Nationwide Funds Group reduces expenses for the Nationwide Bond Fund

Lower expenses designed to make investment offerings more competitive

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2012

Contact:
Erica Lewis (614) 249-0184
lewise6@nationwide.com

Columbus, OH —Nationwide Funds Group has announced that it will reduce expenses for the Nationwide Bond Fund by 0.20 percent, effective February 29, 2012.

“The Nationwide Bond Fund, utilizing the proven investment and risk management capabilities of our subadviser and partner, Nationwide Asset Management, has a strong history of delivering superior risk-adjusted returns for shareholders,” said Michael Spangler, president of Nationwide Funds. “The expense reduction will make this fund more competitive in the marketplace, enhancing its appeal to financial advisors and retirement plan sponsors.”

Because of increased fee waivers, net expenses¹ will be reduced as follows:

Nationwide Bond Fund      Class A    Class B    Class C    Class D     Class R2

Net Operating Expense         -0.20%     -0.20%     -0.20%     -0.20%       -0.20%

Reduction

New Gross Expenses           1.18%      1.88%      1.88%       0.92%        1.53%

New Net Expenses               0.85%      1.55%      1.55%       0.59%        1.20%

In the past year, Nationwide Funds Group has taken several steps to expand its lineup and make its investment offerings more competitive:

July 2011: Launched the Nationwide Alternatives Allocation Fund, a low-cost alternatives fund with an expense ratio of 0.90 percent for Class A shares.

November 2011: Introduced a new Institutional Service share class for the Nationwide Growth Fund.

January 2012: Lowered expenses for the firm’s 11 Target Destination Funds as well as the Nationwide Growth Fund.

"As we look for ways to grow our mutual fund business, we are continuously searching for ways to improve our fund offerings and make them more competitive,” said Spangler.

The new mutual fund prospectus will be available online beginning February 29, 2012. Financial professionals interested in learning more should contact the Nationwide Funds at 877-877-5083, option 3.

About Nationwide Funds Group
Nationwide Funds Group is the mutual fund business of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement products. Nationwide Funds Group is based in the Philadelphia area and offers a wide range of sub-advised mutual funds. As of December 31, 2011, Nationwide Funds Group managed approximately $41 billion in assets.

About Nationwide
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

_{1. Net operating expenses are the expenses you are currently paying to own the fund. If the net operating expenses shown are lower than the gross operating expenses, then the net operating expenses reflect contractual fee waivers and expense reimbursements that may not be renewed. Contractual waivers or reimbursements remain in effect until February 28, 2013.}

_{Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, the Nationwide framemark, Nationwide YourLife and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.}

_{Investing in mutual funds involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors’ shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.}

_{Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses before investing any money. To obtain this and other information on Nationwide Funds, please call 1-800-848-0920 to request a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus, or download a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus at nationwide.com/mutualfunds. Please read it carefully before
investing any money.}

_{The Nationwide Bond Fund is subject to interest rate risk. The Fund is subject to credit and liquidity risks associated with the underlying bonds owned by the Fund.}

_{Nationwide Funds distributed by Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (NFD), Member FINRA, 1000 Continental Drive, Suite 400, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406.}