2022-11-30 0000105563 false 2023-03-07 2023-03-07 485BPOS 0000105563 2023-03-07 2023-03-07 0000105563 wellington:ETFMember wellington:S000079862Member 2023-03-07 2023-03-07 0000105563 wellington:ETFMember wellington:S000079862Member wellington:C000241270Member 2023-03-07 2023-03-07 xbrli:pure iso4217:USD


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
(NO. 2-11444)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___

Post-Effective Amendment No. 121

and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
(NO. 811-00121)
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. 121

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)
P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant’s Telephone Number (610) 669-1000
Anne E. Robinson, Esquire
P.O. Box 876
Valley Forge, PA 19482
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

on March 7, 2023, pursuant to paragraph (b)

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

on pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box:

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.



Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF
Prospectus
March 7, 2023
Exchange-traded fund shares that are not individually redeemable and are listed on NYSE Arca
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES)

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
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 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
0.05%
12b-1 Distribution Fee
None
Other Expenses
0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses1
0.07%
1
The expense information shown in the table reflects estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
1

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
$7
$23
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 issuers that are primarily 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 part of an offering where the
2

original offering amount was at least $100 million; and generally have a minimum par (i.e., currently outstanding face value) amount of $25 million. In addition, to be included in the Index, each bond must have a remaining term to final maturity that is less than seven years and greater than or equal to 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, which, under normal circumstances, is not expected to exceed 4 years. As of November 30, 2022, the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Index was 3 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,
3

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 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 NYSE Arca 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 NYSE Arca, 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 NYSE Arca without first being listed on another exchange or (2) NYSE Arca 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.
4

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.
5

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 NYSE Arca. 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 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
6

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.
7

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 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.
8

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.
9

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.
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.
10

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.
How Interest Rate Changes Affect the Value of a $1,000 Bond1
Type of Bond (Maturity)
After a 1%
Increase
After a 1%
Decrease
After a 2%
Increase
After a 2%
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.
11

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.
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.
12

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.
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 with 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.
13

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.
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.
14


The Fund seeks to track the performance of the S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. The 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. The components of the Index are reconstituted and rebalanced on a monthly basis. The Index rebalances as a market-weighted index, and bonds may enter or fall out of the Index on a monthly basis. New securities are added to and removed from the Index in connection with the month-end index rebalancing process. As of November 30, 2022, the number of bonds in the Fund's target index were 4,519.
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 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.
The Fund may invest in derivatives. In general, investments in derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of investments directly in the underlying securities or assets.
15

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.
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
16

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.
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.
17

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.
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.
18

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.
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
19

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.
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 November 30, 2022, Vanguard served as advisor for approximately
20

$6.2 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 a third-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.
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
21

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 supplemental 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.
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.
22

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.
• 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.
23

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.
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).
24

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.
25

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.
Vanguard Fund
Inception
Date
 
Vanguard
Fund Number
CUSIP
Number
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
 
 
 
 
ETF Shares
3/7/2023
 
V014
921935870
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.
26

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).
27

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.
28

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.


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 will be 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
© 2023 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
U.S. Patent No. 6,879,964.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
P V014 032023R

PART B
VANGUARD® WELLINGTON™ FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
March 7, 2023
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s current prospectus (dated March 7, 2023). To obtain, without charge, a prospectus or, when available, the most recent Annual Report to Shareholders, which will contain the Fund's financial statements, please contact The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard).
Phone: Investor Information Department at 800-662-7447
Online: vanguard.com
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. 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
VTES3
1
Individually, a class; collectively, the classes.
2
Exchange: Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.
3
Exchange: NYSE Arca.
This SAI relates only to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (the Fund). A separate SAI 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.
B-1

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. The Fund is 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. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042, 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 Fund's 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, the 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 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 the 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.
B-2

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 the Fund.
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 securities whose income will be exempt from federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax under normal market conditions. For purposes of this 80% policy, 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.
B-3

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, except as may be necessary to approximate the composition of its target index.
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.
B-4

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.
B-5

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
B-6

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.
B-7

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 the 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 that may affect long-term shareholder value 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.
B-8

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. The 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
B-9

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
B-10

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
B-11

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). The Fund 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
B-12

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.
B-13

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.
B-14

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.
B-15

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
B-16

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
B-17

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. The 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.
B-18

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 Fund does 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,
B-19

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. A 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. A fund could lose money if the liquidity provider fails to honor its obligation, becomes insolvent, or files for bankruptcy. A 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 a 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
The 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 the 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.
B-20

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 had 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
B-21

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
B-22

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.
B-23

Name, Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held With Fund
Vanguard
Funds’ Trustee/
Officer Since
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years,
Outside Directorships,
and Other Experience
Number of
Vanguard Funds
Overseen by
Trustee/Officer
Interested Trustee1
 
 
 
 
Mortimer J. Buckley
(1969)
Chairman of the
Board, Chief
Executive
Officer, and
President
January 2018
Chairman of the board (2019–present) of Vanguard and
of each of the investment companies served by
Vanguard; chief executive officer (2018–present) of
Vanguard; chief executive officer, president, and
trustee (2018–present) of each of the investment
companies served by Vanguard; president and director
(2017–present) of Vanguard; and president
(2018–present) of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
Chief investment officer (2013–2017), managing
director (2002–2017), head of the Retail Investor Group
(2006–2012), and chief information officer (2001–2006)
of Vanguard. Trustee and vice chair of The Shipley
School. Member of the board of governors of the
Investment Company Institute and of FINRA.
207
1 Mr. Buckley is considered an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act because he is an officer of the Trust.
Independent Trustees
 
 
 
 
Tara Bunch
(1962)
Trustee
November 2021
Head of Global Operations at Airbnb (2020–present).
Vice President of AppleCare (2012–2020). Member of
the board of Out & Equal, the University of California,
Berkeley School of Engineering, and Santa Clara
University’s School of Business.
207
Emerson U. Fullwood
(1948)
Trustee
January 2008
Executive chief staff and marketing officer for North
America and corporate vice president (retired 2008) of
Xerox Corporation (document management products
and services). Former president of the Worldwide
Channels Group, Latin America, and Worldwide
Customer Service and executive chief staff officer of
Developing Markets of Xerox. Executive in residence
and 2009–2010 Distinguished Minett Professor at the
Rochester Institute of Technology. Member of the
board of directors of the University of Rochester
Medical Center, the Monroe Community College
Foundation, the United Way of Rochester, North
Carolina A&T University, Roberts Wesleyan College,
and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Trustee of
the University of Rochester.
207
F. Joseph Loughrey
(1949)
Trustee
October 2009
President and chief operating officer (retired 2009) and
vice chairman of the board (2008–2009) of Cummins
Inc. (industrial machinery). Chairman of the board of
Hillenbrand, Inc. (global industrial company). Director
of the V Foundation. Member of the advisory council
for the College of Arts and Letters at the University of
Notre Dame. Chairman of the board of Saint Anselm
College.
207
Mark Loughridge
(1953)
Lead
Independent
Trustee
March 2012
Senior vice president and chief financial officer (retired
2013) of IBM (information technology services).
Fiduciary member of IBM’s Retirement Plan
Committee (2004–2013), senior vice president and
general manager (2002–2004) of IBM Global Financing,
vice president and controller (1998–2002) of IBM, and
a variety of other prior management roles at IBM.
Member of the Council on Chicago Booth.
207
B-24

Name, Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held With Fund
Vanguard
Funds’ Trustee/
Officer Since
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years,
Outside Directorships,
and Other Experience
Number of
Vanguard Funds
Overseen by
Trustee/Officer
Scott C. Malpass
(1962)
Trustee
March 2012
Chief investment officer and vice president of the
University of Notre Dame (retired 2020). Chair of the
board of Catholic Investment Services, Inc.
(investment advisors). Member of the board of
superintendence of the Institute for the Works of
Religion. Member of the Notre Dame 403(b)
Investment Committee and the board of directors of
Paxos Trust Company (finance).
207
Deanna Mulligan
(1963)
Trustee
January 2018
Chief executive officer of Purposeful (2021–present).
Board chair (2020), chief executive officer (2011–2020),
and president (2010–2019) of The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America. Chief operating officer
(2010–2011) and executive vice president (2008–2010)
of Individual Life and Disability of The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America. Director of DuPont.
Member of the board of the Economic Club of New
York. Trustee of the Partnership for New York City
(business leadership), the Chief Executives for
Corporate Purpose, and the New York-Presbyterian
Hospital.
207
André F. Perold
(1952)
Trustee
December 2004
George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking,
Emeritus at the Harvard Business School (retired
2011). Chief investment officer and partner of
HighVista Strategies LLC (private investment firm).
Board member of RIT Capital Partners (investment
firm).
207
Sarah Bloom Raskin
(1961)
Trustee
January 2018
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, Duke Law School (2021–present);
Rubenstein Fellow, Duke University (2017–2020);
Distinguished Fellow of the Global Financial Markets
Center, Duke Law School (2020–2022); and Senior
Fellow, Duke Center on Risk (2020–present). Partner of
Kaya Corporation Ltd. (climate policy advisory
services). Member of the board of directors of Arcadia
Corporation (energy solution technology).
207
David Thomas
(1956)
Trustee
July 2021
President of Morehouse College (2018–present).
Professor of Business Administration Emeritus at
Harvard University (2017–2018) and Dean (2011–2016)
and Professor of Management at Georgetown
University, McDonough School of Business
(2016–2017). Director of DTE Energy Company.
Trustee of Common Fund.
207
Peter F. Volanakis
(1955)
Trustee
July 2009
President and chief operating officer (retired 2010) of
Corning Incorporated (communications equipment)
and director of Corning Incorporated (2000–2010) and
Dow Corning (2001–2010). Director (2012) of SPX
Corporation (multi-industry manufacturing). Overseer
of the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration,
Dartmouth College (2001–2013). Member of the BMW
Group Mobility Council.
207
Executive Officers
 
 
 
 
Jacqueline Angell
(1974)
Chief
Compliance
Officer
November 2022
Principal of Vanguard. Chief compliance officer
(November 2022–present) of Vanguard and of each of
the investment companies served by Vanguard. Chief
compliance officer (2018–2022) and deputy chief
compliance officer (2017–2019) of State Street.
207
B-25

Name, Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held With Fund
Vanguard
Funds’ Trustee/
Officer Since
Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years,
Outside Directorships,
and Other Experience
Number of
Vanguard Funds
Overseen by
Trustee/Officer
Christine M. Buchanan
(1970)
Chief Financial
Officer
November 2017
Principal of Vanguard. Chief financial officer
(2021–present) and treasurer (2017–2021) of each of
the investment companies served by Vanguard.
Partner (2005–2017) at KPMG (audit, tax, and advisory
services).
207
John Galloway
(1973)
Investment
Stewardship
Officer
September 2020
Principal of Vanguard. Investment stewardship officer
(2020–present) of each of the investment companies
served by Vanguard. Head of Investor Advocacy
(2020–present) and head of Marketing Strategy and
Planning (2017–2020) at Vanguard. Special Assistant to
the President of the United States (2015).
207
Ashley Grim
(1984)
Treasurer
February 2022
Treasurer (February 2022–present) of each of the
investment companies served by Vanguard. Fund
transfer agent controller (2019–2022) and director of
Audit Services (2017–2019) at Vanguard. Senior
manager (2015–2017) at PriceWaterhouseCoopers
(audit and assurance, consulting, and tax services).
207
Peter Mahoney
(1974)
Controller
May 2015
Principal of Vanguard. Controller (2015–present) of
each of the investment companies served by
Vanguard. Head of International Fund Services (2008–
2014) at Vanguard.
207
Anne E. Robinson
(1970)
Secretary
September 2016
General counsel (2016–present) of Vanguard.
Secretary (2016–present) of Vanguard and of each of
the investment companies served by Vanguard.
Managing director (2016–present) of Vanguard.
Managing director and general counsel of Global Cards
and Consumer Services (2014–2016) at Citigroup.
Counsel (2003–2014) at American Express.
Non-executive director of the board of National Grid
(energy).
207
Michael Rollings
(1963)
Finance Director
February 2017
Finance director (2017–present) and treasurer (2017)
of each of the investment companies served by
Vanguard. Managing director (2016–present) of
Vanguard. Chief financial officer (2016–present) of
Vanguard. Director (2016–present) of Vanguard
Marketing Corporation. Executive vice president and
chief financial officer (2006–2016) of MassMutual
Financial Group.
207
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.
B-26

◾ 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.
Trustees retire in accordance with the funds' governing documents and policies, and typically by age 75.
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 by the Fund for each trustee. In addition, the table shows the total amount of compensation paid to each trustee by all Vanguard funds.
VANGUARD SHORT-TERM TAX-EXEMPT BOND ETF
TRUSTEES’ COMPENSATION TABLE
Trustee
Aggregate
Compensation From
the Fund1
Total Compensation
From All Vanguard
Funds Paid to Trustees2
Mortimer J. Buckley
Tara Bunch
$330,000
Emerson U. Fullwood
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 Thomas
330,000
Peter F. Volanakis
350,000
1
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations.
2
The amounts reported in this column reflect the total compensation paid to each trustee for his or her service as trustee of 207 Vanguard funds for the 2022 calendar year.
B-27

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, 2022. As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations.
Vanguard Fund
Trustee
Dollar Range
of Fund Shares
Owned by Trustee
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Vanguard Fund Shares
Owned by Trustee
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF
Mortimer J. Buckley
Over $100,000
 
Tara Bunch
Over $100,000
 
Emerson U. Fullwood
Over $100,000
 
F. Joseph Loughrey
Over $100,000
 
Mark Loughridge
Over $100,000
 
Scott C. Malpass
Over $100,000
 
Deanna Mulligan
Over $100,000
 
André F. Perold
Over $100,000
 
Sarah Bloom Raskin
Over $100,000
 
David Thomas
Over $100,000
 
Peter F. Volanakis
Over $100,000
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”
B-28

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 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 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 Office of the General Counsel. 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.
B-29

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
B-30

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 the 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
B-31

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 Office of the General Counsel.
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
B-32

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, the Fund 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 manager of the Fund as of November 30, 2022 (unless otherwise noted):
Portfolio Manager
 
No. of
accounts
Total assets
No. of accounts with
performance-based
fees
Total assets in
accounts with
performance-based
fees
Stephen M. McFee
Registered investment companies
5
$38B
0
$0
 
Other pooled investment vehicles
0
$0
0
$0
 
Other accounts
0
$0
0
$0
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 in which 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 November 30, 2022, 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.
B-33

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. For the 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 Fund 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.
B-34

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 had not commenced operations, and therefore had 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.
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations, and therefore the Fund had 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.
B-35

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 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.
B-36

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).
B-37

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 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
B-38

as the DTC, the NSCC, the Federal Reserve, or any other participant in the purchase process; and similar extraordinary events.
If the 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 variable 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, including any variable charges, 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
B-39

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.
B-40

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 and private funds is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
Financial Statements
As of the date of this SAI, Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF had not commenced operations, and therefore financial statements are not yet available for the Fund.
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.
B-41

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-42

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 Board’s 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.
B-43

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.
B-44

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 issuer’s 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
B-45

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 V014 032023

PART C
VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a)
(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 The Bank of New York Mellon and JPMorgan Chase Bank, filed with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 120, dated December 22, 2022, are hereby incorporated by reference. For State Street Bank and
Trust Company, is 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 The Vanguard Group, Inc., filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 120, dated December 22,
2022, is hereby incorporated by reference. For Wellington Management Company LLP, 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
Designee
None
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
None
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
Principal 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
Jacob Buttery
Assistant Secretary
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, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, and The 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 hereby certifies that it meets all requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and 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 7th day of March, 2023.
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*

Mortimer J. Buckley
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 7, 2023
/s/ Tara Bunch*

Tara Bunch
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Emerson U. Fullwood*

Emerson U. Fullwood
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ F. Joseph Loughrey*

F. Joseph Loughrey
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Mark Loughridge*

Mark Loughridge
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Scott C. Malpass*

Scott C. Malpass
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Deanna Mulligan*

Deanna Mulligan
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ André F. Perold*

André F. Perold
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Sarah Bloom Raskin*

Sarah Bloom Raskin
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ David Thomas*

David Thomas
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Peter F. Volanakis*

Peter F. Volanakis
Trustee
March 7, 2023
/s/ Christine Buchanan*

Christine Buchanan
Chief Financial Officer
March 7, 2023

*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.


AMENDMENT NO. 3

TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

This Amendment No. 3 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Vanguard Wellington Fund (the "Trust") amends, the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of November 19, 2008, as amended (the "Agreement").

By resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") on December 15 & 16, 2022, the Board approved this Amendment. Under Article VIII, Section 4 of the Agreement, this Amendment may be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust.

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to amend the Agreement to reflect the addition of Vanguard Short- Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF, a series of the Trust;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1.Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit 1 to this Amendment.

2.All references in the Agreement to the "Amended Declaration of Trust" or "Declaration of Trust" shall mean the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

3.Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Agreement is hereby confirmed and remains in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a duly authorized officer of the Trust, has executed this Amendment as of January 19, 2023.

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

/S/ Michael J. Drayo _____________

(Original signature on Declaration of Trust)

Michael J. Drayo, Assistant Secretary

EXHIBIT 1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SCHEDULE A

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SERIES AND CLASSES OF THE TRUST

SERIES

CLASSES

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund

Admiral

Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard Wellington Fund

Admiral, Investor

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

ETF

2

AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

This Amendment No. 2 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Vanguard Wellington Fund (the "Trust") amends, the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of November 19, 2008, as amended (the "Agreement").

By resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") on September 22, 2022, the Board approved this Amendment. Under Article VIII, Section 4 of the Agreement, this Amendment may be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust.

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to amend the Agreement to reflect the removal of Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF, a series of the Trust;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

4.Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit 1 to this Amendment.

5.All references in the Agreement to the "Amended Declaration of Trust" or "Declaration of Trust" shall mean the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

6.Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Agreement is hereby confirmed and remains in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a duly authorized officer of the Trust, has executed this Amendment as of December 12, 2022.

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

/S/ Michael J. Drayo _____________

(Original signature on Declaration of Trust)

Michael J. Drayo, Assistant Secretary

3

EXHIBIT 1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SCHEDULE A

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SERIES AND CLASSES OF THE TRUST

SERIES

CLASSES

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund

Admiral

Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF

ETF

Vanguard Wellington Fund

Admiral, Investor

4

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

This Amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Vanguard Wellington Fund (the "Trust") amends, effective November 28, 2017, the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of November 19, 2008, as amended (the "Agreement").

By resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") on November 17, 2017, the Board approved this Amendment. Under Article VIII, Section 4 of the Agreement, this Amendment may be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Trust.

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to amend the Agreement to reflect the addition of the 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. Multifactor Fund, Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF, Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF, each a series of the Vanguard Wellington Fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

7.Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit 1 to this Amendment.

8.All references in the Agreement to the "Amended Declaration of Trust" or "Declaration of Trust" shall mean the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

9.Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Agreement is hereby confirmed and remains in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a duly authorized officer of the Trust, has executed this Amendment as of November _____, 2017.

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

/S/ Laura Merianos _____________

(Original signature on Declaration of Trust)

Laura Merianos, Assistant Secretary 5

EXHIBIT 1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SCHEDULE A

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SERIES AND CLASSES OF THE TRUST

SERIES

CLASSES

Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund

Admiral Shares

Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF

ETF Shares

Vanguard Wellington Fund

Investor, Admiral

6

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

OF

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

WHEREAS, this AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST of Vanguard Wellington Fund (the "Trust") is made and entered into as of the date set forth below by the Trustees named hereunder for the purpose of continuing the Trust as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, the Trust was formed upon the filing of a certificate of trust in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 1998 pursuant to a declaration of trust dated January 23, 1998 (the "Original Declaration of Trust");

WHEREAS, the Original Declaration of Trust was amended on July 19, 2002 (as so amended, the "Amended Declaration of Trust"); and

WHEREAS, the Trustees consider it appropriate to amend and restate the Amended Declaration of Trust in accordance with the terms of the Amended Declaration of Trust and the Delaware Act.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Amended Declaration of Trust is hereby amended and restated as follows and the Trustees do hereby declare that the Trustees will hold IN TRUST all cash, securities and other assets that the Trust now possesses or may hereafter acquire from time to time in any manner and manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions.

ARTICLE I.

Name and Definitions

Section 1. Name. The name of the Trust is "VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND" and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine. If the Trustees determine to change the name of the Trust, they may adopt such other name for the Trust as they deem proper. Any name change shall become effective upon approval by the Trustees of such change and the filing of a certificate of amendment under the Delaware Act. Any such action shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust.

Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:

(a)"Amended Declaration of Trust" shall have the meaning set forth in

7

the recitals to this Declaration of Trust;

(b)"By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from

time to time;

(c)"Commission" shall have the respective meanings given it in Section 2(a)(7) and Section (2)(a)(29) of the 1940 Act;

(d)"Declaration of Trust" shall mean this Amended and Restated

Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time;

(e)"Delaware Act" refers to Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C.

§3801 et. seq. (as amended and in effect from time to time);

(f)"Interested Person" shall have the meaning given it in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act;

(g)"Investment Adviser" or "Adviser" means a party furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to any contract described in Article IV, Section 6(a) hereof;

(h)"1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time. References herein to specific sections of the 1940 Act shall be deemed to include such Rules and Regulations as are applicable to such sections as determined by the Trustees or their designees;

(i)"Original Declaration of Trust" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Declaration of Trust;

(j)"Principal Underwriter" shall have the respective meanings given it in Section 2(a)(7) and Section (2)(a)(29) of the 1940 Act;

(k)"Prior Declaration of Trust" refers to the original Declaration of Trust and the Amended Declaration of Trust, each as from time to time in effect prior to the date hereof;

(l)"Person" means and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, foundations, plans, associations, joint ventures, estates and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof, whether domestic or foreign;

(m)"Series" refers to each Series of Shares referenced in, or established under or in accordance with, the provisions of Article III.

(n)"Shareholder" means a record owner of outstanding Shares;

(o)"Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;

8

(p)"Trust" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Declaration of Trust;

(q)"Trustees" or "Board of Trustees" refers to the persons who have signed this Declaration of Trust and all other persons who were or may from time to time be duly elected or appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof or of the Prior Declaration of Trust, so long as they continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in their capacity as trustees hereunder; and

(r)"Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust.

ARTICLE II.

Purpose of Trust

The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business of a management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through one or more Series investing primarily in securities.

ARTICLE III.

Shares

Section 1. Division of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall at all times be divided into an unlimited number of Shares, with a par value of $ .001 per Share unless the Trustees shall designate another par value in connection with the issuance of Shares or with respect to outstanding Shares as provided in Section 5 of this Article III. The Trustees may authorize the division of Shares into separate Series and the division of Series into separate classes of Shares. The different Series shall be established and designated, and the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the different Series shall be fixed and determined, by the Trustees. If no Series shall be established or if only one Series shall be established, the Shares shall have the rights and preferences provided for herein and in Article III, Section 6 hereof to the extent relevant and not otherwise provided for herein.

Subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Article III, each Share shall have voting rights as provided in Article V hereof, and holders of the Shares of any Series shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, if and as declared with respect thereto in the manner provided in Article VI, Section 1 hereof. No Share shall have any priority or preference over any other Share of the same Series with respect to dividends or distributions of the Trust or otherwise. All dividends and distributions shall be made ratably among all Shareholders of a Series (or class) from the assets held with respect to such Series according to the number of Shares of such Series (or class) held of record by such Shareholders on the record date for any dividend or distribution. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or any Series. The Trustees may from time to time divide or

9

combine the Shares of a Series into a greater or lesser number of Shares of such Series without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of such Shares in the assets held with respect to that Series or materially affecting the rights of Shares of any other Series.

All references to Shares in this Declaration of Trust shall be deemed to be Shares of the Trust and of any or all Series or classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust and each class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.

All Shares issued hereunder, including Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

Section 2. Ownership of Shares. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series (and class). No certificates evidencing the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of Shares of each Series (and class) and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to the identity of the Shareholders of each Series (and class) and as to the number of Shares of each Series (and class) held from time to time by each Shareholder.

Section 3. Investments in the Trust. Investments may be accepted by the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such consideration as the Trustees from time to time may authorize. Each investment shall be credited to the Shareholder's account in the form of full and fractional Shares of the Trust, in such Series (or class) as the purchaser shall select, at the net asset value per Share next determined for such Series (or class) after receipt of the investment; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, impose a sales charge or reimbursement fee upon investments in the Trust.

Section 4. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the existence of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust, nor entitle the representative of any such Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but shall entitle such representative only to the rights of such Shareholder under this Declaration of Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle a Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners or joint venturers. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee nor agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time agree to pay.

10

Section 5. Power of Board of Trustees to Change Provisions Relating to Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, and without limiting the power of the Board of Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust as provided elsewhere herein, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to amend this Declaration of Trust, at any time and from time to time, in such manner as the Board of Trustees may determine in their sole discretion, without the need for Shareholder action, so as to add to, delete, replace or otherwise modify any provisions relating to the Shares contained in this Declaration of Trust, provided that before adopting any such amendment without Shareholder approval the Board of Trustees shall determine that it is consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of all Shareholders and that Shareholder approval is not required by the 1940 Act or other applicable federal law. If Shares have been issued, Shareholder approval shall be required to adopt any amendments to this Declaration of Trust which would adversely affect to a material degree the rights and preferences of the Shares of any Series (or class) or to increase or decrease the par value of the Shares of any Series (or class).

Section 6. Establishment and Designation of Shares. The Series and classes of Shares existing as of the date of this Declaration of Trust are those Series and classes that have been established under the Prior Declaration of Trust and not heretofore terminated which are indicated on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof ("Schedule A"). The establishment of any additional Series (or class) of Shares shall be effective upon the adoption by the Trustees of a resolution that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series (or class), whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series (or class) including any registration statement of the Trust or such Series (or class), any amendment and/or restatement of this Declaration of Trust and/or Schedule A or as otherwise provided in such resolution. Upon the establishment of any additional Series (or class) of Shares or the termination of any existing Series (or class) of Shares, Schedule A shall be amended to reflect the addition or termination of such Series (or class) and any officer of the Trust is hereby authorized to make such amendment; provided that amendment of Schedule A shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment or termination of any Series (or class) in accordance with this Declaration of Trust. The relative rights and preferences of the Shares of the Trust and each Series and each class thereof shall be as set forth herein and as set forth in any registration statement relating thereto, unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series or class.

Shares of each Series (or class) established pursuant to this Section 6, unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series (or class) or in any registration statement relating thereto, shall have the following relative rights and preferences:

(a)Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a Series, including dividends and distributions paid by, and reinvested in, such Series, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any

11

funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as "assets held with respect to" that Series. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments that are not readily identifiable as assets held with respect to the Trust or any particular Series (collectively "General Assets"), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets to, between or among the Trust and/or any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable, and any General Asset so allocated to a particular Series shall be held with respect to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes in absence of manifest error.

(b)Liabilities Held with Respect to a Particular Series. The assets of the Trust held with respect to each Series shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust with respect to such Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to such Series, and any general liabilities of the Trust that are not readily identifiable as being held in respect of a Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among the Trust and/or any one or more Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series are herein referred to as "liabilities held with respect to" that Series. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes in absence of manifest error. All liabilities held with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the assets held with respect to such Series only and not against the assets of the Trust generally or against the assets held with respect to any other Series and, except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Series thereof shall be enforceable against the assets of such Series. As and to the extent provided in Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series and the assets held with respect to each Series shall be held in such separate and distinct records (directly or indirectly, including through a nominee or otherwise) and accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from the assets held with respect to all other Series and the General Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series. Notice of this limitation on inter-Series liabilities shall be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust (whether originally or by amendment).

12

(c)Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, and Repurchases. No dividend or distribution including any distribution paid in connection with termination of the Trust or of any Series (or class) with respect to, or any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any Series (or class) shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with respect to such Series, nor shall any Shareholder of any Series otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any other Series except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders in absence of manifest error.

(d)Voting. All Shares entitled to vote on a matter shall vote without differentiation between the separate Series on a one-vote-per-each dollar (and a fractional vote for each fractional dollar) of the net asset value of each Share (including fractional shares) basis; provided however, if a matter to be voted on affects only the interests of one or more but not all Series (or one or more but not all of a class of a Series), then only the Shareholders of such affected Series (or class) shall be entitled to vote on the matter.

(e)Equality. All the Shares of each Series shall represent an equal proportionate undivided interest in the assets held with respect to such Series (subject to the liabilities of such Series and such rights and preferences as may have been established and designated with respect to classes of Shares within such Series), and each Share of a Series shall be equal to each other Share of such Series.

(f)Fractions. Any fractional Share of a Series shall have proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole share of such Series, including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions and redemption of Shares.

(g)Exchange Privilege. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the

Shareholders of any Series shall have the right to exchange such Shares for Shares of one or more other Series in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.

(h)Combination of Series. The Trustees shall have the authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series unless otherwise required by applicable federal law, to combine the assets and liabilities held with respect to any two or more Series into assets and liabilities held with respect to a single Series.

(i)Elimination of Series. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of a Series (or class), the Trustees may abolish such Series (or class).

13

ARTICLE IV.

The Board of Trustees

Section 1. Number, Election and Tenure. The number of Trustees constituting the Board of Trustees shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed, or by resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting, by a majority of the Board of Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall at all times be at least one (1). Subject to the requirements of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees, by action of a majority of the then Trustees at a duly constituted meeting, may fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees and remove Trustees with or without cause. Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction, or is removed. Any Trustee may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him and delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages or other payment on account of such removal. Any Trustee may be removed at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of two-thirds of the total combined net asset value of all Shares of the Trust issued and outstanding. A meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing or removing one or more Trustees may be called (i) by the Trustees upon their own vote, or (ii) upon the demand of Shareholders owning 10% or more of the Shares entitled to vote.

Section 2. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of one or more Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided in Article IV, Section 1, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration of Trust.

Section 3. Powers. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Board of Trustees, and such Board of Trustees shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility including the power to engage in transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. Trustees, in all instances, shall act as principals and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts, documents and instruments that they may consider desirable, necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may: adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the regulation and management of the affairs of the Trust; elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate; appoint from their own number and establish and terminate one or more committees consisting of one or more Trustees who may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Trustees to the extent that the Trustees

14

determine; employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank, retain a transfer agent or a shareholder servicing agent, or both; provide for the issuance and distribution of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more Principal Underwriters or otherwise; redeem, repurchase and transfer Shares pursuant to applicable federal law; set record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various matters; declare and pay dividends and distributions to Shareholders of each Series from the assets of such Series; establish from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 6 hereof, any Series of Shares, each such Series to operate as a separate and distinct investment medium and with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purpose; and in general delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any agent or employee of the Trust or to any such custodian, transfer or shareholder servicing agent, Investment Adviser or Principal Underwriter. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust shall have power and authority:

(a)To invest and reinvest cash and cash items, to hold cash uninvested, and to subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options on, lend or otherwise deal in or dispose of contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of all types of securities, futures contracts and options thereon, and forward currency contracts of every nature and kind, including all types of bonds, debentures, stocks, preferred stocks, negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, bankers' acceptances, and other securities of any kind, issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all Persons, including states, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any foreign government or any political subdivision of the U.S. Government or any foreign government, or any international instrumentality or organization, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization organized under any foreign law, or in "when issued" contracts for any such securities, futures contracts and options thereon, and forward currency contracts, to change the investments of the assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers, and privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such investments of every kind and description, including the right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more Persons, to exercise any of said rights, powers, and privileges in respect of any of said instruments;

(b)To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, or write options with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating to any or all of the assets of the Trust or any Series;

15

(c)To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;

(d)To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;

(e)To hold any security or property in a form not indicating that it is trust property, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in its own name or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or nominees or otherwise or to authorize the custodian or a subcustodian or a nominee or nominees to deposit the same in a securities depository, subject in each case to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act;

(f)To consent to, or participate in, any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer; and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;

(g)To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;

(h)To litigate, compromise, arbitrate, settle or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or a Series, or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;

(i)To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations;

(j)To borrow funds or other property in the name of the Trust or Series exclusively for Trust (or such Series) purposes;

(k)To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations of any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof;

(l)To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such insurance as the Trustees may deem necessary, desirable or appropriate for the conduct of the business, including insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, Investment Adviser, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding Shares, holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action

16

alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee, agent, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, or independent contractor, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against liability;

(m)To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust; and

(n)Subject to the 1940 Act, to engage in any other lawful act or activity in which a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Act may engage.

The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The Trust shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investment by fiduciaries. The Trust shall not be required to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other action hereunder.

Section 4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust. Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 6(b), the Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust or Series, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income, and to charge or allocate the same to, between or among such one or more of the Series that may be established or designated pursuant to Article III, Section 6, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust or Series, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees' compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust's officers, employees, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.

Section 5. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Title to all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine. Upon the resignation, incompetency, bankruptcy, removal, or death of a Trustee he or she shall automatically cease to have any such title in any of the Trust Property, and the title of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered. The Trustees may determine that the Trust or the Trustees, acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold beneficial ownership of any income earned on the securities owned by the Trust, whether domestic or foreign.

Section 6. Service Contracts.

17

(a)The Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory, management and/or administrative services for the Trust or for any Series with any Person; and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine, including authority for the Investment Adviser to determine from time to time without prior consultation with the Trustees what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust's investments, and such other responsibilities as may specifically be delegated to such Person.

(b)The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time, contract with any Persons, appointing such Persons exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or Principal Underwriter for the Shares of one or more of the Series or other securities to be issued by the Trust. Every such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine.

(c)The Trustees are also empowered, at any time and from time to time, to contract with any Persons, appointing such Person(s) to serve as custodian(s), transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing agent for the Trust or one or more of its Series. Every such contract shall comply with such terms as may be required by the Trustees.

(d)The Trustees are further empowered, at any time and from time to time, to contract with any Persons to provide such other services to the Trust or one or more of the Series, as the Trustees determine to be in the best interests of the Trust and the applicable Series.

(e)The fact that:

(i)any of the Shareholders, Trustees, or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, distributor, or affiliate or agent of or for any Person with which an advisory, management or administration contract, or Principal Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may be made, or that

(ii)any Person with which an advisory, management or administration contract or Principal Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may be made also has an advisory, management or administration contract, or principal underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other service contract, or has other business or interests with any other Person,

shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same, or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders, provided approval of each such contract is made pursuant to the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

ARTICLE V.

18

Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings

Subject to the provisions of Article III, Sections 5 and 6(d), the Shareholders shall have right to vote only (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 1, and (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, including Section 16(a) thereof, and (iii) on such other matters as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Provisions relating to meetings, quorum, required vote, record date and other matters relating to Shareholder voting rights are as provided in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VI.

Net Asset Value, Distributions, and Redemptions

Section 1. Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income, and Distributions. Subject to Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set forth in the By-Laws or in a duly adopted resolution of the Trustees such bases and time for determining the per Share net asset value of the Shares of the Trust or any Series (or class) and the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on the Shares of the Trust or any Series (or class), as they may deem necessary or desirable.

Section 2. Redemptions and Repurchases. The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder for redemption, upon receipt by the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust that the Trust redeem such Shares or in accordance with such procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof, in accordance with the By-Laws and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. Payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the date on which the request for redemption is received in proper form. The obligation set forth in this Section 2 is subject to the provision that in the event that any time the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the Rules of the Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted or during any emergency which makes it impracticable for the Trust to dispose of the investments of the applicable Series or to determine fairly the value of the net assets held with respect to such Series or during any other period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection of investors, such obligations may be suspended or postponed by the Trustees.

The redemption price may in any case or cases be paid in cash or wholly or partly in kind in accordance with Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Series of which the Shares are being redeemed. Subject to the foregoing, the selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the redemption price shall be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.

19

Section 3. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust. The Trust shall have the right, at its option, upon 30 days notice to the affected Shareholder at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof as described in Section 1 of this Article VI: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares of any Series having an aggregate net asset value of less than a minimum value determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (ii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of a Series equal to or in excess of a maximum percentage of the outstanding Shares of such Series determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (iii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a maximum percentage, determined from time to time by the Trustees, of the outstanding Shares of the Trust.

Section 4. Transfer of Shares. The Trust shall transfer shares held of record by any Person to any other Person upon receipt by the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust of a written request therefore in such form and pursuant to such procedures as may be approved by the Trustees.

ARTICLE VII.

Compensation and Limitation of Liability

Section 1. Compensation of Trustees. Any Trustee, whether or not he is a salaried officer or employee of the Trust, may be compensated for his services as Trustee or as a member of a committee of Trustees, or as chairman of a committee by fixed periodic payments or by fees for attendance at meetings, by both or otherwise, and in addition may be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses, all in such manner and amounts as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee to provide advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other services to the Trust and to be specially compensated for such services by the Trust.

Section 2. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification. A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VII, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other Trustee. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent, employee, Investment Adviser or Principal Underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee, and, subject to the provisions of the By-Laws, the Trust out of its assets may indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee and officer of the Trust from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages whatsoever arising out of or related to such Trustee's or officer's performance of his or her duties as a Trustee or officer of the Trust.

Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in or with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon.

20

Section 3. Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested in or dealing with the Trust. A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice nor for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.

Section 4. Insurance. The Trustees shall be entitled and empowered to the fullest extent permitted by law to purchase with Trust assets insurance for liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a Trustee or officer in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved by virtue of his or her capacity or former capacity with the Trust, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE VIII.

Miscellaneous

Section 1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No Person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.

Section 2. Termination of the Trust or Any Series. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to the Shareholders. Any Series of Shares may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to the Shareholders of such Series. Any action to dissolve the Trust shall be deemed to also be an action to dissolve each Series and each class thereof.

In accordance with Section 3808 of the Delaware Act, upon dissolution of the Trust or any Series, as the case may be, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities held, severally, with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, whether due or accrued or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets held, severally, with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, to distributable form in cash or shares or other securities, and any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds held with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, to the Shareholders of that Series, as a Series, ratably according to the number of Shares of that Series held by the several Shareholders on the date of termination.

21

Section 3. Reorganization and Master/Feeder.

(a)Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, (i) cause the Trust to convert or merge, reorganize or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, merger, reorganization or consolidation) so long as the surviving or resulting entity is an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, to the extent permitted by law, and that, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, merger, reorganization or consolidation, may succeed to or assume the Trust's registration under the 1940 Act and that, in any case, is formed, organized or existing under the laws of the United States or of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, (ii) cause the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law, (iii) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States (iv) sell or convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class to another Series or Class of the Trust or to another trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including a trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance), organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States so long as such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity is an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance, may succeed to or assume the Trust's registration under the 1940 Act, for adequate consideration as determined by the Trustees which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent of the Trust or any affected Series or Class, and which may include Shares of such other Series or Class of the Trust or shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interest of such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity (or series thereof) or (v) at any time sell or convert into money all or any part of the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof. Any agreement of merger, reorganization, consolidation or conversion or exchange or certificate of merger, certificate of conversion or other applicable certificate may be signed by a majority of the Trustees and facsimile signatures conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall be valid.

(b)Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Section 3 may effect any amendment to this Declaration of Trust or effect the adoption of a new governing

22

instrument of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting entity in the merger or consolidation.

(c)Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, invest all or a portion of the Trust Property of any Series, or dispose of all or a portion of the Trust Property of any Series, and invest the proceeds of such disposition in interests issued by one or more other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. Any such other investment company may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state or jurisdiction) (or subtrust thereof) which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, cause a Series that is organized in the master/feeder fund structure to withdraw or redeem its Trust Property from the master fund and cause such Series to invest its Trust Property directly in securities and other financial instruments or in another master fund.

Section 4. Amendments. Subject to the provisions of Section 5 of Article III relating to the requirement of Shareholder approval for certain amendments to this Declaration of Trust or requirements for certain determinations by the Board of Trustees for certain amendments hereto without Shareholder approval and any requirements under the 1940 Act requiring Shareholder approval of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote or approval, amend this Declaration of Trust by making an amendment to this Declaration of Trust (including Schedule A), an agreement supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument. Unless otherwise provided by the Trustees, any such amendment will be effective (i) upon the adoption by a majority of the Trustees then holding office of a resolution specifying the amendment, supplemental agreement or amendment and restatement or (ii) upon the execution in writing of an instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then holding office specifying the amendment, supplemental agreement or amended and restated trust instrument. A certification signed by an officer of the Trust setting forth an amendment to this Declaration of Trust and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Trustees as aforesaid, or a copy of the instrument referenced above executed by the Trustees as aforesaid, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust. The certificate of trust of the Trust may be restated and/or amended by any Trustee as necessary or desirable to reflect any change in the information set forth therein, and any such restatement and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or upon such future date as may be stated therein.

Section 5. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this Declaration of Trust shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this Declaration of Trust. In this Declaration of Trust, references to this Declaration of Trust, and all expressions like "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration of Trust. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as

23

a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural; and the neuter, masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as applicable. This Declaration of Trust may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, (i) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be executed by one or more Trustees may be executed by means of original, facsimile or electronic signature and (ii) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be delivered by one or more Trustees may be delivered by facsimile or electronic means (including e-mail), unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), otherwise expressly provided herein or in the By-Laws or determined by the Trustees. The terms "include," "includes" and "including" and any comparable terms shall be deemed to mean "including, without limitation."

Section 6. Applicable Law. This Agreement and Declaration of Trust is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Act. The Trust shall be a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a statutory trust.

Section 7. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations.

(a)The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable federal laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.

(b)If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.

Section 8. Statutory Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act, and thereby to create only the relationship of trustee and beneficial owners within the meaning of such Act between the Trustees and each Shareholder. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment, joint venture, or any form of legal relationship other than a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association.

Section 9. Use of the Name "The Vanguard Group, Inc.". The name "The

24

Vanguard Group, Inc." and any variants thereof and all rights to the use of the name "The Vanguard Group, Inc." or any variants thereof shall be the sole and exclusive property of The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("VGI"). VGI has permitted the use by the Trust of the identifying word "Vanguard" and the use of the name "Vanguard" as part of the name of the Trust and the name of any Series of Shares. Upon the Trust's withdrawal from the Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement among the Trust, the other investment companies within the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies and VGI, and upon the written request of VGI, the Trust and any Series of Shares thereof shall cease to use or in any way to refer to itself as related to "The Vanguard Group, Inc." or any variant thereof.

Section 10. Derivative Actions. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met:

(a)The Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre- suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of this Section 10(a), a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, is composed of Trustees who are not "independent trustees" (as that term is defined in the Delaware Act).

(b)Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a)

of this Section 10, Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or who collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Series or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and

(c)Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a)

of this Section 10, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.

25

 

SCHEDULE A

 

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

SERIES AND CLASSES OF THE TRUST

SERIES

CLASSES

Vanguard Wellington Fund

Investor, Admiral

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I. Name and Definitions.................................................................................

1

Section 1.

Name................................................................................................

1

Section 2.

Definitions........................................................................................

1

(a)

Amended Declaration of Trust..................................................................

2

(b)

By-Laws....................................................................................................

2

(c)

Commission ..............................................................................................

2

(d)

Declaration of Trust ..................................................................................

2

(e)

Delaware Act ............................................................................................

2

(f)

Interested Person.......................................................................................

2

(g)

Investment Adviser or Adviser .................................................................

2

(h)

1940 Act....................................................................................................

2

(i)

Original Declaration of Trust....................................................................

2

(j)

Principal Underwriter................................................................................

2

(k)

Prior Declaration of Trust .........................................................................

2

(l)

Person........................................................................................................

2

(m)

Series.........................................................................................................

2

(n)

Shareholder ...............................................................................................

2

(o)

Shares........................................................................................................

3

(p)

Trust ..........................................................................................................

3

(q)

Trustees or Board of Trustees...................................................................

3

(r)

Trust Property ...........................................................................................

3

ARTICLE II. Purpose of Trust ........................................................................................

3

ARTICLE III. Shares.......................................................................................................

3

Section 1.

Division of Beneficial Interest.........................................................

3

Section 2.

Ownership of Shares........................................................................

4

Section 3.

Investments in the Trust...................................................................

4

Section 4.

Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal

 

 

Liability..........................................................................................

4

Section 5.

Power of Board of Trustees to Change

 

 

Provisions Relating to Shares ........................................................

5

Section 6.

Establishment and Designation of Shares........................................

5

(a)

Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series .......................................

6

(b)Liabilities Held with Respect to a

Particular Series ......................................................................................

6

(c)Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, and

 

Repurchases ............................................................................................

7

(d)

Voting .......................................................................................................

7

(e)

Equality.....................................................................................................

7

(f)

Fractions....................................................................................................

7

(g)

Exchange Privilege ...................................................................................

7

(h)

Combination of Series...............................................................................

7

(i)

Elimination of Series.................................................................................

7

ARTICLE IV.

The Board of Trustees..............................................................................

8

Section 1.

 

Number, Election and Tenure..........................................................

8

Section 2.

 

Effect of Death, Resignation, etc.

 

 

 

of a Trustee ....................................................................................

8

Section 3.

 

Powers..............................................................................................

8

Section 4.

 

Payment of Expenses by the Trust..................................................

11

Section 5.

 

Ownership of Assets of the Trust....................................................

11

Section 6.

 

Service Contracts ............................................................................

12

ARTICLE V. Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings ............................................

13

ARTICLE VI. Net Asset Value, Distributions, and Redemptions .................................

13

Section 1.

 

Determination of Net Asset Value, Net

 

 

 

Income, and Distributions.............................................................

13

Section 2.

 

Redemptions and Repurchases .......................................................

13

Section 3.

 

Redemptions at the Option of the Trust..........................................

14

Section 4.

 

Transfer of Shares...........................................................................

14

ARTICLE VII. Compensation and Limitation of Liability ............................................

14

Section 1.

 

Compensation of Trustees...............................................................

14

Section 2.

 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification ...................................

14

Section 3.

 

Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert

 

 

 

Advice, No Bond or Surety...........................................................

15

Section 4.

 

Insurance.........................................................................................

15

ARTICLE VIII. Miscellaneous.......................................................................................

15

Section 1.

 

Liability of Third Persons Dealing

 

 

 

with Trustees.................................................................................

15

Section 2.

 

Termination of the Trust or Any Series ..........................................

15

Section 3.

 

Reorganization and Master/Feeder .................................................

16

Section 4.

 

Amendments ...................................................................................

17

Section 5.

 

Filing of Copies, References, Headings..........................................

18

Section 6.

 

Applicable Law...............................................................................

18

Section 7.

 

Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations.............................

18

Section 8.

 

Statutory Trust Only .......................................................................

19

Section 9.

 

Use of the Name "The Vanguard Group, Inc."...............................

19

Section 10.

Derivatives Actions.........................................................................

19


AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made as of September 15, 2017 by and among each management investment company identified on Appendix A hereto (each such management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Fund"), and STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"). Each Fund and the Custodian agree that this Agreement merges, integrates and supersedes all prior agreements, side letters and understandings between the parties with respect to the matters contained herein; provided, however, that the continuation of any other agreements that may reference the Master Custodian Agreement between the Custodian and the Fund dated prior to the date hereof ("Prior Agreement") is not intended to be affected by the fact of this amendment and restatement of the Master Custodian Agreement, and reference in such other agreements to a 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).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, each Fund is authorized to issue shares of common stock or shares of beneficial interest in separate series ("Shares"), with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

WHEREAS, each Fund so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.6 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Portfolio(s)").

WHEREAS, each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to it and all references hereinafter to one or more "Portfolio(s)" shall be deemed to refer to such Fund(s); and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT

Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States ("domestic securities") and securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio desires to be held outside the United States ("foreign securities"). Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities, other financial assets and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities or other financial assets owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such Shares as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof) including, without limitation, Portfolio property

(i)held by brokers, private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio (each a "Local Agent"), (ii) held by Special Sub-Custodians (as such term is defined in Section 6 hereof), (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security for such advance(s) (each a "Pledgee"), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed from the custody of the Custodian (a) in connection with any Free Trade (as such term is defined in Sections 2.2(14) and 2.6(7) hereof) or (b) pursuant to Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof). With

respect to uncertificated shares (the "Underlying Shares") of (i) registered "investment companies" (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the "1940 Act")), whether in the same "group of investment companies" (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act or (ii) investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered pursuant to the 1940 Act (the entities listed in clauses (i) and (ii) being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Underlying Portfolios") the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian's name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.

Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub- custodians located in the United States for a Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund's foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian and/or foreign securities depositories, all as designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES

SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a "U.S. Securities System") and (b) Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the "Underlying Transfer Agent"). Except as precluded by Section 8-501(d) of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC"), the Custodian shall hold all securities and other financial assets, other than cash, of a Portfolio that are delivered to it in a "securities account" with the Custodian for and in the name of such Portfolio and shall treat all such assets other than cash as "financial assets" as those terms are used in the UCC. The Custodian shall identify on its books and records as belonging to a Portfolio the securities and other financial assets, constituting Portfolio assets held by (a) the Custodian, its delegates and sub-custodians, (b) a U.S. Securities System, or (c) an Underlying Transfer Agent in accordance with Section 2.10. To the extent that the Custodian or any of its sub-custodians holds securities constituting the Portfolio's assets in an omnibus account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, the records of the Custodian shall identify which of such securities constitute a Portfolio's assets.

SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities and other financial assets owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

1)Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment;

2)Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;

Information Classification: Limited Access

2

3)In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;

4)To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;

5)To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

6)To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

7)Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;

8)For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

9)In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

10)For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral or (b) to the lending agent, or the lending agent's custodian, in accordance with written Proper Instructions (which need not provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;

11)For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

Information Classification: Limited Access

3

12)For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange

Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"), 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 Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

13)For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

14)Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more (a) Special Sub-Custodians or (b) additional custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a "Repo Custodian"), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a "Free Trade"), provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;

15)Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund's transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent") for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the "Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;

16)In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof;

17)For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and

18)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and

(b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

SECTION 2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities or other financial assets held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered management investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be

Information Classification: Limited Access

4

in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and shall utilize its best efforts to timely notify the Fund of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of the Fund (as appropriate, and in each case, the "Board"). Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

SECTION 2.5 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities and other financial assets held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian's then current payable date income schedule. The Custodian may reverse any income credited by the Custodian to a Portfolio after the Custodian reasonably determines that actual payment of income will not occur in due course, and the Custodian may charge the Portfolio a rate agreed upon by the parties for the amount of unpaid income credited to the Portfolio. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.

The Custodian shall notify a Fund, at the frequency agreed upon by the parties, 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 the Portfolios of a Fund is not received by the Custodian when due. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and agree upon any compensation and expenses payable to the Custodian as a result of taking such measures. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets that are in default.

SECTION 2.6 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. The Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio as provided in Section 5 and otherwise upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable

Information Classification: Limited Access

5

Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

1)Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a) in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer;

(b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of FINRA, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the

Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;

2)In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;

3)For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 7 hereof;

4)For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

5)For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the Fund's articles of incorporation or organization and by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable, and Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (collectively,

"Governing Documents");

6)For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

7)Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a "Free

Information Classification: Limited Access

6

Trade"), provided that such Proper Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made;

8)For payment as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and

9)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

SECTION 2.7 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) agents to carry out such of the provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its duties or obligations hereunder and the Custodian shall be fully responsible and liable for the actions and omissions of any agent (which shall not be deemed to be U.S. Securities Systems, Special Sub-Custodians, U.S. sub-custodians designated pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 1, or Foreign Sub-Custodians and sub-custodians and other agents of the Fund or Portfolio) appointed hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 2.9 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash, in the case of a deposit account, or securities and other financial assets (other than cash), in the case of a securities account, of the Portfolio and collateral provided to the Portfolio by its counterparties, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the FINRA, 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 Portfolio, (b) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and any futures commission merchant (registered under the Commodity Exchange Act) relating to compliance with the rules of the CFTC or any registered contract market, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (c) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contract options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (d) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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 (e) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper Instructions.

SECTION 2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT. Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the Custodian's only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the following:

Information Classification: Limited Access

7

1)Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of such Portfolio.

2)In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of such Portfolio as so directed, and record such payment from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records.

3)In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records and, upon the Custodian's receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records.

The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an Underlying Transfer Agent except to the extent the loss or damage results directly from the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees.

SECTION 2.11 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. The Custodian shall deliver to a Fund all forms of proxies, all proxy solicitation materials, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to securities owned by one or more of a Fund's Portfolios that are received by the Custodian, any sub- custodian, or any nominee of either of them (or with the exercise of reasonable care that the Custodian, any sub-custodian, or any nominee of either of them should have become aware), and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause such sub-custodian or nominee to execute and deliver, such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as directed pursuant to Proper Instructions, neither the Custodian nor any sub-custodian or nominee shall vote upon any such securities, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto. In the event that the Custodian is unable to vote upon any such securities in accordance with Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall promptly notify (subject to market practices and rules) a Fund. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

SECTION 2.13 COMMUNICATIONS. Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to a Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets being held for the Portfolio, including among other things, maturities of domestic securities and notices of exercise of call and put options. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the 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.

Information Classification: Limited Access

8

The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to Portfolio 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 the Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the Custodian's services with respect to class actions do not extend beyond the timely forwarding of written information so received by the Custodian.

SECTION 2.14 EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; TENDER OFFERS. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to the agent of such issuer or trustee, for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that the new securities, cash or other assets, if any, acquired as a result of such actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit securities upon invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered securities are to be returned to the Custodian. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall take all necessary action, unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Proper Instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership ("Mandatory Corporate Actions"), and shall promptly notify a Fund of such Mandatory Corporate Action in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.

In the event that Custodian is provided notice (in industry standard form) of (a) a proposed merger, recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, consolidation, subdivision, tender offer, takeover offer or other electable or voluntary corporate action or (b) a proposed issuance of securities or rights to participate in the issuance of securities, in each case by or with respect to the issuer of securities held by it for the account of a Portfolio (each a "Voluntary Corporate Action"), the Custodian shall provide written notice to the Fund or its designee promptly upon being provided such notice of the Voluntary Corporate Action. The notice provided by the Custodian shall include (i) a copy, or if a copy is not available, a synopsis of the offering materials provided to the Custodian by the issuer or its agent in connection with the Voluntary Corporate Action and (ii) the date on which the Custodian is required to take action to exercise rights or powers with respect to the Voluntary Corporate Action. Provided that the Custodian shall have delivered timely notice of the Voluntary Corporate Action to the Fund, the Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any Voluntary Corporate Action or other right or power in connection with domestic securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian is in actual possession of such securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least two (2) business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. If the Fund provides the Custodian with such notification after such deadline, the Custodian shall use its reasonable best efforts to process such election.

SECTION 2.15 SECURITIES LENDING. To the extent that a Fund engages in a securities lending program other than with the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian will agree to procedures that will apply to such securities lending program.

SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7

SECTION 3.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country's political environment, economic and

Information Classification: Limited Access

9

financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

"Eligible Securities Depository" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

"Foreign Assets" means any of the Portfolios' investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios' transactions in such investments.

"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

"Rule 17f-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

"Rule 17f-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 3.2 THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.

3.2.1DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. Each Fund,

by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.

3.2.2COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund's Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A. The Custodian will assist a Fund in satisfying the account opening requirements for a country as may be reasonably requested by the Fund. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign

Information Classification: Limited Access

10

Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn, and such withdrawal shall be deemed to be effective, and the Custodian shall cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country as of the date that is ninety days (or such other period to which the parties may agree in writing) after receipt of any such Proper Instructions by the Foreign Custody Manager.

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Ninety days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

3.2.3SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

(a)SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that 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 Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

(b)CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

(c)MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

3.2.4GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For purposes of this

Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

3.2.5REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change. The

Information Classification: Limited Access

11

Foreign Custody Manager will also provide the Fund with global market information bulletins on a timely basis.

3.2.6STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF A PORTFOLIO. In

performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise (unless a higher standard of care is required by Rule 17f-5). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian acting as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolio is subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.

3.2.7REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign Custody Manager

represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

3.2.8EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY

MANAGER. Each Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective ninety (90) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.

3.2.9CERTIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Each report

presented to a Fund's Board by the Custodian pursuant to Section 3.2.5 above shall be accompanied by a certificate representing that (a) the Custodian has established a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining a Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 and to monitor the performance of each Eligible Foreign Custodian under the sub-custodian agreement between the Custodian and the Eligible Foreign Custodian, (b) the Custodian has monitored all Eligible Foreign Custodians and each Eligible Foreign Custodian continues to be an Eligible Foreign Custodian, (c) each Eligible Foreign Custodian continues to provide the standard of care set forth in Section

3.2.6hereof, after considering all relevant factors, including without limitation, those factors set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5, (d) all foreign custody agreements between the Custodian and the Eligible Foreign Custodians continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 17f-5, (e) since the submission of the last report pursuant to Section 3.2.5 above, there have been no material adverse changes to the Custodian's foreign custody network or arrangements other than those reported to the Board or other governing body or entity of the Fund, on behalf of itself or its applicable Portfolios, in the accompanying report or notified to the Fund through the Custodian's Global Market Bulletins, distributed to designated officers of the Fund and available on the Custodian's internet client portal, my.statestreet.com (which information shall be included in the accompanying report to the Board), and (f) the information included in the report is true, accurate and complete in all material respects.

SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.

3.3.1ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and

Information Classification: Limited Access

12

promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.

3.3.2STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1 (unless a higher standard of care is required by Rule 17f-7). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian, in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1, is subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.4 LOCAL REGULATORY MATTERS. The Custodian shall assist a Fund in complying with regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America applicable to a Fund's Foreign Assets as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. Such assistance may include, but not be limited to, soliciting information and guidance from depositories, exchanges and regulators; obtaining legal opinions at the expense of the relevant Fund but only after a Fund has been notified and agrees in writing to the amount of such expenses; acting as a Fund's representative (if required by local law) in making filings; and providing such other assistance with respect to its Foreign Assets as a Fund may reasonably request. Based on what the Custodian considers to be reasonably reliable sources of information, including its Eligible Foreign Custodians, Custodian shall inform a Fund as to the Custodian's understanding of a Fund's rights, duties and obligations under regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America in connection with actions taken by a Fund or the Custodian, including, but not limited to, corporate actions involving a Fund's securities.

SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS TO BE HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

"Foreign Securities System" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an Eligible Foreign Custodian.

SECTION 4.2 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities and other financial assets held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities and other financial assets for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities and other financial assets of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

SECTION 4.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

Information Classification: Limited Access

13

SECTION 4.4 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.

4.4.1DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

(i)Upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;

(ii)In connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;

(iii)To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;

(iv)To the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

(v)To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;

(vi)To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case, the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such foreign securities prior to receiving payment for such foreign securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;

(vii)For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;

(viii)In the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;

(ix)For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

(x)In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(xi)Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities (including, without limitation, to one or more Special Sub-Custodians or Repo Custodians) as a Free Trade, provided that

Information Classification: Limited Access

14

applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and

(B) the person or persons to whom delivery shall be made;

(xii)In connection with the lending of foreign securities; and

(xiii)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

4.4.2PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

(i)Upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;

(ii)In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Portfolio;

(iii)For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;

(iv)For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub- Custodians;

(v)In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(vi)Upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom payment shall be made;

(vii)For payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

(viii)In connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and

(ix)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

4.4.3 MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery

Information Classification: Limited Access

15

of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.

The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

SECTION 4.5 REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing provided that the use of a nominee is customary market practice. The applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. To the extent that the use of nominee names is not customary market practice, foreign securities shall not be registered in a nominee name, and the Funds shall not have any obligation to hold harmless any such nominee where the use is not customary market practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the prior written consent of the applicable Fund is given the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio shall hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Portfolio cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The foregoing constitutes the disclosure required by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 167D, Section 36.

SECTION 4.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. The Custodian shall notify the Fund, at the frequency agreed to by the parties, in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing, if any amount payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets of the Portfolio of a Fund are not received by the Custodian when due. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets that are in default. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.

Information Classification: Limited Access

16

Income on securities loaned other than from the Custodian's securities lending program shall be credited as received.

SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued, including but not limited to proxy services not being available in certain markets. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors, may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of a Fund to exercise shareholder rights. The Custodian shall, however, as soon as is reasonably practicable communicate information received as to the foregoing to the applicable Fund. In addition to the foregoing, the Custodian agrees to provide the Funds with annual and periodic market updates.

SECTION 4.9 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub- Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least two (2) business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 4.9.

The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. In the event that the Fund invests in non-U.S. securities in a market in which the Custodian does not offer proxy voting services, the Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian through Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside of the United States and being held for the account of the Portfolio regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to the Portfolio's foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian via a Foreign Sub-Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the Custodian's services with respect to class actions do not extend beyond the timely forwarding of written information so received by the Custodian.

SECTION 4.10 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Custodian shall not employ a Foreign Sub-Custodian unless such employment is memorialized in a written agreement. Each such written agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible using best efforts, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of

Information Classification: Limited Access

17

such obligations. At a Fund's election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.

SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Fund or its Portfolio shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other government charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto, with respect to any cash or securities held on behalf of the Fund or its Portfolios or any transaction related thereto. The Custodian shall withhold or cause to withhold the amount of tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution with respect to any domestic security or foreign security and proceeds or income from the sale or other transfer of any domestic security or foreign security in custody at the Custodian. The Custodian shall assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or reclaim under the tax laws of the designated countries listed on Schedule A upon request by a Fund. In providing such services, the Custodian does not act as the Fund's tax adviser or tax counsel.

SECTION 5. CONTRACTUAL SETTLEMENT SERVICES (PURCHASE / SALES)

SECTION 5.1 With respect to each cash account designated in writing by a Portfolio, the Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 5, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on a contractual settlement basis (the "Contractual Settlement Services").

SECTION 5.2 The Contractual Settlement Services shall be provided for such instruments and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services under this Agreement at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.

SECTION 5.3 The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies would ordinarily be required to settle such transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit such amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that such transaction has been canceled.

SECTION 5.4 With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, a provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for the transaction (the "Settlement Amount") shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the Settlement Amount had been received as of the close of business on the date that monies would ordinarily be available in good funds in the applicable market. Such provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agents having possession of the asset(s) (which shall exclude assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead them to reasonably believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.

SECTION 5.5 Subject to the relevant requirements of Section 16, the Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services

Information Classification: Limited Access

18

when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any cash account held for benefit of the Portfolio. Prior to any such reversal, the Custodian will provide notice to the Fund pursuant to the relevant requirements of Section 16. Following such reversal, the Custodian will promptly notify the Fund of any action taken pursuant to this Section 5.5, which notice shall include a description of the facts forming the basis for the Custodian's decision to reverse the provisional credit.

SECTION 5A. ACTUAL SETTLEMENT SERVICES (PURCHASE / SALES)

SECTION 5A.1 With respect to each cash account designated in writing by a Portfolio, the Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 5A, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on an actual settlement basis.

SECTION 5A.2 The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies are actually payable.

SECTION 5A.3 With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, the Custodian shall credit the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that the cash received as consideration for the transaction is actually received by Custodian.

SECTION 6. SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS

Upon receipt of Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transaction(s) as may be designated by a Fund in Special Instructions. Each such designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a "Special Sub-Custodian." Each such duly appointed Special Sub-Custodian shall be listed on Schedule D hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by a Fund, with the acknowledgment of the Custodian. In connection with the appointment of any Special Sub-Custodian, and in accordance with Special Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into a sub-custodian agreement with the Fund and the Special Sub-Custodian in form and substance approved by such Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

SECTION 6A. FOREIGN EXCHANGE

SECTION 6A.1. GENERALLY. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this Section may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.

SECTION 6A.2. FUND ELECTIONS. Each Fund (or its investment manager or investment advisor ("Investment Advisor") acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies

Information Classification: Limited Access

19

("SSGM"), or with a sub-custodian. Where the Fund or its Investment Advisor gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Client Publications (as defined below), the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable sub-custodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction. "Client Publications" means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time to clients.

SECTION 6A.3. FUND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Each Fund acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any sub-custodian, SSGM and each such sub-custodian:

(i)shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Fund or its Investment Advisor;

(ii)shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Fund or its Investment Advisor; and

(iii)shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Fund or its Investment Advisor from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service, (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Client Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Fund or the Investment Advisor or (ii) as established by the sub-custodian from time to time.

SECTION 6A.4. TRANSACTIONS BY STATE STREET. The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf), and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Fund (or its Investment Advisor), and shall have no obligation, under this Agreement, to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Fund or the Investment Advisor.

SECTION 7. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection

Information Classification: Limited Access

20

with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.

SECTION 8. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

"Proper Instructions," which may also be standing instructions, as such term is used throughout this Agreement shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from a Fund, a Fund's duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser, or a person or entity duly authorized by either of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed from time to time by the Custodian and the person(s) or entity giving such instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to provide such instructions with respect to the transaction involved; the Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.

"Special Instructions," as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the applicable Fund or any other person designated in writing by the Treasurer of such Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be (a) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument clearly relating thereto and (b) delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified by such Fund's Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, a certificate setting forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund and (ii) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to give Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.

SECTION 9. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY

The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund provided that the Custodian exercised reasonable care without negligence in following or acting upon such instruction, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

Information Classification: Limited Access

21

SECTION 10. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:

1)Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

2)Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

3)In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

SECTION 11. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and to compute its net asset value. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 11 and in Section 12 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. Each Fund acknowledges that, in keeping the books of account of the Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.

SECTION 12. RECORDS

The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of such Fund, including such Fund's independent public accountants, and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at a Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. Each Fund acknowledges that, in creating and maintaining the records as set forth herein with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.

SECTION 13. RESERVED

Information Classification: Limited Access

22

SECTION 14. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios at such times as such Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either, a "Securities System"), relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

SECTION 15. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

SECTION 16. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN

So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall perform the services provided for in this Agreement without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct and with reasonable care. The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for any failure by the Custodian to satisfy the foregoing standard of care. The Custodian shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The indemnification obligations of this Section shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct or the negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by: (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing (a "Force Majeure Event"), including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts, except to the extent that the Custodian fails to maintain and keep updated the business and continuity and disaster recovery plan as set forth in Section 19.7 and such failure causes such loss; (ii) errors by any Fund or its duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any act or omission of a Special Sub-Custodian including, without limitation, reliance on reports prepared by a Special Sub-Custodian; (v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, the Custodian's sub- custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vii)

Information Classification: Limited Access

23

delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (viii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.

The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for the acts or omissions of any sub-custodian selected by the Custodian, whether domestic or foreign (but excluding any Special Sub-Custodian or U.S. sub-custodian designated by a Fund pursuant to Special Instructions or Proper Instructions), to the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Fund as if such action or omission was performed by the Custodian itself, taking into account the facts and circumstances and the established local market practices and laws prevailing in the relevant jurisdiction at the time of the action or omission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall in no event be liable for losses arising from Country Risk or from the insolvency or other financial default with respect to (a) any sub-custodian that is not an affiliate of the Custodian or (b) any depositary bank holding in a deposit account cash denominated in any currency other than an "on book" currency for that market.

If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the reasonable opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money, such Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form to be mutually agreed upon between such Fund and Custodian if and when necessary.

If the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, advances cash or securities for any purpose (including, but not limited to, securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement, but not including amounts payable to the Custodian pursuant to Section 15 of this Agreement) or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed from a third party any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the investment activities of a Fund and the Custodian's related performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from the Custodian's or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act, fraud, or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to apply available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement. In addition, the Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out cash, securities or other financial assets if the Custodian reasonably determines that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash, securities or other financial assets remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund's reimbursement of the relevant advances or other liabilities.

Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, each Fund severally and not jointly shall indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian (a) acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction or Special Instruction including, without limitation, any Proper Instruction with respect to Free Trades including, but not limited to, cost, expense, loss, damage, charge, counsel fee, payment or liability resulting from the Custodian's reasonable reliance upon information provided by the applicable Fund, such Fund's counterparty(ies) or the agents of either of them with respect to Fund property released, delivered or purchased pursuant to either of Section 2.2(14) or Section 2.6(7) hereof; (b) for the acts or omissions of any Special Sub-Custodian; or (c) for the acts or omissions of any Local Agent or Pledgee.

Information Classification: Limited Access

24

None of the parties shall be liable for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages. Upon the occurrence of any event that causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to a Fund, the Custodian shall (i) promptly notify a Fund of the occurrence of such event and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any sub-custodian to use all commercially reasonable efforts and to take all reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to a Fund.

SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not 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 Portfolio and not sooner than one hundred twenty (120) days if termination is being sought by the Custodian; provided, however, that no Fund shall amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of such Fund's Governing Documents, and further provided, that any Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) 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 this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.

Upon termination of the Agreement, the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for the transaction costs of delivering out the securities of such applicable Portfolio to the successor custodian appointed pursuant to Section 18 of this Agreement, if any.

In connection with any termination of the Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the parties shall also reasonably cooperate with respect to the development of 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.

If the Custodian is prevented from carrying out its obligations under the Agreement as a result of a Force Majeure Event for a period of 30 days, a Fund may terminate the Agreement by giving the Custodian not less than 30 days' notice, without prejudice to any of the rights of any party accrued prior to the date of termination; provided, however, that if the Force Majeure Event is a regional wide or market wide event that has similarly affected substantially all other providers of services to funds substantially similar to the services provided hereunder in such region or market, the Fund's termination right shall only arise at such time that two (2) or more of such providers are reasonably able and have begun to recommence the provision of such services. If the Custodian recommences the provision of the affected services in all material respects prior to the exercise by a Fund of its termination right, such termination right shall lapse if the Custodian gives notice to the Fund that it has done so (and it has in fact so recommenced the provision of services) and a Fund has not already provided notice of termination prior to such notice by the Custodian that it has recommenced the services in all material respects.

Information Classification: Limited Access

25

SECTION 18. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN

If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian (or such other location as shall mutually be agreed upon by the Custodian and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio), duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities, cash, and other assets of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian (or such other location as shall mutually be agreed upon by the Custodian and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio) and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution.

In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 19. GENERAL

SECTION 19.1 NEW YORK LAW TO APPLY. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The State of New York.

SECTION 19.2 CONFIDENTIALITY. All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the "Disclosing Party") to the other party (the "Receiving Party") regarding the Disclosing Party's business and operations shall be treated as confidential. All confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party's other obligations under the Agreement or managing the internal business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative

Information Classification: Limited Access

26

demand or other similar process that is initiated, authorized, or conducted by a court of law, regulatory agency, or other governmental or administrative body with appropriate jurisdiction over either party, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information.

SECTION 19.3 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund.

SECTION 19.4 INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement.

SECTION 19.5 ADDITIONAL FUNDS. In the event that any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A hereto desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 19.7 below.

SECTION 19.6 ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS. In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to those set forth on Appendix A hereto with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

SECTION 19.7 THE PARTIES. All references herein to the "Fund" are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series corporation, trust or other entity, all references herein to the "Portfolio" are to the individual series or portfolio of such corporation, trust or other entity, or to such corporation, trust or other entity on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties" shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its Governing Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement; and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its declaration of trust or other governing documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement;

Information Classification: Limited Access

27

and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Custodian or any law or regulation applicable to it.

The Custodian hereby represents to each of the Funds, on behalf of each of such Fund's Portfolios, that it

(a)has and shall maintain and update a disaster recovery and business continuation plan that is reasonably designed to enable the Custodian to perform its duties and obligations set forth under this Agreement in the event of a significant business disruption affecting the Custodian, including a Force Majeure Event; (b) shall test the operability of such plan at least once every twelve (12) months and revise such plan as Custodian reasonably believes is necessary to ensure that the plan, in general, continues to be reasonably designed to enable the Custodian to perform its duties and obligations as set forth under this Agreement; and (c) shall activate such plan if Custodian reasonably believes (i) an event has occurred which would materially affect the Custodian's timely discharge of its duties and performance of its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) activation of such plan would allow Custodian to discharge its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall enter into and shall maintain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for (i) periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to the Fund and (ii) emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to provide services under this Agreement. Upon reasonable request, the Custodian shall discuss with the Fund the business continuity/disaster recovery plan of the Custodian. The Custodian represents that its business continuity plan is appropriate for its business as a provider of custodian services to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 19.8 REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM. The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.

SECTION 19.9 NOTICES. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

To any Fund:

c/o THE VANGUARD GROUP, INC.

 

400 Devon Park Drive, A29

 

Wayne, PA 19087

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Telecopy: (610) 669-6112

With a copy to:

THE VANGUARD GROUP, INC.

 

400 Devon Park Drive, V26

 

Wayne, PA 19087

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Telecopy: (610) 669-6600

To the Custodian:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

 

1 Iron Street

 

Boston, MA 02210

 

Attention: Jay Fulchino

 

Telephone: 617-662-0934

Information Classification: Limited Access

28

With a copy to:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

 

Legal Division – Global Services Americas

 

One Lincoln Street

 

Boston, MA 02111

 

Attention: Senior Vice President

Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of facsimile, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, facsimile or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.

SECTION 19.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 19.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

SECTION 19.12 REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

SECTION 19.13 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION. Rule 14b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian "no," the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and share positions.

NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and share positions.

SECTION 19.14 REPORTS. Upon reasonable request of a Fund, the Custodian shall provide the Fund with a copy of the Custodian's System and Organization Controls for Service Organizations: Internal

Information Classification: Limited Access

29

Control over Financial Reporting (SOC) 1 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, the Custodian will furnish the Fund a "gap" or "bridge" letter that will address any material changes that might have occurred in the Custodian's controls covered in the SOC Report from the end of the SOC Report period through a specified requested date. The 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 to the Fund, the Custodian shall also provide to the Fund sub- certifications in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 certification requirements.

SECTION 19.15 OPINIONS. The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect to its 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.

SECTION 19.16 REGULATION GG. The Funds are hereby notified that "restricted transactions," as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.

SECTION 19.17 PORTFOLIO BY PORTFOLIO BASIS. This Agreement is executed by a Fund with respect to each of its Portfolios and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the directors, officers or shareholders of the Fund individually. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, each and every obligation, liability or undertaking of a particular Portfolio under this Agreement shall constitute solely an obligation, liability or undertaking of, and be binding upon, such particular Portfolio and shall be payable solely from the available assets of such particular Portfolio and shall not be binding upon or affect any assets of any other Portfolio.

SECTION 19.18 SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS. The Custodian and the Funds may from time to time agree to document the manner in which they expect to deliver and receive the services contemplated by this Agreement. In such event, each party will perform its obligations in accordance with any service levels that may be agreed upon by the parties in writing from time to time, subject to the terms of this Agreement

SECTION 19.19 LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM. If a Fund directs the Custodian in writing to perform loan services, the Custodian and the Fund will be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto. The Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and the Custodian.

[Signature page to follow.]

Information Classification: Limited Access

30

SIGNATURE PAGE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above-written.

FUND SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:EACH OF THE ENTITIES SET FORTH ON APPENDIX

A HERETO

By:

/s/ Pete Mahoney

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Higgins

Name:

Pete Mahoney

Name:

Thomas J. Higgins

Title:

Fund Controller

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURE ATTESTED TO BY:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:

/s/ Matthew J. Kelly

By:

/s/ Andrew Erickson

Name:

Matthew J. Kelly

Name:

Andrew Erickson

Title:

Vice President

Title:

Executive Vice President

Information Classification: Limited Access

31

APPENDIX A

Vanguard California Tax-Free Funds

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard CMT Funds

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund

Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund

Vanguard Institutional Index Funds

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

Vanguard Malvern Funds

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Funds Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Funds

Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard New York Tax-Free Funds

Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Funds

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Funds

Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Quantitative Funds

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

Vanguard STAR Funds

Vanguard STAR Fund

A-1

Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds

Balanced Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

REIT Index Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

Vanguard World Fund

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund

A-2

SCHEDULE A – GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

MARKET

 

SUBCUSTODIAN

ADDRESS

Albania

Raiffeisen Bank sh.a.

 

Blv. "Bajram Curri" ETC – Kati 14 Tirana, Albania

Argentina

Citibank, N.A.

 

Bartolome Mitre 530

 

 

 

 

1036 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Australia

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

HSBC Securities Services Level 3,

 

Corporation Limited

 

10 Smith St.,

 

 

 

 

Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia

Austria

Deutsche Bank AG (operating through its

Fleischmarkt 1

 

Frankfurt branch with support from its

A-1010 Vienna, Austria

 

Vienna branch)

 

 

 

UniCredit Bank Austria AG

Custody Department / Dept. 8398-TZ Julius Tandler Platz 3

 

 

 

 

A-1090 Vienna, Austria

Bahrain

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (as

1ST Floor, Bldg. #2505 Road # 2832, Al

 

delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai

Seef 428 Kingdom of Bahrain

 

Banking Corporation Limited)

 

Bangladesh

Standard Chartered Bank

 

Silver Tower, Level 7

 

 

 

 

52 South Gulshan Commercial Area Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212,

 

 

 

 

Bangladesh

Belgium

Deutsche

Bank AG,

Netherlands

De Entrees 99-197

 

(operating

through its

Amsterdam

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

branch with support from its Brussels

 

 

branch)

 

 

 

Benin

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

23, Bld de la République

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

 

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Bermuda

HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited

6 Front Street

 

 

 

 

Hamilton, HM06, Bermuda

Federation of

UniCredit Bank d.d.

 

Zelenih beretki 24

Bosnia and

 

 

 

71 000 Sarajevo

Herzegovina

 

 

 

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited

4th Floor, Standard Chartered House Queens Road

 

 

 

 

The Mall

 

 

 

 

Gaborone, Botswana

Brazil

Citibank, N.A.

 

AV Paulista 1111

 

 

 

 

S÷o Paulo, SP 01311-920 Brazil

Bulgaria

Citibank Europe plc, Bulgaria Branch

Serdika Offices, 10th floor 48 Sitnyakovo Blvd.

 

 

 

 

1505 Sofia, Bulgaria

 

UniCredit Bulbank AD

 

7 Sveta Nedelya Square

 

 

 

 

1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

23, Bld de la République

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

 

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Canada

State Street Trust Company Canada

30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 800 Toronto, ON Canada

 

 

 

 

M5C 3G6

Chile

Ita÷ CorpBanca S.A.

 

Presidente Riesco Street # 5537 Floor 18

 

 

 

 

Las Condes, Santiago de Chile

People's

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited

33rd Floor, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC 8 Century Avenue

Republic of

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

Pudong, Shanghai, China (200120)

China

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

 

 

China Construction Bank Corporation

No.1 Naoshikou Street Chang An Xing Rong

 

 

 

 

Plaza Beijing 100032-33, China

SCH A-1

China Connect

Citibank N.A.

 

39/F., Champion Tower 3 Garden Road

 

 

 

 

Central, Hong Kong

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Level 30,

 

Corporation Limited

 

HSBC Main Building 1 Queen's

 

 

 

 

Road Central, Hong Kong

 

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)

15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower 388 Kwun Tong Road

 

Limited

 

 

Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Colombia

Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria

Carrera 9A, No. 99-02 Bogotá DC,

 

 

 

 

Colombia

Costa Rica

Banco BCT S.A.

 

160 Calle Central Edificio BCT

 

 

 

 

San José, Costa Rica

Croatia

Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d.

Custody Department Radnička cesta 50

 

 

 

 

10000 Zagreb, Croatia

 

Zagrebacka Banka d.d.

 

Savska 60

 

 

 

 

10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Cyprus

BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A.,

2 Lampsakou Str.

 

Greece (operating through its Athens

115 28 Athens, Greece

 

branch)

 

 

 

Czech Republic

Československá obchodn÷ banka, a.s.

Radlická 333/150

 

 

 

 

150 57 Prague 5, Czech Republic

 

UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and

BB Centrum – FILADELFIE Želetavská 1525/1

 

Slovakia, a.s.

 

140 92 Praha 4 - Michle, Czech Republic

Denmark

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden

Strandgade 3

 

(operating through its branch, Nordea

0900 Copenhagen C, Denmark

 

Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank AB

 

 

(publ), Sverige)

 

 

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

Bernstorffsgade 50

 

(publ), Sweden (operating through its

1577 Copenhagen, Denmark

 

Copenhagen branch)

 

 

Egypt

HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E.

 

6th Floor

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

306 Corniche El Nil Maadi

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Cairo, Egypt

Estonia

AS SEB Pank

 

Tornim÷e 2

 

 

 

 

15010 Tallinn, Estonia

Finland

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden

Satamaradankatu 5

 

(operating through its branch, Nordea

00500 Helsinki, Finland

 

Bank AB (publ), Finnish branch)

 

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ),

Securities Services Box 630

 

Sweden (operating through its Helsinki

SF-00101 Helsinki, Finland

 

branch)

 

 

 

France

Deutsche

Bank AG,

Netherlands

De Entrees 99-197

 

(operating

through its

Amsterdam

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

branch with support from its Paris

 

 

branch)

 

 

 

Republic of

JSC Bank of Georgia

 

29a Gagarini Str. Tbilisi 0160,

Georgia

 

 

 

Georgia

Germany

State Street Bank International GmbH

Brienner Strasse 59

 

 

 

 

80333 Munich, Germany

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee16-24

 

 

 

 

D-65760 Eschborn, Germany

Ghana

Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited

P. O. Box 768

 

 

 

 

1st Floor

SCH A-2

 

 

High Street Building Accra, Ghana

Greece

BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A.

2 Lampsakou Str.

 

 

115 28 Athens, Greece

Guinea-Bissau

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

23, Bld de la République

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Hong Kong

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)

15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower 388 Kwun Tong Road

 

Limited

Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Hungary

Citibank Europe plc Magyarországi

7 Szabadság tér, Bank Center Budapest, H-1051 Hungary

 

Fi÷ktelepe

 

 

UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt.

6th Floor Szabadság tér 5-6

 

 

H-1054 Budapest, Hungary

Iceland

Landsbankinn hf.

Austurstr÷ti 11

 

 

155 Reykjavik, Iceland

India

Deutsche Bank AG

Block B1, 4th Floor, Nirlon Knowledge Park

 

 

Off Western Express Highway Goregaon (E)

 

 

Mumbai 400 063, India

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

11F, Building 3, NESCO - IT Park, NESCO Complex,

 

Corporation Limited

Western Express Highway Goregaon (East),

 

 

Mumbai 400 063, India

Indonesia

Deutsche Bank AG

Deutsche Bank Building, 4th floor Jl. Imam Bonjol, No. 80

 

 

Jakarta 10310, Indonesia

Ireland

State Street Bank and Trust Company,

525 Ferry Road

 

United Kingdom branch

Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland

Israel

Bank Hapoalim B.M.

50 Rothschild Boulevard Tel Aviv, Israel

 

 

61000

Italy

Deutsche Bank S.p.A.

Investor Services

 

 

Via Turati 27 – 3rd Floor

 

 

20121 Milan, Italy

Ivory Coast

Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire S.A.

23, Bld de la République

 

 

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Japan

Mizuho Bank, Limited

Shinagawa Intercity Tower A 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku

 

 

Tokyo 108-6009, Japan

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

HSBC Building

 

Corporation Limited

11-1 Nihonbashi 3-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo 1030027, Japan

Jordan

Standard Chartered Bank

Shmeissani Branch

 

 

Al-Thaqafa Street, Building # 2

 

 

P.O. Box 926190

 

 

Amman 11110, Jordan

Kazakhstan

JSC Citibank Kazakhstan

Park Palace, Building A, 41 Kazibek Bi street,

 

 

Almaty A25T0A1, Kazakhstan

Kenya

Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited

Custody Services

 

 

Standard Chartered @ Chiromo, Level 5 48 Westlands Road

 

 

P.O. Box 40984 – 00100 GPO

 

 

Nairobi, Kenya

Republic of Korea

Deutsche Bank AG

18th Fl., Young-Poong Building 41 Cheonggyecheon-ro

 

 

Jongro-ku-, Seoul 03188, Korea

 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

5F

 

Corporation Limited

HSBC Building #37 Chilpae-ro

 

 

Jung-gu, Seoul 04511, Korea

Kuwait

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

Kuwait City, Sharq Area Abdulaziz Al Sager Street Al Hamra

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

Tower, 37F

SCH A-3

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

P. O. Box 1683, Safat 13017, Kuwait

Latvia

AS SEB banka

Unicentrs, Valdlauči

 

 

LV-1076 Kekavas pag., Rigas raj., Latvia

Lithuania

AB SEB bankas

Gedimino av. 12

 

 

LT 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania

Malawi

Standard Bank Limited

Kaomba Centre

 

 

Cnr. Victoria Avenue & Sir Glyn Jones Road

 

 

Blantyre, Malawi

Malaysia

Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad

Domestic Custody Services Level 20, Menara IMC

 

 

8 Jalan Sultan Ismail

 

 

50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad

Menara Standard Chartered 30 Jalan Sultan Ismail

 

 

50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mali

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

23, Bld de la République

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Mauritius

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

6F HSBC Centre 18 CyberCity

 

Corporation Limited

Ebene, Mauritius

Mexico

Banco Nacional de México, S.A.

3er piso, Torre Norte

 

 

Act. Roberto Medell÷n No. 800 Col. Santa Fe

 

 

Mexico, DF 01219

Morocco

Citibank Maghreb

Zénith Millénium Immeuble1 Sidi Maârouf –

 

 

B.P. 40 Casablanca 20190, Morocco

Namibia

Standard Bank Namibia Limited

Standard Bank Center

 

 

Cnr. Werner List St. and Post St. Mall 2nd Floor

 

 

Windhoek, Namibia

Netherlands

Deutsche Bank AG

De Entrees 99-197

 

 

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

New Zealand

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

HSBC House

 

Corporation Limited

Level 7, 1 Queen St. Auckland 1010, New

 

 

Zealand

Niger

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

23, Bld de la République

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Nigeria

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc.

Plot 1712 Idejo St Victoria Island,

 

 

Lagos 101007, Nigeria

Norway

Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden

Essendropsgate 7

 

(operating through its branch, Nordea

0368 Oslo, Norway

 

Bank AB (publ), filial i Norge)

 

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ),

P.O. Box 1843 Vika Filipstad Brygge 1

 

Sweden (operating through its Oslo branch)

N-0123 Oslo, Norway

Oman

HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.

2nd Floor Al Khuwair PO Box 1727 PC 111

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

Seeb, Oman

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

 

Pakistan

Deutsche Bank AG

Unicentre – Unitowers

 

 

I.I. Chundrigar Road

 

 

P.O. Box 4925

 

 

Karachi - 74000, Pakistan

Panama

Citibank, N.A.

Boulevard Punta Pacifica Torre de las Americas Apartado

 

 

Panama City, Panama 0834-00555

Peru

Citibank del Per÷, S.A.

Canaval y Moreyra 480 3rd Floor, San

 

 

Isidro Lima 27, Per÷

Philippines

Deutsche Bank AG

Global Transaction Banking Tower One, Ayala

SCH A-4

Poland

Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A.

 

Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.

Portugal

Deutsche

Bank AG,

Netherlands

 

(operating

through its

Amsterdam

 

branch with support from its Lisbon

 

branch)

 

 

Puerto Rico

Citibank N.A.

 

Qatar

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Romania

Citibank Europe plc, Dublin – Romania

 

Branch

 

 

Russia

AO Citibank

 

Saudi Arabia

HSBC Saudi Arabia

 

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Senegal

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

 

Serbia

UniCredit Bank Serbia JSC

Singapore

Citibank N.A.

 

 

United Overseas Bank Limited

Slovak Republic

UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and

 

Slovakia, a.s.

 

Slovenia

UniCredit Banka Slovenija d.d.

South Africa

FirstRand Bank Limited

 

 

Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

Spain

Deutsche Bank S.A.E.

 

Sri Lanka

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

 

Corporation Limited

 

Republic of

UniCredit Bank d.d.

 

Srpska

 

 

 

Swaziland

Standard Bank Swaziland Limited

Sweden

Nordea Bank AB (publ)

 

Triangle 1226 Makati City, Philippines

ul. Senatorska 16

00-293 Warsaw, Poland

31 Zwirki I Wigury Street

02-091, Warsaw, Poland

De Entrees 99-197

1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands

235 Federico Costa Street, Suite 315 San Juan, Puerto Rico

00918

2 Fl Ali Bin Ali Tower Building no.: 150 Airport Road Doha, Qatar

8, Iancu de Hunedoara Boulevard 712042, Bucharest Sector 1, Romania

8-10 Gasheka Street, Building 1

125047 Moscow, Russia

HSBC Head Office 7267 Olaya - Al Murooj Riyadh 12283- 2255

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

Rajiceva 27-29

11000 Belgrade, Serbia

3 Changi Business Park Crescent

#07-00, Singapore 486026

156 Cecil Street

FEB Building #08-03

Singapore 069544

Ŝancová 1/A

813 33 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

•martinska 140

SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Mezzanine Floor

3 First Place Bank City

Corner Simmonds & Jeppe Sts. Johannesburg 2001

Republic of South Africa

3rd Floor, 25 Pixley Ka Isaka Seme St. Johannesburg 2001 Republic of South Africa

Calle de Rosario Pino 14-16, Planta 1 28020 Madrid, Spain

24, Sir Baron Jayatilake Mawatha Colombo 01, Sri Lanka

Zelenih beretki 24 71 000 Sarajevo

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Standard House, Swazi Plaza Mbabane,

Swaziland H101

Sm÷landsgatan 17

105 71 Stockholm, Sweden

SCH A-5

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)

Switzerland

Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Limited

 

UBS Switzerland AG

Taiwan - R.O.C.

Deutsche Bank AG

 

Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited

Tanzania

Standard Chartered Bank (Tanzania)

 

Limited

Thailand

Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public

 

Company Limited

Togo

via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire

 

S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Tunisia

Union Internationale de Banques

Turkey

Citibank, A.Ş.

 

Deutsche Bank A.Ş.

Uganda

Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited

Ukraine

PJSC Citibank

United Arab

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

Emirates Dubai

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

Financial

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Market

 

United Arab

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

Emirates Dubai

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

International

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Financial Center

 

United Arab

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

Emirates Abu

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

Dhabi

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

United Kingdom

State Street Bank and Trust Company,

 

United Kingdom branch

Uruguay

Banco Ita÷ Uruguay S.A.

Venezuela

Citibank, N.A.

Vietnam

HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Limited

 

(as delegate of The Hongkong and

 

Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)

Sergels Torg 2

SE-106 40 Stockholm, Sweden

Uetlibergstrasse 231

8070 Zurich, Switzerland

Max-H÷gger-Strasse 80-82

CH-8048 Zurich-Alstetten, Switzerland

296 Ren-Ai Road

Taipei 106 Taiwan, Republic of China

168 Tun Hwa North Road

Taipei 105, Taiwan, Republic of China

1 Floor, International House

Corner Shaaban Robert St and Garden Ave PO Box 9011

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Sathorn Nakorn Tower 14th Floor, Zone B

90 North Sathorn Road

Silom, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

23, Bld de la République

17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire

65 Avenue Bourguiba

1000 Tunis, Tunisia

Tekfen Tower

Eski Buyukdere Caddesi 209 Kat 3

Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey

Eski Buyukdere Caddesi Tekfen Tower No. 209 Kat: 17 4 Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey

5 Speke Road

P.O. Box 7111

Kampala, Uganda

16-g Dilova St.

Kyiv 03150, Ukraine

HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square

Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

525 Ferry Road

Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland

Zabala 1463

11000 Montevideo, Uruguay

Centro Comercial El Recreo Torre Norte,

Piso 19 Avenida Casanova Caracas,

Venezuela 1050

Centre Point

106 Nguyen Van Troi Street Phu Nhuan District

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

SCH A-6

Zambia

Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc.

Standard Chartered House Cairo Road

 

 

P.O. Box 32238

 

 

10101, Lusaka, Zambia

Zimbabwe

Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited

3rd Floor Stanbic Centre

 

(as delegate of Standard Bank of South

59 Samora Machel Avenue Harare,

 

Africa Limited)

Zimbabwe

SCH A-7

SCHEDULE B – DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS

MARKET

DEPOSITORY

Albania

Bank of Albania

Argentina

Caja de Valores S.A.

Australia

Austraclear Limited

Austria

OeKB Central Securities

 

Depository GmbH

Bahrain

Clearing, Settlement, Depository

 

and Registry System of the

 

Bahrain Bourse

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank

 

Central Depository Bangladesh

 

Limited

Belgium

Euroclear Belgium

 

National Bank of Belgium

Benin

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

Bermuda

Bermuda Securities Depository

Federation of

Registar vrijednosnih papira u

Bosnia and

Federaciji Bosne i Hercegovine,

Herzegovina

d.d.

Botswana

Bank of Botswana

 

Central Securities Depository

 

Company of Botswana Ltd.

Brazil

Central de Cust÷dia e de

 

Liquida÷÷o Financeira de T÷tulos

 

Privados (CETIP)

 

BM&F BOVESPA Depository

 

Services, a department of BM&F

 

BOVESPA S.A.

 

Sistema Especial de Liquida÷÷o e

 

de Cust÷dia (SELIC)

Bulgaria

Bulgarian National Bank

 

Central Depository AD

Burkina Faso

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

TYPES OF SECURITIES

Government debt

Equities, government and corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments

Government securities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments

All securities listed on Wiener B÷rse AG, the Vienna Stock Exchange (as well as virtually all other Austrian securities)

Equities

Government securities

Equities and corporate bonds

Equities and most corporate bonds

Government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Equities, corporate bonds

Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments

Government debt

Equities and corporate bonds

Corporate debt and money market instruments

Equities and corporate bonds traded on-exchange

Government debt issued by the central bank and the National Treasury

Government securities

Eligible equities and corporate bonds

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

SCH B-1

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory

 

 

Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Canada

The Canadian Depository for

All book-entry eligible securities, including government securities,

 

Securities Limited

equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, strip bonds,

 

 

and asset- backed securities

Chile

Dep÷sito Central de Valores S.A.

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed

 

 

securities, and money market instruments

People's

China Securities Depository and

A shares, B shares, Treasury bonds, local government bonds,

Republic of

Clearing Corporation Limited,

enterprise bonds, corporate bonds, open and closed-end funds,

China

Shanghai and Shenzhen Branches

convertible bonds, and warrants

 

China Central Depository and

Bonds traded through the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM),

 

Clearing Co., Ltd.

including Treasury bonds, local government bonds, policy bank

 

 

bonds, central bank bills, medium-term notes, commercial paper,

 

 

enterprise bonds, and commercial bank bonds

 

Shanghai Clearing House

Bonds traded through the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM),

 

 

including Treasury bonds, local government bonds, policy bank

 

 

bonds, central bank bills, enterprise bonds, certain issues of

 

 

medium-term notes, commercial paper, and commercial bank

 

 

bonds

Colombia

Dep÷sito Central de Valores

Securities issued by the central bank and the Republic of Colombia

 

Dep÷sito Centralizado de Valores

Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments

 

de Colombia S.A. (DECEVAL)

 

Costa Rica

Interclear Central de Valores S.A.

Securities traded on Bolsa Nacional de Valores

Croatia

Središnje klirinško depozitarno

Eligible equities, corporate bonds, government securities, and

 

društvo d.d.

corporate money market instruments

Cyprus

Central Depository and Central

Equities, corporate bonds, dematerialized government securities,

 

Registry

corporate money market instruments

Czech Republic

Centráln÷ depozitář cenn÷ch

All dematerialized equities, corporate debt, and government debt,

 

pap÷rů, a.s.

excluding Treasury bills

 

Czech National Bank

Treasury bills

Denmark

VP Securities A/S

Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, corporate money

 

 

market instruments, warrants

Egypt

Central Bank of Egypt

Treasury bills

 

Misr for Central Clearing,

Eligible equities, corporate bonds, and Treasury bonds

 

Depository and Registry S.A.E.

 

Estonia

AS Eesti V÷÷rtpaberikeskus

All registered equity and debt securities

Finland

Euroclear Finland

Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market

 

 

instruments

France

Euroclear France

Government securities, equities, bonds, and money market

 

 

instruments

Republic of

Georgian Central Securities

Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

Georgia

Depository

 

 

National Bank of Georgia

Government securities

Germany

Clearstream Banking AG,

Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market

 

Frankfurt

instruments, warrants, investment funds, and index certificates

 

 

SCH B-2

Ghana

Central Securities Depository

 

(Ghana) Limited

Greece

Bank of Greece, System for

 

Monitoring Transactions in

 

Securities in Book-Entry Form

 

Hellenic Central Securities

 

Depository

Guinea-Bissau

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

Government securities and Bank of Ghana securities; equities and corporate bonds

Government debt

Eligible listed equities, government debt, and corporate bonds

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory

 

 

Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Hong Kong

Central Moneymarkets Unit

Government debt (i.e., exchange fund bills and notes issued by the

 

 

HKMA), other private debt, and money market instruments

 

Hong Kong Securities Clearing

Securities listed or traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong

 

Company Limited

Limited

Hungary

KELER K÷zponti ÷rtéktár Zrt.

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and investment

 

 

fund notes

Iceland

Nasdaq ver÷bréfami÷st÷÷ hf.

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money

 

 

market instruments

India

Central Depository Services

Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments

 

(India) Limited

 

 

National Securities Depository

Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments

 

Limited

 

 

Reserve Bank of India

Government securities

Indonesia

Bank Indonesia

Sertifikat Bank Indonesia (central bank certificates), Surat Utang

 

 

Negara (government debt instruments), and Surat Perbendaharaan

 

 

Negara (Treasury bills)

 

PT Kustodian Sentral Efek

Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

 

Indonesia

 

Ireland

Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited

GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments

 

Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

Government securities

Israel

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds and trust fund

 

House Ltd. (TASE Clearing

units

 

House)

 

Italy

Monte Titoli S.p.A.

Equities, corporate debt, government debt, money market

 

 

instruments, and warrants

Ivory Coast

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières,

 

Règlement

the West African regional exchange, including securities from the

 

 

following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-

 

 

Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory

 

 

Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Japan

Bank of Japan – Financial

Government securities

 

Network System

 

 

Japan Securities Depository

Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments

 

Center (JASDEC) Incorporated

 

 

 

SCH B-3

Jordan

Central Bank of Jordan

 

Securities Depository Center

Kazakhstan

Central Securities Depository

Kenya

Central Bank of Kenya

 

Central Depository and Settlement

 

Corporation Limited

Republic of

Korea Securities Depository

Korea

 

Kuwait

Kuwait Clearing Company KSC

Latvia

Latvian Central Depository

Lebanon

Banque du Liban

 

Custodian and Clearing Center of

 

Financial Instruments for Lebanon

 

and the Middle East (Midclear)

 

S.A.L.

Lithuania

Central Securities Depository of

 

Lithuania

Malawi

Reserve Bank of Malawi

Malaysia

Bank Negara Malaysia

 

Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn.

 

Bhd.

Mali

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

Mauritius

Bank of Mauritius

 

Central Depository and Settlement

 

Co. Limited

Mexico

S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V.

Morocco

Maroclear

Namibia

Bank of Namibia

Netherlands

Euroclear Nederland

New Zealand

New Zealand Central Securities

 

Depository Limited

Niger

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

Treasury bills, government bonds, development bonds, and public entity bonds

Equities and corporate bonds

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

Equities and corporate debt

Equities, government securities, corporate bonds and money market instruments

Money market instruments, equities, and corporate bonds

Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

Government securities and certificates of deposit issued by the central bank

Equities, corporate bonds and money market instruments

All securities available for public trading

Reserve Bank of Malawi bills and Treasury bills

Treasury bills, Bank Negara Malaysia bills, Malaysian government securities, private debt securities, and money market instruments

Securities listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Government debt (traded through primary dealers)

Listed and unlisted equity and debt securities (corporate debt and T-bills traded on the exchange)

All securities

Eligible listed equities, corporate and government debt, certificates of deposit, commercial paper

Treasury bills

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, and stripped government bonds

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

SCH B-4

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

Nigeria

Central Bank of Nigeria

 

Central Securities Clearing

 

System Limited

Norway

Verdipapirsentralen

Oman

Muscat Clearing & Depository

 

Company S.A.O.G.

Pakistan

Central Depository Company of

 

Pakistan Limited

 

State Bank of Pakistan

Panama

Central Latinoamericana de

 

Valores,

 

S.A. (LatinClear)

Peru

CAVALI S.A. Instituci÷n de

 

Compensaci÷n y Liquidaci÷n de

 

Valores

Philippines

Philippine Depository & Trust

 

Corporation

 

Registry of Scripless Securities

 

(ROSS) of the Bureau of the

 

Treasury

Poland

Rejestr Papier÷w Wartościowych

 

Krajowy Depozyt Papier÷w

 

Wartościowych, S.A.

Portugal

INTERBOLSA - Sociedad

 

Gestora de Sistemas de

 

Liquida÷÷o e de Sistemas

 

Centralizados de Valores

 

Mobiliários, S.A.

Qatar

Qatar Central Securities

 

Depository

Romania

National Bank of Romania

 

S.C. Depozitarul Central S.A.

Russia

National Settlement Depository

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian Monetary

 

Authority

 

Securities Depository Center

 

Company

Senegal

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Treasury bills and government bonds

Equities and corporate bonds traded on the Nigeria Stock Exchange

All listed securities

Equities, corporate bonds, government debt

Equities and corporate bonds

Government securities

Equities, government and corporate debt, commercial paper, short- term securities

All securities in book-entry form traded on the stock exchange

Eligible equities and debt

Government securities

Treasury bills

Equities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, Treasury bonds, warrants, and futures contracts

All local Portuguese instruments

Equities, government bonds and Treasury bills listed on the Qatar Exchange

Treasury bills and bonds

Bursa de Valori Bucuresti- (Bucharest Stock Exchange-) listed equities, corporate bonds, government bonds, and municipal bonds

Eligible equities, Obligatsii Federal'nogo Zaima (OFZs), and corporate debt denominated in RUB

Government securities and Saudi government development bonds (SGDBs)

Equities

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

SCH B-5

Serbia

Central Securities Depository and

 

Clearinghouse

Singapore

Monetary Authority of Singapore

 

The Central Depository (Pte.)

 

Limited

Slovak Republic

Centrálny depozitár cenn÷ch

 

papierov SR, a.s.

Slovenia

KDD – Centralna klirinško

 

depotna družba d.d.

South Africa

Strate (Pty) Ltd.

Spain

IBERCLEAR

Sri Lanka

Central Bank of Sri Lanka

 

Central Depository System (Pvt)

 

Limited

Republic of

Central Registry of Securities in

Srpska

the Republic of Srpska JSC

Swaziland

Central Bank of Swaziland

Sweden

Euroclear Sweden

Switzerland

SIX SIS AG

Taiwan - R.O.C.

Central Bank of the Republic of

 

China (Taiwan)

 

Taiwan Depository and Clearing

 

Corporation

Tanzania

Central Depository System (CDS),

 

a department of the Dar es Salaam

 

Stock Exchange

Thailand

Thailand Securities Depository

 

Company Limited

Togo

Dépositaire Central – Banque de

 

Règlement

All instruments

Government securities

Eligible listed equities and eligible private debt traded in Singapore

All dematerialized securities

All publicly traded securities

Eligible equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, and warrants

Government securities, equities, warrants, money market instruments, and corporate bonds

Government securities

Equities and corporate bonds

Government securities, equities, and corporate and municipal bonds

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

Government securities, equities, bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, exchange traded funds, and warrants

Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, mutual funds, and warrants

Government securities

Listed equities, short-term bills, and corporate bonds

Equities and corporate bonds

Government securities, equities and corporate bonds

All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

 

Banque Centrale des Etats

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West

 

d'Afrique de l'Ouest

African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory

 

 

Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Tunisia

Tunisie Clearing

All eligible listed securities

Turkey

Central Bank of Turkey

Government securities

 

Central Registry Agency

Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, mutual fund

 

 

certificates, exchange traded funds

Uganda

Bank of Uganda

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

 

Securities Central Depository

Equities, corporate bonds

Ukraine

National Depository of Ukraine

Equities, bonds, and money market instruments

 

 

SCH B-6

United Arab

Clearing, Settlement, Depository

Equities, government securities, and corporate debt

Emirates – Abu

and Registry department of the

 

Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

 

United Arab

Clearing, Settlement and

Equities, government securities, and corporate debt listed on the

Emirates –

Depository Division, a department

DFM

Dubai Financial

of the Dubai Financial Market

 

Market

 

 

United Arab

Central Securities Depository,

Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments

Emirates –

owned and operated by NASDAQ

 

Dubai

Dubai Limited

 

International

 

 

Financial

 

 

United Kingdom

Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited

GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments

Uruguay

Banco Central del Uruguay

Government securities

Venezuela

Banco Central de Venezuela

Government securities

Vietnam

Vietnam Securities Depository

Equities, government bonds, T-bills, corporate bonds, and public

 

 

fund certificates

Zambia

Bank of Zambia

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

 

LuSE Central Shares Depository

Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and equities

 

Limited

 

Zimbabwe

Chengetedzai Depository

Equities and corporate bonds

 

Company Limited

 

 

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Treasury bills and Treasury bonds

TRANSNATIONAL DEPOSITORIES

 

Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

Domestic securities from more than 40 markets

Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Domestic securities from more than 50 markets

SCH B-7

SCHEDULE C – GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK PUBLICATIONS

Publication / Type of Information

(scheduled update frequency)

The Guide to Custody in World Markets (regular my.statestreet.com updates)

Global Custody Network Review (updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

Securities Depository Review

(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

Global Legal Survey

(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)

Subcustodian Agreements (available on CD-ROM annually)

Global Market Bulletin

(daily or as necessary via email and on my.statestreet.com)

Foreign Custody Risk

Advisories

(provided as necessary and on my.statestreet.com)

Foreign Custody Manager Material Change Notices

(quarterly or as necessary and on my.statestreet.com)

Brief Description

An overview of settlement and safekeeping procedures, custody practices, and foreign investor considerations for the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.

Information relating to Foreign Subcustodians in State Street's Global Custody Network. The Review stands as an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to assist them in complying with SEC Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives insight into State Street's market expansion and Foreign Subcustodian selection processes, as well as the procedures and controls used to monitor the financial condition and performance of our Foreign Subcustodian banks.

Custody risk analyses of the Foreign Securities Depositories presently operating in Network markets. This publication is an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to meet informational obligations created by SEC Rule 17f-7.

With respect to each market in which State Street offers custodial services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts:

(i)access of a fund's independent public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,

(ii)a fund's ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,

(iii)a fund's ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System, and

(iv)the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.

Copies of the contracts that State Street has entered into with each Foreign Subcustodian that maintains U.S. mutual fund assets in the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.

Information on changing settlement and custody conditions in markets where State Street offers custodial services. Includes changes in market and tax regulations, depository developments, dematerialization information, as well as other market changes that may impact State Street's clients.

For those markets where State Street offers custodial services that exhibit special risks or infrastructures impacting custody, State Street maintains market advisories to highlight those unique market factors which might impact our ability to offer recognized custody service levels.

Informational letters and accompanying materials, pursuant to our role as Foreign Custody Manager, confirming State Street's foreign custody arrangements, including a summary of material changes with Foreign Subcustodians that have occurred during the previous quarter. The notices also identify any material changes in the custodial risks associated with maintaining assets with Foreign Securities Depositories.

Please contact GlobalMarketInformation@statestreet.com with questions about this document.

The information contained in this document has been carefully researched and is believed to be reliable as of the publication date. Due to the complexities of the markets and changing conditions, however, State Street cannot guarantee that it is complete or accurate in every respect. This document should not be construed or used as a substitute for appropriate legal or investment counsel. Specific advice should be sought on matters relevant to the investment activities of the reader. This application contains proprietary information and is fully protected by relevant copyright laws worldwide.

Copyright 2017 State Street Corporation

 www.statestreet.com 

SCH C-1

SCHEDULE D – SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS

SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS

*[None/Name of Special Sub-Custodian(s)]

SCH D-1

LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM

As used in this Addendum, the term "Fund", in relation to a Loan (as defined below), includes a Portfolio on whose behalf the Fund acts with respect to the Loan.

The following provisions will apply with respect to interests in commercial loans, including loan participations, whether the loans are bilateral or syndicated and whether any obligor is located in or outside of the United States (collectively, "Loans"), made or acquired by a Fund on behalf of one or more of its Portfolios.

SECTION 1. PAYMENT CUSTODY. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to receive payments directly with respect to a Loan for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement,

(a)the Fund will cause the Custodian to be named as the Fund's nominee for payment purposes under the relevant financing documents, e.g., in the case of a syndicated loan, the administrative contact for the agent bank, and otherwise provide for the payment to the Custodian of the payments with respect to the Loan; and

(b)the Custodian will credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement any payment on or in respect of the Loan actually received by the Custodian and identified as relating to the Loan, but with any amount credited being conditional upon clearance and actual receipt by the Custodian of final payment.

SECTION 2. MONITORING. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to monitor payments on and forward notices relating to a Loan,

(a)the Fund will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian a schedule identifying the amount and due dates of the scheduled principal payments, the scheduled interest payment dates and related payment amount information, and such other information with respect to the Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to perform its services hereunder (collectively, "Loan Information") and in such form and format as the Custodian may reasonably request; and

(b)the Custodian will (i) if the amount of a principal, interest, fee or other payment with respect to the Loan is not received by the Custodian on the date on which the amount is scheduled to be paid as reflected in the Loan Information, provide a report to the Fund that the payment has not been received and (ii) if the Custodian receives any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan, undertake reasonable efforts to forward the notice to the Fund.

SECTION 3. EXCULPATION OF THE CUSTODIAN.

(a)Payment Custody and Monitoring. The Custodian will have no liability for any delay or failure by the Fund or any third party in providing Loan Information to the Custodian or for any inaccuracy or incompleteness of any Loan Information. The Custodian will have no obligation to verify, investigate, recalculate, update or otherwise confirm the accuracy or completeness of any Loan Information or other information or notices received by the Custodian in respect of the Loan. The Custodian will be entitled to (i) rely upon the Loan Information provided to it by or on behalf of the Fund or any other information or notices that the Custodian may receive from time to time from any syndication agent, lead or obligor or any similar party with respect to the Loan and (ii) update its records on the basis of such information or notices as may from time to time be received by the Custodian.

(b) Any Service. The Custodian will have no obligation to (i) determine whether any necessary steps have been taken or requirements have been met for the Fund to have acquired good or record title to a Loan,

(ii)ensure that the Fund's acquisition of the Loan has been authorized by the Fund, (iii) collect past due payments

LSA-2

on the Loan, preserve any rights against prior parties, exercise any right or perform any obligation in connection with the Loan (including taking any action in connection with any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice received from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan) or otherwise take any other action to enforce the payment obligations of any obligor on the Loan, (iv) become itself the record title holder of the Loan or (v) make any advance of its own funds with respect to the Loan.

(c)Miscellaneous. The Custodian will not be considered to have been or be charged with knowledge of the sale of a Loan by the Fund, unless and except to the extent that the Custodian shall have received written notice of the sale from the Fund and the proceeds of the sale have been received by the Custodian for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement. If any question arises as to the Custodian's duties under this Addendum, the Custodian may request instructions from the Fund and will be entitled at all times to refrain from taking any action unless it has received Proper Instructions from the Fund. The Custodian will in all events have no liability, risk or cost for any action taken or omitted with respect to the Loan pursuant to Proper Instructions. The Custodian will have no responsibilities or duties whatsoever with respect to the Loan except as are expressly set forth in this Addendum.

LSA-3

FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This first amendment dated January __, 2018 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties".

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

The Parties hereby amend and restate Appendix A to the Agreement as set forth below:

APPENDIX A

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

LSA-4

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Capital Value Fund

Vanguard U.S. Value Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MORGAN GROWTH FUND

Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund

LSA-5

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Dividend Appreciation Index Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD STAR FUNDS

Vanguard STAR Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Income Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

Growth Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

REIT Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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

LSA-6

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this

Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST

EACH OF THE OPEN-END

COMPANY

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT

 

COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By: /s/Andrew Erickson

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Higgins

Name: Andrew Erickson

Name:

Thomas J. Higgins

Title: Executive Vice President

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

LSA-7

SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This second amendment dated April __, 2019 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties".

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

The Parties hereby amend and restate Appendix A to the Agreement as set forth below:

APPENDIX A

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

LSA-8

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Capital Value Fund

Vanguard U.S. Value Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Dividend Appreciation Index Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

LSA-9

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD STAR FUNDS

Vanguard STAR Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Income Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

Growth Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

REIT Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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

LSA-10

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this

Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST

EACH OF THE OPEN-END

COMPANY

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT

 

COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By: /s/ Andrew Erickson

By:

/s/ Thomas J. Higgins

Name: Andrew Erickson

Name:

Thomas J. Higgins

Title: Executive Vice President

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

THIRD AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This third amendment dated January 3, 2020 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment

LSA-11

company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties."

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

The Parties hereby amend and restate Appendix A to the Agreement as set forth below:

APPENDIX A

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund

Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

LSA-12

Vanguard Capital Value Fund

Vanguard U.S. Value Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Dividend Appreciation Index Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD STAR FUNDS

Vanguard STAR Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

LSA-13

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund

Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Income Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

Growth Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

Real Estate Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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

LSA-14

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this

Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST

EACH OF THE OPEN-END

COMPANY

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT

 

COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By:

/s/ Andrew Erickson

By:

/s/ John Bendl

Name:

Andrew Erickson

Name:

John Bendl

Title:

Executive Vice President

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

LSA-15

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This fourth amendment dated March 8, 2021 (the "Amendment") is to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties."

In accordance with Sections 17, 19.5 and 19.6 of the Agreement, the parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

1.Appendix A. The current Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby replaced and superseded with the Appendix A attached hereto, effective as of the date hereof; and

2.Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By: /s/ Michelle Ross______________________

By:

/s/ John Bendl__________________

Name: Michelle Ross

Name:

John Bendl

Title: Vice President

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

LSA-16

APPENDIX A

March 8, 2021

VANGUARD BOND INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

LSA-17

APPENDIX A (continued)

March 8, 2021

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Dividend Appreciation Index Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD STAR FUNDS

Vanguard STAR Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund

Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

LSA-18

APPENDIX A (continued)

March 8, 2021

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Income Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

Growth Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

Real Estate Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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

LSA-19

LSA-20

FIFTH AMENDMENT TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This fifth amendment dated September 15, 2022 (the "Amendment") is to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties."

In accordance with Sections 17, 19.5 and 19.6 of the Agreement, the parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

l.Appendix A. The current Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby replaced and superseded with the Appendix A attached hereto, effective as of the date hereof; and

2.Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK

AND TRUST COMPANY

By: /s/ Corey Groves

Name: Corey Groves

Title: Managing Director, Authorized Signer

EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By: /s/ Christine Buchanan

Name: Christine Buchanan

Title: Chief Financial Officer

LSA-21

APPENDIX A

September 15, 2022

VANGUARD BOND INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

LSA-22

APPENDIX A (continued)

September 15, 2022

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund Vanguard Municipal Money Market

Fund Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index

Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money

Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt

Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index

Fund

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Dividend Appreciation Index

Fund Vanguard Energy Fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies

Fund Vanguard Commodity

Strategy Fund

LSA-23

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

Vanguard Global Environmental Opportunities Stock Fund

APPENDIX A (continued)

September 15, 2022

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth

Portfolio

Diversified Value

Portfolio Equity Income

Portfolio Equity Index

Portfolio Growth

Portfolio

High Yield Bond

Portfolio Mid-Cap

Index Portfolio Real

Estate Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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

LSA-24

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

LSA-25

SIXTH AMENDMENT TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

MASTER CUSTODIANAGREEMENT

This sixth amendment dated February 28, 2023 (the "Amendment") is to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties."

In accordance with Sections 17, 19.5 and 19.6 of the Agreement, the parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

l.Appendix A. The current Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby replaced and superseded with the Appendix A attached hereto, effective as of the date hereof; and

2.Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment , all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Amendment as of the date set forth above.

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:

Name: Corey Groves

Title: Managing Director, Authorized Signer

EACH OF THE OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A

By:

Name: Peter Mahoney

Title: Controller

APPENDIX A

February 28, 2023

VANGUARD BOND INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF

VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund

VANGUARD CMT FUNDS

Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

Vanguard Explorer Fund

VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS

Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund

VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund

VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS

Vanguard Global Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund

Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund

VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund

VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund

VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

APPENDIX A (continued)

February 28, 2023

VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS

Vanguard Market Neutral Fund

VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund

Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund

VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS

Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS

Vanguard Growth and Income Fund

VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND

Vanguard Explorer Value Fund

Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund

VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

Vanguard Health Care Fund

VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund

VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND

Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund

Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

Vanguard Global Environmental Opportunities Stock Fund

APPENDIX A (continued)

February 28, 2023

VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS

Balanced Portfolio

Capital Growth Portfolio

Diversified Value Portfolio

Equity Income Portfolio

Equity Index Portfolio

Growth Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

Real Estate Index Portfolio

International Portfolio

Small Company Growth Portfolio

VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond 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


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

6

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, 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

 

Index Fund

Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF

• Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund

Institutional Plus

Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund

Institutional Plus

Core Bond Fund

Investor, Admiral

• Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Investor, Admiral

Core-Plus Bond Fund

Investor, Admiral

• Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund

Investor, Admiral

Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Funds

 

Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor

Vanguard Money Market Funds

 

• Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund

Admiral

Federal Money Market Fund

Investor

Vanguard Montgomery Funds

 

Market Neutral Fund

Investor, Institutional

Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds

 

• Municipal Money Market Fund

Investor

Ultra-Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

• Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund

Admiral, ETF

Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Funds

 

Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

Vanguard New York Tax-Free Funds

 

• Municipal Money Market Fund

Investor

Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Funds

 

Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor

Vanguard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Funds

 

Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund

Investor, Admiral

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

Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund

 

International Value Fund

Investor

Diversified Equity Fund

Investor

• Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund

Investor

Alternative Strategies Fund

Investor

Commodity Strategy Fund

Admiral

• Global Environmental Opportunities Stock Fund

Investor, Admiral

Vanguard Valley Forge Funds

 

Balanced Index Fund

Investor, Admiral, Institutional

Managed Allocation Fund

Investor

• Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund

Investor

Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds

 

Balanced Portfolio

Investor

Conservative Allocation Portfolio

Investor

Diversified Value Portfolio

Investor

Equity Income Portfolio

Investor

Equity Index Portfolio

Investor

Growth Portfolio

Investor

• Global Bond Index Portfolio

Investor

• Total Bond Market Index Portfolio

Investor

• High Yield Bond Portfolio

Investor

International Portfolio

Investor

Mid-Cap Index Portfolio

Investor

Moderate Allocation Portfolio

Investor

Money Market Portfolio

Investor

• Real Estate Index Portfolio

Investor

• Short-Term Investment Grade Portfolio

Investor

• Small Company Growth Portfolio

Investor

Capital Growth Portfolio

Investor

• Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio

Investor

• Total Stock Market Index Portfolio

Investor

Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund

Investor, Admiral

Vanguard Wellington Fund

 

• Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

ETF

• U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF

ETF

• U.S. Momentum Factor ETF

ETF

U.S. Multifactor ETF

ETF

U.S. Multifactor Fund

Admiral

• U.S. Quality Factor ETF

ETF

• U.S. Value Factor ETF

ETF

Wellington Fund

Investor, Admiral

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: February 28, 2023

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.

Trust/Fund

Corresponding Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index

Market Index Trust

Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Market Index Trust

Market Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Bond

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index

Market Index Trust

Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total

Vanguard Total International Stock

International Stock Market Index Trust

Market Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional Extended Market

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund

Index Trust

 

Vanguard Employee Benefit Index

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

Fund

 

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

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.

Trust/Fund

Corresponding Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index

Market Index Trust

Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock

Market Index Trust

Market Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total Bond

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index

Market Index Trust

Fund

Vanguard Institutional Total

Vanguard Total International Stock

International Stock Market Index Trust

Market Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

Vanguard Institutional Extended Market

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund

Index Trust

 

Vanguard Employee Benefit Index

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund

Fund

 

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


Code of Ethics

Personal investing

Gifts and entertainment Outside

activities

Client confidentiality

2 August 2021

Jean M. Hynes

Chief Executive Officer

The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.

Ancient proverb

A message from our CEO

Our ability to thrive as an organization is driven by our shared values, and integrity is at the top of the list. This is reflected in our commitment to the "Client, Firm, Self" framework, through which all of our decisions should be viewed if we are to earn and maintain the trust of our clients.

Each and every one of us has a role to play in sustaining our clients' trust. We must test every decision we make, no matter how small, against our fiduciary obligations and our high ethical standards. If there is the slightest doubt about

whether a decision is in the best interests of our clients, then bring it to someone's attention — your manager, the Legal and Compliance team, or any of my direct reports. But don't just let it go. This is what it means to be a fiduciary: complete dedication to conscientious stewardship of client assets.

To support this mandate, our Code of Ethics sets out standards for our personal conduct, including personal investing, acceptance of gifts and entertainment, outside activities, and client confidentiality. Please take the time to read the Code, familiarize yourself with the rules, and determine what you need to do to comply with them.

Remember, too, that while our Code of Ethics is reviewed and updated regularly, no set of rules can address every possible circumstance. And so I ask you to remain vigilant, exercise good judgment, ask for help when you need it, consider

not just the letter but the spirit of the laws that govern our industry, and do your part to safeguard our clients' trust.

Sincerely,

Jean M. Hynes

Chief Executive Officer

Contents

 

Standards of conduct ...................................................

1

Who is subject to the Code of Ethics? ...........................

1

Personal investing ........................................................

2

Which types of investments and related activities

 

are prohibited?.......................................................................................................

2

Which investment accounts must be reported? ....................................................

3

What are the reporting responsibilities for all personnel?.....................................

4

What are the preclearance responsibilities for all personnel?...............................

5

What are the additional requirements forinvestment professionals?...................

6

Gifts and entertainment................................................

7

Outside activities ..............................................................

8

Client confidentiality ....................................................

8

How we enforce our Code of Ethics...............................

8

Exceptions from the Code of Ethics ..............................

9

Closing..........................................................................

9

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

1

Standards of conduct

Our standards of conduct are straightforward and essential. Any transaction or activity that violates either of the standards of conduct below is prohibited, regardless of whether it meets the technical rules found elsewhere in the Code of Ethics.

1.We act as fiduciaries to our clients. Each of us must put our clients' interests above our own and must not take advantage of our management of clients' assets for our own benefit. Our firm's policies and procedures implement these principles with respect to our conduct of the firm's business. This Code of Ethics implements the same principles with respect to our personal conduct. The procedures set forth in the Code govern specific transactions, but each of us must be mindful at all times that our behavior, including our personal investing activity, must meet our fiduciary obligations to our clients.

2.We act with integrity and in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the law . Ourbusinessis highlyregulated,andwearecommittedasafirmtocompliancewiththoseregulations.Each ofus must alsorecognize our obligations asindividuals to understand andobeythe lawsthat applyto usin theconductofourduties.Theyinclude lawsandregulationsthatapplyspecificallytoinvestmentadvisors, aswellasmorebroadlyapplicablelawsrangingfrom theprohibitionagainsttradingonmaterialnonpublic information and other forms of market abuse to anticorruption statutes such as the US ForeignCorrupt PracticesActandtheUKBriberyAct.Thefirmprovidestrainingontheir requirements.Eachofusmusttake advantage of these resources to ensure that our own conduct complies with the law.

Who is subject to the Code of Ethics?

Our Code of Ethics applies to all employees of Wellington Management and its affiliates around the world. Its restrictions on personal investing also apply to temporary personnel (including co-ops and interns) and consultants whose tenure with Wellington Management exceeds 90 days and who are deemed by the Chief Compliance Officer to have access to nonpublic investment research, client holdings, or trade information.

All Wellington Management personnel receive a copy of the Code of Ethics (and any amendments) and must certify, upon joining the firm and annually thereafter, that they have read and understood it and have complied with its requirements.

Adherence to the Code of Ethics is a basic condition of employment. Failure to adhere to our Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

If you have any doubt as to the appropriateness of any activity, believe that you have violated the Code, or become aware of a violation of the Code by another individual, you should consult the manager of the Code of Ethics Team, Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, or Chair of the Ethics Committee. You also have the right to report violations of law or regulation directly to relevant governmental agencies. You do not need the firm's prior authorization to make any such report or disclosures and are not required to notify the firm that you have done so.

For additional information regarding our Code of Ethics Policy refer to the Guide to Our Policy document available on the firm's Intranet.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

2

Personal investing

As fiduciaries, each of us must avoid taking personal advantage of our knowledge of investment activity in client accounts. Although our Code of Ethics sets out a number of specific restrictions on personal investing designed to reflect this principle, no set of rules can anticipate every situation. Each of us must adhere to the spirit, and not just the letter, of our Code in meeting this fiduciary obligation to our clients.

Which types of investments and related activities are prohibited?

Our Code of Ethics prohibits the following personal investments and investment-related activities:

Purchasing or selling the following:

Initial public offerings (IPOs) of any securities

Securities of an issuer being bought or sold on behalf of clients until one trading day after such buying or selling is completed or canceled

Securities of an issuer that is the subject of a new, changed, or reissued but unchanged action recommendation from a global industry research or fixed income credit analyst until two business days following issuance or reissuance of the recommendation

Securities of an issuer that is mentioned at the Morning Meeting or the Early Morning Meeting until two business days following the meeting

Securities that are the subject of a firmwide restriction

Single-stock futures

Options with an expiration date that is within 60 calendar days of the transaction date (excluding shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs))

Securities of broker/dealers (or their affiliates) that the firm has approved for execution of client trades

Securities of any securities market or exchange on which the firm trades on behalf of clients

Purchasing an equity security (excluding ETFs) if your aggregate ownership of the equity security exceeds 0.05% of the total shares outstanding of the issuer

Taking a profit from any trading activity within a60- calendar day window

Using a derivative instrument to circumventa restriction in the Code of Ethics

Short-term trading

You are prohibited from taking a profit from any trading activity within a 60-calendar day window on any security that requires preclearance. For example, if you buy shares of stock

(or options on such shares) and then sell those shares within 60 days at a profit, an exception will be identified and any gain from the transactions must be surrendered. Gains are calculated based on a last in, first out (LIFO) method for purposes of this restriction. This short-term trading rule does not apply to securities exempt from the Code's preclearance requirements.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

3

WHICH INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS MUST BE REPORTED?

You are required to report any investment account over which you exercise investment discretion or from which any of the following individuals enjoy economic benefits: (i) your spouse, domestic partner, or minor children, and (ii) any other dependents living in your household,

AND

that holds or is capable of holding any of the following covered investments:

Shares of stocks, ADRs, or other equity securities (including any security convertible into equity securities)

Bonds or notes (other than sovereign government bonds issued by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, or the United States, as well as bankers' acceptances, CDs, commercial paper, and high-quality, short-term debt instruments)

Interest in a variable annuity product in which the underlying assets are held in a subaccount managed by Wellington Management

Shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Shares of closed-end funds

Options on securities

Securities futures

Interest in private placement securities (other than Wellington Management sponsoredproducts)

Shares of funds managed by Wellington Management (other than money market funds) Please

see Appendix A for a detailed summary of reporting requirements by security type.

For purposes of the Code of Ethics, these investment accounts are referred to as reportable accounts. Examples of common account types include brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, employee stock compensation plans, and transfer agent accounts. Reportable accounts also include those from which you or an immediate family member may benefit indirectly, such as a family trust or family partnership, and accounts in which you have a joint ownership interest, such as a joint brokerage account.

Accounts not requiring reporting

You do not need to report the following accounts via the Code of Ethics System since the administrator will provide the Code of Ethics Team with access to relevant holdings and transaction information:

Accounts maintained within the Wellington Retirement and Pension Plan or similar firm-sponsored retirement or benefit plans identified by the Ethics Committee

Accounts maintained directly with Wellington Trust Company or other Wellington Management Sponsored Products

Although these accounts do not need to be reported, your investment activities in these accounts must comply with the standards of conduct embodied in our Code of Ethics.

Non-volitional transactions include:
reinvestment or rebalancing plans and stock purchase plan acquisitions
Transactions that result from corporate actions applicable to all similar security holders (such as

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

4

Managed account exemptions

An account from which you or immediate family members could benefit financially, but over which neither you nor they have any investment discretion or influence (a managed account), may be exempted from the Code of Ethics' personal investing requirements upon written request and approval. An example of a managed account would be a professionally advised account about which you will not be consulted or have any input on specific transactions placed by the investment manager prior to their execution.

Designated Brokers for US Reportable Accounts

US-based reportable accounts must be held at one or more of the brokers on the Designated Brokers List. This requirement does not apply to managed accounts that are exempt from certain provisions of the Code of Ethics, employee stock purchase and stock option plans and other accounts (including pension, retirement and compensation accounts) required to be held at a specific broker.

New employees must transfer all reportable accounts to a Designated Broker within 45 days from the start of their employment.

WHAT ARE THE REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL?

Initial and annual holdings reports

You must disclose all reportable accounts and all covered investments you hold within 10 calendar days after you begin employment at or association with Wellington Management. You will be required to review and update your holdings and securities account

information annually thereafter.

For initial holdings reports, holdings information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date you became covered by the Code of Ethics.

Please note that you cannot make personal trades until you have filed an initial holdings report via the Code of Ethics System on the Intranet.

For subsequent annual reports, holdings information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted. Please note that your annual holdings report must account for both volitional and non-volitional transactions.

At the time you file your initial and annual reports, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood the Code of Ethics and any amendments.

Quarterly transactions reports

You must submit a quarterly transaction report no later than 30 calendar days after quarter-end via the Code of Ethics System on the Intranet, even if you did not make any personal trades during that quarter. In the reports, you must either confirm that you did not make any personal trades (except for those resulting from non-volitional events) or provide information regarding all volitional transactions in covered investments.

Duplicate statements and trade confirmations

For each of your reportable accounts, you are required to provide duplicate statements and duplicate trade confirmations to Wellington Management.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

5

WHAT ARE THE PRECLEARANCE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL?

Preclearance of publicly traded securities

You must receive clearance before buying or selling stocks, bonds, options, and most other publicly traded securities (excluding ETFs) in any reportable account. A full list of the categories of publicly traded securities requiring preclearance, and of certain exceptions to this requirement, is included in Appendix A. Transactions in accounts that are not reportable accounts do not require preclearance or reporting.

Preclearance requests must be submitted online via the Code of Ethics System, which is accessible through the Intranet. If clearance is granted, the approval will be effective for a period of 24 hours. If you preclear a transaction and then place a limit order with your broker, that limit order must either be executed or expire

at the end of the 24-hour period. If you want to execute the order after the 24-hour period expires, you must resubmit your preclearance request.

Please note that preclearance approval does not alter your responsibility to ensure that each personal securities transaction complies with the general standards of conduct, the reporting requirements, the restrictionson short-termtrading,or the specialrules for investmentprofessionals set out in our Code of Ethics.

Caution on short sales, margin transactions, and options

You may engage in short sales and margin transactions and may purchase or sell options (excluding options on ETFs) provided you receive preclearance and meet all other applicable requirements under our Code of Ethics (including the additional rules for investment professionals described on page 7). Please note, however, that these types of transactions can have unintended consequences. For example, any sale by your broker to cover a margin call or to buy in a short position will be in violation of the Code unless precleared. Likewise, any volitional sale of securities acquired at the expiration of a long call option will be in violation of the Code unless precleared. You are responsible for ensuring any subsequent volitional actions relating to these types of transactions meet the requirements of the Code.

Preclearance of private placement securities

You cannot invest in securities offered to potential investors in a private placement without first obtaining prior approval. Approval may be granted after a review of the facts and circumstances, including whether:

an investment in the securities is likely to result in future conflicts with client accounts (e.g., upon a future public offering), and

you are being offered the opportunity due to your employment at or association with Wellington Management.

Investments in our own privately offered investment vehicles (our Sponsored Products), including collective investment funds and common trust funds maintained by Wellington Trust Company, na, our hedge funds, and our non-US domiciled funds, have been approved under the Code and therefore do not require the submission of a Private Placement Approval Form.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

6

WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS?

If you are a portfolio manager, research analyst, or other investment professional who has portfolio management responsibilities for a client account (e.g., designated portfolio manager, backup portfolio manager, investment team member), or who otherwise has direct authority to make decisions to buy or sell securities in a client account (referred to here as an investment professional), you are required to adhere to additional rules and restrictions on your personal securities transactions. However, as no set of rules can anticipate every situation, you must remember to place our clients' interests first whenever you transact in securities that are also held in client accounts you manage.

The following provisions of the code are intended to allow investment professionals to make long-term investments in securities. However, you may not be able to sell personal investments for extended periods of time and therefore should consider the liquidity, tax planning, market, and similar risks associated with making personal investments in securities of an issuer that are or may be held in client accounts.

INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL BLACKOUT PERIODS — You cannot buy or sell a security (excluding shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) for a period of 14 calendar days before or after any transaction in the same issuer by a client account for which you serve as an investment professional. In addition, you may not sell personal

holdings in a security of the same issuer (excluding ETFs) that is held by a client account for which you serve as an investment professional until the later of the following periods: (i) one calendar year from the date of your last purchase and (ii) 90 calendar days after all of your client accounts liquidate all holdings of the same issuer.

If you anticipate receiving a cash flow or redemption request in a client portfolio that will result in the purchase or sale of securities that you also hold in your personal account, you should take care to avoid transactions

in those securities in your personal account in the days leading up to the client transactions. However, unanticipated cash flows and redemptions in client accounts and unexpected market events do occur from time to time, and a personal trade made in the prior 14 days should never prevent you from buying or selling a security in a client account if the trade would be in the client's best interest. If you find yourself in that situation and need to buy or sell a security in a client account within the 14 calendar days following your personal transaction in a security of the same issuer, you should attempt to notify the Code of Ethics Team or your local Compliance Officer in advance of placing the trade. If you are unable to reach any of those individuals and the trade is time sensitive, you should proceed with the client trade and notify the Code of Ethics Team promptly after submitting it.

SHORT SALES BY AN INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL— An investment professional may not personally take a short position in a security of an issuer in which he or she holds a long position in a client account.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

7

Gifts and entertainment

Our guiding principle of "client, firm, self" also governs the receipt of gifts and entertainment from clients, consultants, brokers/dealers, research providers, vendors, companies in which we may invest, and others with whom the firm does business. As fiduciaries to our clients, we must always place our clients' interests first and cannot allow gifts or entertainment opportunities to influence the actions we take on behalf of our clients. In keeping with this standard, you must follow several specific requirements:

ACCEPTING GIFTS — You may only accept gifts of nominal value, which include logoed items, flower arrangements, gift baskets, and food, as well as other gifts with an approximate value of less than US$100 or the local equivalent per year from a single source.You may not accept a gift of cash, including a cash equivalent such as a gift card, regardless of the amount. If you receive a gift that violates the Code, you must return the gift or consult with the Chief Compliance Officer to determine appropriate action under the circumstances.

ACCEPTING BUSINESS MEALS — Business meals are permitted provided that neither the cost nor the frequency is excessive and there is a legitimate business purpose. If the host is a broker/dealer or research provider, the host must be reimbursed for the full amount of your proportionate share of the total cost of the meal if the approximate value of the meal is more than US$100 or the local equivalent.

ACCEPTING ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES — The firm recognizes that participation in entertainment opportunities with representatives from organizations with which the firm does business, such as consultants, broker/dealers, research providers, vendors, and companies in which we may invest, can help to further legitimate business interests. However, participation in such entertainment opportunities should be infrequent and is subject to the following conditions:

1.A representative of the hosting organization must be present;

2.The primary purpose of the event must be to discuss business or to build a business relationship;

3.You must receive prior approval from your business manager;

4.If the host is a broker/dealer or research provider, the host must be reimbursed for the full amount of the entertainment opportunity; and

5.For all other entertainment opportunities, the host must be reimbursed for the full face value of any entertainment ticket(s) if:

the entertainment opportunity requires a ticket with a face value of more than US$200 or the local equivalent, or is a high-profile event (e.g., a major sporting event),

you wish to accept more than one ticket, or

the host has invited numerous Wellington Management representatives.

Business managers must clear their own participation under the circumstances described above with the Chief Compliance Officer or Chair of the Ethics Committee.

Please note that even if you pay for the full face value of a ticket, you may attend the event only if the host is present.

LODGING AND AIR TRAVEL — You may not accept a gift of lodging or air travel in connection with any entertainment opportunity. If you participate in an entertainment opportunity for which lodging or air travel is paid for bythe host,you must reimburse the host for the equivalent cost,as determined byWellington Management's travel manager.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

8

SOLICITING GIFTS, ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, OR CONTRIBUTIONS — In your capacity as an employee of the firm, you may not solicit gifts, entertainment opportunities, or charitable or political contributions for yourself, or on behalf of clients, prospects, or others, from brokers, vendors, clients, or consultants with whom the firm conducts business or from companies in which the firm mayinvest.

SOURCING ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES — You may not request tickets to entertainment events from the firm's Trading department or any other Wellington Management department, or employee, nor from any broker, vendor, company in which we may invest, or other organization with which the firm conducts business.

Outside activities

While the firm recognizes that you may engage in business or charitable activities in your personal time, you must take steps to avoid conflicts of interest between your private interests and our clients' interests. As a result, all significant outside business or charitable activities (e.g., additional employment, consulting work, directorships or officerships) must be approved by your business manager and by the Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, or Chair of the Ethics Committee prior to the acceptance of such a position (or if you are new, upon joining the firm). Approval will be granted only if it is determined that the activity does not

present a significant conflict of interest. Directorships in public companies (or companies reasonably expected to become public companies) will generally not be authorized, while service with charitable organizations generally will be permitted.

Client confidentiality

Any nonpublic information concerning our clients that you acquire in connection with your employment at the firm is confidential. This includes information regarding actual or contemplated investment decisions, portfolio composition, research recommendations, and client interests. You should not discuss client business, including the existence of a client relationship, with outsiders unless it is a necessary part of your job responsibilities.

How we enforce our Code of Ethics

Legal and Compliance is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code of Ethics. Members of Legal and Compliance will periodically request certifications and review holdings and transaction reports for potential violations. They may also request additional information or reports.

It is our collective responsibility to uphold the Code of Ethics. In addition to the formal reportingrequirements described in this Code of Ethics, you have a responsibility to report any violations of the Code. If you have any doubt as to the appropriateness of any activity, believe that you have violated the Code, or become aware of a violation of the Code by another individual, you should consult the manager of the Code of Ethics Team, Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, or Chair of the Ethics Committee.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

9

Potential violations of the Code of Ethics will be investigated and considered by representatives of Legal and Compliance and/or the Ethics Committee. All violations of the Code of Ethics will be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer. Violations are taken seriously and may result in sanctions or other consequences, including:

a warning

referral to your business manager and/or senior management

reversal of a trade or the return of a gift

disgorgement of profits or of the value of a gift

a limitation or restriction on personalinvesting

termination of employment

referral to civil or criminal authorities

If you become aware of any potential conflicts of interest that you believe are not addressed by our Code of Ethics or other policies, please contact the Chief Compliance Officer, the General Counsel, or the manager of the Code of Ethics Team.

Exceptions from the Code of Ethics

The Chief Compliance Officer may grant an exception from the Code, including preclearance, other trading restrictions, and certain reporting requirements on a case-by-case basis if it is determined that the proposed conduct involves no opportunity for abuse and does not conflict with client interests. Exceptions are expected to be rare.

Closing

As a firm, we seek excellence in the people we employ, the products and services we offer, the way we meet our ethical and fiduciary responsibilities, and the working environment we create for ourselves. Our Code of Ethics embodies that commitment. Accordingly, each of us must take care that our actions fully meet the high standards of conduct and professional behavior we have adopted. Most importantly, we must all remember "client, firm, self" is our most fundamental guiding principle.

Wellington Management Code ofEthics

10

APPENDIX A

No Preclearance or Reporting Required:

Open-end investment funds not managed by Wellington Management1

Interests in a variable annuity product in which the underlying assets are held in a fund not managed by Wellington Management

Direct obligations of the US government (including obligations issued by GNMA and PEFCO) or the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, or the United Kingdom

Cash

Money market instruments or other short-term debt instruments rated P-1 or P-2, A-1 or A-2, or their equivalents2

Bankers' acceptances, CDs, commercial paper

Wellington Trust Company Pools

Wellington Sponsored Hedge Funds

Securities futures and options on direct obligations of the US government or the governments of Canada,

France, Germany, Italy, Japan, or the United Kingdom, and associated derivatives

Options, forwards, and futures on commodities and foreign exchange, and associated derivatives

Transactions in approved managed accounts

Reporting of Securities Transactions Required (no need to preclear and not subject to the 60-day holding period):

Open-end investment funds managed by Wellington Management1 (other than money market funds)

Interests in a variable annuity or insurance product in which the underlying assets are held in a fund managed by Wellington Management

Futures and options on securities indices

Shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Gifts of securities to you or a reportable account

Gifts of securities from you or a reportable account

Non-volitional transactions (splits, tender offers, mergers, stock dividends, dividend reinvestments, etc.)

Preclearance and Reporting of Securities Transactions Required:

Bonds and notes (other than direct obligations of the US government

or the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, or the United Kingdom, as well as bankers' acceptances, CDs, commercial paper, and high-quality, short-term debt instruments)

Stock (common and preferred) or other equity securities, including any security convertible into equity securities

All Closed-end funds

Unit investment trusts

American Depositary Receipts

Options on securities (but not their non-volitional exercise or

expiration), excluding ETFs

Warrants

Rights

Prohibited Investments and Activities:

Initial public offerings (IPOs) of any securities

Single-stock futures

Single-Stock ETFs (including Leveraged Single-Stock ETFs, Inverse Single- Stock ETFs, and Hedged Single-Stock ETFs

Securities or financial instruments whose performance is derived from the performance of a security covered by our Code of Ethics (e.g. single stock ETFs and single stock futures)

Options expiring within 60 days of purchase, excluding ETFs

Securities being bought or sold on behalf of clients until one trading day after such buying or selling is completed or canceled

Securities of an issuer that is the subject of a new, changed, or reissued but unchanged action

recommendation from a global industry research or fixed income credit analyst until two business days following issuance or reissuance of the recommendation

Securities of an issuer that is mentioned at the Morning Meeting or the Early Morning Meeting until two business days following the meeting

Securities on the firmwide restricted list

Profiting from any short-term (i.e., within 60 days) trading activity

Securities of broker/dealers or their affiliates with which the firm conducts business

Securities of any securities market or exchange on which the firm trades

Using a derivative instrument to circumvent the requirements of the Code of Ethics

Purchasing an equity security if your aggregate ownership of the equity security exceeds 0.05% of the total shares outstanding of the issuer, excluding ETFs

This appendix is current as of 21 September 2022 and may be amended at the discretion of the Ethics Committee.

1A list of funds advised or subadvised by Wellington Management ("Wellington-Managed Funds") is available online via the Code of Ethics System. However, you remain responsible for confirming whether any particular investment represents a Wellington-Managed Fund.

2If the instrument is unrated, it must be of equivalent duration and comparable quality.

G2529_3