Filed by the
Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant ☐
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The Taiwan Fund, Inc. (the Fund) will be held at the offices of Clifford Chance US LLP, 2001 K Street NW,
Washington D.C. 20006 on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time. The Meeting will also be held virtually. A Notice and Proxy Statement regarding the Meeting, instructions for how to join the Meeting, the proxy card for your
vote, and a postage prepaid envelope in which to return your proxy card are enclosed.
At the Meeting you, as a stockholder of the Fund, will be asked by
the Board of Directors to vote on one proposal: the election of five Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the
Proposal.
Brian F. Link
PROXY STATEMENT
THE TAIWAN FUND, INC.
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is
furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of The Taiwan Fund, Inc. (the Fund or Corporation) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting), to be held at the
offices of Clifford Chance US LLP, 2001 K Street NW, Washington D.C. 20006 on April 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any adjournments thereof. The Meeting will also be held virtually.
This Proxy Statement and the form of proxy card are being mailed to stockholders on or about March 9, 2022. Any stockholder giving a proxy has the
power to revoke it by executing a superseding proxy by phone, Internet or mail following the process described on the proxy card or by submitting a notice of revocation to the Fund prior to the date of the Meeting or at the Meeting. All properly
executed proxies received in time for the Meeting will be voted as specified in the proxy or, if no specification is made, FOR the Proposal. If your shares are held by a broker and you do not instruct your broker how you want your shares to be
voted, your shares will be voted as specified by the broker on the Proposal.
The presence at the Meeting or by proxy of stockholders entitled to
cast one third of the votes entitled to be cast thereat constitutes a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, executed proxies returned without marking
a vote on the Proposal will be treated as shares that are present for quorum purposes. Abstentions are included in the determination of the number of shares present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. If a
stockholder is present at the Meeting but does not cast a vote, the stockholders shares will count towards a quorum but will have no effect on the Proposal. In the event a quorum is not present at the Meeting,
or in the event that a quorum is present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposed items are not received, holders of a majority of the stock present at the Meeting or by proxy have power to adjourn the meeting from time to
time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the Meeting. The chairman of the Meeting also may adjourn the Meeting from time to time. Any adjournment may be made to a date not more
than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the Meeting. If a quorum is present, a stockholder vote may be taken on the Proposal in this Proxy Statement prior to any such adjournment if sufficient votes
have been received for approval and it is otherwise appropriate. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the Meeting as originally notified. The Fund may set a
subsequent record date and give notice of it to stockholders, in which case the meeting may be held not more than 120 days beyond the subsequent record date.
1
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 23, 2022 as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournments thereof. Stockholders on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each share held, with no shares having cumulative voting rights. As of
the record date, the Fund had outstanding 7,470,494 shares of common stock.
Management of the Fund knows of no item of business other than the item
mentioned in Proposal 1 of the Notice of Meeting that will be eligible to be presented for consideration at the Meeting. If any other matter is properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in
accordance with their best judgment.
The Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its semi-annual report for the period ended February 28,
2022 or its annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 to any stockholder requesting such report. Requests for the semi-annual or annual reports should be made in writing to The Taiwan Fund, Inc., c/o State Street Bank
and Trust Company, P.O. Box 5049, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, Attention: Brian F. Link, or by accessing the Funds website at www.thetaiwanfund.com or by calling (800)
426-5523.
2
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Proxy Statement discusses important matters affecting the Fund. Please take the time to read the Proxy Statement, and then cast your vote. You may
obtain additional copies of the Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and form of proxy card by calling (800) 426-5523 or by accessing
https://www.proxy-direct.com/twn-32649.
There are multiple ways to vote. Choose the method that is most
convenient for you. To vote by telephone or Internet, follow the instructions provided on the proxy card. To vote by mail, simply fill out the proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid reply envelope. Please do not return your proxy
card if you vote by telephone or Internet. To vote at the Meeting, participate in the Meeting and cast your vote. The Meeting will be held at the offices of Clifford Chance US LLP, 2001 K Street NW, Washington D.C. 20006 on April 19, 2022
at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time. The Meeting will also be held virtually.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend in the absence of contrary instruction to vote all proxies for the election of the five nominees listed
below as Directors of the Fund to serve for the next year, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Each of the nominees for Director has consented to be named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director of the Fund if elected.
The Board of Directors of the Fund has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named below will become unavailable for election as a Director, but if that should occur before the Annual Meeting for the Fund, the persons named as proxies in the
proxy cards will vote for such persons as the Board of Directors of the Fund may recommend. None of the Directors is an interested person of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the 1940 Act) (each an Independent Director)).
3
Information Concerning the Nominees
The following table sets forth certain information concerning each of the nominees as a director. Each nominee is currently serving as a director of the Fund.
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Name (Age) and
Address of Directors* |
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Position(s) Held with Fund |
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Director
Since |
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Principal
Occupation(s) or
Employment During Past
Five Years |
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Number of
Funds in the
Complex(1)
Overseen by the
Director |
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Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships in
Publicly Held
Companies |
William C. Kirby (71) |
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Chairman of the Board and Director |
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2013 |
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T. M. Chang Professor of China Studies (2006-present); Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration (2006-present); Chairman, Harvard China Fund (2006-present); Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor
(2006-present); and Director, John K. Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University (2006-2014). |
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1 |
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Cabot Corporation. |
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Anthony S. Clark, CFA (69) |
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Director |
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2017 |
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Managing Member, Innovation Capital Management, LLC (2016 to present); Chief Investment Officer of the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (2010 to 2013); Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) (2009 to 2011). |
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1 |
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Director, Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc. |
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Thomas G. Kamp, CFA (60) |
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Director |
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2018 |
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President, Chief Investment Officer and Director, Cornerstone Capital Management LLC (2006-2016).
Chairperson, Finleys Barkery, SBC (2020 present). |
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1 |
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None. |
4
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Name (Age) and
Address of Directors* |
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Position(s) Held with Fund |
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Director
Since |
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Principal
Occupation(s) or
Employment During Past
Five Years |
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Number of
Funds in the
Complex(1)
Overseen by the
Director |
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Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships in
Publicly Held
Companies |
Warren J. Olsen (65) |
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Director |
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2018 |
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Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, SCB Global Capital Management (2014-present); Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, First Western Financial Inc. (2002-2014). |
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1 |
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Aetos Multi-Strategy Arbitrage Fund, LLC; Aetos Distressed Investment Strategies Fund, LLC; Aetos Long/Short Strategies Fund, LLC. |
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Shelley E. Rigger (59) |
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Director |
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2016 |
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Brown Professor of East Asian Politics, Davidson College (1993-present). |
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1 |
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None. |
* |
For purposes of Fund business, all Directors may be contacted at the following address: c/o State Street
Bank & Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, P.O. Box 5049, Boston, MA 02110. |
(1) |
The term Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that share the same
investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for the purposes of investment and investor services. |
Leadership Structure and Board of Directors
The Board
has general oversight responsibility with respect to the business and affairs of the Fund. The Board is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Fund in accordance with the laws of Maryland, the provisions of the 1940 Act, other applicable
laws and the Funds Amended Articles of Incorporation. The Board is currently composed of five Independent Directors and one of the Independent Directors serves as Chairman of the Board.
Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all of the Directors, including a majority vote of the Independent Directors if required by applicable law. The
Funds day-to-day operations are currently managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC (the Adviser) and other service providers who have been approved
by the Board. The Board meets periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds activities, review contractual arrangements with service providers, oversee compliance with regulatory requirements and review performance. The Board has
determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the size of the Board, the fact that all of the Directors are not interested persons, and the nature of the Fund.
5
The existing Directors were selected to serve and continue to serve on the Board, based upon their skills,
experience, judgment, analytical ability, diligence, ability to work effectively with other Directors and a commitment to the interests of stockholders and a demonstrated willingness to take an independent and questioning view of management. Each
existing Director also has considerable familiarity with the Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the Administrator), and its operations, as well as the special regulatory requirements governing registered investment companies
and the special responsibilities of investment company directors, all as a result of their prior service as a Director of the Fund and, in several cases, as directors of other investment companies. In addition to those qualifications, the following
is a brief summary of the specific experience, qualifications or skills that led to the conclusion that as of the date of this proxy statement, each person identified below should serve as a Director for the Fund. References to the qualifications,
attributes and skills of the Directors are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and do not constitute a holding out by the Board or any Director as having any special expertise and should not be
considered to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof than the normal responsibility and liability of an investment company board member or board. As required by rules the SEC has adopted
under the 1940 Act, the Funds Independent Directors select and nominate all candidates for Independent Director positions.
William C. Kirby.
Mr. Kirby has served as a Director of the Fund since 2013. He is T. M. Chang Professor of China Studies at Harvard University and Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Mr. Kirby is a historian of
modern China, whose work examines Chinas business, economic and political development in an international context. He has served the academic community for over 32 years. Mr. Kirby joined Harvard University in 1992, where he currently
serves various positions including Chairman of the Harvard China Fund. He has also served as the Director of the John K. Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Chair of the Council on East Asian Studies and
the Director of the National Resource Center for East Asia for Harvard University. Prior to joining Harvard University, Mr. Kirby served as the Dean of the University College, Director of Asian Studies and Director of International Affairs at
Washington University. Mr. Kirby has published numerous books and articles related to Chinese business and history.
Anthony S. Clark, CFA.
Mr. Clark has served as a Director of the Fund since 2017. He is Managing Member of Innovation Capital Management, LLC since 2016. Mr. Clark served as Chief Investment Officer of the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System
from 2010 to 2013 and Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) from 2009 to 2011. Prior to PBGC, Mr. Clark served as Director of Global Equities in the Investment Department of the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute (1995 to 2008). Mr. Clark also serves as Director on the board of Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc.
6
Thomas G. Kamp, CFA. Mr. Kamp has served as a Director of the Fund since 2018. He served as
President, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Cornerstone Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Kamp was Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and manager of Alliance Bernsteins and Alliance Capitals
Minneapolis office.
Warren J. Olsen. Mr. Olsen has served as a Director of the Fund since 2018. He is Chairman and Chief Investment Officer
at SCB Global Capital Management. Mr. Olsen served as Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer at First Western Financial Inc. between 2002 and 2014. He also served as President and CEO of IBJ Whitehall Asset Management from 1999 to 2002 and
President of Morgan Stanley Funds from 1988 to 1997. Mr. Olsen also serves on the boards of Aetos Multi-Strategy Arbitrage Fund, LLC, Aetos Distressed Investment Strategies Fund, LLC and Aetos Long/Short Strategies Fund, LLC.
Shelley E. Rigger. Ms. Rigger has served as a Director of the Fund since 2016. She has been the Brown Professor of East Asian Studies at Davidson
College since 1993. Ms. Rigger has been a visiting Associate Professor at Fudan Universitys School of International Relations and Public Administration in Shanghai, a scholar at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, and a Fulbright
Senior Scholar at National Taiwan University. Ms. Rigger graduated magna cum laude from Princeton Universitys School of Public and International Affairs. She also holds a Ph.D. from Harvard Universitys Department of Government with
fields of specialization in comparative politics, Chinese politics, American politics and government and political anthropology. Ms. Rigger has published several books and numerous articles related to Taiwanese and Chinese politics, history and
business as well as relations among the United States, Taiwan and mainland China. In 2021 she published The Tiger Leading the Dragon: How Taiwan Propelled Chinas Economic Rise.
The Fund does not have a policy regarding Board members attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. However, all of the Directors of the Board
attended the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Board of Directors of the Fund held five regular meetings during the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2021. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, each Director attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held during the fiscal year of the Board and of any committee on which he or she served.
Audit Committee. The Funds Board of Directors has a separately designated Audit Committee established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), which is responsible for reviewing financial and accounting matters. The Funds Audit Committee is composed of directors who are
independent (as defined in the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) listing standards, as may be modified or supplemented) and not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) and its actions are
7
governed by the Funds Audit Committee Charter, which is posted on the Funds website (www.thetaiwanfund.com). The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Clark, Kamp,
Kirby and Olsen and Ms. Rigger, with Mr. Kamp serving as Chairman. The Audit Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. The Funds Board of Directors has designated Mr. Kamp, an Independent
Director, as an audit committee financial expert.
Nominating Committee. The Funds Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee, which is
responsible for recommending individuals to the Board for nomination as members of the Board and its Committees. The Funds Nominating Committee is composed of directors who are independent as independence is defined in the NYSEs listing
standards, as may be modified or supplemented, and are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) and its actions are governed by the Funds Nominating Committee Charter, which is posted on the
Funds website (www.thetaiwanfund.com). Currently, the Nominating Committee does not solicit recommendations for nominees from stockholders. The Nominating Committee believes that it is not necessary to have such a policy because the Board has
had no difficulty identifying qualified candidates to serve as Directors. The Nominating Committee evaluates a candidates qualifications for Board membership and the candidates independence from the Funds advisers and other
principal service providers. The Nominating Committee does not have specific minimum qualifications that must be met by candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee and there is not a specific process for identifying such candidates. In
nominating candidates, the Nominating Committee takes into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include judgment, skill, diversity, experience with businesses or other organizations of comparable size, the interplay
of the candidates experience with the experience of other Board members, requirements of the NYSE and the SEC to maintain a minimum number of independent or non-interested directors, requirements of the
SEC as to disclosure regarding persons designated as having financial expertise on the Funds audit committee and the extent to which the candidate generally would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board. The
Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The
current members of the Nominating Committee are Messrs. Clark, Kamp, Kirby and Olsen and Ms. Rigger, with Ms. Rigger serving as Chair. The Nominating Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Valuation Committee. The Funds Board of Directors has a Valuation Committee which is responsible for establishing and monitoring policies and
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the Funds assets are valued appropriately, objectively and timely, reflecting current market conditions. The current Directors who are members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Clark, Kamp,
Kirby and Olsen and Ms. Rigger, with Mr. Clark serving as Chairman. The Valuation Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
8
Discount Management Committee. The Funds Board of Directors has a Discount Management Committee
which is responsible for overseeing and evaluating the Funds discount. The current members of the Discount Management Committee are Messrs. Clark, Kamp, Kirby and Olsen and Ms. Rigger, with Mr. Kirby serving as Chairman. The Discount
Management Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Risk Oversight
The day-to-day operations of the Fund, including the management of risk, are
performed by third party service providers, such as the Funds Adviser and Administrator. The Directors are responsible for overseeing the Funds service providers and thus have oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management
performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, stockholder services, investment performance or reputation
of the Fund. The Fund and its service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify certain of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of
such events or circumstances if they do occur.
Not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified nor can controls be developed to eliminate or
mitigate their occurrence or effects. It may not be practical or cost effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, the processes and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness, and some risks are simply
beyond the reasonable control of the Fund or the Adviser or other service providers. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Funds goals. As a result of the foregoing and other factors,
the Funds ability to manage risk is subject to substantial limitations.
Risk oversight forms part of the Boards general oversight of the Fund
and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Fund, the Board, directly or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others the Funds Adviser, the
Funds Administrator, the Funds chief compliance officer and its independent registered public accounting firm, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Fund. The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of
the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement, the Board meets
with the Adviser to review the services provided. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisers adherence to the Funds investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable
securities regulations. The Board has appointed a chief compliance officer who oversees the implementation and testing of the Funds compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its service
9
providers. The Board, with the assistance of the Adviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of the Funds performance. In addition, as part of the
Boards oversight of the Funds advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may periodically consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders may send
communications to the Funds Board of Directors by addressing the communication directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or clearly indicating that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members). The
communication may be sent to either the Funds office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for each Director above. Other stockholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will
be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at managements discretion based on the matters contained therein.
Officers of the Fund
The following table provides
information concerning each of the officers of the Fund.
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Name, Address, and Age |
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Position(s)
Held with the
Fund |
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Since |
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Principal Occupation(s) or Employment
During Past Five Years |
Aiden Redmond (56)
Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC
1633 Broadway New York, NY 10019 |
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President |
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January 2021 |
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Managing Director, Head of Institutional, North America, with Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2018-present); Managing Director and Head of Institutional at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2014-2018). |
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Monique Labbe (48) Foreside Fund Officer
Services, LLC 10 High Street, Suite 302 Boston, MA
02110 |
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Treasurer |
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2017 |
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Senior Director, Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC (2014-present). |
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Brian F. Link (49) State Street Bank and Trust
Company One Lincoln Street SFC0805
Boston, MA 02111 |
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Secretary |
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2014 |
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Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2007-present). |
10
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Name, Address, and Age |
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Position(s)
Held with the
Fund |
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Since |
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Principal Occupation(s) or Employment
During Past Five Years |
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Patrick Keniston (58) Foreside Fund Officer
Services, LLC Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100 Portland, ME
04101 |
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Chief Compliance Officer |
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2015 |
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Managing Director of Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC, (2008-present). |
Ownership of Securities
The following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of securities in the Fund by the nominees for Director as of January 31, 2022. Each
nominee is also currently a Director of the Fund.
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Name of Director |
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Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
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Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen or to be Overseen by Director in the Fund Complex (1) |
Anthony S. Clark, CFA |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
Thomas G. Kamp, CFA |
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$Over $100,000 |
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$Over $100,000 |
William C. Kirby |
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$50,001-$100,000 |
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$50,001-$100,000 |
Warren J. Olsen |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
Shelley E. Rigger |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
(1) |
The term Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that share the same
investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for the purposes of investment and investor services. The Fund is the only investment company in the Fund Complex. |
No Director or any immediate family member of a Director, owned securities in the Funds Adviser, or a person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser.
Transactions with and Remuneration of Officers and Directors
The aggregate remuneration, including expenses relating to attendance at board meetings reimbursed by the Fund, paid in cash to Directors not affiliated with
the Adviser, was $280,000 during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund paid each Director that is not affiliated with the Funds Adviser an annual fee of $20,000 plus $2,000 for
each Board meeting and committee meeting attended and each of the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee each an additional $10,000 a year for his service. Effective September 1, 2021, the annual fee is $30,000 ($40,000
for the Chairman of the Board
11
and the Chairman of the Audit Committee) plus a fee of $6,000 for attending the quarterly Board and Committee meetings. The Fund pays each Director $2,000 for any meetings held on days separate
from the quarterly Board meeting.
The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation from the Fund paid to each director during the fiscal year
ended August 31, 2021, as well as the total compensation earned by each director from the Fund Complex.
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Name of Director |
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Aggregate Compensation From Fund(1) |
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Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses |
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Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
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Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Directors(2) |
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Anthony S. Clark, CFA |
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$ |
52,000 |
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$ |
52,000 |
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Thomas G. Kamp, CFA |
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$ |
62,000 |
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$ |
62,000 |
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William C. Kirby |
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$ |
62,000 |
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$ |
62,000 |
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Warren J. Olsen |
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$ |
52,000 |
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$ |
52,000 |
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Shelley E. Rigger |
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$ |
52,000 |
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$ |
52,000 |
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(1) |
Includes compensation paid to Directors by the Fund. The Funds Directors did not receive any pension or
retirement benefits as compensation for their service as Directors of the Fund. |
(2) |
There is one fund in the Fund Complex overseen by the Directors. |
Required Vote
Election of the listed nominees for
Director requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock of the Fund cast at the Meeting. Pursuant to the Funds By-Laws, any Director who is nominated for re-election at the Meeting and is not re-elected at the Meeting will be deemed to have tendered to the Board of Directors his or her resignation as a Director, with such
resignation to take effect 30 days after the date of the Meeting unless the Board of Directors unanimously decides to reject that Directors tender of resignation, in which case the Director will continue in office until his or her death,
resignation or removal or until his or her successor has been elected and has been qualified.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FUND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FIVE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
12
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investment Adviser
Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC
(Allianz) acts as the Adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, dated June 1, 2019. The principal business address of the Adviser is 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
Fund Administration
State Street Bank and
Trust Company acts as Administrator to the Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement between the Administrator and the Fund. The principal business address of the Administrator is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02111.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait Weller serves as the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, auditing and reporting on the annual financial statements of the Fund and
reviewing certain regulatory reports and the Funds federal income tax returns. Tait Weller also performs other professional audit and certain allowable non-audit services, including tax services, when
the Fund engages it to do so. Representatives of Tait Weller are not expected to be available at the Meeting.
The engagement of Tait Weller as the
Funds independent registered public accounting firm was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and ratified by the full Board of Directors.
Audit Fees. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, Tait Weller billed the Fund aggregate fees of $53,000 and
$53,000, respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of the Funds annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Funds annual report to stockholders.
Audit-Related Fees. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, Tait Weller billed the Fund aggregate fees of $0 and
$0, respectively, for assurances and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Funds financial statements and are not reported under the section Audit Fees above. Audit-Related Fees
represent procedures applied to the semi-annual financial statement amounts (reading the semi-annual report and valuation and existence procedures on investments) as requested by the Funds Audit Committee.
Tax Fees. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, Tait Weller billed the Fund aggregate fees of $13,200 and
$13,200, respectively, for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. The nature of the services comprising the Tax Fees was the review of the Funds income tax returns and tax distribution requirements.
13
All Other Fees. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, Tait Weller
did not bill the Fund any fees for products and services other than those disclosed above.
The Funds Audit Committee Charter requires that the
Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Fund by the Funds independent registered public accounting firm; provided,
however, that the pre-approval requirement with respect to non-auditing services to the Fund may be waived consistent with the exceptions provided for in the Exchange
Act. All of the audit and tax services described above for which Tait Weller billed the Fund fees for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020 were pre-approved by the Audit
Committee. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Funds Audit Committee did not waive the pre-approval requirement of any
non-audit services to be provided to the Fund by Tait Weller.
Tait Weller did not bill any non-audit fees for services rendered to the Funds Adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under the common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund, for the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.