In its continued commitment to provide innovative investment solutions and promote a broader view of diversity, Northern Trust Asset Management announced today the launch of the Northern Engage360 Fund (NENGX).

The fund combines a rigorous investment process with a unique approach to assessing and promoting diversity by expanding the lenses through which diversity is viewed. The fund’s multi-dimensional methodology looks beyond the historical one-dimensional firm ownership criteria by employing a proprietary, quantitative framework to capture metrics on leadership, investment teams, community engagement and corporate spending. Using a multi-manager approach, the fund allocates to sub-advisers based on a variety of investment factors from a universe of asset managers screened on a comprehensive diversity rating.

“Many investors, especially institutions, tell us they are seeking managers that exhibit investment excellence and a demonstrated commitment to diversity. Engage360 is focused on both, regardless of the firm’s size or ownership status,” said Jason Tyler, Global Head of the Institutional Group, Northern Trust Asset Management. “We have built a truly unique, quantitative analytical framework that evolves conventional thinking. It includes a survey using manager data and our proprietary scoring methodology to objectively evaluate and provide a much more complete assessment. This enables us to construct a portfolio comprised of managers with exceptional cultural characteristics and optimize for risk and return – so investors can pursue both the performance and diversity they seek.”

Benchmarked to the MSCI All-Country World Index, including both developed and emerging market opportunities, the Northern Engage360 Fund is a global equity portfolio. The fund is currently constructed with five sub-advisors who offer diverse sources of potential alpha, complementary investment characteristics, along with strong diversity and engagement metrics.

The Northern Engage360 Fund is the most recent addition to the Northern Funds mutual fund family. With over $68.7 billion across 44 funds, Northern Funds offers a diversified set of funds covering equity, fixed income and real assets across active and passive investment approaches.

Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing. Call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the Funds.

Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors, LLC, not affiliated with Northern Trust.

Equity Risk: Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed-income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International Risk: International investing involves increased risk and volatility.

Emerging Market Risk: The risk that markets of emerging market countries are less developed and less liquid, subject to greater price volatility and generally subject to increased economic, political, regulatory and other uncertainties than more developed markets.

Frontier Markets Risk: The risk that frontier countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets than traditional emerging markets and, as a result, the risk of investing in emerging market countries is magnified in frontier countries.

Multi-Manager Risk: The risk that the sub-advisers’ investment styles will not always be complementary, which could affect the performance of the Fund.

New Fund Risk: The fund, because it is new with no operating history, may not grow or maintain an economically viable size, in which case the Board of Trustees of the Trust may determine to liquidate the Fund.

About Northern Trust Asset Management

Northern Trust Asset Management is a leading global asset management firm serving institutional and individual investors in 29 countries. Our robust investment capabilities span all markets and asset classes, from passive and risk-factor to fundamental active, multi-asset class and multi-manager strategies, delivered in multiple vehicles. As of December 31, 2017, Northern Trust has $1.2 trillion in total assets under management. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on Twitter @NTInvest.

Northern Trust Asset Management comprises Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., NT Global Advisors, Inc. and investment personnel of The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited and The Northern Trust Company.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has offices in the United States in 19 states and Washington, D.C., and 23 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2017, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$10.7 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.2 trillion. For more than 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at https://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures.