BlackRock Strengthens ETF Operating Platform by Diversifying Post-Trade Service Providers

BNY Mellon, Citi and JP Morgan will join State Street in servicing U.S.- listed iShares ETFs

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) today announced that it has entered into agreements with BNY Mellon (NYSE: BK), Citi (NYSE: C), and JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) to join State Street (NYSE: STT) as post-trade service providers for iShares’ $2.3 trillion in U.S.-domiciled exchanged traded funds (ETFs).¹ The announcement culminates a nearly two year-long due diligence process with the selection of several world-class financial institutions to support the growth of U.S. iShares ETFs and strengthen the broader ETF ecosystem.

The transition of any U.S. iShares ETF assets to the new providers is expected to commence in the second half of 2022 and projected to take 18 months to complete. The RFP and due diligence process for iShares’ Ireland-domiciled ETFs is on-going and the outcome will be announced at a later date.

Championing investor progress

Since the launch of its first ETF 25 years ago, iShares has helped make investing easier and more affordable for over 24 million Americans.² iShares led the modernization of the bond markets through the advent of fixed income ETFs, brought additional sources of return to mainstream investors through sustainable, factor and thematic ETFs, and provided investors access to international markets and institutional strategies through an array of ETFs across asset classes. As the largest ETF franchise in the U.S. with 388 U.S.-domiciled ETFs, iShares provides investors with greater choice of investment styles than any other ETF provider.³

“Tens of millions of investors now choose ETFs to gain efficient and transparent access to sources of market return all around the world. Even as the ETF industry experienced record growth in 2021, ETF assets are still less than 3% of the markets they seek to access globally,⁴” said Salim Ramji, Global Head of iShares & Index Investing at BlackRock. “As we anticipate decades of growth ahead for iShares and the industry, these changes reinforce and diversify our operational foundation so that we can deliver more ETF exposures at greater scale and with the high standards that our clients expect.”

Paving the way for greater scale and efficiency

The selection of BNY Mellon, Citi, JPMorgan and State Street reflects these firms’ continued investment in their post-trade and technology platforms. Together they bring an expansive global servicing footprint, strong ties into the broader ETF ecosystem, differentiated service and proven expertise. Each firm will provide custodial, fund administration, fund accounting, and transfer agency services to a subset of U.S.-listed iShares ETFs.⁵

Approximate AUM Breakdown by Provider*:

*Percentages are approximate as of September 30, 2021 and are subject to change

“All four providers have long-standing relationships with BlackRock and have proven track records in the post-trade servicing of funds,” says Derek Stein, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Technology & Operations at BlackRock. “The decision to diversify across these world-class financial institutions is based on our desire to create a robust operating model for servicing ETFs, which will help us scale the iShares franchise and mitigate concentration risk.”

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $3.04 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2021, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses or, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.blackrock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Prepared by BlackRock Investments, LLC, member FINRA.

Buying and selling shares of ETFs may result in brokerage commissions. This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change.

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by BNY Mellon, Citibank, JPMorgan or State Street. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

©2021 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners

¹ As of September 30, 2021. Source: BlackRock

² As of September 30, 2021. Source: BlackRock

³ As of September 30, 2021. Source: BlackRock

⁴ Sources: Global and regional Equity market size from World Federation of Exchanges Database as of 12/31/19. Global and regional bond market size from Bank of International Settlements (BIS) as of 12/31/19. ETF AUM as of 3/31/21 per Markit, Bloomberg.

⁵ The exact funds to be determined in the coming months. Appropriate notice will be provided to shareholders of the impacted funds.

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