EX-99.(P)(4) 5 coe2.htm CODE OF ETHICS FOR FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC.




Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 



FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS
 
PERSONAL INVESTMENTS AND INSIDER TRADING POLICY (“The Policy”)
 
(This Policy serves as a code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940)
 

Revised December 31, 2018
 

SECTION 1.
PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
1
1.1
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
2
1.2
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
2
1.3
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
2
1.4
MONITORING OF THE POLICY AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
3
     
SECTION 2.
PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
3
2.1
STATEMENT ON COVERED EMPLOYEE INVESTMENTS
3
2.2
CATEGORIES OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO THEPOLICY
3
2.3
ACCOUNTS AND TRANSACTIONS COVERED BY THEPOLICY
4
2.4
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
4
2.5
ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS PERSONS AND PORTFOLIO PERSONS
5
2.6
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
6
2.7
PRE-CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
6
2.8
REQUIREMENTS FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
7
     
SECTION 3.
INSIDER TRADING
7
3.1
POLICY ON INSIDER TRADING
7
     
SECTION 4.
RELATED POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
8
4.1
STATEMENT ON OTHER POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
8
     
SECTION 5.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY, WAIVERS & REPORTING VIOLATIONS
8
5.1
CODE OF ETHICS COMMITTEE; REPORTING TO FT FUND BOARDS
8
5.2
VIOLATIONS OF THE POLICY
8
5.3
WAIVERS OF THE POLICY
9
5.4
REPORTING VIOLATIONS
9
 
This document is the proprietary product of Franklin Templeton Investments. Any unauthorized use, reproduction or transfer of this document is strictly prohibited. Franklin Templeton Investments © 2018. All Rights Reserved.



 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS



Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 2

 
SECTION 1. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
 
1.1
Scope and Purpose of the Policy
 
The Franklin Templeton Investments Personal Investments and Insider Trading Policy (the “Policy) applies to the personal investment activities of all Covered Employees (as defined in section 2.2 of the Policy) of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”) and all of its subsidiaries (collectively, “FranklinTempleton”).
 
Franklin Templeton provides services to the funds that are advised or sub-advised by a Franklin Templeton investment adviser (the “FT Funds”) and other client accounts (“Client Accounts”). Thus, for purposes of this Policy, “FT Fund” includes all open-end and closed-end funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, as well as any other fund that is advised or sub-advised by a Franklin Templeton investment adviser.
 
The purpose of the Policy is to summarize the values, principles and business practices that guide Franklin Templeton’s business conduct and to establish a set of principles to guide Covered Employees regarding the conduct expected of them when managing their personal investments.
 
1.2
Statement of Principles
 
All Covered Employees are required to conduct themselves in a lawful, honest and ethical manner in their business practices and to maintain an environment that fosters fairness, respect and integrity.
 
Franklin Templeton’s policy is that the interests of the FT Funds and Client Accounts are paramount and come before the interests of any employee. Information concerning the securities1 holdings and financial circumstances of the FT Funds and Client Accounts, as well as the identity of certain Client Accounts, is confidential and Covered Employees are required to safeguard this information.
 
The personal investment activities of Covered Employees must be conducted in a manner to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest with the FT Funds and Client Accounts. In particular, to the extent that a Covered Employee learns of an investment opportunity because of his or her position with Franklin Templeton (e.g., internal or third party research, Franklin Templeton or company sponsored conferences, or communications with company officers), the Covered Employee must give preference to the FT Funds or Client Accounts.
 
Personal transactions in a security may not be executed, regardless of quantity, if the Covered Employee has access to information regarding, or knowledge or even a presumed knowledge of, FT Fund or Client Account activity in such security, including proposed activity and recommendations.
 
1.3
Prohibited Activities
 
Covered Employees generally are prohibited from engaging or participating in any activity that has the potential to cause harm to an FT Fund or Client Account. Examples of prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:
 
Making investment decisions, changes in research ratings and trading decisions other than exclusively for the benefit of, and in the best interest of, the FT Funds or Client Accounts;
 
Taking, delaying or omitting to take any action with respect to any research recommendation, report or rating or any investment or trading decision for an FT Fund or Client Account in order to avoid economic injury to themselves or anyone other than the FT Funds or Client Accounts;
 
Purchasing or selling a security on the basis of knowledge of a possible trade by or for an FT Fund or Client Account with the intent of personally profiting from, or avoiding a loss with respect to, personal holdings in the same or related securities;


1.
For purposes of this Policy, the term “securities” also includes derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps.


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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 3
 

Revealing to any other person (except in the normal course of the Covered Employee’s duties on behalf of anFT Fund or Client Account) any information regarding securities transactions by any FT Fund or Client Account or the consideration by any FT Fund or Client Account of any such securities transactions; or
 
Engaging in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on an FT Fund or Client Account or engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to any FT Fund or Client Account.
 
1.4
Monitoring of the Policy and Additional Information
 
Questions regarding the Policy and related requirements should be directed to the Code of Ethics Department located in San Mateo, CA. The Code of Ethics Department can be reached by e-mail at lpreclear@frk.com or by phone at (650) 312-3693 or extension 112-3693. The Code of Ethics Department uses PTA, http://coeprod/pta/index.jsp, an automated transaction pre-clearance system, to manage the oversight of personal investments. Administration of the Policy is the responsibility of the Code of Ethics Committee.

SECTION 2. PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
 
2.1
Statement on Covered Employee Investments
 
Franklin Templeton recognizes the importance to Covered Employees of managing their own financial resources. However, because of the potential conflicts of interest inherent in its business, Franklin Templeton has implemented this Policy with regard to personal investments of Covered Employees. This Policy is designed to minimize these conflicts and help ensure that Franklin Templeton focuses on meeting its duties as a fiduciary to the FT Funds or Client Accounts.
 

Covered Employees should be aware that their ability to invest in certain securities and to liquidate those positions may be severely restricted under this Policy due to trading by the FT Funds or Client Accounts, including during times of market volatility. Therefore, as a general matter, Franklin Templeton encourages Covered Employees to exercise caution when investing in individual securities, particularly in situations where a Covered Employee wishes to invest in securities held or likely to be held by the FT Funds or Client Accounts.
 
Franklin Templeton also discourages Covered Employees from engaging in a pattern of securities transactions that is so excessively frequent as to potentially impact the Covered Employee’s ability to carry out their assigned responsibilities, increases the possibility of potential conflicts or violates the Policy or the FT Funds’ prospectuses.
 
2.2
Categories of Persons Subject to the Policy
 
All persons subject to the Policy are assigned to the following categories based on their access to information regarding, or involvement in, investment activities. Persons subject to other personal trading policies or codes of ethics adopted by Franklin Templeton or its affiliates generally are exempt from this Policy.2 Please consult the Code of Ethics Department if you have any questions about how this Policy applies to you.
 
Covered Employees: Covered Employees are: (1) partners, officers, directors (or persons occupying a similar status or having similar functions) and employees (including certain designated temporary employees or consultants) of any Franklin Templeton investment adviser, as well as any other persons who provide advice on behalf of any Franklin Templeton investment adviser and are subject to the supervision and control of that investment adviser; (2) Access Persons, as defined below; and (3) Independent directors of FT Funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds and independent directors of Franklin Templeton investment advisers (collectively,  “Independent Directors”).
 

2.
In limited circumstances, certain affiliates of FRI may adopt separate policies or codes of ethics governing personal trading in order to address the specific features of their investment activities and operations. Individuals subject to such separate policies or codes of ethics generally are exempt from this Policy.

 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS

 

Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 4


Access Persons: Access Persons are those who have access to non-public information regarding FT Funds’ or Client Accounts’ securities transactions; or have access to recommendations that are non-public; or have access to non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of the FT Funds or Client Accounts.
 
Portfolio Persons: Portfolio Persons, a subset of Access Persons, are those who, in connection with their regular functions or duties, make or participate in the decision to purchase or sell a security by an FT Fund or Client Account or if his or her functions relate to the making of any recommendations about those purchases or sales.
 
Please see the Appendix to this Policy for a table indicating how the provisions of the Policy apply to each category of persons. In addition, please see section 2.8 of the Policy for a description of the requirements for Independent Directors.
 
2.3
Accounts and Transactions Covered by the Policy
 
The Policy covers two types of securities accounts and transactions: (1) those in which Covered Employees have or share investment control, and (2) those in which Covered Employees have direct or indirect beneficial ownership.
 
Generally, a person has a beneficial ownership in a security if he or she, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the security. “Pecuniary interest” has the same meaning as in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally, a pecuniary interest in a security means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security. Covered Employees are presumed to have a pecuniary interest in securities held by members of their immediate family sharing the same household.
 
Certain types of securities are exempt from the Policy.  These exempt securities include, but are not limited to, direct obligations of the U.S. government, money market instruments, and registered open-end funds other than the FT Funds. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department or PTA for further information about specific types of securities that are exempt from the Policy.
 
2.4
Prohibited Transactions
 Trading that Conflicts with FT Funds or Client Accounts
 Covered Employees are prohibited from any trading activity that conflicts with the FT Funds’ or Client Accounts’ trading activity. Examples of prohibited trading activity include, but are not limited to:
 
“front running” or trading ahead of an FT Fund or Client Account; and
 
trading parallel to or against an FT Fund or Client Account.
 
Short Sales of Securities Issued by Franklin Resources and Closed-end FT Funds
 Covered Employees are prohibited from effecting short sales, including “short sales against the box,” of securities issued by FRI or any closed-end FT Funds. This prohibition includes economically equivalent transactions such as call or put options, swap transactions or other derivatives.
 
Pledged Securities
 Directors and Executive Officers are also prohibited from pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering securities issued by Franklin Resources as described in greater detail in the Franklin Resources, Inc. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
 
Trading in Shares of the FT Funds
 A Covered Employee is prohibited from buying and selling shares of an FT Fund if in possession of material non- public information about the FT Fund. Specifically, Covered Employees are prohibited from taking personal advantage of their non-public knowledge of recent or impending investment activities of FT Funds or the FT Funds’ investment advisers or any other non-public information that a reasonable investor would likely consider important in making his or her investment decisions, including information that may have a material effect on an FT Fund’s share price or net asset value.

 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS

 

Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 5
 

Covered Employees must keep confidential at all times any non-public information they may obtain about an FT Fund, including but not limited to information such as portfolio holdings, pricing or valuation of an FT Fund’s portfolio holdings, recent or impending securities transactions by an FT Fund, activities of an FT Fund’s investment advisers, offerings of new FT Funds, changes to investment minimums, closings of FT Funds, changes to investment personnel, FT Fund flow activity, and information on current or prospective FT Fund shareholders.
 
Short-Term Trading in Open-end FT Funds
 Franklin Templeton discourages short-term or excessive trading, often referred to as “market timing,” in shares of the open-end FT Funds. Covered Employees must be familiar with the “Frequent Trading Policy” or its equivalent described in the prospectus of each open-end FT Fund in which they invest and must not engage in trading activity that might violate the purpose or intent of such policy. Accordingly, all Covered Employees must comply with the purpose and intent of each open-end FT Fund’s Frequent Trading Policy or its equivalent and must not engage in any short-term or excessive trading in open-end FT Funds.
 
For open-end FT Funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, the Trade Control Team of each FT Fund’s transfer agent will monitor trading activity in shares of the FT Funds by Covered Employees and will report any trading patterns or behaviors that may constitute short-term or excessive trading to the Code of Ethics Department. These reports will include descriptions of any actions taken and any sanctions or penalties imposed in response to such trading activity. This policy applies to the open-end FT Funds including those FT Funds purchased through a 401(k) plan but does not apply to purchases and sales of money market funds.
 
2.5
Additional Prohibitions and Requirements for Access Persons and Portfolio Persons
 Initial Public Offerings
 Access Persons are prohibited from investing in securities sold in an initial public offering or a secondary offering by an issuer except for offerings of securities made by closed-end FT Funds advised or sub-advised by
Franklin Templeton.
 
Short Sales of Securities
 Portfolio Persons are prohibited from selling short any security held by the FT Funds, including “short sales against the box.” This prohibition also applies to effecting economically equivalent transactions, including, but not limited to, sales of uncovered call options, purchases of put options while not owning the underlying security, and short sales of bonds that are convertible into equity positions, swaps or other derivatives.

Short Swing Rule
 Portfolio Persons are subject to a short swing rule whereby they cannot profit from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of any security within a 60 calendar day period, including transactions in derivatives and transactions that may occur in margin and option accounts. For purposes of this rule, profits will be determined based upon the maximum gain that could be realized on the purchases and sales (or sales and purchases) occurring during the 60 calendar day period. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department about how profits are calculated for purposes of this rule.
 
Disclosure of Interest in Securities
 Portfolio Persons are required to disclose any interest they have in the securities of an issuer if they are involved in either analysis or investment decisions related to the issuer. Portfolio Persons must re-disclose any such interest if they participate in later recommendations or investment decisions related to the issuer.

 
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS
 

Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 6


Portfolio Persons must also disclose any personal transactions they are contemplating in the securities referenced above, any position they hold with the issuer and any proposed business relationship between the issuer and the Portfolio Person or any party in which the Portfolio Person has a significant interest.
 
The disclosures above must be made to their Chief Investment Officer and /or Director of Research.
 
2.6
Reporting Requirements
 All Covered Employees must complete an Initial Code of Ethics Certification no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person is notified by a member of the Human Resources Department of the requirement to do so.  Additionally, by February 15th of each subsequent year they must complete an annual certification that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy.
 
 Access Persons must also file an Initial Broker Accounts Certification and Initial Holdings Certification no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person is notified by a member of the Human Resources Department of the requirement to do so. Additionally, by February 15th of each subsequent year, Access Persons must file a then current annual report of all personal securities accounts and securities holdings and must certify that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy.
 
On a quarterly basis, and no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, every Access Person must report all transactions in securities covered by this Policy, except for those executed through an Automatic Investment Plan or that would duplicate information already provided in broker confirmations or statements sent to the Code of Ethics Department directly from the broker.
 
No later than 30 calendar days after the calendar quarter, Access Persons must report any account established in which any securities were held during that calendar quarter.
 
2.7
Pre-Clearance Requirements
 Pre-Clearance of Securities Transactions
 Access Persons must obtain pre-clearance from the Code of Ethics Department before buying or selling any security (other than those not requiring pre-clearance, a full list of which is available from the Code of Ethics Department) and are always prohibited from executing transactions in a security if aware that the FT Funds or Client Accounts are active or contemplate being active in the security (even if the transactions have been pre- cleared). Pre-clearance requests should be submitted via PTA.
 
Private Investments and Limited Offerings
 Access Persons must obtain pre-clearance from the Code of Ethics Department before investing in a private placement or purchasing other securities in a limited offering. For example, investments in private or unregistered funds (i.e., hedge funds) are required to be pre-cleared under the Policy.
 
Discretionary Accounts
 Transactions in discretionary accounts do not need to be pre-cleared if satisfactory evidence has been provided to the Code of Ethics Department that sole investment discretion has been granted to an investment manager. The Access Person must certify initially and annually thereafter that they do not have investment control of the account other than the right to terminate. If the Access Person makes, or participates in, an investment decision for an account that has been reported as discretionary, transactions related to that decision must be pre-cleared. If there is any uncertainty about whether a particular account would be deemed discretionary for purposes of the Policy, please consult the Code of Ethics Department.
 
Exemptions from Pre-Clearance
 Certain types of securities and transactions are exempt from pre-clearance requirements. Examples of these types of securities and transactions include, but are not limited to, shares issued by FRI; shares of open-end and closed-end funds (including the FT Funds); shares of ETFs; certain government obligations and transactions effected pursuant to dividend reinvestment plans. In addition, transactions in small quantities of securities (e.g., in the case of equity securities, 500 shares within a 30 calendar day period) are not required to be pre-cleared. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department for further information about the types of securities and transactions that are exempt from the pre-clearance requirements of the Policy.

 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS

 

 
Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 7


“Intent” Is Important
 While pre-clearance of Access Persons’ transactions is a cornerstone of Franklin Templeton’s compliance efforts, it cannot detect inappropriate or illegal transactions where the intent conflicts with the principles of the Policy. Thus, the fact that a proposed transaction received pre-clearance is not a defense against a charge of violating the Policy or the securities laws. For example, even if an Access Person received pre-clearance for a transaction, that transaction might constitute front-running if it occurred shortly before a transaction by an FT Fund or Client Account that the Access Person was aware of. In cases like this, the intent may not be evident when a particular transaction request is analyzed for pre-clearance.
 
2.8
Requirements for Independent Directors
 Pre-clearance and Reporting Requirements
 An Independent Director is subject to the pre-clearance and transaction reporting requirements of the Policy only if such Independent Director, at the time of his or her transaction, knew or should have known that, during the 15 calendar day period before or after the date of the Independent Director’s transaction, the security was purchased or sold or considered for purchase or sale by an FT Fund or Client Account. The pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Policy do not apply to securities transactions conducted in an account where an Independent Director has granted full investment discretion to a brokerage firm, bank or investment adviser or conducted in a trust account in which the trustee has full investment discretion. Independent Directors are not required to disclose any securities holdings or brokerage accounts, including brokerage accounts where he/she has granted discretionary authority to a brokerage firm, bank or investment adviser.
 
Initial and Annual Acknowledgment Reports
 An Independent Director must complete and return an executed Acknowledgment Form to the Code of Ethics Department no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person becomes an Independent Director.   Independent Directors will be asked to certify by February 15th of each year that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy by filing the Acknowledgment Form with the Code of Ethics Department.
 
 SECTION 3. INSIDER TRADING
 
3.1
Policy on Insider Trading
 Insider trading, or trading on material non-public information, is against the law and penalties are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. No Covered Employee may (1) trade, either personally or on behalf of the FT Funds or Client Accounts, while in possession of material non-public information, or (2) communicate material non-public information to others.
 
Material non-public information may be obtained by many means, both in connection with a Covered Employee’s job functions (e.g., from meetings with company executives or consultations with expert networks) or independent of the Covered Employee’s employment or relationship with Franklin Templeton (e.g., from friends or relatives).
 
Before trading for themselves or others (including FT Funds and Client Accounts) in the securities of a company about which a Covered Employee potentially may have material non-public information, the Covered Employee should consider the following questions:

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 8


First, is the information material? Information is considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the information to be important in making his or her investment decision, or if it is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of the company’s securities.
 
Second, is the information non-public? Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. For example, information in a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or that appears in a publication of general circulation (e.g., The Wall Street Journal or Reuters) would be considered public. If the information has been obtained from someone who is betraying an obligation not to share the information (e.g., a company insider), that information is very likely to be non-public.
 
If, after consideration of these questions, the Covered Employee believes that the information that they have about a company may be material and non-public, or if the Covered Employee has questions as to whether the information is material or non-public, he or she must report the matter immediately to Trading Desk Compliance/IC, the designated Compliance Officer or Legal Department. In addition, the Covered Employee must not purchase or sell any securities issued by such company on behalf of themselves or others (including on behalf of any FT Fund or Client Account), or communicate the information inside or outside Franklin Templeton.
 
Trading Desk Compliance/IC or the Compliance Officer will promptly contact the Legal Department for advice. After review of the facts, the Legal Department, Trading Desk Compliance/IC or the Compliance Officer will provide instructions to the Covered Employee. If the information in the Covered Employee’s possession is determined to be material and non-public, the Covered Employee is required to keep the information confidential and secure. Those securities for which the Covered Employee has material non-public information will be placed on restricted trading lists for a timeframe determined by the Compliance Officer.
 
SECTION 4. RELATED POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
 
4.1 Statement on Other Policies and Requirements
 In addition to the Policy, Covered Employees are required to observe the applicable policies and procedures prescribed in the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, the policies contained in the U.S. and non-U.S. employee handbooks (as applicable), and various other policies adopted by Franklin Templeton.

SECTION 5. ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY, WAIVERS & REPORTING VIOLATIONS
 
5.1
Code of Ethics Committee; Reporting to FT Fund Boards
 The Code of Ethics Committee is responsible for the administration of the Policy and provides oversight of compliance with the personal trading requirements of the Policy. Among other things, the Committee has the authority and responsibility to review the Policy periodically, review sanction guidelines for violations of the Policy and review trading violations and waivers granted.
 
At least annually, the Franklin Templeton Fund Boards will be provided with a report describing any issues arising under the Policy.
 
5.2
Violations of the Policy
 A Covered Employee that violates this Policy will be sanctioned in a manner commensurate with the violation. Prescribed sanctions range from reminder memos for a first time failure to pre-clear a transaction that would have been approved to the immediate sale of positions, disgorgement of profits, personal trading suspensions and other sanctions, up to and including termination and reporting to regulatory authorities for more serious violations.


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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics

 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 9
 

5.3
Waivers of the Policy
 The Director of Global Compliance or the Chief Compliance Officer may, in his or her discretion, waive compliance by any Covered Employee with the provisions of the Policy, if he or she finds that such a waiver:
 
(1)
is necessary to alleviate undue hardship or in view of unforeseen circumstances or is otherwise appropriate under all the relevant facts and circumstances;
 
(2)
will not be inconsistent with the purposes and objectives of the Policy;
 
(3)
will not adversely affect the interests of the FT Funds or Client Accounts or the interests of Franklin Templeton; and
 
(4)
will not result in a transaction or conduct that would violate provisions of applicable laws or regulations.
 
Any waiver will be in writing, will contain a statement of the basis for it, and any waivers granted by the Chief Compliance Officer of the relevant investment adviser will be reported to the Director of Global Compliance.
 
5.4
Reporting Violations
 Covered Employees are required to report violations of the Policy or the related Procedures, whether by themselves or by others.
 
Franklin Templeton is dedicated to providing Covered Employees with the means and opportunity to report violations of the Policy or the related Procedures, or other instances of wrongdoing, or any concerns they may have regarding ethical violations or accounting, internal control or auditing matters, including fraud. Several means are provided by which reports can be made including:
 
Compliance and Ethics Hotline:
1-800-636-6592
http://intranet/codeofethics/hotline/op_principles.htm
     
Funds Compliance Hotline:
1-888-678-8852
http://intranet/codeofethics/hotline/op_principles.htm
     
Corporate Ombudsman:
1-650-312-2832
http://intranet/codeofethics/ombudsman/index.htm
 
Franklin Templeton will not allow retaliation against any Covered Employee who has submitted a report of a violation of the Policy or the related Procedures in good faith.

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 PERSONAL INVESTMENTS OF INSIDER TRADING POLICY
                December 2018
 10

 
Appendix
 
 
Covered
Employees
Access
Persons
Portfolio
Persons
Independent
Directors
Prohibited Activities (Section 1.3)
X
X
X
X
Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)
Prohibition on Trading Activity that Conflicts with FT Funds or Client Accounts
 
X
 
X
 
X
 
X
Prohibition on Short Sales of FRI and Closed-end FT Funds
 
X
 
X
 
X
 
X
Trading in Shares of the FT Funds When in Possession of Material Non-Public Information
 
X
 
X
 
X
 
X
Short-Term Trading in Open-end FT Funds
X
X
X
X
Prohibition on Investments in Initial Public Offerings
 
X
X
 
Prohibition on Short Sales of All Securities
   
X
 
Short Swing Rule
   
X
 
Disclosure of Interest in Securities
   
X
 
Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)
Initial Certification/Acknowledgment
X
X
X
X
Initial Disclosure of Accounts and Holdings
 
X
X
 
Annual Disclosure of Accounts and Holdings
 
X
X
 
Annual Certification of Compliance
X
X
X
X
Quarterly Disclosure of Transactions
 
X
X
X*
Quarterly Disclosure of New Accounts
 
X
X
 
Pre-Clearance Requirements (Section 2.7)
 
X
X
X*
Insider Trading (Section 3)
X
X
X
X
Requirement to Report Violations (Section 5.4)
X
X
X
X
 
*Only applicable if the Independent Director, at the time of his or her transaction, knew or should have known that, during the 15 calendar day period before or after the date of the Independent Director’s transaction, the security was purchased or sold or considered for purchase or sale by an FT Fund or Client Account.


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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 
Personal Investments and Insider Trading Policy  
Highlights of Changes to the Policy from May 2013 to December 2018
 

 The following are highlights of changes made effective December 31, 2018 to the May 1, 2013 Policy.
 
Material Change
 
1. Pledging of BEN shares - added the new prohibition on Directors and Executive Officers pledging securities issued by Franklin Resources.
 
Policy Excerpt
 
Pledged Securities
 
Directors and Executive Officers are also prohibited from pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering securities issued by Franklin Resources as described in   greater detail in the Franklin Resources, Inc. Code of Ethics and Business  Conduct.
 
Non-Material Change
 
1.
Clarification of Access Person definition – removing the statement that these are a subset of Covered Employees since being an employee of an   investment adviser is not a requirement for an Access Person  classification.
 
Policy Excerpt
 
Access Persons: Access Persons, a subset of Covered Employees, are those who have access to non-public information regarding FT Funds’ or Client Accounts’ securities1  transactions; or have access to recommendations that are non-public;    or have access to non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of the   FT Funds or Client Accounts.
 
2.
Updated the department to notify when in receipt of material non-public information from GAIC to IC due to department name  change.
 


1   For purposes of the Policy and these Procedures, the term “securities” also includes derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps. See the definition of “security” in Appendix A.



Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
 
CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT
 
This Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) has been adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Franklin Resources, Inc. in connection with its oversight of the management and business affairs of Franklin Resources, Inc.
 
1.
Purpose and Overview.
 
(a)
Application. The Code is applicable to all officers, directors, employees and temporary employees (each, a “Covered Person”) of Franklin Resources, Inc. and all of its United States (“U.S.”) and non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Company”).
 
(b)
Purpose. The Code summarizes the values, principles and business practices that guide the business conduct of the Company and also provides a set of basic principles to guide Covered Persons regarding the minimum ethical requirements expected of them. The Code supplements the Company’s existing employee policies, including those specified in the respective U.S. and non-U.S. employee handbooks and also supplements various other codes of ethics, policies and procedures that have been adopted by the Company or by particular entities within the Company. All Covered Persons are expected to become familiar with the Code and to apply these principles in the daily performance of their jobs.
 
(c)
Overriding Responsibilities. It is the responsibility of all Covered Persons to maintain a work environment that fosters fairness, respect and integrity. The Company requires all Covered Persons to conduct themselves in a lawful, honest and ethical manner in all of the Company’s business practices.
 
(d)
Questions. All Covered Persons are expected to seek the advice of a supervisor, a manager, the Human Resources Department, the Legal Department, the General Counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc. or the Global Compliance Department for additional guidance or if there is any question about issues discussed in this Code.
 
(e)
Violations. If any Covered Person observes possible unethical or illegal conduct, such concerns or complaints should be reported as set forth in Section 16 below.
 
(f)
Definition of Executive Officer. For the purposes of this Code, the term “Executive Officer” shall mean those officers, as shall be determined by the Board from time to time, who are subject to the reporting obligations of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(g)
Definition of Director. For purposes of this Code, the term “Director” shall mean a member of the Board.


Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

(h)
Definition of Government Agency. For purposes of this Code, the term “Government Agency” includes any U.S. or non-U.S. national, federal, provincial, regional, state, or local government agency, commission or legislative body, or self- regulatory organization, including, by way of representative example only, any securities, financial, employment and labor regulators.
 
2.
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations. All Covered Persons of the Company are required to comply with all of the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the U.S. and other countries, and the states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions, in which the Company conducts its business, although traffic violations and other minor offenses will not be considered violations of this Code. Local laws may in some instances be less restrictive than the principles set forth in this Code. In those situations, Covered Persons should comply with the Code, even if the conduct would otherwise be legal under applicable local laws. On the other hand, if local laws are more restrictive than the Code, Covered Persons should comply with applicable local laws. Further, any provision of this Code that is contrary to law in a particular jurisdiction will have no force or effect in that jurisdiction solely with respect to such provision(s), although this Code (including any such provision) will remain applicable in all other jurisdictions.
 
3.
Securities Transactions.
 
(a)
Insider Trading. Such legal compliance includes, without limitation, compliance with the Company’s insider trading policy, which prohibits Covered Persons from trading securities, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of applicable material non-public information or communicating such material non- public information to others in violation of the law. Securities include common stocks, bonds, options, futures and other financial instruments. Material information includes any information that a reasonable investor would consider important in a decision to buy, hold, or sell securities. These laws provide substantial civil and criminal penalties for individuals who fail to comply. The policy is described in more detail in various Company employee handbooks and compliance policies. In addition, the Company has implemented trading restrictions to reduce the risk, or appearance, of insider trading.
 
(b)
Rule 10b5-1(c) Plans. The Company may permit exemptions from the insider trading policies and procedures described above for transactions in securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. effected pursuant to pre-approved, written trading plans or arrangements complying with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Rule 10b5-1(c) plans or arrangements may not be entered into or modified either during trading blackout periods or when the Covered Person is aware of material, non-public information relating to Franklin Resources, Inc. or its securities. All such plans or arrangements (and any modification or termination thereof) must be pre-approved by the General Counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc. (or such person’s designee).
 
(c)
Rumors. The dissemination of false or misleading information about companies or securities, particularly in volatile or fragile market conditions, can be a damaging form of market abuse which can affect both the firm concerned as well as  general
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
market conditions. It is against the law to start or circulate a rumor (defined as “information that is circulated purporting to be fact but which has not yet been verified”) if that rumor is likely to influence the market price of that security or that a reasonable person would expect to have a material effect on the price of a security if it were widely circulated. Starting or disseminating any rumor with the intention of influencing the price movement of a security is a breach of this Code and may also constitute a violation of securities laws.
 
(d)
Short Sales. Covered Persons are prohibited from effecting short sales, including “short sales against the box” of securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. and securities issued by any closed-end fund sponsored or advised by the Company. Also prohibited are economically equivalent transactions, whether in the form of call or put options, swap transactions or other derivative transactions, that would result in a Covered Person having a net short exposure to Franklin Resources, Inc. or any closed-end fund sponsored or advised by the Company.
 
(e)
Short-term Trading. Covered Persons must comply with the Frequent Trading Policy described in the prospectus of each fund in which they invest and must not engage in trading activity that violates that policy. Accordingly, Covered Persons must not engage in any short-term or excessive trading in funds. Violations are subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment and permanent suspension of such person’s ability to purchase shares in any funds.
 
(f)
Pledged Securities.
 
(i)
Unless otherwise previously approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee, Directors and Executive Officers are prohibited from directly  or indirectly pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. as collateral for indebtedness. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, holding such securities in a margin account that could cause securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. to be subject to a margin call or serve as collateral for a margin loan. Securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. which were not received by the Director or Executive Officer as compensation are not subject to this prohibition, provided that the pledge of such securities does not cause the holder to be out of compliance with applicable Stock Ownership Guidelines.
 
(ii)
Any subject pledge of securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. by any Director or Executive Officer in existence as of December 11, 2018, must be released within two years. If any person has subject securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. pledged as collateral or held in a margin account when such person becomes a Director or Executive Officer, the pledge must be released within one year from the date the person became a Director or Executive Officer.


 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

(g)
Questions Regarding Securities Transactions. All questions regarding insider trading or reports of impropriety in connection with securities transactions should be made to the Global Compliance Department.  See also Section 16 below.
 
4.
Conflicts of Interest.
 
(a)
Avoidance of Conflicts. All Covered Persons are required to conduct themselves in a manner and with such ethics and integrity so as to avoid a conflict of interest, either real or apparent.
 
(b)
Conflict of Interest Defined. A conflict of interest is any circumstance where an individual’s personal interest interferes with the interests of the Company. All Covered Persons have a duty to avoid financial, business or other relationships that might be opposed to the interests of the Company or might cause a conflict with the performance of their duties.
 
(c)
Potential Conflict Situations. A conflict can arise when a Covered Person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company related work objectively and effectively. Conflicts also may arise when a Covered Person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company.
 
(d)
Examples of Potential Conflicts. Some of the areas where a conflict could arise include:
 
(i)
Employment by a competitor, regardless of the nature of the employment, while employed by the Company.
 
(ii)
Placement of business with any firm or organization in which a Covered Person, or any member of the Covered Person’s family, has a substantial ownership interest or management responsibility.
 
(iii)
Making endorsements or testimonials for third parties.
 
(iv)
Processing a transaction on the Covered Person’s personal account(s), or his or her friends’ or family members’ account(s), through the Company’s internal systems without first submitting the transaction request to the Company’s Customer Service Center.
 
(v)
Disclosing the Company’s confidential information to a third party (other than as permitted in accordance with Section 9 below) without the prior consent of senior management.
 
(e)
Questions Regarding Conflicts. All questions regarding conflicts of interest and whether a particular situation constitutes a conflict of interest should be directed to the Global Compliance Department.  See also Section 16 below.


 

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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

5.
Corporate Opportunities. Covered Persons are prohibited from (i) taking for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company property, information or   position,
(ii) using Company property, information or position for personal gain, and/or (iii) competing with the Company. For example, to the extent that a Covered Person learns of an investment opportunity because of their position with the Company, the Covered Person must not disadvantage fund or client accounts by personally taking advantage of the trading opportunity.
 
6.
Gifts, Entertainment and Contributions.
 
(a)
Receipt of Gifts and Entertainment. The Company’s aim is to deter providers of gifts or entertainment from seeking or receiving special favors from Covered Persons in connection with activities performed by or for, or business relationships established with, the Company. The concern is that gifts of more than a nominal value may cause Covered Persons to feel placed in a position of “obligation” and/or give the appearance of a conflict of interest. Covered Persons should not solicit any third party for any gift, gratuity, entertainment or any other item regardless of its value. Covered Persons, including members of their immediate families, may accept or participate in “reasonable entertainment”. Covered Persons are encouraged to be guided by their own sense of ethical responsibility, along with any policies or guidelines adopted from time to time by the Company with respect to gifts and entertainment. The Company recognizes that this Section 6 is not intended to limit Directors who do not also serve in management positions within the Company from accepting compensation, bonuses, fees and other similar consideration paid in the normal course of business as a result of their outside business activity, employment or directorships.
 
(b)
Anti-Corruption. All Covered Persons are strictly prohibited from offering or giving gifts, meals or entertainment to business partners or others (including government officials, government employees, certain other government-related entities and persons, and certain family members of the foregoing) in order to improperly influence them. Covered Persons should consult the Company’s Anti- Corruption Policy before providing gifts or other items of value, including entertainment and travel, to others and should seek to avoid even the appearance of any impropriety. Covered Persons should be aware that practices that may be acceptable in the commercial business environment (such as providing certain transportation, meals, entertainment and other things of value) may be unacceptable and even illegal when they involve government officials, government employees, certain other government-related entities and persons, or certain family members   of the foregoing, or others who act on behalf of government entities or persons. Therefore, Covered Persons are required to comply with the relevant laws and regulations governing relations between government officials, government employees and related entities or persons, on the one hand, and customers and suppliers, on the other hand, in every country where the Company conducts business.
 
(c)
Political Contributions and Trade Association Fees.

 

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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

(i)
Election laws in many jurisdictions generally prohibit political contributions by corporations to candidates. Many local laws also prohibit corporate contributions to local political campaigns. In accordance with these laws, the Company does not make direct contributions to any candidates for federal, state or local offices where applicable laws make such contributions illegal and, in such cases, contributions to political campaigns must not be made with or reimbursed by the Company’s funds or resources. The Company’s funds and resources include (but are not limited to) the Company’s facilities, office supplies, letterhead, telephones and fax machines. Similarly, employee’s personal political contributions may be restricted by U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state or local election laws. For certain employees associated with U.S.-registered investment advisers, political contributions are highly restricted and require prior approval. Employees should direct all questions concerning political contributions to the Global Compliance Department.
 
(ii)
Franklin may pay fees or dues to trade associations and similar groups that provide information and assistance on issues of concern to Franklin. Payments to trade associations are restricted and require the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or a designee.
 
7.
Outside Employment.
 
(a)
Restrictions. Subject to any departmental restrictions, Covered Persons are permitted to engage in outside employment if it is free of any actions that could be considered a conflict of interest. Outside employment must not adversely affect a Covered Person’s job performance at the Company, and outside employment must not result in absenteeism, tardiness or a Covered Person’s inability to work overtime when requested or required. Covered Persons may not engage in outside employment that requires or involves using Company time, materials or resources.
 
(b)
Self-Employment. For purposes of this Code, outside employment includes self- employment.
 
(c)
Required Approvals. Due to the fiduciary nature of the Company’s business, all potential conflicts of interest that could result from a Covered Person’s outside employment should be discussed with the Covered Person’s supervisor or manager and the Human Resources Department, prior to entering into additional employment relationships.
 
(d)
Outside Directors Exempt. The Company recognizes that this Section 7 is not applicable to Directors who do not also serve in management positions within the Company.
 
8.
Service as a Director. Covered Persons may not serve as a director, trustee, or in a similar capacity for any for-profit public or private entity, without approval of an Executive Officer and the Director of Global Compliance, or their respective designees.          Covered Persons who are

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
interested in serving on a board of directors, as a trustee or in a similar capacity should consult the Franklin Templeton Investments Employee Service as an Outside Director Policy and notify the Code of Ethics Administration Department. The Company recognizes that this Section 8 is not applicable to Directors who do not also serve in management positions within the Company.
 
9.
Confidential Information Obligations.
 
(a)
Confidentiality. Covered Persons are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information entrusted to them as a result of their roles with the Company, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. The sensitive nature of the investment business requires that Covered Persons be continuously aware of the confidential nature of the information to which they may have access.
 
As a result of employment or service with the Company, a Covered Person may produce, receive, or become acquainted with the confidential information or trade secrets of the Company, information the Company has received from others that  the Company is required to treat as confidential, including information concerning the Company’s employees, stockholders, clients, customers, business partners, and mutual fund shareholders and other product investors, and other commercially sensitive information the privacy, confidentiality, and secrecy of which is valued  by the Company (collectively, “Confidential Information”). Each Covered Person must comply with all applicable Company policies concerning confidentiality and/or public statements, as they may be amended from time to time.
 
(b)
What Is Included in Confidential Information. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, non-public corporate and mutual fund and other product: financial information, including cost and performance data, debt arrangements, equity structure, investors and holdings, purchasing and sales data, and pricing lists or schedules; client and business prospect identities and information (including but not limited to financial advisors and consultants and sales information); marketing strategies and methods; market analyses or projections; products, services, and the pricing for same; business plans, strategies, methods, templates, models, policies and procedures; software, databases, hardware configurations, or other technology or tools created, developed or compiled by the Company; formulas, discoveries, inventions, designs, improvements, concepts and ideas; client, supplier, or other third party confidential and/or proprietary information received in confidence by the Company, and any information that may be subject to non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements between the Company and said parties; any confidential and privileged legal advice given to the Company, which legal privilege belongs to the Company; applicant and employee private or otherwise protected information  or data obtained by  a  Covered  Person  in  connection  with  the  Covered  Person’s employment or service with the Company, including, but not limited to, personal information contained in applications and resumes submitted to the Company  and  in  Company  performance  evaluations,  and  Company  termination information and agreements not otherwise available outside of the Company; the Company’s internal reporting or organizational structure  information and personnel lists; and the Company’s compensation structure     and
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
formula information (except with respect to a Covered Person’s own compensation amount) for any business purpose competitive to the Company.
 
Nothing herein is intended to prohibit, limit, or dissuade (or create or suggest any understanding of a Covered Person’s rights that would prohibit, limit, or dissuade) a Covered Person from engaging in activities protected by applicable law, including under U.S. federal or state law, such as the National Labor Relations Act or under any similar laws in other jurisdictions, for example by communicating with fellow employees or others about their wages, hours, workplace complaints, benefits or other terms of employment.
 
Confidential Information shall not include information that has become generally available to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any right or privilege of the Company, the Company’s employees, or the Company’s business partners, stockholders, clients, mutual fund shareholders or other product investors.
 
(c)
Disclosure Restrictions. Except as provided in Section 9(e) below, both during a Covered Person’s employment or service with the Company (except where use and/or disclosure is required and authorized in connection with the Covered Person’s enumerated job duties to third parties with confidentiality obligations to the Company) and after a Covered Person’s employment or service with the Company ends for any reason, a Covered Person must: (i) keep the Confidential Information confidential; (ii) not disclosure any Confidential Information to any non-governmental third parties, including without limitation any former Company employees, without the prior consent of senior management; and (iii) not use Confidential Information for the Covered Person’s personal benefit or for the benefit of any third party.
 
(d)
Continuing Obligations. The obligations under this Code shall: (i) with regard to Confidential Information, remain in effect for so long as such information constitutes Confidential Information as defined in this Code; and (ii) with regard to any trade secret specifically, remain in effect for as long as such information constitutes a trade secret as defined by applicable law.
 
(e)
Exception For Disclosure to a Government Agency. Nothing in this Code shall limit or interfere with a Covered Person’s right to file a charge or complaint with any Government Agency or ability, without notice to or authorization from the Company, to communicate with any Government Agency for the purpose of reporting a reasonable belief that a possible violation of law has occurred or may occur, or to participate, cooperate, provide information or cause information to be provided (including documents) or testify in any inquiry, investigation, proceeding or action that may be conducted by any Government Agency.
 
(f)
Responding to Legal Process. Separately, to the extent a Covered Person receives any subpoena, court order, or other legal process issued in any private litigation or arbitration regarding any matter or action involving the Company, then to the extent

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
permitted by law or regulation, the Covered Person shall, before providing any Confidential Information, give prompt prior written notice to the Company’s General Counsel in order to provide the Company with a reasonable opportunity to take appropriate steps to protect its Confidential Information to the fullest extent possible.
 
(g)
Acknowledgments. All Covered Persons of the Company are expected to sign an agreement or acknowledgment regarding the confidentiality terms set forth above at the time they become employed with the Company, and from time to time as the Company may amend its confidentiality provisions.
 
10.
Ownership of Intellectual Property.
 
(a)
Company Ownership. The Company owns all Intellectual Property, as defined below, in all of the works and inventions created or made by a Covered Person at and/or for the Company, whether partial or completed. A Covered Person shall hold on trust for, and is obligated to assign to, the Company all Intellectual Property that does not by operation of law in any specific jurisdiction automatically vest in the Company, in any works or inventions that the Covered Person creates or develops, alone or with others, while working for the Company.
 
(b)
What Is Included in Intellectual Property. “Intellectual Property” includes all trademarks and service marks, trade secrets, patents and patent subject matter and inventor rights in the U.S. and foreign countries and related applications. It includes all U.S. and foreign copyrights and subject matter and all other literary property and author rights, whether or not copyrightable. It includes all creations, not limited to inventions, discoveries, developments, works of authorship, ideas and know-how. It does not matter whether or not the Company can protect them   by patent, copyright, trade secrets, trade names, trade or service marks or other intellectual property right. It also includes all materials containing any intellectual property. These materials include but are not limited to flash drives and other electronic media storage devices now known or hereafter developed, electronic files, printouts, notebooks, drawings, artwork and other record types, media, or documentation. To the extent applicable, non-trade secret intellectual property constitutes a “work made for hire” owned by the Company.
 
(c)
Exceptions. The Company will not be considered to have a proprietary interest in   a Covered Person’s work product if: (i) the work product is developed entirely on the Covered Person’s own time without the use or aid of any Company resources, including without limitation, equipment, supplies, facilities, or Confidential Information; (ii) the work product does not result from the Covered Person’s employment with the Company; and (iii) at the time a Covered Person conceives   or reduces the creation to practice, it is neither related to the Company’s business nor the Company’s actual or expected research or development.
 
(d)
Required Disclosure and Cooperation. A Covered Person must promptly disclose in writing to the Company all Intellectual Property conceived or developed   while
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
working for the Company. To the extent not otherwise covered by the power of attorney required to be granted to the Company in accordance with Section 10(f) below, if requested, a Covered Person must sign all documents necessary to memorialize the Company’s ownership of Intellectual Property under and in accordance with this Code, including, but not limited to, assignments and patent, copyright and trademark applications. A Covered Person must take any other actions reasonably required by the Company to accomplish the assignment contemplated in this section, and to assist the Company in any registration, perfection, or enforcement of such assigned rights.
 
(e)
Prior Inventions. A Covered Person is not conveying any rights to Intellectual Property that the person may have made, conceived, or first reduced to practice before the person’s employment or service with the Company of which the person has provided written notice to the Company.
 
(f)
Acknowledgments, Powers of Attorney and Waiver of Moral Rights. All Covered Persons of the Company are expected to sign an agreement or acknowledgment regarding the intellectual property terms set forth herein at the time they become employed with the Company, and from time to time as the Company may amend its intellectual property provisions. All employees are expected to (i) execute powers of attorney in favor of the Company to have the Company execute on the person’s behalf all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments that the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for them and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company and its successors, assigns and nominees sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property and/or rights relating thereto; and (ii) waive all applicable moral rights under the United Kingdom Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (and all similar rights in other jurisdictions) that the person has or will have in any existing or future Intellectual Property referred to in this Section 10.
 
11.
Fair Dealing. Each Covered Person should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and Covered Persons and not to take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practice.
 
12.
Protection and Use of Company Property. All Covered Persons should protect the Company’s assets and ensure they are used for legitimate business purposes. Improper use includes unauthorized personal appropriation or use of the Company’s assets, data or resources, including computer equipment, software and data.
 
13.
Standards of Business Conduct.
 
(a)
Respectful Work Environment. The Company is committed to fostering a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual should be permitted to work in a business-like atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities.

 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

(b)
Prohibited Conduct. The following conduct will not be tolerated and could result in disciplinary action, including termination:
 
(i)
Any act which causes doubt about a Covered Person’s integrity, such as the falsifying of Company records and documents, competing in business with the Company, unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s Confidential Information, or engaging in any criminal conduct.
 
(ii)
Any act which may create a dangerous situation, such as carrying weapons, firearms or explosives on Company premises or surrounding areas, assaulting another individual, or disregarding property and safety standards.
 
(iii)
The use, sale or purchase or attempted use, sale or purchase of alcohol or illegal drugs while at work or reporting to work in a condition not fit for work, such as reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
 
(iv)
Insubordination, including refusal to perform a job assignment or to follow a reasonable request from a Covered Person’s manager or supervisor, or discourteous conduct toward customers, associates, or supervisors.
 
(v)
Harassment of any form including threats, intimidation, abusive behavior and/or coercion of any other person in the course of doing business.
 
(vi)
Falsification or destruction of any timekeeping record, intentionally clocking in on another Covered Person’s attendance or timekeeping record, assisting another Covered Person’s tampering with their attendance record or tampering with one’s own attendance record.
 
(vii)
Failure to perform work, which meets the standards/expectations of the Covered Person’s position.
 
(viii)
Excessive unauthorized absenteeism, chronic tardiness, or consecutive absence of three or more days without notification or authorization.
 
(ix)
Any act of dishonesty or falsification of any Company records or documents, including obtaining employment based on false, misleading, or omitted information.
 
(c)
Disciplinary Action. A Covered Person or the Company may terminate the employment or service relationship at will, at any time, without cause or advance notice. Thus, the Company does not strictly adhere to a progressive disciplinary system since each incident of misconduct may have a different set of circumstances or differ in its severity. The Company will take such disciplinary action as it deems appropriate and commensurate with any misconduct of the Covered Person.


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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

14.
Disclosure in Reports and Documents.
 
(a)
Filings and Public Materials. It is important that the Company’s filings with Government Agencies are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. The Company also makes many filings with Government Agencies on behalf of the funds that its subsidiaries and affiliates manage. Further, the Company prepares mutual fund account statements, client investment performance information, prospectuses and advertising materials that are sent out to its mutual fund shareholders and clients.
 
(b)
Disclosure and Reporting Policy. The Company’s policy is to comply with all disclosure, financial reporting and accounting regulations applicable to the Company. The Company maintains the highest commitment to its disclosure and reporting requirements and expects all Covered Persons to record information accurately and truthfully in the books and records of the Company.
 
(c)
Information for Filings. Depending on his or her position with the Company, a Covered Person may be called upon to provide necessary information to ensure that the Company’s public reports and regulatory filings are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. The Company expects all Covered Persons to be diligent in providing accurate information to the inquiries that are made related to the Company’s public disclosure requirements.
 
(d)
Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Covered Persons are required to cooperate and comply with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting so that the Company’s reports and documents filed with Government Agencies comply in all material respects with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.
 
15.
Accountability for Adherence to the Code.
 
(a)
Honesty and Integrity. The Company is committed to uphold ethical standards in all of its corporate and business activities. All Covered Persons are expected to perform their work with honesty, truthfulness and integrity and to comply with the general principles set forth in the Code. Covered Persons are also expected to perform their work with honesty and integrity in any areas not specifically addressed by the Code.
 
(b)
Disciplinary Actions. A violation of the Code may result in appropriate disciplinary action including the possible termination from employment with the Company. Nothing in this Code restricts the Company from taking any disciplinary action on any matters pertaining to the conduct of a Covered Person, whether or not expressly set forth in the Code.
 
(c)
Annual Certifications. Directors and Executive Officers will be required to certify annually, on a form to be provided by the Global Compliance Department, that they
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 
have received, read and understand the Code and have complied with the requirements of the Code.
 
(d)
Training and Educational Requirements.
 
(i)
Orientation. New Covered Persons will receive a copy of the Code during the orientation process conducted by representatives of the Human Resources Department and shall acknowledge that they have received, read and understand the Code and will comply with the requirements of the Code.
 
(ii)
Continuing Education. Covered Persons shall be required to complete such additional training and continuing education requirements regarding the Code and matters related to the Code as the Company shall from time to time establish.
 
16.
Reporting Violations of the Code.
 
(a)
Questions and Concerns. Described in this Code are procedures generally available for addressing ethical issues that may arise. As a general matter, if a Covered Person has any questions or concerns about compliance with this Code, he or she is encouraged to speak with his or her supervisor, manager, representatives of the Human Resources Department, the Legal Department, the General Counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc. or the Global Compliance Department.
 
(b)
Compliance and Ethics Hotline. If a Covered Person does not feel comfortable talking to any of the persons listed above for any reason, he or she should call the Compliance and Ethics Hotline. (The telephone number for the Compliance and Ethics Hotline is located on the Company’s Intranet website.) If a Covered Person does not feel comfortable stating his or her name, calls to the Compliance and Ethics Hotline may be made anonymously.
 
(c)
Responsibility to Report Violations of the Code and Law. As part of its commitment to ethical and lawful conduct, the Company strongly encourages Covered Persons to promptly report any suspected violations of this Code or law.
 
(d)
Confidentiality and Investigation. The Company will treat the information set forth in a report of any suspected violation of the Code or law, including the identity of the caller, in a confidential manner and will conduct a prompt and appropriate evaluation and investigation of any matter reported. Covered Persons are expected to cooperate in any investigations of reported violations.
 
(e)
Protection of Covered Persons. It is a violation of this Code to retaliate against anyone who has communicated to the Company information that such person reasonably believes constitutes a violation of the Code or which is otherwise illegal or unethical. It is also a violation of this Code to retaliate against anyone who has communicated with any Government Agency in accordance with Section 9(e) above. A Covered Person may not be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened,
 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
harassed or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment on account of having provided the Company with information about, or otherwise assisted the Company in any investigation regarding, any conduct which the Covered Person reasonably believes constitutes a violation of  the Code or is otherwise illegal or unethical. Equally, a Covered Person may not   be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because the Covered Person communicated with a Government Agency in accordance with Section 9(e) above.
 
(f)
Accounting/Auditing Complaints. The law requires that the Company’s Audit Committee have in place procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints concerning accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and procedures for Covered Persons to submit their concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
 
Complaints concerning accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be directed to the attention of the Audit Committee, or the appropriate members of that committee. For direct access to the Company’s Audit Committee, please address complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters to:
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 
Audit Committee
Franklin Resources, Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, California 94403
 
Complaints or concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters may also be made to the Compliance and Ethics Hotline. (The telephone number for the Compliance and Ethics Hotline is located on the Company’s Intranet website.) If a Covered Person does not feel comfortable stating his or her name, calls to the Compliance and Ethics Hotline may be made anonymously.
 
17.
Waivers of the Code.
 
(a)
Waivers by Directors and Executive Officers. Any change in or waiver of this Code for Directors or Executive Officers may be made only by the Board or a committee thereof in the manner described in Section 17(d) below, and any such waiver (including any implicit waiver) shall be promptly disclosed to stockholders of Franklin Resources, Inc. to the extent required by the applicable laws, rules and regulations of any Government Agency.
 
(b)
Waivers by Other Covered Persons. Any requests for waivers of this Code for Covered Persons other than Directors and Executive Officers may be made to the Global Compliance Department in the manner described in Section 17(e) below.
 
(c)
Definition of Waiver. For the purposes of the Code, the term “waiver” shall mean    a material departure from a provision of the Code. An “implicit waiver” shall mean the failure of the Company to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Code that has been made known to an Executive Officer.
 
(d)
Manner for Requesting Director and Executive Officer Waivers.
 
(i)
Request and Criteria. If a Director or Executive Officer wishes to request   a waiver of this Code, the Director or Executive Officer may submit to the Director of Global Compliance or the Global Compliance Department a written request for a waiver of the Code only if he/she can demonstrate that such a waiver:
 
(A)
is necessary to alleviate undue hardship or in view of unforeseen circumstances or is otherwise appropriate under all the relevant facts and circumstances;
 
(B)
will not be inconsistent with the purposes and objectives of the Code;
 
(C)
will not adversely affect the interests of clients of the Company or the interests of the Company; and
 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

(D)
will not result in a transaction or conduct that would violate provisions of applicable laws or regulations.
 
(ii)
Discretionary Waiver and Response. The Global Compliance Department will forward the waiver request to the Board or a committee thereof for consideration. Any decision to grant a waiver from the Code shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of the Board or committee thereof, as appropriate. The Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc. will advise the Global Compliance Department in writing of the Board’s decision regarding the waiver, including the grounds for granting or denying the waiver request. The Global Compliance Department shall promptly advise the Director or Executive Officer in writing of the Board’s decision.
 
(e)
Manner for Requesting Other Covered Person Waivers.
 
(i)
Request and Criteria. If a Covered Person who is a non-Director and non- Executive Officer wishes to request a waiver of this Code, the Covered Person may submit to the Global Compliance Department a written request for a waiver of the Code only if he/she can demonstrate that such a waiver would satisfy the same criteria set forth in Section 17(d).
 
(ii)
Discretionary Waiver and Response. The Director of Global Compliance (or his/her designee) shall, after appropriate consultation with the applicable business unit head, forward the waiver request to the General Counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc. for consideration. The decision to grant a waiver request shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of the General Counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc. The General Counsel will advise the Global Compliance Department in writing of his/her decision regarding the waiver, including the grounds for granting or denying the waiver request. The Global Compliance Department shall promptly advise the Covered Person in writing of the General Counsel’s decision.
 
18.
Internal Use. The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Company and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Company, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.
 
19.
Other Policies and Procedures. The following nonexclusive list of policies and procedures adopted by the Company or entities within the Company are additional requirements that, depending upon the specific terms of such policies and procedures, may apply to Covered Persons:
 

·
Franklin Resources, Inc. Anti-Corruption Policy

·
Franklin Resources, Inc. Fraud Reporting & Investigation Policy

·
Franklin Resources, Inc. Trading Blackout Policy

·
Franklin Templeton Investments Corporate Policy on Public and Media Communications
 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 
 

·
Franklin Templeton Investments Employee Service as an Outside Director Policy

·
Franklin Templeton Investments’ Personal Investments and Insider Trading Policy

·
Franklin Templeton Investments Social Media Guidelines Policy

 
Last approved by the Board on December 11, 2018.

 

 
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Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 



 

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Revision Summary
 

 
Part 3 Securities Transactions - Section (f) was added:
 
(f)
Pledged Securities.

(i)
Unless otherwise previously approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee, Directors and Executive Officers are prohibited from directly or indirectly pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. as collateral for indebtedness. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, holding such securities in a margin account that could cause securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. to be subject to a margin call or serve as collateral for a margin loan. Securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. which were not received by the Director or Executive Officer as compensation are not subject to this prohibition, provided that the pledge of such securities does not cause the holder to be out of compliance with applicable Stock Ownership Guidelines.
 
(ii)
Any subject pledge of securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. by any Director or Executive Officer in existence as of December 11, 2018, must be released within two years. If any person has subject securities issued by Franklin Resources, Inc. pledged as collateral or held in a margin account when such person becomes a Director or Executive Officer, the pledge must be released within one year from the date the person became a Director or Executive Officer.



Joint Meeting of the Boards of Trustees - Approval of Amended Codes of Ethics
 

 

 
CODE OF ETHICS CERTIFICATION


The undersigned, in his /her capacity as Chief Compliance Officer of Franklin Advisers, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”), hereby certifies to the Chief Compliance Officer and the Board of Trustees of the GPS Funds II (the “Trust”), the following:
 
1.
The Sub-Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) pursuant to, and in compliance with, Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
 
2.
The Sub-Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the provisions of its Code;
 
3.
The Sub-Adviser’s Code contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating Rule 17j-1; and
 
4.
In accordance with Rule 17j-1, the Sub-Adviser has submitted its Code to the Trust’s Board of Trustees for approval.
 
5.
All access persons required to report under the Code have done so in compliance with the Code and Rule 17j-1; and
 
6.
All material violations of the Code and any sanctions imposed in response to such violations have been reported to the Trust’s Board of Trustees in compliance with Rule 17j-1 and the Trust’s Code.
 

Witness my hand this 29th day of January 2019.

                      
Signature
 
Breda Beckerle                                               
Printed Name
 
Chief Compliance Officer                              
Title