Northern Trust Strengthens Global Fund Services Group With U.S. Business Development Appointment

CHICAGO, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Northern Trust Company, a leading provider of global custody, asset administration and investment management services, has appointed Michael Blake as Vice President, Business Development, within the Global Fund Services ("GFS") unit. Based in Chicago, Blake will report directly to Ann Zeiler, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Global Fund Services.

Blake will be responsible for new business development for the group serving investment managers, fund sponsors and other entities that manage money in-house. Before joining Northern Trust, Blake was Director of Financial Markets for Business Logic Corporation in Chicago, responsible for sales and marketing of enterprise software for financial planning and managed accounts to institutional clients. Previously, Blake was a manager in the compensation and benefits practice of Grant Thornton, LLP, in Chicago and an officer of Northern Trust, holding several positions within Worldwide Operations and Technology in the Chicago office.

"Mike's depth of experience in institutional financial services and skill in generating new business opportunities will benefit our team at a time when demand for Northern Trust's global asset administration capabilities is growing rapidly," Zeiler said. "He has re-joined Northern Trust in a role that will help drive business growth in Global Fund Services."

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking solutions for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a multibank holding company based in Chicago, has a growing network of 84 offices in 18 U.S. states and has international offices in seven countries. As of June 30, 2005, Northern Trust had assets under custody of $2.7 trillion, and assets under investment management of $590 billion. Northern Trust, founded in 1889, has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining high-touch service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit http://www.northerntrust.com/ .