Deutsche Global High Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:LBF), Deutsche High
Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DHG), Deutsche High Income Trust
(NYSE:KHI), Deutsche Multi-Market Income Trust (NYSE:KMM), Deutsche
Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:KTF), Deutsche Strategic Income Trust
(NYSE:KST) and Deutsche Strategic Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:KSM)
(each, a “Fund,” and, collectively, the “Funds”) announced today
that the recent settlements involving Deutsche Bank AG and DB Group
Services (UK) Ltd. (described below) (the “Settlements”) do not involve
the Funds, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., or its advisory
or distribution affiliates (the “DB Service Providers”). The DB Service
Providers have informed the Funds that, subject to the receipt of a
permanent exemptive order (described below), the DB Service Providers
believe the Settlements will not have any material impact on the Funds
or on the ability of the DB Service Providers to perform services for
the Funds.
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (the “Advisor”), with
headquarters at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, is the investment
advisor for the Funds. The Advisor is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG.
On April 23, 2015, Deutsche Bank AG announced that it had reached an
agreement with the United States Department of Justice to resolve an
investigation concerning claims that its indirect wholly owned
subsidiary, DB Group Services (UK) Ltd., engaged in a scheme to defraud
counterparties to interest rate derivatives trades executed on its
behalf by manipulating benchmark interest rates to which the
profitability of those trades was tied. Pursuant to its plea agreement
(the “Plea Agreement”) with the Department of Justice, DB Group Services
(UK) Ltd. entered a plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (the “District
Court”) in violation of federal law related to the conduct (the
“Conduct”) described in the Plea Agreement and agreed (i) to work with
Deutsche Bank AG in fulfilling the obligations described in the
undertakings given by Deutsche Bank AG in connection with resolving
investigations by certain other U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory agencies
that have addressed the Conduct; (ii) to continue to cooperate fully
with the Department of Justice and any other law enforcement or
government agency designated by the Department of Justice in a manner
consistent with applicable law and regulations; and (iii) to pay a fine
of $150 million. The DB Service Providers and DB Group Services (UK)
Ltd. expect that the District Court will enter a judgment against DB
Group Services (UK) Ltd. that will require remedies that are materially
the same as those set forth in the Plea Agreement.
The events leading up to the guilty plea did not arise out of the
investment advisory or mutual fund management activities of Deutsche
Bank AG or its affiliates, including the Advisor.
In addition, Deutsche Bank AG entered into a deferred prosecution
agreement (the “Deferred Prosecution Agreement”) with the Department of
Justice on April 23, 2015 relating to submissions of London Interbank
Offered Rate for U.S. Dollar and certain other benchmark interest rates.
In the Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Deutsche Bank AG has agreed,
among other things, (i) to continue to cooperate fully with the
Department of Justice and any other law enforcement or government agency
designated by the Department of Justice until the conclusion of all
investigations and prosecutions arising out of the conduct described in
the Deferred Prosecution Agreement; (ii) to retain an independent
compliance monitor for three years, subject to extension or, at the sole
discretion of the Department of Justice, early termination, to be
selected by the Department of Justice from among qualified candidates
proposed by Deutsche Bank AG; (iii) to further strengthen its internal
controls as recommended by the monitor as well as required by certain
other U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory agencies that have addressed the
misconduct described in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement; and (iv) to
the payment of $625 million. Deutsche Bank AG has also agreed to
settlement agreements with other U.S. and foreign regulators relating to
these matters.
As a result of the Plea Agreement, absent an order from the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Advisor and its affiliates
would not be able to continue to provide investment advisory or
underwriting services to the Deutsche Funds. The SEC has granted a
temporary order to permit the Advisor or its affiliates to provide
investment advisory and underwriting services to registered investment
companies. The Advisor and its affiliates have submitted an application
for a permanent order; however, there is no assurance that the SEC will
grant a permanent order.
For more information on the Funds, including their most recent month-end
performance, visit www.dws-investments.com
or call (800) 349-4281.
Important Information
Deutsche Global High Income Fund, Inc. seeks high current income with
a secondary objective of capital appreciation. Bond investments
are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to
varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments
of principal and interest. Floating rate loans tend to be rated
below-investment-grade and may be more vulnerable to economic or
business changes than issuers with investment-grade credit. Investing in
foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents
certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic
changes, and market risks. Leverage results in additional risks and can
magnify the effect of any gains or losses.
Deutsche High Income Opportunities Fund, Inc. seeks high current
income with a secondary objective of total return. The Fund pursues its
investment objectives by investing primarily in securities designed to
generate income, with the potential for capital appreciation being a
secondary consideration. The Fund may invest in a broad range of
income-producing securities, including, but not limited to, domestic and
foreign debt securities of any credit quality or maturity (including
below investment grade debt securities and debt securities of issuers
located in countries with new or emerging securities markets),
convertible securities (including convertible bonds), dividend-paying
common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities of real estate
investment trusts (“REITS”), energy trusts and other investment
companies. The Fund may invest in debt securities not paying
interest currently and securities in default. In addition, the
Fund may invest in senior bank loans, including bank loan participations
and assignments. The Fund may buy or sell protection on credit exposure
and may also purchase securities on a when-issued basis and engage in
short sales. The Fund may invest in cash or money market
instruments in the event portfolio management determines that securities
meeting the Fund’s investment objectives are not readily available for
purchase. Future earnings of the Fund cannot be guaranteed and the
Fund's dividend policy is subject to change. Any fund that concentrates
in a particular segment of the market will generally be more volatile
than a fund that invests more broadly. Bond investments are subject to
interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees.
When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers
to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and
interest. Investments in lower-quality (“junk bonds”) and non-rated
securities present greater risk of loss than investments in
higher-quality securities. There are special risks associated with an
investment in real estate, including REITs. These risks include credit
risk, interest rate fluctuations and the impact of varied economic
conditions. Stocks may decline in value. Investing in foreign
securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain
risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes,
and market risks. Investing in derivatives entails special risks
relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns
and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can
magnify the effect of any gains or losses.
Deutsche High Income Trust seeks to provide the highest current
income obtainable, consistent with reasonable risk, with capital gains
secondary. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate and
credit risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments
of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality (“junk bonds”)
and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments
in higher-quality securities. Investing in derivatives entails special
risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns
and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can
magnify the effect of any gains or losses. Investing in foreign
securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain
risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes,
and market risks.
Deutsche Multi-Market Income Trust seeks to provide high income
consistent with prudent total return. The fund invests in a range of
income-producing securities such as U.S. corporate fixed-income
securities and debt obligations of foreign governments, their agencies
and instrumentalities which may be denominated in foreign currencies and
may not be rated. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit,
liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise,
bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an
issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in
lower-quality (“junk bonds”) and non-rated securities present greater
risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Investing in
derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and
credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Leverage
results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any gains or
losses. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging
markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations,
political and economic changes, and market risks.
Deutsche Municipal Income Trust seeks to provide high current income
exempt from federal income tax by investing in a diversified portfolio
of investment-grade tax-exempt securities. Bond investments are
subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying
degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit
risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of
principal and interest. Investing in derivatives entails special risks
relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns
and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can
magnify the effect of any gains or losses. Although the fund seeks
income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the fund’s
distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxes,
including the alternative minimum tax.
Deutsche Strategic Income Trust seeks to provide high current income
by investing its assets in a combination of (a) lower-rated, corporate
fixed-income securities; (b) fixed-income securities of emerging markets
and other foreign issuers; and (c) fixed-income securities of the US
government and its agencies and instrumentalities, and mortgage-backed
issuers. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit,
liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise,
bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an
issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in
lower-quality (“junk bonds”) and non-rated securities present greater
risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Investing in
derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and
credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Leverage
results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any gains or
losses. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging
markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations,
political and economic changes, and market risks.
Deutsche Strategic Municipal Income Trust seeks a high level of
current income exempt from federal income tax. The fund will invest at
least 50 percent of its assets in investment-grade municipal securities
or unrated municipal securities of comparable quality, and may invest up
to 50 percent of its assets in high-yield municipal securities that are
below investment grade. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate,
credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest
rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the
ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest.
Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity,
leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility.
Leverage results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any
gains or losses. Although the fund seeks income that is exempt from
federal income taxes, a portion of the fund’s distributions may be
subject to federal, state and local taxes, including the alternative
minimum tax.
Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously
offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, shares of
closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock
exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to
the net asset value. The price of a fund’s shares is determined by a
number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund.
Therefore, a fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below
or above net asset value.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in
any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws
of such state or jurisdiction.
NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE
NOT
A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and
wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its
subsidiaries. Clients will be provided Deutsche Asset & Wealth
Management products or services by one or more legal entities that will
be identified to clients pursuant to the contracts, agreements, offering
materials or other documentation relevant to such products or services. (R-38245-1)
(4/15)
Copyright Business Wire 2015