FlexShares Reaches Three-Year Anniversary Milestone

FlexShares® Exchange Traded Funds, sponsored and managed by Northern Trust, has reached a three-year milestone on its four inaugural FlexShares ETFs. The Funds are:

• FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (GUNR)
• FlexShares Morningstar U.S. Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (TILT)
• FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTT)
• FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF)

Following the launch of these four products in September 2011, FlexShares hit the $1 billion mark in less than a year. FlexShares has since grown into an $8.5 billion family of 16 ETFs, including the recently launched Disciplined Duration MBS Index Fund. In fact, FlexShares was the fastest-growing ETF family for each of the past two years, according to Pensions & Investments.

“Three years ago we launched FlexShares with a simple yet compelling mission, to deliver thoughtfully designed products that meet targeted investment objectives,” said Shundrawn A. Thomas, Executive Vice President and Head of Northern Trusts’ Funds and Managed Accounts Group. “The rapid growth in assets and positive response from investors affirms that our investor-centric approach fills a tremendous need in the marketplace.”

For more information, please visit www.flexshares.com.

Before investing, carefully consider the FlexShares investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting www.flexshares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.

About FlexShares

FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds are designed to pursue specific investment goals across both passive and active strategies. FlexShares offers differentiated ETF strategies that improve and simplify the investment decision process for the long-term investor. For more information, please visit www.flexshares.com.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset servicing, fund administration, fiduciary and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, families and individuals worldwide. Chicago-based Northern Trust has offices in 19 states, Washington, D.C., and 19 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of June 30, 2014, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$6 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$924.4 billion. For 125 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com and follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

An investment in FlexShares is subject to numerous risks, including possible loss of principal. Fund returns may not match the return of the respective indexes. The Funds are subject to the following principal risks: asset class; commodity; concentration; counterparty; currency; derivatives; dividend; emerging markets; equity securities; fluctuation of yield; foreign securities; geographic; income; industry concentration; inflation-protected securities; infrastructure-related companies; interest rate / maturity risk; issuer; management; market; market trading; mid cap stock; MLP; natural resources; new funds; non-diversification; passive investment; privatization; small cap stock; tracking error; value investing; and volatility risk. A full description of risks is in the prospectus.