PROSPECTUS
JULY 1, 2003
25,000,000
COMMON SHARES
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
[GRAPHIC]
THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ING PRIME RATE
TRUST (THE TRUST) THAT A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR OUGHT TO KNOW BEFORE INVESTING.
YOU SHOULD READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST, AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
THE TRUST HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE SEC) A
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED JULY 1, 2003 (THE SAI) CONTAINING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST. THE SAI IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
ITS ENTIRETY INTO THIS PROSPECTUS. YOU MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE SAI BY
CONTACTING THE TRUST AT (800) 992-0180 OR BY WRITING TO THE TRUST AT 7337 E.
DOUBLETREE RANCH ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85258. THE PROSPECTUS, SAI AND OTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SEC'S WEBSITE
(http://www.sec.gov). THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE SAI APPEARS ON PAGE 29 OF
THIS PROSPECTUS.
COMMON SHARES OF THE TRUST TRADE ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (THE NYSE) UNDER
THE SYMBOL PPR.
MARKET FLUCTUATIONS AND GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT THE
TRUST. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE TRUST WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE. INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRUST'S USE OF LEVERAGE. SEE
"RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 FOR A DISCUSSION
OF ANY FACTORS THAT MAKE INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST SPECULATIVE OR HIGH RISK.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
[ING FUNDS LOGO]
PROSPECTUS
WHAT'S INSIDE
[GRAPHIC] OBJECTIVE
[GRAPHIC] INVESTMENT STRATEGY
[GRAPHIC] RISKS
[GRAPHIC] WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST.
This Prospectus describes the Trust's objective, investment strategy and risks.
You'll also find:
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST.
A list of the fees and expenses you pay -- both directly and indirectly -- when
you invest in the Trust.
Introduction to the Trust 1
Prospectus Synopsis 2
What You Pay To Invest -- Trust Expenses 6
Financial Highlights 8
Trading and NAV Information 9
Investment Objective and Policies 10
The Trust's Investments 12
Risk Factors and Special Considerations 14
Transaction Policies 19
Plan of Distribution 20
Use of Proceeds 21
Dividends and Distributions 21
Investment Management and Other
Service Providers 22
Description of the Trust 24
Description of Capital Structure 26
Tax Matters 27
More Information 28
Statement of Additional Information
Table of Contents 29
(THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUST
THIS PROSPECTUS IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR
INVESTMENTS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Who should invest in the Trust?
ING PRIME RATE TRUST MAY SUIT YOU IF YOU:
- are seeking a high level of current income; and
- are willing to accept the risks associated with an investment in a
leveraged portfolio consisting primarily of senior loans that are typically
below investment grade credit quality.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is a diversified, closed-end investment company that seeks to
provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent
with the preservation of capital. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective
by investing in a professionally managed portfolio comprised primarily of
senior loans, an investment typically not available directly to individual
investors.
The Trust cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. In
addition, since the senior loans in the Trust's portfolio typically are below
investment grade credit quality and the portfolio is leveraged, the Trust has
speculative characteristics.
Common Shares of the Trust trade on the NYSE under the symbol PPR.
The Trust's investment manager is ING Investments, LLC.
[SIDENOTE]
Risk is the potential that your investment will lose money or not earn as much
as you hope. All funds have varying degrees of risk, depending upon the
securities they invest in.
This Trust involves certain risks and special considerations, including risks
associated with investing in below investment grade assets and risks associated
with the Trust's use of borrowing and other leverage strategies. See "Risk
Factors and Special Considerations" beginning on page 14.
Please read this Prospectus carefully to be sure you understand the principal
risks and strategies associated with the Trust. You should consult the SAI for a
complete list of the risks and strategies.
[GRAPHIC]
If you have any questions about the Trust, please call your financial consultant
or us at (800) 992-0180.
[GRAPHIC] If you have any questions, please call (800) 992-0180.
1
PROSPECTUS SYNOPSIS
The following synopsis is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF
THE TRUST
THE TRUST The Trust is a diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
Act). It is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. As of June 16, 2003,
the Trust's net asset value (NAV) per Common Share was $6.94.
NYSE LISTED As of June 16, 2003, the Trust had 137,100,184 Common Shares outstanding,
which are traded on the NYSE under the symbol PPR. As of June 16, 2003, the
last reported sales price of a Common Share of the Trust was $7.02.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE To provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent
with the preservation of capital. There is no assurance that the Trust will
achieve its investment objective.
INVESTMENT MANAGER The Trust's investment manager is ING Investments, LLC (ING Investments or the
Investment Manager), an Arizona limited liability company. The Investment
Manager had assets under management of over $34.5 billion as of May 31, 2003.
The Investment Manager is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep
N.V. (NYSE: ING) (ING Groep). ING Groep is a global financial institution
active in the fields of insurance, banking and asset management in more than
65 countries with more than 100,000 employees.
The Investment Manager receives an annual fee, payable monthly, in a maximum
amount equal to 0.80% of the Trust's average daily gross asset value, minus
the sum of the Trust's accrued and unpaid dividends on any outstanding
preferred shares and accrued liabilities (other than liabilities for the
principal amount of any borrowings incurred, commercial paper or notes issued
by the Trust and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred
shares) (Managed Assets). This definition includes the assets acquired through
the Trust's use of leverage.
Subject to shareholder approval, the Trust's Board of Trustees has approved
Aeltus Investment Management, Inc. to serve as the Sub-Adviser to the Trust
effective on or about August 19, 2003. See "Investment Management and Other
Service Providers - Proposed Sub-Adviser" on page 22.
DISTRIBUTIONS Income dividends on Common Shares accrue and are declared and paid monthly.
Income dividends may be distributed in cash or reinvested in additional
full and fractional shares of the Trust through the Trust's Shareholder
Investment Program.
PRIMARY INVESTMENT The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing under
STRATEGY normal circumstances at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes, in higher yielding, U.S. dollar
denominated, floating rate secured senior loans (Senior Loans). The Senior
Loans are typically rated below investment grade credit quality. The Trust
makes its investments in Senior Loans by purchasing a portion of the overall
loan, I.E., the Trust becomes one of a number of lenders participating in
the loan.
The Trust only invests in Senior Loans made to corporations or other business
entities organized under U.S. or Canadian law and which are domiciled in the
U.S., Canada or in U.S. territories or possessions. Senior Loans either hold
the most senior position in the capital structure of the borrower or hold an
equal ranking with other senior debt or have characteristics that the
Investment Manager believes justify treatment as senior debt.
2
OTHER INVESTMENT Assets not invested in Senior Loans may be invested in unsecured
STRATEGIES AND POLICIES loans, subordinated loans, short-term debt securities, and equities acquired
in connection with investments in loans. See "Investment Objective and
Policies" at page 10.
Loans in which the Trust invests typically have interest rates which reset at
least quarterly and may reset as frequently as daily. The maximum duration of
an interest rate reset on any loan in which the Trust may invest is one year.
In order to achieve overall reset balance, the Trust will ordinarily maintain
a dollar-weighted average time to next interest rate adjustment on its loans
of 90 days or less.
Normally at least 80% of the Trust's portfolio will be invested in Senior
Loans with maturities of one to ten years. The maximum maturity on any loan
in which the Trust may invest is ten years.
To seek to increase the yield on the Common Shares, the Trust may engage in
lending its portfolio securities. Such lending will be fully secured by
investment grade collateral held by an independent agent.
The Trust may hold a portion of its assets in short-term interest bearing
instruments. Moreover, in periods when, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, a temporary defensive position is appropriate, up to 100% of the
Trust's assets may be held in cash or short-term interest bearing
instruments. The Trust may not achieve its investment objective when pursuing
a temporary defensive position.
The Trust may not invest in Senior Loans made to foreign borrowers other than
borrowers organized under Canadian law and which are domiciled in the U.S.,
Canada or in U.S. territories or possessions.
The Trust may engage in executing repurchase and reverse repurchase
agreements.
LEVERAGE To seek to increase the yield on the Common Shares, the Trust employs
financial leverage by borrowing money and issuing preferred shares. See "Risk
Factors and Special Considerations -- Leverage" at page 15.
BORROWINGS Under the 1940 Act, the Trust may borrow up to an amount equal to 33 1/3% of
its total assets (including the proceeds of the borrowings) less all
liabilities other than borrowings. The Trust's obligations to holders of its
debt are senior to its ability to pay dividends on, or redeem or repurchase,
Common Shares and preferred shares, or to pay holders of Common Shares and
preferred shares in the event of liquidation.
PREFERRED SHARES Under the 1940 Act, The Trust may issue preferred shares so long as immediately
after any issuance of preferred shares the value of the Trust's total assets
(less all Trust liabilities and indebtedness that is not senior indebtedness) is
at least twice the amount of the Trust's senior indebtedness plus the involuntary
liquidation preference of all outstanding shares.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of a class of
preferred stock in one or more series. In November 2000, the Trust issued 3,600
shares each of Series M, T, W, Th and F Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred
Shares, $0.01 par value, $25,000 liquidation preference per share, for a total
issuance of $450 million (the Preferred Shares). The Trust's obligations to
holders of the Preferred Shares and holders of any other preferred shares, are
senior to its ability to pay dividends on, or redeem or repurchase, Common
Shares, or to pay holders of Common Shares in the event of liquidation.
The 1940 Act also requires that the holders of the Preferred Shares and
holders of any other preferred shares of the Trust, voting as a separate
class, have the right to:
- elect at least two trustees at all times; and
- elect a majority of the trustees at any time when dividends on any
series of Preferred Shares are unpaid for two full years.
In each case, the holders of Common Shares voting separately as a class will
elect the remaining trustees.
3
DIVERSIFICATION The Trust maintains a diversified investment portfolio, a strategy which seeks
to limit exposure to any one issuer or industry.
As a diversified investment company, the Trust may not make investments in any
one issuer (other than the U.S. government) if, immediately after such
purchase or acquisition, more than 5% of the value of the Trust's total assets
would be invested in such issuer, or the Trust would own more than 25% of any
outstanding issue. The Trust will consider a borrower on a loan, including a
loan participation, to be the issuer of that loan. This strategy is a
fundamental policy that may not be changed without shareholder approval. With
respect to no more than 25% of its total assets, the Trust may make
investments that are not subject to the foregoing restrictions.
In addition, a maximum of 25% of the Trust's total assets, measured at the
time of investment, may be invested in any one industry. This strategy is also
a fundamental policy that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Common Shares are offered by the Trust through the Trust's Shareholder
Investment Program. The Shareholder Investment Program allows participating
shareholders to reinvest all dividends in additional shares of the Trust, and
also allows participants to purchase additional Common Shares through optional
cash investments in amounts ranging from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of
$25,000 per month. Subject to the permission of the Trust, participating
shareholders may also make optimal cash investments in excess of the monthly
maximum. The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase order. Please note
that cash, travelers checks, third party checks, money orders and checks drawn
on non-US banks (even if payment may be effected through a US bank) generally
will not be accepted. Common Shares may be issued by the Trust under the
Shareholder Investment Program only if the Trust's Common Shares are trading at
a premium to net asset value (NAV). If the Trust's Common Shares are trading at
a discount to NAV, Common Shares purchased under the Shareholder Investment
Program will be purchased on the open market. See "Plan of Distribution" at
page 20.
Shareholders may elect to participate in the Shareholder Investment Program by
telephoning the Trust or submitting a completed Participation Form to DST
Systems, Inc. (DST).
Common Shares also may be offered pursuant to privately negotiated
transactions between the Trust or ING Funds Distributor, LLC and individual
investors. Common Shares of the Trust issued in connection with privately
negotiated transactions will be issued at the greater of (i) NAV per Common
Share of the Trust's Common Shares or (ii) at a discount ranging from 0% to 5%
of the average daily market price of the Trust's Common Shares at the close of
business on the two business days preceding the date upon which Common Shares
are sold pursuant to the privately negotiated transaction. See "Plan of
Distribution" at page 20.
ADMINISTRATOR The Trust's administrator is ING Funds Services, LLC (the Administrator). The
Administrator is an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Administrator
receives an annual fee, payable monthly, in a maximum amount equal to 0.25% of
the Trust's Managed Assets.
RISK FACTORS
AND SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
CREDIT RISK ON LOANS Loans in the Trust's portfolio will typically be below investment grade credit
quality. Investment in the Trust involves the risk that borrowers may default
on obligations to pay principal or interest when due, that lenders may have
difficulty liquidating the collateral securing the loans or enforcing their
rights under the terms of the loans, and that the Trust's investment objective
may not be realized.
4
INTEREST RATE RISK Changes in market interest rates will affect the yield on the Trust's Common
Shares. If market interest rates fall, the yield on the Trust's Common Shares
will also fall. In addition, changes in market interest rates may cause the
Trust's NAV to experience moderate volatility because of the lag between
changes in market rates and the resetting of the floating rates on assets in
the Trust's portfolio. To the extent that market interest rate changes are
reflected as a change in the market spreads for loans of the type and quality
in which the Trust invests, the value of the Trust's portfolio may decrease
in response to an increase in such spreads. Finally, substantial increases in
interest rates may cause an increase in loan defaults as borrowers may lack
the resources to meet higher debt service requirements.
DISCOUNT FROM OR As with any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or
PREMIUM TO NAV decrease from the amount that you paid for the Common Shares.
The Trust's Common Shares may trade at a discount to NAV. This is a risk
separate and distinct from the risk that the Trust's NAV per Common Share may
decrease.
LEVERAGE The Trust's use of leverage through borrowings and the issuance of preferred
shares can adversely affect the yield on the Trust's Common Shares. To the
extent that the Trust is unable to invest the proceeds from the use of
leverage in assets which pay interest at a rate which exceeds the rate paid
on the leverage, the yield on the Trust's Common Shares will decrease. In
addition, in the event of a general market decline in the value of assets
such as those in which the Trust invests, the effect of that decline will be
magnified in the Trust because of the additional assets purchased with the
proceeds of the leverage. As of June 16, 2003, the Trust had $84 million of
borrowings outstanding under two credit facilities totaling $540, and $450
million of Preferred Shares
LIMITED SECONDARY Because of the limited secondary market for loans, the Trust may be limited
MARKET FOR LOANS in its ability to sell loans in its portfolio in a timely fashion and/or at a
favorable price.
DEMAND FOR LOANS An increase in demand for loans may adversely affect the rate of interest
payable on new loans acquired by the Trust, and it may also increase the
price of loans in the secondary market.
IMPACT OF SHAREHOLDER The issuance of Common Shares through the Shareholder Investment Program may
INVESTMENT PROGRAM have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Trust's
Common Shares by increasing the number of Common Shares available for sale.
In addition, the Common Shares may be issued at a discount to the market
price for such Common Shares, which may put downward pressure on the market
price for Common Shares of the Trust.
5
WHAT YOU PAY TO INVEST--TRUST EXPENSES
The cost to you to invest in the Trust includes the expenses incurred by the
Trust. In accordance with SEC requirements, the table below shows the expenses
of the Trust, including interest expense on borrowings, as a percentage of the
net assets of the Trust, and not as a percentage of gross assets or Managed
Assets. By showing expenses as a percentage of net assets, expenses are not
expressed as a percentage of all of the assets that are invested for the Trust.
The Table below assumes that the Trust has issued $450 million of Preferred
Shares and has borrowed an amount equal to 25% of its Managed Assets. For
information about the Trust's expense ratios if the Trust had not borrowed or
issued Preferred Shares, see "Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Annual
Expenses Without Borrowings or Preferred Shares."
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Shareholder Investment Program
Fee (as a percentage of offering price)(1) 1.00%
Shareholder Investment Program Fees NONE
Privately Negotiated Transactions
Commission (as a percentage of offering price)(1) 3.00%
Shareholder Investment Program Fees NONE
ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHARES)
Management and Administrative Fees(2) 2.09%
Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds 0.89%
Other Operating Expenses(3) 0.44%
Total Annual Expenses(4) 3.42%
(1) In connection with optional cash investments in excess of $25,000 pursuant
to a waiver, a fee of up to 1.00% of the amount of such investment may be
paid to ING Funds Distributor for services in connection with the sale of
the Common Shares, while in connection with certain privately negotiated
transactions, a commission of up to 3.00% of such investment may be paid to
ING Funds Distributor. ING Funds Distributor may allow all or some of such
fees or commission to other broker-dealers. See "More Information --
Distribution Arrangements." No fees or commissions will be paid by the
Trust or its shareholders in connection with the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions or in connection with optional cash
investments up to the maximum of $25,000 per month.
(2) Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Trust, ING
Investments is paid a fee of 0.80% of the Trust's Managed Assets. Pursuant
to its Administration Agreement with the Trust, ING Funds Services, LLC,
the Trust's Administrator, is paid a fee of 0.25% of the Trust's Managed
Assets. See "Investment Management and Other Service Providers -- The
Administrator."
(3) "Other Operating Expenses" are based on estimated amounts for the current
fiscal year, which, in turn, are based on "other operating expenses" for
the fiscal year ended February 28, 2003, and does not include the expenses
of borrowing.
(4) If the Total Annual Expenses of the Trust were expressed as a percentage of
Managed Assets (assuming the same 25% borrowing), the Total Annual
Expense ratio would be 1.72%.
6
EXAMPLES
The following hypothetical examples show the amount of the expenses that an
investor in the Trust would bear on a $1,000 investment that is held for the
different time periods in the table. The examples assume that all dividends
and other distributions are reinvested at NAV and that the percentage amounts
listed under Total Annual Expenses above remain the same in the years shown.
The tables and the assumption in the hypothetical examples of a 5% annual
return are required by regulation of the SEC applicable to all investment
companies. The assumed 5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not
represent, the projected or actual performance of the Trust's Common Shares.
For more complete descriptions of certain of the Trust's costs and expenses,
see "Investment Management and Other Service Providers."
EXAMPLE #1
The following example applies to shares issued in connection with the Trust's
Shareholder Investment Program. Because the assumed amount of investment in
the example is $1,000, the example does not reflect the fee of 1.00% on sales
of greater than $25,000 per month pursuant to a request for waiver.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return and where the Trust has borrowed
in an amount equal to 25% of its Managed Assets $35 $108 $185 $400
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return and where the
Trust has not borrowed $20 $ 63 $108 $233
EXAMPLE #2
The following example applies to shares issued in connection with privately
negotiated transactions, which may have a maximum front-end commission of 3.0%.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return and where the Trust has borrowed
in an amount equal to 25% of its Managed Assets $64 $134 $210 $418
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return and where the Trust has not borrowed $50 $ 91 $135 $256
The purpose of the above table is to assist you in understanding the various
costs and expenses that an investor in the Trust will bear directly or
indirectly.
THE FOREGOING EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE
EXPENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
7
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS TABLE
The table below sets forth selected financial information which has been derived
from the financial statements in the Trust's Annual Report dated as of February
28, 2003. For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2003, February 28, 2002,
February 28, 2001, February 29, 2000, and February 28, 1999, the information in
the table below has been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. The
auditors' report is contained in the Trust's Annual Report dated as of February
28, 2003. A free copy of the Annual Report may be obtained by calling
(800) 992-0180.
YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR FEBRUARY 29,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999(4)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.20 $ 8.09 $ 8.95 $ 9.24 $ 9.34
Net investment income 0.50 0.74 0.88 0.79 0.79
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.47) (0.89) (0.78) (0.30) (0.10)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations (0.02) (0.15) 0.10 0.49 0.69
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net
investment income (0.45) (0.63) (0.86) (0.78) (0.82)
Distribution to Preferred Shareholders (0.05) (0.11) (0.06) -- --
Increase in net asset value from share offerings -- -- -- -- --
Reduction in net asset value from Preferred
Shares offerings -- -- (0.04) -- --
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of period $ 6.73 $ 7.20 $ 8.09 $ 8.95 $ 9.24
======== ====== ========== ========== ==========
Closing market price at end of period $ 6.46 $ 6.77 $ 8.12 $ 8.25 $ 9.56
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN(1)
Total investment return at closing market price(2) 2.53% (9.20)% 9.10% (5.88)% 1.11%
Total investment return at net asset value(3) 0.44% (3.02)% 0.19% 5.67% 7.86%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets end of period (000's) $922,383 $985,982 $1,107,432 $1,217,339 $1,202,565
Preferred Shares Aggregate amount
outstanding (000's) $450,000 $450,000 $ 450,000 -- --
Borrowing at end of period (000's) $167,000 $282,000 $ 510,000 $ 484,000 $ 534,000
Liquidation and market value per share
of Preferred Shares $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 -- --
Asset coverage Per ratios(7) 250% 235% 215% 352% 325%
Average borrowings (000's) $190,671 $365,126 $ 450,197 $ 524,019 $ 490,978
Ratios to average net assets including Preferred
Shares(8)
Expenses (before interest and other
fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.49% 1.57% 1.62% -- --
Expenses 1.81% 2.54% 3.97% -- --
Net investment income 4.97% 6.83% 9.28% -- --
Ratios to average net assets plus borrowing
Expenses (before interest and other
fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.82% 1.66% 1.31% 1.00%(5) 1.05%(5)
Expenses 2.23% 2.70% 3.21% 2.79%(5) 2.86%(5)
Net investment income 6.10% 7.24% 7.50% 6.12% 6.00%
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses (before interest and other
fees related to revolving credit facility) 2.19% 2.25% 1.81% 1.43%(5) 1.50%(5)
Expenses 2.68% 3.64% 4.45% 4.00%(5) 4.10%(5)
Net investment income 7.33% 9.79% 10.39% 8.77% 8.60%
Portfolio turnover rate 48% 53% 46% 71% 68%
Common shares outstanding at end of period (000's) 136,973 136,973 136,847 136,036 130,206
(1) Total investment return calculations are attributable to common
shareholders.
(2) Total investment return measures the change in the market value of your
investment assuming reinvestment of dividends and capital gain
distributions, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend
reinvestment plan.
(3) Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a
purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at
net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions in accordance with the provisions
of the dividend reinvestment plan. This calculation differs from total
investment return because it excludes the effects of changes in the market
values of the Trust's shares.
(4) The Investment Manager agreed to reduce its fee for a period of three
years from the Expiration Date of the November 12, 1996 Rights Offering to
0.60% of the average daily net assets, plus the proceeds of any
outstanding borrowings, over $1.15 billion.
(5) Calculated on total expenses before impact of earnings credits.
(6) The Asset coverage ratios for the fiscal years ended February 28, 1998
and 1997 was 402% and 486%, respectively. Borrowings at February 28, 1998
and 1997 were $342 million and $267 million respectively. Asset coverage
ratios for the fiscal years ended February 28 or 29 1996, 1995 and 1994
are not applicable as the Trust had neither outstanding borrowing nor
preferred shares.
(7) Asset coverage represents the total assets available for settlement of
Preferred Stockholder's interest and notes payables in relation to the
Preferred Shareholder interest and notes payable balance outstanding. The
Preferred Shares were first offered November 2, 2000.
(8) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to Preferred
Shareholders; income ratios reflect income earned on assets attributable
to preferred shares.
8
TRADING AND NAV INFORMATION
The following table shows for the Trust's Common Shares for the periods
indicated: (1) the high and low closing prices as shown on the NYSE Composite
Transaction Tape; (2) the NAV per Common Share represented by each of the high
and low closing prices as shown on the NYSE Composite Transaction Tape; and (3)
the discount from or premium to NAV per Share (expressed as a percentage)
represented by these closing prices. The table also sets forth the aggregate
number of shares traded as shown on the NYSE Composite Transaction Tape during
the respective quarter.
PREMIUM/(DISCOUNT)
PRICE NAV TO NAV
-------------- ------------- ------------------ REPORTED
CALENDAR QUARTER ENDED HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW NYSE VOLUME
------- ------ ----- ----- -------- ------ -----------
March 31, 2001 $8.400 $7.500 $8.08 $8.06 3.96% (6.95)% 16,921,900
June 30, 2001 7.990 7.470 7.87 7.83 1.52 (4.60) 14,967,500
September 30, 2001 7.750 6.100 7.76 7.58 (0.13) (19.53) 15,471,500
December 31, 2001 6.820 6.350 7.46 7.30 (8.58) (13.01) 17,475,300
March 31, 2002 6.950 6.640 7.29 7.25 (4.66) (8.41) 11,781,400
June 30, 2002 6.950 6.230 7.25 7.13 (4.14) (12.62) 13,759,808
September 30, 2002 6.290 5.610 7.07 6.96 11.03) (19.40) 16,512,192
December 31, 2002 6.100 5.440 6.69 6.55 (8.82) (16.95) 16,672,498
March 31, 2003 6.690 6.130 6.74 6.69 (0.74) (8.37) 16,702,202
On June 16, 2003, the last reported sale price of a Common Share of the
Trust's Common Shares on the NYSE was $7.02. The Trust's NAV on June 16, 2003
was $6.94. See "Transaction Policies -- Net Asset Value." On June 16, 2003
the last reported sale price of a share of the Trust's Common Shares on the
NYSE ($7.02) represented a 1.15% premium above NAV ($6.94) as of that date.
The Trust's Common Shares have traded in the market above, at, and below NAV
since March 9, 1992, when the Trust's Common Shares were listed on the NYSE. The
Trust cannot predict whether its Common Shares will trade in the future at a
premium or discount to NAV, and if so, the level of such premium or discount.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from
NAV.
9
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Trust's investment objective is to provide investors with as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Trust
seeks to achieve this investment objective by investing in the types of assets
described below:
1. SENIOR LOANS. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Trust's
net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
will be invested in higher yielding, U.S. dollar denominated, floating
rate secured senior loans (Senior Loans). The Trust will provide
shareholders with at least 60 days' prior notice of any change in this
investment policy.
The Trust only invests in Senior Loans made to corporations or other
business entities organized under U.S. or Canadian law and which are
domiciled in the U.S., Canada or in U.S. territories or possessions. These
Senior Loans are typically below investment grade in quality. The Trust
makes its investments in Senior Loans by purchasing a portion of the
overall loan, I.E., the Trust becomes one of a number of lenders
participating in the loan.
Senior Loans either hold the most senior position in the capital structure
of the borrower or hold an equal ranking with other senior debt or have
characteristics that the Investment Manager believes justify treatment as
senior debt.
The Trust does not invest in Senior Loans whose interest rates are tied to
non-domestic interest rates other than the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
(LIBOR).
2. OTHER INVESTMENTS. Under normal circumstances the Trust may also invest
up to 20% of its total assets in the following types of investments (Other
Investments):
- unsecured loans
- subordinated loans
- short-term debt securities
- equity securities incidental to investment in loans
3. CASH AND SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. Under normal circumstances, the Trust
may invest in cash and/or short-term instruments. During periods when, in
the opinion of the Investment Manager, a temporary defensive posture in the
market is appropriate, the Trust may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash
and/or short-term instruments.
FUNDAMENTAL DIVERSIFICATION POLICIES
1. INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION. The Trust may invest in any industry. The
Trust may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any single
industry.
2. BORROWER DIVERSIFICATION. As a diversified investment company, the Trust
may not make investments in any one issuer (other than the U.S. government)
if, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, more than 5% of the
value of the Trust's total assets would be invested in such issuer, or the
Trust would own more than 25% of any outstanding issue. The Trust will
consider the borrower on a loan, including a loan participation, to be the
issuer of such loan. With respect to no more than 25% of its total assets,
the Trust may make investments that are not subject to the foregoing
restrictions.
These fundamental diversification policies may only be changed with approval by
a majority of all shareholders, including the vote of a majority of the holders
of Preferred Shares, and holders of any other preferred shares, voting
separately as a class.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Investment Manager follows certain investment policies set by the Trust's
Board of Trustees. Some of those policies are set forth below. Please refer to
the SAI for additional information on these and other investment policies.
1. PAYABLE IN U.S. DOLLARS. All investments purchased by the Trust must be
denominated in U.S. dollars.
2. MATURITY. Normally at least 80% of the Trust's total assets will be
invested in Senior Loans with maturities of one to ten years. The maximum
maturity on any loan in which the Trust can invest is ten years.
3. INTEREST RATE RESETS. Normally, at least 80% of the Trust's total assets
will be invested in assets with rates of interest which reset either daily,
monthly, or quarterly. The maximum duration of an interest rate reset on
any loan investment in which the Trust may invest is one year. In addition,
the Trust will ordinarily maintain a dollar-weighted average time to next
interest rate adjustment on its loan investments of 90 days or less.
4. LIMITATIONS ON SUBORDINATED AND UNSECURED LOANS. The Trust may also
invest up to 5% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in
subordinated and unsecured loans. The Trust may acquire a subordinated loan
only if, at the time of acquisition, it acquires or holds a Senior Loan
from the same borrower. The Trust will acquire unsecured loans only where
the Investment Manager believes, at the time of acquisition, that the Trust
would have the right to payment upon default that is not subordinate to any
other creditor. The maximum of 5% of the Trust's assets invested in
subordinated and unsecured loans will constitute part of the 20% of the
Trust's assets that may be invested in "Other Investments" as described
above, and will not count toward the 80% of the Trust's assets that are
normally invested in Senior Loans.
5. INVESTMENT QUALITY; CREDIT ANALYSIS. Loans in which the Trust invests
generally are rated below investment grade credit quality or are unrated.
In
10
acquiring a loan, the Investment Manager will consider some or all of the
following factors concerning the borrower: ability to service debt from
internally generated funds; adequacy of liquidity and working capital;
appropriateness of capital structure; leverage consistent with industry
norms; historical experience of achieving business and financial
projections; the quality and experience of management; and adequacy of
collateral coverage. The Investment Manager performs its own independent
credit analysis of each borrower. In so doing, the Investment Manager may
utilize information and credit analyses from agents that originate or
administer loans, other lenders investing in a loan, and other sources. The
Investment Manager also may communicate directly with management of the
borrowers. These analyses continue on a periodic basis for any Senior Loan
held by the Trust. See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations --Credit
Risk on Senior Loans."
6. USE OF LEVERAGE. The Trust may borrow money and issue preferred shares
to the fullest extent permitted by the 1940 Act. See "Policy on Borrowing"
and "Policy on Issuance of Preferred Shares" below.
7. SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. Short-term instruments in which the Trust
invests may include (i) commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard and Poor's
or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or of comparable quality as
determined by the Investment Manager, (ii) certificates of deposit,
banker's acceptances, and other bank deposits and obligations, and (iii)
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
8. SECURITIES LENDING. The Trust also may lend portfolio securities on a
short-term or long-term basis, an amount equal to up to 33 1/3% of its total
assets.
POLICY ON BORROWING
Beginning in May of 1996, the Trust began a policy of borrowing for investment
purposes. The Trust seeks to use proceeds from borrowing to acquire loans and
other investments which pay interest at a rate higher than the rate the Trust
pays on borrowings. Accordingly, borrowing has the potential to increase the
Trust's total income available to holders of its Common Shares.
The Trust may issue notes, commercial paper, or other evidences of indebtedness
and may be required to secure repayment by mortgaging, pledging, or otherwise
granting a security interest in the Trust's assets. The terms of any such
borrowings are subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, and also subject to
the more restrictive terms of the credit agreements relating to borrowings and
additional guidelines imposed by rating agencies which are more restrictive than
the provisions of the 1940 Act. The Trust is permitted to borrow an amount equal
to up to 33 1/3%, or such other percentage permitted by law, of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed) less all liabilities other than borrowings. See
"Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Leverage" and "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations -- Restrictive Covenants and 1940 Act Restrictions."
POLICY ON ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED SHARES
The Trust has a policy of issuing preferred shares for investment purposes.
The Trust seeks to use the proceeds from preferred shares to acquire loans
and other investments which pay interest at a rate higher than the
dividends payable on preferred shares. The terms of the issuance of
preferred shares are subject to the 1940 Act and to additional guidelines
imposed by rating agencies, which are more restrictive than the provisions
of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, The Trust may issue preferred shares
so long as immediately after any issuance of preferred shares the value of
the Trust's total assets (less all Trust liabilities and indebtedness that
is not senior indebtedness) is at least twice the amount of the Trust's
senior indebtedness plus the involuntary liquidation preference of all
outstanding shares. In November 2000, the Trust issued 18,000 Preferred
Shares for a total of $450 million. See "Risk Factors and Special
Considerations --Leverage."
11
THE TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
As stated above under Investment Objective and Policies, the Trust will invest
primarily in Senior Loans. This section contains a discussion of the
characteristics of Senior Loans, the manner in which those investments are made
and the market for Senior Loans.
SENIOR LOAN CHARACTERISTICS
Senior Loans are loans that are typically made to business borrowers to finance
leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations, mergers, stock repurchases and internal
growth. Senior Loans generally hold the most senior position in the capital
structure of a borrower and are usually secured by liens on the assets of the
borrowers, including tangible assets such as cash, accounts receivable,
inventory, property, plant and equipment, common and/or preferred stock of
subsidiaries, and intangible assets including trademarks, copyrights, patent
rights and franchise value. The Trust may also receive guarantees as a form of
collateral.
Senior Loans that the Trust may acquire include participation interests in lease
financings (Lease Participations) where the collateral quality, credit quality
of the borrower and the likelihood of payback are believed by ING Investments to
be the same as those applied to conventional Senior Loans. A Lease Participation
is also required to have a floating interest rate that is indexed to a benchmark
indicator of prevailing interest rates, such as LIBOR or the Prime Rate.
By virtue of their senior position and collateral, Senior Loans typically
provide lenders with the first right to cash flows or proceeds from the sale of
a borrower's collateral if the borrower becomes insolvent (subject to the
limitations of bankruptcy law, which may provide higher priority to certain
claims such as, for example, employee salaries, employee pensions and taxes).
This means Senior Loans are generally repaid before unsecured bank loans,
corporate bonds, subordinated debt, trade creditors, and preferred or common
stockholders.
Senior Loans typically pay interest at least quarterly at rates which equal a
fixed percentage spread over a base rate such as LIBOR. For example, if LIBOR
were 2.00% and the borrower were paying a fixed spread of 3.00%, the total
interest rate paid by the borrower would be 5.00%. Base rates and, therefore,
the total rates paid on Senior Loans float, I.E., they change as market rates of
interest change.
Although a base rate such as LIBOR can change every day, loan agreements for
Senior Loans typically allow the borrower the ability to choose how often the
base rate for its loan will change. Such periods can range from one day to one
year, with most borrowers choosing monthly or quarterly reset periods. During
periods of rising interest rates, borrowers will tend to choose longer reset
periods, and during periods of declining interest rates, borrowers will tend to
choose shorter reset periods. The fixed spread over the base rate on a Senior
Loan typically does not change.
Senior Loans generally are arranged through private negotiations between a
borrower and several financial institutions represented by an agent who is
usually one of the originating lenders. In larger transactions, it is common to
have several agents; however, generally only one such agent has primary
responsibility for ongoing administration of a Senior Loan. Agents are typically
paid fees by the borrower for their services. The agent is primarily responsible
for negotiating the loan agreement which establishes the terms and conditions of
the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. The agent also
is responsible for monitoring collateral and for exercising remedies available
to the lenders such as foreclosure upon collateral.
Loan agreements may provide for the termination of the agent's agency status in
the event that it fails to act as required under the relevant loan agreement,
becomes insolvent, enters FDIC receivership or, if not FDIC insured, enters into
bankruptcy. Should such an agent, lender or assignor with respect to an
assignment interpositioned between the Trust and the borrower become insolvent
or enter FDIC receivership or bankruptcy, any interest in the Senior Loan of
such person and any loan payment held by such person for the benefit of the
Trust should not be included in such person's or entity's bankruptcy estate. If,
however, any such amount were included in such person's or entity's bankruptcy
estate, the Trust would incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment or
could suffer a loss of principal or interest. In this event, the Trust could
experience a decrease in NAV.
The Trust acquires Senior Loans from lenders such as banks, insurance companies,
finance companies, other investment companies and private investment funds. The
Trust may also acquire Senior Loans from U.S. branches of foreign banks that are
regulated by the Federal Reserve System or appropriate state regulatory
authorities.
INVESTMENT BY THE TRUST
The Trust invests in Senior Loans primarily by purchasing an assignment of
a portion of a Senior Loan from a third party, either in connection with
the original loan transaction (i.e., in the primary market) or after the
initial loan transaction (i.e., in the secondary market). When the Trust
purchases an assignment in the primary market, it may share in a fee paid
to the original lender. When the Trust acquires a Senior Loan in the
secondary market, it may pay a fee to, or forego a portion of interest
payments from, the lender making the assignment. The Trust will act as
lender, or purchase an assignment with respect to a Senior Loan, only if
the agent is determined by the Investment Manager to be creditworthy.
Except for rating agency guidelines imposed on the Trust's portfolio while it
has outstanding Preferred Shares,
12
there is no minimum rating or other independent evaluation of a borrower
limiting the Trust's investments and most Senior Loans that the Trust may
acquire, if rated, will be rated below investment grade credit quality. See
"Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Credit Risk on Senior Loans."
ASSIGNMENTS. When the Trust is a purchaser of an assignment, it succeeds to
all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning
lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights
and obligations as the assigning lender. These rights include the ability
to vote along with the other lenders on such matters as enforcing the terms
of the loan agreement, E.G., declaring defaults, initiating collection
action, etc. Taking such actions usually requires at least a vote of the
lenders holding a majority of the investment in the loan, and may require a
vote by lenders holding two-thirds or more of the investment in the loan.
Because the Trust typically does not hold a majority of the investment in
any loan, it will not be able by itself to control decisions that require a
vote by the lenders.
ACQUISITION COSTS. When the Trust acquires an interest in a Senior Loan in
the primary market, it typically acquires the loan at par less its portion
of the fee paid to all originating lenders. When the Trust acquires an
interest in a Senior Loan, in the secondary market, it may be at par, but
typically the Trust will do so at premium or discount to par.
SENIOR LOAN MARKET
Total U.S. domestic Senior Loan volume has increased dramatically over the last
10 years. Total Senior Loan volume was approximately $375 billion in 1992. For
the 2002 year, volume has increased to approximately $969 billion. Originated
Senior loan volume peaked in year 2000 at approximately $1,296 billion. Despite
continuing volatility in U.S. capital markets, demand has remained strong.
Institutional investors other than banks, such as investment companies,
insurance companies and private investment vehicles are continuing to increase
investment allocations to the Senior Loan market. The entrance of new investors
has helped create a more active secondary trading market in Senior Loans with
approximately $112.5 billion in trading volume during 2002. This secondary
market, coupled with lender focus on portfolio management and the move toward
standard market practices, has helped increase the liquidity for Seniors Loans.
Credit quality is the primary issue currently impacting the loan market. The
industry has experienced deteriorating credit quality, high profile corporate
bankruptcies, historically high default-rates and continuing concerns about the
direction of the general economy.
13
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
RISK IS INHERENT IN ALL INVESTING. THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SUMMARIZES SOME OF
THE RISKS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO INVEST IN THE
TRUST. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTING IN
THE TRUST, SEE "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT
TECHNIQUES" IN THE SAI.
CREDIT RISK ON SENIOR LOANS
The Trust's ability to pay dividends and repurchase its Common Shares is
dependent upon the performance of the assets in its portfolio. That performance,
in turn, is subject to a number of risks, chief among which is credit risk on
the underlying assets.
Credit risk is the risk of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal
payments. In the event a borrower fails to pay scheduled interest or principal
payments on a Senior Loan held by the Trust, the Trust will experience a
reduction in its income and a decline in the market value of the Senior Loan,
which will likely reduce dividends and lead to a decline in the NAV of the
Trust's Common Shares. If the Trust acquires a Senior Loan from another lender,
either by means of assignment or by acquiring a participation, the Trust may
also be subject to credit risks with respect to that lender. See "The Trust's
Investments -- Investment by the Trust."
Senior Loans generally involve less risk than unsecured or subordinated debt and
equity instruments of the same issuer because the payment of principal of and
interest on Senior Loans is a contractual obligation of the issuer that, in most
instances, takes precedence over the payment of dividends, or the return of
capital, to the issuer's shareholders and payments to bond holders. The Trust
generally invests in Senior Loans that are usually secured with specific
collateral. However, the value of the collateral may not equal the Trust's
investment when the loan is acquired or may decline below the principal amount
of the Senior Loan subsequent to the Trust's investment. Also, to the extent
that collateral consists of stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, the Trust bears the risk that the stock may decline in value, be
relatively illiquid, or may lose all or substantially all of its value, causing
the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized. Therefore, the liquidation of the
collateral underlying a Senior Loan may not satisfy the issuer's obligation to
the Trust in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal, and
the collateral may not be readily liquidated.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Trust could experience delays
and limitations on its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral
securing the Senior Loan. Among the credit risks involved in a bankruptcy are
assertions that the pledge of collateral to secure a loan constitutes a
fraudulent conveyance or preferential transfer that would have the effect of
nullifying or subordinating the Trust's rights to the collateral.
The Senior Loans in which the Trust invests are generally rated lower than
investment grade credit quality, I.E., rated lower than "Baa" by Moody's or
"BBB" by S&P, or have been issued by issuers who have issued other debt
securities which, if unrated, would be rated lower than investment grade credit
quality. Investment decisions will be based largely on the credit analysis
performed by the Investment Manager, and not on rating agency evaluation. This
analysis may be difficult to perform. Information about a Senior Loan and its
issuer generally is not in the public domain. Moreover, Senior Loans are not
often rated by any nationally recognized rating service. Many issuers have not
issued securities to the public and are not subject to reporting requirements
under federal securities laws. Generally, however, issuers are required to
provide financial information to lenders and information may be available from
other Senior Loan participants or agents that originate or administer Senior
Loans.
INTEREST RATE RISK
During normal market conditions, changes in market interest rates will affect
the Trust in certain ways. The principal effect will be that the yield on the
Trust's Common Shares will tend to rise or fall as market interest rates rise
and fall. This is because almost all of the assets in which the Trust invests
pay interest at rates which float in response to changes in market rates.
However, because the interest rates on the Trust's assets reset over time, there
will be an imperfect correlation between changes in market rates and changes to
rates on the portfolio as a whole. This means that changes to the rate of
interest paid on the portfolio as a whole will tend to lag behind changes in
market rates.
Market interest rate changes may also cause the Trust's NAV to experience
moderate volatility. This is because the value of a loan asset in the Trust is
partially a function of whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a
market rate of interest for the particular loan, given its individual credit and
other characteristics. If market interest rates change, a loan's value could be
affected to the extent the interest rate paid on that loan does not reset at the
same time. As discussed above, the rates of interest paid on the loans in which
the Trust invests have a weighted average reset period that typically is less
than 90 days. Therefore, the impact of the lag between a change in market
interest rates and the change in the overall rate on the portfolio is expected
to be minimal.
To the extent that changes in market rates of interest are reflected not in a
change to a base rate such as LIBOR but in a change in the spread over the base
rate which is payable on loans of the type and quality in which the Trust
invests, the Trust's NAV could also be adversely affected. Again, this is
because the value of a loan asset in the Trust is partially a function of
whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a market rate of interest
for the particular
14
loan, given its individual credit and other characteristics. However, unlike
changes in market rates of interest for which there is only a temporary lag
before the portfolio reflects those changes, changes in a loan's value based on
changes in the market spread on loans in the Trust's portfolio may be of longer
duration.
Finally, substantial increases in interest rates may cause an increase in loan
defaults as borrowers may lack the resources to meet higher debt service
requirements
CHANGES TO NAV
The NAV of the Trust is expected to change in response to a variety of factors,
primarily in response to changes in the creditworthiness of the borrowers on the
loans in which the Trust invests. See "Credit Risk on Senior Loans" above.
Changes in market interest rates may also have a moderate impact on the Trust's
NAV. See "Interest Rate Risk." Another factor which can affect the Trust's NAV
is changes in the pricing obtained for the Trust's assets. See "Transaction
Policies -- Valuation of the Trust's Assets."
DISCOUNT FROM OR PREMIUM TO NAV
The Trust's Common Shares have traded in the market above, at, and below NAV
since March 9, 1992, when the Trust's shares were listed on the NYSE. The
reasons for the Trust's Common Shares trading at a premium to or discount from
NAV are not known to the Trust, and the Trust cannot predict whether its Common
Shares will trade in the future at a premium to or discount from NAV, and if so,
the level of such premium or discount. Shares of closed-end investment companies
frequently trade at a discount from NAV. The possibility that Common Shares of
the Trust will trade at a discount from NAV is a risk separate and distinct from
the risk that the Trust's NAV may decrease.
LEVERAGE
The Trust may borrow an amount equal to up to 33 1/3% (or such other
percentage permitted by law) of its total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less all liabilities other than borrowings. Under the 1940 Act,
the Trust may issue preferred shares so long as immediately after any
issuance of preferred shares the value of the Trust's total assets (less
all Trust liabilities and indebtedness that is not senior indebtedness) is
at least twice the amount of the Trust's senior indebtedness plus the
involuntary liquidation preference of all outstanding shares. In November
2000, the Trust issued 18,000 Preferred Shares for a total of $450 million.
Borrowings and the issuance of preferred shares are referred to in this
Prospectus collectively as "leverage." The Trust may use leverage for
investment purposes, to finance the repurchase of its Common Shares, and to
meet other cash requirements. The use of leverage for investment purposes
increases both investment opportunity and investment risk.
Capital raised through leverage will be subject to interest and other costs, and
these costs could exceed the income earned by the Trust on the proceeds of such
leverage. There can be no assurance that the Trust's income from the proceeds of
leverage will exceed these costs. However, the Investment Manager seeks to use
leverage for the purposes of making additional investments only if it believes,
at the time of using leverage, that the total return on the assets purchased
with such funds will exceed interest payments and other costs on the leverage.
In addition, the Investment Manager intends to reduce the risk that the costs of
the use of leverage will exceed the total return on investments purchased with
the proceeds of leveraging by utilizing leverage mechanisms whose interest rates
float (or reset frequently). In the event of a default on one or more loans or
other interest-bearing instruments held by the Trust, the use of leverage would
exaggerate the loss to the Trust and may exaggerate the effect on the Trust's
NAV. The Trust's lenders and preferred shareholders have priority to the Trust's
assets over the Trust's Common shareholders.
The Trust currently uses leverage by borrowing money on a floating rate basis
and by the issuance of Preferred Shares. The current rate on the borrowings (as
of June 16, 2003) is 1.85%. The current dividend rate on the Preferred Shares
(as of June 16, 2003) is 1.16%. To cover the annual interest and dividends on
the borrowings and the Preferred Shares for the current fiscal year (assuming
that the current interest and dividend rates remain in effect for the entire
fiscal year and assuming that the Trust borrows an amount equal to 25% of its
Managed Assets and the current Preferred Shares remain outstanding), the Trust
would need to earn $13.4 million or 0.72% on its amount of Managed Assets as of
June 16, 2003.
15
The Trust's leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated
with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. The
funds borrowed pursuant to the credit facilities or obtained through the
issuance of Preferred Shares, or any other preferred shares, constitute a
substantial lien and burden by reason of their prior claim against the income of
the Trust and against the net assets of the Trust in liquidation.
The Trust is not permitted to declare dividends or other distributions,
including dividends and distributions with respect to Common Shares or Preferred
Shares, or any other preferred shares, or purchase Common Shares, Preferred
Shares or any other preferred shares unless (i) at the time thereof the Trust
meets certain asset coverage requirements and (ii) there is no event of default
under any credit facility program that is continuing. See "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations -- Restrictive Covenants and 1940 Act Restrictions"
below. In the event of a default under a credit facility program, the lenders
have the right to cause a liquidation of the collateral (I.E., sell Senior
Loans and other assets of the Trust) and, if any such default is not cured,
the lenders may be able to control the liquidation as well.
In addition, the Trust is not permitted to pay dividends on, or redeem Common
Shares unless all accrued dividends, or accrued interest on borrowings, on the
Preferred Shares or any other preferred shares, have been paid or set aside for
payment.
Because the fee paid to the Investment Manager will be calculated on the basis
of Managed Assets, the fee will be higher when leverage is utilized, giving the
Investment Manager an incentive to utilize leverage.
The Trust is subject to certain restrictions imposed by lenders to the Trust and
by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which issue ratings for the
Preferred Shares issued by the Trust. These restrictions impose asset coverage,
fund composition requirements and limits on investment techniques, such as the
use of financial derivative products, that are more stringent than those imposed
on the Trust by the 1940 Act. These covenants or guidelines could impede the
Investment Manager from fully managing the Trust's portfolio in accordance with
the Trust's investment objective and policies.
ANNUAL EXPENSES WITHOUT BORROWINGS OR PREFERRED SHARES
From the inception of the Trust through June 16, 2003, the income earned on the
assets purchased with the Trust's borrowings and Preferred Shares has always
exceeded the expenses on such borrowings and Preferred Shares. This has
increased the overall yield of the Trust. If the Trust were not to have borrowed
or have Preferred Shares outstanding, the remaining expenses, as a percentage of
the net assets of the Trust, would be as follows:
ANNUAL EXPENSES WITHOUT BORROWINGS OR PREFERRED SHARES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHARES)
Management and Administrative Fees(1) 1.05%
Other Operating Expenses(2) 0.44%
Total Annual Expenses 1.49%
(1) Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Trust, ING
Investments is paid a fee of 0.80% of the Trust's Managed Assets. Pursuant
to its Administration Agreement with the Trust, ING Funds Services, LLC, the
Trust's Administrator, is paid a fee of 0.25% of the Trust's Managed Assets.
See "Investment Management and Other Service Providers -- The
Administrator."
(2) "Other Operating Expenses" are based on estimated amounts for the current
fiscal year, which, in turn, are based on "other operating expenses" for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2003, and does not include the expenses of
borrowing.
EFFECT OF LEVERAGE
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect on return to a holder
of the Trust's Common Shares of the leverage created by the Trust's use of
borrowing, using an assumed initial interest rate of 1.80%, assuming the Trust
has used leverage by borrowing an amount equal to 25% of the Trust's Managed
Assets and assuming hypothetical annual returns on the Trust's portfolio of
minus 10% to plus 10%. As can be seen, leverage generally increases the return
to shareholders when portfolio return is positive and decreases return when the
portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those
appearing in the table.
Assumed Portfolio Return, net of
expenses(1) (10%) (5%) 0% 5% 10%
Corresponding Return to Common
Shareholders(2) (13.93%) (7.27%) (0.60%) 6.07% 12.73%
(1) The Assumed Portfolio Return is required by regulation of the
SEC and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or
actual performance of the Trust.
(2) In order to compute the "Corresponding Return to Common Shareholders,"
the "Assumed Portfolio Return" is multiplied by the total value of the
Trust's assets at the beginning of the Trust's fiscal year to obtain an
assumed return to the Trust. From this amount, all interest accrued during
the year is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders.
The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of
the Trust's net assets attributable to Common Shares as of the beginning of
the fiscal year to determine the "Corresponding Return to Common
Shareholders.
16
IMPACT OF SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM
The issuance of Common Shares through the Trust's Shareholder Investment Program
may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Trust's Common
Shares. The increase in the number of the Trust's outstanding Common Shares
resulting from issuances pursuant to the Trust's Shareholder Investment Program
or pursuant to privately negotiated transactions, and the discount to the market
price at which such Common Shares may be issued, may put downward pressure on
the market price for Common Shares of the Trust. Common Shares will not be
issued pursuant to the Trust's Shareholder Investment Program at any time when
Common Shares are trading at a price lower than the Trust's NAV per Common
Share.
When the Trust's Common Shares are trading at a premium, the Trust may also
issue Common Shares of the Trust that are sold through transactions effected on
the NYSE or through broker-dealers who have entered into selected dealer
agreements with ING Funds Distributor, LLC (ING Funds Distributor) the Trust's
distributor. The increase in the number of outstanding Common Shares resulting
from these offerings may put downward pressure on the market price for the
Common Shares.
LIMITED SECONDARY MARKET FOR LOANS
Although the resale, or secondary, market for loans is growing, it is currently
limited. There is no organized exchange or board of trade on which loans are
traded. Instead, the secondary market for loans is an unregulated inter-dealer
or inter-bank re-sale market.
Loans usually trade in large denominations (typically more than $1 million
units) and trades can be infrequent. The market has limited transparency so that
information about actual trades may be difficult to obtain. Accordingly, some or
many of the loans in which the Trust invests will be relatively illiquid.
In addition, loans in which the Trust invests may require the consent of the
borrower and/or the agent prior to sale or assignment. These consent
requirements can delay or impede the Trust's ability to sell loans and can
adversely affect the price that can be obtained. The Trust may have difficulty
disposing of loans if it needs cash to repay debt, to pay dividends, to pay
expenses or to take advantage of new investment opportunities. Although the
Trust has not conducted a tender offer since 1992, if it determines to again
conduct a tender offer, limitations of a secondary market may result in
difficulty raising cash to purchase tendered Common Shares.
These considerations may cause the Trust to sell securities at lower prices than
it would otherwise consider to meet cash needs or cause the Trust to maintain a
greater portion of its assets in cash equivalents than it would otherwise, which
could negatively impact performance. The Trust seeks to avoid the necessity of
selling assets to meet such needs by the use of borrowings.
The Trust values its assets daily. However, because the secondary market for
loans is limited, it may be difficult to value loans. Market quotations may not
be readily available for some loans and valuation may require more research than
for liquid securities. In addition, elements of judgment may play a greater role
in valuation than for securities with a secondary market, because there is less
reliable, objective market value data available. In addition, if the Trust
purchases a relatively large loan to generate extra income sometimes paid to
large lenders, the limitations of the secondary market may inhibit the Trust
from selling a portion of the loan and reducing its exposure to a borrower when
the Investment Manager deems it advisable to do so.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
To generate additional income, the Trust may lend portfolio securities in an
amount equal to up to 331/3% of total Trust assets to broker-dealers, major
banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities. As
with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even
loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower default or fail
financially. The Trust intends to engage in lending portfolio securities only
when such lending is fully secured by investment grade collateral held by an
independent agent.
DEMAND FOR LOANS
Although the volume of loans has increased in recent years, demand for
loans has also grown. An increase in demand may benefit the Trust by
providing increased liquidity for loans, but it may also adversely affect
the rate of interest payable on loans acquired by the Trust, the rights
provided to the Trust under the terms of a loan, and increase the price of
loans in the secondary market.
UNSECURED LOANS AND SUBORDINATED LOANS
Subject to the 20% of the Trust's assets that may be invested in Other
Investments, the Trust may invest up to 5% of its total assets, measured at the
time of investment, in unsecured loans and in subordinated loans. Unsecured
loans and subordinated loans share the same credit risks as those discussed
above under "Credit Risk on Senior Loans" except that unsecured loans are not
secured by any collateral of the borrower and subordinated loans are not the
most senior debt in a borrower's capital structure. Unsecured loans do not enjoy
the security associated with collateralization and may pose a greater risk of
nonpayment of interest or loss of principal than do secured loans. The primary
additional risk in a subordinated loan is the potential loss in the event of
default by the issuer of the loan. Subordinated loans in an insolvency bear an
increased share, relative to senior secured lenders, of the ultimate risk that
the borrower's assets are insufficient to meet its obligations to its creditors.
17
SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES
Subject to the 20% of the Trust's assets that may be invested in Other
Investments, the Trust may invest in short-term debt securities. Short-term debt
securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability to meet principal
and interest payments on the obligation and also may be subject to price
volatility due to such factors as interest rates, market perception of the
creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.
Because short-term debt securities pay interest at a fixed-rate, when interest
rates decline, the value of the Trust's short-term debt securities can be
expected to rise, and when interest rates rise, the value of those securities
can be expected to decline.
INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY SECURITIES INCIDENTAL TO INVESTMENT IN LOANS
Subject to the 20% of the Trust's assets that may be invested in Other
Investments, the Trust may acquire equity securities as an incident to the
purchase or ownership of a loan or in connection with a reorganization of a
borrower or its debt. Investments in equity securities incidental to
investment in loans entail certain risks in addition to those associated
with investment in loans. The value of these securities may be affected
more rapidly, and to a greater extent, by company-specific developments and
general market conditions. These risks may increase fluctuations in the
Trust's NAV. The Trust may frequently possess material non-public
information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a loan of such
borrower. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while
in possession of such information the Trust might be unable to enter into a
transaction in a security of such a borrower when it would otherwise be
advantageous to do so.
BORROWINGS UNDER THE CREDIT FACILITY PROGRAM
In May 1996, the Trust began a policy of borrowing to acquire income-producing
investments which, by their terms, pay interest at a rate higher than the rate
the Trust pays on borrowings. Accordingly, borrowing has the potential to
increase the Trust's total income. The Trust currently is a party to two credit
facilities with financial institutions that permit the Trust to borrow up to an
aggregate of $540 million. Interest is payable on the credit facilities by the
Trust at a variable rate that is tied to either LIBOR, the federal funds rate,
or a commercial paper based rate and includes a facility fee on unused
commitments. As of June 16, 2003, the Trust had outstanding borrowings under
the credit facilities of approximately $84 million. Collectively, the lenders
under the credit facilities have a security interest in all assets of the Trust.
Under each of the credit facilities, the lenders have the right to liquidate
Trust assets in the event of default by the Trust under such credit facility,
and the Trust may be prohibited from paying dividends in the event of certain
adverse events or conditions respecting the Trust or Investment Manager until
the credit facility is repaid in full or until the event or condition is cured.
The current credit facility for $450 million is due to expire on July 16, 2003.
The Trust intends to replace that facility with a similar facility from another
financial institution on terms that are substantially identical to the terms of
the current credit facility. This replacement credit facility is expected to be
$325 million.
RANKING OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS
The rights of lenders to receive payments of interest on and repayments of
principal of any borrowings made by the Trust under the credit facility program
are senior to the rights of holders of Common Shares, Preferred Shares and any
other preferred shares, with respect to the payment of dividends or upon
liquidation.
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND 1940 ACT RESTRICTIONS
The credit agreements governing the credit facility program (the Credit
Agreements) include usual and customary covenants for their respective type of
transaction, including limits on the Trust's ability to (i) issue preferred
shares, (ii) incur liens or pledge portfolio securities, (iii) change its
investment objective or fundamental investment restrictions without the approval
of lenders, (iv) make changes in any of its business objectives, purposes or
operations that could result in a material adverse effect, (v) make any changes
in its capital structure, (vi) amend the Trust documents in a manner which could
adversely affect the rights, interests or obligations of any of the lenders,
(vii) engage in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in,
(viii) create, incur, assume or permit to exist certain debt except for certain
specified types of debt, and (ix) permit any of its ERISA affiliates to cause or
permit to occur an event that could result in the imposition of a lien under the
Internal Revenue Code or ERISA. In addition, the Credit Agreements do not permit
the Trust's asset coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreements) to fall
below 300% at any time (the Credit Agreement Asset Coverage Test).
Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trust must have asset coverage of at
least 300% immediately after any borrowing, including borrowing under the credit
facility program. For this purpose, asset coverage means the ratio which the
value of the total assets of the Trust, less liabilities and indebtedness not
represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of borrowings
represented by senior securities issued by the Trust. The Credit Agreements
limit the Trust's ability to pay dividends or make other distributions on the
Trust's Common Shares, or purchase or redeem Common Shares, unless the Trust
complies with the Credit Agreement Asset Coverage Test. In addition, the Credit
Agreements do not permit the Trust to declare dividends or other distributions
or purchase or redeem Common Shares or any preferred shares (i) at any time that
an event of default under a Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing; or
(ii) if, after giving effect to such declaration, the Trust would not meet the
Credit Agreement Asset Coverage Test set forth in the Credit Agreement.
18
TRANSACTION POLICIES
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per Common Share of the Trust is determined once daily at the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the
NYSE is open. The NAV per Common Share is determined by dividing the value of
the Trust's loan assets plus all cash and other assets (including interest
accrued but not collected) less all liabilities (including accrued expenses but
excluding capital and less the liquidation preference of any outstanding
preferred shares) by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV per Common Share
is made available for publication.
VALUATION OF THE TRUST'S ASSETS
The assets in the Trust's portfolio are valued daily in accordance with the
Trust's Loan Valuation Procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. A majority
of the Trust's assets are valued using quotations supplied by a third party loan
pricing service. However, the loans in which the Trust invests are not listed on
any securities exchange or board of trade. Some loans are traded by
institutional investors in an over-the-counter secondary market that has
developed in the past several years. This secondary market generally has fewer
trades and less liquidity than the secondary markets for other types of
securities. Some loans have few or no trades. Accordingly, determinations of the
value of loans may be based on infrequent and dated trades. Because there is
less reliable, objective market value data available, elements of judgment may
play a greater role in valuation of loans than for other types of securities.
For further information, see "Risk Factors and Special Considerations -- Limited
Secondary Market for Loans."
Loans are normally valued at the mean of the means of one or more bid and
asked quotations obtained from a pricing service or other sources believed
to be reliable. Loans for which reliable market value quotations are not
readily available from a pricing service may be valued with reference to
another loan or a group of loans for which reliable market value quotations
are readily available and whose characteristics are comparable to the loan
being valued. Under this approach, the comparable loan or loans serve as a
proxy for changes in value of the loan being valued. The Trust has engaged
an independent pricing service to provide quotations from dealers in loans
and to calculate values under this proxy procedure.
It is expected that most of the loans held by the Trust will be valued with
reference to quotations from the independent pricing service or with reference
to the proxy procedure described above. The Investment Manager may believe
that the price for a loan derived from quotations or the proxy procedure
described above is not reliable or accurate. Among other reasons, this may be
the result of information about a particular loan or borrower known to the
Investment Manager that it believes may not be known to the pricing service or
reflected in a price quote. In this event, the loan is valued at fair value
under procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Under these procedures, fair value is determined by the Investment Manager and
monitored by the Trust's Board of Trustees through its Valuation Committee. In
fair valuing a loan, consideration is given to several factors, which may
include, among others, the following:
- the characteristics of and fundamental analytical data relating to the
loan, including the cost, size, current interest rate, period until the
next interest rate reset, maturity and base lending rate of the loan, the
terms and conditions of the loan and any related agreements, and the
position of the loan in the borrower's debt structure;
- the nature, adequacy and value of the collateral, including the Trust's
rights, remedies and interests with respect to the collateral;
- the creditworthiness of the borrower and the cash flow coverage of
outstanding principal and interest, based on an evaluation of its financial
condition, financial statements and information about the borrower's
business, cash flows, capital structure and future prospects;
- information relating to the market for the loan, including price
quotations for, and trading in, the loan and interests in similar loans and
the market environment and investor attitudes towards the loan and
interests in similar loans;
- the reputation and financial condition of the agent of the loan and any
intermediate participants in the loans;
- the borrower's management; and
- the general economic and market conditions affecting the fair value of
the loan.
Securities for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are
stated at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. Securities
reported by NASDAQ National Market System will be valued at the NASDAQ Official
Closing Price on the valuation day. Debt and equity securities traded in the
over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on
that date are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price.
Valuation of short term cash equivalent investments will be at amortized cost.
ACCOUNT ACCESS
Unless your Common Shares are held through a third-party fiduciary or in an
omnibus registration at your bank or brokerage firm, you may be able to access
your account information over the internet at www.ingfunds.com, or via a touch
tone telephone by calling (800) 992-0180 and selecting Option 1. Should you wish
to speak with a Shareholder Services Representative, you may call the toll-free
number listed above and select Option 2.
19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM
The following is a summary of the Shareholder Investment Program (the Program).
Shareholders are advised to review a fuller explanation of the Program contained
in the Trust's SAI.
Common Shares are offered by the Trust through the Program. The Program allows
participating shareholders to reinvest all dividends (Dividends) in additional
Common Shares of the Trust, and also allows participants to purchase additional
Common Shares through optional cash investments in amounts ranging from a
minimum of $100 to a maximum of $25,000 per month. Subject to the permission of
the Trust (Waiver), participating shareholders may also make optional cash
investments in excess of the monthly maximum.
The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase order. Please note that
cash, travelers checks, third party checks, money orders and checks drawn on
non-US banks (even if payment may be effected through a US bank) generally will
not be accepted.
Common Shares will be issued by the Trust under the Program when the Trust's
Common Shares are trading at a premium to NAV. If the Trust's Common Shares are
trading at a discount to NAV, Common Shares purchased under the Program will be
purchased on the open market. Common Shares purchased under the Program directly
from the Trust will be acquired at the greater of (i) NAV at the close of
business on the day preceding the relevant investment date or (ii) the average
of the daily market price of the Common Shares during the pricing period minus a
discount of 5%, for reinvested Dividends, and 0% to 5%, for optional cash
investments. Common Shares purchased under the Program when shares are trading
at a discount to NAV will be purchased at market price. With the exception of
shares purchased in connection with optional cash investments in excess of
$25,000, shares issued by the Trust under the Program will be issued without a
fee or a commission.
Shareholders may elect to participate in the Program by telephoning the Trust or
submitting a completed Participation Form to DST Systems, Inc. (DST), the
Program administrator. DST will credit to each participant's account funds it
receives from: (a) Dividends paid on Trust shares registered in the
participant's name, and (b) optional cash investments. DST will apply all
Dividends and optional cash investments received to purchase Common Shares as
soon as practicable beginning on the relevant investment date (as described
below) and not later than six business days after the relevant investment date,
except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal
securities laws. For more information on the Trust's distribution policy, see
"Dividends and Distributions."
In order for participants to purchase shares through the Program in any month,
the Administrator must receive from the participant any optional cash investment
by the relevant investment date. The relevant investment date will be set in
advance by the Trust, upon which optional cash investments are first applied by
DST to the purchase of Common Shares. Investment dates may vary depending on
whether or not the optional cash investment exceeds $25,000. Participants may
obtain a schedule of relevant dates, including investments dates, the dates in
which all requests for a Waiver must be received and the dates in which shares
will be paid by calling ING's Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180.
It is solely within the Trust's discretion as to whether approval for any cash
investments in excess of $25,000 will be granted. In deciding whether to approve
a request for Waiver, the Trust will consider relevant factors including, but
not limited to, whether the Program is then acquiring newly issued Common Shares
directly from the Trust or acquiring shares from third parties in the open
market, the Trust's need for additional funds, the attractiveness of obtaining
such additional funds through the sale of Common Shares as compared to other
sources of funds, the purchase price likely to apply to any sale of Common
Shares under the Program, the participant submitting the request, the extent and
nature of such participant's prior participation in the Program, the number of
Common Shares held by such participant and the aggregate amount of cash
investments for which requests for Waiver have been submitted by all
participants. If such requests are submitted for any Waiver for an aggregate
amount in excess of the amount the Trust is then willing to accept, the Trust
may honor such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by any other method
that the Trust determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate. For
information on a fee that may apply in connection with an optional cash
investment in excess of $25,000, see "More Information -- Distribution
Arrangements."
The Trust may establish a minimum price applicable to the purchase of newly
issued Common Shares through requests for Waiver, which will be a stated dollar
amount that the market price of the Common Shares during a day in which the
shares are reported on the New York Stock Exchange (Trading Day) during the
relevant pricing period must equal or exceed. No shares will be issued and funds
submitted pursuant to requests for Waiver will be returned to the participant if
the minimum price is not obtained for at least three of the five Trading Days.
Participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions with respect to
DST's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Dividends or
purchases made with optional cash investments.
From time to time, financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers, and
other persons may wish to engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit
from the discount from market price of the Common Shares acquired under the
Program. Such transactions could cause fluctuations in the trading volume and
price of the Common Shares. The difference between the price such owners pay to
the Trust for Shares acquired under the Program, after deduction of the
applicable discount from the market price, and the price at which such Common
Shares are resold, may be deemed to
20
constitute underwriting commissions received by such owners in connection with
such transactions.
The Program is intended for the benefit of investors in the Trust. The Trust
reserves the right to exclude from participation, at any time, (i) persons or
entities who attempt to circumvent the Program's standard $25,000 maximum by
accumulating accounts over which they have control or (ii) any other persons or
entities, as determined in the sole discretion of the Trust.
Currently, persons who are not shareholders of the Trust may not participate in
the Program. The Board of Trustees of the Trust may elect to change this policy
at a future date, and permit non-shareholders to participate in the Program.
Shareholders may request to receive their Dividends in cash at any time by
giving DST written notice or by contacting ING's Shareholder Services Department
at (800) 992-0180, Option 2. Shareholders may elect to close their account at
any time by giving DST written notice. When a participant closes their account,
the participant upon request will receive a certificate for full Common Shares
in the Account. Fractional Common Shares will be held and aggregated with other
fractional Common Shares being liquidated by DST as agent of the Program and
paid for by check when actually sold.
The automatic reinvestment of Dividends does not affect the tax characterization
of the Dividends (I.E., capital gains and income are realized even though cash
is not received). If shares are issued pursuant to the Program's dividend
reinvestment provisions or cash purchase provisions at a discount from market
price, participants may have income equal to the discount.
Additional information about the Program may be obtained from ING's Shareholder
Services Department at (800) 992-0180, Option 2.
PRIVATELY NEGOTIATED TRANSACTIONS
The Common Shares may also be offered pursuant to privately negotiated
transactions between the Trust or ING Funds Distributor, LLC and specific
investors. Generally, such investors will be sophisticated institutional
investors. The terms of such privately negotiated transactions will be subject
to the discretion of the management of the Trust. In determining whether to sell
Common Shares pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction, the Trust will
consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, the attractiveness of
obtaining additional funds through the sale of Common Shares, the purchase price
to apply to any such sale of Common Shares and the person seeking to purchase
the Common Shares.
Common Shares issued by the Trust in connection with privately negotiated
transactions will be issued at the greater of (i) NAV per Common Share of the
Trust's Common Shares or (ii) at a discount ranging from 0% to 5% of the average
of the daily market price of the Trust's Common Shares at the close of business
on the two business days preceding the date upon which Common Shares are sold
pursuant to the privately negotiated transaction. The discount to apply to such
privately negotiated transactions will be determined by the Trust with regard to
each specific transaction. For information on a commission that may apply in
connection with privately negotiated transactions, see "More Information --
Distribution Arrangements.
USE OF PROCEEDS
It is expected that 100% of the net proceeds of Common Shares issued pursuant to
the Shareholder Investment Program and privately negotiated transactions will be
invested in Senior Loans and other securities consistent with the Trust's
investment objective and policies. Pending investment in Senior Loans, the
proceeds will be used to pay down the Trust's outstanding borrowings under its
credit facilities. See "Investment Objective and Policies -- Policy on
Borrowing."
As of June 16, 2003, the Trust's outstanding borrowings under its credit
facilities was $84.0 million. By paying down the Trust's borrowings, the Trust
can avoid adverse impacts on yields pending investment of such proceeds in
Senior Loans. As investment opportunities are subsequently identified, it is
expected that the Trust will reborrow amounts previously repaid and invest such
amounts in additional Senior Loans.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
DISTRIBUTION POLICY. Income dividends are declared and paid monthly. Income
dividends consist of interest accrued and amortization of fees earned less any
amortization of premiums paid and the estimated expenses of the Trust, including
fees payable to ING Investments. Income dividends are calculated monthly under
guidelines approved by the Trustees. Each dividend is payable to shareholders of
record on the 10th day of the following month (unless it is a holiday, in which
case the next business day is the record date). Accrued amounts of fees
received, including facility fees, will be taken in as income and passed on to
shareholders as part of dividend distributions. Any fees or commissions paid to
facilitiate the sale of portfolio Senior Loans in connection with tender offers
or other portfolio transactions may reduce the dividend yield.
Capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Because the Trust
currently has capital loss carry forwards, it is not anticipated that capital
gains distributions will be made for the foreseeable future.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Unless you instruct the Trust to pay you dividends in
cash, dividends and distributions paid by the Trust will be reinvested in
additional Common Shares of the Trust. You may request to receive dividends in
cash at any time by giving DST written notice or by contacting the ING's
Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180, Option 2.
21
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
INVESTMENT MANAGER
ING INVESTMENTS, LLC (the Investment Manager or ING Investments), an Arizona
limited liability company, serves as Investment Manager to the Trust and has
overall responsibility for the management of the Trust under the general
supervision of the Board of Trustees. Its principal business address is 7337
East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258. The Trust and the
Investment Manager have entered into an Investment Management Agreement that
requires ING Investments to provide all investment advisory and portfolio
management services for the Trust. The agreement with ING Investments may be
canceled by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days' written notice.
ING Investments is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:
ING) (ING Groep). ING Groep is a global financial institution active in the
fields of insurance, banking and asset management in more than 65 countries with
more than 100,000 employees. The Investment Manager is registered as an
investment adviser with the SEC. ING Investments began investment management in
April, 1995, and serves as an investment adviser to registered investment
companies as well as structured finance vehicles. As of May 31, 2003, ING
Investments had assets under management of over $34.5 billion.
The Investment Manager bears its expenses of providing the services described
above. The Investment Manager currently receives from the Trust an annual fee,
paid monthly, of 0.80% of the Trust's Managed Assets.
PROPOSED SUB-ADVISER
Subject to shareholder approval, the Trust's Board of Trustees has approved
Aeltus Investment Management, Inc., a Connecticut Corporation (ING Aeltus or
Sub-Adviser) to serve as the Sub-Adviser to the Trust effective on or about
August 19, 2003. Under the sub-advisory agreement, ING Aeltus is responsible
for managing the assets of the Trust in accordance with its investment objective
and policies, subject to oversight by ING Investments. The portfolio management
team described below be transferred from the Investment Manager to ING Aeltus,
and the same persons will therefore manage the Fund, but as employees of ING
Aeltus, not as employees of the Investment Manager.
Founded in 1972, ING Aeltus is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC.
ING Aeltus is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V., and is an
affiliate of ING Investments. ING Aeltus has acted as adviser of subadviser to
mutual funds since 1994 and has managed institutional accounts since 1972.
As of May 31, 2003, ING Aeltus managed almost $41.0 billion in assets. Its
principal office is located at 10 State House Square, Hartford, Connecticut
06103-3602. For its services, ING Aeltus is entitled to receive a sub-advisory
fee of 0.36%, expressed as an annual rate based on the average daily Managed
Assets of the Trust and is paid by ING Investments. Under the terms of the
sub-advisory agreement, the agreement can be terminated by either ING
Investments or the Board of Trustees on 60 days' written notice. In the event
the sub-advisory agreement is terminated, the Sub-Adviser may be replaced
subject to any regulatory requirements or ING Investments may assume day-to-day
investment management of the Trust.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. The Trust is managed by the Investment Manager's Senior
Floating Rate Loan Group. That team is comprised of the following individuals:
DANIEL A. NORMAN. Mr. Norman is Senior Vice President and Co-Senior Portfolio
Manager in the Senior Floating Rate Loan Group, and has served in that capacity
since November 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Norman was Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager in the Senior Floating Rate Loan Group (since April 1995). Mr.
Norman also serves as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Trust, and he
serves as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of ING Senior Income Fund, another
closed-end fund managed by the Investment Manager that invests primarily in
Senior Loans. Mr. Norman co-manages the Trust with Mr. Bakalar.
JEFFREY A. BAKALAR. Mr. Bakalar is Senior Vice President and Co-Senior Portfolio
Manager in the Senior Floating Rate Loan Group, and has served in that capacity
since February 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Bakalar was Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager in the Senior Floating Rate Loan Group (since February 1998).
Before joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Bakalar was Vice President of The
First National Bank of Chicago (from 1994 to 1998). Mr. Bakalar also serves as
Senior Vice President of the Trust and as Senior Vice President of ING Senior
Income Fund, another closed-end fund managed by the Investment Manager that
invests primarily in Senior Loans. Mr. Bakalar co-manages the Trust with Mr.
Norman.
CURTIS F. LEE. Mr. Lee is Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in the
Senior Floating Rate Loan Group and has served in that capacity since August
1999. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Lee held a series of
positions with Standard Chartered Bank in the credit approval and problem loan
management functions (1992 - 1999). Mr. Lee also serves as Senior Vice President
and Chief Credit Officer of the Trust (since January 2001), and he serves as
Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of ING Senior Income Fund,
another closed-end fund managed by the Investment Manager that invests primarily
in Senior Loans.
ROBERT L. WILSON. Mr. Wilson is a Senior Vice President in the Senior Floating
Rate Loan Group (since March 2003) and before that was Vice President in the
Senior Floating Rate Loan Group (since July 1998). Prior to joining the
Investment Manager, Mr. Wilson was Vice President of Bank of Hawaii (from 1997
to 1998) and Vice President of Union Bank of California (from 1994 to 1997).
MICHEL PRINCE. Mr. Prince is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since May 1998). Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Prince was
Vice President of Rabobank International, Chicago branch (from 1996 to 1998).
JASON T. GROOM. Mr. Groom is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since June 2000), and before that was an Assistant Vice President in the
Senior Floating Rate Loan Group (1998 to 2000). Prior to joining the Investment
Manager, Mr. Groom was an Associate in the Corporate Finance Group of
NationsBank (in 1998) and Assistant Vice President, Corporate Finance group, of
The Industrial Bank of Japan Limited (from 1995 to 1997).
22
CHARLES E. LEMIEUX. Mr. LeMieux is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate
Loan Group (since June 2000), and before that was Assistant Vice President in
the Senior Floating Rate Loan Group (from 1998 to 2000). Prior to joining the
Investment Manager, Mr. LeMieux was Assistant Treasurer, Cash Management, with
Salt River Project (from 1993 to 1998).
MARK F. HAAK. Mr. Haak is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since June 1999). Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Haak was
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Banking with Norwest Bank (from 1997 to
1998) and Lead Financial Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Bank One AZ, N.A.
(from 1996 to 1997).
WILLIAM F. NUTTING, JR. Mr. Nutting is a Vice President in the Senior Floating
Rate Loan Group (since November 1999), and joined an affiliate of the Investment
Manager in 1995 as an Operations Associate.
THEODORE M. HAAG. Mr. Haag is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since March 2001). Mr. Haag joined the Investment Manager in June 2000 as
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, a position he continues to hold.
From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Haag served as Vice President and Portfolio Manager for
Gen Re-New England Asset Management. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Haag was a Director
of Fixed Income Securities and Securities Policy Committee member for Providian
Capital Management. Prior to working at Providian, Mr. Haag was a high yield
portfolio manager at ICH Corporation.
RALPH E. BUCHER. Mr. Bucher is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since November 2001). Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Bucher
was the North American Head of Special Assets for Standard Chartered Bank (from
1999 to 2001). Mr. Bucher has also held other senior credit approval positions
with Societe Generale (from 1997 to 1999).
BRIAN S. HORTON. Mr. Horton is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since September 2001). Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr.
Horton was a Vice President in the Corporate and Investment Banking Group at
Bank of America Securities LLC, where he worked in the Consumer and Retail
Industry Group (from 1999 to 2001). Mr. Horton also served in various other
corporate finance and relationship management positions during his seven years
at Bank of America, including corporate finance specialist for the Southeast
U.S. region (from 1997 - 1999).
MOHAMED N. BASMA. Mr. Basma is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since March 2003), and before that was Research Analyst on the Senior
Loan Management team (since January 2000). Prior to joining the Investment
Manager, Mr. Basma was a senior auditor/consultant in the audit and business
advisory group with Arthur Andersen, LLP (from 1995 to 1997). Mr. Basma attended
school for the years between his employment at Arthur Andersen and the
Investment Manager.
JAMES E. GRIMES. Mr. Grimes is a Vice President in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since 2001), and before that was Manager of Structured Investments for
the Investment Manager (since 1999). Prior to joining the Investment Manager,
Mr. Grimes was Manager of Finance and Strategic Planning for NationsBank Auto
Leasing, Inc. (formerly Oxford Resources Corp.) (from 1994 to 1998).
JEFFREY S. SCHULTZ. Mr. Schultz is an Analyst in the Senior Floating Rate Loan
Group (since March 2003), and before that was Treasury Operations Assistant
(from 1998 to 2009) and Jr. Research Analyst (from 2009 to 2003). Prior to
joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Schultz prepared taxes for Arthur Andersen
LLP (1998). Before 1998, Mr. Schultz was in school.
THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Administrator of the Trust is ING Funds Services, LLC (ING Funds Services).
Its principal business address is 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale,
Arizona 85258. The Administrator is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep and
the immediate parent company of the Investment Manager.
Under an Administration Agreement between ING Funds Services and the Trust,
ING Funds Services administers the Trust's corporate affairs subject to the
supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. In that connection, ING
Funds Services monitors the provisions of the Senior Loan agreements and
any agreements with respect to interests in Senior Loans and is responsible
for recordkeeping with respect to the Senior Loans in the Trust's
repurchase offers portfolio. ING Funds Services also furnishes the Trust
with office facilities and furnishes executive personnel together with
clerical and certain recordkeeping and administrative services. These
services include preparation of annual and other reports to shareholders
and to the SEC. ING Funds Services also handles the filing of federal,
state and local income tax returns not being furnished by the Custodian or
Transfer Agent (as defined below). The Administration Agreement also
requires ING Funds Services to assist in managing and supervising all
aspects of the general day-to-day business activities and operations of the
Trust, including custodial, transfer agency, dividend disbursing,
accounting, auditing, compliance and related services. ING Fund Services
provides the Trust with office space, equipment and personnel necessary to
administer the Trust. The Administrator has authorized all of its officers
and employees who have been elected as officers of the Trust to serve in
such capacities. All services furnished by the Administrator under the
Administration Agreement may be furnished by such officers or employees of
the Administrator.
The Trust pays ING Funds Services an administration fee, computed daily and
payable monthly. The Administration Agreement states that ING Funds
Services is entitled to receive a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the
Trust's Managed Assets. The Administration Agreement may be canceled by the
Board of Trustees upon 60 days written notice.
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the Common
Shares is DST Systems, Inc., whose principal business address is 816 Wyandotte,
Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
CUSTODIAN
The Trust's securities and cash are held and maintained under a Custody
Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company, whose principal place of
business is 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
23
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an unincorporated business trust established under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Declaration of Trust dated December 2,
1987, as amended. The Board of Trustees is responsible for protecting the
interests of shareholders. The Trustees are experienced executives who oversee
the Trust's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that
provide services to the Trust and review the Trust's performance.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the Trust may authorize
separate classes of shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees have authorized
an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share,
all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The Declaration of
Trust also authorizes the creation of an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest with preference rights, including preferred shares, having a
par value of $0.01 per share, in one or more series, with rights as determined
by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the
approval of the shareholders. The following table shows the amount of (i) shares
authorized, (ii) shares held by the Trust for its own account and (iii) shares
outstanding, for each class of authorized securities of the Trust as of June 16,
2003.
AMOUNT HELD BY
AMOUNT TRUST FOR ITS AMOUNT
TITLE OF CLASS AUTHORIZED OWN ACCOUNT OUTSTANDING
--------------------------- ---------- -------------- -----------
Common Shares unlimited 0 137,100,184
Preferred Shares, Series M 3,600 0 3,600
Preferred Shares, Series T 3,600 0 3,600
Preferred Shares, Series W 3,600 0 3,600
Preferred Shares, Series Th 3,600 0 3,600
Preferred Shares, Series F 3,600 0 3,600
The Common Shares outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to share equally in dividends declared by
the Board of Trustees payable to holders of common shares and in the net assets
of the Trust available for distribution to holders of Common Shares after
payment of the preferential amounts payable to holders of any outstanding
Preferred Shares. Neither holders of Common Shares nor holders of Preferred
Shares have pre-emptive or conversion rights and Common Shares are not
redeemable. Upon liquidation of the Trust, after paying or adequately providing
for the payment of all liabilities of the Trust and the liquidation preference
with respect to any outstanding preferred shares, and upon receipt of such
releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their
protection, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Trust among
the holders of the Common Shares. Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to
listed companies, the Trust is required to hold an annual meeting of
shareholders in each year. If the Trust is converted to an open-end investment
company or if for any other reason Common Shares are no longer listed on the
NYSE (or any other national securities exchange the rules of which require
annual meetings of shareholders), the Trust does not intend to hold annual
meetings of shareholders.
The Trust is responsible for paying the following expenses, among others: the
fees payable to the Investment Manager; the fees payable to the Administrator;
the fees and certain expenses of the Trust's custodian and transfer agent,
including the cost of providing records to the Administrator in connection with
its obligation of maintaining required records of the Trust; the charges and
expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants; commissions
and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with its
transactions; all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Trust to governmental
agencies; the fees of any trade association of which the Trust is a member; the
costs of share certificates representing Common Shares of the Trust;
organizational and offering expenses of the Trust and the fees and expenses
involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Trust and its Common
Shares with the SEC, including the preparation and printing of the Trust's
registration statement and prospectuses for such purposes; allocable
communications expenses with respect to investor services, and all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders; the cost of
insurance; and litigation and indemnification expenses and extraordinary
expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's business.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders, including holders of Preferred Shares,
could under certain circumstances be held personally liable for the obligations
of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability
for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer
be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification
out of Trust property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Trust would be unable to meet its
obligations.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each share held and will
vote with the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares or any other preferred
shares on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of Common Shares, except as
described under "Description of Capital Structure -- Preferred Shares."
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. The Common Shares,
Preferred Shares and any other preferred shares do not have cumulative voting
rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of Common
Shares, Preferred Shares and any other preferred shares voting for the election
of Trustees can elect all of the Trustees standing for election by such holders,
and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares of Common Shares,
Preferred Shares and any other preferred shares will not be able to elect any of
such Trustees.
24
So long as any Preferred Shares or any other preferred shares are outstanding,
holders of Common Shares will not be entitled to receive any dividends of or
other distributions from the Trust, unless at the time of such declaration, (1)
all accrued dividends on preferred shares or accrued interest on borrowings has
been paid and (2) the value of the Trust's total assets (determined after
deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution), less all
liabilities and indebtedness of the Trust not represented by senior securities,
is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such securities representing
indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of securities
representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value of the
outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the aggregate original purchase
price of the outstanding preferred shares plus redemption premium, if any,
together with any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or
declared and on a cumulative basis). In addition to the requirements of the 1940
Act, the Trust is required to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a
condition of the Trust obtaining a rating of the preferred shares from a rating
agency. These requirements include an asset coverage test more stringent than
under the 1940 Act.
The Trust will send unaudited reports at least semi-annually and audited
financial statements annually to all of its shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that obligations of the Trust are not
binding upon Trustees individually but only upon the property of the Trust and
that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact
or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any
liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office.
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
The Trustees may at any time propose conversion of the Trust to an open-end
management investment company depending upon their judgment as to the
advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing. In
considering whether to submit an open-ending proposal to shareholders, the
Trustees might consider, among other factors, the differences in operating
expenses between open-end and closed-end funds (due to the expenses of
continuously selling shares and of standing ready to effect redemptions), the
potentially adverse tax consequences to non-redeeming shareholders once a fund
is open-ended, and the impact of open-ending on portfolio management policies.
Such a conversion would require the approval of both a majority of the Trust's
outstanding Common Shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class
and a majority of the outstanding preferred shares voting as a separate class on
such conversion. Conversion of the Trust to an open-end investment company would
require the redemption of all outstanding preferred shares, including the
Preferred Shares, which would eliminate the leveraged capital structure of the
Trust with respect to the Common Shares. A delay in conversion could result
following shareholder approval due to the Trust's inability to redeem the
preferred shares. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the
company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as
authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their next computed NAV less any
redemption charge as might be in effect at the time of redemption. If the Trust
is converted to an open-end management investment company, it could be required
to liquidate portfolio securities to meet requests for redemption, and its
shares would no longer be listed on the NYSE. If the Trust were to experience
significant redemptions as an open-end fund, the decrease in total assets could
result in a higher expense ratio and inefficiencies in portfolio management. In
this regard, the Trust could reserve the right to effect redemptions in-kind
with portfolio securities, which would subject redeeming shareholders to
transaction costs in liquidating those securities.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES
In recognition of the possibility that the Trust's Common Shares may trade at a
discount to their NAV, the Trust may from time to time take action to attempt to
reduce or eliminate a market value discount from NAV by repurchasing its Common
Shares in the open market or by tendering its Common Shares at NAV. So long as
any preferred shares are outstanding, the Trust may not purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any Common Shares unless (1) all accumulated dividends on the
preferred shares have been paid or set aside for payment through the date of
such purchase, redemption or other acquisition and (2) at the time of such
purchase, redemption or acquisition asset coverage requirements set forth in the
Declaration of Trust and the Trust's Certificate of Designation for Preferred
Shares are met. Repurchases of Common Shares may result in the Trust being
required to redeem preferred shares to satisfy asset coverage requirements.
FUNDAMENTAL AND NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES OF THE TRUST
The investment objective of the Trust, certain policies of the Trust
specified herein as fundamental and the investment restrictions of the
Trust described in the SAI are fundamental policies of the Trust and may
not be changed without a Majority Vote of the shareholders of the Trust.
The term Majority Vote means the affirmative vote of (a) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Trust or (b) 67% or more of the shares
present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Trust are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, whichever is
less. All other policies of the Trust may be modified by resolution of the
Board of Trustees of the Trust.
25
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
COMMON SHARES
The Trust's Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number
of Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share. All Common
Shares have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets upon liquidation. Common Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and
non-assessable, and will have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to
cumulative voting.
Whenever preferred shares are outstanding, holders of Common Shares will not be
entitled to receive any distributions from the Trust, unless at the time of such
declaration, (1) all accrued dividends on preferred shares or accrued interest
on borrowings have been paid and (2) the value of the Trust's total assets
(determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution),
less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Trust not represented by senior
securities, is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such securities
representing indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of
securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value of the
outstanding preferred shares. In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act,
the Trust is required to comply with the other asset coverage requirements as a
condition of the Trust obtaining a rating of the preferred shares from a rating
agency. These requirements include asset coverage tests more stringent than
under the 1940 Act. See "Preferred Shares" below.
BORROWINGS
The Trust's Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trust, without the prior
approval of holders of Common Shares, to borrow money. In this connection, the
Trust may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank
borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such borrowings by
mortgaging, pledging or otherwise granting a security interest in the Trust's
assets. See "Risk Factors and Special Consideration -- Leverage."
PREFERRED SHARES
Under the 1940 Act, the Trust is permitted to have outstanding more than one
series of preferred shares as long as no single series has priority over another
series nor holders of preferred shares have pre-emptive rights to purchase any
Preferred Shares or any other preferred shares that might be issued.
The Trust's Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of a class of preferred
shares (which class may be divided into two or more series) as the Trustees may,
without shareholder approval, authorize. The preferred shares have such
preferences, voting powers, terms of redemption, if any, and special or relative
rights or privileges (including conversion rights, if any) as the Trustee may
determine and as are set forth in the Trust's Certificate of Designation
establishing the terms of the preferred shares. The number of shares of the
preferred class or series authorized is unlimited, and the shares authorized may
be represented in part by fractional shares. Under the Trust's Certificate of
Designation, the Trustees have authorized the creation of 18,000 Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Shares, having a par value of $0.01 per share, with a
liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, classified as Series M, T, W, Th
and F Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares.
Any decision to offer preferred shares is subject to market conditions and to
the Board of Trustees' and the Investment Manager's continuing belief that
leveraging the Trust's capital structure through the issuance of preferred
shares is likely to achieve the benefits to the Common Shares described in this
Prospectus for long-term investors. The terms of the preferred shares will be
determined by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Investment Manager
(subject to applicable law and the Trust's Declaration of Trust) if and when it
authorizes a preferred shares offering.
The preferred shares have complete priority over the Common Shares as to
distribution of assets. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Trust, holders of
preferred shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating
distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus
accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared)
before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Shares.
26
TAX MATTERS
The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. shareholders.
Please see the SAI for additional information. Investors should rely on their
own tax adviser for advice about the particular federal, state and local tax
consequences to them of investing in the Trust.
The federal income tax treatment of the Trust's Preferred Shares is not entirely
clear, but the Trust believes, based on the advice of its counsel, that the
Preferred Shares will constitute stock of the Trust. It is possible, however,
that the IRS might take a contrary position, asserting, for example, that the
Preferred Shares constitute debt of the Trust. The discussion below assumes that
the Preferred Shares are stock.
The Trust will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income
and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders each year. Although
the Trust will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, most shareholders will be
taxed on amounts they receive. A particular distribution generally will be
taxable as either ordinary income or long-term capital gain. The Trust will
allocate a proportionate amount of each type of its income to the Common Shares
and to the Preferred Shares. It generally does not matter how long a shareholder
has held the Trust's Common Shares or Preferred Shares or whether the
shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash or reinvest them in
additional Trust's Common Shares or Preferred Shares. For example, if the Trust
designates a particular distribution as a long-term capital gains distribution,
it will be taxable to a shareholder at his or her long-term capital gains rate.
Dividends from the Trust are generally not eligible for the reduced rate of tax
that may apply to certain qualifying dividends on corporate stock.
Dividends declared by the Trust in October, November or December and paid during
the following January may be treated as having been received by shareholders in
the year the distributions were declared.
Each shareholder will receive an annual statement summarizing the shareholder's
dividend and capital gains distributions.
If a shareholder invests through a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement
plan, the shareholder generally will not have to pay tax on dividends until they
are distributed from the account. These accounts are subject to complex tax
rules, and shareholders should consult a tax adviser about investment through a
tax-deferred account.
There may be tax consequences to a shareholder if the shareholder sells the
Trust's Common Shares or Preferred Shares. A shareholder will generally have a
capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending
on how long the shareholder holds those Common Shares or Preferred Shares. If a
shareholder exchanges shares, the shareholder may be treated as if he or she
sold them. Shareholders are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by
their own transactions.
As with all investment companies, the Trust may be required to withhold U.S.
federal income tax at the rate of 28% of all taxable distributions payable to a
shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Trust with his or her
correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if
the shareholder has been notified by the IRS that he or she is subject to backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in
which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld
may be credited against a shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability.
27
MORE INFORMATION
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
Pursuant to the terms of a Distribution Agreement, ING Funds Distributor, LLC
will provide certain soliciting services on behalf of the Trust in connection
with certain privately negotiated transactions. The Trust has agreed to pay ING
Funds Distributor, LLC a commission of up to 3.00% of the gross sales price of
the Common Shares sold pursuant to such privately negotiated transactions,
payable from the proceeds of the sale of the Common Shares. ING Funds
Distributor, LLC may allow all or a portion of the fee to another broker-dealer.
In addition, for sales of Common Shares through the Program, the Trust has
agreed to pay a fee of up to 1.00% of the gross sales price of the Common Shares
sold in excess of the $25,000 monthly maximum pursuant to a Waiver. In any
event, the net proceeds received by the Trust in connection with the sale may
not be less than the greater of (i) the net asset value per Common Share or (ii)
94% of the average daily market price over the relevant Pricing Period (as
described in "Plan of Distribution"). No fees or commissions will be paid by the
Trust or its shareholders in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions or in connection with optional cash investments up
to the maximum of $25,000 per month. ING Funds Distributor, LLC's principal
business address is 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258.
ING Funds Distributor, LLC and ING Investments, LLC, the Trust's Investment
Manager, are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep. See "Investment
Management and Other Service Providers -- Investment Manager."
The Trust bears the expenses of issuing the Common Shares. These expenses
include, but are not limited to, the expense of preparation and printing of the
prospectus and SAI, the expense of counsel and auditors, and others.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Common Shares offered hereby will be passed on for the Trust
by Dechert LLP, 1775 I Street, NW, Washington, DC, counsel to the Trust.
AUDITORS
KPMG LLP serves as independent auditors for the Trust. The auditors' address is
355 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The Trust has filed with the SEC, Washington, DC, a Registration Statement under
the Securities Act, relating to the Common Shares offered hereby. For further
information with respect to the Trust and its Common Shares, reference is made
to such Registration Statement and the exhibits filed with it.
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
The Trust issues reports that include financial information to its shareholders
at least semi-annually.
PRIVACY POLICY
The Trust has adopted a policy concerning investor privacy. To review the
privacy policy, contact a Shareholder Services Representative at (800) 992-0180
and select Option 1, obtain a policy over the internet at www.ingfunds.com or
see the privacy policy that accompanies this Prospectus.
28
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Change of Name 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Restrictions 2
Additional Information About Investments and Investment Techniques 3
Trustees and Officers 12
Compensation Table 23
Code of Ethics 24
Investment Management and Other Service Providers 24
Portfolio Transactions 29
Net Asset Value 30
Plans of Distribution 32
Federal Taxation 36
Advertising and Performance Data 40
General Information 42
Financial Statements 42
29
(THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
7337 E. DOUBLETREE RANCH ROAD
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85258
(800) 992-0180
25,000,000 COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
TRUST ADVISORS AND AGENTS
INVESTMENT MANAGER
ING Investments, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
ADMINISTRATOR
ING Funds Services, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
801 Pennsylvania Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64105
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG LLP
355 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
DISTRIBUTOR
ING Funds Distributor, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
TRANSFER AGENT
DST Systems, Inc.
816 Wyandotte
Kansas City, MO 64105
LEGAL COUNSEL
Dechert LLP
1775 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS
Call ING Prime Rate Trust
(800) 336-3436
THE TRUST HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY PERSON TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY INFORMATION OR
TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFER. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR OTHER INFORMATION TO WHICH WE HAVE REFERRED YOU. THIS PROSPECTUS
IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY
OTHER THAN THE COMMON SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY THE COMMON SHARES BY
ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE MADE PURSUANT
TO THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. HOWEVER,
IF ANY MATERIAL CHANGE OCCURS WHILE THIS PROSPECTUS IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE
DELIVERED, THIS PROSPECTUS WILL BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED.
WHEN CONTACTING THE SEC, YOU WILL WANT TO REFER TO THE TRUST'S SEC FILE NUMBER.
THE FILE NUMBER IS AS FOLLOWS: 1940 Act File No. 811-5410
[ING FUNDS LOGO]
PRTPR0S0703-070103
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JULY 1, 2003
ING Prime Rate Trust ("Trust") is a diversified, closed-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("1940 Act"). The Trust's investment objective is to provide investors
with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of
capital. There is no assurance that the Trust will achieve its investment
objective. The Trust is managed by ING Investments, LLC ("ING Investments" or
"Investment Manager").
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") does not constitute a
prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus relating
thereto dated July 1, 2003. This SAI does not include all information that a
prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares in this
offering, and investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to
purchasing such shares. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge
by calling the Investment Manager at (800) 992-0180.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
CHANGE OF NAME 2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES 4
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS 12
COMPENSATION TABLE 22
CODE OF ETHICS 24
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 24
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 29
NET ASSET VALUE 30
PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION 32
FEDERAL TAXATION 36
ADVERTISING AND PERFORMANCE DATA 40
GENERAL INFORMATION 42
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 42
The Prospectus and SAI omit certain information contained in the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission" or "SEC"), Washington, DC. The registration statement may be
obtained from the Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at
the Commission's office for no charge. The registration statement is also
available on the Commission's website (www.sec.gov).
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CHANGE OF NAME
The Trust changed its name from Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust to Pilgrim America
Prime Rate Trust in April 1996, and then changed its name back to Pilgrim Prime
Rate Trust on November 16, 1998. Effective March 1, 2002, the Trust changed its
name to ING Prime Rate Trust.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Trust's investment objective is to obtain as high a level of current
income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Trust seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing under normal circumstances at
least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in higher yielding, U.S. dollar denominated, floating rate secured
senior loans ("Senior Loans"). These Senior Loans are typically below investment
grade credit quality.
The Trust only invests in Senior Loans made to corporations or other
business entities organized under U.S. or Canadian law and which are domiciled
in the U.S., Canada or in U.S. territories and or possessions. The Trust can
also invest up to 20% of its total assets in other investments, including
unsecured loans, subordinated loans, short-term debt instruments, equity
securities acquired in connection with investments in loans and other
instruments as described under "Additional Information About Investments and
Investment Techniques." During periods when, in the opinion of the Trust's
Investment Manager, a temporary defensive posture in the market is appropriate,
the Trust may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash and/or in short-term debt
instruments.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Trust has adopted the following restrictions relating to its
investments and activities, which may not be changed without a Majority Vote, as
defined in the 1940 Act. The Trust may not:
1. Issue senior securities, except insofar as the Trust may be deemed to
have issued a senior security by reason of (i) entering into certain interest
rate hedging transactions, (ii) entering into reverse repurchase agreements, or
(iii) borrowing money in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3%, or such other
percentage permitted by law, of the Trust's total assets (including the borrowed
amount) less all liabilities other than borrowings, or (iv) issuing a class or
classes of preferred shares in an amount not exceeding 50%, or such other
percentage permitted by law, of the Trust's total assets less all liabilities
and indebtedness not represented by senior securities.
2. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry.
3. Invest in marketable warrants other than those acquired in conjunction
with Senior Loans and such warrants will not constitute more than 5% of its
assets.
4. Make investments in any one issuer other than U.S. government
securities if, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, more than 5% of
the value of the Trust's total assets would be invested in such issuer, or the
Trust would own more than 25% of any outstanding issue, except that up to 25% of
the Trust's total assets may be invested without regard to the foregoing
restrictions. For the purpose of the foregoing restriction, the Trust will
consider the borrower of a Senior Loan to be the issuer of such Senior Loan. In
addition, with respect to a Senior Loan under which the Trust does not
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have privity with the borrower or would not have a direct cause of action
against the borrower in the event of the failure of the borrower to pay
scheduled principal or interest, the Trust will also separately meet the
foregoing requirements and consider each interpositioned bank (a lender from
which the Trust acquires a Senior Loan) to be an issuer of the Senior Loan.
5. Act as an underwriter of securities, except to the extent that it may
be deemed to act as an underwriter in certain cases when disposing of its
portfolio investments or acting as an agent or one of a group of co-agents in
originating Senior Loans.
6. Purchase or sell equity securities (except that the Trust may,
incidental to the purchase or ownership of an interest in a Senior Loan, or as
part of a borrower reorganization, acquire, sell and exercise warrants and/or
acquire or sell other equity securities), real estate, real estate mortgage
loans, commodities, commodity futures contracts, or oil or gas exploration or
development programs; or sell short, purchase or sell straddles, spreads, or
combinations thereof, or write put or call options.
7. Make loans of money or property to any person, except that the Trust
(i) may make loans to corporations or other business entities, or enter into
leases or other arrangements that have the characteristics of a loan; (ii) may
lend portfolio instruments; and (iii) may acquire securities subject to
repurchase agreements.
8. Purchase shares of other investment companies, except in connection
with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization.
9. Make investments on margin or hypothecate, mortgage or pledge any of
its assets except for the purpose of securing borrowings as described above in
connection with the issuance of senior securities and then only in an amount up
to 33 1/3%% (50% in the case of the issuance of a preferred class of shares),
or such other percentage permitted by law, of the value of the Trust's total
assets (including, with respect to borrowings, the amount borrowed) less all
liabilities other than borrowings (or, in the case of the issuance of senior
securities, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities).
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in value of the
Trust's investments or amount of total assets will not be considered a violation
of any of the foregoing restrictions.
There is no limitation on the percentage of the Trust's total assets that
may be invested in instruments which are not readily marketable or subject to
restrictions on resale, and to the extent the Trust invests in such instruments,
the Trust's portfolio should be considered illiquid. The extent to which the
Trust invests in such instruments may affect its ability to realize the net
asset value ("NAV") of the Trust in the event of the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation of its assets.
The Trust has also adopted a non-fundamental policy as required by Rule
35d-1 under the 1940 Act to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of
its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in
higher yielding, U.S. dollar denominated, floating rate secured Senior Loans.
The Trust has also adopted a policy to provide its shareholders with at least 60
days' prior notice of any change in such investment policy. If, subsequent to an
investment, the 80% requirement is no longer met, the Trust's future investments
will be made in a manner that will bring the Trust into compliance with this
policy.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
Some of the different types of securities in which the Trust may invest,
subject to its investment objective, policies and restrictions, are described in
the prospectus under "Investment Objective and Policies." Additional information
concerning certain of the Trust's investments and investment techniques is set
forth below.
EQUITY SECURITIES
In connection with its purchase or holding of interests in Senior Loans,
the Trust may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise
warrants that it receives. The Trust will acquire such interests only as an
incident to the intended purchase or ownership of loans or in connection with a
reorganization of a borrower or its debt. The Trust normally will not hold more
than 20% of its total assets in equity securities. Equity securities will not be
treated as Senior Loans; therefore, an investment in such securities will not
count toward the 80% of the Trust's net assets, plus the amount of any
borrowings for investment purposes, that normally will be invested in Senior
Loans. Equity securities are subject to financial and market risks and can be
expected to fluctuate in value.
LEASE PARTICIPATIONS
The credit quality standards and general requirements that the Trust
applies to Lease Participations including collateral quality, the credit quality
of the borrower and the likelihood of payback are substantially the same as
those applied to conventional Senior Loans. A Lease Participation is also
required to have a floating interest rate that is indexed to the federal funds
rate, London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or Prime Rate in order to be
eligible for investment.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has established regulations
which set forth circumstances under which national banks may engage in lease
financings. Among other things, the regulation requires that a lease be a
net-full payout lease representing the noncancelable obligation of the lessee,
and that the bank make certain determinations with respect to any estimated
residual value of leased property relied upon by the bank to yield a full return
on the lease. The Trust may invest in lease financings only if the Lease
Participation meets these banking law requirements.
INTEREST RATES AND PORTFOLIO MATURITY
Interest rates on loans in which the Trust invests adjust periodically. The
interest rates are adjusted based on a base rate plus a premium or spread over
the base rate. The base rate usually is LIBOR, the Federal Reserve federal funds
rate, the Prime Rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders.
LIBOR usually is an average of the interest rates quoted by several designated
banks as the rates at which they pay interest to major depositors in the London
interbank market on U.S. dollar denominated deposits. The Investment Manager
believes that changes in short-term LIBOR rates are closely related to changes
in the Federal Reserve federal funds rate, although the two are not technically
linked. The Prime Rate quoted by a major U.S. bank is generally the interest
rate at which that bank is willing to lend U.S. dollars to its most creditworthy
borrowers, although it may not be the bank's lowest available rate.
Loans in which the Trust invests typically have interest rates which reset
at least quarterly and may reset as frequently as daily. The maximum duration of
an interest rate reset on any loan in which the Trust can invest is one year.
The maximum maturity on any loan in which the Trust can invest is ten years. The
Trust's portfolio of loans will ordinarily have a dollar-weighted average time
until the next interest rate adjustment of 90 days or less, although the time
may exceed 90 days. The Trust may find it
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possible and appropriate to use interest rate swaps and other investment
practices to shorten the effective interest rate adjustment period of loans. If
the Trust does so, it will consider the shortened period to be the adjustment
period of the loan. As short-term interest rates rise, interest payable to the
Trust should increase. As short-term interest rates decline, interest payable to
the Trust should decrease. The amount of time that will pass before the Trust
experiences the effects of changing short-term interest rates will depend on the
dollar-weighted average time until the next interest rate adjustment on the
Trust's portfolio of loans.
Loans usually have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. Because of
prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of a loan may be considerably less
than its stated maturity. If a loan is prepaid, the Trust will have to reinvest
the proceeds in other loans or securities which may have a lower fixed spread
over its base rate. In such a case, the amount of interest paid to the Trust
would likely decrease.
In the event of a change in the benchmark interest rate on a loan, the rate
payable to lenders under the loan will, in turn, change at the next scheduled
reset date. If the benchmark rate goes up, the Trust as lender would earn
interest at a higher rate, but only on and after the reset date. If the
benchmark rate goes down, the Trust as lender would earn interest at a lower
rate, but only on and after the reset date.
During normal market conditions, changes in market interest rates will
affect the Trust in certain ways. The principal effect will be that the yield on
the Trust's Common Shares will tend to rise or fall as market interest rates
rise and fall. This is because almost all of the assets in which the Trust
invests pay interest at rates which float in response to changes in market
rates. However, because the interest rates on the Trust's assets reset over
time, there will be an imperfect correlation between changes in market rates and
changes to rates on the portfolio as a whole. This means that changes to the
rate of interest paid on the portfolio as a whole will tend to lag behind
changes in market rates.
Market interest rate changes may also cause the Trust's NAV to experience
moderate volatility. This is because the value of a loan asset in the Trust is
partially a function of whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a
market rate of interest for the particular loan, given its individual credit and
other characteristics. If market interest rates change, a loan's value could be
affected to the extent the interest rate paid on that loan does not reset at the
same time. As discussed above, the rates of interest paid on the loans in which
the Trust invests have a weighted average reset period that typically is less
than 90 days. Therefore, the impact of the lag between a change in market
interest rates and the change in the overall rate on the portfolio is expected
to be minimal.
Finally, to the extent that changes in market rates of interest are
reflected not in a change to a base rate such as LIBOR but in a change in the
spread over the base rate which is payable on loans of the type and quality in
which the Trust invests, the Trust's NAV could be adversely affected. Again,
this is because the value of a loan asset in the Trust is partially a function
of whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a market rate of
interest for the particular loan, given its individual credit and other
characteristics. However, unlike changes in market rates of interest for which
there is only a temporary lag before the portfolio reflects those changes,
changes in a loan's value based on changes in the market spread on loans in the
Trust's portfolio may be of longer duration.
OTHER INVESTMENTS
Assets not invested in Senior Loans will generally consist of other
instruments, including unsecured loans and subordinated loans up to a maximum of
5% of the Trust's net assets, short-term debt instruments with remaining
maturities of 120 days or less (which may have yields tied to the Prime Rate,
commercial paper rates, the federal funds rate or LIBOR) and equity securities
acquired in connection with investments in loans. Short-term debt instruments
may include (i) commercial paper rated A-1 by
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Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or
of comparable quality as determined by the Investment Manager, (ii) certificates
of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and other bank deposits and obligations, and
(iii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. During periods when, in the judgment of the Investment
Manager, a temporary defensive posture in the market is appropriate, the Trust
may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash and/or in short-term debt instruments.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Trust has the ability, pursuant to its investment objective and
policies, to enter into repurchase agreements. Such agreements may be considered
to be loans by the Trust for purposes of the 1940 Act. Each repurchase agreement
must be collateralized fully, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5b-3
under the 1940 Act, at all times. Pursuant to such repurchase agreements, the
Trust acquires securities from financial institutions such as brokers, dealers
and banks, subject to the seller's agreement to repurchase and the Trust's
agreement to resell such securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price.
The term of such an agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or
for a few days, although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year)
from the date of delivery. The repurchase price generally equals the price paid
by the Trust plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates
(which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying portfolio security).
The securities underlying a repurchase agreement will be marked to market every
business day so that the value of the collateral is at least equal to the value
of the loan, including the accrued interest thereon, and the Investment Manager
will monitor the value of the collateral. Securities subject to repurchase
agreements will be held by the Custodian or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury
Book-Entry System or an equivalent foreign system. If the seller defaults on its
repurchase obligation, the Trust will suffer a loss to the extent that the
proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities is less than the repurchase
price under the agreement. Bankruptcy or insolvency of such a defaulting seller
may cause the Trust's rights with respect to such securities to be delayed or
limited. To mitigate this risk, the Trust may only enter into repurchase
agreements that qualify for an exclusion from any automatic stay of creditors'
rights against the counterparty under applicable insolvency law in the event of
the counterparty's insolvency.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Trust has the ability, pursuant to its investment objective and
policies, to enter into reverse repurchase agreements. A reverse repurchase
agreement is an instrument under which the Trust may sell an underlying debt
instrument and simultaneously obtain the commitment of the purchaser to sell the
security back to the Trust at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date.
Reverse repurchase agreements will be considered borrowings by the Trust, and as
such are subject to the restrictions on borrowing. Borrowings by the Trust
create an opportunity for greater total return, but at the same time, increase
exposure to capital risk. The Trust will maintain in a segregated account with
its custodian cash or liquid high grade portfolio securities in an amount
sufficient to cover its obligations with respect to the reverse repurchase
agreements. The Trust will receive payment for such securities only upon
physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer by its custodian.
Regulations of the Commission require either that securities sold by the Trust
under a reverse repurchase agreement be segregated pending repurchase or that
the proceeds be segregated on the Trust's books and records pending repurchase.
Reverse repurchase agreements may involve certain risks in the event of default
or insolvency of the other party, including possible loss from delays or
restrictions upon the Trust's ability to dispose of the underlying securities.
An additional risk is that the market value of securities sold by the Trust
under a reverse repurchase agreement could decline below the price at which the
Trust is obligated to repurchase them.
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LENDING LOANS AND OTHER PORTFOLIO INSTRUMENTS
To generate additional income, the Trust may lend its portfolio securities
including an interest in a Senior Loan, in an amount equal to up to 33 1/3%% of
total Trust assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic
institutional borrowers of securities. No lending may be made with any companies
affiliated with the Investment Manager. During the time portfolio securities are
on loan, the borrower pays the Trust any dividends or interest paid on such
securities, and the Trust may invest the cash collateral and earn additional
income, or it may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the
borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. As with
other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
The Trust may seek to increase its income by lending financial instruments
in its portfolio in accordance with present regulatory policies, including those
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Commission. The
lending of financial instruments is a common practice in the securities
industry. The loans are required to be secured continuously by collateral,
consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act discussed below, maintained on
a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the portfolio
instruments loaned. The Trust has the right to call a loan and obtain the
portfolio instruments loaned at any time on such notice as specified in the
transaction documents. For the duration of the loan, the Trust will continue to
receive the equivalent of the interest paid by the issuer on the portfolio
instruments loaned and may also receive compensation for the loan of the
financial instrument. Any gain or loss in the market price of the instruments
loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the
Trust.
The Trust may lend its portfolio instruments so long as the terms and the
structure of such loans are not inconsistent with the requirements of the 1940
Act, which currently require that (a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the
Trust collateral consisting of cash, a letter of credit issued by a domestic
U.S. bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government having a
value at all times not less than 100% of the value of the instruments loaned,
(b) the borrowers add to such collateral whenever the price of the instruments
loaned rises (I.E., the value of the loan is marked to market on a daily basis),
(c) the loan be made subject to termination by the Trust at any time, and (d)
the Trust receives reasonable interest on the loan (which may include the
Trust's investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term
investments), any distributions on the loaned instruments and increase in their
market value. The Trust may lend its portfolio instruments to member banks of
the Federal Reserve System, members of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or
other entities determined by the Investment Manager to be creditworthy. All
relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the
qualified institution, will be monitored by the Investment Manager, and will be
considered in making decisions with respect to the lending of portfolio
instruments.
The Trust may pay reasonable negotiated fees in connection with loaned
instruments. In addition, voting rights may pass with loaned securities, but if
a material event were to occur affecting such a loan, the Trust will retain the
right to call the loan and vote the securities. If a default occurs by the other
party to such transaction, the Trust will have contractual remedies pursuant to
the agreements related to the transaction, but such remedies may be subject to
bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could materially and adversely affect the
Trust's rights as a creditor. However, the loans will be made only to firms
deemed by the Investment Manager to be of good financial standing and when, in
the judgment of the Investment Manager, the consideration which can be earned
currently from loans of this type justifies the attendant risk.
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INTEREST RATE HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
The Trust has the ability, pursuant to its investment objectives and
policies, to engage in certain hedging transactions including interest rate
swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Trust may
undertake these transactions primarily for the following reasons: to preserve a
return on or value of a particular investment or portion of the Trust's
portfolio, to protect against decreases in the anticipated rate of return on
floating or variable rate financial instruments which the Trust owns or
anticipates purchasing at a later date, or for other risk management strategies
such as managing the effective dollar-weighted average duration of the Trust's
portfolio. Market conditions will determine whether and in what circumstances
the Trust would employ any of the hedging techniques described below.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Trust with another party of
their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, E.G., an exchange of an
obligation to make floating rate payments on a specified dollar amount referred
to as the "notional" principal amount for an obligation to make fixed rate
payments. For example, the Trust may seek to shorten the effective interest rate
redetermination period of a Senior Loan in its portfolio that has an interest
rate redetermination period of one year. The Trust could exchange its right to
receive fixed income payments for one year from a borrower for the right to
receive payments under an obligation that readjusts monthly. In such an event,
the Trust would consider the interest rate redetermination period of such Senior
Loan to be the shorter period. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the
purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest
rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the
party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor
entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a
predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional
principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The Trust will
not enter into swaps, caps or floors if, on a net basis, the aggregate notional
principal amount with respect to such agreements exceeds the net assets of the
Trust or to the extent the purchase of swaps, caps or floors would be
inconsistent with the Trust's other investment restrictions.
The Trust will not treat swaps covered in accordance with applicable
regulatory guidance as senior securities. The Trust will usually enter into
interest rate swaps on a net basis, I.E., where the two parties make net
payments with the Trust receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net
amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Trust's
obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be
accrued and an amount of cash or liquid securities having an aggregate NAV at
least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account. If
the Trust enters into a swap on other than a net basis, the Trust will maintain
in the segregated account the full amount of the Trust's obligations under each
such swap. The Trust may enter into swaps, caps and floors with member banks of
the Federal Reserve System, members of the NYSE or other entities determined by
ING Investments. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, the
Trust will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the
transaction but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws
which could materially and adversely affect the Trust's rights as a creditor.
The swap, cap and floor market has grown substantially in recent years with
a large number of banks and financial services firms acting both as principals
and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, this
market has become relatively liquid. There can be no assurance, however, that
the Trust will be able to enter into interest rate swaps or to purchase interest
rate caps or floors at prices or on terms the Investment Manager believes are
advantageous to the Trust. In addition, although the terms of interest rate
swaps, caps and floors may provide for termination, there can be no assurance
that the Trust will be able to terminate an interest rate swap or to sell or
offset interest rate caps or floors that it has purchased.
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The successful utilization of hedging and risk management transactions
requires skills different from those needed in the selection of the Trust's
portfolio securities and depends on the Investment Manager's ability to predict
correctly the direction and degree of movements in interest rates. Although the
Trust believes that use of the hedging and risk management techniques described
above will benefit the Trust, if the Investment Manager's judgment about the
direction or extent of the movement in interest rates is incorrect, the Trust's
overall performance would be worse than if it had not entered into any such
transactions. The Trust will incur brokerage and other costs in connection with
its hedging transactions.
ORIGINATING SENIOR LOANS
The Trust has the ability to act as an agent in originating and
administering a loan on behalf of all lenders or as one of a group of co-agents
in originating Senior Loans. However, the Trust has not acted as agent or
co-agent on any loans, and has no present intention of doing so in the future.
An agent for a loan is required to administer and manage the Senior Loan
and to service or monitor the collateral. The agent is also responsible for
the collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower
and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all lenders which are
parties to the loan agreement. The agent is charged with the responsibility of
monitoring compliance by the borrower with the restrictive covenants in the
loan agreement and of notifying the lenders of any adverse change in the
borrower's financial condition. In addition, the agent generally is
responsible for determining that the lenders have obtained a perfected
security interest in the collateral securing the Senior Loan.
Lenders generally rely on the agent to collect their portion of the
payments on a Senior Loan and to use the appropriate creditor remedies against
the borrower. Typically under loan agreements, the agent is given broad
discretion in enforcing the loan agreement and is obligated to use the same care
it would use in the management of its own property. The borrower compensates the
agent for these services. Such compensation may include special fees paid on
structuring and funding the Senior Loan and other fees on a continuing basis.
The precise duties and rights of an agent are defined in the loan agreement.
When the Trust is an agent, it has, as a party to the loan agreement, a
direct contractual relationship with the borrower and, prior to allocating
portions of the Senior Loan to the lenders, if any, assumes all risks associated
with the Senior Loan. The agent may enforce compliance by the borrower with the
terms of the loan agreement. Agents also have voting and consent rights under
the applicable loan agreement. Action subject to agent vote or consent generally
requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified percentage of the
outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan, which percentage varies
depending on the relative loan agreement. Certain decisions, such as reducing
the amount or increasing the time for payment of interest on or repayment of
principal of a Senior Loan, or relating collateral therefor, frequently require
the unanimous vote or consent of all lenders affected. When the Trust
participates as an original lender, it typically acquires the loan at par.
Pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement, the agent typically has sole
responsibility for servicing and administering a loan on behalf of the other
lenders. Each lender in a Senior Loan is generally responsible for performing
its own credit analysis and its own investigation of the financial condition of
the borrower. Generally, loan agreements will hold the agent liable for any
action taken or omitted that amounts to gross negligence or willful misconduct.
In the event of a borrower's default on a loan, the loan agreements provide that
the lenders do not have recourse against the Trust for its activities as agent.
Instead, lenders will be required to look to the borrower for recourse.
Acting in the capacity of an agent in a Senior Loan may subject the Trust
to certain risks in addition to those associated with the Trust's current role
as lender. An agent is charged with the above described duties and
responsibilities to lenders and borrowers subject to the terms of the loan
agreement. Failure to adequately discharge such responsibilities in accordance
with the standard of care set forth in the loan agreement may expose the Trust
to liability for breach of contract. If a relationship of trust is
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found between the agent and the lenders, the agent will be held to a higher
standard of conduct in administering the loan. In consideration of such risks,
the Trust will invest no more than 10% of its total assets in Senior Loans in
which it acts as agent or co-agent and the size of any individual loan will not
exceed 5% of the Trust's total assets.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SENIOR LOANS
Senior Loans are direct obligations of corporations or other business
entities and are arranged by banks or other commercial lending institutions and
made generally to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, stock
repurchases, and leveraged buyouts. Senior Loans usually include restrictive
covenants which must be maintained by the borrower. Such covenants, in addition
to the timely payment of interest and principal, may include mandatory
prepayment provisions arising from free cash flow and restrictions on dividend
payments, and usually state that a borrower must maintain specific minimum
financial ratios as well as establishing limits on total debt. A breach of
covenant, which is not waived by the agent, is normally an event of
acceleration, I.E., the agent has the right to call the outstanding Senior Loan.
In addition, loan covenants may include mandatory prepayment provisions stemming
from free cash flow. Free cash flow is cash that is in excess of capital
expenditures plus debt service requirements of principal and interest. The free
cash flow shall be applied to prepay the Senior Loan in an order of maturity
described in the loan documents. Under certain interests in Senior Loans, the
Trust may have an obligation to make additional loans upon demand by the
borrower. The Trust intends to reserve against such contingent obligations by
segregating sufficient assets in high quality short-term liquid investments or
borrowing to cover such obligations.
In a typical interest in a Senior Loan, the agent administers the loan and
has the right to monitor the collateral. The agent is also required to segregate
the principal and interest payments received from the borrower and to hold these
payments for the benefit of the lenders. The Trust normally looks to the agent
to collect and distribute principal of and interest on a Senior Loan.
Furthermore, the Trust looks to the agent to use normal credit remedies, such as
to foreclose on collateral, monitor credit loan covenants, and notify the
lenders of any adverse changes in the borrower's financial condition or
declarations of insolvency. At times the Trust may also negotiate with the agent
regarding the agent's exercise of credit remedies under a Senior Loan. The agent
is compensated for these services by the borrower as set forth in the loan
agreement. Such compensation may take the form of a fee or other amount paid
upon the making of the Senior Loan and/or an ongoing fee or other amount.
The loan agreements in connection with Senior Loans set forth the standard
of care to be exercised by the agents on behalf of the lenders and usually
provide for the termination of the agent's agency status in the event that it
fails to act properly, becomes insolvent, enters FDIC receivership, or if not
FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy or if the agent resigns. In the event an
agent is unable to perform its obligations as agent, another lender would
generally serve in that capacity.
The Trust believes that the principal credit risk associated with acquiring
Senior Loans from another lender is the credit risk associated with the borrower
of the underlying Senior Loan. The Trust may incur additional credit risk,
however, when the Trust acquires a participation in a Senior Loan from another
lender because the Trust must assume the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy of the
other lender from which the Senior Loan was acquired.
Senior Loans, unlike certain bonds, usually do not have call protection.
This means that investments comprising the Trust's portfolio, while having a
stated one to ten-year term, may be prepaid, often without penalty. The Trust
generally holds Senior Loans to maturity unless it has become necessary to sell
them to satisfy any shareholder tender offers or to adjust the Trust's portfolio
in accordance with
10
the Investment Managers' view of current or expected economic or specific
industry or borrower conditions.
Senior Loans frequently require full or partial prepayment of a loan when
there are asset sales or a securities issuance. Prepayments on Senior Loans may
also be made by the borrower at its election. The rate of such prepayments may
be affected by, among other things, general business and economic conditions, as
well as the financial status of the borrower. Prepayment would cause the actual
duration of a Senior Loan to be shorter than its stated maturity. Prepayment may
be deferred by the Trust. This should, however, allow the Trust to reinvest in a
new loan and recognize as income any unamortized loan fees. In many cases this
will result in a new facility fee payable to the Trust.
Because interest rates paid on these Senior Loans fluctuate periodically
with the market, it is expected that the prepayment and a subsequent purchase of
a new Senior Loan by the Trust will not have a material adverse impact on the
yield of the portfolio. See "Portfolio Transactions."
Under a Senior Loan, the borrower generally must pledge as collateral
assets which may include one or more of the following: cash, accounts
receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, both common and preferred
stock in its subsidiaries, trademarks, copyrights, patent rights and franchise
value. The Trust may also receive guarantees as a form of collateral. In some
instances, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock in a borrower or its
affiliates. There is no assurance, however, that the borrower would provide
additional collateral or that the liquidation of the existing collateral would
satisfy the borrower's obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled
interest or principal, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated.
The Trust may be required to pay and receive various fees and commissions
in the process of purchasing, selling and holding Senior Loans. The fee
component may include any, or a combination of, the following elements:
arrangement fees, non-use fees, facility fees, letter of credit fees and ticking
fees. Arrangement fees are paid at the commencement of a loan as compensation
for the initiation of the transaction. A non-use fee is paid based upon the
amount committed but not used under the loan. Facility fees are on-going annual
fees paid in connection with a loan. Letter of credit fees are paid if a loan
involves a letter of credit. Ticking fees are paid from the initial commitment
indication until loan closing if for an extended period. The amount of fees is
negotiated at the time of transaction.
11
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. A Trustee who
is not an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an
independent trustee ("Independent Trustee"). The Trustees of the Trust are
listed below.
TERM OF
OFFICE AND NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND
POSITION(S) HELD TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) - COMPLEX OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH TRUST SERVED(1) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE TRUSTEE
--------------------- ---------------- ---------- ------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
Independent Trustees
Paul S. Doherty Trustee October Mr. Doherty is President 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 1999 - and Partner, Doherty, 2002 - Present).
Ranch Rd. Present Wallace, Pillsbury and
Scottsdale, Arizona Murphy, P.C., Attorneys
85258 (1996 - Present); Director,
Date of Birth: Tambrands, Inc. (1993 -
04/28/1934 1998); and Trustee of
each of the funds managed
by Northstar Investment
Management Corporation
(1993 - 1999).
J. Michael Earley Trustee February President and Chief 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (1997 -
7337 E. Doubletree 2002 - Executive Officer, Bankers Present).
Ranch Rd. Present Trust Company, N.A. (1992 -
Scottsdale, Arizona Present).
85258
Date of Birth:
05/02/1945
R. Barbara Gitenstein Trustee February President, College of 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (1997 -
7337 E. Doubletree 2002 - New Jersey (1999 - Present).
Ranch Rd. Present Present). Formerly,
Scottsdale, Arizona Executive Vice President
85258 and Provost, Drake
Date of Birth: University (1992 - 1998).
02/18/1948
Walter H. May Trustee October Retired. Formerly, Managing 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 1999 - Director and Director of 2002 - Present) and Best
Ranch Rd. Present Marketing, Piper Jaffray, Prep Charity (1991 -
Scottsdale, Arizona Inc.; Trustee of each of Present).
85258 the funds managed by
Date of Birth: Northstar Investment
12/21/1936 Management Corporation
(1996 - 1999).
12
TERM OF
OFFICE AND NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND
POSITION(S) HELD TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) - COMPLEX OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH TRUST SERVED(1) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE TRUSTEE
--------------------- ---------------- ---------- ------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
Jock Patton Trustee August Private Investor (June 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 1995 - 1997 - Present). Formerly, 2002 - Present); Director,
Ranch Rd. Present Director and Chief Hypercom, Inc. (January
Scottsdale, Arizona Executive Officer, Rainbow 1999 - Present); JDA
85258 Multimedia Group, Inc. Software Group, Inc.
Date of Birth: (January 1999 - December (January 1999 - Present);
12/11/1945 2001); Director of Stuart Buick of Scottsdale, Inc.;
Entertainment, Inc.; National Airlines, Inc.; BG
Director of Artisoft, Inc. Associates, Inc.; BK
(1994 - 1998). Entertainment, Inc.; and
Arizona Rotorcraft, Inc.
David W.C. Putnam Trustee October President and Director, 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 1999 - F.L. Putnam Securities 2002 - Present), Anchor
Ranch Rd. Present Company, Inc. and its International Bond Trust
Scottsdale, Arizona affiliates; President, (December 2000 - Present);
85258 Secretary and Trustee, The F.L. Putnam Foundation
Date of Birth: Principled Equity Market (December 2000 - Present);
10/08/1939 Fund. Formerly, Trustee, Progressive Capital
Trust Realty Corp.; Anchor Accumulation Trust (August
Investment Trust; Bow Ridge 1998 - Present); Principled
Mining Company and each of Equity Market Fund (November
the funds managed by 1996 - Present), Mercy
Northstar Investment Endowment Foundation (1995 -
Management Corporation Present); Director, F.L.
(1994 - 1999). Putnam Investment Management
Company (December 2001 -
Present); Asian American
Bank and Trust Company
(June 1992 - Present); and
Notre Dame Health Care
Center (1991 - Present) F.L.
Putnam Securities Company,
Inc. (June 1978 - Present);
and an Honorary Trustee,
Mercy Hospital (1973 -
Present).
Blaine E. Rieke Trustee February General Partner, Huntington 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 2001 - Partners (January 1997 - 2002 - Present) and Morgan
Ranch Rd. Present Present). Chairman of the Chase Trust Co. (January
Scottsdale, Arizona Board and Trustee of each 1998 - Present).
85258 of the funds managed by
Date of Birth: ING Investment Management
09/10/1933 Co. LLC (November
13
TERM OF
OFFICE AND NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND
POSITION(S) HELD TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) - COMPLEX OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH TRUST SERVED(1) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE TRUSTEE
--------------------- ---------------- ---------- ------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
1998 - February 2001).
Roger B. Vincent Trustee February President, Springwell 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (1994 -
7337 E. Doubletree 2002 - Corporation (1989 - Present); and Director,
Ranch Rd. Present Present). Formerly, AmeriGas Propane, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona Director, Tatham Offshore, (1998 - Present).
85258 Inc. (1996 - 2000).
Date of Birth:
08/26/1945
Richard A. Wedemeyer Trustee February Retired. Mr. Wedemeyer was 106 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 2001 - formerly Vice President - 2002 - Present) and
Ranch Rd. Present Finance and Administration, Touchstone Consulting Group
Scottsdale, Arizona Channel Corporation (June (1997 - Present).
85258 1996 - April 2002).
Date of Birth: Formerly, Vice President,
03/23/1936 Operations and
Administration, Jim
Henson Productions (1979
- 1997); Trustee, First
Choice Funds (1997 -
2001); and of each of
the funds managed by ING
Investment Management
Co. LLC (1998 - 2001).
Trustees who are Interested Persons
Thomas J. McInerney(2) Trustee February Chief Executive Officer, 161 Trustee, GCG Trust (February
7337 E. Doubletree 2001 - ING U.S. Financial Services 2002 - Present); Equitable
Ranch Rd. Present (September 2001 - Present); Life Insurance Co., Golden
Scottsdale, Arizona General Manager and Chief American Life Insurance Co.,
85258 Executive Officer, ING U.S. Life Insurance Company of
Date of Birth: Worksite Financial Services Georgia, Midwestern United
05/05/1956 (December 2000 - Present); Life Insurance Co.,
Member, ING Americas ReliaStar Life Insurance
Executive Committee (2001 - Co., Security Life of
Present); President, Chief Denver, Security Connecticut
Executive Officer and Life Insurance Co.,
Director of Northern Life Southland Life Insurance
Insurance Company (March Co., USG Annuity and Life
2001 - October 2002), ING Company, and United Life
Aeltus Holding Company, and Annuity Insurance Co.
Inc. (2000 - Present), ING Inc (March 2001 - Present);
Retail Holding Company Director, Ameribest Life
(1998 - Present), ING Life Insurance Co., (March 2001
Insurance and Annuity to January 2003); Director,
Company (September 1997 - First Columbine Life
November 2002) and ING Insurance Co. (March 2001
Retirement Holdings, Inc. to December 2002); Member
(1997- Present). Formerly, of the Board, National
General Manager and Chief Commission on
Executive Officer, ING
Worksite Division (December
2000 - October 2001),
President, ING-SCI, Inc.
(August 1997 - December
2000); President, Aetna
Financial Services (August
1997 - December 2000).
14
TERM OF
OFFICE AND NUMBER OF
LENGTH OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND
POSITION(S) HELD TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) - COMPLEX OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH TRUST SERVED(1) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE TRUSTEE
--------------------- ---------------- ---------- ------------------------- ------------------ ---------------------------
Retirement Policy,
Governor's Council on
Economic Competitiveness and
Technology of Connecticut,
Connecticut Business and
Industry Association,
Bushnell; Connecticut Forum;
Metro Hartford Chamber of
Commerce; and is Chairman,
Concerned Citizens for
Effective Government.
John G. Turner(3) Trustee October Chairman, Hillcrest Capital 106 Trustee, GCG; Director,
7337 E. Doubletree 1999 - Partners (May 2002 - Hormel Foods Corporation
Ranch Rd. Present Present); President, Turner (March 2000 - Present);
Scottsdale, Arizona Investment Company (January Shopko Stores, Inc. (August
85258 2002 - Present). Mr. Turner 1999 - Present); and M.A.
Date of Birth: was formerly Vice Chairman Mortenson Company (March
10/03/1939 of ING Americas (2000 - 2002 - Present).
2002); Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of
ReliaStar Financial Corp.
and ReliaStar Life
Insurance Company (1993 -
2000); Chairman of
ReliaStar United
Services Life Insurance
Company (1995 - 1998);
Chairman of ReliaStar Life
Insurance Company of New
York (1995 - 2001);
Chairman of Northern Life
Insurance Company (1992 -
2001); Chairman and Trustee
of the Northstar
affiliated investment
companies (1993 - 2001)
and Director, Northstar
Investment Management
Corporation and its
affiliates (1993 -
1999).
(1) Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
(2) Mr. McInerney is an interested person, as defined by the 1940 Act, because
of his affiliation with ING U.S. Worksite Financial Services, an affiliate
of ING Investments, LLC.
(3) Mr. Turner is an interested person, as defined by the 1940 Act, because of
his affiliation with ING Americas, an affiliate of ING Investments, LLC.
15
OFFICERS
Information about the Trust's officers are set forth in the table below:
POSITIONS HELD WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE LAST FIVE
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE TRUST TIME SERVED (1)(2) YEARS (3)
--------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
James M. Hennessy President and Chief February 2001 - Present President and Chief Executive Officer, ING
7337 E. Doubletree Executive Officer Capital Corporation, LLC, ING Funds Services,
Ranch Rd. LLC, ING Advisors, Inc., ING Investments, LLC,
Scottsdale, Arizona Chief Operating Officer July 2000 - Present Lexington Funds Distributor, Inc., Express
85258 America T.C., Inc. and EAMC Liquidation Corp.
Date of Birth: (December 2001 - Present); Executive Vice
04/09/1949 President and Chief Operating Officer and ING
Funds Distributor, LLC (June 2000 - Present).
Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, ING Quantitative
Management, Inc. (October 2001 - September
2002), Senior Executive Vice President (June
2000 - December 2000) and Secretary (April
1995 - December 2000), ING Capital
Corporation, LLC, ING Funds Services, LLC, ING
Investments, LLC, ING Advisors, Inc., Express
America T.C., Inc. and EAMC Liquidation Corp.;
Executive Vice President, ING Capital
Corporation, LLC and its affiliates (May 1998 -
June 2000); and Senior Vice President, ING
Capital Corporation, LLC and its affiliates
(April 1995 - April 1998).
Michael J. Roland Executive Vice March 2002 - Present Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
7337 E. Doubletree President; and Officer and Treasurer, ING Funds Services,
Ranch Rd. Assistant Secretary LLC, ING Funds Distributor, LLC, ING Advisors,
Scottsdale, Arizona Inc., ING Investments, LLC, Inc., Lexington
85258 Chief Financial Officer June 1998 - Present Funds Distributor, Inc., Express America T.C.,
Date of Birth: Inc. and EAMC Liquidation Corp. (December 2001 -
05/30/1958 Senior Vice President June 1998 - February 2002 Present). Formerly, Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer ING
Quantitative Management (December 2001 -
September 2002), Senior Vice President, ING
Funds Services, LLC, ING Investments, LLC and
ING Funds Distributor, LLC (June 1998 - December
2001) and Chief Financial Officer of Endeavor
Group (April 1997 - June 1998).
Robert S. Naka Senior Vice President November 1999 - Present Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary,
7337 E. Doubletree ING Funds Services, LLC, ING Funds Distributor,
Ranch Rd. LLC, ING Advisors, Inc., ING Capital
Scottsdale, Arizona Corporation, LLC, ING Investments, LLC (October
85258 Assistant Secretary July 1996 - Present 2001 - Present) and Lexington Funds Distributor,
Date of Birth: Inc. (December 2001 - Present). Formerly, Senior
06/17/1963 Vice President and Assistant Secretary, ING
Quantitative Management, Inc. (October 2001 -
September 2002), Vice President, ING
Investments, LLC (April 1997 - October 1999),
ING Funds Services, LLC (February 1997 - August
1999) and Assistant Vice President, ING Funds
Services, LLC (August 1995 - February 1997).
Robyn L. Ichilov Vice President November 1997 - Present Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree (October 2001 - Present) and ING Investments,
Ranch Rd. LLC (August 1997 - Present); Accounting
Scottsdale, Arizona Manager, ING Investments, LLC (November 1995 -
85258 Present).
16
POSITIONS HELD WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE LAST FIVE
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE TRUST TIME SERVED (1)(2) YEARS (3)
--------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Date of Birth:
09/25/1967
Kimberly A. Anderson Vice President and February 2001 - Present Vice President and Secretary, ING Funds
7337 E. Doubletree Secretary Services, LLC, ING Funds Distributor, LLC, ING
Ranch Rd. Advisors, Inc., ING Investments, LLC (October
Scottsdale, Arizona 2001 - Present) and Lexington Funds
85258 Distributor, Inc. (December 2001 - Present).
Date of Birth: Formerly, Vice President, ING Quantitative
07/25/1964 Management, Inc. (October 2001 - September
2002); Assistant Vice President, ING Funds
Services, LLC (November 1999 - January 2001)
and has held various other positions with ING
Funds Services, LLC for more than the last
five years.
Sue Kinens Assistant Vice February 2003 - Present Assistant Vice President and Assistant
7337 E. Doubletree President and Assistant Secretary, ING Funds Services, LLC (December
Ranch Rd. Secretary 2002 - Present); and has held various other
Scottsdale, Arizona positions with ING Funds Services, LLC for the
85258 last five years.
Date of Birth:
12/31/1976
Todd Modic Assistant Vice President August 2001 - Present Director of Financial Reporting, ING
7337 E. Doubletree Investments, LLC (March 2001 - Present).
Ranch Rd. Formerly, Director of Financial Reporting,
Scottsdale, Arizona Axient Communications, Inc. (May 2000 -
85258 January 2001) and Director of Finance,
Date of Birth: Rural/Metro Corporation (March 1995 - May
11/03/1967 2000).
Maria M. Anderson Assistant Vice President August 2001 - Present Assistant Vice President, ING Funds Services,
7337 E. Doubletree LLC (October 2001 - Present). Formerly,
Ranch Rd. Manager of Fund Accounting and Fund
Scottsdale, Arizona Compliance, ING Investments, LLC (September
85258 1999 - November 2001); Section Manager of Fund
Date of Birth: Accounting, Stein Roe Mutual Funds (July 1998 -
05/29/1958 August 1999); and Financial Reporting Analyst,
Stein Roe Mutual Funds (August 1997 - July
1998).
Daniel Norman Senior Vice President April 1995 - Present Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree (December 1994 - Present); and ING Funds
Ranch Rd. Co-Senior Portfolio February 1992 - Present Distributor, LLC (December 1995 - Present);
Scottsdale, Arizona Manager has served as an officer of other affiliates
85258 of ING since February 1992.
Date of Birth: Treasurer June 1997 - Present
12/29/1957
Jeffrey A. Bakalar Senior Vice President November 1999 - Present Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree (November 1999- Present). Formerly, Vice
Ranch Rd. Co-Senior Portfolio January 1998 - Present President and Assistant Portfolio Manager, ING
Scottsdale, Arizona Manager Investments, LLC (February 1998 -- November
85258 1999); Vice President of The Communications
Date of Birth: Positions of First National Bank of Chicago
12/15/1959 (July 1994 -- January 1998).
Elliot Rosen Senior Vice President May 2002 - Present Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC
7337 E. Doubletree (February 1999 - Present). Formerly, Senior
Ranch Rd. Vice President IPS-Sendero (May 1997 -
Scottsdale, Arizona February 1999) and President of Sendero, which
85258 merged into IPS
17
POSITIONS HELD WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE LAST FIVE
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE TRUST TIME SERVED (1)(2) YEARS (3)
--------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Date of Birth: (August 1993 - May 1997).
05/07/1953
William H. Rivoir III Senior Vice President February 2001 - Present Senior Vice President and Secretary of ING
7337 E. Doubletree and Assistant Secretary Capital Corporation, LLC and ING Funds
Ranch Rd. Services, LLC (February 2001 - Present), ING
Scottsdale, Arizona Funds Distributor, LLC, ING Advisors, Inc. and
85258 ING Investments, LLC. (October 2001 -
Date of Birth: Present), Senior Vice President and Secretary,
01/19/1951 ING Quantitative Management, Inc. (October
2001 - September 2002). Lexington Funds
Distributor, Inc., ING Pilgrim Funding, Inc.,
Pilgrim America Financial, Inc., Express
America TC, Inc. and EAMC Liquidation Corp.
(December 2001 - Present). Formerly, Senior
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ING
Funds Services, LLC (June 1998 - Present), ING
Investments, LLC, and Pilgrim America
Financial, Inc. (February 1999 - Present),
Senior Vice President of ING Investments, LLC
(December - Present 1998) and Assistant
Secretary of ING Funds Distributor, LLC
(February 1999 - Present) and ING Investments,
LLC (June 1998 - Present).
Curtis F. Lee Senior Vice President January 2001 - Present Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
7337 E. Doubletree and Chief Credit Officer - Senior Loans of ING Investments, LLC (August
Ranch Rd. 1999 - Present). Formerly, held a series of
Scottsdale, Arizona positions with Standard Chartered Bank in the
85258 credit approval and problem loan management
Date of Birth: functions (August 1992 - June 1999).
06/05/1954
(1) The officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Trustees
and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
(2) Prior to May 1999, the Pilgrim family of funds consisted of 5
registrants with 8 series. As of May 24, 1999, the former
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management funds (consisting of 1
registrant with 11 series) joined the fund complex and the fund
complex retained the name Pilgrim Funds. On November 16, 1999, the
former Northstar funds (consisting of 9 registrants with 22 series)
joined the fund complex and the fund complex retained the name Pilgrim
Funds. On July 26, 2000, the former Lexington funds (consisting of 14
registrants with 14 series) joined the fund complex and the fund
complex retained the name Pilgrim Funds. On March 23, 2001, the
original ING funds (consisting of 2 registrants with 18 series) joined
the fund complex and the fund complex retained the name Pilgrim Funds.
On March 1, 2002, the former Aetna funds (consisting of 8 registrants
with 50 series) joined the fund complex and the name of the fund
complex name changed to ING Funds.
(3) The following documents the evolution of the name of each ING
corporate entity referenced in the above biographies:
ING INVESTMENTS, LLC (MARCH 2002 - NAME CHANGED FROM ING PILGRIM INVESTMENTS,
LLC)
ING Mutual Funds Management Co., LLC (April 2001 - merged into ING Pilgrim
Investments, LLC)
ING Pilgrim Investments, Inc. (February 2001 - merged into ING Pilgrim
Investments, LLC)
ING Pilgrim Investments, LLC (February 2001 - formed)
ING Pilgrim Investments, Inc. (September 2000 - name changed from Pilgrim
Investments, Inc.)
Pilgrim Advisors, Inc.** (April 2000 - merged into Pilgrim Investments, Inc.)
Pilgrim Investments, Inc. (October 1998 - name changed from Pilgrim America
Investments, Inc.)
Pilgrim America Investments, Inc. (April 1995 - name changed from Newco
Advisory Corporation)
Newco Advisory Corporation (December 1994 - incorporated)
ING FUNDS SERVICES, LLC (MARCH 2002 - NAME CHANGED FROM ING PILGRIM GROUP, LLC)
ING Pilgrim Group, Inc. (February 2001 - merged into Pilgrim Group LLC)
ING Pilgrim Group, LLC (February 2001 - formed)
ING Pilgrim Group, Inc. (September 2000 - name changed from Pilgrim Group,
Inc.)
Lexington Global Asset Managers, Inc. (July 2000 - merged into Pilgrim Group,
Inc.)
Northstar Administrators, Inc. (November 1999 - merged into Pilgrim Group,
Inc.)
Pilgrim Group, Inc. (October 1998 - name changed from Pilgrim American Group,
Inc.)
Pilgrim America Group, Inc. (April 1995 - name changed from Newco Holdings
Management Corporation)
Newco Holdings Management Corporation (December 1994 - incorporated)
18
**Pilgrim Advisors, Inc. (November 1999 - name changed from Northstar
Investment Management Corporation)
ING FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC. (OCTOBER 2002)
ING Funds Distributor, Inc. (October 2002 - merged into ING Funds Distributor,
LLC)
ING Funds Distributor, LLC (October 2002 - formed)
ING Pilgrim Securities, Inc. (September 2000 - name changed from Pilgrim
Securities, Inc.)
Northstar Distributors Inc. (November 1999 - merged into Pilgrim Securities,
Inc.)
Pilgrim Securities, Inc. (October 1998 - name changed from Pilgrim America
Securities, Inc.)
Pilgrim America Securities, Inc. (April 1995 - name changed from Newco
Distributors Corporation)
Newco Distributors Corporation (December 1994 -incorporated)
ING ADVISORS, INC. (MARCH 2002 - NAME CHANGED FROM ING PILGRIM ADVISORS, INC.)
ING Pilgrim Advisors, Inc. (March 2001 - name changed from ING Lexington
Management Corporation)
ING Lexington Management Corporation (October 2000 - name changed from
Lexington Management Corporation)
Lexington Management Corporation (December 1996 - incorporated)
ING CAPITAL CORPORATION, LLC (MARCH 2002 - NAME CHANGED FROM ING PILGRIM CAPITAL
CORPORATION, LLC)
ING Pilgrim Capital Corporation (February 2001 - merged into ING Pilgrim
Capital Corporation, LLC)
ING Pilgrim Capital Corporation, LLC (February 2001 - formed)
ING Pilgrim Capital Corporation (September 2000 - name changed from Pilgrim
Capital Corporation)
Pilgrim Capital Corporation (February 2000 - name changed from Pilgrim
Holdings Corporation)
Pilgrim Holdings Corporation (October 1999 - name changed from Northstar
Holdings, Inc.)
Northstar Holdings, Inc. (October 1999 - merged into Pilgrim Capital
Corporation)
Pilgrim Capital Corporation (June 1999 - name changed from Pilgrim America
Capital Corporation)
Pilgrim Capital Corporation (June 1999 - merged into Pilgrim America Capital
Corporation)
Pilgrim America Capital Corporation (April 1997 - incorporated)
ING QUANTITATIVE MANAGEMENT, INC. (SEPTEMBER 2002 - DISSOLVED)
ING Quantitative Management, Inc. (March 2002 - name changed from ING Pilgrim
Quantitative Management, Inc.)
ING Pilgrim Quantitative Management, Inc. (March 2001 - name changed from
Market Systems Research Advisors)
Market Systems Research Advisors, Inc. (November 1986 - incorporated)
19
The Trust currently has an Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Valuation
Committee, Nominating Committee, and an Investment Review Committee. The Audit,
Valuation and Nominating Committees consist entirely of Independent Trustees.
COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees has an Executive Committee whose function is to act
on behalf of the full Board of Trustees between regularly scheduled meetings
when necessary. The Committee currently consists of two Independent Trustees and
two Trustees who are interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act: Messrs.
Turner, McInerney, May and Patton. Mr. Turner serves as Chairman of the
Committee. The Executive Committee held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2003.
The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee whose function is to meet with
the independent auditors of the Trust to review the scope of the Trust's audit,
its financial statements and interim accounting controls, and to meet with
management concerning these matters, among other things. The Audit Committee
currently consists of four Independent Trustees: Messrs. Earley, Rieke, Vincent
and Putnam. Mr. Earley serves as Chairman of the Committee. The Audit Committee
held four (4) meetings during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2003.
The Board of Trustees has formed a Valuation Committee whose function is to
review the determination of the value of securities held by the Trust for which
reliable market value quotations are not readily available. The Valuation
Committee currently consists of five Independent Trustees: Dr. Gitenstein and
Messrs. May, Patton, Doherty and Wedemeyer. Mr. Patton serves as Chairman of the
Committee. The Valuation Committee held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2003.
The Board of Trustees has established a Nominating Committee for the
purpose of considering and presenting to the Board of Trustees candidates it
proposes for nomination to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board of
Trustees. The Nominating Committee currently consists of four Independent
Trustees: Dr. Gitenstein and Messrs. Doherty, May, and Wedemeyer. Mr. May serves
as Chairman of the Committee. The Committee does not currently have a policy
regarding whether it will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. The
Nominating Committee did not hold a meeting during the fiscal year ended
February 28, 2003.
The Board of Trustees has established an Investment Review Committee that
will monitor the investment performance of the Trust and make recommendations to
the Board of Trustees with respect to the Trust. The Committee currently
consists of five Independent Trustees and one Trustee who is an interested
person as defined in the 1940 Act: Dr. Gitenstein and Messrs. Doherty, Patton,
May, McInerney and Wedemeyer. Mr. Wedemeyer serves as Chairman of the Committee.
The Investment Review Committee held four (4) meetings during the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2003.
20
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
SHARE OWNERSHIP POLICY
In order to further align the interests of the Independent Trustees with
shareholders, it is the policy to own, beneficially, shares of one or more ING
Funds at all times. For this purpose, beneficial ownership of Fund shares
includes ownership of a variable annuity contract or a variable life insurance
policy whose proceeds are invested in a Fund.
Under this Policy, the initial value of investments in the ING Funds that
are beneficially owned by a Trustee must equal at least $50,000. Existing
Trustees shall have a reasonable amount of time from the date of adoption of
this Policy in order to satisfy the foregoing requirements. A new Trustee shall
satisfy the foregoing requirements within a reasonable amount of time of
becoming a Trustee. A decline in the value of any Fund investments will not
cause a Trustee to have to make any additional investments under this Policy.
Set forth below is the dollar range of equity securities owned by each Trustee.
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT
SECURITIES IN THE TRUST AS OF COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE IN
NAME OF TRUSTEE DECEMBER 31, 2002 FAMILY OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES
----------------------------------- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Paul S. Doherty None Over $ 100,000
J. Michael Earley(1) None $ 10,001 - $ 50,000
R. Barbara Gitenstein(1) None $ 50,001 - $ 100,000
Walter H. May None Over $ 100,000
Jock Patton $1 - 10,000 $ 50,001 - $ 100,000
David W. C. Putnam None Over $ 100,000
Blaine E. Rieke None $ 50,001 - $ 100,000
Roger B. Vincent(1) None Over $ 100,000
Richard A. Wedemeyer None $ 10,001 - $ 50,000
TRUSTEES WHO ARE INTERESTED PERSONS
Thomas J. McInerney None $ 50,001 - $ 100,000
John G. Turner Over $100,000 Over $ 100,000
(1) Commenced service as a Trustee on February 26, 2002.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
Set forth in the table below is information regarding each Independent
Trustee's (and his or her immediate family members') share ownership in
securities of the Trust's investment adviser or principal underwriter, and the
ownership of securities in an entity controlling, controlled by or under common
control with the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust (not
including registered investment companies) as of December 31, 2002.
NAME OF OWNERS
AND RELATIONSHIP VALUE OF PERCENTAGE OF
NAME OF TRUSTEE TO TRUSTEE COMPANY TITLE OF CLASS SECURITIES CLASS
----------------------- ------------------ ------- -------------- ---------- -------------
Paul S. Doherty N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
21
J. Michael Earley(1) N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
R. Barbara Gitenstein(1) N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
Walter H. May N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
Jock Patton N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
David W. C. Putnam N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
Blaine E. Rieke N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
Roger B. Vincent(1) N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
Richard A. Wedemeyer N/A N/A N/A $ 0 N/A
(1) Commenced service as a Trustee on February 26, 2002.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
The Trust pays each Trustee who is not an interested person a pro rata
share, as described below of: (i) an annual retainer of $40,000 (Messrs. Patton
and May, as lead trustees, receive an annual retainer of $55,000); (ii) $7,000
for each in person meeting of the Board; (iii) $2,000 per attendance of any
committee meeting; (iv) $1,000 for meeting attendance as a chairperson; (v)
$2,000 per telephonic meeting; and (vi) out-of-pocket expenses. The pro rata
share paid by the Trust is based on the average net assets as a percentage of
the average net assets of all the funds managed by the Investment Manager for
which the Trustees serve in common as Directors/Trustees.
The following table has been provided to the Trust by ING Investments and
sets forth information regarding the compensation paid to the Trustees for the
Trust's fiscal year ended February 28, 2003 for service on the Boards of the ING
Funds complex.
COMPENSATION TABLE
PENSION OR TOTAL
RETIREMENT COMPENSATION
BENEFITS ESTIMATED FROM TRUST AND
AGGREGATE ACCRUED AS ANNUAL FUND COMPLEX
COMPENSATION PART OF TRUST BENEFITS UPON PAID TO
NAME OF TRUSTEE FROM TRUST EXPENSES RETIREMENT(4) TRUSTEES(5)
---------------------------- ------------ -------------- ---------------- --------------
Paul S. Doherty $ 5,252 N/A N/A $ 76,532
J. Michael Earley $ 5,157 N/A N/A $ 48,304
R. Barbara Gitenstein $ 4,754 N/A N/A $ 50,658
R. Glenn Hilliard(1) $ 0 N/A N/A $ 0
Walter H. May $ 5,913 N/A N/A $ 88,288
Thomas J. McInerney(2) $ 0 N/A N/A $ 0
Jock Patton $ 5,913 N/A N/A $ 88,759
David W.C. Putnam $ 4,961 N/A N/A $ 76,855
Blaine E. Rieke $ 4,823 N/A N/A $ 74,771
John G. Turner(3) $ 0 N/A N/A $ 0
Roger B. Vincent $ 4,893 N/A N/A $ 76,011
Richard A. Wedemeyer $ 4,961 N/A N/A $ 70,133
(1) An interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his
relationship with ING Americas, an affiliate of ING Investments, LLC.
Mr. Hilliard resigned as of April 30, 2003.
22
(2) An interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his
affiliation with ING U.S. Worksite Financial Services, an affiliate of
ING Investments, LLC.
(3) An interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his former
affiliation with ING Americas, an affiliate of ING Investments, LLC.
(4) The ING Funds have adopted a retirement policy under which a
director/trustee who has served as an Independent Director/Trustee for
five years or more will be paid by the ING Funds at the time of his or
her retirement an amount equal to twice the compensation normally paid
to the Independent Director/Trustee for one year of service.
(5) Represents compensation from 106 funds.
23
As of June 2, 2003, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned
beneficially less than 1% of the Trust's Common Shares.
As of June 2, 2003, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust as a group owned
beneficially less than 1% of the Trust's Preferred Shares.
As of June 2, 2003, no person to the knowledge of the Trust, owned
beneficially or of record more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares of the
Trust.
As of June 2, 2003, no person, to the knowledge of the Trust, owned
beneficially or of record more than 5% of the outstanding Preferred Shares of
the Trust.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust's Distributor, ING Funds Distributor, LLC ("Distributor"), the
Investment Manager and the Trust have adopted a Code of Ethics governing
personal trading activities of all Trustees and the officers of the Trust and
the Distributor and persons who, in connection with their regular functions,
play a role in the recommendation of any purchase or sale of a security by the
Trust or obtain information pertaining to such purchase or sale. The Code of
Ethics is intended to prohibit fraud against the Trust that may arise from
personal trading. Personal trading is permitted by such persons subject to
certain restrictions; however such persons are generally required to pre-clear
all security transactions with the Trust's Compliance Officer or her designee
and to report all transactions on a regular basis. The Sub-Adviser has adopted
its own Codes of Ethics to govern the personal trading activities of its
personnel.
The Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference
Room located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
(202) 942-8090. The Code of Ethics is available on the SEC's website
(http://www.sec.gov) and copies may also be obtained at prescribed rates by
electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public
Reference Section at the address listed above.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
The investment adviser for the ING Funds is ING Investments, LLC
("Investment Manager" or "ING Investments"), which is registered as an
investment adviser with the SEC and serves as an investment adviser to
registered investment companies (or series thereof), as well as structured
finance vehicles. The Investment Manager, subject to the authority of the
Trustees of the Trust, has the overall responsibility for the management of
the Trust's portfolio subject to delegation of certain responsibilities to the
investment adviser (the "Sub-Adviser"); Aeltus Investment Management, Inc (See
"Proposed Sub-Adviser" section below). The Investment Manager is a direct,
wholly owned subsidiary of ING Groep N.V. (NYSE: ING) ("ING Groep N.V."). ING
Groep N.V. is a global financial institution active in the field of insurance,
banking, and asset management in more than 65 countries, with more than
100,000 employees.
On February 26, 2001, the name of the Investment Manager changed from ING
Pilgrim Investments, Inc. to ING Pilgrim Investments, LLC. On March 1, 2002, the
name of the Investment Manager was changed from ING Pilgrim Investments, LLC to
ING Investments, LLC.
24
The Investment Manager pays all of its expenses from the performance of its
obligations under the Investment Management Agreement, including executive
salaries and expenses of the officers of the Trust who are employees of the
Investment Manager. Other expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust are
borne by the Trust, including, without limitation, expenses incurred in
connection with the sale, issuance, registration and transfer of its Common
Shares; fees of its Custodian, Transfer and Shareholder Servicing; salaries of
officers and fees and expenses of Trustees or members of any advisory board or
committee of the Trust who are not members of, affiliated with or interested
persons of the Investment Manager; the cost of preparing and printing reports,
proxy statements and prospectuses of the Trust or other communications for
distribution to its shareholders; legal, auditing and accounting fees; the fees
of any trade association of which the Trust is a member; fees and expenses of
registering and maintaining registration of its Common Shares for sale under
federal and applicable state securities laws; and all other charges and costs of
its operation plus any extraordinary or non-recurring expenses.
For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2003, February 28, 2002 and
February 28, 2001 the Investment Manager was paid $12,698,403, $14,838,307 and
$14,077,382 respectively, for services rendered to the Trust.
After an initial term, the Investment Management Agreement continues from
year to year if specifically approved at least annually by the Trustees or the
Shareholders. In either event, the Investment Management Agreement must also be
approved by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the
Investment Management Agreement or interested persons of any party, cast in
person at a meeting called for that purpose.
In connection with their deliberations relating to the Trust's current
Investment Management Agreement, the Board of Trustees considered information
that had been provided by the Investment Manager. In considering the Investment
Management Agreement, the Board of Trustees considered several factors they
believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them by their independent
legal counsel and their own business judgment, to be relevant. The matters
considered by the Board of Trustees in reviewing the Investment Management
Agreement included, but were not limited to the following: (1) the performance
of the Trust compared to those of a peer group of funds; (2) the nature and
quality of the services provided by the Investment Manager to the Trust
including the Investment Manager's experience in managing a similar fund and the
nature and depth of the services it provides to that fund and the Trust; (3) the
fairness of the compensation under the Investment Management Agreement in light
of the services provided to the Trust; (4) the profitability to the Investment
Manager from the Investment Management Agreement; (5) the personnel, including
the portfolio managers, operations, financial condition, and investment
management capabilities, methodologies and resources of the Investment Manager,
as well as its efforts in recent years to build its investment management
capabilities and administrative infrastructure; (6) the expenses borne by
shareholders of the Trust and a comparison of the Trust's fees and expenses to
those of a peer group of funds; (7) the Investment Manager's compliance
capabilities and efforts on behalf of the Trust; (8) the complexity of the
instruments in which the Trust invests and the investment research associated
with those instruments performed by the Investment Manager and the Investment
Manager's proven expertise in managing the types of investments in which the
Trust invests; and (9) the substantial time and resources devoted to the
valuation process by the Investment Manager. The Board of Trustees also
considered the total services provided by ING Funds Services, LLC, the Trust's
administrator, as well as the fees it receives for such services.
In considering the Investment Management Agreement, the Board of Trustees,
including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as
all-important or controlling. However, the Independent Trustees indicated that,
generally, they initially scrutinized the performance of the Trust, including
performance in relation to a peer group of funds, and the fees paid by the
Trust. The Board concluded that the fees to be paid to the Investment Manager
are reasonable in relation to the services to
25
be rendered, and that the anticipated expenses to be borne by the shareholders
were reasonable. The Board of Trustees further determined that the contractual
arrangements offer an appropriate means for the Trust to obtain high quality
portfolio management services in furtherance of the Trust's objectives, and to
obtain other appropriate services for the Trust.
In reviewing the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and in
discussions with the Investment Manager concerning such Investment Management
Agreement, the Independent Trustees were represented by independent legal
counsel. Based upon its review, the Board of Trustees has determined that the
Investment Management Agreement is in the best interests of the Trust and its
shareholders, and that the Investment Management fees are fair and reasonable.
Accordingly, after consideration of the factors described above, and such other
factors and information it considered relevant, the Board of Trustees of the
Trust, including the unanimous vote of the Independent Trustees, approved the
Investment Management Agreement.
The Investment Management Agreement is terminable without penalty with not
less than 60 days' notice by the Board of Trustees or by a vote of the holders
of a majority of the Trust's outstanding shares voting as a single class, or
upon not less than 60 days' notice by the Investment Manager. The Investment
Management Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its
"assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act).
As of June 1, 2003, the Investment Manager had assets under management of
over $34.5 billion.
The use of the name ING in the Trust's name is pursuant to the Investment
Management Agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager, and in the
event that the Agreement is terminated, the Trust has agreed to amend its
Agreement and Declaration of Trust to remove the reference to ING.
PROPOSED SUB-ADVISER
The Investment Management Agreement for the Trust provides that the
Investment Manager, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, may select and
employ an investment adviser to serve as a Sub-Adviser to the Trust, shall
monitor the Sub-Adviser's investment programs and results, and coordinate the
investment activities of the Sub-Adviser to ensure compliance with regulatory
restrictions. The Investment Manager pays all of its expenses arising from the
performance of its obligations under the Investment Management Agreement,
including all fees payable to the Sub-Adviser, and executive salaries and
expenses of the officers of the Trust who are employees of the Investment
Manager. The Sub-Adviser pays all of its expenses arising from the performance
of its obligations under the sub-advisory agreement.
ING has undertaken an internal reorganization plan that will, among other
things, integrate its portfolio management professionals across the U.S. under a
common management structure known as ING Investment Management Americas, which
includes Aeltus Investment Management, Inc. ("ING Aeltus" or "Proposed
Sub-Adviser"). One of the primary purposes of the integration plan is to use the
resources of several ING Groep N.V. companies to promote consistently high
levels of performance in terms of investment standards, research, policies and
procedures from the portfolio management functions related to the Trust. As a
result of this integration plan the operational and supervisory functions will
be separated from the portfolio management functions related to the Trust, with
the former continuing to be provided by the Investment Manager and the latter
provided by ING Aeltus. The portfolio management personnel currently employed by
ING Investments will now become employees of ING Aeltus, which will assume
primary responsibility for all portfolio management issues, including the
purchase, retention, or sale of portfolio securities.
26
Subject to shareholder approval, the Trust's Board of Trustees has approved
ING Aeltus, pursuant to a proposed sub-advisory agreement ("Sub-Advisory
Agreement") between the Investment Manager and ING Aeltus, to serve as the
Sub-Adviser to the Trust effective on or about August 19, 2003. The Sub-Advisory
Agreement requires ING Aeltus to provide, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Trustees and the Investment Manager, a continuous investment program
for the Trust and to determine the composition of the assets of the Trust,
including determination of the purchase, retention or sale of the securities,
cash and other investments for the Trust, in accordance with the Trust's
investment objectives, policies and restrictions and applicable laws and
regulations. The Sub-Advisory Agreement also requires ING Aeltus to use
reasonable compliance techniques as the Sub-Adviser or the Board of Trustees may
reasonably adopt, including any written compliance procedures.
In determining whether or not it was appropriate to approve the proposed
Sub-Advisory Agreement and to recommend approval to shareholders, the Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, considered several
factors. Foremost among them was the fact that the proposed new arrangement will
not affect the fees charged to the Trust, nor the provision of portfolio
management services to the Trust. In their approval of the proposed arrangement,
the Board of Trustees considered several factors including, but not limited to,
the following: (1) the centralization of asset managers will allow ING to access
and leverage the capabilities of its portfolio management personnel among all
subsidiaries; (2) the reorganization will facilitate more effective use of
research and trading facilities and capabilities for greater efficiency; (3) the
consolidation of portfolio management within one entity will permit certain
future changes in portfolio management personnel without the potential expense
of shareholder proxy solicitations; and (4) the reorganization can help ING
Aeltus to build a larger, more coherent management structure and to retain and
attract highly qualified portfolio managers. The Board of Trustees noted that
ING Aeltus had taken steps to ameliorate any disadvantages, which might result
from the reorganization. In addition, the Board of Trustees considered: (1) the
current portfolio managers will remain and continue to provide services under
the direction of the Proposed Sub-Adviser; (2) the nature and quality of the
services to be provided by the Proposed Sub-Adviser, including the Proposed
Sub-Adviser's extensive investment management experience and the quality of
services provided to the other mutual funds advised by the Proposed Sub-Adviser;
(3) the fairness of the compensation under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in light
of the services to be provided; (4) the personnel, operations, financial
condition, and investment management capabilities and methodologies of ING
Aeltus after the reorganization; (5) the expectation of management that the
reorganization will enable the Proposed Sub-Adviser to attract additional highly
qualified personnel and to leverage its portfolio management resources and
trading and research capabilities; and (6) compensation and the fact that the
cost of the Proposed Sub-Adviser will be paid by the Investment Manager and not
directly by the Trust. The Board of Trustees also considered the advisory fee to
be retained by the Investment Manager for its oversight and monitoring services
that will be provided to the sub-advised Trust. After considering the Investment
Manager's recommendation and these other factors, the Board of Trustees
concluded that engaging ING Aeltus as Sub-Adviser would be in the best interests
of the Trust and its shareholders.
The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Trust by a
vote of the majority of the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding securities. The Sub-Advisory Agreement also may be terminated by:
(i) the Investment Manager at any time, upon sixty (60) days' written notice to
the Trust and the Sub-Adviser; (ii) at any time, without payment of any penalty
by the Trust, by the Trust's Board of Trustees or a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Trust upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the
Investment Manager and the Sub-Adviser; or (iii) by the Sub-Adviser upon three
(3) months' written notice unless the Trust or the Investment Manager requests
additional time to find a replacement for the Sub-Adviser, in which case, the
Sub-Adviser shall allow the additional time, requested by the Trust or the
Investment Manager, not to exceed three (3) additional months beyond the initial
three (3) month notice period; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may
27
terminate the Sub-Advisory Agreement at any time without penalty, effective upon
written notice to the Investment Manager and the Trust, in the event either the
Sub-Adviser (acting in good faith) or the Investment Manager ceases to be
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended or otherwise becomes legally incapable of providing investment
management services pursuant to its respective contract with the Trust, or in
the event the Investment Manager becomes bankrupt or otherwise incapable of
carrying out its obligations under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, or in the event
that the Sub-Adviser does not receive compensation for its services from the
Investment Manager or the Trust as required by the terms of the Sub-Advisory
Agreement. Otherwise, the Sub-Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for two
years and will, thereafter, continue in effect from year to year, subject to the
annual appoval of the Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, or the vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities, and the vote, cast in person at
a meetnig duly called and held, of a majority of the Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust, who are not parties to the Sub-Advisory Agreement or interested persons
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Sub-Advisory Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940
Act).
In this capacity, ING Aeltus, subject to the supervision and control of ING
Investments and the Trustees of the Trust, will manage the Trust's portfolio
investments, consistently with its investment objective, and execute any of the
Trust's investment policies that it deems appropriate to utilize from time to
time. Fees payable under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are based on an annual fee
as disclosed below and are paid monthly in arrears by ING Investments.
ING Aeltus is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Groep, and an
affiliate of ING Investments. ING Aeltus, a Connecticut Corporation formed in
1972 and a registered investment adviser, has been managing client assets for
more than a quarter of a century. Its principal office is located at 10 State
House Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.
As of May 31, 2003, ING Aeltus had assets under management of almost $41.0
billion.
For its services, ING Aeltus will be entitled to receive a sub-advisory fee
of 0.36%, expressed as an annual rate based on the average daily Managed Assets
of the Trust, and payable by the Investment Manager.
THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Administrator of the Trust is ING Funds Services, LLC ("Administrator"
or "ING Funds Services") which is an affiliate of the Investment Manager. In
connection with its administration of the corporate affairs of the Trust, the
Administrator bears the following expenses: the salaries and expenses of all
personnel of the Trust and the Administrator except for the fees and expenses of
Trustees not affiliated with the Administrator or the Investment Manager; costs
to prepare information; determination of daily NAV by the recordkeeping and
accounting agent; expenses to maintain certain of the Trust's books and records
that are not maintained by the Investment Manager, the custodian, or transfer
agent; costs incurred to assist in the preparation of financial information for
the Trust's income tax returns, proxy statements, quarterly, semi-annual, and
annual shareholder reports; costs of providing shareholder services in
connection with any tender offers or to shareholders proposing to transfer their
shares to a third party; providing shareholder services in connection with the
dividend reinvestment plan; and all expenses incurred by the Administrator or by
the Trust in connection with administering the ordinary course of the Trust's
business other than those assumed by the Trust, as described below.
Except as indicated immediately above and under "The Investment Manager,"
the Trust is responsible for the payment of its expenses including: the fees
payable to the Investment Manager; the
28
fees payable to the Administrator; the fees and certain expenses of the Trust's
custodian and transfer agent, including the cost of providing records to the
Administrator in connection with its obligation of maintaining required records
of the Trust; the charges and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and
independent accountants; commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable
to the Trust in connection with its transactions; all taxes and corporate fees
payable by the Trust to governmental agencies; the fees of any trade association
of which the Trust is a member; the costs of share certificates representing
Common Shares of the Trust; organizational and offering expenses of the Trust
and the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration
of the Trust and its Common Shares with the Commission, including the
preparation and printing of the Trust's registration statement and prospectuses
for such purposes; allocable communications expenses with respect to investor
services, and all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to
shareholders; the cost of insurance; and litigation and indemnification expenses
and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's
business.
For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2003, February 28, 2002 and
February 28, 2001 the Administrator was paid $3,968,231, $4,637,682 and
$4,077,743, respectively, for services rendered to the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Trust will generally have at least 80% of its net assets, plus the
amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, invested in Senior Loans. The
remaining assets of the Trust will generally consist of short-term debt
instruments with remaining maturities of 120 days or less, longer-term debt
securities, certain other instruments such as subordinated loans up to a maximum
of 5% of the Trust's net assets, unsecured loans, interest rate swaps, caps and
floors, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and equity
securities acquired in connection with investments in loans. The Trust will
acquire Senior Loans from and sell Senior Loans to banks, insurance companies,
finance companies, and other investment companies and private investment funds.
The Trust may also purchase Senior Loans from and sell Senior Loans to U.S.
branches of foreign banks which are regulated by the Federal Reserve System or
appropriate state regulatory authorities. The Trust's interest in a particular
Senior Loan will terminate when the Trust receives full payment on the loan or
sells a Senior Loan in the secondary market. Costs associated with purchasing or
selling investments in the secondary market include commissions paid to brokers
and processing fees paid to agents. These costs are allocated between the
purchaser and seller as agreed between the parties.
Purchases and sales of short-term debt and other financial instruments for
the Trust's portfolio usually are principal transactions, and normally the Trust
will deal directly with the underwriters or dealers who make a market in the
securities involved unless better prices and execution are available elsewhere.
Such market makers usually act as principals for their own account. On occasion,
securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Short-term debt
instruments are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve
either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of portfolio securities
transactions of the Trust that are not transactions with principals will consist
primarily of brokerage commissions or dealer or underwriter spreads between the
bid and asked price, although purchases from underwriters may involve a
commission or concession paid by the issuer.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Investment Manager will use its best
efforts to choose a broker capable of providing the brokerage services necessary
to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and
quality of brokerage services available will be considered in making these
determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the
operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm's risk in positioning a
block of securities and other factors. While the Investment Manager seeks to
obtain the most favorable net results in effecting transactions in the
29
Trust's portfolio securities, brokers or dealers who provide research services
may receive orders for transactions by the Trust. Such research services
ordinarily consist of assessments and analyses of the business or prospects of a
company, industry, or economic sector. The Investment Manager is authorized to
pay spreads or commissions to brokers or dealers furnishing such services which
are in excess of spreads or commissions that other brokers or dealers not
providing such research may charge for the same transaction, even if the
specific services were not imputed to the Trust and were useful to the
Investment Manager in advising other clients. Information so received will be in
addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the
Investment Manager under the Investment Management Agreement between the
Investment Manager and the Trust. The expenses of the Investment Manager will
not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental
information. The Investment Manager may use any research services obtained in
providing investment advice to its other investment advisory accounts.
Conversely, such information obtained by the placement of business for the
Investment Manager or other entities advised by the Investment Manager will be
considered by and may be useful to the Investment Manager in carrying out its
obligations to the Trust. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act") the Investment Manager may cause
the Trust to pay a broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research services
(as defined in the 1934 Act) to the Investment Manager an amount of disclosed
commissions for effecting a securities transaction for the Trust in excess of
the commission which another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting the
transaction.
The Trust does not intend to effect any brokerage transaction in its
portfolio securities with any broker-dealer affiliated directly or indirectly
with the Investment Manager, except for any sales of portfolio securities
pursuant to a tender offer, in which event the Investment Manager will offset
against the management fee a part of any tender fees which legally may be
received by such affiliated broker-dealer. To the extent certain services which
the Trust is obligated to pay for under the Investment Management Agreement are
performed by the Investment Manager, the Trust will reimburse the Investment
Manager for the costs of personnel involved in placing orders for the execution
of portfolio transactions.
There were no brokerage commissions paid by the Trust for the previous
fiscal years.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE
The annual rate of the Trust's total portfolio turnover for the years ended
February 28, 2003, February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001 was 48%, 53% and 46%
respectively. The annual turnover rate of the Trust is generally expected to be
between 50% and 100%, although as part of its investment policies, the Trust
places no restrictions on portfolio turnover and the Trust may sell any
portfolio security without regard to the period of time it has been held. The
annual turnover rate of the Trust also includes Senior Loans on which the Trust
has received full or partial payment. The Investment Manager believes that full
and partial payments on loans generally comprise approximately 25% to 75% of the
Trust's total portfolio turnover each year.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per Common Share of the Trust is determined once daily at the close
of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the
NYSE is open. The NAV per Common Share is determined by dividing the value of
the Trust's loan assets plus all cash and other assets (including interest
accrued but not collected) less all liabilities (including accrued expenses but
excluding capital and surplus) by the number of Common Shares outstanding. The
NAV per Common Share is made available for publication.
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VALUATION OF THE TRUST'S ASSETS
The assets in the Trust's portfolio are valued daily in accordance with the
Trust's Loan Valuation Procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. A majority
of the Trust's assets are valued using quotations supplied by a third party loan
pricing service. However, the loans in which the Trust invests are not listed on
any securities exchange or board of trade. Some loans are traded by
institutional investors in an over-the-counter secondary market that has
developed in the past several years. This secondary market generally has fewer
trades and less liquidity than the secondary markets for other types of
securities. Some loans have few or no trades. Accordingly, determinations of the
value of loans may be based on infrequent and dated trades. Because there is
less reliable, objective market value data available, elements of judgment may
play a greater role in valuation of loans than for other types of securities.
Loans are normally valued on the basis of one or more quotations obtained
from a pricing service or other sources believed to be reliable. Loans for which
reliable market value quotations are not readily available from a pricing
service may be valued with reference to another loan or a group of loans for
which reliable market value quotations are readily available and whose
characteristics are comparable to the loan being valued. Under this approach,
the comparable loan or loans serve as a proxy for changes in value of the loan
being valued. The Trust has engaged an independent pricing service to provide
quotations from dealers in loans and to calculate values under this proxy
procedure. Loans are valued at the mean between bid and asked quotations.
It is expected that most of the loans held by the Trust will be valued with
reference to quotations from the independent pricing service or with reference
to the proxy procedure described above. The Investment Manager may believe
that the price for a loan derived from quotations or the proxy procedure
described above is not reliable or accurate. Among other reasons, this may be
the result of information about a particular loan or borrower known to the
Investment Manager that it believes may not be known to the pricing service or
reflected in a price quote. In this event, the loan is valued at fair value
under procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Under these procedures, fair value is determined by the Investment Manager
and monitored by the Trust's Board of Trustees through its Valuation Committee.
In fair valuing a loan, consideration is given to several factors, which may
include, among others, the following: (i) the characteristics of and fundamental
analytical data relating to the loan, including the cost, size, current interest
rate, period until the next interest rate reset, maturity and base lending rate
of the loan, the terms and conditions of the loan and any related agreements,
and the position of the loan in the borrower's debt structure; (ii) the nature,
adequacy and value of the collateral, including the Trust's rights, remedies and
interests with respect to the collateral; (iii) the creditworthiness of the
borrower and the cash flow coverage of outstanding principal and interest, based
on an evaluation of its financial condition, financial statements and
information about the borrower's business, cash flows, capital structure and
future prospects; (iv) information relating to the market for the loan,
including price quotations for, and trading in, the loan and interests in
similar loans and the market environment and investor attitudes towards the
senior loan and interests in similar senior loans; (v) the reputation and
financial condition of the agent of the loan and any intermediate participants
in the loans; (vi) the borrower's management; and (vii) the general economic and
market conditions affecting the fair value of the loan.
Securities for which the primary market is a national securities exchange
are stated at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. Securities
reported by NASDAQ National Market System will be valued at the NASDAQ Official
Closing Price on the valuation day. Debt and equity securities traded in the
over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on
that date are
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valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. Valuation of
short term cash equivalent investments is at amortized cost.
PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with ING Funds
Distributor, LLC ("ING Funds Distributor") which has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. The summary of the Distribution Agreement contained
herein is qualified by reference to the Distribution Agreement. Subject to the
terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement, the Trust may issue and sell
Common Shares of the Trust from time to time through ING Funds Distributor,
which is the principal underwriter of the Common Shares, through certain
broker-dealers which have entered into selected dealer agreements with ING Funds
Distributor.
The Common Shares will only be sold on such days as shall be agreed to by
the Trust and ING Funds Distributor. The Common Shares will be sold at market
prices, which shall be determined with reference to trades on the NYSE, subject
to a minimum price to be established each day by the Trust. The minimum price on
any day will not be less than the current NAV per Common Share plus the per
share amount of the commission to be paid to ING Funds Distributor. The Trust
and ING Funds Distributor will suspend the sale of Common Shares if the per
share price of the Common Shares is less than the minimum price.
The compensation to ING Funds Distributor with respect to the Common Shares
will be at a fixed commission rate of 4% of the gross sales price per share of
the Common Shares sold. ING Funds Distributor will compensate broker-dealers
participating in this offering at a rate of 3% of the gross sales price per
share of the Common Shares purchased from the Trust by such broker-dealer.
Dealer reallowance may be changed by ING Funds Distributor from time to time.
Settlements of sales of Common Shares will occur on the third business day
following the date on which any such sales are made. Unless otherwise indicated
in a further prospectus supplement, ING Funds Distributor as underwriter will
act as underwriter on a reasonable efforts basis.
In connection with the sale of the Common Shares on behalf of the Trust,
ING Funds Distributor may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
the 1940 Act, and the compensation of ING Funds Distributor may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts. As described below, ING Funds Distributor
also serves as distributor for the Trust in connection with the sale of Common
Shares of the Trust pursuant to privately negotiated transactions and pursuant
to optional cash investments in excess of $25,000. In addition, ING Funds
Distributor provides administrative services in connection with a separate
at-the-market offering of Common Shares of the Trust.
The offering of Common Shares pursuant to the Distribution Agreement will
terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all Common Shares subject thereto
or (ii) termination of the Distribution Agreement. The Trust and ING Funds
Distributor each have the right to terminate the Distribution Agreement in its
discretion at any time.
SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM
The Trust maintains a Shareholder Investment Program ("Program"), which
allows participating shareholders to reinvest all dividends and capital gain
distributions ("Dividends") in additional Common Shares of the Trust. The
Program also allows participants to purchase additional Common Shares
32
through optional cash investments in amounts ranging from a minimum of $100 to a
maximum of $25,000 per month. Subject to the permission of the Trust,
participating shareholders may also make optional cash investments in excess of
the monthly maximum. Common Shares may be issued by the Trust under the Program
only if the Trust's Common Shares are trading at a premium to net asset value.
If the Trust's Common Shares are trading at a discount to net asset value,
Common Shares purchased under the Program will be purchased on the open market.
Shareholders may elect to participate in the Program by telephoning the
Trust or submitting a completed Participation Form to DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"),
the Program administrator. DST will credit to each participant's account funds
it receives from: (a) Dividends paid on Trust Common Shares registered in the
participant's name and (b) optional cash investments. DST will apply all
Dividends and optional cash investments received to purchase Common Shares as
soon as practicable beginning on the relevant Investment Date (as described
below) and not later than six business days after the investment Date, except
when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities
laws. For more information on distribution policy, see "Dividends and
Distributions" in the Trust's Prospectus.
In order for participants to purchase Common Shares through the Program in
any month, the Administrator must receive from the participant any optional cash
investment not exceeding $25,000 by the OCI Payment Due Date and any optional
cash investment exceeding $25,000 by the Waiver Payment Due Date. The DRIP
Investment Date will be the date upon which Dividends will be reinvested in
additional Common Shares of the Trust, which will be on the Dividend Payment
Date. The OCI Investment Date will be the date, set in advance by the Trust,
upon which optional cash investments not exceeding $25,000, are first applied by
DST to the purchase of Common Shares. The Waiver Investment Date will be the
date, set in advance by the Trust, upon which optional cash investments
exceeding $25,000, which have been approved by the Trust, are first applied by
the Administrator to the purchase of Common Shares. Participants may obtain a
schedule of upcoming OCI Payment Due Dates, Waiver Payment Due Dates and
Investment Dates by referring to the Summary Program Description or calling the
Trust at (800) 992-0180.
If the Market Price (the volume-weighted average sales price, per share, as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape as shown
daily on Bloomberg's AQR screen) plus estimated commissions for Common Shares of
the Trust is less than the net asset value on the Valuation Date (defined
below), DST will purchase Common Shares on the open market through a bank or
securities broker as provided herein. Open market purchases may be effected on
any securities exchange on which Common Shares of the Trust trade or in the
over-the-counter market. If the Market Price, plus estimated commissions,
exceeds the net asset value before DST has completed its purchases, DST will use
reasonable efforts to cease purchasing Common Shares, and the Trust shall issue
the remaining Common Shares. If the Market Price, plus estimated commissions, is
equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the Valuation Date, the Trust will
issue the Common Shares to be acquired by the Program. The Valuation Date is a
date preceding the DRIP Investment Date, OCI Investment Date, and Waiver
Investment Date on which it is determined, based on the Market Price and net
asset value of Common Shares of the Trust, whether DST will purchase Common
Shares on the open market or the Trust will issue the Common Shares for the
Program. The Trust may, without prior notice to participants, determine that it
will not issue new Common Shares for purchase pursuant to the Program, even when
the Market Price plus estimated commissions equals or exceeds net asset value,
in which case DST will purchase Common Shares on the open market.
With the exception of Common Shares purchased in connection with optional
cash investments in excess of $25,000, Common Shares issued by the Trust under
the Program will be issued without incurring a fee. Common Shares purchased for
the Program directly from the Trust in connection with the reinvestment of
Dividends will be acquired on the DRIP Investment Date at the greater of (i) NAV
at
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the close of business on the Valuation Date or (ii) the average of the daily
Market Price of the shares during the DRIP Pricing Period, minus a discount of
5%. The DRIP Pricing Period for a dividend reinvestment is the Valuation Date
and the prior Trading Day. A Trading Day means any day on which trades of the
Common Shares of the Trust are reported on the NYSE.
Except in the case of cash investments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver
(as discussed below), Common Shares purchased directly from the Trust pursuant
to optional cash investments will be acquired on an OCI Investment Date at the
greater of (i) net asset value at the close of business on the Valuation Date or
(ii) the average of the daily Market Price of the shares during the OCI Pricing
Period minus a discount, determined at the sole discretion of the Trust and
announced in advance, ranging from 0% to 5%. The OCI Pricing Period for an OCI
Investment Date means the period beginning four Trading Days prior to the
Valuation Date through and including the Valuation Date. The discount for
optional cash investments is set by the Trust and may be changed or eliminated
by the Trust without prior notice to participants at any time. The discount for
optional cash investments is determined on the last business day of each month.
In all instances, however, the discount on Common Shares issued directly by the
Trust shall not exceed 5% of the market price, and Common Shares may not be
issued at a price less than net asset value without prior specific approval of
shareholders or of the Commission. Optional cash investments received by DST no
later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the OCI payment Due Date to be invested on
the relevant OCI Investment Date.
Optional cash investments in excess of $25,000 per month may be made only
pursuant to a Request for Waiver accepted in writing by the Trust. A Request for
Waiver must be received by the Trust no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
Request for Waiver Deadline date. Good funds on all approved Requests For Waiver
must be received by DST not later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Waiver
Payment Due Date in order for such funds to be invested on the relevant Waiver
Investment Date.
It is solely within the Trust's discretion as to whether approval for any
cash investments in excess of $25,000 will be granted. In deciding whether to
approve a Request for Waiver, the Trust will consider relevant factors
including, but not limited to, whether the Program is then acquiring newly
issued Common Shares directly from the Trust or acquiring Common Shares from
third parties in the open market, the Trust's need for additional funds, the
attractiveness of obtaining such additional funds through the sale of Common
Shares as compared to other sources of funds, the purchase price likely to apply
to any sale of Common Shares under the Program, the participant submitting the
request, the extent and nature of such participant's prior participation in the
Program, the number of Common Shares held by such participant and the aggregate
amount of cash investments for which Requests for Waiver have been submitted by
all participants. If such requests are submitted for any Waiver Investment Date
for an aggregate amount in excess of the amount the Trust is then willing to
accept, the Trust may honor such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by
any other method that the Trust determines in its sole discretion to be
appropriate.
Common Shares purchased directly from the Trust in connection with approved
Requests for Waiver will be acquired on the Waiver Investment Date at the
greater of (i) net asset value at the close of business on the Valuation Date,
or (ii) the average of the daily Market Price of the shares for the Waiver
Pricing Period minus the pre-announced Waiver Discount (as defined below), if
any, applicable to such shares. The Waiver Pricing Period for a Waiver
Investment Date means the period beginning four Trading Days prior to the
Valuation Date through and including the Valuation Date. The Trust may establish
a discount applicable to cash investments exceeding $25,000 ("Waiver Discount")
on the last business day of each month. The Waiver Discount, which may vary each
month between 0% and 5%, will be established in the Trust's sole discretion
after a review of current market conditions, the level of participation in the
Program and current and projected capital needs of the Trust. The Waiver
Discount will apply only to Common Shares purchased directly from the Trust.
34
The Trust may establish for each Waiver Pricing Period a minimum price
applicable to the purchase of newly issued Common Shares through Requests for
Waiver, which will be a stated dollar amount that the Market Price of the Common
Shares for a Trading Day of the Waiver Pricing Period must equal or exceed. In
the event that such minimum price is not satisfied for a Trading Day of the
Waiver Pricing Period, then such Trading Day and the trading prices for that day
will be excluded from (i) the Waiver pricing Period and (ii) the determination
of the purchase price of the Common Shares for all cash investments made
pursuant to Requests for Waiver approved by the Trust. The minimum price shall
apply only to cash investments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver approved by
the Trust and not to the reinvestment of Dividends or optional cash investments
that do not exceed $25,000. No Common Shares will be issued and funds submitted
pursuant to Requests for Waiver will be returned to the participant if the
minimum price is not obtained for at least three of the five Trading Days.
Participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions with
respect to DST's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of
Dividends or purchases made with optional cash investments.
From time to time, financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers,
and other persons may wish to engage in positioning transactions in order to
benefit from the discount from market price of the Common Shares acquired under
the Program. Such transactions could cause fluctuations in the trading volume
and price of the Common Shares. The difference between the price such owners pay
to the Trust for Common Shares acquired under the Program, after deduction of
the applicable discount from the market price, and the price at which such
Common Shares are resold, may be deemed to constitute underwriting commissions
received by such owners in connection with such transactions.
Subject to the availability of Common Shares registered for issuance under
the Program, there is no total maximum number of Common Shares that can be
issued pursuant to the Program.
The Program is intended for the benefit of investors in the Trust and not
for persons or entities who accumulate accounts under the Program over which
they have control for the purpose of exceeding the $25,000 per month maximum
without seeking the advance approval of the Trust or who engage in transactions
that cause or are designed to cause aberrations in the price or trading volume
of the Common Shares. Notwithstanding anything in the Program to the contrary,
the Trust reserves the right to exclude from participation, at any time, (i)
persons or entities who attempt to circumvent the Program's standard $25,000
maximum by accumulating accounts over which they have control or (ii) any other
persons or entities, as determined in the sole discretion of the Trust.
Currently, persons who are not Shareholders of the Trust may not
participate in the Program. The Board of Trustees of the Trust may elect to
change this policy at a future date, and permit non-Shareholders to participate
in the Program.
Shareholders may request to receive their Dividends in cash at any time by
giving DST written notice or by contacting the Trust's Shareholder Services
Department at (800) 992-0180. Shareholders may elect to close their account at
any time by giving DST written notice. When a participant closes their account,
the participant upon request will receive a certificate for full Common Shares
in the Account. Fractional Common Shares will be held and aggregated with other
Fractional Common Shares being liquidated by DST as agent of the Program and
paid for by check when actually sold.
The automatic reinvestment of Dividends does not affect the tax
characterization of the Dividends (I.E., capital gains and income are realized
even though cash is not received). If Common Shares are issued pursuant to the
Program's dividend reinvestment provisions or cash purchase provisions at a
discount from market price, participants may have income equal to the discount.
35
Additional information about the Program may be obtained from the Trust's
Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180.
See "Federal Taxation--Distributions" for a discussion of the federal
income tax ramifications of obtaining Common Shares under the Program.
PRIVATELY NEGOTIATED TRANSACTIONS
The Common Shares may also be offered pursuant to privately negotiated
transactions between the Trust and specific investors. The terms of such
privately negotiated transactions will be subject to the discretion of the
management of the Trust. In determining whether to sell Common Shares pursuant
to a privately negotiated transaction, the Trust will consider relevant factors
including, but not limited to, the attractiveness of obtaining additional funds
through the sale of Common Shares, the purchase price to apply to any such sale
of Common Shares and the person seeking to purchase the Common Shares.
Common Shares issued by the Trust in connection with privately negotiated
transactions will be issued at the greater of (1) NAV per Common Share of the
Trust's Common Shares or (ii) at a discount ranging from 0% to 5% of the average
of the daily market price of the Trust's Common Shares at the close of business
on the two business days preceding the date upon which Common Shares are sold
pursuant to the privately negotiated transaction. The discount to apply to such
privately negotiated transactions will be determined by the Trust with regard to
each specific transaction.
FEDERAL TAXATION
The following is only a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations generally affecting the Trust and its shareholders. No attempt is
made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Trust or its
shareholders, and the following discussion is not intended as a substitute for
careful tax planning. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisers
regarding the specific federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences
of investing in the Trust.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY
The Trust will elect each year to be taxed as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"). As a regulated
investment company, the Trust generally will not be subject to federal income
tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (I.E., taxable
interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, and net
short-term capital gains in excess of long-term capital losses) and net capital
gain (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gains over the sum of net
short-term capital losses and capital loss carryovers from prior years) that it
distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income for the taxable year ("Distribution
Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are
described below.
In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement and an asset
diversification requirement discussed below, a regulated investment company must
derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends,
interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale
or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies and other
income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies.
36
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, the Trust must
satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of the Trust's
taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Trust's assets must consist of
cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities,
securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other
issuers (as to which the Trust has not invested more than 5% of the value of the
Trust's total assets in securities of any such issuer and as to which the Trust
does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any such
issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested
in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and
securities of other regulated investment companies), or in two or more issuers
which the Trust controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or
businesses.
In general, gain or loss recognized by the Trust on the disposition of an
asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the
disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Trust at a market discount
(generally at a price less than its principal amount) other than at the original
issue will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the
market discount which accrued during the period of time the Trust held the debt
obligation.
In general, investments by the Trust in zero coupon or other original issue
discount securities will result in income to the Trust equal to a portion of the
excess of the face value of the securities over their issue price ("original
issue discount") each year that the Trust holds the securities, even though the
Trust receives no cash interest payments. This income is included in determining
the amount of income which the Trust must distribute to maintain its status as a
regulated investment company and to avoid federal income and excise taxes.
If for any taxable year the Trust does not qualify as a regulated
investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain)
will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable as
ordinary dividends to the extent of the Trust's current and accumulated earnings
and profits. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year,
it must pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to
qualify again as a regulated investment company. Moreover, if the Fund failed to
qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than one taxable
year, the Fund may be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect
to certain of its assets (the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of
income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized if the Fund had been
liquidated) in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a
subsequent year.
EXCISE TAX ON REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES
A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company
that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1)
98% of its ordinary taxable income for the calendar year, (2) 98% of its capital
gain net income (I.E., capital gains in excess of capital losses) for the
one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any ordinary
taxable income and capital gain net income for previous years that was not
distributed or taxed to the regulated investment company during those years. A
distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year
if it is declared by the Trust in October, November or December with a record
date in such a month and paid by the Trust during January of the following
calendar year. Such distributions will be taxed to shareholders in the calendar
year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in
which the distributions are received.
37
The Trust intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions
(discussed below) of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income to
avoid liability for the excise tax.
HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
The Trust has the ability, pursuant to its investment objectives and
policies, to hedge its investments in a variety of transactions, including
interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors.
The treatment of these transactions for federal income tax purposes may in some
instances be unclear, and the regulated investment company qualification
requirements may limit the extent to which the Trust can engage in hedging
transactions.
Under certain circumstances, the Trust may recognize gain from a
constructive sale of an appreciated financial position. If the Trust enters into
certain transactions in property while holding substantially identical property,
the Trust would be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the
property and would be taxed on any gain (but not loss) from the constructive
sale. The character of gain from a constructive sale would depend upon the
Trust's holding period in the property. Loss from a constructive sale would be
recognized when the property was subsequently disposed of, and its character
would depend on the Trust's holding period and the application of various loss
deferral provisions in the Code. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to
transactions closed in the 90-day period ending with the 30th day after the
close of the taxable year, if certain conditions are met.
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Trust anticipates distributing all or substantially all of its
investment company taxable income for the taxable year. Such distributions will
be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. If a portion of the Trust's
income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations, a portion of the
dividends paid by the Trust may be eligible for the corporate dividends received
deduction.
The Trust may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital
gain for each taxable year. The Trust currently intends to distribute any such
amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and designated as a capital gain
dividend, it will generally be taxable to shareholders at a maximum federal tax
rate of 15%. Distributions are subject to these capital gains rates regardless
of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares. Conversely, if the
Trust elects to retain its net capital gain, the Trust will be taxed thereon
(except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the
applicable corporate tax rate. In such event, it is expected that the Trust also
will elect to treat such gain as having been distributed to shareholders. As a
result, each shareholder will be required to report his pro rata share of such
gain on his tax return as long-term capital gain, will be entitled to claim a
tax credit for his pro rata share of tax paid by the Trust on the gain, and will
increase the tax basis for his shares by an amount equal to the deemed
distribution less the tax credit.
Recently enacted tax legislation generally provides for a maximum tax rate
for individual taxpayers of 15% on long-term capital gains from sales on or
after May 6, 2003 and on certain qualifying dividend income. The rate reductions
do not apply to corporate taxpayers. The Trust will be able to separately
designate distributions of any qualifying long-term capital gains or qualifying
dividends earned by the Trust that would be eligible for the lower maximum rate,
although it does not expect to distribute a material amount of qualifying
dividends. A shareholder would also have to qualify a 60-day holding period with
respect to any distributions of qualifying dividend in order to obtain the
benefit of the lower rate. Distributions from funds, such as the Trust,
investing in debt instruments will not generally qualify for the lower rate.
38
Distributions by the Trust in excess of the Trust's earnings and profits
will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of)
the shareholder's tax basis in his shares; any such return of capital
distributions in excess of the shareholder's tax basis will be treated as gain
from the sale of his shares, as discussed below.
Distributions by the Trust will be treated in the manner described above
regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in
additional shares of the Trust. If the NAV at the time a shareholder purchases
shares of the Trust reflects undistributed income or gain, distributions of such
amounts will be taxable to the shareholder in the manner described above, even
though such distributions economically constitute a return of capital to the
shareholder.
The Trust will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the
U.S. Treasury 28% of all dividends and redemption proceeds payable to any
shareholder (1) who fails to provide the Trust with a certified, correct
identification number or other required certifications, or (2) if the Internal
Revenue Service notifies the Trust that the shareholder is subject to backup
withholding. Corporate shareholders and other shareholders specified in the Code
are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal
income tax liability if the appropriate information is provided to the IRS.
SALE OF COMMON SHARES
A shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of shares
of the Trust in an amount generally equal to the difference between the proceeds
of the sale and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. In general,
any such gain or loss will be considered capital gain or loss if the shares are
held as capital assets, and gain or loss will be long-term or short-term,
depending upon the shareholder's holding period for the shares. However, any
capital loss arising from the sale of shares held for six months or less will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gains
distributed (or deemed distributed) with respect to such shares. Also, any loss
realized on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced (including shares acquired through the
Shareholder Investment Program within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. In such case, the
tax basis of the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS
U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a
nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or
foreign partnership ("foreign shareholder") depends, in part, on whether the
shareholder's income from the Trust is effectively connected with a U.S. trade
or business carried on by such shareholder.
If the income from the Trust is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade
or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, distributions of investment
company taxable income will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of
30% (or lower treaty rate). Such a foreign shareholder would generally be exempt
from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale or exchange of shares
of the Trust, capital gain dividends, and amounts retained by the Trust that are
designated as undistributed capital gains.
If the income from the Trust is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment
company taxable income, capital gain dividends, amounts retained by the Trust
that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon
the sale or exchange of shares of the Trust will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax at the rates
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applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations. Such shareholders that are
classified as corporations for U.S. tax purposes also may be subject to a branch
profits tax.
In the case of foreign noncorporate shareholders, the Trust may be required
to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% on distributions that are
otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate)
unless such shareholders furnish the Trust with proper notification of their
foreign status. See "Distributions."
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the
benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described
herein. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the
Trust, including the applicability of foreign taxes.
EFFECT OF FUTURE LEGISLATION; OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is
based on the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as in effect on
the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any
such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the
transactions contemplated herein.
Income received by the Trust from foreign sources may be subject to
withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign jurisdictions, absent treaty
relief. Distributions to shareholders also may be subject to state, local and
foreign taxes, depending upon each shareholder's particular situation.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the particular
consequences to them of an investment in the Trust.
ADVERTISING AND PERFORMANCE DATA
ADVERTISING
From time to time, advertisements and other sales materials for the Trust
may include information concerning the historical performance of the Trust. Any
such information may include trading volume of the Trust's Common Shares, the
number of Senior Loan investments, annual total return, aggregate total return,
distribution rate, average compounded distribution rates and yields of the Trust
for specified periods of time, and diversification statistics. Such information
may also include rankings, ratings and other information from independent
organizations such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), Morningstar,
Value Line, Inc., CDA Technology, Inc., Standard & Poor's, Portfolio Management
Data (a division of Standard & Poor's), Moody's, Bloomberg or other industry
publications. These rankings will typically compare the Trust to all closed-end
Funds, to other Senior Loan funds, and/or also to taxable closed-end fixed
income funds. Any such use of rankings and ratings in advertisements and sales
literature will conform with the guidelines of the NASD approved by the
Commission. Ranking comparisons and ratings should not be considered
representative of the Trust's relative performance for any future period.
Reports and promotional literature may also contain the following
information: (i) number of shareholders; (ii) average account size; (iii)
identification of street and registered account holdings; (iv) lists or
statistics of certain of the Trust's holdings including, but not limited to,
portfolio composition, sector weightings, portfolio turnover rates, number of
holdings, average market capitalization and modern portfolio theory statistics
alone or in comparison with itself (over time) and with its peers and industry
40
group; (v) public information about the assets class; and (vi) discussions
concerning coverage of the Trust by analysts.
In addition, reports and promotional literature may contain information
concerning the Investment Manager, ING Groep, the Portfolio Managers, the
Administrator or affiliates of the Trust including (i) performance rankings of
other funds managed by the Investment Manager, or the individuals employed by
the Investment Manager who exercise responsibility for the day-to-day management
of the Trust, including rankings and ratings of investment companies published
by Lipper, Morningstar, Inc., Value Line, Inc., CDA Technologies, Inc., or other
rating services, companies, publications or other persons who rank or rate
investment companies or other investment products on overall performance or
other criteria; (ii) lists of clients, the number of clients, or assets under
management; (iii) information regarding the acquisition of the ING Funds by ING
Capital; (iv) the past performance of ING Capital and ING Funds Services; (v)
the past performance of other funds managed by the Investment Manager; (vi)
quotes from a portfolio manager of the Trust or industry specialists; and (vii)
information regarding rights offerings conducted by closed-end funds managed by
the Investment Manager.
The Trust may compare the frequency of its reset period to the frequency
which LIBOR changes. Further, the Trust may compare its yield to (i) LIBOR, (ii)
the federal funds rate, (iii) the Prime Rate, quoted daily in the Wall Street
Journal as the base rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money center
commercial banks, (iv) the average yield reported by the Bank Rate Monitor
National Index for money market deposit accounts offered by the 100 leading
banks and thrift institutions in the ten largest standard metropolitan
statistical areas, (v) yield data published by Lipper, Bloomberg or other
industry sources, or (vi) the yield on an investment in 90-day Treasury bills on
a rolling basis, assuming quarterly compounding. Further, the Trust may compare
such other yield data described above to each other. The Trust may also compare
its total return, NAV stability and yield to fixed income investments. As with
yield and total return calculations, yield comparisons should not be considered
representative of the Trust's yield or relative performance for any future
period.
The Trust may provide information designed to help individuals understand
their investment goals and explore various financial strategies. Such
information may include information about current economic, market and political
conditions; materials that describe general principles of investing, such as
asset allocation, diversification, risk tolerance, and goal setting; worksheets
used to project savings needs based on assumed rates of inflation and
hypothetical rates of return; and action plans offering investment alternatives.
Materials may also include discussion of other investment companies in the ING
Funds, products and services, and descriptions of the benefits of working with
investment professionals in selecting investments.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Trust may quote annual total return and aggregate total return
performance data. Total return quotations for the specified periods will be
computed by finding the rate of return (based on net investment income and any
capital gains or losses on portfolio investments over such periods) that would
equate the initial amount invested to the value of such investment at the end of
the period. On occasion, the Trust may quote total return calculations published
by Lipper, a widely recognized independent publication that monitors the
performance of both open-end and closed-end investment companies.
The Trust's distribution rate is calculated on a monthly basis by
annualizing the dividend declared in the month and dividing the resulting
annualized dividend amount by the Trust's corresponding month-end net asset
value (in the case of NAV) or the last reported market price (in the case of
Market). The distribution rate is based solely on the actual dividends and
distributions, which are made at the discretion
41
of management. The distribution rate may or may not include all investment
income, and ordinarily will not include capital gains or losses, if any.
Total return and distribution rate and compounded distribution rate figures
utilized by the Trust are based on historical performance and are not intended
to indicate future performance. Distribution rate, compounded distribution rate
and NAV per share can be expected to fluctuate over time. Total return will vary
depending on market conditions, the Senior Loans, and other securities
comprising the Trust's portfolio, the Trust's operating expenses and the amount
of net realized and unrealized capital gains or losses during the period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City,
Missouri 64105 has been retained to act as the custodian for the Trust. State
Street Bank and Trust Company does not have any part in determining the
investment policies of the Trust or in determining which portfolio securities
are to be purchased or sold by the Trust or in the declaration of dividends and
distributions.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Legal matters for the Trust are passed upon by Dechert LLP, 1775 I Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20006.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG LLP, 355 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071, currently
serves as the independent auditors and has been selected as independent auditors
for the Trust for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2004.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements and the independent auditors' reports thereon,
appearing in the Trust's Annual Report for the period ending February 28, 2003
are incorporated by reference in this SAI. The Trust's Annual and Semi-Annual
Reports are available at 7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, Arizona
85258, upon request and without charge by calling (800) 992-0180.
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