Nationwide Financial Adopts TS&W Fixed Income Portfolio

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationwide Financial's mutual fund business has completed the adoption of the TS&W Fixed Income Portfolio. Earlier this month, the shareholders of the TS&W Fixed Income Portfolio voted to approve the merger and reorganization of the fund into the Nationwide Core Plus Bond Fund (NWCPX). The adoption gives Nationwide Funds approximately $71 million in new assets under management and further expands Nationwide's product lineup.

"This latest adoption exemplifies Nationwide's ongoing effort to grow its mutual fund business and expand its investment offerings through fund adoptions," said Michael Spangler, president of Nationwide Funds. "The Nationwide Core Plus Bond Fund complements our existing product lineup by utilizing a global fixed-income strategy that gives investors the opportunity to benefit from both the stability of investment-grade bonds and the higher returns associated with high-yield bonds."

Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC (TS&W) will continue to manage the fund as a subadviser. The fund's existing assets and 20-year performance track record have transitioned to the Nationwide Core Plus Bond Fund.

The Nationwide Core Plus Bond Fund seeks to generate maximum long-term and risk-adjusted total return. Its "core plus bond" fixed-income strategy involves making a limited allocation to high-yield debt securities (which are rated below investment grade) to improve overall portfolio yield, and allow investors to access exposure to lower-rated bonds without having to invest in an additional mutual fund. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80 percent of its assets in a diversified mix of investment-grade debt securities and may also invest up to 20 percent of its assets in high-yield bonds.

"We feel this adoption will bring TS&W's investment management experience to a larger distribution platform and wider range of investors," said Bill Bellamy, portfolio manager for the fund and director of fixed income for Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley. "Furthermore, this adoption preserves the fund's investment strategy and track record."

"We will continue to build on the tremendous year-over-year growth we experienced in 2012 by teaming up with proven subadvisers to bring new Nationwide products to market in an efficient and timely manner," Spangler said. "This transaction is the latest step in our growth strategy and follows our recent announcement to acquire 17 funds and $3.6 billion in assets from HighMark Capital Management."

Investors interested in learning more about Nationwide Funds should contact their financial professional or visit the Nationwide Funds website. Financial professionals interested in learning more should call the Nationwide Funds Group sales desk at 877-877-5083, option 3.

About Nationwide Funds
Based in the Philadelphia area, Nationwide Funds is the mutual fund business of Nationwide Financial Services Inc., a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement products and a Nationwide Insurance company. A strategic partner to advisors, Nationwide Funds provides a full family of sub-advised mutual funds designed to help meet the unique investment goals and risk tolerances of their investor clients. As of March 31, 2013, Nationwide Funds manages 91 funds with approximately $46 billion in assets, excluding fund of funds.

About Nationwide
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Investing in mutual funds involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors' shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Investors should carefully consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses before investing any money. To obtain this and other information on Nationwide Funds Group, please call 1-800-848-0920 to request a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus, or download a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus at nationwide.com/mutualfunds. Please read it carefully before investing any money.

The Core Plus Bond Fund is subject to interest rate risk. The Fund is subject to credit and liquidity risks associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Fund. The Fund also is subject to prepayment and call risk, extension risk and mortgage-backed securities risk to varying degrees. The Fund also is subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield bonds, preferred stock and convertible securities.

Nationwide Funds distributed by Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (NFD), Member FINRA, King of Prussia, Pa.  NFD is not an affiliate of TS&W. 

Nationwide, the Nationwide framemark, Nationwide Funds, Nationwide Funds Group and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

SOURCE Nationwide Financial