2009 FALL FOCUS INVESTMENT CONFERENCE Fund FOCUS Mutual Fund Update Peter Jacobs Senior Vice President Mutual Fund Product Management Northern Trust Global Investments For Financial Professional Use Only © 2009 Northern Trust Corporation northerntrust.com Agenda Northern Funds Product Line Update Updates on Existing Funds Northern Tax-Exempt Funds Northern Multi-Manager Funds NIF Global Tactical Asset Allocation NIF Money Market Funds New Funds NIF Treasury Portfolio (money market fund) Ultra-Short Duration Funds Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund Northern Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund 2 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Northern Funds Product Line Update Growth of Funds and Assets – YTD 2009 Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds 3 Number of Funds Mutual Fund Assets under Management 9-30-08 61 $85 billion 9-30-09 67 $93 billion 12-month AUM Growth: +9% vs. negative growth for the industry Perspective: Mutual fund AUM of $93 billion is less than 15% of Northern Trust’s total investment AUM Primary sources of AUM growth: Money market funds Bond funds – Bond Index Fund; High Yield Fund; Municipal Funds 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: Tax-Exempt Funds Tax-exempt bond funds have been Northern’s top-selling mutual fund category YTD, with more than $2 billion in sales YTD. Why? Bond Ladders >>> Bond Funds Active management can capitalize on opportunities: Higher income potential by capturing cap gains; managing maturities; yield curve changes; positioning strategies (barbell, bullet, etc.) vs. ladders static Designed to provide steady stream of monthly income vs. sporadic income of individual bonds Risk management: Active manager may increase income or protect capital vs. ladders are locked in 4 Low transaction costs – size matters Easy transition from ladders to funds – low minimum of $2,500 and instant diversification Seasoned, skilled management – same lead manager since inception 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: Tax-Exempt Funds More Northern Municipal Bond Funds – Advantages: Competitive Fees Excellent historical performance 3 of 6 tax-exempt funds qualifying for Morningstar ratings have received either a 4-star or 5-star overall rating; the others are 3-star* The 3 investment grade tax-exempt funds with 10-year track records are in the upper 1/3 of their Lipper categories* 3 of 6 tax-exempt funds with 3-year records are in the upper 10% of their Lipper categories* Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Ratings reflect fee waivers in effect; in their absence, ratings may have been lower. Due to ongoing market volatility, the Fund may have experienced negative returns for the time periods shown. Star ratings are based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund’s monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The overall rating is a weighted average of the 3-, 5-, and 10-year (if applicable) returns. 5 stars = top 10% of funds in an asset category; 4 stars = next 22.5% of funds; 3 stars = next 35%; 2 stars = next 22.5% and 1 star = next 10%. A fund must be in existence three years to be rated. Ratings are subject to change monthly. * as of August 31, 2009 5 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: Multi-Manager Funds Northern’s answer to open architecture includes seven mutual funds managed by multiple outside managers, selected by Northern Trust Global Advisors (NTGA), our manager-of-managers investment group. NTGA, since 1979, has 102 employees in 5 offices with $30 billion AUM (as of 6/30/09) Manager research Manager selection Key: Manager combinations Manager oversight Important today: due diligence in manager selection / oversight Seven Multi-Manager Funds = >$5 billion in AUM in three years Acceptance Northern 6 from Northern Trust and fiduciary clients corporate support and commitment 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: Multi-Manager Funds Northern Multi-Manager Funds: Northern Multi-Manager Large Cap Fund Northern Multi-Manager Mid Cap Fund Northern Multi-Manager Small Cap Northern Multi-Manager International Equity Fund New funds since last year’s FOCUS conference: 7 Northern Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund Northern Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund Northern Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity Fund 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: NIF Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund Simple, but sophisticated, solution to global asset allocation 8 Converted from NIF-Balanced Portfolio in April, 2008. Represents best thinking of Northern Trust Global Investments Asset allocation based on Investment Policy Committee’s process 15 asset classes in a fund-of-funds structure; rebalanced daily 15 asset classes via one NASDAQ symbol and one CUSIP number Competitive performance since conversion (April, 2008) 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: NIF Money Market Portfolios Guarantee Program and Proposed SEC Changes 9 U.S. Treasury Temporary Guarantee Program expired on September 18. Non-event in the markets. SEC proposed amendments designed to further stabilize money market funds and to increase safety & liquidity for shareholders Northern Trust already adheres, in large part, to SEC proposals; don’t expect changes to significantly impact NIF money funds. 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Update: NIF Money Market Portfolios Current Product Positioning Remain conservatively positioned High credit quality Strong liquidity Secondary Rate Forecast: Expect Fed Funds to remain near 0% into 2010, then rise based on performance of the economy Recent Northern Credit Policy Enhancements Enhanced Master Result: credit review process Eligible List – to ensure names satisfy higher standards Revised 10 emphasis on yield limits to reduce amount and maturity to all but strongest names Raise average credit quality and improve diversification 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference New Funds NIF Treasury Portfolio (money market fund) Why Developed? - To provide a US Treasury alternative - To meet client demand Investment Objective: Seeks to preserve capital, maintain liquidity and generate income, by investing exclusively in money market instruments issued by, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government Investment Strategy: To invest in securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government Benchmark Index: iMoneyNet Treasury and Repo Institutional – includes only institutional government funds that hold U.S. Treasuries and repurchase agreements backed by the U.S. Treasury Average Maturity: Under normal market conditions, 20-60 days Dividend Distribution: Monthly Net Expenses: 0.20%* on Shares Class (currently waived down to 0.15%) Current Assets (9-30-09): $2.2 billion * Includes voluntary fee waivers and expense reimbursements that may change or end at any time, along with contractual expense reimbursements that, if not extended, will end on December 31, 2009. It does not include additional expenses related to the Treasury Guarantee Program. Unaudited as of August 31, 2009. An investment in the Money Market Funds is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Money Market Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds. 11 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference New Funds Northern Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund Why Developed? - In response to client frustration with low yields on money funds - To seek higher yield than money fund, but with NAV fluctuation Investment Objective: Seeks to maximize total return to the extent consistent with preservation of capital Investment Strategy: Invests in investment grade domestic debt securities, all US$ denominated, using yield curve, sector and security selection Average Maturity: 6-18 months Dividend Distribution: Monthly Net Expenses: 0.25%* Current Assets (9-30-09): $68 million The Fund is not a money market fund, which maintains a $1.00 NAV, and the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with its returns. Bond Risk: Bond funds will tend to experience smaller fluctuations in value than stock funds. However, investors in any bond fund should anticipate fluctuations in price, especially for longer-term issues and in environments of rising interest rates. * Net expenses include voluntary expense reimbursements by Northern Funds investment advisers that may change or end at any time 12 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference New Funds Northern Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income Fund Why Developed? - In response to client frustration with low yields on money funds - To seek higher yield than money fund, but with NAV fluctuation - To maximize after-tax return Investment Objective: Seeks to maximize total return, adjusted for the maximum federal tax rate, to the extent consistent with preservation of capital Investment Strategy: Invests in investment grade domestic debt securities, taxable and tax-exempt, all US$ denominated; using yield curve, sector selection and security selection Average Maturity: 6-18 months Dividend Distribution: Monthly Net Expenses: 0.25%* Current Assets (9-30-09): $110 million The Fund is not a money market fund, which maintains a $1.00 NAV, and the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with its returns. Bond Risk: Bond funds will tend to experience smaller fluctuations in value than stock funds. However, investors in any bond fund should anticipate fluctuations in price, especially for longer-term issues and in environments of rising interest rates. * Net expenses include voluntary expense reimbursements by Northern Funds investment advisers that may change or end at any time 13 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference Important Disclosure Information Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and interpretation are not guaranteed. Information is subject to change without notice. No information provided herein shall constitute, or be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to acquire any security, investment product or service, nor shall any such security, product or service be offered or sold in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is prohibited by law or regulation. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy or product described herein. Northern Trust typically offers its investment products and services through its various affiliates including Northern Trust Investments, N.A., Northern Trust Global Investments Ltd., Northern Trust Global Advisors, Inc., Northern Trust Bank, FSB, and Northern Trust Securities, Inc. Not all products may be suitable for or available to all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investment products and services are offered through Northern Trust Securities, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation. Please carefully read the prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds before investing. Call 800-595-9111 to obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other information about the funds. Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, Boston, MA, not affiliated with Northern Trust. Not FDIC-Insured 14 | No bank guarantee 2009 Fall FOCUS Investment Conference | May lose value 2009 FALL FOCUS INVESTMENT CONFERENCE Thank you. Peter Jacobs Mutual Fund Product Management Northern Trust Global Investments © 2009 Northern Trust Corporation northerntrust.com