Franklin Templeton Investments Announces Approval of Franklin Bissett Mutual Fund Mergers

TORONTO, April 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. announced that investors have approved the proposed mergers of Franklin Bissett Canadian High Dividend Fund and Franklin Bissett Canadian High Dividend Corporate Class into Franklin Bissett Canadian Dividend Fund and Franklin Bissett Canadian Dividend Corporate Class, respectively, at special meetings of investors held today, April 8, 2016, in Toronto.

As such, these fund mergers will occur after the close of business on or around April 22, 2016:

Terminating Fund:	Continuing Fund:
Franklin Bissett Canadian High Dividend Fund	Franklin Bissett Canadian Dividend Fund
Franklin Bissett Canadian High Dividend Corporate Class	Franklin Bissett Canadian Dividend Corporate Class

Investors will have until April 21, 2016, to redeem their holdings or switch to a different fund. Any remaining investors in the terminating funds will automatically have their holdings transferred to the continuing fund on a series-by-series, dollar-for-dollar basis after this deadline.

Series I launch
In addition, Series I is being added to Franklin Bissett Canadian Dividend Fund (the continuing fund), and will be available beginning April 11, 2016.

Investors are encouraged to speak with their financial advisor about these changes and review their options. For account information, Franklin Templeton's client services team can be reached between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET at 1.800.387.0830 (toll-free).

About Franklin Templeton Investments
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 180 countries. Through specialized teams, the company has expertise across all asset classes—including equity, fixed income, alternative and custom solutions. The company's more than 600 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With offices in 35 countries, the California–based company has more than 65 years of investment experience and approximately US$714 billion (C$966 billion) in assets under management as of February 29, 2016.

Copyright © 2016. Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

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