securities trading that Vanguard undertakes on behalf of the Vanguard funds or our clients and the personal securities trading by crew, contingent workers, and their household or family members.
Policy Coverage
To Whom Does the APCC Apply?
This policy2 applies to all crew members and contingent workers globally who are in a role that has been designated as an "Access Person" role. Certain provisions of this policy also apply to Associated Persons.
Are you an Access Person? Visit Appendix A to learn whether the role you're in is an Access Person role, and if so, which Access Person "designation" applies.
What about Non-Access Persons? Any crew member or contingent worker who is not in a role that has been designated as an Access Person role is a "Non-Access Person" and must
comply with the Personal Investment Activity Policy for Non-Access Persons, not this policy.
Are you a contingent worker? A "contingent worker" is any person other than a crew member who provides services to or on behalf of Vanguard through staffing firms, consulting
1The APCC constitutes the code of ethics that the Vanguard funds have adopted in compliance with U.S. SEC Rules 17j-1 and 204A-1.
2The APCC is a policy that has been created and approved, and is governed, similar to other policies at Vanguard. As used herein, references to "this policy" mean the APCC.
Page 2 of 38
firms, service providers, or as independent contractors. Like crew, a contingent worker can be in either an Access Person or Non-Access Person role.
What about Associated Persons? For U.S. crew and contingent workers who are Associated Persons (to reiterate, not Access Persons, but Associated Persons) under FINRA rules and regulations, please note you have additional investment-related obligations under
the FINRA Licensing Policy, including the Securities Account Reporting Obligations for Associated Persons. Please review and comply with those documents, as well.
Policy Overview
There are four primary sections to this policy:
Section 1 Standards of Business Conduct, sets forth rules and expectations regarding your behavior and conduct.
Section 2 Personal Investment Activities, contains rules on how you and your Household or Family Members may own and trade securities for your own personal benefit. Note that some of these rules differ based on your Access Person designation. While the details are set forth in Section 2, at a high level there are four subsections applicable to you and your personal investment activities:
A Reminders on who is covered B Brokerage firms you may use C Disclosure obligations
D Investment and trading restrictions
Section 3 Penalties and Sanctions, describes how violations of this policy are addressed and enforced.
Section 4 Defined terms, provides definitions for the capitalized terms used in this policy.
Please carefully read the rest of this policy and ensure you understand and comply with its terms. Understanding and following this policy is one of the most important ways we can ensure our clients' interests always come first.
Be sure you are familiar with the following other Vanguard policies that relate to your ethical conduct and personal investment activities:
Standards of Conduct Policy
Conflicts of Interest Policy
Insider Trading Policy
Outside Business Activity Policy
Please also ensure you are familiar with Vanguard's Code of Ethical Conduct.
Policy Requirements
Section 1 Standards of Business Conduct
Everyone at Vanguard is expected to promote high standards of integrity and manage the company's affairs honestly and ethically. We all have a personal responsibility to conduct ourselves
Page 3 of 38
in a manner that reflects a commitment to ethics and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Doing so is part and parcel of Vanguard's mission to "take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success."
Putting these values into practice means having and adhering to expected standards of business conduct. The Vanguard policy that explains these standards is the Standards of Conduct Policy, which
is incorporated herein by reference. You must comply with that policy, including the following standards of conduct that are explained therein:
1.Always put Vanguard clients' interests first and treat them fairly.
2.Avoid conflicts of interest.
3.Be candid and clear with clients and provide them with accurate information.
4.Comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
5.Comply with applicable professional standards.
6.Complete mandatory training and regularly certify that you are compliant with our policies.
7.Maintain accurate, timely, and complete business records.
8.Protect against fraud.
9.Lead by example.
10.Speak up.
At Vanguard, you are expected to always do the right thing. It sounds simple and it's usually very clear what doing the right thing entails. But sometimes it isn't. How do you make the best choice when facing difficult or unclear circumstances? How do you navigate an ethical dilemma?
In those situations, you should pause and reflect, and then work through the following "ethical decision-making guide." This guide will help you consider important questions before deciding whether or how to proceed with an action. It is not a substitute for this or any policy, and it may not tell you exactly what to do in every situation, but it can be used as a tool to help guide you when you face an ethical dilemma or a complex situation where the answer might not be clear.
If you're still in doubt as you work through the decision-making guide, err on the side of cautionask questions, elevate the issue, and enlist the help of others to ensure we reach the right answer every time for Vanguard and our clients.
Page 4 of 38
Speaking Up As mentioned above, you are encouraged to help protect our clients, crew, and Vanguard by reporting concerns about ethics, financial or business integrity, information security and privacy, workplace practices, or alleged violations of policy, regulation, or law. Indeed, speaking up is one of the most effective ways to help ensure Vanguard maintains its high standards for ethics and compliance. To that end, if you become aware that you or anyone else violated any of the terms of this policy, you must contact Compliance immediately.
Likewise, it is your responsibility to know whether the role you are in is designated as an Access Person, and if so, which Access Person designation applies to you (visit the Appendix A to learn more). It is also your responsibility to know the policies and trading restrictions that apply to you accordingly, and to ask questions if you are unsure.
Section 2 Personal Investment Activities
Introduction
Vanguard recognizes the importance to crew and contingent workers of being able to manage and develop their own financial resources through long-term investments and strategies. With that in mind, the rules and requirements set forth in this policy have been adopted with the goals of (1) ensuring we comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and (2) avoiding any conflicts of interest, or any appearances of conflicts of interest, between the securities trading that Vanguard undertakes on behalf of Vanguard funds or our clients and the personal securities trading or investing by crew, contingent workers, or their Household or Family Members (defined in Section 4, below). Our industry and Vanguard have implemented certain standards and limitations designed to minimize these conflicts and help ensure that we focus on meeting our duty to clients.
Granted, the rules in this policy are demanding and strict and they may feel like an imposition. But at Vanguard, we take our ethical obligations very seriously, and the rules in this policy are intended to ensure that trading on behalf of Vanguard funds and clients are given priority over trading for your personal accounts, and that trades for your personal accounts do not adversely affect trades for our funds or clients.
Similarly, keep in mind that you must comply with applicable securities laws and must avoid taking personal advantage of your knowledge of securities activity in Vanguard funds or client accounts.
This policy includes specific restrictions on personal investing but cannot anticipate every fact pattern or situation. You should adhere to the spirit, and not just the letter, of this policy.
Compliance will keep all records relating to personal account trading as confidential as necessary. Information will be accessible within Compliance and may be reported to senior management or HR. Records may also need to be made available to Internal Audit and/or any regulator. All non-U.S. crew and contingent workers are required to sign a data consent / data privacy notice.
The Compliance Department reserves the right to monitor any and all investment or trading activity by you or by any Household or Family Member based on any information or system to which it has access.
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Checklist
Given the complexity of this policy and the steps you must take to ensure you remain in compliance with it, we have created this brief checklist to help you keep track of your obligations. This is merely a summary, so be sure to comply with the full terms of this policy as well.
Checklist item
I know my Access Person "designation," and I am aware that this policy applies not only to me but also to my Household or Family Members
For the region where I work, I know what brokerage firm I and my Household or Family Members may use to maintain the accounts where I or they hold and trade Reportable Securities
For my Access Person designation, I know the initial and ongoing account and holdings disclosure obligations that apply to me and my Household or Family Members
Where this topic is covered in this policy Subsection 2-A Who Is Covered Under this Policy
Subsection 2-B Brokerage Firms You May
Use
Subsection 2-C Disclosure Obligations
For my Access Person designation, I
know the rules and limitations for transacting securities in my personal accounts and those of my Household or Family Members
Subsections 2-D-1 and 2-D-2 Investment
and Trading Restrictions
For Fund Access Person and Investment Access Person designations, I know how to seek trade preclearance
I know the penalties and sanctions that may apply for violations of any of the requirements under this policy
I understand the meaning of the defined terms used in this policy
Quick Tip:
Subsection 2-D-3 How to Seek and Abide by Preclearance Requirements
Section 3 Penalties and Sanctions
Section 4 Defined Terms
The rules in this policy cover most of the personal investing situations you are likely to find. Yet it's always possible you will encounter a situation that isn't fully addressed by the rules. If that happens, you need to know what to do. The easiest way to make sure you are making the right decision is to follow these three principles:
1.Know the policy. If you think your situation isn't covered, check again. It never hurts to take a second look at the rules.
2.Seek guidance. Asking questions is always appropriate. Talk with your manager or
contact Compliance if you're not sure about the policy requirements or how they apply to your situation.
3.Use sound judgment. Analyze the situation and weigh the options. Think about how your decision would look to someone outside of Vanguard.
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Note for crew in China:
Because you may not have access to MCO, different systems and procedures are in place for you to disclose accounts and holdings. Please consult with your manager or the China Compliance team to learn more.
Subsection 2-A Who Is Covered Under this Policy
As stated in the introduction to this policy, above, this policy applies to all crew members and contingent workers globally who are in a role that has been designated as an "Access Person" role.
Access Persons are covered This policy applies to crew and contingent worker Access Persons and, in certain instances, to their Household or Family Members.
oAccess Persons Please note that the specific trading prohibitions and reporting requirements vary depending on your Access Person "designation," meaning Advisor Access Person, Fund Access Person, or Investment Access Person. To learn the Access Person designation that applies to your role, visit Appendix A. Note further that, regardless of your designation, the Compliance Department has the authority, with appropriate notice to you, to apply to you any or all of the trading restrictions within this policy
oHousehold or Family Members Certain aspects of this policy apply not only to you but to your Household or Family Members, as well. Why? Doing so is required by applicable law and regulations in many jurisdictions. It is also consistent with industry best practices and helps Vanguard ensure we are effectively monitoring and guarding against conflicts of interest and other issues. See Section 4, below, for the definition of Household or Family Members in the region where you work.
Non-Access Persons are not covered If the role you are in is not an Access Person role, you do not need to comply with this policy; instead, with regard to your personal investments, you must comply with the Personal Investment Activity Policy for Non-Access Persons (and other applicable policies). Note, however, that in the event a Non-Access Person is a Household or Family Member of an Access Person, then the terms of this policy will apply to the Non-Access Person as a Household or Family Member hereunder and any conflicting terms of this policy will take precedence over the Personal Investment Activity Policy for Non-Access Persons.
Associated Persons also have obligations under other policies and documents For U.S. crew and contingent workers who are deemed to be Associated Persons (to reiterate, not Access Persons, but Associated Persons) under the FINRA Licensing Policy, you have certain obligations
under this policy and have additional investment-related obligations under the FINRA Licensing Policy and the Securities Account Reporting Obligations for Associated Persons.
Your designation may change Keep in mind that your Access Person designation may change over time, for instance if you change roles, if there are changes made in your department, or if the Compliance Department determines a designation change is appropriate. You are advised to regularly consult the My Ethics and Compliance Resource Center available on CrewNet to check your designation.
Subsection 2-B Brokerage Firms You May Use
The terms of Subsection 2-B apply to all Access Person designations.
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The following requirements and restrictions on which brokerage firms you may use to hold and transact Reportable Securities apply to you based on whether you are a crew member or contingent worker and where you work:
U.S. Crew:Crew who are Access Persons employed in the U.S., and their Household or Family Members (parts (a) and (b) of that defined term only), must maintain and trade all Reportable Securities in a Vanguard Brokerage Account (VBA). This obligation does not apply to any Household or Family Members covered under part (c) of that defined term. See the Defined Terms in Section 4, below, for all definitions.
Securities or investments that are not "Reportable Securities" may be held in a brokerage account at the firm of your choice.
Employer-sponsored retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k) and 403(b)), 529 college savings plans, and Compliance-approved accounts (e.g., Approved Managed Accounts) may be held in a brokerage account at the firm of your choice. However, if you hold any Reportable Securities through any of those accounts, then such accounts are considered Covered Accounts under this policy and you are required to disclose them to Compliance under Subsection 2-C of this policy.
Newly hired U.S. crew who are Access Persons, and their Household or Family Members (parts (a) and (b) of that defined term only), must transfer any existing applicable Reportable Securities to a VBA by submitting a request or other applicable paperwork with Vanguard and each firm at which you have an existing applicable brokerage account within 60 days of your joining Vanguard. Visit Vanguard.com > Personal Investors > Open an Account to transfer assets from another firm to Vanguard.
For a more detailed list of Securities that must be held in a VBA, as well as
Securities that may be held elsewhere, visit the Appendices C-F.
Ex-U.S. Crew: Crew who are Access Persons employed outside the U.S., and their Household or Family Members, may maintain Reportable Securities (as well as Securities or investments that are not Reportable Securities) in a brokerage account or other type of account at the firm of their choice.
Contingent Workers, Contingent workers who are Access Persons may maintain Reportable
GloballySecurities (as well as Securities or investments that are not Reportable Securities) in a brokerage account at the firm of their choice.
Subsection 2-C Disclosure Obligations
The terms of this Subsection 2-C apply to all Access Person designations and to all Associated Persons.
This policy requires the disclosure of a variety of account and holdings information to the Compliance Department for monitoring and oversight. This policy requires (1) an initial disclosure of information, and (2) periodic ongoing disclosures. Even if you do not have any personal brokerage
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account holdings or do not trade in Reportable Securities, you are still required to complete the necessary initial and periodic disclosures.
1. Initial Disclosure of Accounts and Holdings
Within ten (10) calendar days of joining Vanguard, or if applicable within ten (10) calendar days of moving from a Non-Access Person role at Vanguard into an Access Person role, all Access Persons and Associated Persons must disclose the following to Compliance:
(a)All Covered Accounts and all Reportable Securities held by you or a Household or Family Member;
(b)All Covered Accounts in which you exercise Investment Discretion;
(c)All Covered Accounts over which you exercise control (e.g., agent authority (full or limited), trustee, power of attorney authority, etc.);
(d)All accounts in which you have, or will acquire, Beneficial Ownership of Securities; and
(e)All accounts held by you and any Household or Family Member in which there are college saving plan products (including, in the U.S., 529 plans), annuity products, or other insurance products that, in turn, hold or invest in Vanguard Funds.
This includes Brokerage Accounts held at Vanguard, as well as those held at another financial institution. For clarity, you do not need to disclose an account or submit transaction confirmations or statements if the account does not have the ability to hold Securities for example, a traditional checking, savings, or deposit account with a bank, credit union, or building society for holding cash would not need to be disclosed.
This information must be current as of no more than 45 calendar days before joining Vanguard.
To make this initial disclosure, you will receive an Initial Certification assignment by email to complete which will include a section to disclose Covered Accounts and all Reportable Securities by including account information in the "Account Attestation" section of the assignment and uploading corresponding account statements via MCO. You must complete and submit the Initial Certification within ten (10) calendar days of receiving it; the failure to do so may be considered a violation of this policy.
Note: We use an application called MyComplianceOffice, or MCO, to help manage this policy. You may use MCO to disclose accounts and holdings, and to secure trading permissions, if those obligations apply to you. Visit My Ethics and Compliance Resource Center on CrewNet for resources on how to access and use MCO
2. Ongoing Disclosure of Accounts, Transactions, and Duplicate Statements
After the Initial Disclosure, Access Persons and Associated Persons may need to disclose account and transaction information to Compliance on a periodic basis regarding Covered Accounts and any transactions in Reportable Securities made by you and your Household or Family Members.
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Further, if at any time you or a Household or Family Member subsequently:
open, or intend to open, a Covered Account with a financial institution (e.g., broker, dealer, advisor, or any other professional money manager), or
acquire holdings in Reportable Securities, or
have a preexisting Covered Account (including a Vanguard Brokerage Account) that becomes associated with you or a Household or Family Member (such as through marriage or inheritance or some other life event),
or there becomes an account in which you acquire Beneficial Ownership of Securities, then you must notify Compliance as soon as possible (and in any event within 10 calendar days) and disclose these Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities by listing them and including associated information in the Accounts tab in MCO.
For U.S. crew, keep in mind that, as explained in Section 2-B of this policy above, you and your Household or Family Members (parts (a) and (b) of that defined term only) must maintain Reportable Securities in a VBA.
What and how to disclose this information:
For VBAs disclosed by U.S. crew as required under this policy, Compliance will receive transaction confirmations automatically. No additional action by you is needed to disclose transactions of Reportable Securities in VBAs you have disclosed.
For Covered Accounts and holdings of Reportable Securities held outside of Vanguard (including in any account that would require disclosure under Section 2- C(1) of this policy), it is your responsibility to ensure that duplicate statements and transaction confirmations are available to or delivered to Compliance:
oBecause Vanguard has file feed contracts in place with many brokerage firms worldwide, for many Covered Accounts you disclose the holdings and transactions information will be sent to Compliance electronically with no additional action needed by you.
oFor Covered Accounts held at firms where Vanguard does not have a file
feed in place, you must do the following:
Contact the firm where your Covered Account is held and take steps to send duplicate statements and daily transaction confirmations (electronic or paper) to Vanguard. You do this often by making Vanguard Compliance an interested party and having duplicate statements and confirmations sent to the third party scanning service Vanguard uses, called "Earth Class Mail" at this address: Vanguard, c/o TerraNua, 9450 SW Gemini Drive #37880, Beaverton, OR, 97008-7105.
If the firm where your Covered Account is held is not able to send statements and daily transaction confirmations (electronic or paper) to Vanguard, you are required to scan and upload copies into the Trading Documents folder in MCO immediately after you receive them, unless you receive an exemption from this requirement from Compliance. You must ensure the documents you upload clearly show the firm/institution at which the account is held, the account number or ID, the account owner, and the account type.
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If Compliance does not receive the information automatically via a file feed, you will receive email notifications on a calendar quarterly basis to complete a Quarterly Securities Transaction Report and thereby disclose Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities, via MCO. You must complete and submit that assignment within 30 calendar days; the failure to do so may be considered a violation of this policy.
On an annual basis (usually in January or February), you will receive an assignment from Compliance in which you must certify, among other things, that all Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities are recorded accurately in MCO.
3. Additional notes related to disclosures under this policy:
For clarity, you do not need to disclose an account or submit transaction confirmations or statements if the account does not have the ability to hold Securities (for example, a traditional checking, savings, or deposit account with a bank, credit union, or building society for holding cash would not need to be disclosed).
As stated above, U.S. crew and contingent workers who are Associated Persons are also required to comply with and are subject to the FINRA Licensing Policy and
Securities Account Reporting Obligations.
The Compliance Department will keep personal trading information confidential, but please note that such information may be accessible to authorized personnel within Compliance and may be reported to or summarized for senior management, HR, or the OGC for investigative purposes. Applicable records may also be provided to internal or external auditors and/or to any regulator if required. All ex-U.S. crew and contingent workers are required to sign a data consent / data privacy notice.
Please note that crew and contingent workers in Australia are required to disclose all transactions in VIA funds in MCO in the same manner as is required for Reportable Securities.
Subsection 2-D Investment and Trading Restrictions
This Subsection 2-D contains three segments:
Segment 2-D-1 applies to all Access Person designations.
Segment 2-D-2 has terms and requirements that differ based on your Access Person designation.
oSegment 2-D-2(a): Advisor Access Person requirements
oSegment 2-D-2(b): Fund Access Person requirements
oSegment 2-D-2(c): Investment Access Person requirements
Segment 2-D-3 explains how to seek and abide by preclearance requirements, if applicable to your activity.
Segment 2-D-1: Rules and Limitations applicable to all Access Person designations
The terms of this Segment 2-D-1 apply to all Access Person designations.
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(a)General Obligations
i)Comply with the law:
(1)You must comply with all applicable securities-related rules and laws.
(2)You may not engage in conduct that is deceitful, fraudulent, or manipulative, or that involves false or misleading statements, in connection with the purchase or sale of a Security by a Vanguard Fund or Vanguard Client account or otherwise.
(3)You may not intentionally, recklessly, or negligently circulate false information or rumors that may affect the securities markets or may be perceived as market manipulation.
ii)Use of Information:
(1)You may not take personal advantage of knowledge of recent, impending, or planned Securities activities of the Vanguard Funds or their investment advisors or any Vanguard Client. You are prohibited from purchasing or sellingdirectly or indirectlyany Security or Related Security when you know that the Security is being purchased or sold, or considered for purchase or sale, by a Vanguard Fund (with the exception of an index fund) or by a Vanguard Client.
(2)You are subject to and must comply with the Insider Trading Policy and/or any similar policy of the Vanguard affiliate or region for which you work. Each of these policies is considered an integral part of your obligations under this policy. Each policy prohibits you from buying or selling any Security while in possession of material, nonpublic information about the issuer of the Security. The policies also prohibit you from communicating any nonpublic information about any Security or issuer of Securities to third parties.
(3)You must comply with the Confidential Information Policy, including that you may not share information with any third party about any planned, upcoming, or recently executed trading activity by any Vanguard Fund or Vanguard Client unless such information is publicly available through no action by you.
iii)Fund policies and excessive trading:
(1)When purchasing, exchanging, or redeeming shares of a Vanguard Fund, you must adhere to the policies and standards set forth in the fund's prospectus, or offering document, including policies on market-timing and frequent trading.
(2)Excessive trading in Covered Accounts is strongly discouraged. The Compliance Department reserves the right to monitor trading across all of your Covered Accounts, and may conduct scrutiny of any trades in your Covered Accounts where such trading may appear excessive in nature (including, but not limited to, if the number of trades is so frequent as to potentially impact your ability to carry out your assigned responsibilities or the trades involve positions that are disproportionate to your net assets). If Compliance in its sole discretion determines you have engaged in excessive trading, then Compliance may limit the number of trades allowed in your Covered Accounts during a given period. This Section 2-D-1(a)(iii)(2) does not apply to transactions in an Approved Managed Account.
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iv)Beneficial ownership and discretion:
(1)The terms and restrictions of this policy apply to all Securities in which you have acquired or will acquire Beneficial Ownership.
(2)You must comply with these investment and trading restrictions with respect to any account you own as well as any account over which you have Investment Discretion or in which you have the authority to transact.
v)No circumvention You are not permitted to assist, aid, or enable any other person in doing anything that you are prohibited from doing under this policy.
vi)Waivers:
(1)The Chief Compliance Officer may grant exceptions to this policy, including preclearance, other trading restrictions, and certain reporting requirements on a case-by-case basis if it is determined that (1) the proposed conduct involves no opportunity for abuse, (2) the proposed conduct does not conflict with Vanguard's interests, and (3) not granting an exception would result in an unfair or unjust outcome.
(2)The Chief Compliance Officer may waive the applicability of this policy for a contingent worker if the policy's requirements are covered through the applicable service provider's contract with Vanguard.
(b)Rules regarding specific investments or investment types:
i)Use of derivatives:
(1)You and your Household or Family Members may not use a derivative to avoid or circumvent a rule or requirement set forth in this policy. If something is prohibited by these rules, then it is also against these rules to effectively accomplish the same thing by using a derivative. This includes futures, options, and other types of derivatives.
(2)You and your Household or Family Members are permitted to trade futures or options on commodities.
ii)IPOs and ICOs:
(1)You and your Household or Family Members are prohibited from acquiring Securities in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or Secondary Offering.
(2)You and your Household or Family Members are prohibited from participating in an Initial Coin Offering (ICO).
iii)Private Placements:
(1)You and your Household or Family Members are not permitted to invest in securities offered to potential investors in a Private Placement or other limited investment offering without first obtaining preclearance from Compliance.
(2)You must provide documentation describing the investment (e.g., offering memorandum, subscription documents, etc.) so as to enable Compliance to conduct a thorough review of the investment.
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(3)Approval by Compliance may be granted or denied after a review of the facts and circumstances, including whether:
An investment in the securities is likely to result in future conflicts with Vanguard Client accounts.
You are being offered the opportunity due to your employment at, or association with, Vanguard.
(4)If you or your Household or Family Members receive approval to purchase Securities in a Private Placement, you must immediately inform Compliance if that Security goes to public offer or is pending listing on an exchange.
(5)To initiate the process for obtaining preclearance of a Private Placement, complete the Outside Business Activity request form (the form for U.S. crew is in LARS, and for ex-U.S. crew is in MCO).
iv)SPACs You and your Household or Family Members are prohibited from acquiring a SPAC at any stage of its lifecycle (i.e., pre-IPO, IPO, pre-merger, post-merger).
v)Short-Selling You are prohibited from selling short any Security that you do not own or from otherwise engaging in short-selling activities.
vi)Limit Orders Same-day limit orders are permitted; however, good 'til cancelled orders (such as limit orders that stay open over the course of multiple trading days until a security reaches a specified market price) are not permitted.
vii)Digital Currencies and Related Investments Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Digital Currency Investments and Activities for details on which digital currency account and product types are permitted, and what must be disclosed, under this policy.
(c)Short term trading in a Vanguard Fund (other than Vanguard ETFs):
i)Compliance may monitor trading in Vanguard Funds, other than Vanguard ETFs, and will review situations where Vanguard Fund shares are redeemed within 30 calendar days of purchase (a "short-term trade"). You may be required to relinquish to Vanguard any profit made on a short-term trade and will be subject to disciplinary action if Compliance determines the short-term trade was detrimental to a Vanguard Fund or a Vanguard Client or that there is a history of frequent trading by you or your Household or Family Members. For purposes of this paragraph:
(1)A redemption includes a redemption by any means, including an exchange out of a Vanguard Fund.
(2)This policy does not cover purchases and redemptions/sales (i) into or out of Vanguard money market funds, Vanguard short-term bond funds, or (ii) through an Automatic Investment Program.
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ii)Nothing in this section is intended to replace, nullify, or modify any requirements imposed by a Vanguard Fund.
Segment 2-D-2: Specific Limitations and Prohibitions that Apply Based on Access Person Designation
The terms and requirements of this Segment 2-D-2 are in addition to the terms and requirement of Segment 2-D-1, and you must comply with the portions of this Segment 2-D-2 that apply to your Access Person designation. Note, an Access Person designation can apply to crew members or contingent workers.
Segment 2-D-2(a): Advisor Access Person requirements
The following terms and requirements apply to Advisor Access Persons only and are in addition to the terms and requirements of Segment 2-D-1:
Securities transactions for which you must obtain preclearance (meaning, approval from Compliance before transacting)
None. You are not required to obtain preclearance of any Covered Securities transactions by you or your Household or Family Members, except Private Placements as described above.
Prohibited Securities transactions
In addition to Segment 2-D-1, you are subject to the following restrictions with respect to any transaction in which you will acquire any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership:
Short-Term Trading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security at a lower price, within 60 calendar days. A last-in/first-out accounting methodology will be applied to a series of Security purchases when applying this rule. (Note, as stated, this is based on last- in/first-out accounting regardless of how you placed the trade or plan to report it for tax purposes.) If you realize profits on short-term trades, you will be required to relinquish the profits to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions). In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of this policy. For example: you would not be permitted to sell a Covered Security at $12 that you purchased within the prior 60 days for $10. Similarly, you would not be permitted to purchase a Covered Security at $10 that you had sold within the prior 60 days for $12.
Short-term trading on options. You may hold options on a Covered Security until you exercise the options or the options expire. However, you may not otherwise close any open positions within 60 calendar days. If you realize profits on such short-term trades, you must relinquish such profits to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions). In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of this policy. Note: These types of transactions can have unintended consequences.
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For example, your call option could be assigned, causing the underlying Security to be called away within sixty (60) calendar days following the purchase of the Covered Security.
Visit the Appendix C for a table summarizing the trading and reporting requirements for Advisor Access Persons.
Segment 2-D-2(b): Fund Access Person requirements
The following terms and requirements apply to Fund Access Persons only and are in addition to the terms and requirements of Segment 2-D-1:
Securities transactions for which you must obtain preclearance (meaning, approval from Compliance before transacting)
Securities transactions that do not require preclearance
Is preclearance required for trades in an Approved Managed Account?
Yes, you must obtain, for yourself and on behalf of your Household or Family Members, preclearance for any transaction of a Covered Security by you or any Household or Family Member.
See Segment 2-D-3, below, for instructions on how to seek preclearance.
You are not required to obtain preclearance for the following:
Purchases or sales of Vanguard Funds. Purchases or sales where the person requesting preclearance has no direct or indirect influence or control over the account (e.g., you have a trust in your name but you are not the trustee who places the transaction, provided you have granted Investment Discretion to the trustee and there has been no prior communication between you and the trustee regarding the transaction).
Corporate actions in Covered Securities such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions. Purchases or sales made as a part of an Automatic Investment Program.
Purchases effected upon the exercise of Rights which were issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such Rights were acquired from such issuer.
Acquisitions of Covered Securities through gifts or bequests.
Visit the Appendix D for a table summarizing the trading and reporting requirements for Fund Access Persons.
No, you are not required to seek preclearance of a transaction in a Covered Security in an Approved Managed Account so long as you have no prior communication with the portfolio manager of that account in connection with that transaction.
Note, Vanguard PAS accounts generally do not qualify as Approved Managed Accounts because PAS account owners generally retain some level of investment discretion. Further, any
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Prohibited Securities transactions
The blackout period restrictions set forth above will not apply to a Fund Access Person's sale of stock of any issuer which has a market capitalization that exceeds US$5 billion (or local currency equivalent), provided that the total value of any sales of the Security by the Fund Access Person do not exceed US$10,000 (or local currency equivalent) in any 30-day rolling period. Sales of securities of issuers with market capitalizations below US$5 billion, or that exceed US$10,000 in any 30-day rolling period, will continue to be subject to the blackout periods unless Compliance grants a waiver.
Compliance may waive the blackout period as it applies to the sale of a Covered Security if the Chief Compliance Officer determines its application creates a significant hardship to you (e.g., you need cash for a home purchase or to cover a major medical expense) and, in the opinion of the Chief Compliance Officer, satisfies the requirements for a waiver in the Waivers paragraph of Segment 2-D-1, above. Request and complete a
Hardship Waiver Request Form.
In addition to Segment 2-D-1, you are subject to the following restrictions with respect to any transaction in which you will acquire any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership:
Futures and Options. You are prohibited from entering into, acquiring, or selling any Futures contract (including single stock futures) or any Option on any Security (including Options on ETFs, Digital Utility Tokens, Digital Security Tokens, and Digital Currencies).
Short-Term Trading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security at a lower price, within 60 calendar days. A last-in/first-out accounting methodology will be applied to a series of Security purchases when applying this rule. (Note, as stated, this is based on last- in/first-out accounting regardless of how you placed the trade or plan to report it for tax purposes.) If you realize profits on short-term trades, you will be required to relinquish the profits to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions). In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of this policy. Example: You are not permitted to sell a security at $12 that you purchased within the prior 60 days for $10. Similarly, you are not permitted to purchase a security at $10 that you sold within the prior 60 days for $12.
Spread Bets. You are prohibited from participating in Spread Betting on Securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies, or commodities.
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Segment 2-D-2(c): Investment Access Person requirements
The following terms and requirements apply to Investment Access Persons only and are in addition to the terms and requirements of Segment 2-D-1:
Securities transactions for which you must obtain preclearance (meaning, approval from Compliance before transacting)
Yes, you must obtain, for yourself and on behalf of your Household or Family Members, preclearance for any transaction of (i) a Covered Security, or (ii) a Vanguard ETF, by you or any Household or Family Member.
See Segment 2-D-3, below, for instructions on how to seek preclearance.
Securities transactions that do not require preclearance
Is preclearance required for trades in an Approved Managed Account?
You are not required to obtain preclearance for the following:
Purchases or sales of Vanguard Funds. (Reminder: The purchase or sale of Vanguard ETFs does require preclearance.)
Purchases or sales where the person requesting preclearance has no direct or indirect influence or control over the Covered Security (e.g., you have a trust in your name but you are not the trustee who places the transaction, provided you have granted Investment Discretion to the trustee and there has been no prior communication between you and the trustee regarding the transaction).
Corporate actions in Covered Securities such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions. Purchases or sales made as a part of an Automatic Investment Program.
Purchases effected upon the exercise of Rights which were issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such Rights were acquired from such issuer.
Acquisitions of Covered Securities through gifts or bequests.
Visit the Appendix for a table summarizing the trading and reporting requirements for Investment Access Persons.
No, you are not required to seek preclearance of a transaction in a Covered Security in an Approved Managed Account so long as you have no prior communication with the portfolio manager of that account in connection with that transaction.
Note, Vanguard PAS accounts generally do not qualify as Approved Managed Accounts because PAS account owners generally retain some level of investment discretion. Further, any trades of Covered Securities (but not trades of Vanguard ETFs) in a PAS account must be precleared under this policy.
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"Blackout period" restrictions that may apply to personal trading in Covered Securities
You may be subject to certain restrictions if you purchase or sell a Covered Security within seven (7) days before or after a Vanguard Fund purchases or sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security (the "blackout period").
Purchasing or selling before a Vanguard Fund:
If you purchase a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund purchases the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to hold the Covered Security for 6 months before being permitted to sell the Covered Security for a profit.
If you sell a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to relinquish to Vanguard any profits earned from your sale of the Covered Security (exclusive of commissions), where profits are calculated based on the price that the Vanguard Fund received for selling the Covered Security or a Related Security.
Purchasing or selling after a Vanguard Fund:
In general, you will not receive preclearance to purchase a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated this policy and must immediately sell the Covered Security and relinquish all profits received from the sale to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions).
In general, you will not receive preclearance to sell a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated this policy and must relinquish to Vanguard the difference (exclusive of commissions) between the sale price you received and the Vanguard Fund's sale price (as long as your sales price is higher), multiplied by the number of shares you sold.
In addition to these restrictions, local law may dictate the extent to which any gains must be relinquished.
Compliance may exempt from these restrictions certain trades during blackout periods that coincide with trading by certain Vanguard Funds (e.g., index funds).
Compliance may waive the blackout period as it applies to the sale of a Covered Security if the Chief Compliance Officer determines its application creates a significant hardship to you (e.g., you need cash for a home purchase or to cover a major medical expense) and, in the opinion of the Chief Compliance Officer, satisfies the requirements for a waiver in the Waivers
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Prohibited Securities transactions
paragraph of Segment D-1, above. Request and complete
a Hardship Waiver Request Form.
In addition to Segment 2-D-1, you are subject to the following restrictions with respect to any transaction in which you will acquire any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership:
Futures and Options. You are prohibited from entering into, acquiring, or selling any Futures contract (including single stock futures) or any Option on any Security (including Options on ETFs, Digital Utility Tokens, Digital Security Tokens, and Digital Currencies).
Short-Term Trading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security or a Vanguard ETF at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security or a Vanguard ETF at a lower price, within 60 calendar days. A last- in/first-out accounting methodology will be applied to a series of Security purchases when applying this rule. (Note, as stated, this is based on last-in/first-out accounting regardless of how you placed the trade or plan to report it for tax purposes.) If you realize profits on short-term trades, you will be required to relinquish the profits to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions). In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of this
policy. Example: You are not permitted to sell a security at $12 that you purchased within the prior 60 days for $10. Similarly, you are not permitted to purchase a security at $10 that you sold within the prior 60 days for $12.
Spread Bets. You are prohibited from participating in Spread Betting on Securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies, or commodities.
Segment 2-D-3: How to Seek and Abide by Preclearance Requirements
If you are required to obtain preclearance of any trade or transaction under this policy, then the terms of this Segment 2-D-3 apply to that trade or transaction.
Preclearance representations.
By seeking preclearance, you will be deemed to be advising and representing to Compliance that you:
Do not possess any material, nonpublic information relating to the security.
Do not use knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to the Vanguard Funds for personal benefit.
Believe the proposed trade is available to any market participant on the same terms.
How do I obtain preclearance?
Preclearance must be obtained via the "Personal Trade Pre-Clearance" path in MCO. Once the required information is submitted, your preclearance request will usually be approved or denied
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immediately. Transactions in Covered Securities (including, for Investment Access Persons, transactions in Vanguard ETFs) may not be executed before you receive approval.
As a reminder, preclearance of Private Placements is addressed in Segment 2-D-1 of this policy, above.
Attempting to gain approval after the transaction has occurred is not permitted. Completing a personal trade before receiving approval or after the approval window expires constitutes a violation of this policy. See Section 3 of this policy for more information regarding the sanctions that may be imposed as a result of a violation.
How long is my preclearance approval valid?
In the U.S.: Preclearance approval will expire at the end of the trading day on which it is issued (e.g., if you receive approval for a trade on Monday, it is effective until the market closes on that Monday). Preclearance for permitted limit orders is good for transactions on the same day that approval is granted only. If you receive approval for a limit order, it must be executed or expire at the close of regular trading on the same business day for which approval was granted. If you wish to execute the limit order after the close of regular trading on the day you received approval, you must submit a new preclearance request for the day you wish to execute the trade.
Outside the U.S.: If you receive approval, transactions must be executed no later than the end of trading on the next business day after the preclearance is granted. If the transaction is not placed within that time, you must submit a new request for approval before placing the transaction. If you preclear a limit order, that limit order must either be executed or expire at the end of the next business day. If you want to execute the order after the next business day period expires, you must resubmit your preclearance request.
Section 3 Penalties and Sanctions
How we enforce this policy
The Compliance Department regularly reviews the forms, reports, and other information it receives. If these reviews turn up information that is incomplete, questionable, or potentially in violation of this policy, the Compliance Department will investigate the matter and may contact you. If it is determined that you or any of your Household or Family Members have violated this policy, the Compliance Department or another appropriate party may take action.
Violations
If the Compliance Department determines that there has been a violation, you may be subject to penalties and sanctions as described in this policy and otherwise as described in Action Policy and, for crew and contingent workers in Australia, the Managing Misconduct Policy. The Compliance Department will generally utilize a rolling 24-month period when evaluating whether and how to sanction a violation. Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Vanguard takes all policy violations seriously and at times provides the Vanguard Funds' board with a summary of actions taken in response to material violations of this policy and other policies. You should be aware that other securities laws and regulations not addressed by this policy may also apply to you, depending upon your role at Vanguard.
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Exceptions
The Chief Compliance Officer or designee retains the discretion to interpret and grant exceptions to this policy and to decide how the rules apply to any given situation for the purpose of protecting the funds and being consistent with the general principles of this policy and the Code of Ethical Conduct.
In cases where exceptions to this policy are noted and you may qualify for them, you need to get prior written approval from the Compliance Department. If you believe that you have a situation that warrants an exception that is not discussed in this policy, you may submit a written request to the Compliance Department, which will consider your request and notify you of the outcome.
Section 4 Defined Terms
The following definitions apply throughout this policy:
Access Person |
Any person designated as an Investment Access Person, Fund Access |
|
Person, or Advisor Access Person. |
Approved Managed |
An investment account where (i) the account is owned by an investor |
Account |
and overseen by a hired professional money manager, (ii) the investor |
|
has no trading discretion on the account, and (iii) Compliance has |
|
approved it as an Approved Managed Account. |
Associated Person |
Any person who conducts securities business on behalf of Vanguard |
|
Marketing Corporation (VMC). This includes all FINRA-licensed |
|
contingent workers, as well as non-licensed contingent workers who |
|
perform certain operational and administrative functions for VMC. |
Automatic Investment |
A program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are |
Program |
made automatically in (or from) Investment accounts, according to a |
|
predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment |
|
Program includes a dividend reinvestment plan. |
Bankers' Acceptance |
A time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower usually in |
|
connection with an international commercial transaction. Bankers' |
|
Acceptances are usually guaranteed by the bank. |
Beneficial Ownership |
The opportunity to directly or indirectlythrough any contract, |
|
arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwiseshare at any |
|
time in any economic interest or profit derived from an ownership of or a |
|
transaction in a Security. For clarity, what you are deemed to have |
|
Beneficial Ownership of includes the following: |
|
Any Security owned individually by you. |
|
Any Security owned by a Household or Family Member. |
|
Any Security owned in joint tenancy, as tenants in common, or in |
|
other joint ownership arrangements. |
|
Any Security in which a Household or Family Member has |
|
Beneficial Ownership if the Security is held in a Covered Account |
|
over which you have decision making authority (for example, you |
|
act as a trustee, executor, or guardian or you provide Investment |
|
advice). |
|
Your interest as a general partner or manager/member in |
|
Securities held by a general or limited partnership or limited liability |
|
company. |
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|
Your interest as a member of an Investment club or an |
|
organization that is formed for the purpose of investing in a pool of |
|
monies or Securities. |
|
Your ownership of Securities as a trustee of a trust in which either |
|
you or a Household or Family Member has a vested interest in the |
|
principal or income of the trust or your ownership of a vested |
|
interest in a trust. |
|
Securities owned by a corporation which is directly or indirectly |
|
controlled by, or under common control with, such person. |
Bond |
A debt obligation issued by a corporation, government, or government |
|
agency that entails repayment of the principal amount of the obligation at |
|
a future date, usually with interest. |
Certificate |
In Germany, a right or obligation issued by a bank where the payout |
|
profile or benefit of ownership depends upon or is tied to the |
|
performance of an agreed-upon underlying asset or security. |
Certificate of Deposit |
An insured, interest-bearing deposit at a bank that requires the depositor |
(CD) |
to keep the money invested for a specified period. |
Commercial Paper |
A promissory note issued by a large company in need of short-term |
|
financing. |
Covered Account |
Any Vanguard Fund account, any brokerage account, and any other type |
|
of account that holds, or is capable of holding, Reportable Securities. |
Covered Security |
Any Security (including through an IPO), but not including any: |
|
Direct Obligations of a Government; |
|
Bankers' Acceptances, Certificates of Deposit (CD), Commercial |
|
Paper, and High-Quality Short-Term Debt Instruments, including |
|
Repurchase Agreements; |
|
Shares issued by Open-End Funds (although for European |
|
subsidiaries, this is limited to UCITS schemes, a non-UCITS retail |
|
scheme, or another fund subject to supervision under the law of an |
|
European Economic Area (EEA) state which is an index fund or |
|
which requires an equivalent level of risk spreading in their assets); |
|
Life policies; |
|
ETFs; |
|
ETNs; or |
|
Digital Currencies. |
Debenture |
An unsecured debt obligation backed only by the general credit of the |
|
borrower. |
Digital Currency |
A digital asset that: (1) serves solely as a store of value, a medium of |
|
exchange, or a unit of account; (2) is not issued or guaranteed by any |
|
jurisdiction, central bank, or public authority; (3) relies on algorithmic |
|
techniques to regulate the generation of new units of the digital asset; |
|
and (4) has transactions involving the digital asset recorded on a |
|
decentralized network or distributed ledger (e.g., blockchain). Common |
|
examples of a Digital Currency are Bitcoin and Ether. A Digital Currency |
|
is distinguishable from a Digital Security Token or a Digital Utility Token. |
Digital Security Token |
Any digital asset that is not a Digital Currency or Digital Utility Token. In |
|
general, a Digital Security Token may: (1) derive its value primarily from, |
|
or represent an interest in, a separate asset or pool of assets; or (2) |
|
represent an interest in an enterprise or venture. A Digital Security |
|
Token may provide owners or holders with voting rights, rights to |
|
distributions, or other rights associated with ownership. Digital Security |
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|
For purposes of parts (a) and (b) of this definition, those persons may |
|
not be deemed Household or Family Members under this policy if you |
|
demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Compliance Department, that you |
|
derive no economic benefit from, and exercise no control over, that |
|
person's accounts. |
Household or Family |
For Europe crew members, the term "Household or Family Member" |
Member (Europe) |
includes your spouse, domestic partner (an unrelated adult with whom |
|
you share your home and contribute to each other's support), and minor |
|
children, as well as relatives whether by blood, adoption, or marriage |
|
(e.g., children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, parents-in-law, |
|
stepchildren) residing in the same household for at least one year prior |
|
to the date of the personal transaction. |
Initial Coin Offering |
An initial offer or sale of Digital Currencies or Digital Security Tokens. |
(ICO) |
Note, whether or not an offering is an ICO depends on specific facts and |
|
circumstances. Please contact Compliance before participating in an |
|
initial offering of a Digital Currency, Digital Security Token, or Digital |
|
Utility Token |
Initial Public Offering |
A corporation's first offering of common stock to the public. |
(IPO) |
|
Investment Contract |
Any contract, transaction, or scheme whereby a person invests money in |
|
a common enterprise and is led to expect profits solely from the efforts of |
|
the promoter or third party. |
Investment Discretion |
The authority an individual may exercise, with respect to investment |
|
control or trading discretion, on another person's account (e.g., executor, |
|
trustee, power of attorney). |
Non-Access Person |
Any person in a role that has not been designated as an Access Person |
|
role. |
Note |
A financial security that generally has a longer term than a bill, but a |
|
shorter term than a Bond. However, the duration of a note can vary |
|
significantly and may not always fall neatly into this categorization. Notes |
|
are similar to Bonds in that they are sold at, above, or below face (par) |
|
value; make regular interest payments; and have a specified term until |
|
maturity. |
Open-End Fund |
A mutual fund that has an unlimited number of shares available for |
|
purchase. |
Option |
The right, but not the obligation, to buy (for a call option) or sell (for a put |
|
option) a specific amount of a given stock, commodity, currency, |
|
including foreign currencies and Digital Currencies (e.g., Bitcoin), index, |
|
or debt, at a specified price (the strike price) during a specified period or |
|
on one particular date. |
Private Placement |
A Security that is not registered or required to be registered under |
|
applicable securities laws. Private Placements are generally sold to a |
|
relatively small number of select investors (as opposed to a public issue, |
|
in which Securities are made available for sale on the open market) in |
|
order to raise capital. Private Placements may include, among others, |
|
interests in hedge funds (including limited partnership interests) and |
|
shares of private companies. Investors in Private Placements are usually |
|
banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, |
|
and high net worth individuals. Private Placements are typically held or |
|
maintained outside of Vanguard. |
Related Security |
Any Security or instrument that provides economic exposure to the same |
|
company or entityprovided, however, that equity instruments will |
Page 26 of 38
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Policy Compliance
Questions regarding this policy may be submitted to Code_of_Ethics@vanguard.com.
Please be aware of and comply with any supplemental policies that may apply to your role, department, or geographic region. Check with your manager for more information.
If you believe you may have breached this policy, you should immediately report it to your manager, notify the policy contact for your region, and work with them to take swift corrective action. Alternatively, you may report concerns regarding this policy via the Anonymous Reporting channel that Vanguard has arranged for your region. You are expected to cooperate with any research or investigation into conduct regarding this policy.
The Compliance Department is the owner of this policy. Any violations or potential violations of this policy may be investigated by the Compliance Department, and if it is determined that there has been a violation, you may be subject to penalties and sanctions as described in the Disciplinary Action Policy and, for crew and contingent workers in Australia, the Managing Misconduct Policy. Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Refer to the Policy Disclaimer Statement for more information.
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