Winner of 2009 Trustnet 'Global Growth' Award

LONDON, 21 December 2009 — Newton Investment Management triumphed at the 2009 Trustnet Awards 2009 held in London last week. The Newton Global Higher Income Fund was winner of the 'Global Growth' sector award, beating strong competitor funds.

Managed by James Harries, the £818m Newton Global Higher Income Fund is a globally diversified equity income fund aiming for increasing annual distributions with long-term capital growth. The Fund has a disciplined investment process with strict buy and sell criteria. Since launch on 30 November 2005, the Fund has returned 35.81% compared to 15.43% returned by the FTSE World TR and has increased the income distributed every year, including this year*.

The Trustnet Awards recognise funds that have generated impressive returns within acceptable risk limits. Only retail funds with a 'Three Crown Rating' and more than £100m in assets were eligible; Financial Express' 'Crown Ratings' measure funds by alpha, volatility and consistency over three years. From these, only funds delivering top quartile performance during the 12 months to 1 November 2009 were selected, with the aim of creating a shortlist of six funds per sector. Funds in the Absolute Return sector however were shortlisted according to investment performance alone. Winners and runners up were judged by Adviser Fund Index panellists, a representative group of IFAs. They took past performance into account and also estimated which funds will offer best value going forward.

Commenting on the award, Helena Morrissey, chief executive officer of Newton, said: "We are delighted that the Newton Global Higher Income Fund has received strong industry recognition, as reflected by this prestigious award. Managed by James, one of the most well respected fund managers in the industry, the Fund has delivered a strong performance track record. Aligned to Newton's solid investment process, which has ensured strong returns throughout diverse market environments over the last 30 years, the Fund offers clients global diversification as well as consistent quarterly income dividends, which represents a yield of 4.99%*. The yield discipline applied to the income suite of Newton's funds continues to differentiate us from the competition. This recognition is testament to the success of the team at Newton."

Newton Investment Management is part of BNY Mellon Asset Management.

Newton is a London-based global asset management subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and part of BNY Mellon Asset Management. With assets under management of more than $65 billion, including assets managed by Newton Investment Management as dual officers of Newton Capital Management Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, Newton's group of affiliated companies provides a broad range of award-winning investment products and services to individuals, pension funds, charities and corporations. News and other information about Newton is available at www.newton.co.uk.

BNY Mellon Asset Management is the umbrella organisation for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation's affiliated investment management firms and global distribution companies.

BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. BNY Mellon is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $22.1 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $966 billion in assets under management, services $11.9 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.6 trillion per day. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

* Source: Lipper as at 10 December 2009. Total return including income net of UK tax and annual charges, but excluding initial charge. The impact of the initial charge, which may be up to 4%, can be material on the performance of your investment. Performance figures including the initial charge are available upon request. Newton Global Higher Income Fund is a sub-fund of BNY Mellon Investment Funds, an investment company with variable capital (ICVC) incorporated in England and Wales under registered number IC27 and authorised by the Financial Services Authority. BNY Mellon Fund Managers (BNY MFM) is the Authorised Corporate Director. BNY Mellon Fund Managers Limited, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4LA. Registered in England No. 1998251. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The Investment Adviser is Newton Investment Management Limited (NIM). All other information source BNY Mellon Asset Management International Limited as at 30 September 2009. This press release is qualified for issuance in the UK only and is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer or solicitation of securities or investment services or an endorsement thereof in any jurisdiction or in any circumstance in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful or not authorised. This press release is issued by BNY Mellon Asset Management International Limited to members of the financial press and media and the information contained herein should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Registered office: The Bank of New York Mellon Centre, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4LA. Registered in England no. 1118580. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
A Bank of New York Mellon Company.