The Bank of New York Mellon Launches the Classic ADR Index

PRNewswire
NEW YORK
(NYSE:BK)
May 19, 2009

New index reflects all U.S. publicly-traded ADRs, Offers key tool to separately managed account (SMA) managers

NEW YORK, May 19 — The Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE: BK), the global leader in asset management and securities servicing, has announced the launch of The Bank of New York Mellon Classic ADR Index(SM) and 34 subindices, including two market, three regional, 10 sector and 19 country indices. The Bank of New York Mellon Classic ADR Index comprises all American depositary receipts (ADR), New York Shares and Global Registered Shares that trade on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Alternext US, NASDAQ and over-the-counter (OTC). All indices are calculated on a continuous basis throughout the trading day, are capitalization-weighted and adjusted for free-float, using Dow Jones' current methodology.

The recent rule change implemented to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 has led to a significant rise in the number of OTC traded ADRs. As a result of the change, certain non-U.S. companies are now automatically exempt from SEC reporting requirements, provided specified information is accessible on their websites. Through the first quarter of 2009, nearly 700 new unsponsored ADR programs from 47 countries were created by The Bank of New York Mellon and other depositary banks. When added to existing sponsored ADRs, the new unsponsored programs enable investors to better replicate many of the world's leading foreign equity indices in U.S.-traded, dollar-denominated securities.

"Institutional and retail investors alike can no longer ignore this segment of the ADR universe, thanks to the recent U.S. SEC rule amendment regarding unsponsored American depositary receipts and the fact that more than $1 billion of these new programs have been issued since October 2008," said Michael Cole-Fontayn, chief executive officer of The Bank of New York Mellon's Depositary Receipt Division.

"The new Classic ADR Index reflects all U.S. publicly-traded ADRs, which will specifically benefit separately managed account (SMA) managers with a complete ADR-only index," added Julio Lugo, vice president, DR Index Solutions, in the Depositary Receipt Division.

The Classic ADR Index expands the investable constituents of the well-known Bank of New York Mellon ADR Index(SM), which celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year. The Bank of New York Mellon Classic ADR Index is accessible on Reuters and Bloomberg at "bkcax" and on Bridge at "&bca." All the Bank's DR Index families are available directly at www.bnymellondrindex.com and through the Bank's DR website at www.bnymellon.com/dr.

The Bank of New York Mellon acts as depositary for more than 2,100 American and global depositary receipt programs, acting in partnership with leading companies from 67 countries. With an unrivalled commitment to helping securities issuers succeed in the world's rapidly evolving financial markets, the Company delivers the industry's most comprehensive suite of integrated depositary receipt, corporate trust and stock transfer services. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com/dr.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 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. The company 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 $19.5 trillion in assets under custody and administration, $881 billion in assets under management, services more than $11 trillion in outstanding debt, and processes global payments averaging $1.8 trillion per day. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

This release is for informational purposes only. The Bank of New York Mellon provides no advice nor recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company or securities. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Depositary Receipts: Not FDIC, State or Federal Agency Insured; May Lose Value; No Bank, State or Federal Agency Guarantee.